As reported by The Daily Mirror, Watford are set to cash in on Abdoulaye Doucoure this summer, with Tottenham Hotspur one of the teams in hot pursuit of his signature.

What’s the story?

The paper say that the Hornets could feel forced into making a significant profit on the midfielder, who was signed for just £6m in 2016.

That’s despite positive financial results across the 2016/17 season, with the club looking to ensure their finances stay in the black going forward, reckon The Mirror.

The report states that selling Doucoure ‘looks inevitable’, with Tottenham Hotspur one of the teams mentioned that is monitoring the £40m-rated talent.

Is he the kind of signing Mauricio Pochettino needs to make in the upcoming transfer window?

A good move?

Spurs have a vast array of attacking talent and a solid first-choice defensive line too. In midfield however it could be argued they lack depth beyond the ageing Mousa Dembele in their efforts to compete at the very highest level.

It’s a central midfield that can often lack energy and dynamism too, with Abdoulaye Doucoure being a player that could certainly help in that regard.

With seven goals in the Premier League this season, he’s shown an ambition to support the Watford attack and a bravery to get on the ball to effect play in the final third.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Could Doucoure be the missing piece of the puzzle, replacing the likes of Eric Dier to partner Dembele and eventually replace the Belgian long-term?

[ad_pod ]

With the future of Rangers interim boss Graeme Murty in significant doubt after three consecutive matches without a win, all eyes are on potential replacements this summer should the club decide not to renew his contract.

One man who was previously linked with the role at Ibrox in the wake of Pedro Caixinha’s sacking was Alan Pardew, as reported by The Daily Mail.

He went on to become West Bromwich Albion manager but left the club this week after a dire run of form that has all but confirmed their relegation to the English Championship.

As such, there’s every chance his name will again be linked with the Rangers job, but he’s the last man supporters want to see.

[ad_pod ]

Pardew’s ever-dwindling reputation now precedes him and many Gers fans reckon he would be a poor appointment and are looking for a more exciting choice to lead them forward next season.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

They took to Twitter to share their thoughts on him potentially being given the job…

Liverpool are currently not interested in pursuing a deal for Monaco star Thomas Lemar, according to the Liverpool Echo.

What’s the word?

The Frenchman has regularly been linked with the Merseyside outfit ever since the club’s failed attempt to bring him to Anfield on deadline day last summer.

Following Philippe Coutinho’s switch to Barcelona in January, the rumour mill fired up fresh Lemar rumours, but a replacement for the Brazilian was never recruited.

Now, Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasiley has suggested to Telefoot that any interested party will need to spend big to land the attack-minded player at the end of the season.

However, the Liverpool Echo reports that Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is not actively interested in signing the 22-year-old.

Could Liverpool be making a mistake?

If one were to pick apart Klopp’s team, the one area where many would feel did not need strengthening is the attack.

[ad_pod ]

Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are thriving at the moment, and despite losing Coutinho in the summer, the Reds have not looked lost without him.

Lemar can play anywhere across the park in an attacking midfield role, and he can also play centrally and on the left of a midfield.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Liverpool currently have players more than capable of occupying those roles, but the Frenchman would certainly add a new dimension to the attack.

The Liverpool Echo claims that Monaco slapped a £90m price tag on Lemar’s shoulders, and judging by the voices coming out of the club, they will not allow him to leave cheap.

Liverpool should certainly be in the race for the midfielder’s signature, but they should be wary of paying over the odds when he is not necessarily a signing that they need.

Petr Cech has not been on his best form for Arsenal this season, as the hands of time begin to catch up with the former Chelsea man.

However, Arsene Wenger’s attempts to reinforce his defence by replacing him with David Ospina have not been the smoothest either, as the Colombian international rushed out of his goal to allow Antoine Griezmann to net a crucial away goal for Atletico Madrid at the Emirates on Thursday.

That leaves Arsene Wenger with a big decision to make ahead of Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford to face Jose Mourinho and Manchester United for one final time as Arsenal boss.

That’s what we’re asking you; should Wenger plump for Ospina – valued at £4.5m by Transfermarkt – or Cech between the sticks for the game against United?

Let us know by voting in the poll below and keep your eyes peeled for the results ahead of kick off on Sunday…

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod ]

According to The Sun, Manchester City are willing to sell John Stones in this summer’s transfer window.

The centre-back is behind Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi and Aymeric Laporte in the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium, and has really struggled for football in recent weeks.

There is no doubting that the 23-year-old is a fine talent, however, and it is thought that Arsenal and Liverpool are both monitoring developments surrounding a player that is sure to travel with the England squad for the 2018 World Cup.

Tottenham Hotspur are yet to be linked, but with Toby Alderweireld expected to leave the London club this summer, the Spurs fans think that they have the answer.

Indeed, a number have called for their club to propose a swap deal – Stones for Alderweireld – in this summer’s transfer window.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

That said, the Manchester Evening News believe that there is no chance of Stones, who is valued at £45m by transfermarkt.co.uk, leaving the Premier League champions this summer.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Manchester United can move a step closer to ensuring they end the Premier League season in second position when they host Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, and Red Devils fans are desperate for Jose Mourinho to start Anthony Martial alongside Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez in attack.

Having started the campaign as a regular in the starting XI under the Portuguese manager, the 5ft 11in forward has found first-team minutes harder to come by following the arrival of Sanchez from the Gunners during the January transfer window, with reports from Spain suggesting the France international could be sold and replaced with Gareth Bale in the summer.

The Old Trafford faithful want to see the 22-year-old get an opportunity to impress in what is going to be Arsene Wenger’s final trip to the Theatre of Dreams as manager of the north London outfit.

Man United supporters have been quick to have their say on Martial via social media, and while one said “Martial needs to start today”, another said “start Martial, Alexis and Lukaku together”.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal with Real Madrid to re-sign Gareth Bale, according to Don Balon.

What’s the story?

The Wales international transformed into a star at Spurs, and his impressive form earned him a big-money move to the Bernabeu.

At the time of the 2013 transfer, Bale was the most expensive player in history, costing the Spanish side around £85m.

Since then, the attacker has won a plenty of trophies, including three Champions League crowns.

This season, though, the 28-year-old has struggled for game time due to various injury problems, particularly relating to his calf.

As a result, Bale has been restricted to just 22 starts in all competitions and 31 appearances in total.

In that time, the Welshman has scored 15 goals and created four assists.

According to Don Balon, Madrid have agreed to sell to Tottenham, but they are still miles apart when it comes to price.

The La Liga outfit are looking for around £79m, while Spurs value the injury-prone star at around £52.7m.

Is Bale the marquee signing Tottenham need?

Given that Tottenham have gone another season without winning silverware, they could do with recruiting a big name this summer.

The club are moving into a new state-of-the-art stadium, so a show-stopping signing would be a great way to kick off the new era.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

On paper, bringing Bale back to the club would be the stuff of fairytale, but there is no escaping the regular injury troubles that he experiences.

The Welshman is not getting any younger, so his fitness issues are likely to increase rather than dissipate.

Despite this, Bale still has plenty to provide a team and if he stays fit, he is more than capable of lifting Tottenham to where they need to be, but it is important not to fall to Madrid’s demands in terms of price tag.

According to an exclusive report in The Mirror, Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez is at the top of West Ham United’s four-man shortlist as they start their search for a replacement for David Moyes, but Magpies fans believe it is all part of a plan from the 58-year-old Spaniard.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss is keen to be backed by owner Mike Ashley in the transfer market this summer, in order to help the club progress following an impressive 10th-place finish in their first season back in the Premier League.

The interest from the east London outfit may well force Ashley to act and give the 5ft 9in tall chief what he wants, and that is what the St James’ Park faithful will be demanding too given Benitez has become such a huge fans’ favourite over the course of the last two years.

[ad_pod ]

Newcastle supporters, who are growing tired with links to a striker who has scored 34 goals this season, were quick to have their say on the Benitez to West Ham rumours via social media, and while one said “talks haven’t progressed enough so he’s taking action”, another said it’s “Rafa being very clever and playing Ashley through the media, in order to get what he wants”.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Dominic Calvert-Lewin only turned 21 in March, but the attacker made 44 appearances in all competitions for Everton during the 2017-18 campaign.

The Englishman scored eight times for the Toffees last term – four of which came in the Premier League – whilst he also registered seven assists.

They are decent numbers for a player with limited experience at Premier League level, and Everton were not exactly the most expansive and free-flowing of teams under Sam Allardyce during the 2017-18 campaign.

[ad_pod ]

Calvert-Lewin will be feeling pretty good about his performances last term, but it seems that the Everton fans are unconvinced when it comes to the former Sheffield United youngster.

Indeed, despite recognising that Calvert-Lewin has promise and ability, the bulk of the club’s supporters have doubted whether he will ever be good enough to play on a consistent basis for a team of Everton’s ilk.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

That said, the club’s new manager will surely make his own judgement.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Leeds fans have been reacting to a report claiming Paul Heckingbottom could leave the club this week, and they’re particularly excited by the possible arrival of Claudio Ranieri.

You know it’s been a bad few months when fans are celebrating the potential departure of a manager like they’ve just scored a goal, and that’s exactly what’s happening on Twitter right now.

According to a report from the Mirror, Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani is considering Paul Heckingbottom’s future at the club, and could make a decision as soon as this week.

“Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani is considering wielding the axe because he is unsure if Heckingbottom is the right coach to lead them next season,” said the Mirror report.

[ad_pod ]

The report continues to say the club have “already put out feelers” to a number of potential successors around Europe, and the bookmakers are only increasing the speculation, as Paddy Power suspended betting on former Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri moving to Elland Road.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Leeds fans mostly agree that the Heckingbottom simply doesn’t have the nous or experience to take the club to where they want to be, and they’re particularly excited about the possible arrival of title winner Ranieri.

Fans have been discussing the reports on Twitter, and you can find some of the best reactions down below…