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Dominic Calvert-Lewin enjoyed the best season of his career in Everton colours last term.

The tall and powerful striker found the back of the net on 21 occasions, cementing himself as one of the best strikers in Toffees history during the Premier League era. However, he wasn’t given much assistance from those behind him when it came to scoring goals.

The England international was the only Everton player to find the net more than ten times in 2020/21, which was clearly detrimental in their bid to secure European football.

With that in mind, it would be a wise idea for Rafa Benitez to add further quality in offensive areas to his ranks, and one way he could do so is by securing the services of Blackburn’s Adam Armstrong.

The 24-year-old has drawn interest from a whole host of top-flight clubs, including the Toffees, but Everton must ensure that they are at the front of the queue to prise him away from Ewood Park.

Speaking about the striker and Everton’s pursuit, Dean Windass exclusively told Football FanCast this week: “You’ve got to give these kids who have done well for Championship clubs, you’ve got to give him [Armstrong] a chance.”

The former Hull attacker isn’t wrong; Armstrong would be a fabulous addition for Everton and could finally give Calvert-Lewin some competition at Goodison Park.

He wasn’t given a fair enough chance at Newcastle United but has more than proven himself in the second tier in recent years.

Possessing incredible pace, the 24-year-old is a remarkably dangerous player if afforded space. He bagged 29 goals last season, finishing as the second top-scorer in the Championship.

Speaking about the striker in the early weeks of 2020/21, Tony Mowbray hailed him as an “explosive” individual.

Everton already have a rapid player in Calvert-Lewin in their ranks, so this could make Benitez’s frontline even more devastating.

It’s rare that the Toffees play with a two-prong attack but this could give them the license to do so.

After all, the duo would represent the perfect little-and-large combination. Their current star striker stands at 6 foot 2 while Armstrong is tiny by comparison at just 5 foot 8.

With Everton not looking likely to spend big this summer, the Blackburn marksman would be a low-budget acquisition at potentially just £10m.

For a player with as good a record as his, it would be a dream acquisition for Benitez.

AND in other news, Everton eye swoop for 6ft3 colossus of the “highest level”, he could be their new DCL…

Leeds United full-back Niall Huggins has been told he’s free to leave the club, according to Football Insider.

The lowdown

The 20-year-old only signed a new contract at Elland Road last December, seemingly tying him down until 2023.

The Welsh Under-21 international has made one senior appearance, coming off the bench for the final 37 minutes of the 4-2 Premier League defeat to Arsenal in February. He also played 17 Premier League 2 Division Two matches for the under-23s last season, scoring twice and providing one assist.

Primarily playing at left-back, the prospect can line out anywhere across the defence and even throughout the midfield (Transfermarkt).

After a 4-1 victory for the Leeds youngsters against Burnley in January, former Whites left-back Ian Harte hailed Huggins as ‘fantastic’.

The latest

Leeds have apparently decided that Huggins doesn’t have what it takes to force his way into the first team. As a result, he’s been urged to find a new club during the summer transfer window.

Transfermarkt value the 20-year-old at just £180,000 despite his contract extension in recent months.

The verdict

The report describes the news as a ‘bitter blow’ for Huggins, and it’s hard to disagree. Just six months ago, Leeds seemed to indicate that he was an important part of their future by handing him a new deal.

With fellow left-back Ezgjan Alioski just days away from reaching the end of his contract, the young Welsh talent may even have sensed an opportunity to make a step up to more regular first team contention.

Instead, this has the air of a decision that Leeds could come to regret if the 20-year-old can go on to prove himself in the men’s game elsewhere and the Whites find themselves short of full-backs at some point next season.

In other news, this Leeds man is being eyed by a Serie A outfit. 

Everton have emerged in recent hours as contenders to sign Miralem Pjanic in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Davies may be leaving

As per Football Insider, Southampton have reignited their interest in signing Tom Davies after failing to lure him away from Goodison Park in last summer’s window.

A source from the Saints has told the news outlet that they will make a move to sign the 22-year-old midfielder if they are given any sort of encouragement by the Merseyside club.

If Davies were to leave, then Toffees would need to find a replacement, and that could well be Pjanic.

The Latest: Everton eye Pjanic

As per Fichajes, Everton have emerged in recent hours as showing their interest in signing Pjanic, but Barcelona will not listen to any offers below €35m (£30.1m) if they wish to sell him.

It is up to the Toffees now whether they are willing to match the asking price requested by the La Liga club, as the story should develop over the course of the window.

The Verdict: Everton must avoid Pjanic

Even though a deal for Pjanic could sound quite tempting, given that he has been a big name in European football over the last few years, making 80 appearances in the UEFA Champions League for the likes of Barcelona, Juventus and Roma, Everton must avoid that temptation.

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At 31 years of age, the Bosnia international is coming into the closing chapters of his career and he could struggle to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League.

A fee of £30.1m is certainly way too much to be spending on a player of his age, and so the Toffees should really be looking at other targets in the central midfield position.

In other news, find out what big Blues transfer claim has been dropped!

Celtic target Charlie Wyke appears to be a man in demand, as reported by The Northern Echo.

The Lowdown: Wyke’s free-scoring season

Wyke had an excellent campaign at the Stadium of Light, however, his displays weren’t enough to earn promotion with Sunderland from League One.

The 28-year-old scored 30 goals in all competitions last season in 53 appearances, with 26 of those coming in 43 third-tier fixtures.

As it stands, he is out of contract in a matter of weeks, and it appears he doesn’t have a shortage of suitors.

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The Latest: Alternative offers on the table

Wyke has been on the ‘list’ of Celtic targets for some time now, and The Sunderland Echo’s latest update confirms the Hoops are indeed one of the suitors.

However, The Northern Echo also claim that the striker, who former boss Phil Parkinson called ‘excellent’, has received multiple offers from elsewhere, and has also been offered new terms to remain in the northeast.

It seems like Celtic will have lots of competition for his signature.

The Verdict: Need to act fast

Former Celtic man Mark Wilson stated on the Celtic Huddle podcast back in April that Wyke was ‘on a list of potential summer signings’, so perhaps the Hoops are one of the clubs who have tabled the forward an offer.

If that is the case, then new Celtic CEO Dominic McKay may be the driving force behind a potential deal, as, at the time of the report, Ange Postecoglou was yet to be announced.

Postecoglou, as we know, is now officially Celtic’s new boss, and you’d expect he’ll need a new striker this summer, with Odsonne Edouard expected to leave Parkhead.

Wyke could be a shrewd addition on a free transfer, but it appears as if McKay and the new gaffer will face quite a fight to secure his signature. Any hesitance could be costly with the striker seemingly having plenty of options for his next move.

In other news: Postecoglou hit with first Celtic blow hours after official announcement as source shares news, find out more here. 

David Moyes and the West Ham hierarchy will have Champions League qualification as a goal this upcoming season, says Peterborough director of football Barry Fry.

The Hammers surprisingly came close to achieving that in the last campaign, just missing out after finishing two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea in sixth.

They were, however, able to qualify for the Europa League, meaning European nights will be coming to the London Stadium this year.

Going forward, though, Fry believes Europe’s elite competition will be the aim for West Ham.

“Knowing the three Davids as I do, they’ll want to improve on this year’s position and really have a right go at getting in the Champions League,” Fry exclusively told TT.

“I think again with the right recruitment, signing three or four players that can add to the strength in depth in the squad, then they’ll give it a good go.”

West Ham supporters will surely be delighted to hear about the lofty ambitions of Moyes, David Gold and David Sullivan.

With the likes of London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal really struggling last season, there does look like there could be room for new names to enter the conversation for Champions League qualification. And based on what they have recently shown, West Ham should certainly be aiming to be one of those clubs.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Premier League forward Dean Windass believes West Ham should consider moves for Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke this summer.

The Hammers sold striker Sebastien Haller to Ajax in the last transfer window and failed to bring in a replacement.

It means they could now move for a new No.9 or two as David Moyes looks to bolster his options in that area.

Toney, who has scored an incredible 32 goals for Brentford in the Championship this season, was actually of interest to West Ham last year – something confirmed by Peterborough director of football Barry Fry.

As for Benteke, the 30-year-old is set to become a free agent in a development that may interest teams looking for a Premier League proven striker.

Ultimately, for Windass, both players would be worth bringing into the London Stadium before the start of next season.

“You’d take that all day long,” the former Hull City man said as he discussed Toney, Benteke and the Hammers’ striker situation. “Benteke as a squad player, then bring a young striker in to learn off Benteke around the training ground.

“I think Ivan Toney, somewhere like that if Brentford don’t go up, that will be the sort of club he’ll go to, West Ham.”

Following Haller’s departure, West Ham really do look short up front. Michail Antonio is the only real sort of No.9 at the club at the minute, so it would be a surprise if Moyes did not move for a new frontman.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has suggested Ryan Bertrand’s Southampton career may soon be over.

The Lowdown: Bertrand’s contract is running out

Bertrand has been at St. Mary’s Stadium since 2014, but his contract is set to run out at the end of this current campaign (Transfermarkt).

As of yet, it remains unclear whether the 31-year-old will put pen to paper on a new deal, even though he did say in December that he would like to stay on the south coast for the foreseeable future (via The Daily Echo).

The Latest: Hasenhuttl shares thoughts

Ahead of Southampton’s clash with Liverpool this weekend, Hasenhuttl was discussing the future of the left-back. He said (via Hampshire Live):

“We are looking at other targets because the offer we have made has not been accepted from his side.

“When this happens, when there is no solution for the future in this position, we will have to look at other options.”

The Verdict: On the way out

These latest comments do not indicate that Bertrand has a long-term future at the club, and it appears to be of his own doing. If the £9m-valued former Chelsea defender (Transfermarkt) will not sign a new contract, there is very little Hasenhuttl can do – as such, he must look for alternatives.

The reasons behind Bertrand’s desire to leave are uncertain. At 31, he is approaching the end of his career, and a move to a top club may have already sailed. Unfortunately, if he does leave this summer, it will mean Southampton will not receive a transfer fee, but after 240 matches for the Saints, they may have already had their money’s worth.

In other news, Southampton are interested in this 21-year-old.

A big claim has been dropped on the potential takeover of Newcastle United after a lawyer was appointed by Mike Ashley for his anti-competition lawsuit.

The Lowdown: Ashley appoints lawyer

Ashley has launched an anti-competition lawsuit against the Premier League with regards to their decision-making process in the failed takeover at St James’ Park from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group.

The chief executive of Sports Direct has since appointed Daniel Jowell as his QC for the case, and football finance expert Kieran Maguire thinks that this was an inspired decision.

The Latest: Maguire lauds Jowell appointment

Speaking to Football Insider, Maguire has lauded the appointment of Jowell and what affect that he could have on the potential takeover on Tyneside. He said:

“It bodes well for the takeover.

“People’s reputations and the future of Newcastle United are at stake. You want somebody in your corner who is going to represent your interests as best as possible.

“So you find out who the best QCs are and you snap them up. There are some pretty impressive ones out there and by all accounts, he falls into that category.

“So what Ashley has done is definitely logical in terms of this appointment.”

The Verdict: Ashley gives himself best chance

Ashley certainly seems to have given himself the best chance in terms of being able to sell the club from the appointment of Jowell as his QC.

The lawyer has received very high praise for his work in the past and has also worked alongside Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

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If he is successful in this case, and Ashley also achieves a positive result in his pending arbitration hearing against the Premier League, then a giant step will have been taken in terms of clearing a pathway for the potential takeover at Newcastle United.

In other news, find out what big PIF claim has been dropped after Ashley’s takeover power play.

Sunderland could strike gold as they are reportedly set to pursue a deal for 22-year-old Chelsea goalkeeper Nathan Baxter.

What’s the talk?

According to Football Insider, Sunderland are set to make a move to sign Baxter from Chelsea after his impressive spell on loan to Accrington Stanley during the 2020/21 campaign. The report claims Sunderland are in the market for a goalkeeper to challenge Lee Burge for the number one shirt, with the 28-year-old recently signing a one-year contract extension with the club.

Sunderland are said to be open to signing Baxter on loan or on a permanent basis. He is contracted to Chelsea until 2023 and the report does not outline the Premier League club’s thoughts over Baxter’s long-term future amid interest from the Black Cats.

Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman revealed that he was given “glowing reports” on Baxter upon the goalkeeper’s arrival at the club on loan last summer. He told the Lancashire Telegraph:

“He has trained with top-class players at Chelsea, it’s now a big test for him. He has had a couple of loan spells, this is the highest level he has played at in England.

“They have high hopes for him at Chelsea and I have got high hopes for him. Everyone who I have spoke to who has managed him have given me glowing reports.”

Could strike gold

Sunderland could strike gold if they are able to land Baxter on a permanent basis. The report has not closed the door on the club signing Baxter to a long-term deal instead of just on a temporary one-season loan, which could be a coup for Lee Johnson’s side.

Baxter has proven himself at League One level after keeping seven clean sheets in 16 starts for Accrington, conceding 14 times. This shows that he is currently performing to the standard Sunderland require heading into next season as they prepare for a promotion push.

The £3k-per-week shot-stopper could offer significant competition to Burge after Remi Matthews failed to take his chance to impress. Sunderland signed Matthews on a one-year deal last summer and the former Norwich man struggled in his five starts for the club, averaging a dismal WhoScored rating of 6.41 as he failed to keep a single clean sheet in League One. He is now set to leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the month, vacating a space for Baxter to fill.

Baxter’s real value for Sunderland, though, could be in his potential. Burge turns 29 next season and may not be Johnson’s number one as part of the long-term planning, whereas Baxter turns 23 in November and has many years ahead of him to develop as a player.

This means that Sunderland could strike gold by bringing Baxter in as he is a proven League One performer with the right age profile to continue to improve, which could lead to him being the club’s first-choice for years to come.

AND in other news, Speakman offers major update on “brilliant” £4.3k-p/w star, Johnson will be delighted

According to reports, Aston Villa are now interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek this summer.

What’s the story?

The 25-year-old currently finds himself on loan at fellow Premier League side Fulham, and it now appears that he could be set for a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge.

TEAMtalk claim that Dean Smith’s side are among a number of clubs interested in signing him this summer, with Fulham and Crystal Palace also said to be in the hunt – this follows reports from John Percy last September about Villa’s interest in taking him on loan for the 2020/21 campaign.

The report from TEAMtalk added that, while Loftus-Cheek is keen to remain at Stamford Bridge, the Blues don’t see him as part of their long-term plans and “have already told interested parties that they would be open to a sale”.

Dean Smith could transform him

After bursting onto the scene as a highly-rated talent at Chelsea, it’s fair to say Loftus-Cheek hasn’t quite hit the heights expected of him, with injuries really stalling his career.

However, the Englishman still has the best years ahead of him at 25, and Smith may fancy his chances of rejuvenating the 6 foot 3 powerhouse and getting him to finally realise his potential.

After an impressive display against Everton earlier this year, Fulham manager Scott Parker was full of praise for the midfielder, saying: “I thought he was brilliant. Ruben came in and we’ve worked really hard together, in terms of the information I’m trying to give him and how he can have a big impact on the pitch.

“He came on and made a real difference. He looked every bit of a top, top player. He got the ball, was brave, scored a goal, got in the box, and was dynamic in between the lines.

“He’s got a real ability and he’ll be big for us this year. He needs to keep working on it and keep listening to what we’re saying. No doubt he’ll keep improving like we’ve seen today.”

Cesar Azpilicueta, his teammate at parent club Chelsea, is a big fan, claiming [via chelseafc.com] that the Englishman has “unbelievable strength”, adding: “He can push past defenders, get in the box, score goals, and he defends. He is a complete player.”

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The £18m-rated ace just needs to steer clear of injury, which he appears to be doing at Craven Cottage, having now already played 27 times in the Premier League this term.

It’s a gamble well worth taking for Smith and Aston Villa this summer.

Meanwhile, Villa could wave goodbye to this liability by signing this Championship star…