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The Transfer Tavern’s EFL spy has suggested that Birmingham consider signing Cardiff centre-back Curtis Nelson.

Despite ending the last campaign with two heavy defeats, Blues boss Lee Bowyer has already made a huge impact during his short spell at St Andrew’s.

And having led Birmingham to Championship safety, Bowyer will now be hoping to strengthen in the transfer window in hope of improving on their 18th-place finish.

The Blues manager has already been a busy man this summer, adding nine players to his squad, but the majority of those have been in attacking areas following their serious struggles in front of goal in 2020-2021.

Birmingham scored just 37 times, although they suffered equally as much in a defensive sense, shipping 61 goals in the Championship.

With that in mind, the EFL insider exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that Nelson, who’s been a regular for the Bluebirds since moving from Oxford, could be a good addition for Bowyer’s squad:

“With Birmingham changing a lot of things behind the scenes you could see them surprise a few this season with Bowyer.

“Good centre-backs at Championship level cost very good money but with Birmingham being a big attraction, you can see you Premier League players looking to get game time there.

“However, Curtis Nelson from Cardiff is an experienced one, and could fit well.”

Manchester United have been linked with a remarkable move for Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport (as cited by the Daily Mail), United have offered the 36-year-old monster a £17 million-a-year offer to make a return to Old Trafford over the coming months.

The report also claims that Paul Pogba could move in the opposite direction if a deal can be agreed, meaning the France international would be reunited with Massimiliano Allegri in Turin.

Solskjaer must avoid

Ronaldo’s talent is indisputable. The Juve ace has five Ballon d’Or’s, 33 major trophies and an incredible 780 goals for club and country to show for his glittering career.

He’s arguably the greatest footballer to ever play the beautiful game, but his powers are waning, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must avoid the temptation to bring him back to Manchester.

While Ronaldo is still capable of finding the back of the net on a regular basis, he now needs to be supplied with a constant stream of precise passes and perfect crosses to be effective.

His lack of mobility severely hampers teams, somewhat limiting the options for any manager that he plays for.

In the modern era, pressing has become a popular and fashionable part of the game, forming the foundation for successful teams such as Liverpool, Manchester City and RB Leipzig.

Having Ronaldo at the top end of the pitch makes it impossible to implement such a tactic, given his physical limitations.

Although United have pressed effectively on occasion, notably against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season, Solskjaer often prefers his team to counter-attack, hitting teams on the break with fast, precise and dynamic moves.

Again, Ronaldo is now incapable of playing effectively in this style on a regular basis. The Red Devils’ boss must weigh up what the five-time Champions League winner would take away from his side against what he would add.

A constant supply of goals for a season or two in a desperate, short-sighted attempt to win silverware versus a complete reversal on the DNA he has worked so hard to embed throughout his reign.

Ronaldo was asked about a potential move away from the Allianz Stadium ahead of his nation’s opening Euro 2020 fixture against Hungary.

“I have been playing at the highest level for many years, this doesn’t faze me,” said the Portugal captain.

“Maybe if I was 18 or 19, I might have had some sleepless nights, but I’m 36. Whatever comes will be for the best, regardless of staying at Juve or being transferred.”

The Old Lady’s talisman will always be remembered fondly by United supporters for his previous endeavours at the club, but a return shouldn’t be considered and Ed Woodward must avoid making a transfer mistake by bringing in the £500,000-per-week superstar.

And, in other news…MUFC heading for huge transfer mistake over 22 y/o gem, he can be a “complete player” 

Lots of Everton fans have been left to rage as a manager update emerged on Rafa Benitez.

As per The Athletic, it seems ever more certain that the Spaniard will become the next boss at Goodison Park, and confirmation of his appointment could even be made by the end of the week.

Benitez’s potential appointment would certainly cause a stir on Merseyside, given his previous connections with Liverpool, with whom he won the UEFA Champions League with in the 2004/05 season, while he previously called the Toffees a ‘small club’ after a draw in the Merseyside derby back in February 2007.

Thus, it is completely understandable to see why so many Evertonians are against hiring the 61-year-old, but it looks as if they will not get a say over who they want their next coach to be.

Everton fans on Benitez manager update

These Blues raged as the manager update on Benitez was shared on Twitter, with one EFC supporter even going as far as to claim that it is ‘truly shambolic’:

“Disgrace lad worst appointment in our history that”

Credit: @efceddie1878

“Truly shambolic. How lost this club is”

Credit: @MichaelHilditc5

“Grim”

Credit: @paulgefc79

“Nightmare”

Credit: @aikenj897

“Joke club run by headless idiots. And I say that as a supporter.”

Credit: @BanGaoRen

“Moshiri can leave, relegate us, cancel the stadium”

Credit: @jjwilliam28

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

Former West Brom midfielder Carlton Palmer has completely ruled out Slaven Bilic returning to the Hawthorns as manager.

The Croatian was appointed as Baggies boss almost exactly two years ago following their failure to get promoted back to the Premier League under both Darren Moore and then caretaker James Shan.

But Bilic did achieve exactly that, securing a top-two finish on the final day of the 2019-2020 campaign after drawing with Queens Park Rangers.

However, Bilic endured a tricky start to life in the Premier League, with West Brom taking just two points from their opening nine matches despite splashing the cash on the likes of Matheus Pereira, Grady Diangana and Karlan Grant last summer.

Bilic’s Baggies would eventually collect their first victory at the tenth time of asking, before picking up an impressive draw at Manchester City last December.

Less than 24 hours later, though, the former West Ham manager was sacked from his post after just 18 months at the helm despite West Brom sitting just two points from safety.

Six months later, the Baggies are looking to appoint another manager after Sam Allardyce left last month following their relegation back to the Championship.

But Palmer told Football FanCast that there’s no chance Bilic would return:

“Bilic won’t go back there. There is no chance. I know Slaven, and I know what he’s like as a bloke, and he’s a very stand-up guy.

“You can’t treat somebody how they treated him and expect him to come back to the club, that would never happen.”

According to Kevin Campbell, Bright Osayi-Samuel would do brilliantly at Glasgow Rangers were he to make the move to Ibrox.

The Lowdown: Osayi-Samuel to leave Fenerbahce

Osayi-Samuel made the move to Fenerbahce in Turkey from QPR in January, but it appears he may already be leaving the club.

Fener are looking to make £15m from player sales, and they are hoping to get £3m for Osayi-Samuel. He has been linked with a switch to Ibrox.

The Latest: Campbell urges Gers to sign winger

Speaking to Football Insider, Campbell has urged the Gers to sign the 23-year-old. He said:

“I think he would be a good signing at £3million.

“He is a player who has been long-linked with Rangers. They have clearly been coveting him for a while.

“A player of that quality for £3million is cheap money. Even though the transfer market in Scotland is different, that is cheap. I think that is about right for a player with a lot still to come.

“He has got bags of pace, he is direct and he is a threat. I think he would do brilliantly in Scotland.”

The Verdict: Worth a punt

Since making the move to Turkey, things have not gone fantastically well for Osayi-Samuel. He has managed just one goal and one assist for the club in 19 appearances (Transfermarkt) and, given Fenerbahce are already considering moving him on, he clearly hasn’t made too big an impact.

However, as he showed with five goals and nine assists in the Championship during the 2019/20 campaign he has plenty of ability and can be a danger down the flank.

At 23 years of age, he has 19 goals throughout his senior career and has plenty of time to improve as well. For Steven Gerrard and co, he may just be worth a punt at a measly £3m.

In other news, Rangers have also been urged to sign this young Dutchman.

Leeds United could be set for a huge boost as some major news emerges from Thorp Arch about Marcelo Bielsa’s future at the club.

What’s the story?

The Argentine has been an inspirational figure at Elland Road, guiding the Whites out of the Championship and steering them to an impressive first season back in the Premier League.

Now, Football Insider claim that the club “will start work this week on finalising new contracts for Marcelo Bielsa and his coaching assistants”, and that “United chiefs have held preliminary talks with Bielsa’s representatives over a new one-year agreement that will see him extend his spell to a fourth season”.

The report adds that a Leeds source has revealed the club are “confident” Bielsa will put pen to paper on a new deal now that the season is over.

Fans will be buzzing

When reports emerged back in April that Bielsa was close to signing a new deal, Leeds fans took to Twitter to voice their delight at seeing the Argentine commit his future to the club.

And while it seems to have taken a while, the fresh news that Bielsa is close to finalising that new contract will undoubtedly have fans of the Yorkshire club absolutely buzzing, especially given the incredible moments that he has given them as manager.

And, speaking exclusively to FFC, Lawrie Sanchez insisted he could always see Bielsa staying, saying: “Where does he go? He isn’t going to another Premier League club. I think he’s a bit like Roy Hodgson. He wants to work, doesn’t he?  He’s working now in the biggest league in his life, and as much as he comes across as not that interested in it, when people tap you on the shoulder back home and say, ‘I saw you on the TV the other week, your team did brilliant,’ it’s a massive boost to you.

“I think he will stay. They call him a maverick; he dances to his own tune, doesn’t he?  So, if he did leave you would say ‘that’s Bielsa’. But if he were to stay involved in football and having come all the way to Leeds and having seen how well the team has done this year, and obviously they will be backed next year, so I can see him staying.”

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News of Bielsa’s impending new contract is a major boost for Leeds just after the Premier League season has finished.

Meanwhile, Marcelo Bielsa is heading for a major early window howler at Leeds…

Speaking to Football Insider, a Tottenham Hotspur source has lifted the lid on a development involving Fulham boss Scott Parker – with chairman Daniel Levy making a ‘behind the scenes’ move to assess his interest in the vacancy.

The Lowdown: Parker emerging as lead Spurs candidate?

Reports first emerged of the 40-year-old manager being linked to Tottenham as far back as last month, with reliable Lilywhites correspondent Alasdair Gold telling supporters he would merely be considered for the role in future (football.london).

However, news has intensified recently over Parker being a direct replacement for previous boss Jose Mourinho and Football Insider even said just last week that he is emerging as a lead contender.

He has been previously touted as an outside candidate from the Premier League alongside Brighton and Hove Albion boss Graham Potter (The Daily Mail) despite the likelihood he is about to be relegated with Fulham.

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The Latest: Lilywhites source lifts lid on Parker development

Now, a source close to the club has told Football Insider that Levy has made a ‘behind the scenes’ move to assess Parker’s interest in the Spurs vacancy and they have ultimately ‘put feelers out’.

Indeed, the former midfielder’s cause is also apparently being ‘championed’ by Levy and it is believed the Spurs chairman thinks ‘the world’ of Parker.

As per this latest update, the Tottenham chief is a huge admirer of him and believes he has ‘all the attributes’ that make him a lead contender for the Hotspur Way role.

Perhaps most importantly, it would not be a huge financial investment either regarding the compensation fee to Fulham – an aspect which is hindering moves for the likes of Brendan Rodgers.

The Verdict: Levy would be taking a huge gamble

Recently, pundit and former Spurs shot stopper Paul Robinson branded Parker’s possible appointment as a ‘big gamble’ and ‘huge risk’ (Football Insider) – we are inclined to agree.

Having just one full season in the English top flight under his belt, the Cottagers gaffer has been bold in his approach and philosophy in regards to Fulham’s playing style.

It has even drawn praise from Man City boss Pep Guardiola, who called his brand of football courageous (mancity.com), but that doesn’t change the fact his side look very likely to be relegated back down to the Championship.

We believe he could be a very sound candidate in future when he has more experience at the top level.

Matt Holland, who played with Parker at Charlton, knows first hand just how ‘ambitious’ he is (talkSPORT)  – but the Spurs post could be reaching too far this early in his career.

In other news: Spurs make inquiry to sign this powerhouse, find out more here.

According to a report by Bild, via Sport Witness, Tottenham Hotspur are now ‘intensively considering’ Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic for the managerial role – with the German set to depart his current club at the end of this season.

The Lowdown: New candidate emerges…

There have been several names linked to the Tottenham Hotspur vacancy over the last month, but Dortmund boss Terzic has emerged as a new name.

The likes of Graham Potter, Roberto Martinez and Scott Parker have been repeatedly mentioned as main candidates but the emergence of Terzic could throw a spanner in the managerial works and give chairman Daniel Levy a fresh dilemma.

The Latest: Spurs now ‘intensively considering’ Terzic

Bild (via Sport Witness) emphatically claim that Tottenham and Levy are now seriously eyeing the 38-year-old as an option, coming after reports suggested they want someone ‘young’ and ‘dynamic’ (The Daily Mail).

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Terzic is set to leave Dortmund in the summer, prompting this Spurs interest, and it is said that he could well opt for a move back to England.

The fact he is ‘young’, ‘eloquent’ and ’emotional’ is apparently a huge draw for Spurs – as well as the fact he speaks English fluently and ‘knows the Premier League’.

He once worked under Slaven Bilic at West Ham United and the success of both Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel has led to coaches from the Bundesliga becoming more and more popular.

Spurs are now seriously considering his appointment as a result, but face competition from both Newcastle United and Crystal Palace.

The Verdict: Credible candidate?

Having also worked with Klopp during his time in charge at Dortmund, Terzic is fairly new to assuming the head coaching role at any club.

All of his previous jobs have been working as an assistant or scout, but as interim boss of Dortmund for a portion of the 2020/2021 season, he has arguably displayed his metal.

Terzic has guided BVB to a German Cup triumph this season and you can argue his tenure under Klopp is an attractive incentive to consider his appointment.

Dortmund midfield ace Mahmoud Dahoud, speaking to SPORT 1 (via archyde.com), lauded Terzic as a ‘passionate’ and ‘crazy’ manager who ‘works meticulously’ to ensure his sides play perfect football.

As Tottenham attempt to start a new era and put the Jose Mourinho days behind them, Terzic could be exactly the kind of manager to assist them.

In other news: Spurs could now be offered this £250,000-per-week ace for Kane, find out more here.

Leeds United could be facing a transfer nightmare as an update emerges on Udinese midfielder Rodrigo de Paul.

What’s the story?

Reports last summer suggested that Leeds were very much interested in bringing the Argentina international to Elland Road, while The Athletic’s Phil Hay recently delivered an update by claiming that De Paul actually wants to come to the Premier League to join Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Now however, journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that La Liga champions Atletico Madrid have opened talks with Udinese over signing De Paul this summer, and that while many clubs are in the race, the Spanish side have so offered money and central defender Nehuen Perez to sweeten a potential deal.

Bielsa will be fuming

Given how long Leeds’ reported pursuit of De Paul has been, to miss out on the Argentine after a year of wanting him would be a hammer blow to Bielsa and would surely have the Whites boss livid.

De Paul seems to be the perfect fit for what Bielsa wants at Elland Road, with his ability to score goals and also be a defensive menace, making him a superb box-to-box option – he bagged an impressive nine goals and provided a further 11 assists in all competitions last season.

That completeness is something Udinese’s technical director, Pier Paolo Marino, has praised the £26m-rated star for, saying: “Rodrigo is animated by a profound love of football. It’s one of the attributes all top players must have. He’s a tireless worker who mixes quantity with quality, training as hard as he plays. In a nutshell, he’s the ideal player.”

Meanwhile, Udinese coach Luca Gotti, added: “Rodrigo is not the only one we have here who has a bright future but he can play for all the top clubs. Any team in the world. I mean, he starts for Lionel Messi’s Argentina. I’ve been able to watch this metamorphosis from up close, the shift in mentality that turns a good player into a top player, a champion.

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“He’s become a leader and is the first person to demand more of himself. Rodrigo is able to pass that work ethic on to his team-mates.”

If Victor Orta lets De Paul slip through his grasp and watch him join Atletico instead, it would surely be a major howler on the part of the Leeds director of football, and something that would have Bielsa fuming.

Meanwhile, Leeds United are eyeing this player who just got relegated…

Southampton face Leicester City in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday evening and Ralph Hasenhuttl should consider handing a start to Che Adams, as he could prove to be the game-changer against the Foxes.

The former Sheffield United man has been left on the bench for recent games against Burnley and West Brom, despite showing some impressive form before the international break, with goals against Sheffield United, Manchester City and Brighton.

The Austrian manager assured fans that leaving the striker out against Burnley was a purely tactical decision to try and exploit Sean Dyche’s side, but then he left him on the bench again West Brom last time out, when the Saints produced one of their worst displays of the season in a 3-0 defeat at the Hawthorns.

Other than James Ward-Prowse’s missed penalty, the Scotland international arguably produced Southampton’s best opportunity of that game, as he dragged a shot narrowly wide after coming on as a substitute, and looked far more dangerous than Theo Walcott, who had started ahead of him.

When Southampton were at their best early in the season, Adams and Danny Ings had formed an excellent partnership up front and if reunited, they could cause Leicester’s defence a lot of problems with their pace and pressing on Sunday evening.

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Adams also offers more physicality than the likes of Walcott and Nathan Redmond, who has been featuring as a striker in recent weeks, with the 24-year-old striker averaging 1.4 aerials won per game in the Premier League this season, compared to Walcott’s 0.6 and Redmond’s 0.4.

Therefore, the £16.2m-rated forward can offer the Saints an out ball against Brendan Rodgers’ side as he is more likely to be able to hold the ball up and bring others into play, which is something Southampton really lacked against West Brom.

Earlier in the season, after his excellent start to the new campaign, Hasenhuttl suggested that Adams had gone from “zero to hero” at Southampton, with reference to his lack of goals for the club in his debut season.

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If Southampton need a hero on Sunday then they should turn to Adams, as he could prove to be the game-changer against Leicester with his pace, physicality and goal threat. Should he and Ings both produce excellent displays, then Hasenhuttl’s side have a great chance of reaching the final.

And, in other news… Saints were robbed over “world-class” star, his value has risen 265% since leaving