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Celtic have not terminated the contract of Olivier Ntcham, contrary to reports suggesting that they would do so. 

That’s according to Scott McDermott, the chief football writer at the Sunday Mail.

The lowdown

The midfielder joined Ligue 1 outfit Marseille on loan at the end of the winter transfer window, with the deal containing an option to buy for £4.5m. However, Ntcham found himself immediately engulfed in controversy after then-manager Andre Villas-Boas publicly stated that he had not approved the signing.

The 25-year-old went on to make just four league appearances before the end of the season, playing a grand total of 118 minutes (via Transfermarkt).

The Frenchman’s £15,000-per-week Celtic contract runs until June 2022, and Football Insider reported on Saturday that the Hoops had no intention of welcoming him back to the fold and decided to rip up his contract to allow him leave on a free transfer.

The latest

McDermott got in touch with the club for a response to the reports and he was told that, as it stands, Ntcham’s Parkhead contract remains in place.

In the early hours of Monday morning, he tweeted: “Despite online reports, as of this afternoon, Celtic say the contract of French midfielder Olivier Ntcham hasn’t been terminated…”

The verdict

Even with a new manager set to come in at Parkhead, it would seem a surprise if Ntcham were to revive his career in Glasgow, considering how Celtic found him dispensable this season and given his glaring lack of match action in recent months.

Still, given that he’s valued at £3.15m by Transfermarkt, it makes sense to try to offload him this summer rather than simply letting him walk away for nothing next year. Even a small transfer fee could make a valuable contribution towards the club’s possible summer rebuild, so hopefully the reports of Celtic cancelling his contract are wide of the mark, as McDermott has suggested.

In other news, Alan Nixon answers Eddie Howe announcement question. 

A negative reaction to Celtic missing out on winning a treble this season would be ‘absolutely ridiculous’, according to former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie, after he witnessed their Scottish Cup semi-final loss to Rangers last weekend.

The Lowdown: Celtic miss out on treble

Ange Postecoglou’s side had the opportunity to seal a domestic treble this season, prior to last weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final clash with Rangers.

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Celtic were beaten 2-1 at Parkhead, however, meaning they can now only add the Scottish Premiership title to their Scottish League Cup crown that is already sealed.

The Latest: McAvennie positive

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie said winning the league would be an incredible success, bemoaning any negativity surrounding missing out on a treble:

“It was a disappointing loss last weekend. I thought we would win, I think a lot of people did. But it wasn’t to be.

“Look at it this way. This season I was happy for us to just compete. I had no thoughts about us winning anything. The fact we are gutted about missing out on a treble is absolutely ridiculous.

“Next season we should be even better and I want to see us do better in Europe but what a job he has done. It will be just remarkable if we do win this title.”

The Verdict: Title matters most

McAvennie is spot on in his opinion, with a treble something that seemed highly unlikely at the start of the season, and not something to gauge the team’s success by.

If Celtic can wrestle back the league title from Rangers it would be a superb effort by Postecoglou and his players, ensuring last season was nothing more than a blip during a strange time in the world.

A double would still be deemed a hugely successful campaign, suggesting the Hoops are only going from strength to strength going into next season, when Champions League football will hopefully return to Parkhead.

In other news, Celtic are reportedly in advanced talks to sign one player. Find out who it is here.

Moise Kean’s brother admits that it is ‘difficult to imagine’ the striker returning to Everton at the end of his loan spell with Paris Saint-Germain.

Everton signed the Italy international from Juventus in August 2019 for an initial fee of £25.1m but he endured a difficult debut season on Merseyside, scoring only two goals in 33 appearances across all competitions.

PSG get the best out of Kean

The Blues opted to loan him out at the end of the 2020 summer transfer window and it was PSG who secured a deal for him.

He has spectacularly rediscovered his scoring touch in the French capital, netting 18 times. In PSG’s star-studded ranks, only Kylian Mbappe can boast a higher goal tally (31).

‘Even if he has a contract’ Kean probably won’t go back to Everton

Some Everton fans may be licking their lips at the prospect of a revitalised Kean re-entering the Goodison Park fold next season, but his brother Giovanni thinks that his future lies elsewhere. He is hopeful that the 21-year-old goes back to Turin, where he spent nine years before moving to Merseyside.

“I think it’s difficult to imagine him returning to Everton, even if he has a contract with them,” Giovanni Kean told Tuttosport.

“I can ensure he is very happy at PSG. Anything can happen in football. As a Juventus fan, I hope he returns to Juventus.”

Transfer Tavern verdict

Kean struggled at Everton, his woes peaking when Duncan Ferguson brought him on and then substituted him against Manchester United. Having thrived at Champions League-chasing PSG, he might not want to go back to Goodison Park.

The good news for the Toffees is that he will still have three years left on his contract come the summer, and they will be within their rights to slap a substantial price tag on him.

If PSG, or indeed Juventus, decide to pay a large transfer fee, Everton can then reinvest in weaker areas of their squad. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has shown he is more than good enough to be the long-term number nine at Goodison.

In other news, this Everton man was slammed for his latest performance.

An update has emerged in Aston Villa’s pursuit of Chelsea full-back Tino Livramento.

What’s the talk?

According to Hampshire Live, Southampton could have the edge over their competition in the race to land Tino Livramento as they only have one senior right-back option. The Saints could tempt the Aston Villa target to join them with the prospect of senior football in the not-too-distant future.

The report names Aston Villa, Brighton, RB Leipzig and AC Milan among the clubs interested in signing the young right-back. His contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of next season and talks are said to have stalled over an extension, with a compensation expected to be around £500k.

Could strike gold

Johan Lange must act swiftly to secure a deal for Livramento this summer. If he can move quickly and snap up the youngster in the coming weeks then he could stave off interest from other sides, including Southampton, as they may be waiting for him to become a free agent next year. Instead of waiting 12 months, Villa can strike now and use the element of surprise to jump ahead of their rivals in the pursuit.

The claret and blue chief could strike gold for Dean Smith in doing so as Livramento is a talented young player with the potential to improve further. He was named on the bench for Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Manchester City in the Premier League at the start of May and was unused. The youngster also won Chelsea’s Academy Player of the Year award at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

The 18-year-old, who has been dubbed as a “huge talent”, made 26 appearances for the club’s academy last term and provided three goals and 10 assists. This shows off his attacking flair from the back four and suggests that he could fit the mould Smith is looking for in his fullbacks.

Smith wants his fullbacks to bomb down the flank to create overloads and openings out wide. Matty Cash averaged 0.8 key passes per game in the Premier League, whilst Matt Targett managed one per game on the left flank. Livramento could come in and learn from the likes of Cash and Targett as their understudy, developing his game to suit what the ex-Brentford coach wants.

Therefore, he could be a shrewd addition to Villa’s squad in the short-term, as he could provide cover for Cash, and in the long-term. The dynamo could be someone Smith is able to take his time with on the training pitch and develop over the course of several years, rather than expecting him to come straight in and impress.

AND in other news, talkSPORT drop promising update on “phenomenal” Aston Villa star, fans surely buzzing…

Former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey has told Football FanCast that he would be surprised if Joe Willock chose Crystal Palace over a return to St. James’ Park.

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has made it clear that he wants to bring Willock back to the club after a successful loan spell last season, but doing another deal with Arsenal is looking far from simple.

Mikel Arteta has claimed that the 21-year-old is currently in his plans, while Patrick Vieira and Palace, according to 90min, are interested in bringing him to Selhurst Park if he does become available this summer.

Howey, though, while not ruling anything out, would be surprised if Willock ended up picking the Eagles over the Magpies.

“Would he pick Newcastle if it was a choice between the two? You never know,” the ex-Newcastle centre-back said. “The lad is obviously based down in London, but I’d be surprised if he went to Crystal Palace.”

Willock really looked at home during that loan spell at St. James’ Park last term, scoring eight goals in 14 league games.

Ultimately, having proof that he can develop there, if the English youngster is to depart the Emirates this summer, then joining Bruce’s side again looks to be his best bet.

Keith Gillespie has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that he expects Manchester United winger Daniel James to remain at Old Trafford this summer.

The Welsh international burst on the scene following his move from Swansea City for £15m the summer before last, when scoring three times in his first four Premier League appearances.

However, the emergence of Mason Greenwood has seen James restricted to a bit-part role under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this term.

The 23-year-old has scored five times and added one assist in his 24 United appearances, but has started just nine times in the Premier League.

Five of those starts have come in the last nine matches, although James has been a regular in the Europa League, too, which could be valuable for his chances of starting for Wales at this summer’s European Championships.

Despite January links away from Old Trafford, Gillespie believes that James still has a part to play, and expects him to be a Manchester United player next season.

He told The Transfer Tavern:

“I don’t think he’ll leave. He’s a good squad player, he’s still young and learning the game. It has been disappointing for him because when he first came in, he did well at the start, but his performances have gone downhill.

“He’s been used this season more than I thought he would be, you see him in the starting line-up when you don’t expect it – Ole obviously likes him.”

Bundesliga side RB Leipzig have become the latest side to show an interest in Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer.

The Lowdown: Plenty of clubs keen on Ajer

Leipzig aren’t the only side keen on the Norway international. Premier League sides Newcastle United and Norwich City have been credited with an interest in the 23-year-old, along with Bayer Leverkusen.

Ajer has recently confirmed his intentions to leave Parkhead this summer, and it seems he now has a new club keen on his services.

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The Latest: Reports in Germany

German outlet Fussball Transfers, cited by Inside Futbol, claim that Leipzig are keeping an eye on Ajer.

They view the Hoops ace as a potential summer signing after they lost Ibrahima Konate to Liverpool.

Leipzig were prepared to lose Dayot Upamecano, who decided to join Bayern Munich, but it appears as if Konate’s exit has resulted in their interest in Ajer.

The Verdict: Have Liverpool done the Hoops a favour?

Liverpool agreed on a £36m deal for Konate last month, and that move could well prove to have a positive knock-on effect at Parkhead.

Newcastle thought they were edging closer to a £6m deal for Ajer in May, however, no transfer has been finalised.

Fussball Transfers claim Norwich have launched a €12m (£10.2m) offer recently, and you’d hope that could go up going off Leipzig’s interest.

Celtic could do with having multiple sides firming up their interest, including Leipzig, as you’d expect that would increase their chances of sides embarking in a bidding war for the defender – Leipzig especially could now become desperate in their centre-back department.

Therefore, the Hoops could receive a higher fee than the £6m reported last month, which could then allow new boss Ange Postecoglou to spend more ahead of the 2021/22 season.

In other news: Postecoglou wants 10-honour captain; he is a big fan of Celtic coach, find out more here. 

A number of Rangers supporters have praised John Lundstam’s first half performance in their Premiership clash with Hibernian.

Steven Gerrard’s side face a key match in the title race, entertaining third-placed Hibs at Ibrox. Rangers know that a win would take them four points clear of their opponents, not to mention overtaking Hearts and returning to the top of the table.

Things didn’t start well for Gerrard’s men, though, with Kevin Nisbet heading Hibs into an early lead to stun the home supporters, giving the visitors a half-time advantage. Despite the interval deficit, Lundstram has been active in the final third and nearly had an assist early in the second half, only for Scott Wright’s shot being blocked down.

Rangers fans react to Lundstram display

Lundstram is someone who did well in the opening 45 minutes, clocking 50 successful passes in the first half alone, and these Rangers fans took to Twitter to hail his “brilliant” performance at Ibrox.

“Lundstram genuinely looks a completely different player these last few games. Playing the CDM role magnificently”

Credit: @TK86_

“Lundstram excellent so far”

Credit: @chr1sbett

“Lundstram class so far again”

Credit: @kieranmcl96

“Lundstram already Man of the Match”

Credit: @C_M286

“Lundstram looking interested”

Credit: @becalmfollowon

“Fantastic tackle Lundstram”

Credit: @RonnieP_77

In other news, some Rangers fans have erupted at Gerrard’s recent comments. Read more here.

Former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips believes Raphinha will want to leave Leeds United now that he has made his debut for Brazil.

The Lowdown: Raphinha makes Brazil debut

£28.8m-valued Raphinha (Transfermarkt) was included in Brazil’s squad for the World Cup qualifiers this past week against Venezuela and Colombia.

He made his debut from the bench against the former and produced an impressive display, providing two assists as La Selecao won 3-1. He also featured in the 0-0 draw with Colombia (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: Phillips questions Raphinha future

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips believes Raphinha may now be looking to depart Elland Road if the Whites cannot invest heavily to push for European football. He said:

“I think it’s going to be very hard.

“Leeds need more investment in their squad, they need to start buying players that can keep them fighting even further up the table.

“Over the next year, year and a half, people like Raphinha will leave, his head will get turned by other clubs.

“Raphinha is getting into Brazil squads, he’s playing for Brazil now. He’s not going to want to play for Leeds, he’s going to want to move and play for a bigger club that’s playing in the Champions League. Someone of Raphinha’s quality should be playing in the Champions League.

“It’s just the reality of football. If Leeds can’t invest and get a better squad that’s challenging to get into Europe he will want to leave. That’s just normal.”

The Verdict: Top quality

Since making the move to Yorkshire from Rennes in France, the winger has slowly but surely evolved into one of Leeds’ most important players. Last term, he found the back of the net six times and provided nine assists in 30 Premier League games, and has already scored three times in seven outings in this term’s competition.

Now he has embarked on an international career, and with Leeds not in or looking close to European competition, it will unfortunately be difficult to hold on to Raphinha in the long term.

While he is still 24 and has plenty of time ahead of him, it may not be long before he gets restless, but the silver lining is that Victor Orta and co will be in line to scoop a massive profit when he does.

In other news, Noel Whelan is excited by these Leeds plans.

It’s ‘likely’ that Newcastle United will be offered the chance to sign long-term transfer target Andrea Belotti on a cut-price deal, according to Chronicle Live journalist Lee Ryder.

The lowdown

The 27-year-old has been a prolific striker for Serie A club Torino, scoring 105 goals in 228 appearances and finishing third in the race for the league’s Golden Boot in 2016/17. He’s currently on Euro 2020 duty with semi-finalists Italy as a back-up to favoured centre-forward Ciro Immobile.

Belotti has now entered the final year of his contract at Torino, who will be wary of the risk that he leaves on a free transfer next summer.

Former Torino boss Davide Nicola has labelled him a ‘unique’ forward and a ‘great finisher’.

The latest

Ryder says that Newcastle have long ‘kept tabs’ on Belotti, who was ‘scouted before [the] pandemic’.

The 27-year-old’s contract contains an £85m release clause, but Torino are now thought to have slashed their demands to £29m with less than 12 months left on the deal, a 66% reduction in his asking price. [Chronicle Live]

However, Ryder expresses doubt as to whether Newcastle will take up the opportunity to bring him in. With transfer funds in ‘short supply’ and the club shrouded in a ‘veil of uncertainty’, it may not be realistic. [Chronicle Live]

The verdict

Belotti will surely have no shortage of suitors at that price tag, and a move to a Premier League club could leave Newcastle pondering what might have been.

If this deal had been available 12 months ago, you’d have been urging the club to pounce. However, the £20m addition of the prolific Callum Wilson means that the centre-forward position is no longer a transfer priority, and even if Bruce wanted to play two up top, it would be sensible to use an in-house option for the moment and invest in improving the squad elsewhere.

In other news, could this be when Newcastle learn their arbitration result?