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Many Everton fans have been left to fume as a manager update emerged from Fabrizio Romano.

As per Romano, Nuno Espirito Santo is ‘one step away’ from joining the Goodison Park faithful, with an agreement to be completed ‘soon’.

The Italian football journalist and transfer guru also added that he is expected to be announced as the new manager of the Merseyside club ‘in the next few days’.

Nuno certainly has some credentials for the role, given that he guided Wolves to two consecutive seventh-placed finishes in the Premier League after promotion from the EFL Championship, as the Toffees look to push on themselves to try and qualify for Europe.

However, his preferred three-at-the-back formation may not suit the Blues, especially if it ends up turning into five while defending. They will surely be looking to score more goals come the new season, having managed just 47 in the top flight last season, the fewest out of any side in the top half of the table by far (Sky Sports).

With this in mind, and also the number of potential other candidates out there, it seems as if several EFC supporters are not happy with Nuno’s likely appointment.

Everton fans on Nuno manager update

These Everton fans fumed as the manager update was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it was ‘awful’:

“What a boring, uninspiring & safe appointment, his football is dreadful to watch. This was our chance to be bold, do something different. I’ll give him 18 months then we’ll begin another 5 year rebuild.”

Credit: @Ecclesbean

“Disgusting. Gone by Christmas. Joke of a club.”

Credit: @MichaelHilditc5

“What a joke of a football club we are”

Credit: @DeanOverton

“So now we’re happy with his huge backroom team coming? Don’t think we have any clue what we’re doing here.”

Credit: @OnTaribo

“Awful”

Credit: @knerts1878

“If true, this is another uninspiring choice.”

Credit: @KenCamara

In other news, find out what other manager update has left Toffees fuming here!

Ralph Hasenhuttl has confirmed Southampton have had talks with Liverpool as they aim to keep Takumi Minamino at St. Mary’s Stadium next season.

The Lowdown: Minamino future up in the air

Minamino signed for Liverpool last January, but he managed just four goals in 31 games in his first 12 months at the club (Transfermarkt) before moving on loan to the Saints at the start of this year.

As of yet, it is not clear what the future holds for him.

The Latest: Hasenhuttl reveals extension interest

Speaking ahead of Southampton’s final match of the season versus West Ham, Hasenhuttl revealed Southampton are interested in keeping the Japan international on loan at the club next term. He said (via Hampshire Live):

“It is possible, definitely.

“We have had talks with them and they are not so sure what will happen with him because Liverpool may make some things happen in the transfer market.

“For him, it was important to play here. We gave him that chance to play and we have enjoyed having him here.”

The Verdict: More to give

Minamino’s spell on the south coast has been a mixed one. He scored twice in his first three games, but has failed to score in seven since then and has even come in for criticism from the club’s supporters. Still, he has only featured in nine matches overall – that is hardly the biggest sample size.

At Red Bull Salzburg, he scored 64 goals and provided 44 assists in 199 matches – he has 87 strikes throughout his career. While he may have been participating in an inferior league in the Austrian Bundesliga, two goals and three assists in the Champions League during the 2019/20 term indicate he can perform at a higher level. If Hasenhuttl can keep him at the club for another 12 months, Minamino could yet prove to be a valuable asset.

In other news, Southampton are interested in this goalkeeper.

Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero may be surplus to requirements at Manchester City but he’s certainly not short of new admirers. A number of major clubs across Europe have been linked with his signature and the latest side to emerge as front runners are Chelsea.

Under Thomas Tuchel, the Blues have made it through to the Champions League final but, with Timo Werner finding his feet in English football, the need for striking support is evident.

Fitting the Bill

Chelsea have striking options but Tuchel seems reluctant to have the faith in Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham that was displayed by former manager Frank Lampard. Werner is the big money signing and the German is the future but he’s struggled up front with just 12 goals in 47 matches so far.

Contrast that with Sergio Aguero’s record of 258 goals in 357 games for Manchester City. With Werner learning his trade alongside the Argentinian, he can develop into a more prolific striker.

Chelsea could use some attacking intent as they prepare to face Aguero’s Manchester City in the final of the Champions League. According to sports betting markets linked via asiabet, City are the clear favourites for the win at around Even Money. Chelsea are some way behind at 3/1 and Werner will be crucial if the Blues are to defy those odds.

Anyone interested in staking on that Champions League final will also find news updates and opinion pieces related to the game. Any readers of asiabet that are ready to make a move can also access some of the best offers and promotions available.

Chelsea are up against it and, if they fail, the club will be anxious for transfer reinforcements as they look to regroup for the new season.

Cutting Edge

That incredible return has made Sergio Aguero the leading goal scorer in the history of Manchester City Football Club. In his ten years at the Etihad, he helped City to claim a number of major trophies while picking up some individual awards of his own.

Aguero is a Golden Boot winner as the EPL’s top goal scorer and his best return came in the 2016/17 campaign when he scored 33 goals in 45 matches across all competitions.

There’s no doubting his ability but the only issue with Sergio Aguero surrounds his fitness. Injury has kept him on the sidelines on many occasions and, had he stayed fit, he would surely have passed the 300 club goal mark for his current employers.

He’ll be 33 in June and that fitness, along with reported wages of £200K per week, may be a concern but there still appears to be a queue for Aguero’s signature.

Where Next?

Chelsea are among a clutch of English Premier League clubs being linked with a move for Sergio Aguero this summer. West Ham, Everton and even Manchester United have been mentioned in connection with his signature.

Moving further afield, Barcelona may be a likely destination if the Argentinian decides to leave England behind. Barca are desperate to keep hold of their star man Lionel Messi but the main strikers Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele are struggling in front of goal.

If Messi were to link up with his Argentinian international teammate Aguero, he could be tempted to stay.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid and Juventus have also been mentioned as possible destinations but it seems that Chelsea and Barcelona are the current front runners. Sergio Aguero is far from finished as an attacking force but it will be fascinating to see where his career takes him next.

Former Norwich City star Jon Newsome has told The Transfer Tavern that the club will have already opened negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur over a deal to sign Oliver Skipp permanently.

The midfielder has been in unbelievable form for the Canaries all season, as they have won the Championship title.

The 20-year-old has played in every single game in the second-tier this season, scoring once and laying on two assists from his defensive midfield position, although the Eastern Daily Press are reporting that the youngster may have suffered a serious foot injury.

Skipp has developed well away from Spurs, and it remains to be seen whether or not he will be given a chance to earn his spot in the first-team squad next season.

Indeed, Spurs have sacked manager Jose Mourinho and are on the lookout for a new manager; it is not yet clear who will be in the dugout next season.

As such, Newsome believes Norwich will be desperate to keep Skipp around, and will have already begun the dialogue with the Premier League club.

He told TT: “He’s had a great season. Will the club test the water? Will they test the water with Tottenham?

“They’re managerless at the moment. I would be really surprised if a conversation has not already been had.

“There’s a lot to be said for it, you go to a club that wants you, that you’ve had great experience and enjoyable times with, so I think it would be quite a positive thing for him if that offer was on the table.”

Ahead of their Premier League clash against Manchester City on Friday night, Newcastle boss Steve Bruce might consider making a ruthless decision and dropping Miguel Almiron from his starting line-up.

With the season now winding down, and the Magpies’ safety secured for another year after both Fulham and West Brom saw their relegation back to the Championship confirmed in recent days, there’s a real chance for Bruce to just experiment a little and bring some fresh energy into the side.

And one way he can do that, is by axing Almiron.

The Paraguay international has endured another difficult season on Tyneside, with just four Premier League goals to his name all year – in fact, he’s been on a shocking run of form that has seen him fail to find the back of the net, or and provided just a single assist, since February 6.

A run of three months without a single goal contribution just isn’t good enough, even in the slightly more withdrawn role that he’s been used in lately.

And, last week’s performance against Arsenal was particularly disappointing, coming up against a Gunners side who had just been humiliated in the Europa League by Villareal and there for the taking.

As per Sofascore, the £75k-a-week earning ace’s 31 touches and 19 passes were even lower than goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, and was involved in barely anything of note.

He had absolutely no attempts on goal, and didn’t even managing a single dribble either. That’s not to mention the fact he also provided no key passes either, and it was no surprise Bruce eventually saw enough and took him for Joelinton mid-way through the second half.

After the game, The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder simply called it “one of his poorest displays of the season”, while Bruce himself admitted Almiron had a difficult outing, saying: “I think he’s played very well of late playing in that midfield area. But like us all (against Arsenal), we’ve found it a bit of a struggle. With what we’ve got at the top end of the pitch, I believe he’s still a very, very decent midfield player and can add goals and a bit of flair from it (midfield) like he has done.”

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Almiron’s work-rate and attitude is second-to-none, and there’s a lot to like about the way the Paraguayan goes about things. But sadly, the quality just hasn’t been there, and it’s holding the Magpies back. It’s time for him to be dropped from the starting line-up.

Meanwhile, Steve Bruce is eyeing this Premier League starlet…

Everton are reportedly eyeing up a potential move to try and sign Adam Armstrong in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider.

As per the news outlet, the Goodison Park faithful are tracking the Blackburn Rovers striker ahead of the summer.

A recruitment source has told the publication that scouts from the Merseyside club watched him in action against AFC Bournemouth in the EFL Championship on Easter Monday as they are in the market for a new number nine.

Armstrong will enter the final year of his current deal at Ewood Park in June, meaning that he may be available at a cheaper price should the Lancashire club be unable to tie him down to a longer deal.

Everton should sign Armstrong

Carlo Ancelotti’s team should look no further than signing Armstrong in the summer if they want to ease the goal scoring burden off of Dominic Calvert-Lewin up top.

The 24-year-old has scored no fewer than 20 goals and made a further three assists in 37 games in total over all competitions so far in the 2020/21 term (Transfermarkt), showing that he clearly knows where the back of the net is.

He also has the added weapon of ‘explosive pace’ as his manager Tony Mowbray pointed out in a media interview back in November, and could therefore complement Calvert-Lewin’s hold-up play if they were deployed together.

Currently valued at £14.4m by Transfermarkt, the Englishman could well turn out to be a bargain for the Toffees due to his contract situation.

In other news, find out what Theo Walcott update has got Blues talking here!

Liverpool could be set to fork out a considerable fee for a striker this summer, with Fiorentina having slapped a huge asking price on Dusan Vlahovic.

According to Italian outlet Milan Live, the Reds are interested in swooping for the Serbian forward but would have to pay €40m (£35m) to acquire his services in the summer.

It’s a fee that should be considered a bargain for Vlahovic and one that Michael Edwards should certainly consider paying to bring him to Anfield.

At just the age of 21, the striker’s progression with Fiorentina has been remarkable following his arrival from Partizan Belgrade in 2018.

As recently as last season, Vlahovic was playing for the club’s youth side in the Campionato Primavera 1 but has now developed into one of the most lethal forwards in Serie A having plundered 15 goals in 29 league appearances for La Viola this season.

For comparison, only four players in Italy, Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku, Luis Muriel and Simy, have netted more in the league than the youngster this season.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-liverpool-news%2c-transfer-rumours-and-more-gravenberch-keita-mane-williams-kabak” title=”Read the latest Liverpool news, transfer rumours and more…”]

Despite that, Fiorentina Head Coach Cesare Prandelli has suggested that Vlahovic is set to get even better, saying that he is “destined” to improve.

Furthermore, former hotshot forward Christian Vieri thinks that the striker is up there with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland as one of Europe’s top young strikers.

That type of talent, with a clear eye for goal,would certainly prove useful for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who have struggled in attack this season.

Regular forward Roberto Firmino has scored just six times in all competitions, whilst fellow striker Divock Origi has netted just one goal throughout 2020/21.

It goes without saying then that the Fiorentina man would be an instant improvement upon the Reds’ frontline when it coms to scoring goals.

Regardless, there could be reservations over the signing of Vlahovic considering Fiorentina’s asking price and the fact that he is rated at just £22.5m.

Considering his quality and promise though, the Reds would certainly not be overpaying by forking out €40m.

Michael Edwards must certainly find the cash to bring Vlahovic to Anfield and get Liverpool the type of goalscoring striker they’re crying out for.

AND in more news, take a closer look at Sadio Mane’s disappointing performance against Real Madrid…

Throughout the summer of 2020, Leicester were heavily linked with a move for Barcelona’s Francisco Trincao.

At the time, it was reported in The Guardian that the Foxes had tabled a two-year loan offer for the Portuguese wideman with an added obligation to buy after that period.

A move never came to fruition, with Director of Football Jon Rudkin instead signing off a deal for AS Roma winger Cengiz Under.

However, reports in El Confidencial now indicate that a ‘system change’ under Ronald Koeman at the Nou Camp could see Trincao pushed out of contention, with the East Midlands talked up as a potential destination, so Leicester have to ensure that they secure their man this time around.

At just the age of 21, the Portuguese international has already displayed immense promise. With boyhood club Braga, he scored nine goals and notched 13 assists in all competitions from the right flank before his big move to Barca.

He has continued that form throughout the current campaign despite having started only nine matches, just two of those coming in La Liga. Trincao has three goals and two assists in all competitions, which are respectable numbers considering his lack of game-time.

For context, that is a higher tally than Marc Albrighton and Cengiz Under, and the same amount as Ayoze Perez.

He would seem a great addition considering Leicester’s wide options. Under is set to leave following the expiry of his loan deal, leaving a space in the Foxes’ squad.

Valued at just £22.5m by Transfermarkt at the time of writing, he would only be slightly more costly than the reported £20.4m fee that it would take to bring the Turk to the King Power Stadium on a permanent basis.

With Trincao now available and the Foxes needing a right winger, the club should look to renew their interest in him and secure his signature at the second time of asking.

AND in more news, read about a sale in 2017 that Leicester City played perfectly…

Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish has highlighted the importance of Leeds United ensuring Illan Meslier signs a new deal at the club, after reports earlier this week that talks are being plotted.

The Whites face Sheffield United in the Premier League this weekend, with the struggling Blades making the trip to Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.

Victory for Leeds would see them jump into the top-half of the table, with 10th-place Aston Villa at home to Fulham on Sunday and currently two points ahead of Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Someone who will again be a key figure this weekend is Meslier, who has made the No.1 spot his own between the sticks, starting 28 out of 29 league matches this season.

[freshpress-quiz id=“351040″]

McLeish lauds influential Meslier

At 21, the Frenchman is already a key man, and speaking to Football Insider, McLeish spoke about the club extending his stay beyond his current contract expiry date of 2023, believing he could save Andrea Radrizzani from splashing out £50m:

“The thing we keep repeatedly saying is when you lose your best players, you start to lose football games.

“You’ve got to secure them. It’s not easy to paper over the cracks, as we know. We’ve seen it with many top, top clubs, top players, top managers.

“It’s just a brilliant bit of business for Leeds and they’ve got the guy in house. It’s not as if they have to spend £50million on a transfer fee.

“I mean he might get that in his wages with the way the money is, the gravy train now!”

Transfer Tavern take

McLeish is spot on, with Meslier a player of such huge potential, considering he is already starting regularly in the Premier League at such a young age.

Goalkeepers also generally peak later than outfield players, meaning the Leeds star could be around for more than a decade, improving all the time as he gains more experience.

In other news, Leeds are believed to be monitoring the progress of an exciting young striker. Find out who it is here.

Anwar El Ghazi was a notable absentee from the Aston Villa team sheet for the match against Wolves and Dean Smith has provided an update on the player.

The latest on El Ghazi

Smith confirmed that El Ghazi is out with an infected toe picked up against Sheffield United, with the manager saying: “He came back after the game and had a bruise which got infected. He wasn’t able to get a boot on. He’s a big loss.”

This is a big blow for Villa

It has been a remarkable turnaround for El Ghazi, who has scored six goals in his 16 Premier League appearances so far this season (Transfermarkt). This is already two more than he managed the whole of last season over 34 games.

He received great praise from former Villa defender Alan Hutton, who said: “I’ve played with him and played against him. In training, he can be unstoppable.”

El Ghazi has also been a great attacking threat and has been a handful for defences, with an average of 2.1 shots, 1.1 key passes and 1.4 successful dribbles per game this season (WhoScored). He clearly was missed in the 0-0 draw against Wolves as many Villa supporters slated the performance of his replacement Trezeguet.

Hopefully the injury is not a lengthy one, especially during a particularly good campaign for the player, as he provides a much better threat than Trezeguet (who has failed to score in his 18 appearances this term) and he could be vital for a top half finish in 2020/21.

In other Villa news, some fans have been piling praise on one star at the club following his latest comments. Have a read who it is here!