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Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier could potentially join La Liga giants Barcelona next summer, according to a fresh rumour which has emerged.

The Lowdown: Meslier shines for Leeds

The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the standout figures of the Marcelo Bielsa era at Elland Road, excelling between the sticks. He has now made 65 appearances for Leeds, proving to be a model of consistency and becoming the youngest goalkeeper in Premier League history to play 50 times in the division.

He has kept 23 clean sheets during his time in Yorkshire, which works out at approximately one every three matches, a very respectable return.

The Frenchman looks set to have a huge future in the game, and although his current Whites deal doesn’t expire until 2026, there appears to be some interest in him ahead of forthcoming transfer windows.

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The Latest: Barca linked with Meslier

According to pundit Gerard Moreno [via Planeta Barca and Sport Witness], who specialises in Barcelona news, Meslier is wanted by the La Liga giants due to the poor form of Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

A summer move is mentioned rather than a January switch, although no official approach appears to have been made. Andre Onana, Koen Casteels and Bartlomiej Dragowski were also identified by Moreno as potential replacements for the £49.5m-rated Germany goalkeeper, who boasts 14 trophies to his name during his time at Camp Nou.

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The Verdict: Potentially huge loss

Much like a number of Leeds players who are highly sought-after, it is perhaps wishful thinking to expect Meslier to remain at Elland Road for many years to come.

That would be an ideal scenario, of course, but considering that he is arguably one of Europe’s best young goalkeepers – he has been hailed as ‘excellent’ by BBC pundit Micah Richards – it is easy to envisage him joining a top European club.

If Meslier does choose to move on, it is vital that Leeds receive a decent fee for his services in order to replace him with a similarly talented player and bring in other reinforcements. He is valued at £18m by Transfermarkt, so prospective suitors should not expect to get away with paying anything less.

In other news, David Ornstein has provided a key update on one Leeds player. Find out who it is here.

With Carlo Ancelotti no longer at the helm, Everton are unexpectedly searching for a new manager.

A number of coaches have been in the frame but the Toffees haven’t managed to conclude a deal just yet.

What’s the word?

Former Wolves boss Nuno Santo has been in talks with the club over the last two weeks and following a successful interview, he’d emerged as the favourite.

However, with discussions now stalling, Everton are beginning to turn their attentions elsewhere.

In a major update on the situation provided by Football Insider, it looks like they have now made contact with Antonio Conte about the position.

It’s not known at this point whether the Italian has any interest in succeeding Ancelotti but he is one of the candidates that Everton are seemingly talking to.

Bad news for Nuno

If the Toffees hierarchy do have a genuine interest in Conte then it should be bad news for all of the fellow candidates, including Santo.

That’s because the former Inter Milan boss has one of the best CVs in the modern game.

Bill Kenwright wanted to hire David Moyes but after he penned new terms at West Ham, it’s Conte who should be the best viable candidate for the Merseyside outfit.

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The 51-year-old recently won Serie A with Inter Milan and has enjoyed enormous success in England previously. His meticulous style and flexibility in terms of tactics really came across as he engineered a Premier league title win and an FA Cup victory.

When Conte first came to Chelsea, he endured a mixed period. They lost to Liverpool and were then battered by Arsenal using 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-4-1 formations.

However, he changed the formation to a three-man defence, a tweak that would eventually see them win the title. It was a turning point for the entire division as a number of sides looked towards a similar defensive shape.

Nuno is well versed with a three-man defence as well but his flexibility isn’t as seamless as Conte’s.

Wolves were promoted with a three-back but once the Portuguese attempted to make them more attacking with a four-man backline, things didn’t go to plan.

Wolves kept just two clean sheets in 14 league matches from October to January as the four-man backline ended up costing the Old Gold.

Conte’s accomplishments speak for themselves but in the words of Pep Guardiola, the 51-year-old is a “tactical master.”

There should only really be one candidate in mind here for Farhad Moshiri and co and if Santo’s stalling opens the door for Everton to hire Conte, then he’ll only have himself to blame if he finds himself not managing in the Premier League next season.

AND in other news, Major twist emerges in Everton manager hunt, Kenwright will be buzzing…

A number of Liverpool fans have been reacting positively to a brilliant new song for Ozan Kabak, urging the Reds to sign him permanently this summer.

Jurgen Klopp has had a nightmare in the centre-back department this season, playing a huge role in his team’s struggles.

Liverpool are without Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip for the rest of the campaign, with the first two missing since the autumn.

Those absences meant the Reds had to delve into the transfer market in February, signing Kabak on loan from Schalke until the end of the season.

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Liverpool have an option to sign the 21-year-old on a permanent £18million deal in the summer, but Klopp is seemingly yet to decide whether or not he will go through with it.

Kabak has certainly slotted in admirably for the Reds, especially considering he is playing alongside a relatively untested player in Nathaniel Phillips.

A brilliant new song for the Turkey international has emerged, with footage showing Liverpool fans singing it, to the tune of the Tetris theme.

Liverpool fans love Kabak song

These Liverpool fans gave their verdicts on Twitter, loving the song and saying the Reds must sign Kabak permanently.

“Spent the whole day singing Ozan Kabak song”

Credit: @cowlos

“I’m obsessed with this song already, you’ll be singing it all day now. ‘Ozan Kabak well he plays centre back, plays centre back…”

Credit: @AnnieHarte21

“I’ve got the Ozan Kabak song stuck in my head. It’s been there for two days now”

Credit: @the_reverend__

“We have to sign Kabak now just for this song at Anfield”

Credit: @MritalkApple123

“That Kabak songs an absolute belter”

Credit: @JoshWright3011

“Kabak’s got a song and I think it’s lovely, he’s not even been signed yet. LFC, y’all know what to do then”

Credit: @T_boier

In other news, some Liverpool supporters have been left excited by one piece of transfer news. Read more here.

Leeds United have been credited with an interest in Aston Villa defender Matt Targett, 90min report.

The Lowdown: Newcastle loan

Targett has been on the books at Villa Park since 2019 but made the move to Newcastle United on loan in January after Steven Gerrard brought in Lucas Digne.

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The 26-year-old, who Villa Park legend Gabby Agbonlahor believes is ‘really comfortable on the ball’, has made 12 appearances for the Magpies, helping them climb up the Premier League table under Eddie Howe.

Jamie Carragher has hailed the left-back during his time at St. James’ Park, and it looks as if his displays have now caught the eye of Leeds chiefs.

The Latest: Leeds links

90min shared a Newcastle transfer story on Tuesday evening, which involved an update on Targett.

They claimed that Leeds, Leicester City and Wolves all hold an interest in Targett, although his preference is to stay at Newcastle, who have a ‘broad agreement in place’ ahead of a £15m permanent deal.

The Verdict: Firpo replacement?

It is interesting that Leeds have been credited with an interest in Targett, as they have also been linked with Celta Vigo left-back Javi Galan earlier this month.

Junior Firpo was the club’s main marquee signing last year from Barcelona but has had a first season to forget, making just 15 Premier League starts and picking up more yellow cards than any other Leeds player.

Links to two left-backs this month could mean that the Whites are looking to replace the Spaniard ahead of Jesse Marsch’s first full season in charge, however, relegation back to the Championship could blow the club’s transfer plans wide open in regards to both incomings and outgoings.

In other news: ‘Big blow…’ – Sky Sports man now reacts to ‘dramatic’ confirmed Leeds news for run-in. 

Manchester United travel to Italy on Thursday for a crunch UEFA Europa League last-16 tie against AC Milan.

The two teams find themselves level following the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford last week but with Stefano Pioli’s men scoring an away goal, the onus is really on the Red Devils.

Having played just four days ago, and with an FA Cup quarter-final creeping up this weekend, will Ole Gunnar Solskjaer be tempted to make any changes to his starting line-up?

Considering the importance of the tie, there might only be two alterations to the Man Utd XI and they will be in line with Solskjaer’s normal changes for Europa League matches.

Dean Henderson should remain in between the sticks with David De Gea only recently returning to action.

However, two changes should occur in front of him. Alex Telles has started all but two of the Red Devils’ European games so will likely replace £19.8m-rated Luke Shaw once again, despite the left-back currently being in excellent form.

Meanwhile, after sitting out the first leg, Victor Lindelof may also be swapped out for fellow centre-back Eric Bailly.

Despite that, the backline should remain otherwise the same.

Midfielders Donny van de Beek and Paul Pogba have handed Solskjaer huge boosts in their returns to fitness. However, having both been out for a considerable amount of time, they may be only afforded places on the bench, meaning Scott McTominay and Fred will once again be the Red Devils’ midfield pairing.

The attack meanwhile should have a very familiar look to it. Bruno Fernandes is likely to be flanked by Marcus Rashford and Daniel James. Owing to Edinson Cavani’s continued fitness problems, Mason Greenwood will continue in the centre-forward role.

AND in more news, read why the Red Devils have to make a move for Sporting CP’s Pedro Goncalves…

As another day comes and goes, West Bromwich Albion’s search for a new manager rumbles on, with the Baggies being linked to yet another new name who could potentially take up Sam Allardyce’s mantle at The Hawthorns.

In a hunt that has seen Guochuan Lai rejected more times than a blackout Take Me Out contestant – with Roy Hodgson, Frank Lampard, Michael Appleton, David Wagner and Tony Puils all reportedly unmoved by West Brom’s admiring glances – the Baggies owner appears to quickly be running out of options to find the club’s perfect managerial match – or is he?

TEAMtalk have reported recently that the Chinese businessman has turned his attention closer to home – to the Chinese Super League, to be exact – with the Henan Jianye FC manager, Javier Pereira, now thought to be a front runner for the job in West Bromwich.

Lai is risking fury

While an explanation may not be required as to why appointing a manager who finished bottom of the Chinese Super League Group A last season could be considered something of a risky move by Lai, it is worth outlining anyway.

Having left his role as Fulham’s assistant head of football operations in order to take over at Henan Jianye in September of 2020, the 55-year-old oversaw 14 regular league games at the Chinese club last term, winning one, drawing three and losing 10 of his fixtures in charge, with his side scoring 14 goals while conceding a whopping 33.

These results saw the Spanish manager’s side finish five points behind Dalian Pro at the foot of the Group A table, however, due to the play-off relegation system they have in the Chinese Super League, Henan Jianye rather remarkably avoided dropping out of the top flight, beating Tianjin Jinmen Tiger – a side who finished bottom of Group B on just three points – over three legs to earn a stay of execution.

Indeed, things do not appear to have picked up for Pereira’s side this season either, with Henan Jianye once again being rock-bottom of their division after four games played.

As such, with the above being the 55-year-old’s only experience in football management, we would argue that his record doesn’t particularly scream of a coach who could take the Baggies back to the Premier League at the first attempt – something that will undoubtedly be the expectation of Lai next season.

So, if the club’s owner really does want to avoid the wrath of the West Brom fanbase – something that we are finding extremely questionable at present – it would be highly advisable for Lai to turn his focus back towards a more suitable candidate for the job, or else West Brom could find themselves in a very similar situation to when they were under the leadership of Pepe Mel back in 2014.

In other news: Lai could have just made his biggest West Brom mistake to date, fans are rightly livid

Steve Howey has offered his opinion on Manchester City transfer target Andre Silva regarding how well he could do in the Premier League.

What’s the talk?

Former Manchester City player Howey believes that the Eintracht Frankfurt striker would do well in the Premier League as he has been able to perform in the Bundesliga. He told Football Transfer Tavern: “The Bundesliga is still a tough league without a doubt and I do feel as though he would do quite well.”

A few weeks ago, Sport Bild, as transcribed by Sport Witness, claimed that City have an interest in Silva and made contact with his agent. Eintracht Frankfurt are said to want at least £34m (€40m) for their top goalscorer to allow him to leave this summer.

Earlier this year, Frankfurt boss Adi Hutter hailed Silva as being “ice cold” from the penalty spot, comparing him to Bayern Munich centre-forward Robert Lewandowski. He said: “André Silva is the solo forward up top, but he does it really well.

“He wasn’t rewarded against Leverkusen, today he was. His composure on penalties reminds me of Robert Lewandowski, who always turns ice cold.”

Pep needs him

Txiki Begiristain must sanction a swoop for Silva this summer. Sergio Aguero’s departure has left a hole to fill in City’s squad and the 25-year-old could be ideal replacement for the Argentine next season. Pep Guardiola needs a new starting centre-forward to lead the line and Silva fits the bill for what City should be seeking.

His goal return in the Bundesliga for Frankfurt last season was sensational. The Portugal international found the back of the net 28 times in 32 starts for the German outfit, averaging an incredible WhoScored rating of 7.51.

For context, Kevin de Bruyne was the only Man City player who averaged a higher WhoScored rating in the Premier League than Silva did in the Bundesliga. His 28 goals were also 15 more than any City player managed in the top flight, as Ilkay Gundogan ended the season as Guardiola’s top league scorer with 13 goals.

Therefore, the £34m-valued goal machine could be a much-needed addition to Guardiola’s squad. He could provide the goals City lacked from central areas, with Gabriel Jesus’ tally of nine the most any striker racked up for City in the Premier League.

If you have any concerns over Silva potentially being a one-season wonder for Frankurt, he also scored 12 goals in 16 starts for the club in the 2019/20 campaign, emphasising that he is a lethal goalscorer at the top level. Therefore, Txiki needs to make sure that he is able to seal a deal for Silva this summer to fulfil Guardiola’s squad needs.

AND in other news, Txiki must avoid grave Man City error with £260k-p/w “warrior”, fans would be livid…

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.

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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.

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.

Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge believes West Ham United could make a deadline day move to sign Jesse Lingard.

The Manchester United creative midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan with the Hammers and rediscovered his best form, scoring nine goals and grabbing five assists in just 16 appearances.

Lingard returned to Old Trafford following the expiry of his temporary move to the London Stadium but has been granted just four minutes of action so far this term.

The 28-year-old has entered the final year of his £75,000-per-week contract and is set to see his first-team opportunities limited further thanks to the impending return of club legend Cristiano Ronaldo.

Reports suggest United would be willing to sell England international Lingard for £25million.

Bridge believes West Ham, along with a number of other Premier League clubs, could look to seal a late deal if the Red Devils confirm Lingard is for sale.

He told The Transfer Tavern: “The understanding I have is they’ve left it in his hands.

“Lingard had such a brilliant loan and I think if Manchester United do make him available, you’d get a lot of Premier League clubs after him.

“I think he did his reputation the world of good at West Ham.”