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A major update has emerged about Sunderland target Clark Robertson, regarding where he wants to play next season.

What’s the talk?

According to The Daily Record, Sunderland transfer target Robertson wants to stay in England. Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen were showing an interest in signing him on a free transfer from Rotherham, but the centre-back is now likely to join an EFL club instead.

Football Insider reported last month that Sunderland are one of the English sides looking to sign the defender this summer. His contract at Rotherham expires at the end of the month and he could become a free agent in July unless Paul Warne can tie him down to an extension.

Rotherham boss Warne hailed the defender as “unique” upon his arrival at The Millars in 2018 due to him being a left-footed centre-back. He told Rotherham’s official website: 

“He’s a really good kid and he really wants to learn. He played a lot of games last year and the couple before that and I think he’ll fit in a treat. He can step in and play out from the back, which the league we’re going into will allow a little bit more and he’ll bring us a bit of calmness.

“I’ve known him for quite a while and he’s a left-sider, which is pretty unique. He can play and he was a huge part of the Blackpool team last year. He’s a good, strong, competitive centre half which fits in with what we’re looking for here.”

Get it done

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman must now sanction a deal for Robertson and get it done before any of their League One rivals can make a move. Speakman has to take this opportunity to snap up Robertson and bolster Lee Johnson’s squad, with Robertson wanting to stay in England a major boost for the Black Cats as it has ruled Aberdeen out of the race.

This means that there will not be any top-flight football clubs for Sunderland to have to compete against, with Robertson seemingly set to join a Championship or League One side.

Johnson is in a difficult position in regards to the centre-back position as it stands. Dion Sanderson has returned to Wolves at the end of his loan spell and Luke O’Nien is out of contract at the end of the month with no update on his future since the end of the campaign. This has left Bailey Wright as the only first-choice centre-back left at the club heading into next season, which is why Speakman must seal a swoop for Robertson.

The £3.4k-per-week enforcer can come in from Rotherham and be a reliable option at centre-back for Johnson. Robertson averaged an impressive WhoScored rating of 6.86 when starting at centre-back in the Championship, which shows that he is a solid defender in the EFL. He has also played in League One for Rotherham and Blackpool, earning promotion with the former back in 2020. He could be an excellent signing for the Black Cats and Johnson would love having him in his squad for the aforementioned reasons.

AND in other news, Stance revealed on £3k-p/w Sunderland target with “real talent”, Speakman must act now…

West Ham United have reportedly made an approach to bring Aaron Ramsey back to the Premier League ahead of the summer transfer window…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Italian news outlet Calciomercato, who claim the Irons have ‘timidly tested’ the waters over a potential swoop for the Juventus midfielder.

It is thought that the Serie A giants have put the 31-year-old up for sale as he has struggled to cement a role under both Maurizio Sarri and Andrea Pirlo in the past two years.

The Hammers may have to fork out £15m as well as his £150k-per-week wages (€7m-per-year).

European pedigree

And splash out they should.

Under David Moyes, the East Londoners are heading towards an exciting new era at the club.

Having narrowly survived the threat of relegation with one game to spare last season, West Ham have qualified for a place in Europe next season and one more point against Southampton on the final day will seal a spot in the Europa League rather than the Conference League.

It is players like Ramsey that can help the Irons elevate onto that next level, given his vast experience and quality over several years at the top of the Premier League and Serie A.

He has racked up 76 appearances across both of the current European competitions over the course of his career, a feat that no one on barring Manchester United loanee Jesse Lingard could potentially match in the current squad.

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One of his best qualities is the ability to provide goals from midfield, something he most notably achieved during the 2013/14 campaign, where he found. the net 16 times in just 34 matches.

It is something he has regularly done throughout his career, but particularly in the English top-flight, where he has scored a total of 40 times, as per Transfermarkt.

His classy performances in North London earned a glowing endorsement from ex-Arsenal star Martin Keown in 2019.

“He continues to mature as a player and develop. He’s a real leader now in this Arsenal team,” he said on BT Sport (via the Daily Mail). “Playing in a deeper role, as he did under Arsene Wenger – I think that’s the best role for him. If you want Ozil and him in the same team. He’s so important to everything they do. It’s the energy – the box to box energy. He’s become an outstanding technician.”

The Welsh international could also be a great fit under Moyes, according to Steve Howey, who waxed lyrical during an exclusive interview with the Transfer Tavern. “I think it would suit him, it’s London. I can’t see him coming up north, if I’m being brutally honest. I think that could be a good one.”

Also hailed as a “complete” player and once dubbed “the best-attacking midfielder in the Premier League” by Steven Gerrard, David Sullivan and co. must sanction a move for the £18m-rated beast this summer.

He could be a much-needed piece of the puzzle when their European campaign kicks in later this year.

AND in other news, Moyes could secure his own Aubameyang in £22m West Ham swoop for 27 G/A “huge talent”…

As it became clear that Leeds United would not be anywhere near relegation and would comfortably survive, talk turned to the future of Marcelo Bielsa. Former Leeds midfielder David Norris has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that the Argentine has already signed a new deal.

There had been talks about the Leeds hierarchy planning for life without Bielsa and were looking at potential candidates and former Juventus manager, Massimiliano Allegri was thought to be one of them.

However, it is now widely expected that Bielsa will sign at least another 12-month contract which will see him guide Leeds into their second Premier League season but this time with the roar of the Elland Road faithful behind him and the team.

Bielsa has worked wonders at Leeds taking them back into the Premier League and then helping them finish in the top 10 and Norris claims that the Argentine will be staying for at least another season as he exclusively told The Transfer Tavern:

“It didn’t look like he was ever looking to move or was biding his time to see if anything better was out there. It was just never on his list of priorities.

“I’ve heard from inside that he has already agreed on a new deal so that’s just a matter of time now before that comes out, and that’s a massive signing for Leeds because it lets everyone just relax over the summer knowing that he isn’t going to leave.”

Bielsa has earned himself some rave reviews during his first spell in the Premier League, with the current league winning manager, Pep Guardiola, being in awe of Bielsa as he was in shock to find out that the Leeds boss had praised him and his management style.

It is not just Bielsa’s situation that Leeds fans will currently be sweating over as they wait to see if Kalvin Phillips is fit enough to be part of Gareth Southgate’s European Championship final 26-man squad, although it is expected that he will be.

From a defensive point of view, this season has been a rotten one for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

After all, when you concede four goals to a Burnley side who often lack attacking inspiration, it doesn’t bode particularly well.

They can, of course, rue injuries to players like Willy Boly and Marcal throughout the season, but Nuno Santo’s tried and tested three-man defence hasn’t always served him well in 2020/21.

During a run of 13 games between November and January, the Old Gold kept just a solitary clean sheet in all competitions.

It was a dismal return as Nuno began flirting with the idea of a four-man backline. However, he hasn’t found consistency with that formation at all this term.

On the chalkboard

One player who featured heavily throughout that run was Max Kilman. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough season with Wolves, playing 18 times in all competitions.

Unfortunately, his campaign has hit a stumbling point in recent months. The centre-back has fallen out of favour with the manager and has featured for just nine minutes in the league since the beginning of February.

Kilman has gone from a promising young defender to a man now on the verge of being sold. Reports a few months ago dictated that Nuno was ready to axe him from his plans entirely.

If that does happen, Wolves must look to their academy for reinforcements.

Menacing Marques

Christian Marques appeared on the substitute’s bench during the 1-1 draw West Brom and should be a player who earns regular first-team minutes next season.

The 18-year-old hasn’t played yet for the senior side but he is highly thought of at Compton.

Quickly dubbed “outstanding” during initial scouting, he became the club’s record signing from an academy perspective.

Wolves beat Bayern Munich to his signature and since penning terms, he has captained the Old Gold at U18 and U23 level.

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Marques has played in the Conor Coady role as a sweeper for the youth teams and it would appear that they’re grooming him to be the captain’s natural successor.

That said, they shouldn’t be hanging around to hand the teenager a chance. That’s because the Swiss is so close to being first-team ready.

Speaking to The Athletic, elite player development coach, Darren Ryan waxed lyrical about the centre-back: “It’s rare for a youngster coming from another country to show such leadership,” he started.

“That Coady role is so important in a 3-4-3 or a 3-5-2 but like Coady, he’s a leader, he’s driven and has a great mentality,” Ryan concluded.

Nuno is already providing a pathway to the matchday squad and if Marques keeps impressing, it surely won’t be too long before he’s considered ahead of Kilman.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Neto: Wolves must swoop for “exciting” 12-goal gem with “dazzling dribbling”…

Southampton will be looking to make it three home wins on the bounce when they take on Leeds United at St Mary’s on Tuesday evening, with Saints fans returning to their home ground after restrictions were eased earlier this week.

Freed from the pressure of potential relegation, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have picked up impressive 3-1 wins against Crystal Palace and Fulham in the last week, but they will be in for a tough game later against Marcelo Bielsa’s in-form Leeds side.

The Yorkshire club thrashed Burnley 4-0 at Turf Moor last time out and have lost just one of their last nine Premier League games.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Hasenhuttl to line up against Leeds, with three changes from the side which started against Fulham on Saturday…

Alex McCarthy keeps his place in goal after a solid return performance against Fulham.

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There is one change in defence, as after recovering from his ankle injury, it seems likely that Jan Bednarek will resume his partnership with Jannik Vestergaard at centre-back.

There are two changes in midfield as, after some less than impressive recent displays, Nathan Redmond and Takumi Minamino – the latter once dubbed a “machine” by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp – drop to the bench.

Nathan Tella replaces Redmond on the left, whilst Stuart Armstrong moves out to the right-hand side after featuring in the middle alongside James Ward-Prowse in recent weeks, which allows Oriol Romeu to make his return from injury in central midfield.

Despite a slight injury concern, it has been confirmed that Danny Ings is good to start, and he is likely to partner the in-form Che Adams up front.

In other news… Hasenhuttl must unleash Southampton’s “biggest talent” against Leeds, he’s destined for the top

On the whole, Everton were flat-footed and off the pace against Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday night, but Seamus Coleman stole the show for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

The game lacked heaps of real quality from either team, yet the Seagulls dominated for much of the encounter and arguably deserved to win.

Missed chances from Neal Maupay, Jakub Moder and Adam Lallana ultimately came back to haunt Graham Potter’s men, who could only force one significant save from Rob Olsen when he denied Lewis Dunk.

Everton were fortunate that Brighton’s lack of a clinical presence meant they could leave the south coast with a point, having offered no real attacking threat of their own with top-scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin sidelined with an abductor problem.

Ancelotti was still able to call on James Rodriguez, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Richarlison to lead the Toffees’ charge, but neither of the trio left the Amex Stadium with anything to write home about having either been too passive or packaged out of the game by Brighton.

With little of what Sigurdsson or Rodriguez tried paying off, Richarlison particularly spent much of the game chasing the ball as Brighton sought a breakthrough.

Ben Godfrey played a key role in Potter’s men having to settle for a draw after magnificently blocking Danny Welbeck’s effort with a quarter of an hour still to play, while already proving the bane of the former England international by preventing him from reaching Maupay’s clever pass earlier in the half.

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It was a performance from the £20m summer signing from Norwich City that Everton fans will have come to expect, with Godfrey – who was praised by some as the only highlight of the night – often lauded for his efforts even in defeats.

But it was rather Coleman who stole the show, by doing what Rodriguez or Sigurdsson could not and providing Everton with a creative force, while still offering his defensive support.

Everton struck eight attempts on Robert Sanchez’s goal on Monday night, but only one attempt required the 23-year-old to take action when Rodriguez forced a save from the Spaniard in the 71st-minute, per WhoScored.

Part of the problem for the Toffees was a lack of vision from their key playmakers with Sigurdsson and Richarlison failing to create a single chance for themselves or a teammate, and Rodriguez coupling his two shots with one key pass.

Brighton managed to fashion 15 goalscoring chances and took 23 shots as a team to Everton’s respective four and eight. And of the Blues’ key passes, Coleman provided three – a joint game-high with Maupay and Lallana.

Coleman is not usually one of Everton’s more creative players with the 32-year-old only averaging 0.7 key balls a game in the Premier League this term for his side’s sixth-most, yet frequently surged up the right-hand channel to offer an attacking outlet.

It did not come as a hindrance to the Toffees’ defence, either, with the Republic of Ireland international – who Ancelotti calls “fantastic” – registering a game-high three interceptions, snatching the ball off Welbeck’s toes in the box and providing a crucial block to deny Lallana.

Godfrey may have stood out to some supporters as the only highlight, but Coleman stole the show for Everton by impressing at both ends of the field while some failed to impress at either.

AND in other news, Everton have been tipped to sign a £25m star once dubbed “a freak of a talent”…

Rangers’ decision to sign Borna Barisic from NK Osijek in the summer of 2018 certainly looks to have been a masterclass from Steven Gerrard and former sporting director Mark Allen, as the left-back’s value has skyrocketed since making the move to Ibrox.

The Croatian international was signed after impressing against Rangers in the Europa League qualifying stages and has gone on to become a regular during his time at Ibrox.

The defender has now made 109 appearances for the Light Blues, in which he has contributed a superb seven goals and 31 assists from left-back.

His performances in the Scottish Premiership this season have been phenomenal, as he has contributed one goal and five assists in 30 league appearances, which has seen him average a superb 7.35 rating.

This is enough to see him ranked as Gerrard’s fifth-best performer in the top-flight so far this season, with only Ryan Kent, Joe Aribo, Connor Goldson and James Tavernier rated higher, so it is clear to see just how important he has become for the Light Blues over the past few seasons.

His impressive performances on the pitch have been reflected in his market value according to Transfermarkt, which has significantly increased during his time in Scotland.

The 28-year-old’s current value of £4.95m is the highest it has ever been, and it also represents a 275% increase from his value at the point of his signing, when the website suggested he was valued at just £1.8m.

Barisic was linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur last year and it was suggested then that the North London club would have to pay £22m if they wanted to sign him, so whilst Gerrard will be keen to keep him at Ibrox for the long term, he can be safe in the knowledge that the club will receive a significant profit should he depart.

Following those rumours, former Rangers midfielder Alex Rae was full of praise for Barisic, saying:

“He performs at good level week-in, week-out and has terrific quality in the final third of the park.”

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Therefore, Allen and Gerrard both deserve a lot of credit for bringing Barisic to Ibrox, as it has proven to be an excellent decision from both a footballing and a financial point of view.

And, in other news… Gerrard has a huge Rangers decision to make on “terrific” gem after rampant Old Firm display

After stealing the show in their FA Cup defeat to Liverpool earlier this year, it’s no surprise that Aston Villa’s array of young talent have really captured the imagination at Villa Park.

Louie Barry was the name on everybody’s lips after netting against Jurgen Klopp’s mighty Reds, but since then, a couple of Villa’s other stand-out youngsters have emerged on the scene.

In Villa’s 3-0 victory over Brighton in the FA Youth Cup fourth round on Wednesday night, Aaron Ramsey (2) and Kaine Kesler got themselves on the score-sheet, with Sean Verity’s side booking their passage into the next stage of the competition.

But while Ramsey bagged himself a couple, it’s Kesler who’s the Villa academy player who Dean Smith must surely consider unleashing in the Premier League.

The 18-year-old right-back was a bundle of energy against the Seagulls, even showing off his athleticism with a superb acrobatic effort that was well stopped by the Brighton keeper.

And then, Kesler opened the scoring for the home side after latching onto Arjan Raikhy’s free-kick midway through the second-half, with the floodgates opened after that.

If Smith was watching, then he no doubt would have been impressed with the teenager’s efforts, and will surely be contemplating whether he may have something to offer right away in the first-team.

Matty Cash has only recently recovered from a muscle injury, and the signs of rustiness were there for all to see in his below-par display against Tottenham last time out in the Premier League.

Then, when you factor in reports claiming Smith is ready to wave goodbye to veteran full-back Ahmed Elmohamady in the future, there is surely a chance for Kesler to stake his claim.

In fact, speaking to The Athletic, one source said: “He looks like he’s got a real chance of featuring for the first team in the future. His speed is frightening and that could set him apart.”

And writing for The Athletic, Gregg Evans revealed that “senior players have been taken back by his blistering pace and his desire to make an impression when called upon”, and that “Smith rates the rapid right-back highly”.

So, given Elmohamady’s uncertain future, and Cash’s recent injury struggles, there really is an opportunity for Kesler to come bursting through the door at Villa Park.

Meanwhile, Villa must sell this disaster this summer…

At the age of 26, most would have expected Eric Bailly to have firmly established himself in the Manchester United starting XI by now.

After all, the Ivorian defender enjoyed an extremely impressive first season at Old Trafford following his move from Villarreal in 2016.

Now though, Bailly finds himself down the pecking order at Old Trafford and linked with a move to Serie A giants Inter Milan, who are reportedly monitoring his situation according to Eurosport.

It might now be time for the Red Devils to cut the defender adrift.

Since that fantastic first season under Jose Mourinho, Bailly has made just 44 starts for Manchester United in the four seasons since.

A number of injury issues, as well as the respective arrivals of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire have seen his opportunities at the club dwindle and his starts decrease season upon season.

Indeed, he is currently not available having contracted COVID-19 so is self-isolating in the Ivory Coast.

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Once hailed as “immense” by Solskjaer, it now appears that the Norwegian can simply not rely on the defender for fitness or performances on a regular basis. With the Red Devils’ boss also intending to sign another centre-back in the summer window, this would then see Bailly fall even further down the pecking order.

Considering the way in which Bailly’s transfer valuation continues to fall as he enters the final year of his Old Trafford contract, this summer might be the best time to sell.

Once rated at £31.5m, that has fallen all the way down to £13.5m – a trend that is only going to continue as his deal in Manchester continues to run down.

Couple that with his failure to really stake a claim in the Manchester United starting XI and the potential interest from Inter Milan, it all leads to a convincing argument over selling Bailly sooner rather than later.

AND in more news, a transfer update has handed Manchester United a big blow in their right-winger search…

Former England midfielder Rob Lee has called for Thiago to be given time at Liverpool in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

Thiago, who joined the Reds from Bayern Munich in the last summer transfer window, has faced criticism for his lack of impact at Anfield since arriving. Speaking on talkSPORT back in January, host Adrian Durham described the 29-year-old as a “luxury player” in a scathing attack.

Lee, however, is refusing to be as critical, suggesting that Thiago needs time as he continues to adapt to English football.

On the topic of the Spain international, former Newcastle United star Lee exclusively told FFC:

“I think you look at Thiago and think, that was a good signing, that was a great signing. He plays differently. Liverpool will always press – Jordan Henderson and the other players, they’re always pressing.

“Maybe Klopp thought ‘there’s a different way we have to play. We have the ball the majority of the time, we need to retain the ball’.

“Thiago does that, he passes well. So, you just have to give him time. He’s certainly not a bad player.”

Thiago could not be blamed for feeling if he did feel like a bit of a scapegoat right now. Liverpool, as a whole unit, have simply not been performing well and it’s unfair to point fingers at just one man.

The Merseyside club have failed to score in any of their last three Premier League fixtures at home, succumbing to defeats against Fulham, Chelsea and Everton. Considering that, their issues may be further up the pitch, rather than in midfield.

Ultimately, with this being Thiago’s first season in English football, there is probably no reason for manager Jurgen Klopp to hit the panic button yet regarding the former Bayern Munich and Barcelona midfielder. As Lee suggested, he just needs more time.