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Journalist Pete O’Rourke believes that Wolves are ‘planning for life’ without Adama Traore next season, with a summer exit expected for the winger.

The Lowdown: Traore out on loan

The 26-year-old struggled to become a regular feature in the team under Bruno Lage earlier in the season, managing only 10 Premier League starts between August and January.

Traore then joined Barcelona on loan in the winter transfer window, having started well but since seeig his form dropped off, appearing just six times in La Liga to date.

It seems likely that the Spain international will leave Wolves for good this summer, according to a fresh claim on his future.

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The Latest: Journalist backs summer exit for Traore

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke claimed that Traore has played his last game for Wolves, with a permanent exit on the cards for the 26-year-old amid reports that the Old Gold have reached an agreement with Barcelona over a swap deal which could see Francisco Trincao staying at Molineux.

The journalist stated: “I think they’re planning for life without Traore. But they’re maybe not too keen to do a player exchange. They’ll probably want the money up front for any potential transfer.”

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The Verdict: Time to receive a fee

It makes complete sense for everyone concerned that Traore finds a new home this summer, even though he has been hailed as ‘unbelievable’ by Jack Grealish.

Lage clearly doesn’t rate him highly, as the manager would have kept hold of him otherwise, and a tally of 11 goals and 18 assists in 154 appearances simply isn’t productive enough for an attacking player, despite all the garlands he earns for his pace and power.

Wolves could earn a handsome sum of money for Traore’s services if they can sell the £25.2m-rated forward, whose contract expires in June 2023, and that could duly go towards Lage further perfecting his squad with the players that he wants ahead of next season.

In other news, Tim Spiers hailed one Wolves player’s performance against Aston Villa. Find out who it is here.

Celtic have seen numerous players make the move to Parkhead over recent years before making returns to their parent clubs.

One figure that had spent some time with the Hoops before becoming a regular squad player for his club is winger Mohamed Elyounoussi.

The Norwegian joined Celtic on loan from Premier League club Southampton in the 2019 summer transfer window.

In 22 appearances across all competitions in the 2019/20 season, the winger scored seven goals and provided six assists.

The 2020/21 season then saw the 27-year-old rack up 17 goals and eight assists in 45 appearances as a much more regular figure in the team.

Since returning to Southampton, things haven’t been as fruitful for the 27-year-old, who is currently picking up a weekly wage of £59k-per-week according to Salary Sport.

Having played in 24 league games, Elyounoussi has only managed to find the back of the net on four occasions and provide just one assist in the process.

To highlight his lack of impact on the pitch going forward, out of the 40 shots at goal he’s had in the Premier League, only 16 of them have been on target.

As well as being nutmegged on three occasions, the attacker has lost 51 aerial duels compared to the 32 that he’s won, showing how much of a lightweight he can be.

In addition to his lack of regular goal contributions, which is something that Ralph Hasenhuttl would have been hoping to see from the winger after his time with Celtic, his overall performances haven’t been too eye-catching either.

According to WhoScored, the former Hoops loan signing is the tenth highest-rated player in Southampton’s squad with a rather uninspiring overall rating of 6.67.

Labelled as a “disappointment” during his time with the Bhoys by Chris Sutton, this is also what he has arguably been in England this season as well.

Back in June 2019 shortly before he joined Celtic, Transfermarkt rated the Norway international’s market value at £13.5m, whereas it now stands at £9m, highlighting a drop of £4.5m.

Taking all of this into account, it’s safe to say that Celtic and Ange Postecoglou hit the jackpot by not looking to secure a permanent move for the Saints dud.

In other news: Ange handed huge boost as early Old Firm team news emerges, it’s great for Celtic

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West Ham United came back from an early deficit to secure a 3-1 win over strugglers Fulham at the London Stadium on Friday. Goals from Javier Hernandez, Issa Diop and Michail Antonio were enough to secure all three points for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

The Hammers were certainly the better side and deserving of their victory. There were strong performances all across the pitch for the Irons, with Diop, Antonio and Declan Rice particularly impressing.

Rice has been a revelation for the east London club this season. The 20-year-old defensive midfielder has been a regular starter under Pellegrini and seems to be improving with each passing week.

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

Rice recently declared his international allegiance to England. Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate should certainly be paying plenty of attention to the West Ham man’s form. In the meantime, Pellegrini will be hoping that the midfielder can continue to play such a vital role for his team.

After the match, plenty of Hammers fans took to Twitter to congratulate Rice on another fine performance…

West Ham United face a colossal final two months of the season as they look to secure European football for next season with eight Premier League matches remaining as well as at least two more Europa League games with the Hammers set to take on French side Lyon in the quarter-final next month.

With a busy run-in that will have a major impact on how next season will look as well as the sort of transfer window they may have, David Moyes could do with some alternatives in what is a pretty light squad in order to manage.

Attack, in particular, is short of personnel with Michail Antonio the East London club’s only senior striker. Therefore, now may be the perfect time to promote U23s star Armstrong Oko-Flex.

In the Pipeline

Although predominantly a winger, Oko-Flex did play at centre-forward in the 2-1 EFL Trophy win away at Ipswich, in which the 20-year-old Irishman netted.

However, it’s his campaign in the Premier League 2 that has caught the eye, with the winger scoring 11 goals and assisting two in 18 appearances for the U23s.

The Irishman has made a handful of first-team squads and Moyes is very much aware of his talent, although the 20-year-old is yet to get his first taste of senior football.

Formerly a youth player at West Ham’s city rivals Arsenal, Oko-Flex joined the Hammers from Celtic last summer on a free transfer, having made two first-team appearances for the Scottish giants.

U23s coach Dmitri Halajko was very pleased with the early signs shown by the 20-year-old, saying: “Armstrong’s finishing is a real strong point of his. When he gets into the final third, he’s a very dangerous player. We wanted to do that tonight and he managed to take his chances.”

Goals have been shared out rather equally across the Hammers team this campaign, with six players having scored five or more goals so far this term.

Wide man Jarrod Bowen is currently the club’s top scorer with 12 goals, but the Englishman could miss both legs of West Ham’s Europa League quarter-final with a time frame on his return from injury still uncertain.

Moreover, both Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma have endured a less fruitful second half of the season compared to their first, with the duo scoring a combined five Premier League goals since early November.

With the possibility of the Hammers having to play another 13 matches this season, having already played 44 times, Moyes will need extra depth to ensure that the run-in doesn’t have too much of a serious impact on his star assets.

There is no doubt that West Ham will need to add personnel to their front-line this summer, but the East London club may already have a solution to that issue in Oko-Flex. Once Bowen is fit again, the dynamic attacking duo could create quite the partnership up top for Moyes.

In other news: West Ham now submit offer to sign “serious liability”, he’s even worse than Diop

Celtic were incredibly busy behind the scenes during the previous summer and winter transfer windows in terms of the number of deals that took place.

While a number of new faces came in on permanent and loan deals, certain other players ended up moving in the opposite direction.

However, one player that the Hoops were linked with that didn’t end up joining the Parkhead club is Aaron Hickey.

In the 2020 summer transfer window, the full-back joined Serie A club Bologna from Hearts in a deal worth a reported fee of £1.5m.

Since then, the 19-year-old has made 40 appearances for the Italian club across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing one assist in the process.

Prior to making his move to Italy, the defender made 34 appearances for Hearts with one goal and one assist to his name.

In addition to his very useful goal contributions for his current team, which have all come in this current Serie A campaign, the Scotsman has also shown with his overall performances what a mistake Celtic made by not signing him.

According to WhoScored, the former Hearts talent has earned himself a rating of 6.76, which currently makes him the third-highest rated player at Bologna.

This highlights what a great bit of business it was from them to buy the teenager, who is now valued at £13.5m according to Transfermarkt.

To further highlight how impressive the youngster has been, the full-back has racked up a higher percentage of shots on target than any of his teammates that have had more than two attempts at goal.

Meanwhile, only attacker Marko Arnautovic (27) has made more successful dribbles than Hickey (25), showing how capable he is on the ball.

Labelled as an “athletic” player that has shades of being like a “young Gareth Bale,” by Spanish media outlet Marca, Hickey should definitely be on Celtic’s list of potential transfer targets for the upcoming summer window.

If Ange Postecoglou feels the need to strengthen his squad up even more after their significant overhaul during the previous summer and winter transfer windows, then adding the former Hearts prodigy to their side could be a great way to do that.

However, given his price tag and rising stock, a move now unfortunately does feel unlikely.

In other news: Ange must finally unleash “outstanding” £18k-p/w “menace” after huge Celtic setback

Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth has revealed that Liverpool are “still pushing” to sign Fulham starlet Fabio Carvalho on transfer deadline day.

What’s the story?

After initially looking like the January transfer window would be a quiet one in terms of incomings for Jurgen Klopp’s side, the Reds gazumped Premier League rivals Spurs to the signing of Porto winger Luis Diaz.

Now, Sheth has revealed that the Merseyside club continue to pursue Carvalho amid interest from other clubs.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “Liverpool still pushing to sign Fulham forward Fabio Carvalho. A number of other clubs are interested. Fulham remain confident he will be at Craven Cottage until the summer. Carvalho has entered final 6 months of his Fulham contract.”

He’s an exciting talent

Speaking after he watched him score his first goal for the club against Southampton towards the back end of last season, former Fulham boss Scott Parker said: “Fabio was lively, he had great amounts of energy. All round his performance was very good for a young boy that has come into the team for his full debut.

“He showed real courage and bravery, he’s earned the right to get into this team. He’s not in this team because our season’s over, he’s in the team because he deserves it.”

No categories

Able to play anywhere across midfield and further forward too, Carvalho has been at his best for Fulham’s youth sides when playing just behind the striker.

In 42 games in that position for the Cottagers, the England U18 international has smashed in an incredible 20 goals and provided another nine assists too, while he’s also equally effective out wide too (he’s scored seven goals and set up another eight from the right-hand side).

This season has seen him start off with a bang for the senior side, bagging seven goals in 18 Championship games, including providing four assists too.

His recent form has been particularly impressive, netting three goals and setting up another three in just his past four league games – quite the feat considering he will likely be aware of all the transfer speculation surrounding him.

That speaks to the elite mentality and professionalism that he has even at just the age of 19, and it’s exactly why Sheth’s update that Liverpool are “still pushing” to sign him is likely to have fans absolutely buzzing at the prospect of him joining.

Manchester City have received ‘enquiries’ from Barcelona and Juventus for striker Gabriel Jesus, ahead of a potential exodus from the club this summer.

The Lowdown: Jesus to follow Sterling?

The Brazilian has struggled to force his way into being a regular part of Pep Guardiola’s plans this season, often finding himself on the substitutes’ bench.

Jesus has only started 16 out of 32 Premier League games, as well as forcing his way into the starting lineup just once in the Champions League to date.

With Erling Haaland looking likely to join City this summer, it could be that their current No.9 is deemed surplus to requirements, following reports that Raheem Sterling could leave, too.

According to the Italian press, Sterling could join AC Milan because he is ‘no longer on good terms’ with Guardiola.

The Latest: Contact made

As per a report from Lance [via Sport Witness], both Barca and Juve have made ‘enquiries’ about Jesus, while it is claimed that he is ‘likely’ to be at another club next season.

The 25-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of next season, which increases the chance of him leaving this summer, in order for City to receive a fee before the risk of losing him as a free agent next year.

The Verdict: Time to move on

Jesus’ City career has been a curious one in many ways, with the Brazil international showing immense talent but never quite managing to kick on and become the true heir to Sergio Aguero.

While 89 goals in 229 appearances is not to be sniffed at, it is damning that Guardiola has often opted to play with someone like Phil Foden as a false nine instead, suggesting he doesn’t think his striker is good enough.

It feels like the right time for Jesus to move on and enjoy a fresh challenge, with a move to Barca allowing him to follow in the footsteps of Brazilian greats such as Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

In other news, a journalist has shared a major City transfer breakthrough. Read more here.

Leeds United missed out on the chance to sign Donny van de Beek and Harry Winks on deadline day, according to reliable journalist Graham Smyth.

The Lowdown: Quiet January for Leeds

The Whites may have hoped to get some significant January business done but that didn’t prove to be the case in the end, with no signings made last month. A lack of money seemingly put paid to that, with Marcelo Bielsa now having to make do with the squad he has between now and the end of the season.

A key claim has emerged regarding some potential late business, and it’s one which could frustrate Leeds fans.

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The Latest: Smyth makes big claim

Writing for the Yorkshire Evening Post, Smyth claimed that the Whites were offered the opportunity to bring in Van de Beek and Winks from Manchester United and Tottenham respectively, but they declined the chance. The journalist reported:

“Both of whom were made available to the Whites on loan for the rest of the season.

“The YEP understands that, after discussions with Bielsa, the club decided not to pursue those options. Signing players he did not feel were needed or attempting to operate on anything other than the same page as Bielsa would be, one suspects, a pointless and dysfunctional exercise.”

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The Verdict: Hugely frustrating

This is a hugely frustrating update to hear now that the transfer window is officially closed, with midfield an area which clearly needed strengthening in January. Kalvin Phillips’ continued absence is a big blow, while Adam Forshaw has also been sidelined and has had huge injury problems in the last couple of years.

It seems that Leeds simply didn’t sign Van de Beek or Winks for tactical reasons and the hope is that the decision doesn’t come back to haunt them in May, with a relegation battle still potentially on the cards.

In other news, a positive update regarding one Leeds hero has emerged. Find out who it is here.

Everton have had a huge makeover during the first month of the year, signing five new players, saying goodbye to Lucas Digne and Rafa Benitez, and then ending the month by confirming Frank Lampard as the new manager to lead the squad into their challenging last few months of the season.

This new era for the Toffees could not have come at a better time as they are set to take on Brentford in the FA Cup fourth round this weekend and the Premier League returns shortly after, with the side needing to hit the ground running to avoid a relegation battle.

Lampard has already been pictured alongside Duncan Ferguson leading his first training session on Tuesday, and there are many options to consider for his first starting line up.

Here at Football FanCast we have predicted how the former Chelsea boss could pick his team.

Lampard predominantly has favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation over his managerial career and was something we saw a lot of in his stint as Chelsea manager.

We expect that Donny van de Beek and Dele Alli will be given an instant opportunity to impress in the starting line up, with Abdoulaye Doucoure out injured for at least the next four weeks, it elevates the former’s chances of being able to make a good impression on his new manager.

Alli would replace former Toffees manager Benitez’s common choice of Andre Gomes in the attacking role behind the striker, especially with the £120k-per-week flop who was criticised for being “reckless” by Everton journalist, David Prentice, struggling to make a significant impact.

As a result, Lampard will be looking for a more consistent threat in the position by utilising his options.

We would also expect January signing, Vitaliy Mykolenko to start in Lampard’s strongest XI in the left-back position, alongside a centre back partnership of Ben Godfrey and Yerry Mina.

The Chelsea legend and his new-look Everton squad will have a huge challenge of staying in the FA Cup this weekend, and it would be a promising start for Lampard if he could pull off a win over Brentford to set a good positive mindset of things to come for this Toffees squad.

At the moment, they are clearly lacking confidence, and with fixtures against Newcastle and Leeds United coming up in the Premier League, they need to improve rapidly.

In other news: Lampard must axe Holgate in defensive masterclass

Newcastle United are reportedly now strongly interested in signing Thomas Strakosha on a free transfer in the summer.

The Lowdown: Goalkeeper wanted

As per The Daily Mail, the Magpies are eyeing as many as four goalkeepers to provide stern competition for Martin Dubravka at St James’ Park.

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Dean Henderson, Sam Johnstone, Bernd Leno and Kepa Arrizabalaga have all been mentioned as possible signings, but the Tyneside outfit may also look abroad for a new man in between the sticks.

The Latest: Strakosha eyed by Newcastle

According to Citta Celeste, Newcastle also hold a ‘strong interest’ in Strakosha, whose contract at Lazio expires this summer.

He is ‘torn’ between staying at the club and playing in the Premier League, and the Toon could certainly offer him a route to the English top flight.

The Verdict: Sign him

Capped 19 times by Albania and playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues in Serie A, it is quite mesmerising to think that Strakosha could leave on a free transfer.

Current Italy under-20 manager Alberto Bollini has claimed that the ‘keeper boasts ‘extraordinary athleticism’, while he was also once dubbed ‘explosive‘ and a ‘phenomenon‘ by former Lazio stopper Silvio Proto.

Keeping no fewer than 10 clean sheets in 25 games across all competitions so far this season, and averaging just one goal conceded per game (Transfermarkt), Strakosha is still only 27 years of age, which is relatively young for a goalkeeper.

Therefore, signing him on a free would represent a great piece of business from the Magpies.

In other news, find out what Keith Downie has now shared on Callum Wilson’s injury