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West Ham are one of three Premier League teams considering a move for Nabil Fekir this winter…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Spanish publication Fichajes, who claim the Irons are interested in signing the 28-year-old attacking midfielder from La Liga outfit Real Betis.

It’s thought that a contract extension is on the table, with negotiations at an advanced stage, but a big offer from abroad could change things.

Everton and Arsenal are also mentioned in the report, though it remains to be seen exactly how much he could command in January.

Transfermarkt value the 25-time France international at £22.5m and he remains contracted to the Green and Whites until at least the summer of 2023.

Shades of Payet

Under ex-Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini, Fekir has been one of the Spanish top-flight’s best-performing players this campaign, with the exception of just two players.

As per WhoScored, only leading goalscorer Karim Benzema (8.37) and his Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Junior (7.71) have earned a higher rating than the Frenchman’s 7.57 so far this term.

Fekir has been a constant nuisance in the no.10 role for Betis, averaging a whopping 3.4 key passes (first in La Liga), 3.3 shots (second in La Liga) and 3.1 dribbles (first in La Liga) per game, via WhoScored.

These are returns that eclipses pretty much every single West Ham star.

Only Michail Antonio has managed more shots (4.5 per game), whilst the 31-year-old also tops the charts for key passes (2.5 per game), with Jarrod Bowen ranking first for dribbles (2.7 per game).

A dynamic, French maestro who can do it all in the final third? That very much sounds reminiscent of former Irons sensation Dimitri Payet, a player that could get the fans on the edge of their seats in any given game.

“Fekir is a big player, and when I was in France, he scored incredible goals,” ex-Bordeaux star Malcom once told Telefoot (via Goal), further highlighting the similarities between the two.

Meanwhile, Betis president Angel Haro recently also waxed lyrical about his creative abilities.

“He is doing magnificently well. He is a champion of the world with tremendous quality,” he told Marca. “When you see him move with the ball, glued to his foot, you know he is going to do something genius.”

Also dubbed a “magician” by La Liga’s official Twitter account, the 5 foot 8 dynamo could be the Hammers’ most exciting player since Payet, should David Moyes and co secure a move for him in the upcoming transfer window.

With Nikola Vlasic looking hugely underwhelming in his first few appearances for the club, Fekir could yet be the major upgrade in the attacking midfield role.

If there’s a chance to sign him, then the Hammers must do all they can to secure him.

AND in other news, “I’m hearing”: West Ham hero drops huge behind-the-scenes claim, fans will be buzzing…

Manchester United have suffered a big injury blow ahead of their opening Champions League group stage fixture after Edinson Cavani was ruled out of action.

The Red Devils will be looking to get their Group F campaign underway with a victory when they travel to Switzerland to take on Young Boys this evening, but they’ll have to do so without their experienced South American striker.

What’s the word?

Cavani is yet to start for United this season after returning late to Manchester following his summer exploits for Uruguay in the Copa America.

The 34-year-old then suffered a strain in the Red Devils’ behind-closed-doors friendly with Stoke City two weeks ago.

Since then, the former Paris Saint-Germain ace has been pictured doing ball work on the training pitch but he was not in the matchday squad for the win over Newcastle United on Saturday and has not travelled to Bern.

“Edi is hopefully back with us soon,” Solskjaer said in his recent press conference. “He had a slight strain during the international week after the in-house game that we played. He’s working hard to get back.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be gutted

Although United have fared well in Cavani’s absence so far this season, picking up 10 points from a possible 12 in the Premier League, his enforced absence could be a big blow for the 20-time English champions.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s shock arrival on transfer deadline day provided Solskjaer with an abundance of options in the final third, but at 36, the Portugal international won’t be able to play two games a week all season.

Coupled with the fact that Young Boys play on an artificial surface and Anthony Martial has made a slow start to 2021/22, bringing Cavani into the starting lineup would surely have been something Solskjaer may have been contemplating had he been fit. Instead, the manager could be left feeling gutted by the Uruguayan’s untimely absence, not least with the veteran proving a very potent option whenever he is called upon.

In other news… MUFC suffer potential blow in pursuit of “excellent” 22y/o machine, Ole will be gutted 

After Tottenham Hotspur agreed a new contract for star forward Son Heung-min in July, it appears that another key player in Harry Kane is now ‘ready to talk’ as 90min reporter Graeme Bailey backs news out of N17.

The Lowdown: New deal for Kane?

Indeed, with Son now tied down at Tottenham until 2025, the club have also been linked with securing a new deal for superstar forward Kane, despite his heavy links with a move away in the summer.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-news-2/” title=”Spurs latest news…” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Manchester City courted the England international, even lodging a £100m bid, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy refused to budge on his £150m valuation of the player.

Reports from Eurosport and TEAMtalk have claimed that a new contract could be on the cards for Kane, with 90min journalist Bailey now backing this news with his own update.

The Latest: Bailey backs Kane development…

As per Bailey for 90min, Kane is ‘ready to talk’ again about a new deal at Spurs after he swiftly rebuffed the offer of fresh terms just after Euro 2020.

He apparently wants a pay rise of around £500,000 and has a ‘number of demands’ which need to be met before he will sign, but Spurs definitely will not bend to a release clause.

The forward’s entourage have apparently proposed the idea of performance-related clauses but the club have no intention of agreeing, despite being open to offering Kane a new contract.

The Verdict: Interesting weeks ahead…

Given the 28-year-old’s apparent lack of options going forward, with City now rumoured not to be in for him next summer, it appears that Kane’s future could now be more dependent on fresh terms.

He is contracted until the summer of 2024 and it is clear to see why he is looking to strike a contract which could allow him to leave Spurs with less hassle in future.

However, with Levy seemingly holding all the cards, it remains to be seen if the ‘phenomenal’ Kane, as he was called by England manager Gareth Southgate, will get his wish.

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘A lot of money’…BBC pundit stunned by exit news out of Spurs, find out more here.

According to The Daily Mail (via Glasgow Live), Glasgow Rangers are bracing themselves for an offer from Leeds United for Ryan Kent.

The Lowdown: Long-standing interest in Kent

The Whites have long been linked with a move for the winger, who made the switch to Ibrox from Liverpool.

The Elland Road outfit even made an offer of £10m for the 24-year-old last summer, but the bid was rejected by the 55-time Scottish champions (BBC).

The Latest: Gers prepare for another bid

Via Glasgow Live, The Premier League side have been looking to sign Noa Lang from Club Brugge, but they have so far been unable to do so.

As such, they may return for Kent between now and the end of the transfer window.

The Verdict: For the right price

Since making the move north of the border – first on loan and then on a permanent deal – Kent has shown he has plenty of raw ability. In 134 games for the club, he has 27 goals and 30 assists and has displayed his ability to beat a man (Transfermarkt).

However, despite now having garnered a bit of experience, the Oldham-born man remains inconsistent. He has come in for criticism from both supporters and pundits, meaning he cannot always be relied upon.

Valued at £12.6m (Transfermarkt), the Gers would be able to attract a big fee for his services if they were to sell this month given that he is young, English and now has the added bonus of having helped guide a team to a domestic title win. Perhaps it is something they should consider.

In other news, Rangers fans were delighted with this man’s performance against Ross County.

Many Everton fans have been left fuming as an exit rumour emerges on James Rodriguez.

As per football journalist and transfer expert Pedro Almeida, the Colombia international is heading for a move to Italy before the summer window shuts at the end of this month.

Rodriguez was a key player for the Goodison Park club in the 2020/21 season, scoring six goals and supplying a further nine assists in 26 games across all competitions (Transfermarkt), and he would be deeply missed should he make the move away from Merseyside.

He adds that extra bit of creativity and spark in midfield, and with only Gylfi Sigurdsson supplying more assists for Everton in 2020/21, the Colombian would not be easy to replace as the end of the transfer window draws nearer.

Everton fans on Rodriguez transfer update

These Toffees supporters fumed as the exit rumour on Rodriguez was shared by The Everton End on their Twitter page, with one Blue claiming that the 30-year-old is a ‘quality’ player and another deriding manager Rafael Benitez as a ‘clown’ if he were to sanction the playmaker’s exit:

“Played 20+ for us which isn’t to bad. And he’s still comfortably our best player. Take his creativity out and we don’t replace him. We will struggle a lot more to score.”

Credit: @PatrickDrohan

“LET JAMES PLAY IN FRONT OF THE FANS”

Credit: @dylanlaughlin18

“CRIME: ..definition: “To have James Rodriguez play for Everton an entire year and not once had him played in front of a packed Goodison Park, score and bathe in the roar of ecstasy only celebrating in front of Everton fans will ever bring him””

Credit: @CeejayNightwing

“As if I’m not going to witness James in blue live, Everton that”

Credit: @BurnsA1997

“Why lose such a quality player?”

Credit: @gerrardsteve64

“Can’t believe all the deadwood we have and the clown of a manager wants to get rid of our most creative midfielder.”

Credit: @stedickson4

In other news, find out what swap deal involving Rodriguez could be on the cards

Paul Stewart has exclusively told Football FanCast that Wolves centre-back Willy Boly is a target for Tottenham this summer.

Nuno Espirito Santo has already been linked with several of his former players this window, although he has only signed Bryan Gil, Pierluigi Gollini and Cristian Romero.

Despite the arrival of the highly-rated Romero, Santo’s priority appears to be bolstering the defence, though his Spurs side did keep a clean sheet against Arsenal in their final pre-season game on Sunday.

But Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez, the main two culprits for Tottenham’s defensive struggles last season, are likely to start together at centre-half against Manchester City on Sunday, which means the Tottenham boss still has work to do.

According to talkSPORT, Boly is already a target for Santo, whilst Football Insider believe that Conor Coady has held talks with the north London giants.

But Stewart told Football FanCast that 6 ft 5 Boly, who’s made 79 Premier League appearances over the last three seasons, is on their wish-list:

“I did speak to somebody about Boly from Wolves being a possible target as well, so you’d then have two new centre-halves after Romero. “

Thierry Small has terminated his scholarship with Everton, according to the Liverpool Echo. 

The Blues offered Small a professional deal, but he’s rebuffed their overtures and is intent on leaving Goodison Park.

Small went as far as refusing to turn up for training earlier in the summer.

In more positive news, Everton will receive compensation when the player leaves.

The exact figure will be decided by a tribunal, but Football Insider report that it could be as much as £5million.

They also say that Southampton have become the first side to make an approach to Small in light of the developments.

Left-back Small became Everton’s youngest-ever player back in January when he came on as a substitute in an FA Cup fourth round tie against Sheffield Wednesday.

He also made 13 appearances for David Unsworth’s Under-23s last season.

Fan feed Toffee TV relayed the Echo’s report, and here’s what supporters made of it.

These Everton fans unfazed by impending Small exit

“3 years time he’ll be on one of the where are they now lists and you’ll find he’s playing for some obscure non league team”

Credit: @hugodrax0077

“The ballad of Royston Drenthe”

Credit: @RayMazen

“Got promised bayern and arsenal, clubs linked leeds and southampton”

Credit: @CragOnTour

“He will soon find out the grass isnt always greener elsewhere and you have to earn your place by hardwork”

Credit: @DJC1953

“That’s fine… see if you can get better than Everton”

Credit: @Layliffe1878

“I’m sure we’ll survive”

Credit: @leecoalbourne

In other news, Kevin Phillips has urged Everton to make this move.

Liverpool winger Sadio Mane has vowed to improve upon his 2020/21 performances as the Reds look to regain the Premier League title. 

Mane admitted it wasn’t his ‘best season’ but said it wouldn’t be ‘the same’ this time around.

He assured supporters that he feels ‘more ready mentally [and] physically’ for the challenge ahead.

How did Mane fare last term?

Mane scored 11 league goals last season, which was enough to place him in the top 15 overall.

But he significantly under-performed his expected goal tally of 15.34 and also fell some way short of his 2019/20 return of 18 goals.

Mane is set to miss a small portion of the 2021/22 season as he represents Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The tournament is scheduled for 9 January – 6 February, which could mean he is unavailable for clashes with Brentford and Crystal Palace, as well as the first two rounds of the FA Cup.

Fan feed The Anfield Talk relayed his comments, and here’s what supporters made of them.

These Liverpool fans excited by the prospect of Mane bouncing back

“He’s scoring 20+ league goals this season, I can feel it”

Credit: @The_Gerrard_Era

“Redemption arc for Mane, this league aint ready”

Credit: @firwestwood

“LET’S GO SADIOOOOO”

Credit: @haigentink

“SADIOOOOO we’re back in business”

Credit: @lfcharry

“He got 8 G/A in his last 8 starts. He’s cooking next season”

Credit: @_LFCDavid_

“POTY charge”

Credit: @AyandaZee

In other news, fans were left fuming by this transfer update. 

Glasgow Rangers fans were delighted with the performance of Stephen Kelly during the Gers’ pre-season friendly with Partick Thistle on Monday.

The Gers started off their pre-season preparations with a match against local Glasgow side Partick, and they picked up a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Cedric Itten. With a few of the Gers players recovering from or still competing at the European Championships and the Copa America, Steven Gerrard fielded a younger side that included plenty of his fringe and up-and-coming players.

One of those was midfielder Kelly, who made 29 appearances in all competitions for Ross County last term while on loan (Transfermarkt). Given his chance to impress against Partick, he shone in the middle of the park, and perhaps gave Gerrard something to think about.

The Gers supporters were absolutely delighted with what they saw from the 21-year-old, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Kelly below

“Stephen Kelly strolling it as expected”

Credit: @spatestonbear2

“Powerful performance”

Credit: @Seenyor

“Stephen Kelly will be our next Davis.”

Credit: @raflogs

“Stephen Kelly is the heir to Davis’ throne”

Credit: @_EuanG72

“He’s a class act, I’d keep him with the squad and get him game time in cups and sub appearances up until January and re assess then.”

Credit: @Grdy__

“Yeah did not look out of place. Wanted the ball, tenacious and always available. He can be pleased. Would like to see more of him.”

Credit: @stevoboyle

In other news, this Rangers man reveals his Ibrox desperation.

Crystal Palace successfully kicked off life under new manager Patrick Vieira with a 1-0 win away to Walsall in pre-season on Saturday.

In a game of fine margins, the only goal was scored by Eagles talisman Wilfried Zaha. Rolling his marker, he then proceeded to exchange passes with youngster Rob Street before slotting past Carl Rushworth effortlessly [saddlers.co.uk].

Fielding a completely different team in both halves [cpfc.co.uk], Vieira was able to get an extensive look at the blend of experience and youth he has inherited at Selhurst Park for his first match in charge at the club.

Vieira’s side will travel to Portman Road next Saturday to face League One outfit Ipswich Town in their next pre-season outing.

In light of Saturday’s victory over Walsall, plenty of Crystal Palace diehards took to social media to revel in the result, albeit a friendly win over League Two opposition.

Crystal Palace fans react:

Replying to the club’s official Twitter account, here is how some fans summarised Saturday’s result and performance:

“Job done CPFC, we love you”

Credit: @weapon1982″I smell a European tour”Credit: @dougCPFC”Jake O’Brien has great potential”Credit: @FrancisCpfc”PAT VIEIRA’S RED BLUE ARMY”Credit: @S_J_C82″I’m all aboard the @OfficialVieira hype train”Credit: @jjhillwrites”Quite a good start to preseason, with some lookers in the second half with a new, young XI. So much to look forward to. Up the Palace! #cpfc”Credit: @raconteursaurusIn other news, Crystal Palace are keen on this La Liga ace.