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Former Southampton striker David Connolly told talkSPORT over the weekend that Thomas Tuchel will look to keep Tammy Abraham at Chelsea this summer, but his comments may prove to be a blessing for West Ham United and David Moyes.

Abraham has been touted as a potential target for the London Stadium natives ahead of the next transfer window, with the Daily Mail and Daily Star both citing the England striker as an option to fill Sebastien Haller’s void.

Connolly believes West Ham “would love” to have Abraham in their ranks next season if a deal is on the table, as the 23-year-old would allow Moyes to be less reliant on Michail Antonio.

Moyes is claimed to be driving West Ham’s interest in Abraham as he looks to add a young, hungry and homegrown option who can rival Antonio, having relied on the centre-forward to start 90% of all available Premier League games this term.

It remains to be seen if Chelsea would be willing to sell to a potential rival for a top-four position, but Connolly believes a deal is unlikely to develop.

“West Ham would love him,” he said. “They need another striker. They’re very reliant on Michail Antonio, but I can’t see Chelsea selling Tammy Abraham.”

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Abraham has only started three of his five appearances across all competitions under Tuchel to date and was omitted from the matchday squad that lost 5-2 at home to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Connolly suspects the decision was Tuchel wanting to see a response from Abraham, who is Chelsea’s top-scorer this season with 12 goals in 30 games across all competitions.

“Whether Tuchel wants a response… some managers might just want a response,” he added. “Maybe he needs to do a bit more in training as well.

“You just hope he’s not spitting his dummy out because he’s not involved and that he’s showing the right attitude. This might be him sitting on the naughty step for a little bit.”

Abraham has not featured for Chelsea since the end of February when taken off at half-time against Southampton and had been struggling with an ankle injury, but was left out of the squad last weekend through a tactical decision.

Connolly fearing that his latest omission may be a sign of the £36m-rated striker “spitting his dummy out” may see that Tuchel denying Abraham a move could be a blessing for Moyes and West Ham.

That’s because reports by Football Insider last month claimed that Tuchel has doubts over Abraham’s ability to lead the Blues’ attack at home and in Europe, but added that some of the German’s backroom team also have concerns over his attitude.

Taking on a temperamental striker may not be what’s best for West Ham next season or in the long-term, especially with Abraham said to feel he deserves a contract worth more than £120,000-a-week given his efforts over the past two seasons.

Terms in that region would make Abraham the top-earner at the London Stadium per Spotrac figures, a route they could be reluctant to take having given Haller the most lucrative deal at £115k-p/w only to part ways 18-months after his club-record £45m arrival.

Abraham has a track record for scoring in the Premier League with 21 goals in 54 games over the past two seasons, it just remains to be seen if the reasons behind Tuchel’s position will also block a move across the capital this summer.

AND in other news, West Ham trail a Premier League rival for a five-goal, seven-assist star once labelled an “exciting prospect”…

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have been giving their thoughts to an injury update regarding winger Trezeguet on social media.

The 26-year-old went off in the closing stages against Liverpool on the weekend, with the club now confirming the Egyptian will now have to undergo surgery as a result.

Trezeguet, who netted twice against Fulham earlier this month, suffered knee ligament damage at Anfield in the 2-1 defeat.

He collided with Trent Alexander-Arnold but couldn’t continue and now looks likely to miss the rest of the campaign.

Villa, who are thought to be after a new wide addition in the summer, now have just Bertrand Traore and Anwar El-Ghazi as senior available wingers.

Villa fans react

Villa shared the news on their official Twitter page on Monday evening, which, as to be expected, received plenty of interaction from hundreds of Villa fans.

This is what some had to say, with one describing the update as ‘rotten’.

“I’m gutted….”

Credit: @avfck1eran

“Heartbreaking stuff. Get well soon Trez!”

Credit: @AVFCJono

“He’s had some rotten luck this season, the head injury, hamstring injury, covid and now this. Can never fault his effort.”

Credit: @BandanaSavos

“Devastated”

Credit: @otvillayouth

“Ah man, was hoping it wasn’t as bad as what was rumored. Damn it.”

Credit: @VillaMarkPGH

“I want to cry”

Credit: @clairej0nes

In other news: Many AVFC fans react to club’s Villa Park plans, find out more here. 

Celtic striker Patryk Klimala has flown out to the United States to undergo a medical ahead of a permanent move to New York Red Bulls, and the Hoops could actually make a profit on his sale.

That’s according to a report from The Scottish Sun, who claim that the 22-year-old is set to pen a long-term deal with the MLS side when a visa application is granted.

Klimala’s exit imminent

Klimala was initially expected to have his medical in Austria, however, he has headed to the States instead to finalise the final stages of a transfer.

The Hoops signed the Poland Under-21 international from Jagiellonia Bialystok last January. Klimala has struggled in Glasgow, though, scoring just three times in 28 appearances.

Transfer Tavern take

Reports from The Scottish Sun previously stated that the Hoops could end up recouping the £3.5m fee they paid for the striker last year.

However, their latest report now claims that Celtic may eventually be pocketing more than that figure.

If that is the case, we see a deal as a no brainer. Klimala, who Callum McGregor said looked ‘really strong’ prior to the start of the season, has never put in the consistent displays of a big-money signing.

He’s been the club’s worst Scottish Premiership performer this season for players who have made more than three appearances, as per WhoScored.

Klimala has averaged a match rating of just 6.36/10, so we can’t blame the Hoops for cashing in on the forward at this moment in time.

In other news: West Ham leading race for Celtic star after recent progress over summer deal, find out more here. 

According to journalist Christian Falk, speaking to Bild (via Sport Witness), RB Leipzig ‘might be willing to talk’ to Tottenham Hotspur over a swap for manager Julian Nagelsmann – with the Bundesliga side apparently determined to keep him away from Bayern Munich. 

Nagelsmann has been heavily linked with the possible Lilywhites vacancy for a while, depending on current boss Jose Mourinho’s situation in north London.

The Portuguese has been under mounting pressure recently following a string of matches without victory, the latest being a 2-2 draw away to Everton. 

Falk drops enticing Nagelsmann claim

Now, bringing an update on Nagelsmann’s situation, Falk has dropped an enticing claim that an agreement for him to potentially become Spurs’ next boss after Mourinho is very much ‘possible’ – especially considering how Leipzig seem desperate to keep him away from Bayern.

“It’s clear his (Mourinho’s) hours are counting down,” he told BILD (via Sport Witness).

“It is no secret that Brendan Rodgers was actually the dream solution, but he has a contract with Leicester until 2025, so he is not available.

“Therefore, they (Tottenham) sound out the market and Julian Nagelsmann is a name that comes up again and again.

“I heard in Leipzig that if Bayern call, they won’t give him away because they don’t want to let him leave for their direct rivals in Germany, but if they call from England, I heard they might be willing to talk.

“If they pay a transfer fee – and Tottenham have the money – it’s possible.”

Transfer Tavern take

The 33-year-old has garnered a reputation as one of the most exciting coaching talents in Europe, and for this reason among many others, we believe he should be the prime managerial candidate if Mourinho does leave.

He has also been described as ‘fearless’ by those who have worked under his management, and that mentality is arguably very much needed in north London right now, where Spurs too often look scared to attack under Mourinho.

Among the likes of Maurizio Sarri and Brendan Rodgers, who have also been linked, Nagelsmann certainly sticks out from the crowd as a fresh and exciting option.

In other news: Levy still in race to sign 6 foot 2 ‘phenomenon’, find out more here.

Former Manchester United man Keith Gillespie says he is baffled by the treatment of Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek after the splashed out to bring him to Old Trafford last summer, in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

The Netherlands international has struggled for minutes at times this season following his £35m switch from Ajax last summer.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has handed Van de Beek just two Premier League starts this season, with his latest outing being a six-minute cameo in the 3-1 win over Burnley at the weekend.

He did lay on an assist in that time but Gillespie believes that such a huge outlay for a player should result in him playing most games of the season, not sitting on the bench.

Indeed, the 24-year-old has completed the 90 minutes in the Premier League once this season, in the 3-2 win over Southampton in November.

And the former Northern Ireland international believes that Van de Beek would have played far more for most other teams in the division.

He told FFC: “I would just question, just sort of why?

“Everyone needs a big squad but you look at other clubs, if they go out and spend that type of money, that’s a player that’s going straight into your side.

“That’s not somebody who’s going to sit on the bench for the majority of the season.”

Wolves are set for their first bottom-half finish since being promoted back to the Premier League in 2018.

After back-to-back seventh places, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men currently sit 12th with five games remaining. They’re five points off the top half in the wake of Sunday’s wretched 4-0 home defeat to relegation-threatened Burnley.

Predictably, they have suffered in the absence of Raul Jimenez, who scored 17 Premier League goals and 26 in all competitions last season, at least 10 more than any of his team-mates.

However, he hasn’t played since the 2-1 win away to Arsenal at the end of November, when he sustained a fractured skull.

Fortunately, the Mexican is now on the comeback trail. Nuno told reporters on Sunday that Jimenez was ‘almost ready to go’ but hadn’t yet been given the all-clear to start heading the ball.

On Sunday night, the striker posted three images of him on the training ground, controlling the ball and conducting shooting practice. He added the caption ‘getting ready’.

The 29-year-old’s tweet drew a pained, wistful response from many Wolves fans who are desperate to see him back in action once he is fit enough to feature.

Jimenez a possible saviour in the eyes of Wolves fans

“Can’t wait to have you back but is there any need this season. Get fully ready for the start of next season, no risks needed for last few games.”

Credit: @WeemanRich

“We need you”

Credit: @jackhurdley_

“Please Raul we need you”

Credit: @wwfcglover

“Can’t wait for your return big man”

Credit: @BensPlaysGames

“Jimi, mate, we could have used you today.”

Credit: @cpj93070

“Can’t come quick enough big man”

Credit: @_DomRoberts1

“Please end this pain”

Credit: @lewis_wwfc7

In other news, some Wolves fans blasted this man’s performance in the Burnley defeat

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have been providing their thoughts on a key update on the club’s pursuit of Tammy Abraham this summer.

Along with Newcastle and West Ham, Villa are thought to be interested in the Chelsea striker, with the Blues willing to do business over the coming months.

Sources close to ESPN claimed that the west Londoners are preparing to offload the 23-year-old in the upcoming transfer window so that they can maximise his value with just over two years remaining on his Stamford Bridge deal.

Abraham last started for Chelsea back in February, and it seems as if he is now surplus to requirements under new boss Thomas Tuchel. The Englishman, valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, has scored 12 goals in all competitions this season, and the three interested clubs are confident that a deal can be agreed below the £40m mark.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared ESPN’s Abraham update on social media on Saturday morning.

It didn’t take long for a number of Villa fans to interact with the post, with one describing the club’s former loanee as a ‘beast’.

“Just get it done ASAP!”

Credit: @momoislam96

“Happy if it happens”

Credit: @ugondave

“not getting my hopes up too much unless he actually signs but if it happens then hell yeah”

Credit: @rad_nauseam

“BUY HIM”

Credit: @jdaucott

“Spend the money @AVFCOfficial”

Credit: @UpTheVilla566

“I’d love to see Tammy back in a Villa shirt”

Credit: @MrsCarlaCole

In other news: Villa lining up huge bid for £47,000-a-week star, find out more here. 

Bundesliga expert Daniel Pinder has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that Jerome Boateng is still capable of playing at the highest level amid rumours that he could join Tottenham this summer.

The 6 ft 3 Bayern Munich defender’s contract is up at the end of the season and he is now being linked with a move to the north London club.

Boateng, who reportedly turned down the chance to join brother Kevin-Prince at Spurs previously, turns 33 in September and has had his injury problems down the years but, even so, Pinder is confident that the German would still be a useful asset to Tottenham.

Discussing whether Boateng is a player who Spurs would be able to rely on, Pinder told FFC:

“A couple of years ago, he was declining and people were second guessing whether he could still play at the highest of levels, you know, Bayern Munich. I think at the time, Manchester United, PSG were all interested.

“He was criticised by club management because he launched a new lifestyle magazine, and he was told to focus on his football. And I think since Hansi Flick came in in 2019, he’s arguably been Bayern Munich’s best central defender.

“This season, he’s missed just three games, is averaging almost six progressive passes per 90 and 1.5 interceptions per 90. So, yeah, I do think he can still play at the highest level for three or four more years.”

Following Jose Mourinho’s dismissal from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium dugout, it will be interesting to see if this reported interest in Boateng remains.

Currently, the Premier League outfit have Toby Alderweireld, Davinson Sanchez, Eric Dier, Joe Rodon and Japhet Tanganga as central defensive options.

Leeds United are reportedly ‘confident’ of signing Rodrigo de Paul in the summer transfer window, in what could potentially be a club-record deal.

The Lowdown: Constant interest in De Paul

The Whites have been linked with a move for the Udinese midfielder endless times in the last year, with a deal almost coming to fruition back in October.

De Paul may have stayed put in Italy for the time being, but he continues to be tipped to head to Elland Road, with Liverpool also rumoured to be interested in signing him.

The Latest: Leeds ‘confident’ of deal happening

According to the Football Insider, there is growing belief from United sources that Leeds will get a deal for De Paul over the line, with Udinese demanding £37million for his services.

Should the Whites match that amount, it would make the Argentine the club’s most expensive signing in history, with Rodrigo (£27m) currently topping the pile.

The report does state that Udinese could be happy to let De Paul leave for £30million, however, acting as a boost for the Whites.

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The Verdict: Ideal summer signing

Marcelo Bielsa doesn’t need to make major changes to his squad this summer, but a sprinkling of stardust is required to make Leeds even more formidable.

De Paul could be just that, enjoying 17 goal involvements in Serie A this season – eight goals and eight assists apiece – and playing an average of 2.4 key passes per game.

That’s more than any Leeds player in the Premier League in 2020/21, with Raphinha (2.1) having the most, highlighting the midfield creativity he could bring to the side.

In other news, one Leeds player has been tipped to face Tottenham this weekend – find out who it is here.

Jordan Henderson will not feature for Liverpool again this season, handing Jurgen Klopp another gutting injury setback…

What’s the latest?

Speaking ahead of their rearranged Premier League encounter with arch-rivals Manchester United, The Athletic’s James Pearce revealed that Jurgen Klopp has “ruled out” his skipper for their remaining four matches.

Earlier in the day, it was revealed that Virgil van Dijk will not play again this season either, whilst Joe Gomez also finds himself on the sidelines for the foreseeable future, so Henderson now becomes the third Reds star to be ruled out until the 2021 campaign.

However, the 30-year-old is due to return to training in the final week of the season, meaning he could still make this summer’s European Championships, though the German claims his inclusion will be “a decision for Gareth [Southgate] and Hendo.”

Liverpool were hoping to have Henderson back at some point April after he had groin surgery in February, as per Sky Sports, but now it has been confirmed that his season is over.

He last featured for the Reds in their 2-0 defeat to Everton several months ago.

Gutting setback

Liverpool’s season very much still hangs in the balance.

Mounting injuries throughout the campaign have seriously hindered their title defence, leading to Man City being crowned as the 2020/21 champions earlier this week.

There is still a small chance that the Merseyside giants could make Champions League qualification, though.

A win over the Red Devils this evening would see them move into fifth place, leapfrogging West Ham, and whilst the points gap to the top four would still be significant, it would not be insurmountable.

Having a player of Henderson’s stature and influence available would certainly have been an added bonus when there is so much at stake, especially given Steven Gerrard’s glowing endorsement of his former teammate to BT Sport (via the Daily Mail).

“Obviously, I played with him for numerous years with Liverpool and England. A very fit, athletic boy who’s selfless in his approach on the pitch, puts everyone else above himself,” he said. “When you play alongside him you appreciate the job he does for the team and I think over the years he’s been developing parts of his game. His passing range now is fantastic.”

Klopp’s midfield could be further impacted with Ozan Kabak’s likely absence a worry as it means Fabinho could drop back into defence, a worrying prospect as Liverpool have one just once since the turn of the year with him in that role.

AND in other news, Reds handed boost in race to sign “massive” 23-year old gem, Edwards must act…