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According to a report by journalist Raisa Simplicio, writing for Goal and on social media, Tottenham Hotspur winger Lucas Moura is now ‘open to hearing proposals’ this summer as Saudi Pro League clubs keep tabs.

The Lowdown: Sell-to-buy…

Amid all the financial uncertainty caused by the global pandemic, Tottenham will need to adopt a sell-to-buy policy this summer like many other clubs up and down the Premier League.

There are many candidates to be shifted out of the N17 exit door to raise funds, including the likes of Erik Lamela, Juan Foyth, Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko (football.london). Lucas could also be a surprise name for the departures lounge despite showing brilliant form at times last season.

Indeed, Alasdair Gold claimed that Spurs might be tempted by an attractive offer for the Brazilian this summer regardless of his improved numbers and popularity at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (football.london).

The Latest: Lucas now ‘open’ to exit offers…

As per Brazilian journalist Simplicio, Saudi Pro League clubs Al Nassr and Al Hilal have ‘consulted’ for the 28-year-old, and it is believed the player himself is now ‘open to hearing proposals’.

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As written in Goal, the Middle East duo are currently weighing up whether to make an official proposal to Tottenham, with Al Hilal in particular holding a long-standing interest. Meanwhile, Al Nassr’s coach Mano Menezes personally requested that the club take a look at Lucas as he contemplates adding another South American to his roster.

Indeed, as per this update, the player himself is ‘open’ to offers and ‘does not rule out leaving Tottenham’ this summer.

The Verdict: Keep…

While Lucas is veering on the older side at 29 and slowly approaching the twilight phase of his career, there are plenty of other players who are far more viable for the chopping block.

Near the end of last season, he became a crucial player for Tottenham during the last weeks of former manager Jose Mourinho’s reign. Lucas improved on his 2019/20 numbers (seven goals, five assists), bagging nine goals and eight assists in all competitions for Spurs last season whilst earning praise from several quarters.

Mourinho lauded him as a ‘team player’ who ‘always’ fights for the side (tottenhamhotspur.com), while Alan Shearer raved over his “instrumental” performance in a 2-0 victory at Aston Villa. Premier League star Raphinha is also among his many admirers, recently calling Lucas a ‘monster’ after his landmark 150th appearance for Spurs (Instagram via The Boot Room).

The Brazilian fought hard to regain his starting spot after a long mid-season omission and we believe he may still have a role to play in 2021/22 under Spurs’ new manager.

In other news: ‘Understand’ – Alasdair Gold shares ‘good news’ for Spurs, find out more here.

Sunderland maintained their spot in the play-offs with a 1-1 draw at home to Rotherham in League One on Tuesday night.

The Black Cats are fifth in the table and one point ahead of seventh, as it stands, and know that a win on the final day of the season against Morecambe, who are battling against the drop, will seal their place in the top six.

It was an eventful night for Michael Ihiekwe at the Stadium of Light as he went from hero to zero for The Millers. He opened the scoring in the 17th minute before turning the ball into his own net in the 88th minute to gift Alex Neil’s team a point.

Sunderland did not register a single shot on target in the match as they struggled to break Paul Warne’s well-structured side down.

The home side were, therefore, a tad lucky to come away from the game with a point to show for their efforts as they did not trouble the opposition goalkeeper at all. Neil’s attackers struggled on the night and one player, in particular, who let the head coach down was centre-forward Nathan Broadhead.

Off the ball, he was a lightweight. As per SofaScore, he lost four of his six (66.6%) individual battles and this shows that he was dominated from a physical standpoint. He made one tackle in the match whilst failing to make a single interception, clearance, or block as he failed to help the defence out when Rotherham had the ball.

On the flip side of the game, he offered no attacking quality. As per SofaScore, he did not register a single key pass or shot on goal, whilst also failing to complete a single dribble. He only had 19 touches of the ball, with goalkeeper Anthony Patterson having 32, and completed just nine passes.

Broadhead struggled to get into the game in the final third as he let Neil down on and off the ball throughout the match. The Everton loanee has been sublime this season, with nine goals in 14 starts, but this was a performance to forget from the Welshman.

He must now dust himself down and work hard in training ahead of the crunchtime clash with Morecambe on Saturday. Neil will need the striker at his clinical best to ensure that the Black Cats are competing for a spot in the Championship via the play-offs next month.

AND in other news, Speakman howler: SAFC may now be on the verge of repeating brutal Hugill disasterclass…

A number of Crystal Palace fans have praised Tyrick Mitchell on social media for his first-half display against Manchester City.

Roy Hodgson made two changes from the defeat to Leicester City last time out, with Mitchell and Andros Townsend coming in for Patrick van Aanholt and Jordan Ayew.

The 21-year-old came in for his 14th league start of the campaign and first since the win over Brighton back in February.

Palace went into the game in 13th place, knowing a shock win over Pep Guardiola’s side would take them over 40 points.

Mitchell, valued at £4.5m by Transfermarkt, has made just 18 appearances for Palace and is coming up against City winger Ferran Torres at Selhurst Park.

Prior to kick-off, Mitchell averaged a Premier League match rating of 6.61/10 this season, as per WhoScored – and it seems as if numerous Palace fans think he’s putting in a solid shift.

Palace fans react

This is what these Eagles fans had to say about Mitchell’s first-half performance against the Premier League champions-elect, with one claiming he is ‘bullying’ City.

“Tyrick Mitchell. Unbelievable.”Credit: @Wheddsta”MITCHELL YOU BALLER”Credit: @Danlivermore4″Mitchell you king”Credit: @CPFCWiII”Tyrick Mitchell is top class”Credit: @CiaranCPFC”Tyrick Mitchell bullying City. Remember, he is 21 years old”Credit: @Mark_CPFC”Mitchell is a baller man We are so lucky. Just wait.”Credit: @DrizzyCPFCIn other news: ‘Rather have Roy’, ‘Hate it’ – Many Palace fans erupt at manager news, find out more here.

West Ham United could sign a perfect upgrade on Michail Antonio in Bayer Leverkusen sensation Patrik Schick.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days and weeks have suggested that the Hammers are interested in the Czech Republic international as David Moyes looks to strengthen his attacking options.

And, after hearing about the London side’s links to the striker, Carlton Palmer delivered his backing behind a potential move.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said: “He’s a top player. He’s second to Lewandowski in the goalscoring charts. I think he’s the right age at 25, £40 million is good money for him.

“When I say it’s not massive money, he’s not like your £200,000, £300,000-per-week player, he’ll fall into their budget. They need some backup for Michail Antonio, they’re too heavily reliant on Michail. When Michail’s out the side, they tend to struggle a little bit.”

Upgrade on Antonio

Schick is no doubt best known for his exploits at Euro 2020 last summer, with his incredible long-range strike against Scotland in the group stage actually being the furthest distance from which a goal has been scored on record in the tournament.

This season in the Bundesliga with Leverkusen, he has simply been in stunning goal-scoring form, smashing in 18 goals in just 16 Bundesliga games and provided another three assists too, including scoring against the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich too.

The Czech ace is as clinical as they come, having a superb 32% goal conversation rate this campaign in the German top flight – to put that into context, Antonio’s is far down at just 14%.

Therefore, it’s hardly a surprise that new Leverkusen boss Gerardo Seoane described the 25-year-old as a player with “incredible finishing qualities”.

The £34m-rated star would be a more than adequate cover for Antonio and even be an upgrade on him in the starting line-up too.

Meanwhile, West Ham are interested in this Premier League defender…it’s not Nat Phillips.

Leeds United are interested in signing Hertha BSC starlet Matheus Cunha in the summer.

What’s the story?

With the future of Helder Costa at Elland Road uncertain, it seems as though Marcelo Bielsa has his sights set on signing a new star winger for his side ahead of next season in the Premier League.

According to German publication SportBILD (via Leeds Live), the Whites made an enquiry to sign the Brazilian back in the January transfer window, and are now ready to reignite that interest in the summer.

The report adds that interest in the 21-year-old is becoming more concrete, and Cunha is keen to explore new opportunities too.

Julian Nagelsmann rates him

The £35m-rated Cunha has enjoyed an impressive campaign with Hertha in the Bundesliga this season, netting seven goals and providing another six assists in just 27 games in the competition.

Prior to starring for Hertha however, Cunha was on the books at RB Leipzig, and worked under Julian Nagelsmann, and the German was quick to hail the kind of ability the Brazilian youngster has, and the progress he has made since leaving them.

He said: “Matheus Cunha is playing really well at the moment – he’s a huge talent and possesses so much skill.”

And, his former manager at Hertha, Bruno Labbadia, said that Cunha has got the kind of ability and talent to be a real game-changer, and can decide games on his own with a piece of magic.

He said: “Matheus has something special. He can always produce something with a moment of individual brilliance.”

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Described as having speed, skill and intelligence by Bundesliga.com, the 21-year-old seems exactly like the kind of exciting winger that could really set Elland Road on fire, and it’s no wonder Leeds are after him this summer.

Meanwhile, Leeds United handed a huge boost as major Elland Road news emerges…

Liverpool are interested in signing young forward Donyell Malen from Eredivisie outfit PSV, according to Fabrizio Romano.

But the Reds face competition from Borussia Dortmund, who may view Malen as a potential replacement for Jadon Sancho.

Sancho is reportedly set to join Manchester United in a £77million deal.

The lowdown on Donyell Malen

Malen, 22, scored 27 goals and provided 10 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions last season.

Only Georgios Giakoumakis and Steven Berguis out-scored him in the Dutch top-flight.

Malen has three years left on his current contract and is valued at £27million by Transfermarkt.

He’s currently on Euro 2020 duty with the Netherlands and set up goals in their group stage victories over Austria and North Macedonia.

Malen would provide Liverpool with additional cover ahead of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, which could see Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane miss up to a month of action at the turn of the year.

Fan feed Watch LFC relayed Romano’s claim, and here’s how fans reacted.

Liverpool fans excited by reported Donyell Malen interest

“Yes, need him”

Credit: @Aaliyah_Tegen

“Yesss”

Credit: @RebelYelliex

“Baller, be heavy for £25m as well”

Credit: @JT96_

“First rumour that makes sense”

Credit: @AndyPoundyJr

“oooooooooh that’d be nice”

Credit: @ColossalSorrow

“Finally Mr Credible Source himself @FabrizioRomano has spoken about Liverpool interest in Donyell Malen. And the last player he did this about was Konate and well we all know what happened there….”

Credit: @AndyLFCRedman31

In other news, Reds fans were delighted by this development.  

Former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill is ‘interested’ in becoming the club’s new director of football, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Hoops’ DoF talks

Celtic remain on the hunt for a DoF after their talks with Manchester City’s Fergal Harkin failed to lead to a Parkhead move.

The Irishman, who is a massive Hoops fan, was closing in on a Scotland switch, with reports back in March suggesting a deal was 90% done.

However, stories last month claimed that Harkin, City’s football pathways and partnerships manager, wants to remain loyal at the Etihad.

The Latest: O’Neill links

Football Insider shared a story on Wednesday, linking O’Neill with a Parkhead return.

A Celtic source informed the site that the 69-year-old has thrown his name into the hat and is ‘interested’ in becoming the Hoops’ DoF as the club’s summer rebuild continues.

The report adds that the former Celtic manager, who won nine honours in the dugout with Celtic and Leicester City, would be keen on a more executive role following Ange Postecoglou’s arrival as manager.

The Verdict: A smart move?

It could well turn out to be a smart move by the Hoops to bring a man with O’Neill’s experience back to Celtic Park in a role higher up.

Postecoglou would be able to go to the Northern Irishman for advice in his first season in Glasgow, should he wish to do so, and the pair could even work closely together on transfer targets.

O’Neill knows just what it takes to succeed in Scotland, and even though he wouldn’t be in the dugout alongside Postecoglou, having his presence back at the club could help the Hoops in their quest to win back the Scottish Premiership from Rangers.

In other news: Celtic transfer twist emerges on ‘fantastic’ ace; Dominic McKay trying to play a blinder, find out more here. 

Aston Villa confirmed on Friday that COVID-19 spot checks will be in place for Saturday’s game against Wolves.

Reliable reporter Ashley Preece relayed the news on social media, which, as to be expected, received plenty of interaction at such short notice from a number of Villa fans.

Villa return to action at home against their Midlands rivals on Saturday afternoon, looking to get back to winning ways following a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham prior to the international break.

Fans attending the Villa Park clash may now be asked to provide proof of a valid NHS vaccination pass, alternative proof of a vaccine or a negative lateral flow test 48 hours before kick-off.

Spot checks will be increased, however, Preece claimed that no fan will be refused entry as certification is not yet mandatory.

Villa fans react

This is what these fans had to say in reply to Preece’s post, with a selection of responses to view below.

“This is a shocker from Villa so last minute I get no one will be refused so why do it”

Credit: @SamBrogan3

“Villa Park 4G about to cause utter chaos”

Credit: @JamesLIoyd

“Shambles”

Credit: @MisterGuilbert

“Will cause chaos as there’s no signal for anyone to get on the NHS site .. you can guarantee most people won’t know beforehand”

Credit: @FowlerLegend

“Absolutely pointless then what is the point in doing it? ‘excuse have you got your covid status?’ No ‘Ok go on through’”

Credit: @KBK_DJ

“What is the point if no one will be refused entry?”

Credit: @ChristopherSS76

In other news: ‘Makes a lot of sense’ – Many AVFC fans buzz at Gregg Evans’ ‘exciting’ transfer news. 

Manchester United are willing to sell rumoured Leeds United target Daniel James this summer, acting as a potential boost for the Whites.

The Lowdown: Leeds linked with James move

Marcelo Bielsa could be looking to bring in another wide player in the transfer window, with Leeds arguably light in that area currently.

One player who has been linked with a move to Elland Road is James, who only managed 11 starts in the Premier League last season.

Jadon Sancho’s move to United is likely to send the Wales international further down the pecking order, meaning he could move on, and he was of course close to swapping South Wales for Yorkshire back in January 2019.

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The Latest: Man United willing to sell

According to ESPN, United are happy to let James leave for the right price in the coming weeks, giving Leeds the opportunity to swoop.

The exact amount isn’t specified, although the 23-year-old is valued at £16.2million by Transfermarkt.

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The Verdict: Snap him up, Marcelo

James could be a shrewd addition by Bielsa this summer – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has claimed he has an ‘X-factor’ – possessing the kind of attributes that could be lethal in this Leeds team.

The Welshman has electrifying pace that can be deadly on the counter-attack, but he also works incredibly hard for the team. He averaged one tackle and 0.9 fouls per game in the Premier League last season, implying he could fit right into Bielsa’s intense pressing system.

James might not play regularly instead of Raphinha and Jack Harrison, but improved squad depth is vital and he could provide exactly that, allowing Bielsa to rotate more often and keep players fresh.

In other news, a pundit is delighted with the situation surrounding one Leeds player. Find out who it is here.

AS Roma may reignite their interest in Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz in the future, says Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield.

The Serie A side were linked with a move for Luiz during the summer transfer window, with Calciomercato claiming that the 23-year-old was a target for Jose Mourinho.

Nothing materialised, though, with Luiz remaining at Villa Park. The £31.5m-rated Brazilian is an important player for Dean Smith, starting two of Villa’s first three Premier League fixtures in that holding midfield role.

Hatfield, however, would not be surprised if Roma showed interest again in the future and tried to make a move for Luiz.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if Roma kept tabs on him over the next couple months and see how he’s doing at Villa and then maybe reignite their interest,” Hatfield told TT.

“Of course it depends on his performances as well because if he steps up his level, obviously Villa will be expecting more money for him.”

Luiz was not the only Villa player who was linked with a move to the Stadio Olimpico. According to Football Insider, Roma were also keen on Anwar El Ghazi and tried to sign the 26-year-old.

An ex-Premier League manager, it is not a shock to see Mourinho trying to tap into the English market.