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Steve Howey reckons Manchester United should target Wilfred Ndidi if Paul Pogba leaves Old Trafford before the transfer window slams shut.

Pogba, who is enjoying his second spell with the Red Devils after sealing a then-world record transfer from Juventus five years ago, has been heavily linked with exiting the club throughout the summer.

French giants Paris Saint-Germain have been interested in prising Pogba away from Old Trafford, with the midfielder’s agent Mino Raiola claiming last December that a move is needed.

According to French media outlet Le 10 Sport, Raiola has even offered Pogba to United’s arch-rivals Liverpool.

Pogba has entered the final 12 months of his £290,000-per-week contract and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are facing up to the prospect of seeing the France international depart for free next summer.

The 28-year-old has already rejected a new deal at United, according to Canal Supporters, with the report suggesting Pogba wants a move to PSG.

Howey believes the Red Devils should sign Ndidi, who has made 146 PL appearances and won the FA Cup since joining Leicester City from Genk in 2017, if Pogba seeks pastures new.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Leicester defender Howey said: “For me, Ndidi would fit the bill if Pogba goes. I think you would have less controversy as well.”

A number of Liverpool supporters are delighted after an official club tweet emerged showing Andy Robertson running again after his ankle injury.

The Scot has been an enormous player for the Reds since joining from Hull City in 2017, maturing into arguably the best left-back in Europe.

Robertson has been a model of consistency down the left flank, providing endless quality in the final third but also defending doggedly.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

It is rare that the 27-year-old gets injured but he is currently sidelined with an ankle issue picked up during the final stages of pre-season.

There was concern that Robertson could miss a big chunk of action, given how serious the injury looked at the time, but the current signs are positive.

On Wednesday, the club tweeted some footage of the left-back running at the training ground, suggesting his return to the fold might not be too far away.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-10/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Liverpool fans react to Robertson video

These Liverpool provided their thoughts on Twitter, with plenty of reason for positivity.

“This made me so happy”

Credit: @SirXabi

“MY BOY IS BACK!!!!!!”

Credit: @ArtiiGL

“This guy ahhh”

Credit: @WEBBZJAY

“If Carlsberg did Wednesdays’”

Credit: @KopAce74

“This guy is Terminator”

Credit: @StephenJPike

“Never been more excited to see a guy running”

Credit: @BrendoTGB

In other news, some Liverpool fans are fuming at one piece of Reds transfer business. Read more here.

Leicester City are reportedly eyeing up a move for Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence as manager Brendan Rodgers seeks to address his injury-hit backline.

What’s the story?

According to Football League World, the Foxes are one of two Premier League clubs hoping to secure the highly-rated 21-year-old’s services this summer, with Southampton also credited with an interest.

New arrival Jannik Vestergaard joined the extensive injury list at the King Power Stadium following an innocuous training ground incident, so Leicester are believed to be in the market for extra reinforcements before the current transfer window closes.

Jon Rudkin must swoop

Comfortable at either right-back or on the right wing, Spence has established himself as one of the Championship’s most exciting young talents over the last couple of campaigns.

Previous ‘Boro boss Jonathan Woodgate lauded him as “exceptional” following a standout performance when he was still a teenager, but current manager Neil Warnock has gone even further in his praise for the youngster.

“If you look at one or two of the full-backs that are around now – the lad at Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the lad at Manchester United from Palace (Aaron Wan-Bissaka) – they are all the same type as Djed,” declared the 72-year-old.

“He does have enormous ability, and when you’ve got ability like that it’s criminal if you don’t get to the very top. But as I said to him in that first couple of weeks, he’ll only have himself to blame if he doesn’t get to the very top.

“He has quite a few things to brush up on at the minute, and I’m sure he will try. He’s a very good trainer and works hard,” he concluded.

With James Justin set for an extended spell on the sidelines and Marc Albrighton currently the only natural right-sided forward in the first team squad at Leicester, Spence’s prospective arrival could plug multiple gaps in Rodgers’ setup.

Therefore, director of football Jon Rudkin must swoop for the versatile gem before the Saints snap him up.

Spence may be far from the finished article at this moment in time, but Rodgers is one of the best in the business when it comes to developing young talent, and the 21-year-old could be the latest diamond in the rough to benefit from the Northern Irishman’s tutelage.

In other news… Forget Perez: £40.5m-rated Leicester liability who lost possession 15 times let Rodgers down v West Ham 

Express and Star journalist Luke Hatfield wouldn’t say that Aston Villa are definitely done and dusted in the transfer window, but it’s much more likely if a player does leave Villa Park that they go back into the market.

Dean Smith has brought five new players to the football club for his first team this summer, with Leon Bailey, Emi Buendia, Ashley Young, Danny Ings and Axel Tuanzebe all penning deals at Villa Park.

Villa responded to an opening day Premier League defeat to Watford (3-2) with a 2-0 victory against Newcastle in front of their own supporters at Villa Park last weekend, with new signing Ings settling in at Villa well, as he made it two goals in two Premier League games.

Villa have added some real quality to their ranks this summer and Hatfield believes it will take a very good deal to get them to go back into the market but wouldn’t say they are definitely done and dusted even if a player wasn’t to leave Villa Park.

“If no one leaves it will take a deal which is very, very good to get Villa back in the market now I think for incomings anyway, that’s not to say it won’t happen – you never know what happens in the final week of a window, a team could finally show interest in a player which hasn’t really seen any interest over the summer and equally a deal might present itself to Villa and they think this is just too good to turn down. 

“It wouldn’t shock me if they were in for a defensive midfielder, as I said, that’s the position they really need to address I think, someone just to screen that back four and help out there, who’s mobile as well and progresses the ball. So, it wouldn’t surprise me, I wouldn’t say they’re definitely done and dusted even if a player wasn’t to go, but I think it’s much more likely If a player does leave that Villa go back into the market,” Hatfield told Football FanCast.

With only a few days left to go in the transfer window, will Villa manager Dean Smith look to make any further additions to his side?

A reason has now been given why Newcastle United’s Deadline Day offer for Boubacar Kamara was rejected.

The Lowdown: Late offer

As per Le Phoceen, the St. James’ Park faithful made a last-minute offer to try and sign the Marseille ace on Transfer Deadline Day.

However, he would have been ‘extremely hesitant’ to have made the move to the North East.

The Latest: Deal off

As per The Athletic, Kamara decided that he wanted to stay at Marseille in the end, despite offers from both Wolves as well as the Tyneside club.

The Ligue 1 team had hoped to move him on given that he only has a year left on his current deal, and now it is anticipated that he will either sign a new contract or leave on a free transfer in 2022.

The Verdict: Shame

It is a shame that a move for Kamara to Steve Bruce’s side eventually fell through.

Once dubbed a ‘phenomenon’ by his former teammate Rolando back in May 2020, the Frenchman still has a lot of potential at just 21 years of age, and his ability to be equally as comfortable at centre-back as well as in defensive midfield (Transfermarkt) would have been a valuable asset to have in the squad.

Nonetheless, the Magpies only managed to bring in one player on a permanent deal in Joe Willock from Arsenal, and given that he was on loan there last season, fans have every right to be worried about the lack of improvement from last term.

In other news, find out why this Toon ace’s move was blocked here!

Aston Villa duo Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia have been deported from Brazil and will travel back to Europe from international duty with Argentina following the sensational cancellation of their World Cup qualifying match against Brazil, as per Diario Ole.

In a sensational turn of events, Brazilian public health agents stormed the pitch in order to remonstrate that they believed four Argentina players, including Buendia and Martinez, broke COVID protocols to enter the country before the match [Daily Mail].

The Villa duo will now travel back to England today in order to return to club duties for Dean Smith’s side after quarantine [Diario Ole], and their unexpectedly early return could make them ready to line out for the club sooner than originally projected once their isolation period is served.

In light of this news, plenty of Aston Villa supporters took to social media to share their opinions on the current situation.

Aston Villa fans react

Replying to popular Aston Villa fan outlet @villareport on Twitter, here is what some fans had to say about the latest reports emerging from South America regarding the club’s Argentine duo, with one describing it as “great news”:

“Don Smith masterclass”

Credit: @Jannetts_”heard they got sentenced to ten years of being the best footballers in the Premier League”Credit: @rad_nauseam”good”Credit: @avbiIly”This is great news. Glad they’ll only miss the Chelsea game”Credit: @andrewstone85″SIUUUUUU”Credit: @Nathhhavfc”Thank god”Credit: @___manjIn other news, a pundit has dropped his verdict on a potential Villa capture. Find out more here.

Tottenham Hotspur have made Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic their top target for next year, as news emerges from Italy, after failing to land the 6 foot 3 colossus this summer.

The Lowdown: Linked previously to Spurs

Vlahovic, 21, was heavily linked with a transfer to the Premier League this summer with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting that Spurs were willing to fork out £60million to sign the striker.

The striker has scored 34 times in 88 appearances for the Italian side since arriving from FK Partizan Belgrade and he has got the 2021/22 campaign off to the perfect start with three goals in three games – including two in the recent 2-1 away win at Atalanta.

Vlahovic, who is valued at £36million, also attracted interest from La Liga champions Atletico Madrid.

The Latest: Spurs remain keen

According to CalcioMercato, Vlahovic is Fabio Paratici and Spurs’ number one target next summer after their interest was made known for the forward already.

Fabrizio Romano claimed that Tottenham didn’t actually submit a formal bid for the striker in the summer, but it is now alleged that they will re-visit the situation at the end of the season.

Fiorentina were desperate to retain the services of their striker in the previous transfer window but could face an uphill battle to keep him if Spurs or Atletico come back in for him.

The Verdict: Massive potential

The signing of Vlahovic would be a massive step forward for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, whether that be to replace Harry Kane or to provide competition for the club’s record goalscorer.

One of Spurs’ main problems in recent years is having no back-up to Kane, with Vinicius Junior struggling last season, so Vlahovic, who has been hailed ‘incredible’ by Serie A expert Conor Clancy, could provide exactly this and eventually be a replacement in the future.

Bringing Vlahovic in at such a young age and then nurturing him to be the clubs leading man in attack – when Kane is either sold or retires – looks to be a smart strategy from Paratici and co. The 21 year-old gets better every season.

In other news, Paul Scholes has made a claim about Spurs man following Palace defeat. Find out more here.

With West Ham in Europe this season, we could see plenty of fringe and youth talent get an opportunity at the London Stadium, particularly in competitions like the Carabao Cup which gets underway next week.

And since David Moyes has returned to the club for a second stint, he has put his faith in several of the club’s promising youngsters – perhaps a sign of a new approach this time around.

For example, back in January, the 58-year-old boss handed first-team debuts to several academy starlets, including Jamal Baptiste, in their FA Cup fourth-round victory over Doncaster Rovers.

That day made it eight graduates to have been given a senior bow by the Scotsman since he was appointed for a second time.

Baptiste is a player that many in east London are eager to see more of – he impressed during pre-season, has been capped at youth level for England and can play right across the backline, making him a very interesting option for the long term.

‘Tall, strong and comfortable in possession’ is how the club’s official website describes the 17-year-old sensation, whilst he cites both Virgil van Dijk and West Ham’s former defender and his academy mentor Matthew Upson as players he bases his game on.

This summer, Baptiste scored the opening goal of the Hammers’ pre-season with a nicely-timed side-footed volley against Dundee and whilst it’s not a competitive encounter, it is certainly a promising sign that being around the first-team does not phase him one bit.

Back in November, the emerging teen sensation signed his first professional contract with his boyhood club and football.london’s Sam Inkersole went onto describe him as “very highly-rated.”

Meanwhile, the Hammers’ former academy director Terry Westley told Claret & Hugh that Baptiste is “one of the finest young prospects at the club without a doubt.”

He then added: “Believe me [he] is going to be a monster player in the Issa Diop mould. I see him as exactly that – the new Issa Diop. He’s got everything, height, power, pace and is already, at such a young age, making a serious impact on the under 23s.”

If Baptiste is looking up to the former Irons star, then Moyes could well unearth their next Upson in the 17-year-old gem. As there are plenty of fixtures on the horizon, the West Ham boss must look to hand valuable minutes to players like Baptiste.

AND in other news, “I have been told”: Journalist drops major West Ham claim, fans will surely be buzzing…

Sheffield United have been dealt a blow regarding the fitness of Ben Osborn ahead of their upcoming Championship fixture.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by Yorkshire Live, Slavisa Jokanovic revealed that the 27-year-old missed the Blades’ 2-2 draw with Preston North End on Tuesday due to illness, with the midfielder having missed two days’ training in the build-up to the match.

Speaking shortly after the midweek fixture, the 53-year-old said: “He is ill, he hasn’t been working [on Monday and Tuesday] with us.”

Jokanovic will be gutted

While the severity of Osborn’s illness has not been revealed, considering the former England U20 international had been unable to train with the club earlier this week, it would very much appear as if the midfielder is a doubt for United’s clash with Hull City on Saturday, something that will undoubtedly leave Jokanovic gutted.

Indeed, while the Blades have not exactly enjoyed the best of starts to life back in the Championship, Osborn has nevertheless impressed over his five league appearances for the club this season, with the £1.8m-rated man having scored two goals, as well as taking an average of 1.2 shots and making 0.4 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the former Nottingham Forest gem earn an average SofaScore match rating of 7.22, ranking him as Jokanovic’s fifth-best performer in the league so far this term.

As such, should the midfielder indeed be ruled out of this weekend’s game, it would undoubtedly dent the Serbian manager’s chances of achieving a positive result against the Tigers, with the 53-year-old desperately lacking any real depth in the wide attacking areas of his squad.

In other news: Jokanovic has found Sheff United’s new Lundstrum in “powerful” £6.3m-rated gem

Aston Villa enjoyed their biggest win of the new Premier League season with a superb victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

Dean Smith’s side produced unquestionably their best defensive performance of the campaign, and it was one of those in the back-line who delivered all three points.

Kortney Hause capped off a fine display with a powerful header from Douglas Luiz’s corner, and while he and Tyrone Mings were equally impressive, Ezri Konsa’s performance showed exactly why there have been loud calls for him to make the England squad.

As per SofaScore, the 23-year-old blocked the second most shots of any Villa player, while he also ranked second when it came to total clearances.

Defensively he was as solid as a rock, and his six duels won out of nine were the joint-most of any of his teammates – in fact, even if you added the duels won by both Hause and Mings, that would only amount to half of Konsa’s tally.

The centre-back was equally as impressive in possession, exuding a real calmness under pressure – his 91% pass accuracy was the best of any Villa player, while he lost the ball only twice over the course of the 90 minutes, by far the lowest of any Villa starter.

Writing initially on Twitter, the Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece said: “Ratings from a historic afternoon at Old Trafford. There’s some sore shins in that away end, sheer pandemonium. Hero Hause, Mings and Konsa all outstanding. Douglas Luiz classy in there. So much to like about this group!”

In a follow-up post-match ratings article for the news outlet, the journalist gave him the joint-highest rating of a nine, adding: “Missed a golden chance from inside the six-yard box as he headed over following Douglas’ dangerous and pinpoint corner. It was bodies-on-the-line stuff from Konsa, he blocked countless balls into Villa’s box. Brilliant once more.”

If England manager Gareth Southgate was watching, he would have left suitably impressed by Villa’s English back-three, and Konsa in particular.

The former Brentford man was arguably Smith’s real hero at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Villa could unearth a new Ezri Konsa in this gem…