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According to a report by Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur have held ‘extensive discussions’ with Belgium international coach Roberto Martinez, but the club are now cooling on their interest.

The Lowdown: Martinez emerges as candidate

As backed by reliable Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold, the 47-year-old has admirers at Spurs due to his style of play and attacking philosophy.

It is said that the Lilywhites want to appoint a forward-thinking manager as an heir to the departed Jose Mourinho, as well as somebody who is ‘young’ and ‘dynamic’ (Daily Mail).

Martinez arguably fits into this category, and Football Insider recently lifted the lid on his eagerness to take the Tottenham job.

The Latest: Tottenham have held extensive talks

Bringing a fresh update, Football Insider have now claimed that Spurs have held ‘extensive discussions’ with Martinez over taking the managerial vacancy in north London. However, as per this report, Tottenham are now cooling their interest in the Spaniard despite being impressed by his enthusiasm to take the job.

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The reason for this, as explained in the original source, is said to be Tottenham coming to the stark conclusion that Martinez is just not right for the role. Doubt stems from his record at Everton during his last stint in the Premier League, even though some supporters may perhaps favour his style of football.

The Verdict: Another Levy blunder?

Arguably one of the most underrated candidates to have been linked so far, Martinez has garnered no shortage of praise since first being linked to Spurs.

Indeed, former Premier League manager Alex McLeish lauded the former Wigan Athletic boss as a ‘brilliant’ and ‘world class’ coach (Football Insider), and his record with Belgium could be evidence of this.

Back in 2018, Martinez guided the Red Devils to their first World Cup semi-final since the 1980s, knocking out Brazil on the way and beating fellow semi-finalists England in the group stage.

He also helped to pull off one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history against Manchester City, with his Latics side clinching a memorable 1-0 win at Wembley in 2013 to claim the club’s first major honour.

As a managerial candidate, it is clear that Spurs could do far worse, with Martinez’s fondness for the Spurs job having also been revealed just before Mourinho’s appointment. In 2019, the Daily Star claimed that he was ‘ready to dump Belgium’ for Spurs after former N17 favourite Mauricio Pochettino was sacked.

Now that Tottenham have another chance to appoint him, we believe that Levy is making a possible blunder by cooling the Lilywhites’ interest.

In other news: Tottenham exit talks emerge for 66-cap ace, find out more here.

A number of Wolves fans have slammed Willy Boly for his performance against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.

Nuno Espirito Santo was taking charge of his final game as manager at Molineux and made three changes to the side which lost 1-0 to Everton on Wednesday evening, with Rui Patricio, Romain Saiss and Leander Dendoncker coming in for John Ruddy, Max Kilman and Morgan Gibbs-White respectively.

Wolves would guarantee a 12th place finish with a win over the Red Devils but could also finish as low as 15th, should results go against them. However, it was Boly‘s performance which had a number of Wolves fans talking on social media, and not for the right reasons.

The defender was making his 21st start of the Premier League campaign and 23rd appearance in all competitions. The 30-year-old was playing alongside Saiss and Conor Coday but struggled to deal with a much-changed United lineup on home soil, losing out on a number of duels against the visitors.

Anthony Elanga gave United an early lead at Molineux, with some taking aim at Boly’s efforts in the build-up to that goal, before his defensive colleague Nelson Semedo pulled Wolves level on 39 minutes.

Wolves fans react

Here is what these Wolves supporters had to say about Boly’s display, with one fan describing it as ‘pathetic’ and another slamming him as ‘poor’.

“Boly has been all over the gaff from the start.”

Credit: @AstleySam

“Pathetic jump by Boly”

Credit: @_webbz

“Boly not woken up again this afternoon.”

Credit: @wolvesrated

“Wow same old defending. Boly was a total passenger”

Credit: @PartonAdam

“Why does Boly keep ducking under everything”

Credit: @Jackbar83877495

“Poor defending by Boly but Saiss was nowhere to support Semedo.”

Credit: @Ste_jl

In other news: Many Wolves fans buzz as transfer news emerges, find out more here. 

According to a report by Football Insider, Brentford have joined Leicester City and Hoffenheim in the race to sign promising Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Elliot Thorpe this summer, with the 20-year-old apparently ‘set to quit’ the Lilywhites.

Indeed, as per this source, the youngster will leave north London when his contract expires at the end of next month, and there has been no shortage of interest from rival clubs.

The Foxes and Hoffenheim were previously touted with interest, but now Brentford are trying to muscle in on the action, with all three clubs in contention to snap up the starlet for nothing. He has apparently rejected the offer of a new contract at Tottenham and is eager to join a club where he can be guaranteed chances in the first team, as per Football Insider.

As it now looks likely that Spurs could now lose Thorpe this summer, with all the signs seemingly pointing in that direction, many Lilywhites supporters have been left concerned to say the least.

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Scoring two goals in 18 Premier League 2 appearances for Tottenham’s under-23s over 2020/21, he can be deployed in a wide array of positions throughout midfield (Transfermarkt). Indeed, he can play out wide as a winger, further forward through the middle, as a traditional central midfielder and even as a deep-lying anchor (Transfermarkt).

Taking this into account, it’s little wonder that so many Spurs supporters are worried by this claim – check out a flavour of their verdicts below.

Spurs fans worried by Thorpe claim

“He’s going on a free isn’t he? Sad news.”

Credit: @AdamJaye

“No no no no no”

Credit: @tobeytheginger

“No please swear he’s actually decent”

Credit: @xthfcisaac

“Can’t let him leave”

Credit: @_thfcjack

“If he’s good enough for Leicester then why are we letting him go?”

Credit: @thfc_josh_

“Don’t sell him”

Credit: @xoxoclassyhaha

“No one touch him”

Credit: @BidoShalaby2

“Stay please”

Credit: @tanguythings

In other news: Alasdair Gold says Spurs could swoop for this ‘incredible’ colossus, find out more here.

Wayne Rooney has been handed a huge blow to his chances of bringing Reece Burke to Derby County this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Daily Mail, who claim that Luton Town look set to land the Hull City centre-back, who is also being targeted by Derby County, Bristol City, Cardiff City and Millwall, on a free transfer in the coming weeks.

The £2.16m-rated defender had been offered a new deal to remain at the KCOM Stadium this summer, with his current contract set to expire next month, however, it is understood that Hull and Burke failed to agree on amicable terms.

Rooney will be gutted

Considering just how impressive Burke has been for Hull this season, the news that the former West Ham United defender looks set to reject a move to Pride Park in favour of a switch to Luton is likely to come as a gutting blow for Rooney.

Over his 34 League One appearances for the Tigers this term, the 24-year-old helped his side to keep 15 clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.3 interceptions, 1.3 tackles and 4.4 clearances per game.

The £7.7k-per-week centre-back also impressed in an attacking capacity, scoring four goals, registering one assist and creating one big chance, in addition to winning an average of 4.5 duels per fixture.

These metrics saw Burke earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.09, ranking him as Grant McCann’s fifth-best performer in the third tier and playing a key role for Hull in their title-winning campaign.

As such, the addition of the defender Sam Allardyce dubbed a “magnificent” talent would certainly appear to have significantly boosted Derby’s chances of a much more respectable finish in the Championship next season, particularly as both Curtis Davies and Andre Wisdom look set to depart the club in the coming weeks – as well as one that would have been very kind on the Rams’ finances.

However, with it being reported that Burke would rather make a move to Kenilworth Road than to link up with Rooney’s side this summer, the 35-year-old Derby boss will now have to turn his focus in the transfer market elsewhere.

In other news: Worrying Derby County EFL development emerges that will surely leave Mel Morris livid – opinion

Former Leicester City striker Brian Deane has warned potential suitors that Youri Tielemans will not be cheap and the Foxes are under no pressure to sell.

Tielemans was one of Leicester’s star performers in the season that has just gone, inspiring his side to that famous FA Cup final win against Chelsea with arguably the goal of the tournament.

The Belgian midfielder is now being linked with a move away from the King Power, with Het Nieuwsblad (via Read Liverpool) claiming that he is interested in joining Liverpool this summer.

Deane, however, has warned the Reds that it is going to take similar money to what Manchester United and Chelsea paid for Harry Maguire and Ben Chilwell.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about Tielemans’ future, the ex-Leicester striker said:

“They got £50m for Chilwell, they got £80m for Maguire and I would have thought that you’re looking at similar money for Tielemans. It’s not going to be cheap. Leicester are a top team who don’t have to sell.”

Given his ability and his recent heroics, Tielemans is a player manager Brendan Rodgers and supporters will surely not want to lose.

As they have shown in the past, though, it does look like every play at the King Power has a price.

Brentford could beat Leeds United to the signing of Middlesbrough centre-back Dael Fry this summer, according to a fresh report which has emerged.

The Lowdown: Fry impresses at Boro

The 23-year-old has made a name for himself at Boro in recent times, shining at the heart of the Championship side’s defence under Neil Warnock.

The 11-cap England under-21 international has already made 138 appearances for his current club and was once lauded as a potential ‘great footballer’ by former manager Aitor Karanka.

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The Latest: Brentford could beat Leeds to signing

According to Football League World, Brentford currently lead the race to sign Fry this summer, having earned promotion to the Premier League for the first time.

Leeds, Burnley, Wolves and Southampton are all believed to have scouted the 23-year-old as well, however, as the battle to sign him intensifies.

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The Verdict: Not a major issue

While Fry is clearly a young defender with plenty of promise, Marcelo Bielsa may not feel that centre-back is a pressing area to enhance at Elland Road ahead of next season.

The Argentine already has Diego Llorente, Liam Cooper, Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk to call upon, so unless one of those leaves, having a fifth centre-back could be deemed as needless.

Should Leeds end up signing Fry, it would certainly be no bad thing – he averaged 1.8 interceptions and 3.9 clearances per game in the Championship last season – but Brentford may need him more than the Whites currently do, and that could tip the scales if a bidding war materialises.

In other news, Leeds have reportedly been offered the chance to sign an exciting English talent this summer. Find out who it is here.

A major update has emerged on Atalanta’s transfer plans and it could lead to Ross Wilson striking gold for Rangers with a £7.65m-rated ace.

What’s the talk?

According to TuttoSport, the Serie A outfit are closing in on a €20m (£17.15m) deal to sign AZ Alkmaar midfielder Teun Koopmeiners ahead of next season. Atalanta are on the verge of agreeing a deal with the Dutch club and that could come as a major boost to Rangers.

Both clubs are reportedly interested in signing Heerenveen midfielder Joey Veerman. The Scottish Sun claimed that the duo are keen on the central midfielder, with Atalanta now opting to pursue a deal to sign his compatriot Koopmeiners instead.

Former Rangers forward Michael Mols has described Veerman as being “perfect” in possession. The Dutchman said that the 22-year-old is a great player, although he has cast doubts over whether or not he could adapt to the physical nature of the Scottish game.

Mols told the Daily Record: “He is perfect with the ball and in possession, he’s a really great player. His passing and movement with the ball is really relaxed in a good way.

“But in Scottish football, there is a lot of emphasis on duels and fighting for the ball. I’m just not sure that would suit his style. He would maybe find it a little bit difficult to adapt.”

Wilson could strike gold

Rangers’ director of football Wilson could strike gold with a deal for Veerman. The Scottish champions have been handed a gigantic boost in the race for his signature with Atalanta seemingly pulling out of the race to secure a deal for Koopmeiners as they finished third in the Serie A. This means that the Bergamo club can offer the prospect of Champions League football to potential targets, whilst Rangers must go through two rounds of qualification to reach the group stages of the competition.

Veerman enjoyed a spectacular season with Heerenveen in the Eredivisie. He recorded a sublime WhoScored rating of 7.40 across 31 appearances in the competition, registering seven goals and 10 assists from midfield.

This shows that he was impressively consistent throughout the campaign, whilst being able to chip in with direct goal contributions to add an extra attacking threat from midfield for his side. Therefore, he could be a brilliant addition to Rangers’ squad, as he has proven he can perform to a very high level at a good standard in his homeland.

Mols has cast doubts over the physical side of the 22-year-old’s game, but his defensive numbers were solid in the Eredivisie for Heerenveen. The £7.65m-rated ace averaged three tackles and interceptions per game, along with 1.2 clearances and 0.7 aerial battles won. However, even if he is lacking in physical strength, his technical quality could allow him to stand out if he moves to the Scottish Premiership.

If he is able to manipulate the ball perfectly, as Mols suggests, then opposition players may not be able to get anywhere near him to stop him from scoring or creating goals. This is why Wilson could strike gold by bringing him to Rangers this summer to bolster Steven Gerrard’s squad heading into next season.

AND in other news, Rangers land major boost with £6.1k-p/w “leader”, Wilson could strike gold for Gerrard…

Fabio Paratici is looking to leave an instant mark on Tottenham Hotspur if emerging reports are to be believed…

What’s the word?

According to InterLive, Spurs’ newly-appointed director of football is planning a double raid on Serie A champions Inter Milan, identifying Stefan de Vrij and Marcelo Brozovic as key summer targets.

It’s thought that the Italian is prepared to offer €47m (£40m) for the pair of them, with €25m (£22.5m) of that being on the Croatian midfielder Brozovic, who is out of contract in 12 months time.

Shades of Modric

Spurs are pretty stacked in the midfield department right now but the futures of several fringe players are up in the air, with the likes of Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks mooted with departures.

Brozovic would certainly be an upgrade on both of these players, so it’s no surprise to see Paratici interested.

The 28-year-old has been compared to legendary Premier League midfielder Frank Lampard due to his playing style, something that has since been reinforced by former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho as recently as this week.

Inter’s industrious dynamo can start from deep in the engine room and make late runs into the box but also carries enough aggression and ability to be a nuisance for the opposition’s attackers.

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Speaking to talkSPORT ahead of Croatia’s Euro 2020 opener with England, Mourinho claimed:

“Brozovic is the top of the top. He’s a fantastic player,” he said. “Aggression but at the same time, great technique and arrival in the box and coming from a more defensive position.”

Brozovic provided two goals and six assists, and averaged 1.6 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 1.4 key passes per game this season, via WhoScored – further highlighting just how good a box-to-box playmaker he is.

He has been said to have a “compass in the foot” by former boss Luciano Spalletti, so perhaps Spurs would be getting their next Luka Modric or at least a player of that ilk.

It’s hard to recollect a time that either of Winks or Sissoko turned a game on its head with pinpoint passing and vision, something that the Croatian brought to White Hart Lane for many seasons and what Brozovic would undoubtedly add to the current squad.

Valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, Paratici must look to sanction this move this summer and if he does, Spurs’ team would once again be graced with the presence of an excellent Croatian midfielder, just like it was when Modric was running games at White Hart Lane.

AND in other news, Paratici could seal a dream signing in Spurs swoop for £45m-rated “monster”…

Writing on Twitter, relaying information from colleague David Ornstein, The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke has shared ‘another dramatic twist’ in the Tottenham Hotspur managerial saga.

The Lowdown: Spurs manager hunt continues, still…

It’s been two months since Tottenham sacked Jose Mourinho as head coach in late April, and many can be forgiven for thinking the Lilywhites would have their new man by now.

Julian Nagelsmann and Brendan Rodgers were thought to be top contenders for the role early on, but after those moves became unlikely, Spurs turned their attention to other names.

Thereafter, the club very publicly entered talks with both Mauricio Pochettino and Antonio Conte, but those negotiations also eventually failed.

More recently, Spurs have turned to Italy in chases for experienced Serie A bosses and at one point looked very likely to appoint former Roma boss Paulo Fonseca as Mourinho’s heir.

Alas, that also didn’t materialise, with Pitt-Brooke now relaying another twist in the Spurs manager chase.

The Latest: Pitt-Brooke relays Spurs manager twist…

Tottenham turned their attention to ex-AC Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso as another candidate out of Italy.

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However, as backed by Pitt-Brooke and Ornstein, Spurs have pulled out of those discussions as well.

Sharing a piece in The Athletic by his colleague, which detailed Spurs’ decision to halt talks with the Italian, Pitt-Brooke explained on social media: “Here we go again! Tottenham pulled out of Gattuso move last night. Another dramatic twist in the head coach search saga.”

As written by Ornstein in the piece, conversations took place between Spurs and the 43-year-old, but he will not be getting the job.

There was huge backlash from Spurs supporters with ‘#NoToGattuso’ even trending on Twitter in the United Kingdom at one point.

Those fans also shared alleged comments once made by Gattuso in regards to women in football, same-sex marriage and racism.

The Verdict: Dodged a bullet…

We believe that Spurs pulling out of talks with Gattuso should come as a sigh of relief to many supporters.

As a player, the once tenacious midfielder was revered in Italy and a member of their 2006 World Cup-winning squad, but it’s safe to say he hasn’t replicated those heroics as a coach.

Despite winning the Coppa Italia with Napoli in 2019/2020, his only trophy to date, Gattuso’s managerial experience is limited to that and two brief seasons at Milan – where he couldn’t win anything.

His fiery nature and the fact he left the post at Fiorentina after just 23 days over a disagreement on transfer strategy point towards a match made in hell for Daniel Levy.

In other news: ‘Now all parties confident’…Fabrizio Romano makes exciting Tottenham claim, find out more here.

Many Southampton fans want the club to sign Ryan Christie after they were linked with a move for the Celtic midfielder.

The Saints are planning ahead for the new campaign after finishing in a lowly 15th place in the Premier League last term. Ralph Hasenhuttl has revealed that Southampton will unlikely be able to spend more than £10m on any one player this summer (Sky Sports), so they will need to be clever in the transfer market.

However, it seems they may have found themselves a very good deal if they can pull it off. According to The Sunday Post (via The Scotsman), the Saints are interested in signing Christie, who is reportedly keen to leave Scotland this summer and could be available for just over £1m – an absolute bargain for a player who has managed 65 goals and 68 assists throughout his career and is rated at £6.3m by Transfermarkt.

The news was shared on Twitter by @SaintsExtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from Southampton supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on the speculation as they again seek to raid Celtic, from whom the Saints also purchased Virgil van Dijk, Victor Wanyama and Stuart Armstrong.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Christie link below

“1 million?”

Credit: @Hasenhuttl1

“Tell him the South Coast is abroad”

Credit: @BobJame13215912

“Heck let me just find out my bank balance…… Get my bank balance then times it by 100, pay 1m for his transfer and give him 500k as a bonus. Easy money let’s get it”

Credit: @@Hyper_SFC

“I’m still not overly convinced that he’ll add a whole lot to our squad, but for 1M?!? I’d pay this in a heartbeat if I’m us, low risk – high reward.”

Credit: @Ingsanity

“Stu come get your boy”

Credit: @neuhausenmatt

“For £1 million we have to”

Credit: @sfcjo_

In other news, Southampton are set to confirm the sale of this player.