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Mark Douglas has dropped a claim from sources close to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium on the potential takeover of Newcastle United.

Writing in his latest piece for The Chronicle, the football journalist has claimed that the consortium are continuing to wait the outcome of arbitration and that previous talk from James Pallotta about namechecking the St. James’ Park faithful after admitting that he wanted to buy a club in the Premier League was ‘best ignored’.

Douglas adds that all parties involved in the proposed deal between Mike Ashley and the KSA group hope that a resolution will come into fruition soon, and that while Pallotta’s interest in taking over in the North East is ‘genuine’, he knows that there is ‘no prospect’ of anything happening on that front any time soon.

Newcastle takeover paused for now

It seems as if any talk of a potential takeover at the Tyneside club, whether that would be by the KSA consortium or Pallotta, is on pause for now until their fate is sealed in the top flight.

Steve Bruce’s team are not guaranteed to avoid relegation down to the EFL Championship just yet, despite Fulham’s latest 1-0 home loss at the hands of Wolves on Friday night.

Nonetheless, the Magpies absolutely must stay in the division come the end of the 2020/21 term, and then focus can be put on a potential takeover.

In other news, find out when a well-placed source has claimed the takeover could be completed by here!

In a recent interview, Kevin Phillips discussed the return of Sunderland centre-back, Bailey Wright, to Lee Johnson’s first-team.

Having only joined Sunderland on a permanent basis in the summer of last year, Wright was immediately installed in the heart of the Black Cats’ defence, with the 28-year-old even taking the captain’s armband on a number of occasions.

However, after suffering a calf injury back in February, the defender went on to miss 12 league fixtures for Johnson’s side, eventually making his return to action in the recent loss to Wigan Athletic.

And, speaking recently to Football Insider, Phillips claimed that Wright’s availability could prove to be a huge boost in Sunderland’s push for automatic promotion, despite the disappointing defeat at the DW Stadium.

He said: “It is definitely a big boost to have Wright fit, especially for the run-in. You do not want to have to make lots of changes so, hopefully, he can stay fit for the remainder of the season.

“There is still an opportunity to go up, whether that be automatically or in the playoffs. Wright’s return will certainly help their push for promotion. You need your best players fit at this stage of the season.”

Transfer Tavern Take

So far this season, Wright has highly impressed over his 27 League One appearances for Sunderland, with the centre-back making an average of one tackle, 0.7 interceptions and 5.1 clearances per game, culminating in an average WhoScored match rating of 7.04 – ranking him as the club’s joint third-best performer in the third tier.

As such, it would indeed appear as if the defender’s return to first-team football could not have come at a better time for Johnson and his side, with the Black Cats needing to make up five points in six games to secure automatic promotion to the Championship.

In other news: ‘I am sure’ – Super Kev backs Johnson to land two crucial Sunderland summer signings – find out more here!

Roberto Martinez dropped a huge clanger with Everton’s capture of Muhamed Besic, as Reading now line up a potential transfer for the summer free agent.

What’s the word?

According to The Telegraph, Reading are weighing up a move for Besic to head to the Madejski Stadium once his Toffees terms expire in June.

It is felt that his impending exit from Goodison Park will help ease negotiations after the Royals failed to conclude a deal during the winter market.

Reading were believed to have explored a deal for the Bosnia and Herzegovina international in the final hours of Deadline Day, as head coach Veljko Paunovic is a fan of the midfielder.

But no official approach was lodged, and Besic – who was keen to work with Veljko – had to remain on Merseyside, where he has been training with Everton’s Under 23s this season.

Besic was frozen out of the senior picture at Goodison Park after boss Carlo Ancelotti chose to omit the 28-year-old from his 25-man Premier League squad, and has remained on the fringes despite being added following the mid-season window.

The 45-cap international has not featured for the Blues since 2017, after which he sealed two loan spells with Middlesbrough in the Championship and joined Sheffield United for the 2019/20 Premier League campaign.

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Chris Wilder had appeared keen to retain Besic for a further 12-months following his temporary spell at Bramall Lane, but hinted that a deal was not possible due to his agent chasing a more lucrative contract than the Blades could afford.

A clanger by Martinez

Besic’s future has long appeared to be away from Everton with Ancelotti even opting against offering the midfielder a seat on the bench this term, so will no doubt be hopeful of securing a move to Reading where he is more likely to have the backing of the head coach.

The Berlin-born Bosnian would also bring a heap of Premier League and Championship experience to the Madejski Stadium, where top-flight football for next season cannot yet be ruled out with the Royals only five points outside of the Play-Off places.

But Besic is unlikely to be missed at Goodison Park, having faded massively from the player Martinez considered to be “a phenomenal asset” of his Toffees side having only ever proven to be a regular under the Spaniard.

Injuries ravished his 2015/16 season and kept the £2m-rated midfielder sidelined for almost the entirety of the ‘16/17 term, before being given fleeting appearances under Ronald Koeman and later accepting his first spell away from Merseyside with Middlesbrough.

Everton were at least able to get Boro and Sheffield United to cover his wages, saving the Toffees from having to pay £30,000-per-week to a player they awarded a pay rise to in February 2016 only to rarely see on the field after that.

But the weeks that Besic will have spent in the wilderness this season, the years on Merseyside before joining Middlesbrough and time spent before moving to Sheffield United will have seen Everton pay out a total of £7.6m in wages on a player they spent £4m to sign in 2014.

Little of that £11.6m will have not been wasted when Besic departs Everton at the end of his contract on June 30, which can surely not come soon enough for both the player and the club.

AND in other news, Marcel Brands could hand Carlo Ancelotti his own Dayot Upamecano with £7m Everton transfer…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Howey, who made 150 appearances for Newcastle United, has claimed that Dwight Gayle is not a Premier League striker, but is more suited to the Championship.

Since making his debut in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, Gayle has managed to score just 26 goals in 132 games, whereas in the Championship he has scored 59 goals in 100 league games.

When Newcastle United got relegated last time, Rafa Benitez signed Gayle as he helped propel them to the Championship title and an immediate return back to the Premier League.

Speaking on how Gayle is a Championship not a Premier League striker and the difference between Gayle and a top striker, Howey told FFC:

“The one thing that keeps getting brought up about him is the question around if he’s a Premier League striker, because he’s a very good Championship striker and he’s proved that. But it’s a lot tougher in the Premier League.

“I think the header against Lloris [earlier this month] was a decent save, but the follow up he should be burying and I think that’s the difference between a top striker and a striker that gets goals, but not enough goals.”

Gayle is currently in negotiations with Newcastle regarding a new three-year contract, despite managing just one goal so far this season.

Joelinton partnered the £40,000 per week striker against Spurs and showed him up with a goal and an assist, in what Alan Shearer described as his best performance in a black and white shirt.

Liverpool forward Xherdan Shaqiri is seemingly heading closer to the Anfield exit door, urging his agent to seal a move elsewhere this summer.

The Swiss winger joined the Reds back in the summer of 2018, arriving from Stoke City and being seen as someone who could add depth to Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

Although there have been undoubted moments of quality – journalist James Pearce has hailed his technique as ‘breathtaking’ in the past – Shaqiri’s time at Liverpool has been injury-plagued and inconsistent.

He has only made five starts in this Premier League season and it appears as though his exit is inevitable in the summer transfer window.

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Shaqiri keen on Liverpool exit

According to Football Insider, Shaqiri has ‘instructed’ his agent to find him a new club ahead of next season in order to earn more regular playing time.

A move to Serie A is mooted for the 86-time capped Switzerland international, with Roma and Lazio said to be interested.

Transfer Tavern take

There is an inevitability about Shaqiri leaving this summer, with his exit making sense for all parties. The 29-year-old is not reliable enough fitness-wise to keep persevering with and Liverpool selling him could raise funds for new signings.

History may not look back on Shaqiri’s time at Anfield with huge fondness, but his match-winning brace against Manchester United and assist for Gini Wijnaldum against Barcelona at Anfield have been standout moments. It’s just a shame that such contributions didn’t occur more regularly.

In other news, one Liverpool player came in for criticism from James Pearce after the draw with Newcastle. Read more here.

Sheffield Wednesday midfielder-turned-defender Sam Hitchinson proved influential for the Owls on Saturday afternoon as Darren Moore’s side edged closer to ensuring their Championship survival.

Knowing that a result against Nottingham Forest was crucial to giving Wednesday any hope of avoiding the drop on the final day of the season, the Owls defence emerged as the heroes of the afternoon at Hillsborough, helping their side to secure a goalless draw against Forest that, along with Derby County’s defeat at Swansea City, has given Moore’s side a very real chance of survival.

Now, Wednesday will be hoping that their relegation rivals Rotherham United do not pick up any points in their game in hand on Tuesday evening, before heading into what looks likely to be a straight relegation shootout against Wayne Rooney’s Derby side next weekend.

In the fixture against Forest itself, Hutchinson stood out as the Owls’ star man, with the 31-year-old earning a SofaScore match rating of 7.5 for his efforts against Chris Hughton’s side, ranking him as the club’s best player on the day.

The £18,000-per-week ace, who is naturally a central midfielder and is only filling in at the back because of injuries, put in an extremely commanding performance in the fixture, making four clearances, three interceptions and one tackle.

In addition to these impressive metrics, the former Chelsea youth player also blocked two shots, won three of his five duels – a 60% success rate – and completed an impressive 37 of his 45 attempted passes.

As such, it would not appear to be an outlandish claim to suggest that Hutchinson is almost single-handedly responsible for keeping Wednesday’s hopes of remaining a Championship side alive heading into the Derby clash, and Moore will undoubtedly be hoping for another dominating display from the midfielder-turned-defender when his side travel to Pride Park on Saturday.

In other news: Moore must axe Wednesday flop who’s cost £500k-per-goal, he “needs to go” – opinion

This may have been a season to forget for the regular first-team players at Celtic, but it was one where the young players began to thrive.

Hoops centre-back Stephen Welsh enjoyed a breakthrough season in the backline while Ismaila Soro really came to the party in the middle of the park.

That said, it has also been one of despair for a number of youngsters coming through the ranks at Parkhead.

Cameron Harper has already departed after a lack of senior minutes while Karamoko Dembele has only featured three times.

With chances few and far between for those in the reserves, Celtic have made use of the loan system.

The Bhoys have no fewer than 11 players from their colt’s side enjoying temporary stays elsewhere.

Leo Hjelde has made a big impact while on loan at Ross County, being compared to former Celtic star Virgil van Dijk. However, the player who’s made the biggest splash is Luca Connell.

The 20-year-old moved to Glasgow in 2019 as a teenager after breaking into the Bolton Wanderers first-team. Yet, since arriving in Scotland, he’s not managed to break into the matchday squad.

When the opportunity to go out on loan arose, he grasped it with both hands. Connell headed to Queen’s Park where he’s helped them to win League Two.

The midfield had a big say in that and on his way to earning a winner’s medal scored three goals and recorded five assists in 13 outings.

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Possessing relentless amounts of energy, the way he strides forward is particularly striking. Following a goal against Edinburgh just a few weeks ago, the commentator calling the action said he had a “wand of a left foot.”

It’s a big impression and one that the coaching staff at Paradise should be taking note of. After all, the impending exodus at Celtic should lead to players like Connell finally getting a chance.

Scott Brown is leaving for Aberdeen and consequently, Callum McGregor has been tipped to earn the captaincy. He is vastly experienced but his performances hardly merit the armband.

He has scored only four times all season and has been somewhat of a liability. McGregor was considerably off the pace in last weekend’s Old Firm derby.

Already on a yellow card, the Scotland international flew through Glen Kamara in the first half and was rightfully given his marching orders. McGregor was late, rash and fully deserving of the punishment the referee dished out.

Thankfully, Celtic supporters shouldn’t have to witness him in the middle of the park for too long. With Liam Shaw arriving this summer and Soro improving all the time, McGregor should be sweating over his place.

Add Connell into the equation too and the future of Celtic’s midfield looks a particularly promising one.

He can pass, tackle and have an impact going forward; what more could you want?

After his performances on loan in the end of this campaign, the young midfield general simply has to be given a chance by the new management team.

AND in other news, Hoops given financial boost after big Celtic news emerges, McKay surely buzzing…

As Manchester City followed up a stunning Champions League semi-final second leg win against Paris-Saint Germain with defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, putting the Premier League title champagne back on ice, many Sky Blues fans weren’t impressed with Benjamin Mendy’s performance.

Pep Guardiola’s side were looking to mathematically confirm their fifth league crown in total and third under manager Pep Guardiola with a win against the west Londoners, but a number of first team changes combined with Chelsea’s solid performance made it a day to forget.

City rested plenty of big names for the clash, with the likes of Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, Kyle Walker, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fernandinho and Bernardo Silva all coming out of the first XI from the win over PSG. Kevin De Bruyne was also missing due to not being fully fit, while John Stones couldn’t take part with his domestic suspension (mancity.com), and it’s arguable that the Sky Blues missed them.

City did manage to take the lead, with Raheem Sterling poaching in an effort after a heavy first touch on goal from Sergio Aguero, but the Argentine’s attempted ‘Panenka’ penalty soon afterwards wasn’t able to thwart Edouard Mendy.

As a result, Chelsea came back in the second half with goals from Hakim Ziyech and Marcos Alonso giving them three points at the Etihad Stadium.

One particular problem area for the Sky Blues was their left flank, as both Mendy and Nathan Ake were troubled time and time again. Christian Pulisic and Reece James often bombed forward to good effect, leaving the pair exposed in a tough afternoon, although Ake arguably held his ground more effectively given his 7.0 match rating by SofaScore.

Mendy, on the other hand, lost the vast majority of his ground duels (6/8) and was dribbled past twice on that side (SofaScore), and a number of City supporters duly took aim at his “shocking” performance. One fan even dubbed the 26-year-old a “liability”.

Check out a flavour of the social media verdicts on the Frenchman below.

Man City fans slam Mendy

“Mendy needs to go in my opinion. Shouldn’t be near the team!”

Credit: @PaddyDavidson1

“Pep set up this lineup just to play Mendy and he was complete liability. Sterling is a talented player in poor form. Mendy is way beyond poor form, good form is a rarity for him.”

Credit: @ManchesterMike_

“Mendy and Ake must go this summer! Poor”

Credit: @THEK1NGPIN

“Mendy was shocking and isn’t City quality, dunno why you have an issue with that”

Credit: @MCFCAJ10

“Mendy definitely needs to be moved on. He was shocking today”

Credit: @1cornishblue

“Also before I sleep Mendy was a liability today, exposing Ake so many times”

Credit: @MCFC_Rez

“So why play him. He’s been consistently poor and getting worse. So out of his depth”

Credit: @Mike_Y_653

In other news: Man City fans were, however, excited by this new deal claim…find out more here.

Former Leeds United midfielder Carlton Palmer has exclusively told Football FanCast that West Ham won’t be able to afford Jesse Lingard permanently.

Lingard has been in tremendous form since his January arrival, contributing to 13 goals in as many matches to help the Hammers maintain their push for European football.

His goals led to a recall to the England squad for the recent World Cup qualifiers, but he’ll return to Old Trafford at the end of the season once his loan expires.

By then, Lingard will have just 12 months remaining on his deal, meaning United will have to either offer him fresh terms or decide to cash-in to avoid him leaving for nothing.

West Ham are one of his potential suitors, although the likes of PSG and Real Madrid have also been touted as a possible destination for Lingard this summer.

But Palmer believes that his excellent form has put him into contention to be a starter back at Old Trafford next term.

He told Football FanCast:

“I don’t think they’ll be able to get Lingard on a permanent deal. I think he’s played his way back into the Manchester United starting line-up, and he we will have to see how he does, but he will probably start at the Euros.

“Manchester United are a massive club and West Ham just don’t pay that type of money on a regular basis and David Moyes knows that.”

A surprise name has emerged in West Ham’s hunt for a new forward this summer…

What’s the word?

According to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, the Irons are keeping tabs on Aleksandar Mitrovic’s situation at Fulham, who were relegated back to the Championship earlier this week.

It’s claimed that David Moyes is a big fan of the Serbian powerhouse and believes he “can succeed” at the London Stadium under his stewardship.

Konur also suggests that “formal contacts” are expected to be made between the two clubs at the end of the season.

It remains to be seen how much the 26-year-old would cost the Hammers, though CIES Football Observatory currently value him at €20m (£18m), whilst he’s also earning reported wages of £60k-per-week at Craven Cottage.

Worst since Haller?

David Gold, David Sullivan and Karen Brady must reject Moyes’ desire to land Mitrovic at all costs as they will be making their worst mistake since splashing the cash on Sebastian Haller.

The Ivory Coast striker cost the East London outfit a club-record £45m but was sold after 18 months, having only found the net 14 times, and they made a net loss of around £20m on him – a disastrous turn of events.

It’s no secret that Moyes desperately needs an alternative option to the injury-prone Michail Antonio, if not a perfect foil to partner him but he’s barking up the wrong tree by targeting the Fulham flop.

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Mitrovic has never delivered in the Premier League consistently and that has to be a major cause of concern.

In 104 top-flight appearances across spells with the Cottagers and Newcastle United, the 6 foot 2 attacker has only scored 24 goals, which is actually a far worse games-per-goal ratio (4.3) than Haller (3.7).

Whilst Mitrovic has also always carried an element of controversy wherever he’s been.

During a win over Huddersfield Town in the Championship in August 2019, fans lambasted him as “embarrassing” and “shameless” for feigning an injury whilst more recently, Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe slammed him for an elbow on Ben White, calling it “really naughty.”

His former boss at the Magpies, Steve McClaren, added his thoughts soon after, and claimed (via Leeds Live): “That’s how he is, that’s what he was like as a kid when we signed him for Newcastle. He’s so aggressive, he bullies you. That’s what he did. The first five games he played, I think he got sent off twice for us. He has to calm down, he has to control his emotions and play the game.”

That should be enough to put any manager off, let alone his three league goals this campaign.

GSB must absolutely steer clear of Mitrovic this summer, no matter how badly Moyes wants him at the club.

AND in other news, Sullivan could land West Ham “another Antonio” with bargain swoop for 16-goal finisher…