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Many Everton fans have been left to laud a transfer update involving Matheus Nunes.

As per Record, the Brazilian is very close to signing for the Goodison Park faithful, and is set to join the Merseyside club in the coming days along with Nuno Espirito Santo.

Playing in no fewer than in 31 Liga NOS matches in the 2020/21 season, scoring three goals and making a further two assists (Transfermarkt), Nunes was a key player in Sporting Lisbon’s title triumph, and his winning mentality would be a valuable asset to have both off of the pitch as well as on it.

At just 22 years of age as well, he certainly has a lot of potential, and would give the Toffees another handy option in the centre of midfield.

Everton fans on Nunes transfer update

These Blues supporters lauded the transfer update as it was shared across Twitter, with one claiming that it was ‘brilliant’, while another even went as far as to claim that Nunes is ‘world class’:

“100% what we need in CM”

Credit: @Vicaz22

“Looks very good from what I’ve seen. Exactly the the type of mid we’re missing.”

Credit: @7JonOBrien

“These are the kind of transfers we want to see”

Credit: @Mikejohnsonefc

“Absolute world class this lad.”

Credit: @Stevec03

“Brilliant. Our midfield needs strengthening. I’ll back Brands and our scouts IF this guy signs!”

Credit: @thegolferrob

“Wooow he is exactly what we need, all aboard the Nuno train”Credit: @RyanG78_In other news, find out what transfer update has left EFC fans fuming here!

Celtic’s interim boss John Kennedy has been urged to join Ross County if he leaves Parkhead.

Former County goalkeeper Michael Fraser told The Press and Journal that the 37-year-old would be well-suited to the managerial position at the Global Energy Stadium.

The lowdown

Kennedy took over from Neil Lennon when he resigned at the end of February, with Celtic’s title hopes having unravelled. Predominantly using a 4-4-2 diamond formation, he oversaw four victories, four draws and two defeats in total.

Celtic were 18 points adrift of Rangers when Kennedy took over and ended up 25 points behind their Glasgow rivals at the season’s end. The Gers also knocked them out of the Scottish Cup in the fourth round.

According to the Daily Record, Eddie Howe will be announced as Lennon’s long-term successor this week. He is also poised to bring backroom staff from Bournemouth with him, so it’s unclear whether there’ll be any place for Kennedy under the 43-year-old’s regime.

Ross County finished third from bottom in the Premiership this season. John Hughes kept them in the division but has not been offered a permanent deal.

The latest

If Kennedy is looking to move into management permanently rather than return to a behind-the-scenes role, Fraser says that County would be an ideal destination for him, telling The Press and Journal:

“Personally I think, John Kennedy, should he leave Celtic, would be a really good shout. He is highly thought of and it would be a good job for him to start off with.

“I am pretty sure a guy like John would like this job. He’s just a name that leapt out at me.

“Roy [Macgregor, chairman] might be looking at a more experienced manager, but going left-field John would be a good pick.

“He is highly-rated by ex-players and maybe he will want to come in and get his hands dirty by coaching them to play in the way he wants them to play.

“It’s maybe the best of the smaller clubs to achieve that because you will get support.”

The verdict

Howe may well deem Kennedy surplus to requirements at Celtic, partly as a symbolic ‘out with the old, in with the new’ move.

While Kennedy didn’t do enough in his time at the helm at Parkhead to suggest that he had credentials to be the permanent boss, he faced an unenviable task in trying to salvage the wreckage of the Hoops’ season.

Centre-back Kristoffer Ajer was also full of praise for his ‘fantastic’ coaching methods, and a club further down the Premiership would certainly be wise to give him a chance to prove his worth.

In other news, there’s an update on the future of Oliver Ntcham. 

Celtic have reportedly won the race for Scunthorpe United youngster Joey Dawson.

The Lowdown: Dawson’s record-breaking past

Dawson, who appears to be on his way to Parkhead, became the youngest player in Scunthorpe’s history back in 2019.

He was just 16 years, 75 days old when he played in the Carabao Cup for the Iron.

Dawson, who can play as an attacking midfielder or a striker, is also the nephew to Tottenham Hotspur hero Michael Dawson, who made 325 appearances for Spurs between 2005 and 2014.

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The Latest: Dawson passes Celtic medical

According to Iron Bru, Dawson has rejected a long-term deal at Scunthorpe.

He was attracting interest from a number of Championship clubs but has now reportedly passed a medical ahead of a proposed move to Scotland.

The Hoops will have to pay a fee for Dawson, but he appears to be a player who fits the club transfer strategy of being a UK-based prospect available for a nominal fee.

The Verdict: Howe’s first signing?

Reports have suggested that Eddie Howe has agreed to become the new Celtic manager, with an official announcement possibly spilling into next week.

With Howe agreeing on a Celtic Park deal, you’d expect he would be fully aware of a move for Dawson.

So, it appears as if the teenager could become Howe’s first signing as Hoops boss, should the 43-year-old be announced prior to Dawson.

Celtic have already secured the services of Sheffield Wednesday’s Liam Shaw on a pre-contract, and with the pending arrival of Dawson, it appears as if the Hoops are looking at building for the future.

In other news: Olivier Ntcham contract speculation refuted, find out more here. 

A number of Liverpool fans have been bemoaning a statistic regarding Thiago, claiming the Reds have ‘ruined’ him after a stunning run of trophy wins.

The Spaniard was a hugely exciting summer arrival from Bayern Munich last year, having earned a reputation as one of the world’s best central midfielders.

Thiago had starred for Bayern in their treble-winning 2019/20 campaign, which culminated in them winning the Champions League.

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The 29-year-old’s first season at Liverpool has been a disappointment, however, with a three-month injury absence curtailing his progress significantly.

He came back into a team in crisis, with injuries all over the place and key men performing well below their usual world-class level.

Liverpool’s failure to defend their Premier League crown means Thiago’s run of 11 straight seasons of winning at least one trophy will come to an end, as pointed out by @PassLikeThiago on Twitter.

Liverpool fans think Reds have broken Thiago

These Reds supporters have been left horrified by the statistic, providing their thoughts on Twitter.

“We may have ruined his career”

Credit: @VadaVanDijk

“I feel sorry for him, we’ve ruined him”

Credit: @Liverpo87055988

“We’re an embarrassment”

Credit: @umyaknowwhat

“Welcome to Liverpool”

Credit: @LFC_9ja

“We are…inevitable”

Credit: @GraemeKelly1

“I am so embarrassed”

Credit: @anfieldhb

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In other news, some Liverpool fans are excited about a journalist’s update on a reported summer target. Read more here.

Leeds United could sign a new version of club legend Mark Viduka in the form of Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham amid Jon Newsome’s transfer verdict.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that the England international could be available this summer after falling out of favour at Stamford Bridge, and now, Newsome has suggested Marcelo Bielsa’s side enter the race to sign him.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “I see they’ve put a price tag of £40m on Tammy Abraham. Do you push the boat out and go and buy Tammy Abraham? I’ve watched him since he was out on loan at Bristol City as an 18-year-old and I think he’s a fantastic player.

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“He leads the line, he just needs that club where he’s the number one target and the number one man and I think he’ll just blossom again. So do the club do something like that?”

A new Viduka

Standing at an imposing 6 foot 3, Abraham has got all the physical attributes that make him a very similar threat to the one Viduka provided in his glory days at Elland Road.

In a piece for Leeds Live, Jon Howe wrote about the Australian: “He was an ominous physical specimen, an old-fashioned centre forward in many respects, but mixed a formidable presence with a delicate technique that made him the purest example of a ‘good touch for a big fella’ player you are ever likely to see.”

Dubbed as being “clinical in front of goal” and as a “natural goal-scorer” by former Leeds man Noel Whelan, Abraham combines both his pace and power with real technical quality, and has managed an impressive 12 goals in 32 games despite barely starting.

Speaking after he netted during a loan spell against Swansea a couple of seasons ago, Aston Villa boss Dean Smith said: “Tammy is a handful and he knows better than me that he should have been walking away with the match ball tonight. But he scored the winning goal, he’s a hell of a talent. Tammy put in a hell of a shift up front on his own and proved he is a fine player.”

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The £36m-rated Abraham has all the tools in his locker for Bielsa to discover a new Viduka for Leeds.

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing up this winger who’ll “torment defenders everywhere”…

According to reports, Leeds are among a number of clubs interested in signing Barnsley starlet Callum Styles this summer.

What’s the story?

The 21-year-old has been in fine form in the Championship this season, scoring five goals and providing a further three assists, and it’s no surprise that clubs across the country have sat up and taken notice.

Football League World have claimed that, along with Marcelo Bielsa’s side, the likes of Southampton and Norwich also have Styles on their radar; and that if the Tykes fail in their pursuit of promotion to the Premier League, it’s expected that the trio will put in a transfer enquiry for the versatile midfielder.

Leeds’ new Lewis Cook

Styles first came to prominence when he became the first player born in the 21st century to play in the Football League when he came on for former club Bury against Southend back in May 2016.

Since then, he has transitioned into a versatile player who can play in central midfield, as an anchor man in front of the back four, or as a left wing-back like he has done for the majority of this season under Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael.

Before Ismael’s arrival, Styles was a permanent fixture in the heart of midfield, and it’s that area where Bielsa may feel the 21-year-old’s long-term future may lie at Elland Road – much like Cook.

Cook, who came through the academy at Thorp Arch, was someone who predominantly played in the middle of the park, but could also operate out wide just like he did in his final season at Elland Road in the 2015/16 campaign.

When you compare Cook’s underlying numbers from that season to Styles’ this year, they are remarkably similar in nature. Both averaged over two tackles per game and a similar number of interceptions, while they also managed to record over a shot per game, marking them out as real box-to-box players.

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After being awarded February’s EFL Young Player of the Month Award, Styles was open in how his performances have really gone up a notch this campaign.

He said: “I’ve always had goals in my game, but I feel like this is the season that I’ve come to life a little bit where scoring goals is concerned. I’ve been given the opportunity to go forward and get in those positions and when in the right positions you have to deliver at this level. Fortunately I have and I’ve got a few decent goals to my name.”

That ability to break into the box from deep in midfield has real shades of Cook, and it should make him a hugely enticing potential signing this summer for Victor Orta and co.

Meanwhile, Leeds could reach a new level by signing this Premier League star…

Celtic have been handed a major blow in their pursuit to land Eddie Howe as their new manager.

According to a report from Give Me Sport, the 43-year-old’s representatives have convinced him he can still get a job in the Premier League this summer.

The report adds that agents have been involved and Howe is refusing to commit to the Hoops as a result.

Crystal Palace have spoken to the Englishman about potentially replacing Roy Hodgson and Brighton are also keeping tabs on the former Bournemouth boss.

Transfer Tavern take

It seems as if it is all getting a bit messy when it comes to Howe and Celtic.

He verbally agreed on a move to Parkhead, however, he has now had second thoughts on a Glasgow switch.

In our view, that is due to two factors. Firstly, Howe reportedly wanted to bring Bournemouth director Richard Hughes with him, but it seems as if the Hoops are closing in on a deal for Manchester City’s Fergal Harkin.

Premier League interest could also be a reason for Howe’s Hoops U-turn, and it seems as if his representatives are in his ear over his return to the English top flight dugout, which could see him at a club with more funds available to make the signings he wants and perform a rebuild similar to the one he did on the south coast.

In other news: Hoops open to signing 28 y/o this summer, but it could cost them Edouard, find out more here. 

Plenty of Glasgow Rangers fans have been reacting to the news that former striker Dado Prso has bought a Senegalese football club.

Prso is somewhat of a cult hero at Ibrox, with some fans even dubbing him a “legend”. The forward spent three years with the club between 2004 and 2007 and scored plenty of goals as he helped the Gers win one Premiership title and one Scottish League Cup. That would actually prove to be the final stop of his career before he hung up his boots.

Now aged 46, it seems he is ready to get back into football, but perhaps not in the way many will have expected. The former Croatia international has purchased a Senegalese football club called Demba Diop, who are currently competing in the country’s second tier.

The news was shared on Twitter by @CroatianNews, and unsurprisingly it attracted plenty of attention from Rangers supporters. These fans took to social media to share their thoughts on the matter.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Prso news below

“There’s my Football Manager 22 save sorted”

Credit: @big_ashy5

“Where can I buy a top?”

Credit: @stephmcd90

“Given he is my fave player of all time, I am now a fan of Demba Diop!! Mon the Diop”

Credit: @JHQLoyal

“@RangersFC get on the phone to Dado and let’s add this team to our club partners”

Credit: @cuibonoconfuto

“The guy is a legend”

Credit: @douglasjamesgr2

“Announce partnership @RangersFC”

Credit: @SpeckyRSC

In other news, Rangers could move for this man as a potential replacement for Filip Helander.

Vasilis Barkas could be headed back to Greece, with PAOK ‘weighing up’ a loan move for the Celtic goalkeeper.

That’s according to the Daily Record, who report that the Glasgow giants are hoping to arrange his temporary departure this summer.

PAOK are apparently the first club to make a ‘firm enquiry’ about Barkas, although there is also reported interest from clubs in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Tough few months for Celtic goalie Barkas

Barkas arrived at Celtic from AEK Athens for a fee of £4.5m last summer. He has made 20 appearances for the Hoops this season, keeping nine clean sheets, and former manager Neil Lennon hailed some of his performances at Parkhead as “excellent”.

However, he has now very much fallen out of favour. His last Premiership start came in the 2-2 draw with Livingston on 20 January, with Scott Bain since establishing himself as number one.

Barkas also lost his place in the Greece squad for the March internationals, to compound his recent woes.

At the weekend, Native publication Sportime reported that he wasn’t keen on such a swift return to the Greek Super League. However, the 26-year-old’s stance may change if Celtic make it clear that he’s not in the first team picture and PAOK prove to be one of the few clubs who can offer him consistent game-time.

Transfer Tavern verdict

In actual fact, the outlook may not be quite so bleak for Barkas. Eddie Howe’s former club Bournemouth were apparently eyeing him before he joined Celtic, so he might just fit the 43-year-old’s bill if he is confirmed as Lennon’s long-term successor in the Hoops dugout.

Howe is now in line to take over at Parkhead, and may give the Greek goalkeeper an opportunity to impress in pre-season rather than simply showing him the door.

In other news, there’s an update in Celtic’s pursuit of a teenage forward.

Jurgen Klopp has heaped huge praise on Nat Phillips, following a superb performance from the centre-back against RB Leipzig.

The Reds were excellent in their 2-0 win over Julian Nagelsmann’s side on Wednesday evening, cruising into the Champions League quarter-finals.

After a frustrating first half saw Liverpool dominate but miss endless good chances, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane eventually put the tie to bed with well-taken finishes after the break.

There were a number of strong performances on show at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, with Fabinho magnificent back in midfield and Phillips shining at the back.

“Oh my god” – Klopp lauds brilliant Phillips

It was the latter who came in for enormous praise after the game, with Klopp telling reporters (via Paul Gorst) that he was delighted with the 23-year-old’s performance:

“Phillips…oh my god! What a night for him. Absolutely great. Concentration level he shows is incredible. In the air, a monster, but football-wise not bad, I couldn’t be happier than I am for Nat. A great game.”

Transfer Tavern take

Phillips is more than worthy of such a glowing review, having put together such a dominant all-round showing against a team fighting for the Bundesliga title.

The defender may have his limitations as a player, but he has really stepped up to the plate in the absence of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

At a time when many Liverpool players have been under-performing, Phillips has been blameless a lot of the time and is arguably showing he could be a good fourth-choice option at centre-back next season.

He is out of contract in the summer of 2022 (Transfermarkt), meaning he could be snapped up for free next year, and perhaps performances like this one will convince the Reds hierarchy to extend that deal.

In other news, Liverpool have been boosted in their attempts to sign Kylian Mbappe this summer. Read about it here.