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Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Peterborough director of football Barry Fry has backed West Ham to continue challenging for the top six under manager David Moyes if David Gold and David Sullivan back him.

Currently fifth in the Premier League and just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, the Hammers remain in the hunt for Champions League football next season and have a good chance of finishing in the top six.

Much credit has to go to Moyes, who has brought in the likes of Tomas Soucek and Jesse Lingard, with the former taking his goalscoring form this campaign to the international stage after bagging a hat-trick for the Czech Republic in their 6-2 win over Estonia.

Without a doubt, the former Manchester United and Everton manager deserves to have his expiring contract extended. And if that does happen, Fry is adamant West Ham can continue on the upward trajectory that they are on.

In an exclusive interview with FFC, Fry said:

“If I was the two Davids or if I was advising them, I would say get him on a long-term contract. Let him build your club and let him challenge for the top six because both Sullivan and Gold are not afraid to put their money where there mouth is and back their manager, which they have [done] in the past.”

The Hammers will be looking to keep the pressure on Chelsea when they travel to Wolves after the international break.

Is Leeds United’s decision not to invest during January going to come back and bite them?

Their wins over Leicester and Crystal Palace suggests not. However, their rapidly increasingly injury list suggests they should have brought in a few players.

On the chalkboard

Leeds currently have a number of key men out injured. They are still without Robin Koch and Diego Llorente in defence while club-record signing Rodrigo is also out.

He came off during the win over Leicester and Stuart Dallas has been forced to play in midfield since. The Spaniard now faces a few weeks out with a groin injury.

Another attacking player who faces a couple of weeks out is Ian Poveda. The winger is suffering from an ankle problem but shouldn’t be too big a miss for United.

He hasn’t started a single league game this term but his place in the squad could quite easily be taken by a young individual pulling up trees for Mark Jackson’s U23 side.

Unleash Summerville

When Crysencio Summerville signed for the Whites during the summer, it was expected that he’d have a large role to play for Jackson’s team.

That has certainly been the case but after featuring 21 times in the top-flight of Dutch football last term, he has a right to feel hard done by in terms of senior outings at Elland Road.

He’s not been seen once in the first-team which given his qualities and indeed the potential he possesses, is a disappointment.

Dutch media have been left baffled by his decision to leave the Netherlands but now he has a real opportunity to demonstrate why he moved by staking a claim. Leeds are blessed with a number of young players in attack but Summerville is arguably one of the most vibrant.

He is an electrifying phenomenon, a player capable of dazzling and embarrassing full-backs in equal measure. Summerville’s performances for the U23s have been impeccable and if there was ever a chance for Bielsa to unleash him, it has to be now with Poveda out injured.

Described as a “bag of tricks” by Chris Powell, someone who worked alongside the teen at ADO Den Haag, he scored a hat-trick against Burnley U23s on just his second start for the club earlier this season.

Meanwhile, during Leeds’ 4-2 win over Middlesbrough in Premier League 2 last Sunday, he was the most creative youngster on the pitch. Summerville provided three assists for his teammates, all in a radiant first-half display.

Writing at full-time, Leeds Live reporter Joe Donnohue waxed lyrical: “The Dutchman’s footwork, close control, balance and unwavering composure is a class above. His first-half hat-trick of assists just goes to show how effective he is gliding through games at U23 level. If it weren’t for Joe Gelhardt, Summerville would have comfortably taken home the Man of the Match award.

“With every dribble and carry it is so clear he protects the ball so intelligently despite his slight frame.”

The teenager is evidently finding academy football rather easy and if he’s to develop further, he needs to be given exposure at first-team level.

Now is the 19-year-old’s opportunity to shine on the senior stage. Bielsa has to unleash him now Poveda is no longer an option. Summerville’s qualities could terrify Premier League defenders.

AND in other news, Leeds eye summer swoop for “unplayable” £43k-p/w speedster, he’s shades of Raphinha…

Amad Diallo is being lined up for a move to Birmingham, with Tom Brady and the Blues board ready to “go hard” for the Manchester United winger.

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• Ivorian winger starred at Sunderland
• Injury disrupted 2023-24 campaign
• Is being linked up for another loan

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Ivorian forward was linked with a loan return to the Championship in the winter transfer window, having starred at that level during a spell at Sunderland in 2022-23. Birmingham were among those to be credited with interest prior to parting with the services of United legend Wayne Rooney as their manager.

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  According to , interest in Amad will be rekindled in the summer. It is claimed that the Blues will “go hard” for the 21-year-old once they have “cash to spend”. Another loan is being mooted, with Amad eager to find regular football again after suffering an injury-disrupted 2023-24 campaign.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Birmingham are, however, set to face competition for Amad’s signature. It is claimed that Watford are also keen on the African star, with the Pozzo family prepared to put a permanent deal in place for Serie A side Udinese – another team under their ownership umbrella – before loaning him out to those at Vicarage Road.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR AMAD?

  Amad was laid low during the summer of 2023, with a serious knee injury picked up in pre-season. He has seen just 36 minutes of game time since returning to fitness, in one substitute appearance, and does not appear to have the full backing of Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag.

Carlo Ancelotti must stop Marcel Brands from wasting millions of pounds with a summer swoop for Everton to sign AS Roma defender Gianluca Mancini.

What’s the word?

According to Calciomercato, Mancini is earning widespread admirers with his performance at the Stadio Olimpico, to see that Everton are not the only side keen.

Ancelotti’s Toffees are said to be big admirers of the Giallorossi enforcer, but face having to contend with Chelsea for his signature as they eye a potential heir for Thiago Silva.

Ligue 1 and Bundesliga giants Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are on the scene, as well, with the Parc des Princes natives long-term admirers and approached Roma for further information on his availability during the recent winter market.

Scouts from Italian powerhouse duo Inter Milan and Juventus are also keeping an eye on developments, with the latter aware of the need to reinforce the guard currently occupied by 36-year-old Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, who turns 34 in May.

But the number of admirers Mancini has gained has also seen Roma up their valuation of the £33,000-per-week talent they paid a combined €24m (£20.5m) for, between a loan spell and his purchase, with the defender now worth at least €10-€15m (£8.5-£13m) more.

An asking price of between €34m (£29m) and €39m (£33.5m) is not expected to scare off the Premier League sides said to be interested, while Mancini intends to evaluate his options in the summer.

Mancini’s former side, Atalanta BC, would also be owed 10% of any fee Roma receive for the 24-year-old, who has started all 23 of his Serie A appearances this season after missing two games with a muscular injury and one through an accumulation of yellow cards.

Should Everton sign Mancini?

Qualification for next season’s edition of the Champions League is expected to be crucial for any side wishing to land Mancini’s services in the off-season, as the four-cap Italy international is anticipated to put the sporting project above a potential pay rise.

Everton are in the mix for a top-four finish to the Premier League season, with a four-point gap but a game in hand all that separates them from Chelsea in the last of the qualifying spots.

Yet Ancelotti must block Brands from using a UEFA campaign as a reason to spend a vast sum to sign Mancini, as it would be questionable of the 6 ft 3 enforcer establishing himself as an upgrade on those already at Goodison Park.

Ancelotti already considers Ben Godfrey to be the best of his current centre-halves, despite Mason Holgate offering a unit-high 2.5 successful tackles from 3.2 duels per game when fielded in the heart of the Everton backline for Premier League fixtures, per WhoScored.

Mancini offers Roma 1.7 successful tackles from 2.2 attempts per game in the Serie A this season, along with winning possession back for Paulo Fonseca’s side with 2.1 clearances.

Holgate currently offers the fewest clearances by one of the Toffees’ centre-halves with 3.5 a game, while Mancini would rank last on Merseyside for aerial duels won with 1.8 from three – Holgate offers the least with two from 2.7 at present.

If Brands is to spend a significant sum – more than Everton paid for Allan (£21m), Abdoulaye Doucoure (£20m) or Godfrey (£20m) last summer – on a new centre-back, he will surely have to be a distinct upgrade.

AND in other news, Everton will listen to offers for a £16m-rated ace who has failed to live up to his price tag…

Many Everton fans have been left to laud Jordan Pickford as the former Sunderland ace spoke about his “good” form lately.

Speaking to evertontv, with his comments relayed by the official website of the Goodison Park faithful, Pickford also claimed that mentally he is “in a very good place” after finding himself out injured for a while in February, as he looks ahead to the Merseyside club’s next game at home to Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

The England international has been in very good form recently, despite conceding the penalty away at Chelsea as Carlo Ancelotti’s team lost the match 2-0. Before that game, in which he made a number of decent saves as well, he had kept three clean sheets in a row in the top flight, helping his side claim nine points and really aid their push to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the start of the 2021/22 term.

Everton fan reaction to Pickford comments

These Toffees supporters lauded Pickford on Twitter after reading his comments, with one Blues fan even going as far as to claim that the 27-year-old goalkeeper has been “outstanding”:

“He’s been simply outstanding”

Credit: @CBobblers1878

“Been great”

Credit: @_jennifer1878

“Been in phenomenal form lately. Keep it going lad”

Credit: @alexdsmiff

“My MOTM the last few games”

Credit: @Nirosta

“Been superb”

Credit: @Upper__Gwladys

“Much improved lately, hopefully can continue. Showing people why he’s Everton and England No1”

Credit: @PaulAshcroft8

In other news, find out what early news before Burnley has left fans fuming here!

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has admitted that he "wasn't comfortable" during his brief trial period at Arsenal in 2016.

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• Valverde struggled during Gunners trial
• Did not want to go to England
• Got homesick while in London

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Valverde also admitted that he never really wanted to play his football in England, despite the temptation of the riches on offer in the Premier League. The 25-year-old claims that several people around him desperately wanted to send him to England just so they could make money through him, and he felt obligated to at least give life with Arsenal a try after being invited for a trial.

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  The Uruguayan had his opportunity to join Arsenal in 2016, but then-manager Arsene Wenger ulitmately decided against adding him to the first-team squad. In the same year, he eventually moved to Europe when Los Blancos secured his signature from Penarol.

• WHAT DID FEDE VALVERDE SAY?

  In his column for , the midfielder wrote: "If you Google me, you will see stories about how I almost went to Arsenal when I was 16. That’s maybe half-true. It’s nothing against Arsenal, but I never wanted to go to England. At that time, the business side of football took over. Certain people were telling me, 'Who wouldn’t want to go play for Arsenal? You want to stay here in Uruguay? That’s crazy!' What they were really saying under their breath was, “We can all make a lot of money if you go.”

  "You realize that your life is not your own in football. Especially at a young age, you feel more like a hostage. Even your family becomes a hostage. Football is an escape to a better life, especially for us in South America, and the vultures know that. They put the pressure on you in a “nice” way. 'Damn, Fede, if you go to Arsenal, you’ll have a nice bed and a shower that stays warm for 30, 40 minutes! Who wouldn’t want that life?' They sent me on trial to London for a week, and I just wasn’t comfortable. If you only think of material things, it sounds great. But we are not robots. The reality was that my family couldn’t come to London with me. I’d have to live alone, not speaking the language, at 16 years old. For every one kid who succeeds in moving overseas, you don’t see the 100 who fail."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Valverde has gradually established himself as one of the most important players in the Real Madrid squad, winning nine trophies along the way. He will be hoping to add to that tally in 2023-24, but will next be seen in action for Uruguay, who are set to take on Argentina in a 2026 World Cup qualifying game on Friday.

Many Newcastle United fans have slammed the performance of Martin Dubravka in their 4-3 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League on Friday night.

Steve Bruce’s team put up a good fight against the newly-crowned champions at St James’ Park, but goals from Emil Krafth, Joelinton and Joe Willock were not enough on the night as Ferran Torres scored a hat-trick after Joao Cancelo scored City’s first goal with a deflected effort.

Some Newcastle fans questioned Dubravka’s performance between the sticks and thought that he should have done better with some of City’s goals.

Even though Torres’ first goal was a lovely piece of improvisation, it was scored into the middle of the net, and as such some thought that the Magpies ‘keeper could have still saved it.

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The kicking of the Slovakia international was also criticised as Newcastle struggled to find an out-ball at the best of times against a team which loves to dominate possession. Only 10 of his 19 passes found a team-mate, while the visitors had a whopping 83% of the ball throughout the game (Sofascore).

Newcastle fans on Dubravka display

These Newcastle supporters slammed his performance on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that the goalkeeper is ‘rubbish’:

“Has Dubravka made a save tonight?”

Credit: @BykerWallv2

“Dubravka, for me, is rubbish”

Credit: @Callum0996

“Unless Dubravka is making a reaction save, he’s absolutely woeful. Slowest GK I’ve ever seen.”

Credit: @CharSmth94

“Dubravka’s kicking is terrible, definitely needs to improve.”

Credit: @lednufcTJL

“You having a laugh? Dubravka went a bit Scott Carson there. Wasn’t that high up. Ah well. The dream of a win was fun for 10 mins. #newmci #nufc”

Credit: @TheGingerPirlo_

“In fact seeing it again I’m saying Dubravka has got to be doing better it’s down his throat goes wrong hand #NUFC”

Credit: @DennyBaldwin

In other news, find out what big Mike Ashley claim has been dropped after a takeover statement was released.

Rangers have been linked with both Joseph Okumu and Danilho Doekhi recently, but who would be the better addition to Steven Gerrard’s side at Ibrox this summer?

Joseph Okumu

According to Football Insider, Rangers are considering a move for the Elfsborg centre-back, who has impressed in Sweden since joining in the summer of 2019.

The 23-year-old, who is currently valued at £1.08m by Transfermarkt, has gone on to make 38 appearances for the Allsvenskan side but has certainly earned himself a lot of plaudits during his brief time there, with Elfsborg sporting director Stefan Andreasson full of praise for him recently, saying:

“We understood that this was a very good player, then he showed maybe the whole of Sweden last year, and also Europe. It is clear that Okumu is one of the best.

“I have said it once before, that he is the best centre-back that has ever been in the Allsvenskan – you can say that sometimes.”

Therefore, it seems clear that Okumu could be a very good addition to Gerrard’s side this summer if they can win the race to sign him.

Danilho Doekhi

According to a report from the Netherlands, via Glasgow Live, Rangers are also keen on the Vitesse centre-back and are willing to offer him a contract.

The 22-year-old is also attracting interest from Fulham and Newcastle United, having played a key part in Vitesse’s impressive season in the Eredivise, making 30 appearances and averaging a solid 6.90 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

The Netherlands U21 international is currently valued at £1.8m by Transfermarkt but it seems as if Vitesse will be forced to cash in on him this summer, so he could prove to be a bargain option for Ross Wilson.

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Doekhi’s manager Thomas Letsch was full of praise for him earlier in the season, saying:

“Danilho is extremely important. He is one of the best centre-backs in the league.

“He already played fantastic last year and this season he has performed at the highest level in every game.”

Who would be better?

Although both could prove to be excellent options for Gerrard next season, Doekhi has more experience playing at a higher level and is younger than Okumu too, so, for us, he would be the better option for the Gers this summer.

The fact that he’s already played at a better level than Okumu, and has flourished at that level, should give Gerrard the confidence that he is better equipped to succeed if he does take the step up to join Rangers. We think the Ibrox boss would love to work with such a talented, promising young player.

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Therefore, Wilson should forget about signing Okumu for now and instead focus on bringing the in-demand Doekhi to Ibrox ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

And, in other news… Rangers dealt big blow amid huge claim on “top talent”, he could leave Ibrox

Newcastle must look to sign Joe Willock on a permanent basis after Steve Bruce’s update on his situation.

What’s the story?

The Arsenal loanee has been a revelation since joining the Magpies on loan until the end of the season, popping up with some vital match-saving goals for the Tyneside club in recent weeks against the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Premier League clash against the Gunners on Sunday, Bruce once again confirmed his intentions to sign the midfielder on a permanent basis.

He said: “He doesn’t like being called super sub by the way, and – if we can get him for next year, he won’t be a super sub, he’ll be playing. I’m pleased for Joe, he has the football world talking about him. We’d love to keep him if we can.”

Bruce’s priority

After seeing him score on his Newcastle debut against Southampton earlier in the season, Bruce admitted that Willock has a the style of play from which the Magpies could really benefit.

He said: “It was a classic midfield player’s goal from the ability to arrive in the box, and that’s what he’s brought us. He can go box-to-box, he’s a terrific athlete, the kid, a typical modern-day midfield player who has the ability to get up and down the pitch quickly and has that added ability to score a goal.”

When you look at the rest of the Magpies’ midfield, Willock really does solve a major Bruce nightmare. The 21-year-old’s four goals from midfield is already more than what the rest of Newcastle’s midfield options have scored this season, with Jeff Hendrick the next closest with two in the league.

That ability to get into the box at the right time to finish things off is something about which Arsenal legend Martin Keown has waxed lyrical, too, hailing him after his goal-scoring display against Dundalk in the Europa League earlier this season.

The ex-Gunners defender said: “The point is, he can do so much, he gets in the box in the right place at the right time. He wants it to feet, he’s always on the half-turn, which is nice to see. Today I saw a bit more athleticism rather than just coasting in there. His overall game is really good.”

The £26m-rated Willock is the man Newcastle need to sign this summer.

Meanwhile, Steve Bruce could finally wave goodbye to this Newcastle liability…

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Southampton midfielder Carlton Palmer believes the Saints need a new striker like Tammy Abraham, even if Danny Ings remains at St. Mary’s.

Ings’ contract is up next summer and the 28-year-old has been linked with a move to both Manchester City and Tottenham.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are said to be open to selling Abraham in the next transfer window, with The Telegraph reporting that the FA Cup finalists are ready to do business at £40m.

Southampton are thought to be one side who are admirers of the England international, who really impressed Matt Le Tissier last season, and Palmer feels he is a player Ralph Hasenhuttl could do with whether Ings stays or not.

When asked by TT if the Saints still needed to strengthen up front if they managed to keep hold of Ings, the retired Premier League player said:

“Yeah, for sure. You know, the one thing that wins you games… people who score goals. They haven’t scored enough goals and they need goals.

“I’m sure there’d be a lot of suitors for Tammy. I don’t think Chelsea are selling unless it’s a lot of money, but sure [could be a good option]. Tammy just needs to go out and play.”

Landing the Chelsea No.9, though, may not be easy, with the likes of Leicester City and West Ham also thought to bee keen on acquiring his services this summer.