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As West Bromwich Albion tell Newcastle United that they won’t be settling for anything below his £16.5m release clause, West Ham United along with Wolverhampton Wanderers are also interested in swooping for front-man Salomon Rondon, according to The Daily Star.

The Venezuelan international striker has spent the entirety of the 2018/2019 season on loan at St. James’ Park from the Hawthorns, enjoying his most productive Premier League campaign with 11 goals and seven assists.

After several seasons of toiling under Tony Pulis, Rondon has finally shown his quality at Premier League level, scoring and assisting frequently despite limited service and forming an exciting partnership with his attacking accomplice, Ayoze Perez.

Whether the Hammers should be weighing up a move for Rondon has been a topic of discussion in Football FanCast towers this week, and three writers have given their verdicts on whether Manuel Pellegrini should activate his release clause below…

Matt Dawson

“Absolutely. Rondon would be a game changer for West Ham and suits the style that they’ve been renowned for in recent years. Felipe Anderson would be in dreamland if he had a player like Rondon to play off every week, and provide a supply line to from wide areas as well. The Hammers could do with more goals and although the Venezuelan isn’t too prolific, his ability to bring others into play could prove fruitful for West Ham should he join.”

Check out what the Pl>ymaker FC squad got up to at the Football Blogging Awards in the video below…

Harry Sherlock

“Probably, yes, but I maintain that Aleksandar Mitrovic would be the better signing – the Fulham striker has youth on his side while Rondon is 29 and approaching his twilight years. If Mitrovic proves to be out of the Hammers’ reach, though, a move for Rondon makes perfect sense given they are a similar profile of player. He should be a back-up though, and nothing more.”

Billy Meyers

“With the departure of Andy Carroll and a potential exit for Marko Arnautovic after January’s dramatics, it should be the dawn of a new era in attack for West Ham. To splash the cash on a player nearing his 30’s would be typical West Ham; a truly stupid move. A younger option should be prioritised.”

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Rangers failed to finish the season on a high at the weekend, losing 2-1 to third placed Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Steven Gerrard’s side have been showing excellent form of late, winning every match since a defeat to Celtic in March prior to yesterday’s visit to Ayrshire.

However, goals from Chris Burke and Eamonn Brophy sealed the victory that Killie needed to secure a UEFA Europa League qualification spot.

One of the most criticised Gers stars on the day was Joe Worrall, whose shaky defensive performance has done little to convince supporters he is worth making a transfer move for this summer after arriving on a temporary basis at the start of Gerrard’s reign.

With his loan expiring he will be heading back to parent club Nottingham Forest shortly and plenty of fans are keen to see the back of him, feeling he hasn’t contributed positively to their season.

His form has been pretty patchy since joining last summer and away from home especially he’s looked below the standard required for Rangers to compete for major trophies.

These supporters have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts on the 22-year-old…

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Crystal Palace fans on Twitter are livid after Julian Speroni wasn’t even named on the bench against Bournemouth, in what was the last game before the club icon’s departure.

It was announced last week that the Argentine would be leaving SE25 after 15 years with the Eagles, time in which he has become a legend at the club and adored by the supporters who idolise him at Selhurst Park.

Should Crystal Palace keep hold of Max Meyer this summer? Harvey Jones discusses in the video below…

So, as a result of that, the fans were hoping that the 39-year-old would at least be on the bench so he could make a romantic cameo appearance before he departs south London for good.

However, Palace boss Roy Hodgson decided to go with Vicente Guaita in between the sticks, and chose Wayne Hennessey as his option on the bench, much to the disappointment of the fans on Twitter – one supporter even travelled to the game purely to see the former Dundee stopper!

Let’s see what the fans have been saying on Twitter about the decision…

تقدم نادي برشلونة بالهدف الأول عن طريق الدولي الدنماركي، مارتن برايثوايت أمام أوساسونا على ملعب كامب نو في المباراة التي تجمع بينهما على ملعب كامب نو.

جاء الهدف في الدقيقة 30، بعد تمريرة من ألبا إلى كوتينيو، وبعد تسديدة أنقذها الحارس، حاول برايثوايت مرتين لتدخل الكرة بشق الأنفس إلى المرمى، مع محاولة من ليونيل ميسي.

الحكم ماتيو لاهوز انتظر بعد الهدف لعدة ثواني، ولكنه قرر أحقية هدف برشلونة، ليتقدم البلوجرانا على ضيوفه. شاهد هدف برشلونة الأول أمام أوساسونا

Tottenham Hotspur almost signed Ryan Babel in 2010 in what can only be described as a truly bizarre deal.

Deadline Day of a transfer window sends plenty of clubs into panic-mode, with many of them questioning whether they are ready for the upcoming campaign, or if they have strengthened all the areas they need to ensure they reach their targets in the final few months of the year.

Rumours can go into overdrive at times and the Babel to Tottenham one was one that just did not make sense, even if you were able to follow what was going on.

The summer of 2010 saw Liverpool looking to build their own side further and the Dutchman was seen expendable after a rather rubbish time at Anfield.

Media outlet Goal broke with an exclusive in the morning that Tottenham were interested in signing the winger on a season-long loan, although the Reds were only prepared to offload him permanently. Still following?

Then there were claims that he was in a helicopter over London (Guardian, 14:49 31/08/10), with West Ham United also being dragged into the mix as Carlton Cole was allegedly heading to Merseyside (yeah, we wrote about that one not making sense as well).

But, later that afternoon he posted a Tweet stating “I’m going nowhere… LFC all The Way… ynwa !!!” (via BBC, 17:15 31/08/10… Tweet subsequently deleted..).

However, a couple of hours later, and this is where Spurs come into the picture once again, Harry Redknapp made comments backing up their interest in Babel, but revealed they were nowhere near a deal.

“We were also interested in Ryan Babel, he was a player we made an enquiry about but it never came close,” he said (via BBC, 19:53 31/08/10). This was after it was claimed a £10million bid had come in for him by the Daily Telegraph’s deputy football correspondent Jason Burt on Twitter (again… Tweet has vanished, so we’ll have to take BBC’s word for it once again (16:16, 31/08/10)).

Everything understood? (We wouldn’t blame you if you needed a few minutes to wrap your head around that one… we did!).

What is easier to understand though is that Tottenham dodged an expensive £10m bullet.

Babel has never quite hit the heights that were expected of him since leaving Liverpool and has since had spells in TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Ajax, Kasımpaşa, Al Ain, Besiktas and Fulham, where he showed glimpses of what he can offer in a season that was poor for everyone associated with the west London outfit.

However, their relegation to the Championship has left the 32-year-old to look for a new club, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a new stamp in that passport Ryan!

Tottenham fans, what are your thoughts on the whole Babel saga? Pleased Redknapp didn’t get close to signing him? Let us know below!

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Speaking to Sky Sports during their coverage of England’s Nations League encounter with Switzerland on 9 June, Gary Neville had a bizarre dig at Jack Grealish, per quotes relaid by Birmingham Live.

What’s the word?

Back in March, Gareth Southgate hinted that Grealish would have to be playing in the Premier League in order for him to receive an England call-up.

And following on from England’s defeat against the Netherlands last week, Aston Villa fans have since been calling for their star man to be included in the squad. However, a new debate surrounding the player has occurred.

Speaking about Declan Rice switching his allegiance from the Republic of Ireland, Neville chose to attack Grealish, another player eligible for the same nation.

In quotes relaid by Birmingham Live, he declared that it was nonsense that a footballer should ask for assurances over their place in a national side.

Describing an incident that arose when he was among the Three Lions’ coaching setup, he said:

“There was a situation when I was coaching with England when the FA at the time were trying to win the services of Jack Grealish and he wanted meeting with managers, assurances and other such things. It’s nonsense all of that!

“I don’t believe in the idea that you have to persuade someone to play for your country or give them assurances. How can you give them assurances in sport? You have to play well.”

Is he right?

Given the season Grealish has had, Neville’s comments feel very mistimed and rather unusual in their tone.

As the former Manchester United man has said, you need to play well first in order to warrant a place in the squad.

Regardless of the talent you possess, you won’t get an international call-up unless you’ve performed well for your club, or already earned your keep at the highest level of the game.

When Neville was coaching England, though, Grealish’s maturity was not of the level it’s at now and that perhaps explains what happened in the past.

“Finding a Lionel Messi in Sheffield… bit of a tall order!” – Watch Championship fans attempt to name their clubs’ Messi in the video below…

Now a couple of years older, the attacking midfielder has matured greatly, becoming a leading light for his side as well as being given the captaincy.

With Villa now returning to the Premier League, there is every chance Grealish may find himself in the England senior team for the very first time.

It’s highly unlikely that he’ll demand assurances over his place now he’s matured both on and off the field, and the standard of his performances might just give Southgate plenty to ponder over ahead of Euro 2020.

أعلن الجنوب إفريقي بيتسو موسيماني المدير الفني للنادي الأهلي، تشكيل فريقه أمام الاتحاد السكندري لخوض المواجهة التي ستقام اليوم ضمن منافسات كأس مصر.

ويلاقي الأهلي منافسه الاتحاد اليوم في نصف نهائي كأس مصر على أرضية استاد السويس.

طالع | مباشر بالفيديو | مباراة الأهلي والاتحاد في كأس مصر

وقرر موسيماني الاعتماد في تشكيل الأهلي على نفس اللاعبين الذين دفع بهم أمام الزمالك في المباراة السابقة. تشكيل الأهلي أمام الاتحاد السكندري

حارس المرمى: محمد الشناوي

خط الدفاع: علي معلول – أيمن أشرف – ياسر إبراهيم – محمد هاني

خط الوسط: حمدي فتحي – عمرو السولية – جيرالدو – محمد مجدي أفشه – حسين الشحات

خط الهجوم: مروان محسن ‎

طالع | مباشر بالفيديو | مباراة الأهلي والاتحاد في كأس مصر

يذكر أن الأهلي تٌوج ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا يوم الجمعة الماضي بعد فوزه على الزمالك ونجح في حصد اللقب للمرة التاسعة في تاريخه.

Bournemouth supporters will undoubtedly be pleased with their team’s attack right now.

Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and David Brooks all performed exceptionally well in the recently concluded Premier League campaign as the Cherries managed to secure top-flight football for another season.

And that attack could be about to get even better, with the south coast club currently being linked with a move for West Brom’s Jay Rodriguez.

According to the Express and Star, Bournemouth are interested in bringing the 29-year-old to the Vitality Stadium this summer in what could be a very smart transfer, though they are expected to face competition from Burnley.

With his injury problems behind him, Rodriguez, who is valued at £10.8m by Transfermarkt, managed to score 22 goals in the Championship last season. Meanwhile, the one prior, when West Brom were still in the Premier League, he found the back of the net on seven occasions playing in a very conservative team.

In a more free-flowing system like the one Eddie Howe deploys at Bournemouth, with his finishing, the England international could easily reach the 10-goal mark.

After all, it was only a few years ago where a fit Rodriguez was scoring 15 goals in the Premier League in an adventurous Southampton side.

Now fully fit again, as a partner to Wilson or alternative, Rodriguez is a player who looks capable of bringing goals to this Bournemouth team.

Bournemouth fans, do you think Rodriguez would be a good signing? Join the discussion by commenting below.

You know the transfer window is open for business when West Ham are linked with every player under the sun.

It is set to be a massive summer for the Hammers, with players expected to leave and even more likely to join. Every area of the pitch could do with some work, and for Manuel Pellegrini, finding the perfect members for his side will be his utmost priority for the next two months.

With a limited budget to work with, it could be a summer where West Ham gets players in on the cheap, and the latest rumours have the east London side linked with a newly crowned Premier League winner, just not one that will get Hammers fans off their feet.

According to Football Insider, Pellegrini is eyeing up a move for City Swiss Army knife Fabian Delph, who could leave Manchester this season after a lacklustre campaign of sitting on the bench and being subject to only eight Premier League starts.

Whilst the England international’s versatility could make him a useful player in both the midfield and defence for West Ham, if the club wants to progress, they should be avoiding the likes of Delph this summer.

The former Aston Villa captain won’t be the player to score the goals or create chances in the attacking third, which you can argue is what West Ham need the most this summer, not a defensive minded player.

Delph’s experience and ability to play multiple positions might make him a solid signing on the cheap, but the England international isn’t a marquee ‘wow’ signing that fans want, nor the man to win those vital points for West Ham next season.

West Ham fans, would you take Delph this summer? Let us know!

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According to the Daily Mail, Everton have been offered the chance to sign Inter Milan playmaker Joao Mario for just £15m.

The Portuguese international, who spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham, has scored just one goal and recorded two assists this term in 20 Serie A appearances.

Porto and Monaco are interested in signing the 26-year-old, who cost Inter a whopping €40m back in the summer of 2016 – he has largely disappointed with just four goals in 69 appearances for the Italian giants.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

It would certainly be a risky signing for Everton, so what are the potential consequences of the Toffees bringing the Portuguese attacker to Goodison Park? Football FanCast takes a look…

Ademola Lookman forced out?

One particularly promising player on Everton’s books right now is Ademola Lookman.

The England Under-21 international has impressed whenever he has made it onto the pitch for the Toffees, and specifically starred whilst out on loan in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig, where he was directly involved in nine goals in just 11 appearances.

That led the German side to bid £25m for his services, an offer that was rejected. Since his return, he has barely featured under Marco Silva and has made just three league starts this season.

If Joao Mario arrived, Lookman’s future at the club would be in serious doubt?

Richarlison moved back to centre-forward?

The Brazil international Richarlison ended the campaign playing as a left-winger whilst Dominic Calvert-Lewin played in a central role, a position where the former Watford man featured 11 times throughout the season and scored five goals.

However, with Joao Mario able to play anywhere across the frontline, we could see Richarlison pushed back into the middle in order to accommodate the Inter playmaker out on the left, where he enjoys cutting in on his stronger right foot.

Theo Walcott definitely off?

It was reported last month that Walcott’s Everton future was in doubt, with the Toffees keen to offload their highest earner – the former Arsenal man is taking home £110,000-a-week on Merseyside.

The 30-year-old featured sporadically under Silva towards the end of the season, and only managed to score five league goals all year.

His performances have left plenty to be desired since he arrived at Goodison, and supporters have been hugely underwhelmed by a player who boasts such pedigree.

However, it’s become abundantly clear that he isn’t good enough to take the club to the next level and, if Mario arrives, it will surely seal his fate at the club.