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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly eyeing up an interesting summer transfer swoop…

What’s the word?

According to the Sunday Mirror (28/03, page 75), Spurs are interested in signing 17-year-old Vejle wonderkid Wahid Faghir and have entered the race to secure him alongside Leicester City, who have had a seven-figure bid rejected.

It is also claimed that the 6 foot 1 striker is keen on moving abroad next season and dreams of one day playing for La Liga giants Real Madrid.

Despite only being 17, Faghir has represented Denmark at every age group up to, and including, the U21s, where he has become the youngest-ever player to feature for them in a European U21 Championship, so he’s clearly already making a name for himself.

Mourinho’s new Zlatan?

What makes Spurs’ interest all that more interesting is Jose Mourinho.

Faghir has widely been regarded as “the next Zlatan” Ibrahimovic, as explained by The Athletic just last week. He has bagged five goals in just 20 starts for the mid-table Danish outfit this season, and has proven to be comfortable on the ball like his Scandinavian counterpart.

Whilst he’s not as tall as the 6 foot 5 Swede, he does ‘operate well in tight areas’ and has a dribble volume rating of 84 out of 99, which shows he’s not afraid to travel with the ball despite playing at a senior level at his age.

It’s no wonder the ‘Special One’ appears keen on landing such an impressive talent, considering he managed Ibrahimovic at Inter Milan and then Manchester United, where he won the Europa League.

UEFA named Faghir in their top 50 to watch in 2021, where they went onto describe him as ‘physically well-developed and finishes with power and quality.’

Similarly, Vejle talent manager Steen Tychosen echoed the link to Ibrahimovic, he told the club’s official website: “Wahid has many strengths and then he has a huge belief in his own abilities. There is a bit of “Zlatan” about him, because he performs with an indomitable self-confidence for training and fighting.”

Again, further characteristics that make him fit for such a huge tag at just 17.

Reports in Denmark (via the Leicester Mercury) claim he could be available for just €3m (£2.5m), which would be a pretty cheap investment with high potential, especially when you consider that Spurs splashed £25m on Ryan Sessegnon and £10m on Jack Clarke, neither of whom have broke into the senior set-up yet.

In addition to those claims, Danish journalist Nis Peder Kolby believes Faghir is an “amazing player.”

Whilst this move would certainly be one that has the future in mind, Daniel Levy and the Spurs hierarchy should pay up to land the 17-year-old prodigy. If he’s truly anything like Ibrahimovic, then there won’t be a better manager than Mourinho to unearth that potential.

£2.5m is a mere snip in this day and age.

AND in other news, Teenage Spurs prodigy could become their next Michael Carrick…

Rangers are reportedly keen on Manchester United midfielder James Garner and if he were to make the move to Ibrox ahead of next season, he could be an excellent addition to Steven Gerrard’s side.

According to Garner’s agent Steven Beck, who spoke exclusively to Stretty News, Rangers are ‘really keen’ on the midfielder, having failed with a loan bid to sign him in January.

After struggling in the first half of the season at Watford, the 20-year-old joined Nottingham Forest for the rest of the season and has established himself as a key player in Chris Hughton’s side during his time at the club.

In 13 appearances for Forest, the young midfielder has contributed two goals and averaged an impressive 6.98 rating for his performances.

However, Beck has also claimed that Norwich City and Brighton are also interested in the midfielder ahead of next season, and considering they are both likely to be playing in the Premier League, it seems as if Gerrard’s side will have serious competition for the United academy graduate.

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Garner already has experience playing with United’s senior side, having made seven appearances for the club in his career, including four in the Europa League.

Despite his less than stellar spell with Watford, the Hornets’ former boss Vladimir Ilic was full of praise for the youngster earlier in the season, saying:

“He is one of the most talented players in England. He is a quality player with the ball, he knows how to move the ball fast and he thinks fast, which is very important.”

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Therefore, it seems clear that Garner would be a good addition to Gerrard’s side next season if they were able to bring him in on a loan, or even permanent, deal from Manchester United in the summer, so sporting director Ross Wilson should try and convince those at Old Trafford that Ibrox is the best place for his development.

And, in other news… Gerrard could be set for huge Rangers boost with “top-class” £1.44m-rated beast

Some Manchester United fans have been left to fume at an update involving Edinson Cavani.

As per Argentinian news outlet Olé, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team would like to renew the striker’s current deal at Old Trafford.

This is despite the veteran striker being 34 years of age, with much younger talents like Mason Greenwood able to play in his position, who may find their pathway for a regular starting place blocked by Cavani.

The Uruguay international has been suffering with various injury problems in recent times and has not scored for the Red Devils in over two months now (Transfermarkt), so the decision to potentially reward him with a new contract does seem a little strange.

Of course, Cavani can still be world class on his day, but maybe it is time for MUFC to head in another direction in the transfer market.

Manchester United fans on Cavani update

These Man Utd supporters fumed upon reading the update on Twitter, with one fan even going as far as to claim that it was ‘nonsense’:

“Nonsense, the game against Brighton showed why we need to give Greenwood more chance to play central. Cavani is already feeling tired. Let him go, we need young blood in that position.”

Credit: @MKJohn254

“If he is considering, then it would be shameful for us to offer him an extension”

Credit: @JecintaNwo

“This club is dead man, Mata, Jones and now Cavani”

Credit: @vybzsdante

“Worrying that we’re STILL trying to convince players to stay. And 34 years as well”

Credit: @JoeQuigleyCoach

“Noooo”

Credit: @jack10ii

“We are actually finished as a club.”

Credit: @IrishBrian24

In other news, find out what David de Gea update has left fans fuming here!

Noel Whelan expects Glasgow Rangers to be able to sign Jonson Clarke-Harris for a really good price if they do pursue a move for the striker.

Bargain deal for Clarke-Harris

The Gers have been linked with a move for the forward (Bristol Post), who currently plays for Peterborough in League One.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan believes the Gers would be able to secure his services for a bargain fee. He explained:

“He could thrive at Rangers next season.

“I think when you’re looking at players like him, they’ve been on the verge of moving to other clubs before now but no one’s really managed to take that plunge.

“I think the scouts will always be monitoring players in those divisions. If you’re a goalscorer, you’re a goalscorer.

“If you’re doing it at a League One club, you may very well do it at a big club like Rangers where you’re getting more service and more quality alongside.

“It could be a really good partnership and they would probably get him at a really good price given that he’s not the most well-known player.”

Not that small

While Clarke-Harris may not be playing at the highest level, it seems unlikely Rangers will be able to snatch him for that small a fee. The 26-year-old has managed 29 goals in 43 in all competitions for Posh (Transfermarkt), helping them close in on automatic promotion to the Championship. He still has three years left on his contract, as well – Peterborough are in no need to sell.

The case of Ivan Toney’s move to Brentford last term may illustrate how much Clarke-Harris could cost the Gers. Toney ended the 2019/20 term as Peterborough’s top goalscorer, which earned him a switch to the Bees. While it remains unclear as to exactly how much he cost, the fee broke the club’s previous record sale of £6m when Dwight Gayle joined Crystal Palace (Peterborough Today).

With Clarke-Harris performing at a similar level, it is perhaps naive to think the Gers would be able to sign him for a bargain fee, even if he is only valued by Transfermarkt at £225,000.

In other news, Kevin Phillips says this man must take a pay-cut if he wants to stay at Rangers.

Arsenal could sign their dream Alexandre Lacazette successor in Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard.

What’s the story?

Mikel Arteta’s side are likely to need a new centre-forward this summer, with both Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette having their contracts come to an end at the Emirates come the summer of 2022, meaning both of their long-term futures remain uncertain.

According to The Telegraph, the Gunners are interested in signing Edouard this summer, although they are set to face intense Premier League competition from the likes of Leicester.

Perfect Lacazette successor

As well as his contract coming to an end, reports in recent weeks and months have suggested that a couple of clubs across Europe are keeping an eye on Lacazette’s situation amid a potential move for him in the summer.

And if Lacazette does leave, then Edu could sign a perfect replacement for him in his much younger French compatriot, Edouard.

The Celtic star has been a prolific campaigner for the Hoops, and this season has already seen him break the 20-goal barrier mark, including netting away at the San Siro against Milan in the Europa League.

Former Hoops boss Neil Lennon has raved about the centre-forward before, and insisted that he remains such a vital part of the side.

He said: “He’s hugely important (to us), he’s an outstanding footballer, talismanic almost, he’s so talented, so cool and he had two great finishes. He’s up there with some of the best we’ve had over the last 20 odd years.”

The £13.5m-rated ace just has that canny knack of scoring goals and being in the right place at the right time, and at just 23-years-old, has got all the time in the world to further develop into a genuinely top-class striker.

As Arsenal have already seen with Kieran Tierney, there is real value and talent to be had north of the border in Scotland, and Edouard could once again represent another piece of shrewd business by Edu.

Out with the old, and in with the new. The Celtic star is exactly the kind of player Arsenal should be looking to sign this summer.

Crystal Palace are reportedly eyeing a move for former loan star Ruben Loftus-Cheek this summer.

According to TEAMtalk, the Eagles are plotting a swoop for the Chelsea midfielder in the summer and are vying with Premier League rivals Aston Villa for his signature.

Steve Parish must make sure Palace win the battle for the Englishman.

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The Eagles will certainly already be aware of Loftus-Cheek’s talents, with the 25-year-old spending a season on-loan at Selhurst Park throughout the 2017/18 campaign – a period in which he impressed by scoring two goals and providing five assists in all competitions.

Whilst he has not quite been able to display that form over the past couple of years, having scored just one goal for Chelsea and Fulham combined over the past two campaigns, he did enjoy his most productive season upon his return from Palace.

As the Blues lifted the UEFA Europa League under Maurizio Sarri, Loftus-Cheek notched ten goals and provided five assists.

Rated at £18m, his ability has never been in doubt. Despite his lean campaign at Craven Cottage, Fulham manager Scott Parker has been left waxing lyrical about Loftus-Cheek even labelling him as “unplayable”.

It goes without saying that he could certainly be the type of player that Crystal Palace needs.

The Eagles face going into the 2021/22 season with depleted midfield options as James McArthur and James McCarthy continue seeing their Selhurst Park deals tick down towards the end of the season.

Whilst Jesuran Rak-Sakyi is capable, it would possibly be too early to depend on him for the majority of a Premier League campaign with the midfielder just 18 years old.

Loftus-Cheek would, of coursem have no problems in that department having racked up 104 appearances in the competition.

Competing with Aston Villa then, Palace must ensure that they secure their former loan star once again.

AND in more news, take a closer look at how Mamadou Sakho’s time at Palace has been an unmitigated disaster…

It’s not often that one of your leading scorers doesn’t make the starting XI but that has been the case for Callum Paterson at Sheffield Wednesday recently.

The 26-year-old utility man has found the net eight times in all competitions this season, a feat only bettered by Josh Windass at Hillsborough, who currently sits on nine goals. However, despite the lanky Scotsman having such a crucial part to play in the Owls’ fortunes, he has only started one of their last three league outings.

The Owls most recently defeated Blackburn Rovers to give their survival hopes a major boost, although they still remain four points adrift of 21st with only three matches left to play, including Saturday’s trip to Middlesbrough.

Boro are a side against whom Paterson caused trouble earlier in the campaign, bagging the opener after some nice work from Liam Palmer down the right flank.

Wednesday manager Darren Moore may not have been in the dugout on Tuesday night but he opted for Jordan Rhodes to lead the line instead of Paterson, and whilst they won, his fellow countryman struggled to impose much of an influence on the match.

As per SofaScore, the 31-year-old failed to register a single shot in 75 minutes of action and had the fewest touches of any Owls player to start the match, so swapping him out for Paterson could be an easy change to make at the Riverside for Moore.

It was only a few weeks ago that YorkshireLive’s trusty correspondent Dom Howson was waxing lyrical about how the former Cardiff star had changed the dynamic up at Hillsborough.

‘What Paterson has demonstrated when he has lined up in the centre is that he is capable or breaking in between the lines and causing havoc in the final third,’ he wrote. ‘He takes up good positions and gives Wednesday extra steel and physicality in the department alongside Barry Bannan and Sam Hutchinson.’

The £17,000-per-week dynamo was once lauded by this weekend’s opposition manager Neil Warnock, under whom he worked at Cardiff. The managerial veteran said in March 2018: “Paterson has that ability to score goals from nowhere, he reads things and he’s irreplaceable at the moment.”

They also waxed lyrical about him at Hearts, with his former Jam Tarts teammate Jack Hamilton saying: “Everyone can see how good Callum is in the air and his goal threat. He’s got everything. He works hard on and off the park and eats the right things. He’s got experience now.”

In terms of consistency, Paterson is up there among the Owls’ best, managing an average WhoScored rating of 6.7, which is only bettered by three other players and two are defenders.

Both Josh Windass and Rhodes are way below that output. The 26-year-old is also firing off more attempts at goal (1.1 per game) than his fellow Scot (0.8), and in a match where the Owls need to find the net – potentially more than once – it would make sense to start the player who is more willing to have a go.

On the above evidence, Moore simply has to unleash the “brave” Paterson on Saturday afternoon – it could be a game-changing call.

AND in other news, a worrying update emerges over “immense” Owls gem which will surely leave Moore gutted…

Daniel Farke’s Norwich City side are considering a move for Hamza Choudhury this summer.

What’s the word?

That’s according to a report by Football League World, who claim that the newly-promoted Canaries have made signing a defensive midfielder a priority in the summer transfer window, as the club are set to lose the services of on-loan starlet Oliver Skipp, who is returning to Tottenham Hotspur.

As such, Leicester City’s Choudhury has emerged as a transfer target for Farke, who can expect to battle Newcastle United for the £7.2 million-rated midfielder, with Steve Bruce also thought to be keen on a move.

Forget Skipp

While there is no denying that Skipp has been something of a revelation since joining City on a season-long loan deal last August – with the 20-year-old making an average of 1.1 interceptions and 2.2 tackles per game over his 44 Championship appearances, as well as averaging an impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.02 – there are a number of reasons that suggest Choudhury could actually prove a more useful addition to Norwich, following their promotion.

Firstly, while he has only featured for Brendan Rodgers’ Champions League hopefuls nine times in the Premier League this season, Choudhury has a total of 46 top-flight appearances under his belt, much bettering Skipp’s total of 15.

Secondly, it is easy to forget just how highly rated the 23-year-old was upon breaking into the Leicester City first team, with the Sky Sports News reporter, Rob Dorsett, claiming back in 2019 that Choudhury’s “reading of the game shows a footballing maturity beyond his years”, as well as stating that the midfielder has “pace to burn” and a “rare aggression in the tackle that sets him aside from many other midfielders.”

Furthermore, the Leicester and England legend, Gary Lineker, dubbed the 23-year-old an “extremely talented” footballer in reaction to the midfielder’s “exceptional” first goal for the club back in 2020.

Indeed, it could be argued that Choudhury has not kicked on to fulfil his potential just yet, but, with Stuart Webber’s Moneyball approach to the transfer market – signing talented but underrated players for lower fees – we would not bet against him flourishing at Carrow Road next season, if the Canaries do go on to complete a deal for the £7,500-per-week man this summer.

In other news: Farke must ensure damage limitation at Norwich after worrying transfer admission – opinion

STV presenter Raman Bhardwaj has revealed Celtic are in discussions with Lowland League for their Colts side to play in their league next season.

The Lowdown: Celtic youngsters leaving in numbers

A number of Celtic youngsters have departed the club recently, including goalkeeper Liam Hughes, who left for Liverpool back in January and Cameron Harper, who joined New York Red Bulls in March.

Another Hoops shot-stopper in Vincent Angelini wants to quit Parkhead, and there have also been reports that winger Karamoko Dembele could seal an exit over the coming months.

However, news dropped by Bhardwaj may help the club keep hold of some of their prized assets in the long run.

The Latest: Raman Bhardwaj’s post

Bhardwaj shared the news late on Wednesday night of Celtic and rivals Rangers discussing with the Lowland Leagues to play in their league from next season on Twitter.

He added that if approved, it appears as if it would be for one season only for Celtic’s Colts outfit.

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The Verdict: Could be a huge boost to McKay

To us, should discussions go well and a move be agreed upon, it could be a huge boost in regards to new Celtic CEO Dominic McKay keeping hold of some of the club’s up and coming prospects in the long run.

It would allow Celtic’s academy players to be introduced to senior competition, should loan moves away to other first-team clubs not be available.

By giving the club’s youngsters to test themselves at senior level, not only may it help in their development, but it could also benefit the club when they look to keep hold of some in-demand starlets, something former chief Peter Lawwell often failed to do.

It could also help the Lowland League clubs in regards to finances. The appeal of playing Celtic and Rangers’ youth sides in competition could draw more supporters through the turnstiles, so it seems as if a deal may have a lot of perks for the Hoops.

In other news: 47 y/o drops Eddie Howe announcement claim, find out more here. 

PCP Capital Partners remain confident that Newcastle United’s proposed £300million takeover will go through, Chronicle Live journalist Mark Douglas reports.

They remain ‘absolutely committed’ to the deal, rebuffing any suggestions of interest in other clubs.

Meanwhile, the members of Saudi’s Arabia Public Investment Fund officially maintain they have withdrawn their interest.

But sources close to them are ‘adamant’ that they are still keen and that the process will resume if ‘a path to the takeover being completed emerges’.

Douglas’ lowdown on Newcastle takeover arbitration

That so-called ‘path’ could hinge on the decision of the independent arbitration panel, who will make a ruling on whether the PIF is separate from the Saudi government.

The Premier League determined that that was not the case.

Newcastle, Douglas adds, could still launch further legal moves if arbitration does not have the desired outcome.

The team took giant strides towards Premier League survival with a run of eight points from a possible 12 and, sharing Douglas’ words on their Twitter page, Chronicle Live claimed the takeover ‘will be the next big issue’ at the club with next season in the top flight now all but secure.

Transfer Tavern verdict

Let’s place this highly complex situation in a sporting context – we’re entering the final weeks of the season, and the opening of the transfer window is just over a month away.

Barring a swift resolution, it seems likely that Newcastle will be preparing for the 2021/22 campaign with Steve Bruce as manager and Mike Ashley as owner.

But will Ashley want to commit any significant funds to transfers if he feels a takeover may be imminent?

It feels as if the club is in limbo right now, and that could certainly be damaging to any potential transfer plans in the summer.

In other news, read Allan-Saint Maximin’s intriguing programme comments.