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A reliable West Ham source has dropped a frustrating transfer update this week…

What’s the word?

The Irons are thought to be closing in on the signing of Fiorentina centre-back Nikola Milenkovic, who would become only their second senior addition of the summer despite the Premier League returning this weekend.

However, the deal is far from complete as negotiations with agents continue.

That’s according to ExWHUemployee, who delivered some fresh information to supporters on his ‘The West Ham Way’ Patreon page. He said:

“Talks are still ongoing with the centre backs. Milenkovic deal is still not complete because of the difficulty in dealing with agents (that’s the excuse I have been given). There doesn’t appear to have been any progression today which in itself is a worry.

“Milenkovic trained with his club today, as he did yesterday.”

Further frustration

The Serbia international is expected to cost the Hammers around £14m, whilst a move for Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma could be back on after discussions collapsed last week, as per the Evening Standard.

But with a trip to Newcastle United merely days away, it’s hard to believe that David Moyes will have the new centre-back he’s craving in time for the start of the new campaign.

Their transfer plans have been rather frustrating thus far, as seen by the fact that their only signing has been the loan arrival of Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

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The longer they do not sign Milenkovic, the more doubt and worry will start to creep in around the London Stadium and as the trustworthy ExWHUemployee says, it’s “a worry.”

Moyes has made a central defensive addition one of his recent priorities due to Angelo Ogbonna’s injury concerns, so there’s a chance that his only two available options, Craig Dawson and Issa Diop, are the two to start at St James’ Park on Sunday.

One injury to either will put the 58-year-old in a nightmarish spot once again. You only have to remember the back end of last season, where injury troubles plagued the squad and it very nearly dented their European hopes.

The Scot needs more than Milenkovic, too. A new striker to provide the perfect foil to the injury-prone Michail Antonio has to be another priority, especially as they are facing a 50-plus game campaign. The 31-year-old has never started more than 24 league games since joining the Hammers.

Plenty of supporters have been left angered by their lack of activity this window and this update does no favours to Moyes or GSB.

The wait goes on.

AND in other news, West Ham insider drops exciting transfer claim about David Moyes…

According to a report by Turkish transfer journalist Ekrem Konur, Tottenham Hotspur – and by extension managing director Fabio Paratici – ‘will try’ to sign Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic on one condition.

The Lowdown: Spurs enter Milenkovic negotiations…

As per other reliable sources, like Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas, Spurs have recently entered talks to sign Milenkovic following the breakdown of his proposed move to West Ham.

The Serbian colossus was thought to be on the verge of a move to the London Stadium, with some even believing that his suitcases were packed, but Sky Sports claimed that Paratici is attempting a last minute smash-and-grab.

The Latest: Spurs ‘will try’ to sign Milenkovic, on one condition…

According to Konur, while talks for Milenkovic have been held, Spurs will only attempt to complete his transfer on one condition.

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The journalist claims that Spurs will properly move for the 23-year-old if they fail to prise fellow Serie A defender Takehiro Tomiyasu away from Bologna.

“Tottenham will try to complete the Milenkovic transfer if Tomiyasu fails to complete the transfer,” Konur said on Twitter.

“Tottenham have been in talks with Fiorentina about Milenkovic.”

The Verdict: Milenkovic the better option…

Both possessing similar profiles, we believe La Viola’s towering young defender slightly edges it over Tomiyasu in terms of who Spurs should be targeting for the centre-back position.

Journalist Charlie Eccleshare of The Athletic believes that Milenkovic could leave Fiorentina for as little as €15 million (£12.7m) this summer and, depending on his possible Premier League performances, he may come with a bit of sell-on value.

The 23-year-old, standing at a colossal 6 foot 4, is arguably tailor-made for the English top flight and Spurs would be snapping up a real bargain, especially considering that he has been called ‘extraordinary’ by Spanish right-back Pol Lirola.

In other news: Offer pending: Tottenham front race to sign ‘very exciting’ player with ‘gigantic buzz’, find out more here.

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans have erupted in response to an official club announcement that defender Frederik Alves has joined Sunderland on loan.

Alves signed for the Hammers in January from Silkeborg IF with the Denmark Under-21 international even making a few appearances on West Ham’s bench over the second half of 2020/2021.

David Moyes is alarmingly short of central defenders as West Ham gear up for what will be a taxing 21/22 campaign given their involvement in the Europa League group stages.

Only Issa Diop, Craig Dawson and Angelo Ogbonna make up Moyes’ senior defensive options and it now appears that they will be short of a youngster to call upon.

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As per the club, making an official announcement, Alves has signed for The Black Cats on a season-long loan deal and will be a part of Lee Johnson’s squad for the entirety of this season.

Given their current squad depth in that area, it is little wonder many West Ham fans believe this decision to let him go is ‘staggering’.

Find all of their verdicts, in reply to West Ham’s official account, down below.

West Ham fans erupt over Alves news…

“Ridiculous this”

Credit: @HughMoore1997

“wow even less first team players now! what a joke”

Credit: @CaineRussell

“This club is a shambles”

Credit: @Mcglynn7James

“Done with this club”

Credit: @LH_WHU

“IS THIS A JOKE, WE HAD 4 CBs IN OUR ENTIRE FIRST TEAM SQUAD, WE NOW HAVE 3, AND OGBONNA IS INJURED. YOU CANNOT WRITE THIS”

Credit: @MattWallis25

“This club man. Staggering.”

Credit: @WestHamPlace

“Bonkers decision like we need the squad to get smaller”

Credit: @PalazonMark

“Absolute joke club. Just keep pushing them all out the door. We will have the best 5 a side team around. Parasite owners.”

Credit: @BMANWHUFC

In other news: ExWHUemployee says West Ham could swoop for perfect Antonio alternative in 16-goal ‘phenomenon’, find out more here.

Newcastle United have now been dealt a blow in their race to sign Brandon Williams before the summer transfer window ends.

The Lowdown: Williams eyed

There have been a number of reports throughout the window claiming that the St. James’ Park faithful have been eyeing up a move to sign Williams on loan from Manchester United.

However, no deal has ever materialised, and with less than two weeks until the window closes, they need to step up their interest if they are serious about bringing him to the North East.

The Latest: Williams update

As per Football Insider, Norwich City are about to beat the Tyneside club, as well as Southampton, to Williams’ signature, and have struck an agreement with the Red Devils.

He has reportedly been told that he can join the Canaries once Alex Telles recovers from his injury, despite Steve Bruce being keen to bring him to the Magpies.

The Verdict: Blow

It is certainly a blow for the Toon that they look set to miss out on signing Williams, as he could have been a valuable addition to the squad.

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He already has experience in playing in the Premier League and can play on both sides of the defence, offering Bruce depth in both wing-back positions.

Once dubbed ‘outstanding’ by his manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after an impressive individual performance despite defeat to Chelsea back in July of last year, Williams is still only 20 years of age, and so still holds a lot of potential.

Nonetheless, NUFC may have to start looking at other targets now with Transfer Deadline Day edging nearer.

In other news, find out what worrying insight from takeover sources Liam Kennedy has dropped here!

Dean Windass has urged Leeds to improve defensively – and reckons the Yorkshire outfit should sign players in that area.

Whilst Marcelo Bielsa’s men caught the eye with their high-pressing, counter-attacking football on their return to the Premier League last season, they shipped 54 goals, the most in the top-half and even more than Fulham, who were relegated.

Leeds conceded four or more goals on five occasions and were hit for six at rivals Manchester United last December.

And Bielsa’s side have continued in a similar vein in the early parts of this season, letting in seven goals in just three hours of Premier League action, including another five at United on the opening-day.

Leeds have started with a similar defence to the one that played for the majority of last season – although Junior Firpo did make his full debut in the draw with Everton on Saturday.

With that in mind, Windass exclusively told Football FanCast that Bielsa could do with signing some defenders before the window closes:

“You defend first and foremost, and then you attack. But I’m hoping that Leeds improve the squad defensively – I’m a Yorkshire fan, I’m not criticising them, it’s a fact.

“You’re conceding four of five, you did it last year and you can’t afford to do it this year.”

Southampton have been credited with an interest in Sheffield United striker Daniel Jebbison recently and if the teenage forward were to join Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, it could be a catalyst in Michael Obafemi leaving St Mary’s.

What’s the word?

According to The Sun on Sunday (via Football League World), Southampton have joined the race to sign the 18-year-old forward this summer after he broke into Sheffield United’s first-team towards the end of last season.

The likes of Everton, Leeds and Aston Villa have also been linked with the Englishman, whilst he was also attracting significant loan interest from Championship and League One clubs.

Despite Sheffield United’s league position of 23rd in the Championship, Jebbison has not yet played a minute in the second tier and has been limited to just 71 minutes of action in the League Cup.

Bye-bye Obafemi?

If Southampton were to sign the exciting Sheffield United forward, it is difficult to see where Obafemi would fit in at St Mary’s in the long-term future.

The Republic of Ireland U’21 international made just four substitute appearances in the Premier League last season and saw a loan move to Swansea City fall through after he picked up a long-term injury.

Although he featured heavily in pre-season, the 19-year-old’s only appearance so far this term came as a substitute in the 8-0 thrashing of Newport County in the League Cup, so it seems as if he is surplus to requirements in Hasenhuttl’s squad.

The Austrian manager has questioned Obafemi’s professionalism in the past, and he was heavily linked with a switch to Blackburn Rovers as part of the Adam Armstrong deal earlier in the window.

As his contract is set to expire at the end of this season, it would not be a surprise to see Obafemi sold, especially if the money from his sale could be put towards signing a player such as Jebbison.

The teenage striker boasts an impressive record with Sheffield United’s academy, scoring six in as many outings. He also scored on his first Premier League start in a 1-0 win against Everton last year, with Micah Richards later dubbing him the “shining light” in what was a terrible season for the Blades.

Whilst it is difficult to see him getting in ahead of any of Hasenhuttl’s current attacking options, he clearly has a lot of potential and would fit Southampton’s transfer model of signing young talents for the future.

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Therefore, Semmens should definitely look at sealing a last gasp transfer swoop for Jebbison before the transfer window shuts on Tuesday evening.

And, in other news… Southampton can sign their next KWP in 21 y/o

Ange Postecoglou’s first summer as the new manager of Celtic was an extremely busy one.

Together with Dominic McKay, the Hoops boss carried out a thorough upheaval of the playing staff, with plenty of bodies coming and going.

Twelve first-team players arrived, including three on a frantic transfer deadline day, but Postecoglou was also keen to strengthen the ranks in the reserve team. They brought in the likes of Liam Shaw and Osaze Urhoghide from Sheffield Wednesday, while Joey Dawson was also recruited from the English Football League to Parkhead.

Shaw looks as though he’ll have a bright future in Glasgow, but sadly he has not been able to work his way into the manager’s plans so far. Instead, it was claimed by The Athletic this week that Dane Murray and Bosun Lawal were ahead of him in the pecking order.

Murray earned his Celtic debut in the Champions League at the beginning of the season, while Lawal was one of many signings this summer, arriving from Watford in a deal worth just £120,000.

He has made an instant impact at the club, taking on the captaincy of the B team, who have enjoyed a vibrant start to their life in the Lowland League.

A tough midfield player, he could well become the Hoops’ new Olivier Ntcham over the next few seasons.

Ntcham left Celtic this summer as he headed to Swansea following a dismal last 12 months in Scotland. The Frenchman was labelled a “disgrace” by Noel Whelan after he appeared to down tools with his performances and it was a sad way for such a talented player’s career in Scotland to end.

When he was on song, he was a fabulous asset. Discussing the midfielder in 2015 when he was still at Manchester City, The Guardian wrote: “Despite still being a teenager he already appears a powerhouse, a quality that is balanced by mobility, the ability to play the simple or clever ball, and a natural instinct to ghost into the penalty area at the right time to score.”

Genoa president Enrico Preziosi added: “I’ve been in the world of football 26 years and I’ve never seen a similar player at his age. He has an unlimited potential, and is really a fantastic talent.”

Ntcham never lived up to that potential, but in being a long-legged midfield general, Lawal has similar attributes at his disposal. The 18-year-old won’t be seen in the first team for a while and has yet to feature at senior level but he looks an incredibly promising player.

During his time with the Hornets, Watford icon Troy Deeney loved what he saw from the teenager, saying: “You know what, he’s got a little bit of [Abdoulaye] Doucoure about him.

“He can get past people effortlessly and keep striding, he has that big long stride. I thought he did really well.

“Three or four days after playing in the U23s, he played another 90 minutes and it was effortless to him.”

The tireless youngster clearly made a big impression in Hertfordshire, and by being entrusted with skipper duties in the Celtic B team, he is already making enormous strides at his new club.

Lawal is certainly one to watch.

AND in other news, Forget Montgomery: Celtic may have their next Tierney in 17 y/o who’s the “real deal”…

When Rangers resume after the international break, Steven Gerrard has a big decision to make when it comes to selecting a goalkeeper.

After both Allan McGregor and Jon McLaughlin were ruled out after testing positive for covid, Gerrard was forced to select McCrorie in between the sticks for the games against Alashkert and Celtic.

The 23-year-old shot-stopper, who had never played for Rangers’ senior side before, impressively kept clean sheets as Rangers drew 0-0 and 1-0 in those respective games, which should surely give Gerrard something to think about ahead of their game against St Johnstone next weekend.

A graduate of the Rangers academy, McCrorie has spent each of the last four seasons out on loan, progressing through the leagues with spells at Berwick Rangers, Greenock Morton, Queen of the South and Livingston.

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Last season saw the ‘keeper make 26 appearances for the Lions, in which he conceded 46 goals and kept four clean sheets, and whilst this isn’t the greatest record, it gave him some much-needed experience in the top-flight, which definitely will have helped him through the recent fixtures.

After he made his debut in the draw against Alashkert, which secured Rangers’ spot in the Europa League group stages, assistant manager Gary McAllister was full of praise for the young goalkeeper, saying:

“We have loads of belief in Robby and he didn’t let us down.”

“I thought he dealt with the ball well and the one awkward shot that came in low and bounced in front of him, I thought he handled that well.

“So it is a very good debut.”

McCrorie is reaching the age where he needs to be playing senior football regularly and although Gerrard has alternated between McLaughlin and McGregor so far this season, they are 33 and 39 respectively, so the 41-year-old manager should definitely consider giving the 23-year-old more first-team opportunities after he proved himself in those aforementioned displays.

And, in other news… Manager drops concerning transfer update on “fantastic” Rangers beast

Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard has reportedly turned down the offer of a new contract from his boyhood club.

What’s the story?

According to ESPN’s Rob Dawson, the 28-year-old rejected the fresh terms as he seeks assurances about his first-team prospects at Old Trafford.

Lingard has entered the final year of his current deal with United and has been presented with the opportunity to extend his stay in the red half of Manchester, but concerns over game time have seen him reject the hierarchy’s initial approach.

The Red Devils risk losing the England international on a free transfer next summer if an agreement cannot be reached and he’ll be free to begin negotiating with foreign clubs as early as January.

Solskjaer will be concerned

Lingard has contributed a very respectable 33 goals and 20 assists in 211 appearances for United since graduating through the club’s youth academy.

However, he found opportunities hard to come by under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and moved to West Ham United on loan halfway through last season.

In just 16 Premier League outings for the capital club, Lingard notched up an incredible nine goals, laying on a further five assists for his teammates, playing a pivotal part in their fabulous sixth-placed finish.

Despite interest from a selection of other clubs from England’s top-flight and abroad this summer, Solskjaer was keen to retain Lingard’s services, despite the arrival of Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo.

He may already be regretting the decision not to seek pastures new, though, after only being awarded four minutes worth of action in the opening three league games of the new campaign.

Dawson’s report states that: “The 28-year-old is determined to find regular football in order to keep his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“He narrowly missed out on a place in the squad for Euro 2020 as England made it all the way to the final but returned to the team for the 4-0 win over Andorra on Sunday, scoring twice and recording an assist.”

With Lingard currently unwilling to put pen to paper, Solskjaer risks losing a very useful player and potentially valuable asset for free, something that will surely concern the Norwegian.

It remains to be seen whether the versatile ace has a change of heart or finally leaves United on a permanent basis, and many clubs will watching how this situation unfolds with a keen eye.

And, in other news…Forget Lingard: Man Utd magician who made 6 key passes lit up the international arena 

Leicester City kick off their Europa League campaign with a tricky opening fixture against Serie A giants Napoli this evening.

It’s been a slow start to the campaign for the Foxes despite their Community Shield victory in the curtain-raiser against Manchester City, with the same opponents condemning them to their second defeat in four Premier League outings last time out.

And unusually for Leicester, it’s been in the final third where they’ve found life particularly difficult.

Their 1-0 loss at the hands of the Cityzens over the weekend was the first time they’ve failed to find the back of the net in the opening weeks of the new season but was also the fourth time in five outings that they’ve failed to score more than one goal.

Only a narrow 2-1 victory over newly-promoted, pointless Norwich City broke that run. It’s something that will be causing manager Brendan Rodgers some headaches, but the solution could be a rather simple one.

Leicester’s struggles in front of goal are due to several reasons, yet one is more obvious than most. Attacking midfielder James Maddison has failed to score or assist in his last 15 appearances as he struggles to rediscover his best form following an injury.

“Every player will always go through a period, especially with the rise James has had,” Rodgers said in Wednesday’s press conference after being quizzed over the player’s recent poor displays.

“Injuries have held him back. I’ve no doubt over the course of the season he will be an important player for us. He’s got a big talent.”

“He’s working hard in training. He will show his worth. I look forward to working with him. The level he has been at, you go through a period where you don’t quite hit the heights. But once he gets his rhythm and we improve as a team, he will get that form back,” he concluded.

However, Maddison’s hugely underwhelming displays of late have been hampering his team’s chances of success, and when there’s a player as talented as Kelechi Iheanacho waiting in the wings, there’s only so long Rodgers can keep faith with the Englishman.

Iheanacho showcased his truly top-class potential in the second half of last season, lining up with fellow frontman Jamie Vardy to devastating effect.

In his last 15 top-flight outings, the 24-year-old bagged an astonishing 12 goals and appeared to carry that form into this season when he scored the winning goal in the Community Shield.

Since then, though, Iheanacho has only been on the pitch for a combined 67 minutes as Rodgers continues to persist with a struggling Maddison.

That must change against Napoli, the Northern Irish tactician must revert back to the player he hailed as “very talented” back in April, providing Leicester with a boost in the attacking areas while allowing Maddison time away from the spotlight to get back to his scintillating best.

And, in other news…Leicester receive big boost ahead of Napoli, Rodgers will be delighted