Leeds target Goncalves would be perfect Hernandez replacement

According to Portuguese reports, Leeds United are chasing 21 year-old Benfica winger Diogo Goncalves.

What’s the story?

Leeds are reportedly lining up a summer swoop for Goncalves as they look to add more creativity and goals to their attack for next season.

Goncalves has scored eight and provided eight assists for Benfica B in the Portuguese second tier this season, and is highly regarded in Portugal.

The report claims that the impressive young winger, who is a client of super agent Jorge Mendes, is a “priority” for Leeds this summer. This comes shortly after owner Andrea Radrizzani’s absurd Twitter rant over Wolves’ use of agents in the transfer window.

Goncalves was linked with a season-long loan deal to Wolves last summer.

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Should Leeds pursue the youngster?

Leeds fans have often been frustrated by the amount of signings they make from lower tier European leagues, but this one would be too good to pass up. Goncalves is a major talent, and to contribute to 16 goals from the wing at such a young age is impressive in any league.

There has been a real lack of pace, excitement and creative spark at Elland Road this season, and with Pablo Hernandez looking likely to leave when his contract runs out, Goncalves would bring everything Hernandez did and more.

The speedy youngster is skilful, surprisingly strong, and an excellent crosser and set piece taker. He even grabbed an assist in one of his three Primeira Liga starts for the senior Benfica side and was trusted to make four Champions League starts. The 21 year-old is still waiting for his first senior international cap, but has represented Portugal at U15, U16, U17, U18 and U19 level.

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Goncalves may be a rough diamond, but he is a diamond nonetheless. If Radrizzani does indeed plan to follow Wolves’ transfer model as he indicated on TalkSport last week, then the Portuguese youngster would be an excellent starting point.

Leeds fans, would you like to see a move for Goncalves this summer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…

Revealed: 71% of West Ham fans want to sign Jack Wilshere

West Ham were linked with a move for Jack Wilshere in January, and the overwhelming majority of fans we asked are urging the club to make another move in the summer.

Wilshere, valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt, is seemingly nearing the end of his Arsenal career, but he may not have to move out of London if West Ham fans have anything to do with it.

The midfielder’s contract runs out this summer, and with Arsenal likely to undergo a massive squad overhaul there are no signs of an agreement between player and club.

Despite only starting ten Premier League games this season due to injuries, 71 per cent of West Ham fans think the club should revisit their interest in Wilshere.

It’s been a pretty torrid season for the Hammers, and despite a little spurt of form after hiring David Moyes, they are now embroiled in a relegation dogfight.

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Wilshere would certainly be an improvement on Moyes’ current midfield options, and you can catch the full results of the poll below…

Manchester City fans destroy United for West Brom defeat

Fans from all over the Premier League are mercilessly mocking Manchester United for their shock defeat to West Brom on Sunday.

It’s been a weird season for United fans. On one hand, their goalscoring record and points tally is much improved from last season.

However, the fact that Manchester City have run away so remarkably in the league has left the Red Devils counting on the FA Cup to save their season.

If next weekend’s FA Cup clash felt important before, it will feel colossal now, as Mourinho’s men fell to a shocking defeat on Sunday against West Brom.

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The almost certainly relegated Baggies won 1-0 at Old Trafford, and United’s rivals are absolutely loving the result.

City’s title celebrations were delayed after United’s incredible comeback win last weekend, but the defeat to West Brom means the blue half of Manchester’s celebrations can start right away.

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Of course, elation for one side of the city means plenty of pain for the other, and rivals fans are destroying the Red Devils on Twitter.

Some of the best reactions can be found below…

Tottenham Hotspur fans not interested in Rondon as a transfer option

Tottenham Hotspur are likely to be looking for a new attacking player this summer amid reports that Fernando Llorente could be on the way out.

According to The Mirror, the Spaniard is willing to leave the North London outfit this summer after failing to earn a regular spot in the first team.

In fact, the striker, who is believed to be attracting interest from his former club Athletic Bilbao, has only started one Premier League game this season.

Given that Harry Kane will continue being the main man up front, Tottenham will require a back-up striker, and West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon has entered the mix.

Supporters have been assessing on social media which options would work at the club, but Rondon seems to be one that they want to steer clear of.

The Venezuela international has made 37 appearances in all competitions for bottom-placed Baggies, including 29 starts in the Premier League.

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In that time, Rondon has scored 10 goals and created four assists.

Pione Sisto can give Southampton the attacking edge they’ve lacked all season

With their English Premier League status hanging in the balance, planning for the upcoming transfer window is a tricky proposition for manager Mark Hughes and the other decision makers at St Mary’s.

With just three games remaining, the Saints are one point from safety at the bottom of the league table, but still hold their fate in their own hands with a mammoth relegation tussle against Swansea City on the horizon.

The cause of their woes this season has undoubtedly been a lack of attacking ambition, having scored just 35 goals in 35 matches in the top-flight.

That may be more than the teams immediately around them, but it’s less than the likes of Watford, West Ham Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, who have all been left in their dust over the past three seasons.

One man reportedly on their radar that could help fix that lack of attacking edge next season is Celta Vigo’s Danish international Pione Sisto. The Sun say that he could be available for around £18m this summer and that Hughes is keen to add him to his squad if they manage to survive the drop.

Helping Celta Vigo to a mid-table finish in La Liga, Sisto has demonstrated this season he could be an upgrade on Southampton’s left flank, with the St Mary’s side struggling to find a consistent performer in that area.

Nathan Redmond has been the player most reliably picked in the left-wing position but as shown by WhoScored.com has failed to score a single goal in 2017/18 and has provided just three assists.

In contrast, Sisto has 14 direct goal contributions consisting of five goals and nine assists. His ball retention is better too, with an 84% pass accuracy rating, which is better than every single one of Southampton’s attacking wide players.

His 2.2 dribbles per game also demonstrate his ambition to take players on is as strong as the likes of Sofiane Boufal and Mario Lemina, who are regarded as two of the most exciting players in the Southampton team when they’re on their game, leading the squad in dribbles per game. With a better end product though, Sisto can be a player that provides even more of an impact than both.

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While there would obviously be a period of adjustment between La Liga and the English game, it’s clear that the Danish international is a viable target for the Saints this summer and at the reported £18m, could go a long way to ensuring they aren’t stuck in a relegation rut next season.

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Southampton must sign £10m Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel if they stay up

According to reports by Football.London, Chelsea are ready to sell attacking midfielder Marco van Ginkel for £10m this summer, and Southampton must look to take advantage.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Football.London says that despite the fact the Dutchman only signed a new contract with the west London outfit before extending his loan with PSV Eindhoven last summer, the Blues are ready to cash in on a player they bought for £8m from Vitesse Arnhem five years ago.

The 25-year-old has enjoyed a standout season in the Eredivisie for PSV as they won the league title, but despite wanting the former Stoke City loanee on a permanent deal, Football.London says they have baulked at the £10m asking price.

Meanwhile, Southampton, who have been linked with a move for Celtic duo Tom Rogic and Moussa Dembele, boosted their Premier League survival chances by beating Bournemouth 2-1 at St Mary’s on Saturday, and they could be in for a busy summer transfer window whichever division they find themselves in next term.

How has Van Ginkel done this season?

He has been brilliant.

The Netherlands international has scored 16 goals and provided a further five assists in 32 appearances in all competitions for PSV this term, despite playing the majority of those games in a central midfield position.

The 6ft 1in Dutchman has also shown that he can be strong in the air by winning 87 of the 157 aerial duels he has faced in 27 Eredivisie outings during the current campaign, as per WhoScored.com.

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Would he be a good signing for Southampton?

He certainly would be.

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While his previous loan spell with Stoke City under Mark Hughes didn’t quite work out, it seems clear that Van Ginkel has matured and improved during his loan spell with PSV, and his statistics from an attacking point of view are certainly impressive for a player that could be available for just £10m this summer.

Saints may be looking for a long-term replacement for captain Steven Davis if they do stay up, and it would continue their recent strategy of signing fringe players from bigger clubs who should have a point to prove.

Man United fans want to sign Ryan Sessegnon after his latest play-off performance

Manchester United fans are eager to sign Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon after his latest performance in the English second-tier caught the eyes of supporters.

The 17-year-old was instrumental to Fulham’s play-off win against Derby County on Monday night, scoring the first of the two goals they needed to book their place at Wembley, before providing the assist for the second.

The youngster has had a phenomenal season in the Championship, scoring 16 goals and providing 7 assists from a variety of positions on the Cottagers’ left flank.

With United needing options on that side of their defence and midfield, could the teenager be a viable option?

Fans certainly think so, believing he has the talent to make it at Old Trafford, even if they have to send him back on loan to Fulham for a year or two.

Many are hoping that the Red Devils break out the cheque-book this summer and make him one of their big signings of the transfer window.

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They took to Twitter to share their thoughts…

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Newcastle fans react as report says they want Porto attacker Yacine Brahimi

According to a report by Portuguese media outlet A Bola, Newcastle United have joined Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton in the race to sign FC Porto attacker Yacine Brahimi, and Magpies fans have been quick to have their say on the rumour.A Bola says that the player has a release clause of €60m (£53m), but with just a year remaining on his contract he is likely to be available for a lower amount this summer – Transfermarkt value him at £22.5m – should the Portuguese giants choose to sell him to avoid risking losing him for nothing next year.The 28-year-old left winger has enjoyed another impressive season for Porto, scoring 12 goals and providing a further 10 assists, and he could be a potential replacement for Kenedy who has returned to Chelsea following the end of a successful loan spell.Newcastle supporters took to social media to give their thoughts on the Brahimi link, and while one said “I can see this happening if Rafa really wants it to”, another said “we can’t compete with the likes of Southampton or Watford which is where he will end up”.Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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Liverpool fans convinced Werner would be successful signing this summer

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will hope to bring in talent that will take the club to the next level.

The Merseyside outfit had a positive season as they secured a top-four position in the Premier League and reached the final of the Champions League.

The campaign ended in a low note, though, as the team were beaten 3-1 by Real Madrid in the Kiev showpiece.

Two new faces have already been secured, with Naby Keita joining from RB Leipzig, while Monaco midfielder Fabinho was a surprise recruit last week.

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Liverpool’s attack is already strong, with Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane leading the way, but some fans think that it would be boosted even further if Timo Werner joined the clan.

In an interview with Die Welt, the Leipzig forward, who is valued at £54m by Transfermarkt, admitted that he is a few years away from being world class.

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The 23-year-old did, though, suggest that his teammate Keita will make it to the top level while playing for the Reds.

Twitter account Empire of there Kop claimed that Werner is not right for Liverpool at this moment, but plenty of fans disagree.

Potential consequences: Marcelo Bielsa becoming Leeds manager

Paul Heckingbottom was unable to reverse the downward trend that had set in at Leeds United under Thomas Christiansen and he paid with his job in the weeks following the conclusion of a Championship season that saw his side’s play-off hopes peter out completely.

It was a campaign of regression after Garry Monk took Leeds within touching distance of the play-offs in 2016/17 and the club is in need of genuine star quality, stability and someone to generate a feel-good factor again.

That is much, much easier said than found however, but the man who has reportedly emerged as a genuine contender to take over at Elland Road is 62-year-old former Argentina manager Marcelo Bielsa.

On the face of it, the move looks like a madcap manager being linked with a madcap club, but we’ve decided to take a closer look at the genuine potential consequences if the move did go through…

Leeds would play attacking football

There is a lot of snobbery around defensive football these days but if it got Leeds back into the Premier League, you’d be hard-pushed to find a fan at Elland Road who gave a hoot.

However, it has been a while since the club’s fans were treated to an adventurous style of play but Bielsa would change all that.

His approach to strengthening sides is to embolden them with confidence to play expansively, making chances and utilising smart tactical systems to put opponents on the back foot.

This Leeds squad is currently very workmanlike, which is something of a hangover from the Monk days when results were as good as they’ve been for a while but it wasn’t pretty at times but Bielsa would try to squeeze every last ounce of attacking intent from them. It would certainly be entertaining.

Abel Hernandez would score for fun

The departure of Chris Wood was a hammer blow to Leeds’ chances of promotion last season and in the club’s attempts to keep him or wrangle a larger fee out of Burnley, they didn’t leave themselves enough time to replace him.

That means that securing a genuine goalscorer must be a priority this summer and reports linking them with Hull City striker Abel Hernandez should be music to the ears of Leeds fans.

He has had his injury problems, but when fit, he is more than capable of scoring goals for fun in the Championship.

We’ve touched on above how Hernandez would get no shortage of chances due to Bielsa’s aggressive attacking style, and over a whole season that should see him bag 20 goals, if he and Bielsa both arrive.

A play-off push is on the cards

Obviously, Bielsa and Leeds are two such combustible elements that their relationship could all end in tears and come to a very premature close but imagine that the 62-year-old manages a whole season at Elland Road.

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With his attacking style of play, managerial nous and profile to attract quality to one of England’s biggest clubs, a genuine play-off push should not be ruled out.

Leeds flirted with the top six in the opening part of last season and should have made it the season before; they are not a million miles away and Bielsa has more than enough quality to help them bridge the gap.

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