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Newcastle United are keen on Burnley’s Ben Mee in addition to his centre-back partner James Tarkowski, according to The Mirror’s James Nursey. 

The lowdown

Back in October, it was reported that Tarkowski was one of the first targets of the new regime (via The Telegraph), but it has now emerged that Mee, whose contract is also up at the end of the season, is attracting the Magpies’ interest as well.

The Northern Echo’s Scott Wilson has previously written that Newcastle’s new owners would focus heavily on players in the final months of their deals.

It should be noted that, in the case of Mee, who is valued at £5.4m by Transfermarkt, there is the option for a further year. He has been described as a ‘true leader’ and an ‘underrated’ defender by TV pundit Micah Richards.

The latest

According to The Mirror, Eddie Howe is ‘desperate’ to bring in a new centre-back and likes both players. His former club Burnley are unlikely to let both of them leave, but importantly, Newcastle are in a position to double their wages.

Mee and Tarkowski are the top two earners at Turf Moor, taking home £55,000 and £50,000 per week respectively.

The verdict

As noted by Nursey, there is an added advantage to targeting Burnley players – weakening a likely relegation rival.

Newcastle are shipping an average of two goals per game this season, and the hope would be that Mee and/or Tarkowski could give them a more secure platform for their survival bid. This was a duo which helped Burnley to keep 15 clean sheets in the 2019/20 season – a record bettered only by Manchester City.

Compared to positional peers in the top five leagues, Mee ranks in the 99th percentile for aerial duels won and the 97th for clearances. Based on those figures, he could help Newcastle immeasurably when their backs are against the wall.

In other news, Newcastle are also interested in this ‘incredible talent’

Stoke City are reportedly eyeing a swoop for Nottingham Forest striker Lyle Taylor, as reported by The Mirror.

The Lowdown: Stoke City looking for some final-third firepower

Moving towards 2021/22, Stoke City will be hoping to build a team capable of challenging for top-flight promotion.

In need of strikers in the midst of Tyrese Campbell’s well-documented injury woes [Sportsmole], the Potters have previously been linked with the likes of Bristol City striker Andreas Weimann as they look to bulk up their final-third options [Stoke Sentinel].

However, it now seems they have turned their attention towards experienced poacher Taylor as they rebuild for next term.

The Latest: Potters back in for Taylor; they were also interested last summer

Aware of his desire for a fresh start away from Nottingham, Stoke City boss Michael O’Neill is rumoured to be attracted to the idea of bringing the Monserrat international to the Britannia Stadium, report The Mirror.

Needing another option up-top, the Lancashire outfit are said to again be keen on the man they previously courted last summer whilst at Charlton Athletic [TEAMtalk].

The Verdict: Proven goal-scorer Taylor would be a solid addition

Undoubtedly, Taylor would be an excellent fit for Stoke City. Despite only notching five goals in 2020/21 with Nottingham Forest, the striker registered an unbelievable 35 goals and 14 assists in 67 games for the Addicks the two years previous [Transfermarkt].

Once labelled as an ‘outstanding player’ by Neil Ardley, the 31-year-old has previously received interest from the likes of Celtic, Rangers and Galatasaray in his services [Glasgow Live].

Born to score goals, Stoke City should look to continue their pursuit the former AFC Wimbledon man. Whether as a starter or a squad player for the Potters, he would be a solid 2021/22 addition given his proven track record in front of goal.

Life for Celtic is never simple; the Bhoys and everyone associated with Parkhead have found that out the hard way this season.

They have surrendered their grasp on Scottish football and perfectly embody a medieval fort destroyed by onrushing troops. For Dermot Desmond, there is simply no rest as he tries to repair the rubble.

What’s the word?

Celtic have been in advanced discussions with Eddie Howe to find themselves a new manager but the process is becoming rather frustrating.

They have been dealt a number of setbacks with various coaches but the latest name to rear its head again is Jesse Marsch.

Unfortunately, it’s not good news for Desmond or the club’s supporters. That’s because the American coach is now being target by his former employers RB Leipzig according to Sky Germany (via Daily Record).

Marsch openly admitted a few weeks ago that it was an honour to be linked with the Celtic job. However, German reporter Christian Falk quickly revealed that he wouldn’t be heading to Paradise.

News of Leipzig’s interest, therefore, only puts further doubt on a move for the RB Salzburg manager.

A stressful situation

It doesn’t matter who the coach is, Celtic are being met by an unrelenting brick wall.

Their initial interest in Roy Keane fell flat on the ground while they are now having troubles with Howe, Marsch and Lucien Favre.

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Howe doesn’t want to return to management until the summer while he’s also issued some tricky demands relating to his backroom staff that the Hoops have reportedly said no to.

As for Favre, he’s attracted interest from Saudi club Al-Hilal, a team who may be better suited to paying the extortionate demands that the Swiss requires in order to return to the coaching scene.

Thus, news that Marsch is also a target for other clubs is unlikely to go down well with the Hoops hierarchy.

This saga has been a drawn-out affair and of all the managers to be linked, he is one of the standout candidates.

He has won over 67% of his matches in Austria and has overperformed with Salzburg in the Champions League. His team only just lost to Liverpool 4-3 in the group stages when the Merseysiders were the tournament’s holders.

The 47-year-old won the double in his very first season with the Austrian giants and appears to be improving as a coach all the time.

This was the man that Celtic should have gone all out for; not Howe. Desmond must be tearing his hair out.

AND in other news, Celtic flop who’s been “anonymous” should be licking his lips after £20m update arises…

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.

David Moyes should urge a summer swoop for Rochdale starlet Kwadwo Baah in a bid to sign West Ham United’s new Junior Stanislas.

What’s the word?

According to Football League World, the Hammers are keen to hold talks with Baah over a potential transfer to the London Stadium with his Dale contract due to expire in June.

The forward looked set to seal a Premier League move during the recent winter market with Manchester City said to have been close, yet the deal fell through after the player’s medical.

Baah had agreed to join the Citizens as he felt the Etihad Stadium would have been the best place for his development following a loan spell for the 2021/22 season, but he’s now back on the market for a number of Premier League and European clubs to target.

The 18-year-old had sparked widespread interest with his eye-catching performances for League One side Rochdale, netting three goals and providing two assists in all competitions since making his senior debut in December 2019.

He has kicked on greatly this season with each of Baah’s goal involvements coming over 22 third-tier appearances, of which the Stuttgart-born, Ghana and England citizen has started 11.

Rochdale boss Brian Barry-Murphy confirmed Manchester City were not the only club keen on his side’s talented youngster while his deal to join Pep Guardiola’s side hung in balance, leaving West Ham facing a challenge if they are to convince Baah of a move this summer.

“He’s probably one of the most talented wide players we’ve ever had at the club,” the Dale manager said, via quotes by the Manchester Evening News, after a 2-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic. “I understand the deal with Manchester City is still not completed, so a lot of other clubs are monitoring that closely.

“I’m privileged to have him in our squad going forward because even today, I thought most of our attacking moments were through him and at 18, that’s a great credit to him.”

Should West Ham sign Baah?

Moyes urging West Ham to open negotiations with Baah and his representatives ahead of becoming a free agent at the end of the season could see the Scottish coach land the Iron’s their new Stanislas.

Stanislas broke out of West Ham’s academy at 19 and soon established himself in the first-team fold with 26 appearances during the 2009/10 Premier League season. He may not have lasted long in east London before moving to Burnley in 2011, but the former England U21 international would go on to enjoy a strong career in the top-flight.

The forward amassed 140 games in the division between his time at West Ham and AFC Bournemouth prior to their relegation, in which he scored 25 goals and provided 16 assists and he never failed to end a campaign with a contribution of less than two.

Ex-Cherries boss Eddie Howe lauded the vision of the 31-year-old beyond his output, as well, as Stanislas boasts tremendous technical qualities.

“He is a quality player, he’s got very good technical ability,” Howe told the Daily Echo. “He sees a pass, he is that creative link we’ve maybe been missing [due to hamstring and knee issues].”

Baah is emerging on a similar path to Stanislas, with Barry-Murphy dubbing the teenager as a “special talent” and one who is capable of producing incredible and powerful finishes.

The Rochdale talent may be relatively unproven and yet to test himself in a division higher than League One, but Moyes could rue missing out on this potential star in the making.

AND in other news, West Ham face a £43m asking price to land a 24-y/o ace who “never gets tired”…

Leeds United target Kvicha Kvaratskhelia has confirmed he has held talks with the club [Sportall via TEAMTalk].

The Lowdown: Leeds look for Pablo Hernandez replacement

After an impressive ninth placed Premier League finish, Leeds have seemingly turned their attention towards the transfer market and the Georgia international.

Currently, he plies his trade for Russian Premier League side Rubin Kazan and has done since 2019 [Transfermarkt].

However, much-loved winger Pablo Hernandez is set to depart Elland Road at 36-years-old, meaning Marcelo Bielsa will likely hunt for a suitable replacement to bolster squad depth ahead of 2021/22.

Leeds have also been recently been linked with Rangers wide-man Ryan Kent, as their pursuit of a wide-player hots up [Leeds Live].

The Latest: Talks with ‘many clubs’ are at a ‘decisive phase’; Could Leeds be one of them?

Speaking to Georgian TV channel Rustavi 2, Kvaratskhelia lifted the lid on his potential next move, claiming:

“Negotiations are underway with many clubs. We are already in a decisive phase.”

“Who are we negotiating with? I cannot say that. Negotiations with Leeds? Yes, they have been conducted and may resume.” [Sportall via TeamTALK].

Bayern Munich and Juventus are also said to be monitoring his situation.

The Verdict: Huge potential

Undoubtedly, acquiring Kvaratskhelia would provoke excitement amongst the Leeds United support. In a stellar campaign for Rubin Kazan, the 20-year-old has offered up 12 goal contributions in 23 fixtures; four goals and eight assists [Transfermarkt].

His completed dribble rate stands at around 3.4 per match [WhoScored]. This shows Kvaratskhelia’s ability not only to entertain but take games by the scruff of the neck and advance the ball into dangerous positions aggressively; a key hallmark of Bielsa’s usual preferred game plan.

Adept at playing on either side of the attack, he already has considerable pedigree under his belt having made eight appearances for the senior Georgia side, scoring three times [Transfermarkt].

With plenty room for further development, Leeds United could do a lot worse than signing the Georgian prodigy as they look to bolster their winger ranks.

In other news, there has been an update on Leeds United’s interest in a reported target.

Derby County have made no progress with regards to tying Martyn Waghorn down to a new deal, according to a fresh report regarding the striker.

The Lowdown: Waghorn future up in the air

The Rams managed to retain their Championship status by the skin of their teeth last season, staying up on the final day of the campaign.

They have a host of out-of-contract players in their ranks, however, one of whom is Waghorn, who will be allowed to leave at the end of this month.

The 31-year-old has scored 30 goals and registered 13 assists in 123 appearances for Derby, proving to be a key man at Pride Park and being described as ‘absolutely excellent’ by journalist Ryan Conway.

The Latest: Fresh update provided

Now, The Athletic have given an update on Waghorn’s situation, saying the Rams are no closer to persuading the Englishman to sign a new contract.

The update suggests he sees his future lying away from Derby, potentially eyeing up a move elsewhere this summer.

The Verdict: Derby must stand firm

While Waghorn may not necessarily be an irreplaceable figure for Derby, he is still an important player who would certainly be missed.

He weighed in with five goals and four assists in a tough season last time around and he possesses a huge amount of Championship experience, netting 75 times in the competition overall.

At 31, he should still have a few years left in him at the top, so Wayne Rooney needs to do all he can to retain his striker’s services.

In other news, Derby are believed to be in the race to sign an established international player. Find out who it is here. 

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Frank McAvennie said that he believes Jonjoe Kenny would be a good addition for his former side this summer.

Kenny is a product of Everton’s Academy, but has spent the majority of the previous three seasons out on loan in order to gain valuable experience away from Goodison Park.

His most productive stint came at Schalke last season, although his impressive performances in the Bundesliga led to him making just one Premier League start following his return to Everton last summer.

Kenny’s only other starts came in the EFL Cup, meaning the defender was sent out on loan in January – this time north of the border to Celtic.

Since arriving in Glasgow, the 24-year-old has played every minute of Celtic’s nine Scottish Premiership games, including Sunday’s draw in the Old Firm derby.

“If he would come to Celtic on a permanent basis I would be happy with that signing,” McAvennie told Football FanCast when asked whether Celtic should sign the Everton full-back permanently.

He added: “I like him. I think he’s a decent player. The first two or three games he came in, he was getting past the defenders and whipping the ball into the box. As a former striker, I would have ate them up.

“But the strikers at Celtic don’t. Edouard wasn’t getting in there, he likes everything into his feet. So it was hard. Ajeti and Klimala were getting chances, but weren’t putting them away. I don’t think they’ve had crosses like that for such a long time, they didn’t know what to do with them.”

Kenny has entered the final 18 months of his contract at Everton, and is down the pecking order under Carlo Ancelotti, meaning there’s every chance he’ll be moved on this summer, with Celtic Park up there with his likeliest destinations.

With Wayne Rooney’s Derby County side knowing that all they needed on Saturday was a victory to ensure their Championship survival, the Rams just about managed to get themselves over the line.

In what was a thrilling relegation shootout against Sheffield Wednesday, which saw Derby twice fall behind to Darren Moore’s side, two goals from Martyn Waghorn and one from Patrick Roberts secured a 3-3 draw for Rooney’s men, a result which was enough to keep them in the second tier after Rotherham drew with Cardiff City.

However, aside from the goalscorers, one Derby County player particularly impressed with his display against the Owls, that man being Colin Kazim-Richards.

Despite not finding the net with either of his two shots at goal, the centre-forward turned in a battling performance all over the pitch for the Rams. In terms of defending, the 34-year-old made two clearances, one tackle, and won two fouls for his side, demonstrating just how often he put his body on the line in the match.

Furthermore, the Turkey international also won a highly impressive nine duels – the most of any Derby player in the fixture. While the striker was not overly influential in the final third, as mentioned previously, he still recorded one key pass over his 90 minutes on the pitch.

Indeed, his overall Sofascore match rating of 6.7 is not truly reflective of the efforts of the 34-year-old.

While Waghorn and Roberts should both be praised for securing the vital result with their goals, the performance of a player Rooney dubbed a “leader” should not have gone unnoticed by Derby fans and his manager alike, as it was an important factor in ultimately saving the Rams’ season.

In other news: Rooney must avoid Derby swoop for 29 y/o flop who “plays like he’s on roller-skates” – opinion

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Sevilla forward Lucas Ocampos as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster his attacking options.

What’s the story?

According to Spanish publication Fichajes (as relayed by the Daily Star), the Reds are contemplating making a move for the highly-rated 27-year-old with only a few days remaining of the current window.

Ocampos is under contract at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan until 2024 and would command a sizeable fee if Liverpool are serious about pursuing their interest in the Argentina international.

Liverpool fans will be buzzing

The South American forward arrived at Sevilla from Ligue 1 outfit Marseille back in 2019 in a £12.8m move and has enjoyed two successful seasons with Julen Lopetegui’s charges.

In 90 appearances for Los Nervionenses, Ocampos has bagged 25 goals and provided nine assists, playing a pivotal part in their 2019/20 Europa League triumph and back-to-back top-four La Liga finishes.

Speaking about the versatile forward previously, Fede Prami, a journalist and River Plate fan recalled his days in Argentina, calling him “electric.”

And, therefore, it’s easy to understand why Klopp is reportedly keen to add Ocampos to his first-team squad before the August 31st deadline.

With Xherdan Shaqiri sealing his move to Lyon, the German tactician has space for another overseas talent, and the funds generated from his departure should give Klopp room to maneuver in the market, meaning a replacement for the diminutive Swiss attacker could be on the way.

Although Liverpool’s current front four of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota have all found the back of the net in the opening weeks of the new campaign, the 19-time English champions are likely to need greater strength in depth in order to fight on multiple fronts.

Therefore, a large section of the club’s supporters will surely be buzzing to learn of the Anfield outfit’s interest in the £36m-rated magician.

After watching their domestic rivals spend huge money on several superstar acquisitions in the final third of the pitch, Liverpool’s director of football Michael Edwards must follow suit, providing Klopp with the resources he needs to guide the Merseysiders back to the Premier League summit.

And, in other news…Liverpool receive boost in pursuit of “incredible” 23-y/o gem, Klopp would love him