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Sheffield United are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Sampdoria midfielder Ronaldo Vieira, according to Football Insider.

What’s the story?

The 23-year-old midfielder has made 44 appearances in total for Sampdoria, although he didn’t feature for them last term, having spent time out on loan with Hellas Verona, in what was an injury-hit spell.

Vieira has previously been on the books of Leeds United, whom he was with before moving to Sampdoria, but it looks as though he’s set to return to English football this summer.

A move to Sheffield is seemingly a tempting proposition for Vieira, with the Blades looking to win promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking this season after they were relegated from the top-flight last term.

‘Bright future’

Sheffield United’s supporters will be hoping that Vieira can strike up a strong partnership in midfield with the likes of Ollie Norwood and Sander Berge.

Berge won an average of 3.7 duels per game last term, which is the same figure as Vieira, but the Sampdoria midfielder edged it when it comes to tackles per game, with the Italian man averaging 1.2 tackles per game compared to Berge’s 1.1 in the Premier League last term.

Vieira won an average of 1.5 aerial duels per game, whilst Berge’s average is slightly lower at 1.1 per game from last season and the potential of having both players in the starting XI for Slavisa Jokanovic’s side next season could be a frightening prospect for opposition teams to come up against.

With the creative ability of Ollie Norwood coupled with the hard work ethic and tough tackling of both Berge and Vieira, the Blades would cement themselves as one of the favourites to win promotion into the Premier League. The Blades must do all they can to get this deal done as quickly as possible so Vieira can be part of thier squad for the entire upcoming campaign.

Leeds United have been handed a major update on Adam Forshaw and his future at Elland Road.

What’s the story?

The midfielder has endured a difficult spell at Marcelo Bielsa’s side for well over a year now, with injuries seeing him miss the entire Premier League season – in fact, his only appearance came at Premier League 2 level when he was given a run-out against Villa’s U23s back in mid-April.

And now, responding to a question about where things stand with the 29-year-old, Leeds Live’s Beren Cross said: “No word on Forshaw since he suffered that issue Bielsa mentioned in the days after the under-23s win over Villa. Fingers are crossed for him. Pre-season is huge for him if he can keep pace with the others coming back to start the new programme.”

Bielsa needs him

Speaking towards the end of last season, Bielsa himself said: “He has basically been not playing for two seasons and to be able to play 90 minutes at a high competition after being healthy – there is still a while to go before you’re ready for that.

“He’s healthy, and has two months left of the season to prove that he is finally over his issues. We all hope it will be like this, because he is a very important player and he has made a massive effort to overcome the situation that he’s been through.”

And, after his display against Villa, Cross noted: “Playing in the role fans will associate with Stuart Dallas or Mateusz Klich in the first team, Forshaw had the freedom to get forward as well as defend.

“It was a polished performance with an array of long and short-range passing, as well as some crunching tackles and one memorable 50-50 he did not shirk, which underlines the confidence he has with his body.”

Given the fact Leeds don’t have natural cover for Kalvin Phillips, and a new central midfielder still having yet to be signed, Forshaw’s comeback from injury is a timely one.

Bielsa needs a player with his experience to return to the first-team squad and offer him another vital option in the middle of the park, and Cross’ update on him should have Leeds fans paying close attention to how things pan out with Forshaw.

Meanwhile, Leeds United are eyeing this Championship starlet…

West Brom attacker Matheus Pereira would be a perfect addition for Leeds United this summer, according to former England international Kevin Phillips.

The Lowdown: Pereira shines for West Brom

The Baggies may have suffered relegation back to the Championship, but the Brazilian playmaker stood out for them throughout the season. The 25-year-old scored 11 goals and registered six assists in the league – an impressive tally, considering his team’s struggles – and he caught the eye with his overall quality.

Leeds have been linked with a move for Pereira this summer, although nothing too concrete has materialised as of yet.

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The Latest: Pundit keen on Leeds signing Baggies star

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips talked up the idea of the Whites signing the West Brom playmaker, claiming he would be a perfect fit for Marcelo Bielsa’s team as he said:

“I think it would suit their style. Leeds are an exciting, free-flowing team, you can express yourself in that side.

“We’ve seen that with players like Raphinha and Jack Harrison this year, that they can just go and play with freedom, but you have to be prepared to work your socks off and that’s something Pereira would have to take to another level.

“But it’s no surprise that a player like that, of that mould and ilk, is being linked with Leeds.”

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The Verdict: Exciting addition

Pereira has the potential to be a great signing for Leeds, should their interest be genuine. His aforementioned end product speaks for itself and he would bring another level of guile to a Whites team who scored abundantly in 2020/21, smashing in 62 Premier League goals.

Not only that, he also averaged 0.8 tackles and 0.9 interceptions per game in the league this season, showing that he is also effective off the ball, which would no doubt appeal to the demanding Bielsa.

Pereira’s ideal blend of creativity and industry should indeed make him a good fit for Leeds, as Phillips has suggested.

In other news, Leeds have been linked with a move for a relegated Premier League player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Swansea City are interested in a deal to bring Matty James to the Liberty Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Daily Mail, who claim that Steve Cooper’s side are one of a number of Championship clubs keeping track of the Leicester City midfielder ahead of a potential move in the very near future.

It is reported that the 29-year-old will be available on a free transfer upon the expiry of his current contract with the Foxes, which is set to run out in the coming weeks, having spent nine years with the Premier League side.

Cooper must move

With Swansea City’s central midfielder Matt Grimes being heavily linked with a move away from the Welsh side this summer, the middle of the park looks likely to be a position in which Cooper will look to strengthen in the transfer market.

And, following two solid loan spells with both Barnsley and Coventry City last season, the £900k-rated James looks to be a very suitable replacement for the potentially outgoing Swans star.

In the first half of the 2020/21 Championship campaign, the £32k-per-week midfielder made 15 appearances for Valerien Ismael’s Barnsley side, making an average of 1.4 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 0.6 key passes per game, culminating in an average WhoScored match rating of 6.53.

However, after returning to Leicester and subsequently being loaned back out to Coventry in the January transfer window, the 29-year-old’s form at the Ricoh Arena dramatically improved. James scored three goals and registering three assists over his 23 league appearances, as well as making an average of 1.6 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 1.3 key passes per game, earning him an average WhoScored match rating of 6.88.

For comparison, over his 48 Championship appearances for Swansea last season, Grimes netted three times and provided three assists, as well as making an average of two tackles, 1.4 interceptions and 0.9 key passes per game, seeing the midfielder earn a seasonal WhoScored match rating of 6.97.

As such, should the 25-year-old indeed move on to pastures new this summer, the player whom the Leicestershire Live writer Jordan Blackwell dubbed a “perfect” midfielder would very much seem to be an apt replacement for Grimes, especially on a free transfer.

In other news: Swansea dealt massive boost over “dangerous” 19 y/o beast that’ll leave Cooper buzzing

West Brom correspondent Steve Madeley says he’d ‘be surprised’ if they engaged in ‘many bidding wars’, with the Baggies facing competition to sign Harry Wilson from Liverpool.

The lowdown

The Athletic’s James Pearce reports that Liverpool want £13million for the Wales international.

SL Benfica made an approach for Wilson, only for initial talks to stall over the Reds’ demands.

The Portuguese outfit are nonetheless expected to continue their pursuit of the 24-year-old, who’s also attracted interest from West Brom and newly-promoted Brentford.

In addition to his seven goals, Wilson recorded 11 assists while on loan at Cardiff City last season.

Only Michael Olise and Emiliano Buendia, who’s just sealed a £33million switch to Aston Villa, set up more goals.

The latest

Madeley pointed out that ‘lots of other clubs’ are keen on Wilson, who’s currently on Euro 2020 duty.

And he doesn’t expect Albion to be willing to slug it out with those fellow suitors for his signature.

West Brom were, of course, relegated to the second tier after their Premier League return lasted only one season.

The verdict

Wilson would be an excellent signing for West Brom because, in all honesty, he’s too good to be playing in the Championship.

He’s a high calibre player judging by his showings on loan at the likes of Cardiff and Derby, and he could be the driving force behind a promotion bid if the Baggies pulled off the coup.

But you can see the wisdom in allocating resources more widely if his price creeps up – plenty of improvements are needed in the squad to ensure a proper push at an immediate return to the top flight.

And it should also be noted that Wilson’s preference will surely be top-tier football given that he is now approaching his prime at 24. He may be looking to truly launch his career after waiting in vain for a chance at Liverpool.

In other news, fans are excited by this transfer rumour.  

Manchester United’s move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Tom Heaton is ‘pretty much done’, according to talkSPORT, cited by Birmingham Live.

And, as to be expected, plenty of Villa fans have been sharing their thoughts on the move and how the club should deal with their goalkeeping department going forward.

Heaton, 35, looks set to return to Old Trafford when his Villa contract expires, providing competition to Dean Henderson and David de Gea.

United ‘keepers Lee Grant and Sergio Romero look set to move on from Old Trafford to make way for Heaton, who hasn’t featured for Villa since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury at Burnley on New Year’s Day last year.

He returned to the matchday squad towards the end of 2020 but hasn’t managed to make an appearance, with summer signing Emiliano Martinez making the first-choice spot his own.

Villa fans react

@AVFC_News shared the update on Twitter throughout Thursday evening. This is what these Villa supporters had to say about the situation.

“I for one am not going to miss him sorry I didn’t feel he was what he was made up to be before signing him and if truth be known I think Deano also had doubts that he was hence the fantastic signing off Emi”Credit: @simonlambert33″No way, never saw that one coming”Credit: @UpTheDeano”That was clear soon as he was dropped tbf. Dean didn’t look overly happy when discussing it tbf”Credit: @MattyD54244799″And he’s off”Credit: @supavillaaa”The worst part of this is we paid £8 mil for a two year contract. We landed on our feet with @emimartinezz1, but hopefully this will be one of few transfer errors going forward.”Credit: @Graham452″Perhaps the forgotten hero…..fantastic keeper…..if we hadn’t landed the perfect keeper in Martinez we would have been happy with Heaton between the posts! Steer is good enough back up so wish Heaton all the best”Credit: @CliffRoberts1

In other news: Many AVFC fans react as Villa ready bid for Celtic ace, find out more here. 

Marcelo Bielsa will extend his stay as Leeds United manager beyond this season, according to former Whites striker Noel Whelan.

The Argentine has been a revelation at Elland Road since taking charge in the summer of 2018, guiding Leeds back into the Premier League.

Not only does Bielsa have his team playing an exciting brand of attacking, high-energy football, he has also connected with the fans off the pitch, being described as ‘priceless’ by The Athletic’s Phil Hay.

There is uncertainty in the air regarding the 65-year-old’s future, however, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season and no new deal agreed as of yet.

Whelan convinced Bielsa will stay on

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan had no doubt over Bielsa extending his stay at the club:

“I am 100 per cent sure he will sign a new contract. Bielsa works in a different way to others and he needs to feel that he deserves a new contract before his signs it.

“I understand that it might be worrying to some people but they should not be worried. He is here, he has done a great job and he has only had one year in the Premier League. He will want to be here for another year – minimum.

“Every season we are improving. There is no doubt about it, when you look at managers and tacticians, there are not many better than Bielsa.

“He just wants to see the season out. He wants to finish as high as he can and then, and only then, he will think about himself. Right now he is thinking about the players, the club and winning football matches.

“This is the amazing thing about Marcelo Bielsa. Any other manager would take the cash right now and have the security. He is not bothered. He wants to do his job right first.

“There is no doubt about it, he will sign it. There is no worry there.”

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Transfer Tavern take

Whelan’s comments will surely be music to the ears of Leeds fans everywhere, with Bielsa likely to be crucial to the club’s future success.

It would be a crying shame if he left just after re-establishing the Whites as a Premier League club, and there certainly seems a feeling that there is another chapter still to write during his time at Elland Road.

Bielsa won’t be around at Leeds forever, but even getting a few more seasons out of him would feel like an almighty positive given his vast influence over the past three years.

In other news, a former manager has been talking up the idea of Leeds signing a hugely experienced player this summer. Find out who it is here.

There may only be two games left of the current season but for Celtic, they cannot afford to be on the beach just yet.

This Hoops side have had a disastrous campaign but they need to show their supporters that there is something to be positive about heading into next season.

After the Bhoys’ 4-1 drubbing last time out, there is an even greater need to respond.

A clash against St Johnstone on Wednesday evening presents the ideal opportunity to do so but they will have to do it without two of the club’s mainstays in recent months.

John Kennedy has a few selection issues so how could Celtic shape up this evening? Here’s our predicted XI…

We’re tipping the interim manager to make three changes to the side that was hammered against Rangers last time out.

Teo of the replacements are enforced, firstly with experienced midfielder Callum McGregor missing through suspension.

He was shown a red card against the Gers and is unavailable to be picked in midweek. Consequently, Ismaila Soro returns to the fray to earn his first start under Kennedy and his first start since February.

There is also a rare outing for Vasilis Barkas. The Greek goalkeeper has had a troublesome first campaign at Parkhead but with Scott Bain injured, he earns his chance.

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Barkas hasn’t played since January so could be a tad rusty as he looks to prove his worth to the Green Brigade.

The third and final change is at right-back where Anthony Ralston plays for only the second time all season in the first-team.

Ralston’s only appearance in 2020/21 came during the 0-0 draw with Livingston all the way back in January but with £15k-per-week Jonjoe Kenny so out of form, he gets an opportunity.

The latter has been particularly abject of late, being described as a “horror show” by podcaster Paul John Dykes after Celtic lost to Rangers in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

With nothing to play for, Kennedy may as well throw a few fresh faces into the line up this week.

AND in other news, Forget Brown: Celtic must axe £15k-p/w “nightmare”, he lost possession 21x last week…

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. 

Tottenham Hotspur’s season has very much repeated the same story.

The north London outfit have led 21 of their 30 league outings so far this term but have dropped a whopping 15 points from those winning positions.

Had they picked up those points, then Spurs would be sitting pretty in second place, four points ahead of today’s opposition, Manchester United.

For the most part, Jose Mourinho has absolutely rued individual errors and defensive mistakes, and that’s ultimately something he can ill afford at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this afternoon.

On the Chalkboard

Indeed, despite having the third-best defensive record in the Premier League, their blunders at the back have been the defining theme of 2020/21.

It was only in October that Spurs thrashed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men 6-1 and two months later, they were sat top of the league.

Mourinho watched Davinson Sanchez make the latest in a long list of mistakes at Newcastle United last weekend.

Spurs looked to be heading for three points until five minutes from time when the Colombian clattered into his centre-back partner Joe Rodon, which allowed Joe Willock to ghost into the box and score an easy equaliser.

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Following the match, former Ireland captain-turned-pundit Kenny Cunningham blasted the £31.5m-rated star on the OTB Football podcast. He said:

“When he’s not at his best, when he’s having one of those looser moments, then he’s a real liability to his team. And that was the case today. Had an awful first half, to be honest with you.”

Whilst the 24-year-old colossus started the 6-1 win, he was not part of the Spurs side that skyrocketed to top spot, as in the subsequent game, West Ham launched a stunning three-goal comeback to earn a point.

Sanchez was then axed from the starting XI in ten of their next 11 games.

He’s since worked his way back into the lineup, starting nine successive outings, but now it’s time to drop him once again after the latest error.

In February, ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara implored the club to sell him as he’s part of one of the worst centre-back partnerships in the division, whilst Mourinho himself has even noted that Sanchez was the “weak link” when at Ajax.

United’s frontline of Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes is one to be feared – the trio have scored 55% of their league goals this term, and all three have either scored or assisted 52 of their 58 strikes, as per WhoScored.

Having someone who is prone to calamity is a recipe for disaster, so Sanchez really ought to be named on the bench today. When you have Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld waiting in the wings, there’s really no need to risk starting someone who has held Spurs back all season.

It’s not a coincidence that Mourinho enjoyed his best run in the league without him.

AND in other news, Daniel Levy played a blinder over 31 y/o’s exit…