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The Telegraph’s John Percy has prompted a large reaction from West Bromwich Albion fans after claiming that the Baggies are set to sign Karlan Grant from Huddersfield this week.

Gaining promotion to the Premier League this summer, Slaven Bilic’s side have had a sluggish start to the season, losing on opening day to Leicester City before failing to beat Everton, Chelsea and Southampton.

With Bilic spending £22.3m this summer bringing in the likes of Grady Diangana, Matheus Pereira and Callum Robinson on permanent deals, the Croatian tactician has failed to seal a deal for a star striker.

Recognised front men Hal-Robson Kanu, Charlie Austin and Kenneth Zohore have all struggled to feature and Bilic now faces a race against time to bring in Grant before the domestic transfer window closes on Friday, with Percy claiming the Huddersfield ace is Bilic’s priority target and a £15m deal is close.

With the deadline fast approaching, the Baggies need to get this one over the line or they risk relying on the old guard in what is sure to be a gruelling league campaign.

The Terriers striker has experience of playing in the Premier League, making 12 appearances for Huddersfield during their time in England’s top flight, which saw him net four goals.

Valued at £5.85m by Transfermarkt, the price quoted by Percy may be a little steep but at just 23 years of age Grant could yet prove to be an absolute bargain if he develops at the top level.

Reacting to the potential arrival of Grant, some fans called on the club to make some other signings before deadline day.

Matching Percy’s claim was The Athletic journalist Steve Madeley and fans also reacted to his latest tweet, with one supporter worrying about his match fitness given that the youngster has not played yet this season.

Do you think Karlan Grant will be a good signing for West Brom? Let us know in the comments section below…

It was a man they wanted back when Mauricio Pochettino was in charge, but it appears Tottenham could finally be set to land Geoffrey Kondogbia this summer.

With the current situation affecting the world taking its toll on football clubs too, Spanish giants Valencia appear to be hit harder than most. According to French publication Foot Mercato, their failure to qualify for the Champions League next season, and deepening financial problems, are set to lead to a major firesale of players.

The report claims that Kondogbia is one of the names who is likely to be shown the exit door, and Foot Mercato claim both Spurs and Premier League rivals Manchester United have a keen eye on the midfielder.

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It was suggested back in the summer of 2018, that the Lilywhites were interested in Kondogbia, but a deal failed to materialise. But now, two years later, Daniel Levy has the perfect chance to sign the 6 foot 2 man, at a likely lower cost than it would have taken before.

And when you look at the kind of player Spurs would be getting, it seems like it could be one of the smartest signings of the window. Strong and physical, Kondogbia also has very impressive technical ability too, almost in the mould of former Lilywhites favourite Mousa Dembele.

Both are left-footed, and have this natural gift at gliding past players with ease when in their stride. Kondogbia has a career average of 1.4 dribbles per game, whilst Dembele is at 2.4. The duo are also equally capable of getting off a shot on goal, with the former averaging one per match, and the latter 0.8.

With his physicality and height, Kondogbia does seem like the archetypal midfielder Mourinho loves to sign – you only have to look at how he brought Nemanja Matic to Chelsea, and then to Manchester United in his time in charge of both clubs.

And now both Levy and Mourinho could be set to profit thanks to Valencia’s problems.

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly’s future at Old Trafford is in doubt, according to reports in Italy. 

The Red Devils have reportedly offered AC Milan the opportunity to sign the centre-back, although it is understood that the Serie A side are not interested.

Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport claimed, as cited by @ManUnitedZone_, that Man United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to cash in on him now to raise funds for other transfer targets in the summer.

It is understood that the Ivory Coast international, who has won 34 caps for his country, is considered surplus to requirements as he has been plagued by injury and performance-related issues. Bailly finds himself below Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof in Solskjaer has set his sights on signing another centre-back before the start of next season.

Likewise, Milan want to find a new defender, but Stefano Pioli’s side are apparently prepared to look elsewhere instead.

United continue to be linked to Gabriel Magalhaes, although Ed Woodward faces stiff competition from Arsenal, amid interest from a number of European clubs.

If Gabriel arrives at Old Trafford in the summer, it seems as though Bailly is next in line to leave, just days after Alexis Sanchez packed his bags for Inter Milan on a permanent deal.

The Ivorian recently signed a new deal which would keep him at Old Trafford until 2022 but the club want to cut their losses. After arriving from Villarreal four seasons ago, he has only managed to make 84 appearances in all competitions so far.

It’s a real shame that the transfer hasn’t worked out for Bailly, who had been a “colossus” at the back for former manager Jose Mourinho until he suffered a devastating knee injury.

Woodward has insisted that summer spending will be limited unless he can get rid of the deadwood in the transfer window and he should try to raise funds by offloading the United outcast as Solskjaer continues his search for a new defender.

United fans, should Woodward sell Bailly this summer? Let us know your views by commenting below!

Newcastle United’s prospective £300m takeover is fast-approaching into a third month of deliberations as the situation continues to rumble on – and on.But why is it?The Athletic’s George Caulkin has hinted that it’s down to the piracy issues surrounding the Saudi state. He tweeted the following on Tuesday afternoon…

This process has been a long and tiresome one for the Magpies faithful and it doesn’t appear to be easing up anytime soon.

Last week, the Guardian revealed the World Trade Organisation’s findings into beoutQ – the pirate TV service that’s thought to be holding up the deal.

They believe the Saudi government is behind the illegal streaming service, which broadcasts worldwide sporting events such as the Premier League.

Think you’re a big Magpies fan? Can you name these former players by looking at their careers? Go on, give it a go…

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Although it must be proven that any party involved in buying the northeast outfit is indeed involved in the aforementioned service. Something that is yet to be resolved.

There are also reports suggesting that the Middle Eastern country could attempt to purchase TV rights to the English top-flight, which should alleviate such matters.

AND in other news,ÂLee Ryder provides Charnley update amidst Newcastle takeover…

Coventry City’s new signing Julien Dacosta has discussed his ambitions ahead of the 2020/2021 season.

After gaining promotion to the Championship from League One, Sky Blues boss Mark Robins has already began to make some improvements to his side this summer.

A young defensive midfielder in Gustavo Hamer has arrived from PEC Zwolle to add an extra dimension to Coventry’s midfield, completing a deal last week as confirmed via the club’s official website.

Joining Hamer in his arrival to the Midlands outfit is Dacosta, who joins the club on a free transfer and the young defender has touched on his ambitions for next season.

Born in Marseille, Dacosta joined his hometown club as a youth player and developed through the club’s academy before moving to lower league side Chamois Niort in 2017.

The £428,000-valued full-back would go on to make 80 appearances in all competitions, establishing himself as a much trusted first team member.

In a recorded message on the club’s Twitter account, he said: “Hello fans. I’m very happy to have signed for Coventry.

“This is a very big club, with a great story. And I hope to help write another page of this story.

“I’m in a hurry to wear the Sky Blue jersey in the Championship and make the supporters proud.

“Go Sky Blues!”

Coventry fans must be so excited for the new season, especially after gaining promotion. Mark Robins is making some incredible movements to bolster his side and the signings of Dacosta and Hamer are excellent additions.

His words are also comforting to hear as he looks to give his all towards the cause.

How do you think Dacosta will get on for Coventry next season? Let us know in the comments section below…

Chelsea have often been lambasted for their loan policy (ITV via The Daily Mail).

During the 2018/19 season, they had 49 players at other clubs on a temporary basis, which would be enough to field four other sides. Most of them fail to make the grade, but there are some who fell through the net – Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne are just two examples.

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Mario Pasalic, currently on loan at Atalanta in Serie A, is one who may well be moving on at the end of the campaign, and his could be a departure that the Blues end up regretting.

Let’s take a look at how he is getting on in Italy…

Time at Chelsea

The Stamford Bridge outfit paid just £2.25m – as per Transfermarkt – for his services in 2014 after he had broken on to the scene at Hajduk Split. In 30 matches in the Croatian league in 2013/14, he scored 11 goals and provided five assists, making Chelsea’s acquisition look like a shrewd piece of business.

However, he has not yet made a single appearance for the south-west London club. Instead, the £18m-valued man – as per Transfermarkt – has been shipped out on no less than five separate loan spells, appearing for Elche, AS Monaco, AC Milan, Spartak Moscow and now of course Atalanta, and during all of those previous spells he played at least 16 league matches.

In Bergamo, though, he has taken his game to the next level.

Where is he now?

It was in 2018 when he made the decisive loan move to the Italian outfit, and he was a regular in the middle of the park for them in his first season.

He played 42 times in all competitions for La Dea, scoring eight goals and providing six assists as they qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history. Not only that, they also reached the Italian Cup final, only to lose 2-0 to Lazio.

This season, he and his side have improved even further. They are once again on course to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition once more as they sit three points clear of fifth with a game in hand, whilst they have qualified for the quarter-finals of this year’s edition as well. In 32 matches, 25-year-old Pasalic has seven goals and seven assists, managing an average WhoScored rating across both competitions of 6.985. With over one shot, one key pass and one dribble per league game, he has played a vital role in their European march.

Unfortunately for Frank Lampard and co, it looks as though Atalanta are set to take up the €15m (£13.5m) purchase option in the loan deal, meaning that the Blues are likely to lose the 12-time Croatia international before he has even set foot on the pitch for them – even though he signed a new contract just last summer.

Could it be a sale they live to regret? The early signs are ominous.

Leeds United supporters have been left absolutely fuming by one Premier League club’s stance over how the current season should end.

Aston Villa CEO Christian Purslow confirmed rumours to talkSPORT on Wednesday morning that they would try to block any rule changes that make it harder for them to defy relegation this term.

One possible route to finishing the season is playing at neutral venues across the country, but some clubs would only agree to that if relegation was off the table – potentially meaning there would be no promotion into the top-flight as a result.

So, this undoubtedly impacts the Whites and their chances of ending a 16-year wait for Premier League football at Elland Road.

Marcelo Bielsa has steered his side to first place in the standings with only nine games remaining. They also hold a seven-point advantage to those in the playoff positions. Only West Brom have been their major challengers to the title all season, too.

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Clearly, many Leeds supporters disagree with Purslow’s remarks, here’s what has been said…

AND in other news, Phil Hay responds to Leeds question on the Championship resuming…

Although Arsenal’s current predicament under Unai Emery may seem a far cry from previous eras of success at the club, these fans have been loving a video released regarding a former player’s final game in north London.

Patrick Vieira, who won three Premier League titles and three FA Cups during a nine-year spell at the club, wrote his name into the Gunners’ history books having made over 300 league appearances.

The Frenchman’s time with the club coincided with their most successful period in the modern era, and there can be no doubting that with Arsenal having won just four of their first 12 league fixtures in the 2019/20 campaign, these fans would love to see a return of their former captain in a bid to revitalise their domestic fortunes.

Following the release of a video showing Viera’s last game for the club, these fans have been singing his praises.

Here are some of the best reactions to the Frenchman’s finale in north London.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Despite failing to earn the trust of England boss Gareth Southgate, Manchester United are reportedly preparing a January move for Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish. But would a move to Old Trafford really be of benefit to the Villans’ midfield maestro?

Two goals and three assists following promotion to the Premier League: the last six months and this seasonhave marked substantial milestones in the career of Villa’s playmaker who is truly starting to put his stamp on the top-flight.

Having captained his boyhood club to the top tier of English football, Grealish has impressed in his 10 league games so far this season, but consequently 13-time Premier League champions Manchester United could look to test the resolve of Villa owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris in January, according to reports from ESPN.

Whilst a move to one of English football’s most successful teams could seem appealing – as well as the prospect of European football – Grealish is at a crossroads in his career whereby consistent minutes and playing time within the starting XI will be fundamental to his progression; particularly if the 24-year-old is to convince Gareth Southgate is he worthy of a spot in the England squad.

Moving to United would be a gamble for the playmaker, with the plethora of attacking talent at Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer’s disposal meaning there is no guarantee of regular playing time, competing with the likes of Daniel James, Juan Mata and Andreas Pereira for a starting berth.

That’s not even bringing the injured Paul Pogba into the equation. He’s very much United’s flagship entity and one can only hazard a guess at how both the Frenchman and Grealish would fit into the same midfield without stepping on each other’s toes.

Regardless of United’s potential investment in him, the Villa star will unlikely be earning a starting berth ahead of a World Cup winner and former world-record signing; he’ll need to adapt his game around Pogba’s if he’s going to be a success at Old Trafford.

And given the crucial junction that Grealish finds himself at in the 2019/20 campaign with regards to taking the step up to international football, this is not the time for a move to Manchester despite the financial and footballing attractions that may lie at Old Trafford.

Mason Mount, Ross Barkley, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Maddison all represent fierce competition to be the creative outlet in England’s midfield, and Grealish is far better off proving his credentials within a team that’s already built to try and get the best out of him, rather than finding himself shoehorned in elsewhere.

At Villa, Grealish is one of the first names on the team sheet under Dean Smith, having started all of the games he has been fit for this season, and to give that up mid-way through the current campaign would represent a sizeable risk for the 24-year-old; a risk with a price that Grealish simply cannot afford to pay.

Perhaps Grealish is destined to ply his trade at the very top of the Premier League, but this January really isn’t the time for him to find out.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

It’s that time of the year again where little transfer tidbits begin circulating about almost every club in the country.

Of course, Leeds United are no different in that regard, and the Whites fanbase will likely have seen the recent reports that their summer transfer target Baghdad Bounedjah will now be available for half of the €15m (£12.9m) fee that was once demanded for his services.

However, the key thing at this time of the year is to separate the true transfer reports away from the nonsense that is published every day.

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Unfortunately for the Whites, this report is rather difficult to believe.

Firstly, Leeds simply don’t have the power to spend money in January.

Victor Orta recently stated that permanent deals weren’t feasible because of their financial situation and thus, any paid transfer will likely have to be put on the back burner – especially given Leeds’ £40m wage level.

While they might be able to afford him next summer, rumours of a move in the imminent future are surely wide of the mark.

Meanwhile, the striker had an asking price of the aforementioned value for a reason, and after netting seven goals after five league games this season why on earth would that valuation be cut in half?

It’s not as if Al-Sadd are a poor club that needs the money either.

This is the Qatari team that apparently paid Xavi €10m (£8.65m) a year during his time as a player there.

To the surprise of absolutely nobody, the club’s chairman is a member of the Qatari royal family, so it’s a given that they’re not short on cash.

Find out a how a world-record-holding freestyler got on with the worst football in the world in the video below…

Now, we don’t want to discredit any news outlet, but the fact that the original report came from Algerian outlet Competition isn’t the most encouraging of signs.

Leeds fans should certainly take these rumours with more than a pinch of salt as the factors surrounding the story simply don’t add up.

Orta’s comments are fine evidence of that.