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Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that his former side West Ham should only sign Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham providing he fits the bill for David Moyes.

Following the January departure of their only recognised striker Sebastien Haller, West Ham are likely to replace the Ivorian this summer following their failed attempts in the winter window.

Reports have suggested that the east London outfit are keen on signing the England frontman – with his long-term future at Chelsea in serious doubt.

Chelsea bought in Timo Werner last summer, whilst Thomas Tuchel’s side are keen on signing Borussia Dortmund star Erlind Haaland, meaning Abraham’s days at Stamford Bridge could be numbered.

The £36m-rated man has scored 12 goals in all competitions for the Blues this season, although he’s started just twice in the Premier League under Tuchel and has been in and out the team since his appointment.

Abraham’s contract talks have stalled in recent months, which could make him available for a transfer this summer, but McAvennie has warned West Ham to avoid another repeat of what happened with Haller.

He told Football FanCast:

“They don’t need someone that is going to be a target man, they don’t need another [Sebastien] Haller that isn’t going to run, they need someone like Antonio, that gives energy and chases people.

“If that isn’t Tammy Abraham, don’t go near him. But I’m not going to question David Moyes because the signings that he’s bought in this year have been different class – Coufal, Soucek, Lingard. Bowen is another example. These are all players that David has bought in and have done very well.

“Tammy Abraham, wonderful striker he might be, if he’s not the mould he wants with energy up front, then he won’t come.”

Speaking to Football Insider, Noel Whelan claimed that Gareth Bale’s future at Tottenham Hotspur rests in the hands of Jose Mourinho.

According to the former Leeds United forward, Mourinho will have the final say as to whether Spurs make a summer move to re-sign Bale, and that Daniel Levy – who personally pushed for the 31-year-old’s signing last summer, while the Tottenham manager was ‘largely peripheral’ in the deal – would give his full backing to the Portuguese should he indeed wish to keep the £18m-rated Welshman in north London for a further season.

Asked by Football Insider whether he believes Spurs will make a move to sign Bale once again this summer, Whelan said: “Yeah, you’d think so. I’m sure Jose will have the last say. He won’t come down to peer pressure from fans or anybody else. Jose knows what he wants and the chairman will back that, I’m sure.

“As I say, there are no friends in football. There’s no love just because you’ve been at a club before. Jose will choose what he feels best is best for Tottenham Hotspur. Gareth Bale’s got until the end of the season to prove he’s worthy of a contract.”

Transfer Tavern Take

Having got off to a rather slow start following his return to Spurs, suffering a number of injury setbacks and scoring just one goal over his first seven Premier League appearances this season, Bale has burst into life in recent weeks, bagging four goals and providing two assists over his last four league fixtures. He also scored in both legs of the Europa League round of 32 win over Wolfsberger AC.

However, considering that Bale is paid roughly £240,000 per week by Spurs, more than what both Harry Kane and Son Heung-min – who have scored 16 and 13 Premier League goals respectively this season – receive from the club, it could be argued that the Welshman still has a lot more to do over what remains of the season to prove his worth to Tottenham in the long run.

In other news: Tottenham are also monitoring this attacker, find out more here.

Kieran Maguire has outlined the ‘advantage’ that Newcastle United have for potential takeover investors.

Speaking recently to Football Insider, the finance guru has claimed that potential buyers may be more attracted to the St. James’ Park faithful then say Derby County because they are currently in the Premier League and even if they do get relegated down to the EFL Championship will still have a lot of money to come in from matchday income, once fans are allowed back in the ground:

“A benefit of Derby over Newcastle is that you’re inheriting a much lower wage bill.

“Therefore, if you want to put more money into the club, you’ve got more flexibility in that regard. If there are players you want moved out, it’s less costly for the owner.

“The advantage of Newcastle is that it’s presently a Premier League club. Even if it gets relegated, you’re going to get three years worth of parachute payments which are worth the thick end of £100m.

“It’s a bigger ground and therefore a bigger fanbase so you have more money coming in. I think you’d have to assess those two issues against each other.”

Potential Newcastle takeover ‘advantage’

The fact that the North East club are still in the top flight should gather some attraction from potential buyers, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group, assuming that the KSA’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) would be willing to come back onto the table

Even though relegation could be detrimental in terms of their hopes of being taken over by the KSA consortium, the Tyneside club would no doubt still be an attractive asset to invest in for other potential buyers, given its history and how big of a name in general the Magpies actually are.

Nonetheless, the key aim for the Toon will surely be to stay in the division come the end of the 2020/21 term, and assess their takeover options from there.

In other news, find out what big injury blow NUFC have been dealt with before Brighton here!

Leeds United were linked with a move for Paris Saint Germain midfielder Julian Draxler as the January transfer window first opened, with Gazzetta dello Sport claiming that the Germany international is being increasingly monitored ahead of what could be his final season with the French giants (via Sport Witness).

The Whites would hugely benefit from signing a player of Draxler’s calibre, especially as a free agent. The 27-year-old is now into the final six months of his current deal and although he is valued at £18million by Transfermarkt, he could join Leeds for nothing in the summer if they can agree a pre-contract agreement.

However, should Victor Orta work his magic on bringing Draxler to Elland Road, it could spell the end of Pablo Hernandez.

Hernandez replacement?

Draxler is being eyed by several elite level clubs, as is natural for a 56-cap international who has won three league titles and the World Cup. Since his arrival at PSG in 2017, he has impressed all around him. Former coach Unai Emery heaped praise on his debut and described him as an “ambitious” player.

Draxler has since gone on to score 22 goals and 33 assists for the Parisians but has recently fallen out of favour. Should he join Leeds, his direct competition would be Hernandez, who is eight years his senior. The Whites veteran has already slipped down the pecking order under Marcelo Bielsa, making just eight appearances in the league this season.

His only goal contributions came during Leeds’ 5-2 win over Newcastle last month, where he grabbed himself two assists. With just over a year left on his £23,500 per week contract and already struggling for game time, the arrival of a much younger and more prolific player in his position will surely only push him further towards the exit door.

According to WhoScored, Draxler has averaged more key passes, crosses and a better passing accuracy than Hernandez so far this season. Whilst they have both been deprived of minutes, the German comes off the stronger candidate to slot in behind Patrick Bamford in Bielsa’s struggling attack.

Having a new creative player like Draxler who has been praised by many could be the exact boost Leeds need to pick up their inconsistent form. Whilst they aren’t in any real danger of relegation as it stands, the tables can easily turn and they will want to get themselves back on track and hopefully return next season with a stronger lineup that can cause problems for opposition’s backline in a second top-flight campaign.

In other news, Leeds target Louie Sibley can put huge pressure on Jamie Shackleton…

West Brom are keeping tabs on the progress of young Championship winger Kieron Evans, according to reports…

What’s the word?

It’s claimed by WalesOnline journalist Glen Williams that the Baggies are among several top-flight teams “actively monitoring” the 19-year-old attacking midfielder ahead of the summer transfer window.

There is also a belief that the emerging Welsh prospect is very highly thought of by both the academy and first-team set-ups at Cardiff, resulting in him being named in three senior matchday squads since December.

Albion’s relegation rivals, namely Newcastle United, Burnley and Sheffield United, have all been mentioned as having an interest in Evans, too.

Shades of Koumas?

A young, breakthrough Welsh talent from the lower leagues? That very much sounds like Hawthorns legend Jason Koumas, who swapped Tranmere Rovers for West Brom for around £2.25m, aged just 22.

The Guardian once described the former Albion star as a ‘mercurial talent,’ and he too not only featured for Cardiff in his career but also could play on the wing or through the middle – once again, very much like Evans.

WalesOnline claim the teenage prodigy, described as an ‘exciting playmaker,’ has been in top form for Steve Morison’s U23 squad this season, having finished last campaign as top-scorer for the U18s.

And Morison has handed out high praise indeed for the 19-year-old gem. He told reporters after a positive performance in March 2020:

“Kieron Evans has made that place his own and I thought he was the best player on the pitch, playing brilliantly from start to finish and scoring a very good goal.”

Whilst Bluebirds correspondent, Williams, added his own take that day as he claimed Evans was “definitely one to look out for moving forward” before dubbing him “a real talent.”

Evidently, as a player yet to be exposed to the senior game, the raw sensation has a lot to learn and achieve before being spoken about in the same vein as someone like Koumas, but all the signs are there to hint towards him becoming a future star.

The Wales U19 international could even learn a thing or two from fellow countryman Hal Robson-Kanu if he made the switch to the Midlands this off-season.

AND in other news, Allardyce could save West Brom MILLIONS this summer with 24 y/o “outstanding talent”…

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has refused to back Glasgow Rangers manager Steven Gerrard’s comments on whether a break would ease the current coronavirus problem in football.

Lampard doesn’t agree

Ahead of the Ibrox outfit’s match with Celtic at Ibrox on Saturday, Gerrard said that football gives people a distraction, and that the data does not suggest a two-week break would eradicate the problem within the game.

Lampard did not agree with his comments. Speaking of his side’s own clash against Manchester City, he explained:

“I’m not sure on that one. I understand it. If you do love football you love watching the amount of games you get to watch at home. But safety has to be paramount.

“There are lots of people working at Chelsea within our bubble who have babies, parents, friends, sisters, brothers, grandparents…they come here and go to work.

“Then they go home and are in the environment where there’s another surge of the virus, which seems to be more contagious, so safety and security are paramount rather than trying to keep the nation’s spirits up.

“I know that might not be a nice thing to say, but these are tough times for everybody. We enjoy watching our football but safety and health have to come first.”

Good point

You can understand where Gerrard is coming from. Of course, football does provide a distraction to fans around the world, and obviously a break does not guarantee that no-one will test positive for the coronavirus. However, at the end of the day, safety is the most important thing.

As we have seen with the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin and Jamal Lascelles at Newcastle, the virus can have long-term effects on footballers seemingly in their prime. Hopefully, it does not come a point where another suspension is needed.

In other news, Rangers fans hammered this man against Celtic.

Fans of Crystal Palace have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relayed the cost of Connor Wickham’s time in south London.

Since joining Palace from Sunderland in what was a £9 million deal back in 2015, Wickham has gone on to feature just 50 times for the club, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists along the way.

And, with the £1.8 million-rated 27-year-old’s deal contract expiring at the end of the season, one Palace fan took to Twitter to highlight how much the striker has cost the Eagles over the course of his six-year stay at the club.

They said: “Wickham by the end of this contract has been here 6 years, been paid nearly £20 million by the club. He’s started 26 matches in that time and scored 11 goals. An average of fewer than 5 games & 2 goals a season. £800k per game, £1.8m per goal.”

Indeed, the former Ipswich Town striker’s annual reported salary of £3,120,000 totals £18,720,000 paid to the striker over his time at Palace, however, this does not factor in any wages paid by Sheffield Wednesday when Wickham was on loan at the Owls.

Having said that, considering the fact that he has featured just 50 times for Palace, it is understandable why Eagles fans are not best pleased with the return Wickham has given to their club, with many taking to Twitter to share this displeasure.

So, what exactly did these Crystal Palace fans have to say in reaction to the tweet regarding the cost of Connor Wickham?

“Another Steve Parish signing”

@Hape9999

“Not sure why we extended his contract. Clearly was never going to command a transfer fee with his wages & injury history”

@ldnstu

“Wickham is the player we should sell and not Benteke”

@NaikAmul

“Yikes”

@GeorgeBakerr97

“I think I have just thrown up in my mouth a little… £20m”

@metropolis2

“2 goals per season sounds prolific for one of our strikers. I suggest we give him a new contract!”

@DannyTheGit

“Let’s be fair to Wickham, before the injury he was our best option up top. The season of the cup run, he was instrumental for us. Unfortunately, he’s made of glass”

@LeoE_R9

In other Palace news, have a read of a bizarre statistic about the club which fans aren’t happy with here!

Liverpool are reportedly considering a move for RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate ahead of the January transfer window and the 21-year-old could be a superb addition to Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

According to Bundesliga journalist Christian Falk, the French U21 international is on Liverpool’s shortlist ahead of next month, along with teammate Dayot Upamecano.

Konate has established himself as a regular in Leipzig’s first-team since joining from FC Sochaux-Montbéliard in 2017 –  making 83 appearances for Die Roten Bullen’s first-team, in which he has contributed four goals and one assist (per Transfermarkt).

The young defender is currently valued at £36.45 million by Transfermarkt and also reportedly has a £45 million release clause written into his contract with the Bundesliga side.

Therefore, whilst he would be a fairly expensive deal, Michael Edwards wouldn’t have to break the bank to sign him in next month’s transfer window, and at 21, he could go on to have a very long career with the Reds, meaning it could be a very sound investment.

Konate stands at an impressive 6 foot 4, so could be an ideal stand-in for Virgil van Dijk, as you imagine that he would be able to dominate the majority of Premier League attackers in the air, whilst also being a threat from corners.

The French defender could also be compared to Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels, who Jurgen Klopp worked with during his time with Die Schwarzgelben.

Hummels has made 242 appearances under Klopp in his career so far, and similarly to Konate, aerial duels are one of his main strengths as a defender, which is unsurprising when you consider he is 6 foot 3.

Former Leipzig coach Ralf Rangnick was full of praise for the defender in 2017, saying:

“Ibrahima’s developed brilliantly here. He already has a lot of experience in the Bundesliga and on the European stage. We’re convinced of his huge potential.”

The RB Leipzig man also likes to play short passes, suggesting that he could fit in with Liverpool’s style of play, and therefore, considering the Reds’ current injury crisis, Edwards should do everything he can to bring in the 21-year-old next month.

And, in other news… Carlton Palmer reveals “massive blow” for Liverpool ahead of Wolves clash

Leeds United made easy work of brushing aside Premier League rivals Newcastle on Wednesday night in a thrilling 5-2 victory. All five goals were scored from different players, with the likes of Jack Harrison and Ezgjan Alioski impressing.

The Whites may have shipped two goals but Marcelo Bielsa won’t be focusing on that. He will hope that his side can carry their attacking masterclass forward into the weekend when they take on Manchester United.

However, one Leeds player who had perhaps a disappointing day out was the usually solid Kalvin Phillips.

Kalvin Phillips stats vs Newcastle

In a match like this, it’s difficult to say anybody had a poor game. And whilst Phillips didn’t necessarily make any errors, he was uncharacteristically off his usual defensive input.

According to Sofascore, the midfielder committed three fouls and failed to win a single aerial duel. Indeed, he lost a total of 65% of his attempted duels throughout the 90 minutes he played. Phillips was also dispossessed on eight occasions and was dribbled past three times.

Usually, the opposition finds it different to get past the £50,000 per week Whites machine. He is known for his strength in front of the defence and was recently labelled a “destroyer” by Steve McClaren.

Whilst the 25-year-old did have a better game than most defensive midfielders this week, Bielsa will be looking to tighten any loose bolts in his squad. This emphatic win should set the tone for the rest of the fixtures this year and hopefully see them finish within the top ten.

They have been a little hit and miss in their returning Premier League season, suffering back-to-back defeats recently to Leicester and Crystal Palace. But Leeds have also been capable of punishing the likes of Manchester City and they opened up their campaign by firing three goals past the reigning champions.

The Whites certainly have the firepower in their squad to build on their season, it’s just a case of fine-tuning the smaller errors that more dangerous sides can easily exploit.

In other news, Raphinha was Bielsa’s unsung hero against Newcastle…

Matty Phillips is one of West Brom’s longest-serving players but it’s ever so clear that he’s not in Slaven Bilic’s first-team plans.

And with the January transfer window on the horizon, it might be best for the two parties to part ways.

The 29-year-old, who has been capped 16 times by Scotland, originally joined the Hawthorns in the summer of 2016, signing for Tony Pulis in a £6m deal from Queens Park Rangers.

He has since gone on to feature 145 times in a Baggies shirt, scoring 21 goals and providing 23 assists, via Transfermarkt.

However, in the past year, the winger has found game time hard to come by – Phillips has played just 69 minutes in the Premier League this term, and has started just one of their last 15 matches across the top-flight and the Championship.

Phillips is among the high-earners at the club on £20k-per-week, so his continued absence is merely a waste of money for the club. He’s burned around £10.5m in total since his arrival when his wages and that transfer fee is combined.

He’s hardly been convincing when given an opportunity by Bilic either, averaging a dreadful passing accuracy of 58.3%, per WhoScored.

In fact, Phillips’ record in the Premier League is pretty dry – contributing with just 11 goals in 115 appearances, so clearly, he’s never been up to the standard and makes the thought of selling him in January a little easier to bear.

Last season in the second-tier, the Scotsman was lauded as a “game-changer” who has “got everything” by Football Insider pundit Noel Whelan, though we’re yet to see that in the big time.

As a promotion-winner, he wouldn’t be short of options in the Championship. You could fully see him going into a playoff-chasing team and making a difference, but in the Midlands, it’s just not going to happen.

Bilic has far better options in Grady Diangana, Callum Robinson and even Kyle Edwards.

It would be best for all if Phillips was moved on this winter.

AND in other news, West Brom must ignore calls for 66 y/o at the Hawthorns…