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Leeds United pundit Noel Whelan believes having Patrick Bamford available against Burnley ‘could be massive’, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Bamford in line for return?

Bamford has endured an injury-hit campaign so far this season, making just six Premier League appearances.

He made a brief return from an ankle problem at the beginning of December but suffered a hamstring issue after celebrating his stoppage-time equaliser against Brentford.

However, Marcelo Bielsa refused to rule Bamford out of the scheduled Liverpool game on Boxing Day after the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal.

On that basis, it seems as if Bamford could be in line for a return to the squad for their next fixture now with even more recovery time under his belt, with Whelan giving his thoughts.

The Latest: Whelan’s comments

Whelan, who contributes for BBC Radio Leeds, was talking to Football Insider about the club’s injury issues.

He name-checked Bamford when talking about injuries, labelling a possible return against Burnley on January 2 as ‘massive’.

“It’s been unfortunate.

“It’s given an opportunity to those players who were on the fringes of coming back, like Bamford.

“They’ve had that bit of extra time to get themselves right and be part of the squad for these games. That could be massive. Especially for the Burnley game.

“It’s no secret that we’ve missed a lot of players over this Christmas period. It will be nice to get back to a nearly fully-fit squad for the remainder of the season.”

The Verdict: Needed…

Leeds’ options from the bench against Arsenal were all Under-23 players, with youngsters Cody Drameh and Joe Gelhardt even starting.

Bielsa is down to the bare bones, especially with the recent Covid-19 outbreak at the club, so having Bamford available against Burnley, even if it is from the bench, could be huge.

Hopefully the 28-year-old is just one of a number of players to make returns at Elland Road on Sunday, and who knows, the club could look back at the recent postponements against Liverpool and Aston Villa as a blessing in disguise.

In other news: Leeds ‘set’ to sign attacker in January who has the same agent as Forshaw – journalist. 

Wolves are still said to be favourites to land Olympiakos goalkeeper Jose Sa, following an intriguing update by Greek journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos.

The Lowdown: A busy start to Wolves life for new manager Bruno Lage

As Wolves prepare for life under Bruno Lage in 2021/22, there has been no shortage of discussion regarding the reshaping of their first-team roster.

On the one hand, star men Adama Traore and Ruben Neves have been linked with high-profile moves away from Molineux [Sportsmole].

Conversely, the West Midlands club are known to have been plotting advances for Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale alongside Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha.

However, a new target has seemingly emerged in the form of the Olympiakos stopper.

The Latest: Wolves remain front-runners on one condition

As it stands, Wolves are set to be frontrunners despite competition from the likes of Atletico Madrid for Sa’s signature [Sport Witness], if Rui Patricio leaves.

That information has been shared by Sportime.gr reporter Chorianopoulos on Twitter, as he dropped the latest on the current situation, stating:

“According to @diarioas Jose Sa is in Atletico Madrid ‘s list (among 5 candidates). According to our sources at @sportimegreece Wolves are the favorites atm to sign Olympiacos GK if/when Rui Patricio leaves for Roma” [Sport Witness].

The Verdict: Sa would be a good replacement for Patricio

Losing current goalkeeping number one Patricio would be a huge blow to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Nevertheless, his prospective replacement Sa could be another excellent asset between the sticks, should he make the move.

Ever-present for Olympiakos this term, he made 44 appearances for the Greek outfit, achieving 19 clean sheets in the process [Transfermarkt].

Never afraid of the big occasion, his shot-stopping heroics earned him the Greek Super League goalkeeper of the year title in 2020 [90Min].

He boasts an impressive resume, having won two Greek top-flight titles and a domestic cup, alongside winning the 2017-18 Liga NOS with former club Porto [Transfermarkt].

At 28-years-old, there is every chance that Sa could be a dependable figure between the sticks for Wolves for years to come. As the club step up their summer recruitment drive, the Portugal international could be a quality replacement if Patricio is lured away.

In other news, Wolves fans react to a potential signing update.

Speaking to Football Insider, a financial source claimed that Daniel Levy blocked a 50% sale of Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last year worth a reported £800m, explaining that the chairman ‘did not want to lose control’.

Indeed, as per a previous report by Football Insider, Spurs owner Joe Lewis and ENIC are ‘actively looking’ for a buyer in an attempt to sell the club, with an £800m deal close to being agreed last year.

Levy accusation emerges in Spurs takeover claim

In more detail on the story, a financial source has now lifted the lid on why it fell through, with Levy now accused of blocking the sale due to his reluctance to cede control.

A deal was apparently ‘on the table’ which would have seen ENIC maintain a 50% stake in Spurs, but Levy’s unwillingness to relinquish his final say on decision-making and strategy resulted in the agreement collapsing.

Upon this stance from the chairman, the unnamed investors ‘pulled out’ and a deal failed to materialise.

Transfer Tavern take

This Tottenham takeover claim certainly sheds light on the Spurs chairman’s influence inside the club and just how central he is to the running of the north London outfit.

One huge positive for Spurs fans is Football Insider’s claim that the possibility of a takeover ‘looks more likely than at previous times’.

Many Lilywhites supporters have been split over ENIC and Levy’s reign in general, highlighted best by supporters hiring a plane with the infamous ‘Levy Out’ banner last year.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano shares news with Levy set for potentially big decision, find out more here.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has given the Glasgow Rangers’ youth players a chance at Ibrox since replacing Steven Gerrard back in November.

In his very first press conference, the Dutchman mentioned that chances would be given to players regardless of age, and so far, he has stuck by that mantra in his six months in charge.

Opportunities have fallen to youth starlets such as Alex Lowry and Charlie McCann, with the two being deployed in the earlier stages of the Scottish Cup to great effect.

Lowry came on for Ianis Hagi against Stirling Albion and made an immediate impact, scoring in front of a raucous Ibrox crowd.

Meanwhile, former Manchester United youngster McCann emerged from the bench in the next round against Annan Athletic and suitably impressed.

This has led many to push for young striker Tony Weston to be given a chance in the first team, especially considering the fact Alfredo Morelos is out for the rest of the season through injury.

Weston signed for Rangers from Blackpool in the summer of 2020 on a three-year contract and has continued to impress ever since – scoring goals aplenty for the B team – 21 in the Scottish Lowland League alone this season – and pushing towards a first-team opportunity.

Rangers youth coach Steven Smith sang his praises earlier on in the season, dubbing him “clinical” following a double against Dalbeattie Star.

These goals have given the striker the perfect platform to impress Van Bronckhorst with the final furlong of the season approaches.

And, considering his impressive goalscoring record for the B team, Rangers could well have the next 355-goal Ally McCoist in their midst, and if Weston was even half the player that Super Ally was, then the Gers have got something special on their hands.

AND in other news: Van Bronckhorst can brutally axe “shaky” Rangers dud in deal for “annoyingly brilliant” £0 machine

Marlon Harewood has urged West Ham United to sign Tammy Abraham after the Daily Telegraph reported that they are interested in the Chelsea striker.

Speaking to Football FanCast, the former Hammers forward thinks that the England international should be given a chance at his old club:

“That’s where West Ham should be looking, and I think Moysie [David Moyes] is that sort of person that he will be looking for a striker of that calibre, young, he’s ready to go, he’s been in the Premier League quite a while now. 

“I think he needs a chance, just like (Jesse) Lingard coming from Manchester United obviously not playing coming into the club, got a lot to show, and Tammy is one of them, got a lot to show [too] and would complement Antonio very well.”

West Ham should sign Abraham

If Abraham becomes available for sale in the summer transfer window, then the London Stadium faithful should absolutely jump at the chance to sign him.

The 23-year-old still has a lot of potential, and has scored no fewer than 12 goals and made a further six assists in 30 games in total over all competitions so far in the 2020/21 term (Transfermarkt).

It is not just this season that Abraham has proven himself to be a prolific goal scorer either, with a total of 91 strikes combined for both club and country at senior level.

With Michail Antonio currently being the only recognised senior striker at the East London club, he could definitely use some help up top, and Abraham could well be that man.

Currently valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, he certainly would not come cheap, but Abraham is most definitely a player that the Irons should seriously be looking at to sign should he be made available for transfer.

In other news, find out what big West Ham update has erupted fans here!

A major update has emerged on Preston striker Jayden Stockley, one which will impact Portsmouth’s transfer plans this summer.

What’s the talk?

According to Hampshire Live, Portsmouth are set to miss out on a deal to sign Preston North End striker Jayden Stockley this summer. Pompey had agreed a fee with Preston for Stockley, but League One rivals Charlton are now the favourites to land his signature as that is the player’s preferred destination.

The report claims that Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley was a keen admirer of Stockley and was eager to add him to his squad ahead of next season. Pompey are not the only League One team to be hit by this blow, as Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland and Ipswich have also been named being interested in Stockley.

Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard lavished praise on the “prolific” forward upon his arrival at The Valley in January. He told London News Online:

“It’s great we have been able to bring in another prolific striker to the club. Jayden has shown he can score goals and gives us more options going forwards.

“Interest in Jayden was high, so I am delighted we have been able to bring him to Charlton. We have a strikeforce that will be the envy of many teams in our division, so I’m looking forward to seeing them in action.”

Cowley will be devastated

Portsmouth head coach Cowley will be devastated by this update. It had appeared as though Portsmouth were on course to win the race for Stockley, due to a prior report from Hampshire Live, but now, they have been dealt a cruel blow with Charlton pushing past them to snap him up.

After agreeing a fee with Preston, they will now watch Stockley join one of their League One rivals and potentially help them get promoted to the Championship next season if all goes well for Nigel Adkins.

The English dynamo was directly involved in 10 goals for Charlton in League One. He managed eight goals and two assists in 20 starts for the Addicks and was previously prolific for Exeter in the Football League, scoring an impressive 49 goals in 98 games whilst also providing seven assists. This shows that he has a proven track record of performing in the EFL and that he could have been an added goal threat for Cowley’s team, which is why the Pompey boss was keen to sign him from Preston.

Goalscoring is not his only strength as a striker. Stockley’s target man play for Charlton was exceptional last season as he averaged 9.8 aerial battles won per game. He was also dispossessed just 0.8 times per game, which shows that he was able to hold on to the ball well without defenders taking it off him – offering a valuable outlet for teams who need to clear the ball away and get up the pitch.

Cowley will be devastated that he has missed out on a deal for Stockley at the last minute, given how good a player he’s proven to be at the League One level.

AND in other news, Get it done: Pompey must seal deal for “great” £2.2k-p/w ace after Cowley’s comments…

Dean Windass thinks Jack Grealish’s Aston Villa future could depend on how the club start the season, but has tipped the midfielder to be gone before Christmas.

Grealish is on the radar of champions Manchester City, who’re desperate to sign both the Aston Villa man and Harry Kane in a sensational double swoop this summer.

Whilst Manchester United and Chelsea might have their say, strong reports believe that both sides are willing to make the deal happen.

Grealish is currently away with England at the European Championships, with his excellent form for his club making him one of the hottest talents in the Premier League.

The Villa captain missed a large chunk of last season through injury, but still managed an impressive 18 goal contributions in just 26 appearances, with his 12 assists bettered only by Kevin De Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes, and Three Lions colleague Kane.

With four years remaining on the deal he signed following Villa’s escape last summer, City or whoever will need to pay around the £100m mark, but Windass told The Transfer Tavern that he doesn’t expect the 25-year-old to stay loyal to his boyhood club:

“I can’t see Jack Grealish being at Aston Villa by Christmas. If he has a good Euro’s, he starts well and then Villa struggle, but it depends on what Villa do.

“They’ve spent a lot of money on Buendia, but where does Jack Grealish want to go, where do his ambitions lie? He’s a local lad, he’s captain, he’s their king, but depending on how Villa do, will depend on what happens to Jack Grealish.”

Mike Ashley has dropped a clanger amid claims Dwight Gayle is set to sign a new three-year contract to remain at Newcastle United.

What’s the word?

According to The Athletic, Gayle has committed his immediate future to the Magpies by agreeing to sign a new deal but on lesser terms.

The 31-year-old was due to be a free agent at the end of the current campaign, but has put pen to paper on a deal that will see that he remains at St. James’ Park through to at least the summer of 2024.

Gayle’s contract status had seen Galatasaray emerge as one of several Super Lig sides to be credited with an interest, along with potential moves to the Middle East, Europe or Major League Soccer.

Gayle was earning £40,000-per-week at Newcastle on his previous deal, which placed him level with captain Jamaal Lascelles and above Martin Dubravka (£38k-p/w) in the Toon’s wage bill, per Spotrac figures.

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce had been pushing for Gayle to receive a new contract despite rarely favouring the forward, with the £4.5m-rated dud only staring two of his 11 Premier League appearances this season.

“We’ll do everything we can to get him tied up,” Bruce said, via quotes by Chronicle Live, in December. “Obviously, he’s been struggling with an injury, but I think we’ll do our best and I hope that he can stay.”

Yet the United head coach has often overlooked Gayle despite a hamstring injury for 10-goal top-scorer Callum Wilson, with the London-born frontman left an unused substitute on nine occasions in the top-flight this term – including the 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion prior to the international break.

Should Newcastle retain Gayle?

Newcastle are expected to operate on a shoe-string budget in the summer transfer market due to the loss of revenue from games being played behind closed doors all season, making the retention of those set to become free agents key.

Yet retaining Gayle, even on lesser terms, should be seen as a mistake by Ashley should Bruce manage to keep Newcastle in the Premier League, as the striker has rarely met the standard required of him since leaving Crystal Palace in 2016.

The Magpies paid £10m for Gayle five-years ago and his efforts fired Rafa Benitez’s side to an immediate top-flight return with 23 goals in 32 Championship fixtures. But the following term only featured six goals in 35 Premier League games, before spending the 2018/19 campaign back in the second-tier on loan with West Bromwich Albion.

He was on fire at The Hawthorns with 24 goals in 40 league games, including the Play-Offs, but returned to Tyneside to strike home just five times in 31 Premier League fixtures over the past two seasons – only one of which has come this term.

Gayle’s performances under Bruce, during what have been two injury-ravished campaigns, have ensured that he was namechecked by Micky Quinn recently when listing some of the players responsible for Newcastle’s fight for top-flight survival.

“They’re on that slippery rock. You look at some of the players: Jonjo Shelvey and Dwight Gayle… Andy Carroll – past his sell-by date – Joelinton – couldn’t hit a barn door with a pea. These are guys I think fall below Premier League class,” Quinn told talkSPORT last month.

To now retain Gayle would suggest that Ashley has accepted relegation and is confident in the striker repeating his 2016/17 season, and is rewarding him for the commitment to stay and help secure another immediate return to the top-flight.

AND in other news, Newcastle are planning an £8m move for a “great character” with an amazing skill set…

According to a report by reliable journalist Mike McGrath, writing for the Telegraph, Manchester City club captain and fan favourite Fernandinho looks set to stay at the club beyond the end of 2020/2021 and extend his terms into a ninth season at Eastlands.

Indeed, as Pep Guardiola’s side are crowned league champions after Manchester United’s 2-1 home defeat to Leicester City on Tuesday evening, it appears yet more great news is coming out of the Etihad Stadium.

The record-breaking Blues have now clinched a fifth Premier League title overall and third under Guardiola, coming after they also sealed their fourth Carabao Cup triumph in a row.

In big update, journalist McGrath explains that midfield enforcer Fernandinho is ‘set’ to stay at the club beyond this season and expected to sign a one-year extension.

Sporting director Txiki Begiristain saw fit to hand the long-time City servant an extension last season, and with this news emerging they could now keep Fernandinho for even longer, it’s little wonder one fan called it the ‘best news of the day’.

Find a flavour of their excited verdicts from social media down below, after the news was shared via @City_Xtra.

Man City fans go wild for Fernandinho contract claim

“YEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS LETTTSSS GOOOOOOOOOO”

Credit: @ManCitehzen

“Still will be the best DM in the PL at 40. Also means he’ll be captain next season. Beautiful scenes.”

Credit: @_TrueInBlue

“Better than a new signing”

Credit: @blueinyorkshire

“music to my ears”

Credit: @KevBruyne17

“Perfect, perfect”

Credit: @Siphe_Sihle1

“Wow”

Credit: @greater_koirala

“FERNANDINHO HIVE STAND UP”

Credit: @KDBseason

“Best news of the day this!”

Credit: @TomGrose99

In other news: Another new deal update also has Sky Blues excited, find out more here.

Manchester United have suffered a big blow in their pursuit of Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka.

What’s the story?

The Red Devils have been linked with a move for the powerful 26-year-old throughout the summer after he entered the final year of his current contract, and well-known journalist Christian Falk has provided an update on the situation.

He tweeted: “True @ManUtd was interested in Joshua Kimmich. But Kimmich decided to make a new contract with @FCBayern. Same procedure with Leon Goretzka @FCBayern #EnglischeWoche @altobelli13.”

Solskjaer will be gutted

United are believed to be in the market for a new midfielder in the current window, with Paul Pogba’s future at Old Trafford still far from secure.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was believed to be keen to secure Goretzka’s signature in order to boost his engine room options for 2020/21, although that prospect now appears to be increasingly unlikely.

The £63m-rated gem has established himself as one of the world’s best central midfielders in recent years, scoring 25 goals and providing 26 assists in 115 appearances for Die Roten.

His powerful and energetic performances have caught the eye of several onlookers since his arrival at the Allianz Arena three years ago, including new Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann, who said: “Leon is one of the best box-to-box players in Europe. He has incredible goal threat and knows when to bomb forward.”

Goretzka’s domineering displays and impressive trophy haul of three Bundesliga titles, one Champions League crown and two DFB-Pokals have seen his stock rise exponentially in recent years, and it’s little surprise that United’s hierarchy identified him as a possible replacement for Pogba.

Therefore, Solskjaer is likely to be gutted at the latest revelation regarding the German international’s future.

By bringing Goretzka to Old Trafford, the Norwegian tactician would have been signing a readymade heir in the centre of the pitch, and one who has proven himself to be a top-class operator and natural winner at the highest level.

However, if recent reports are to be believed, United will now have to focus their attention on other targets, with Goretzka set for an extended stay in Bavaria.

And, in other news…Fabrizio Romano drops exciting Man Utd transfer update that’ll have the fans buzzing