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In a recent interview, Frank McAvennie discussed the future of Glasgow Rangers central-midfielder, Glen Kamara, amid reports of interest in a move for the Gers man this summer.

Since joining Rangers from Dundee in what was a £50,000 deal back in January of 2019, Kamara has gone on to prove himself as something of an inspired piece of business for the Ibrox club, with the 25-year-old so far making 100 appearances for Gers, chipping in with four goals and providing five assists along the way.

This season, the Finland international has been a crucial part of Steven Gerrard’s title-winning side, featuring in all but five of the club’s top-flight fixtures, with his performances reportedly catching the eye of clubs such as Arsenal, Leeds United, Everton, Southampton, Monaco, Lille and Borussia Dortmund, all of whom are thought to be considering a move for the defensive midfielder this summer.

However, speaking recently to Football Insider, Frank McAvennie stated his belief that, despite impressing for Gers this season, Kamara may struggle in a Premier League side.

He said: “He was a great bit of business from Rangers. Kamara’s worked wonders but I think he’ll struggle to make it in a Premier League team, especially at Leeds where they play great football, I’m not sure. That’s a pretty big ask.

“Kamara’s done really well this year, I think he’s a really good player. What I’ve seen of him this year he’s done really well. But if he moves to the Premier League, good luck to him.”

Transfer Tavern Take

With Gerrard stating back in 2019 that Kamara had been “outstanding” for Rangers since his move to Ibrox, an opinion that would not appear to have changed considering how often the manager selects the 25-year-old, it would seem highly unlikely that the 40-year-old would be willing to part with the midfielder this summer – something that is evident in Gers’ reported £10 million asking price.

However, if Kamara does go on to make a switch to the Premier League this summer, considering how important the midfielder has become for Gers, we would not bet against him having a similar impact within a new side, despite McAvennie’s reservations.

In other news: Sources lift lid on ‘strong interest’ in Gerrard; chief executive has link with the Gers boss – find out more here!

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Marlon Harewood, who made 164 appearances for West Ham, has backed Said Benrahma to have a big role to play for David Moyes during the business end of the season.

Benrahma initially joined on loan last summer from Brentford, however his move was made permanent in January so that West Ham could bring in Jesse Lingard on loan from Manchester United.

The Algerian joined the club despite there being concerns during his medical, and has failed to make a significant impact this season as well as seeing starts hard to come by in the Premier League, such has been the form of Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio and Lingard.

Speaking on how he expects Benrahma to still have a big role to play this season and how Moyes has handled him perfectly, Harewood told FFC:

“I see him being massive for them from now until the end of the season because they’re going to need him.

“I think the way Moyes has handled him has been spot on because when there have been times for him to come on, he’s done so.”

The £23,000 per week winger may be hoping for some more minutes now that Michail Antonio is out injured until likely the end of the season.

Moyes will have to utilise his entire squad in the coming weeks with Declan Rice, Antonio and Aaron Cresswell all requiring time on the sidelines at the minute.

Sunderland fans were far from happy with the showing of Josh Scowen during their match against Blackpool in League One on Saturday.

The Black Cats hopes of automatic promotion to the Championship lay in tatters. 2-1 defeats to Charlton Athletic and Wigan Athletic already put them on the back foot, but the 1-0 loss to the Seasiders means they are now eight points behind Peterborough in second with five games left to play (BBC).

The display of Scowen was particularly disappointing for the Black Cats supporters. He has come under fire in the past for his showings, and it was the same again here against Blackpool as he struggled to give his side the upper hand in the middle of the park. His passing, in particular, was criticised by the fans, as he lost possession 15 times, per Sofascore.

The Stadium of Light faithful were far from happy with that they saw, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts on the showing.

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

“I feel qualified to speak on this as I’ve watched so many bad players for Sunderland: Josh Scowen is one of the worst players I’ve ever seen, and Lee Burge is an atrocious goalkeeper.”

Credit: @AnthonyMorrow83

“Scowen is a horrendous footballer”

Credit: @15jgilmore

“Scowen couldn’t pass water so far today”

Credit: @76skelly

“He’s rancid scowen like”

Credit: @liammcm5499114

“Scowen – Can’t pass. Can’t shoot. Doesn’t create. Doesn’t get into the box. Does give away possession. Does give away needless free kicks. #safc SIMPLY NOT GOOD ENOUGH.”

Credit: @W24Holden

“He’s been needing to come off for about 2 hours we’ve only played 94 minutes”

Credit: @AshmanJase

In other news, Sunderland fans are delighted with news on this man.

Many Southampton fans are livid with comments from manager Ralph Hasenhuttl following their 1-0 defeat in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.

Despite a difficult season, the Saints progressed to the penultimate round of the the world’s oldest cup competition. They faced Leicester at Wembley for a place in the final but they were narrowly defeated. Given the hard work it took to get there, it will have been disappointing for Hasenhuttl and his side not to manage a single shot on target during the 90 minutes (SofaScore).

Although they provided scant attacking threat, the Austrian still seemed to be happy with what he saw from his players, saying that they left everything out on the pitch.

The comments were shared on Twitter by journalist Tom Leach, and it is fair to say that many Southampton fans were far from happy with the manager’s words. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on what Hasenhuttl had to say on Sunday’s “shambles”, as one disgruntled fan put it.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments from Hasenhuttl below

“That’s just offensive now. Does he think we weren’t watching?”

Credit: @jonokli

“Wreck it Ralph time to go”

Credit: @gmdsaints

“Is that a joke? Spent the last 20 mins defending”

Credit: @JamesBrooksAP

“Lol if he truly believes that then I despair.”

Credit: @NPBSFC74

“losing respect for Ralph. Team was useless. Have to wonder about him if he thinks that. Cannot go on like this forever without consequences”

Credit: @r_c_bennett

“very disappointed to hear Ralph say that. We weren’t up for the fight, to not test the keeper in 90 mins is inexcusable. Shambles”

Credit: @willlester37

In other news, many Southampton fans slammed this man’s performance against Leicester.

Many Sunderland fans have been waxing lyrical about Josh Hawkes after he scored once again for the club’s under-23 side.

The Black Cats youngsters were in action against Reading on Monday, with Hawkes selected in the starting line-up. It didn’t take him long to have an impact on the match, first providing the assist for Dan Neil to score the opener before putting Sunderland back in front before 20 minutes were even on the clock.

Hawkes has been in stunning form in Premier League 2, scoring 12 goals and providing six assists in 18 matches in the competition (Transfermarkt). The result means the Wearside outfit are up to sixth place in Group Two with two matches remaining (FlashScore) – promotion to Group One is not out of the equation.

Sunderland’s official Twitter account provided updates of the match, and many of the club’s fans were delighted with Hawkes’ crucial involvements. One called for him to be partnered with the prolific Charlie Wyke in Lee Johnson’s first team, while another dubbed him a “lower league Lampard” in reference to the former Chelsea maestro, who also had a reputation for scoring regularly from midfield.

These Black Cats fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on the 22-year-old.

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

“Lower League Lampard.”

Credit: @RoGairReport

“Get him in the first team”

Credit: @PazzaSAFC

“He’s on another level @LeeJohnsonCoach get him in the first team.”

Credit: @bamgboyeolu

“Stick him beside Wyke I beg”

Credit: @MannixKnows

“This guy is on another level. Get him in first team”

Credit: @JoeMcNa36001719

“Surely has to be in the first team banging them in every week”

Credit: @JaiOliver5

In other news, many Sunderland fans reacted to this statement from the club.

Danny Mills has dropped a big transfer claim on Joe Willock and whether he can see the 21-year-old staying at Newcastle United beyond his loan spell.

Speaking to Football Insider, the former Leeds United and Manchester City defender has claimed that there is a chance that the midfielder could stay at St James’ Park if Arsenal are not able to qualify for the Champions League next term by winning the Europa League this season. Mills said:

“He’s loving life in Newcastle and he’s not even been on a night out yet. Wait until the nightlife re-opens then he’ll really love Newcastle.

“I guess it just depends on what happens at Arsenal. They’re sort of on a knife-edge at the moment. 

“They’re very close to having a successful season in the Europa League if they win it. Suddenly you’re looking at the Champions League and it’s a whole different ball game.

“If not, you’d have to say Arteta’s job is under pressure and then actually a mid-table side this season, could Willock force his way into that? Possibly.

“If Arsenal make the Champions League he’d probably be surplus to requirements. But if they don’t, there’s every chance he could be back at Newcastle United.”

Willock future at Newcastle uncertain

The future of Willock seems uncertain, and a lot may well hinder on whether or not Arsenal qualify for the Champions League.

If Mikel Arteta’s team qualify for Europe’s premier club competition, the 21-year-old may then struggle to find a place in their squad again, but the manager may find a place for him at the Emirates Stadium if they miss out on Champions League football.

Willock has put in some very good performances in the northeast so far, with Alan Shearer hailing his display as ‘magnificent’ in the 3-2 win over Southampton back in February.

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That was the first of four important goals he has scored for Steve Bruce’s side so far, and his ability to score from midfield is just one asset which should give the Magpies the incentive to go out and sign the 21-year-old on a permanent deal in the summer transfer window.

In other news, find out which ‘phenomenal’ Premier League star Newcastle are interested in signing!

Bundesliga expert Daniel Pinder has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that he cannot see Wout Weghorst leaving Wolfsburg for Tottenham this summer.

The 6 ft 6 Dutch striker has been linked with a move to the north London club amid a stunning campaign.

Weghorst has managed to reach the 20-goal mark in the Bundesliga this season, showing that he could perhaps be a reliable alternative to Harry Kane if the England captain remains at Spurs.

Pinder, however, believes Kane’s presence at Tottenham is actually likely to detract the 28-year-old from wanting to join the club.

On Weghorst, who is currently valued at £27m by Transfermarkt, the editor-in-chief at Get German Football News told FFC:

“I think he’d only consider it if Kane leaves. Wolfsburg are third in the Bundesliga, so the chance of them getting Champions League football next season is extremely high. So unless the offer’s right, the team’s right, I don’t really think he has that desire to leave Wolfsburg.”

Loanee Carlos Vinicius is the other striker currently in Tottenham’s squad, but recent reports suggest that the Premier League outfit do not want to activate the £36m option-to-buy fee they have in place with Benfica.

It means Spurs will likely need to sign a new No.9 whether Kane stays or not.

Manchester City have been linked with a move for Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma recently – and should he join Pep Guardiola’s side this summer, it would be a huge blow for Premier League rivals Liverpool, who have also been regularly linked with the Mali international in recent months.

According to the Daily Star, City are ‘confident’ of signing the 24-year-old this summer despite interest from the Reds along with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham.

The report suggested that City are in the market for a midfielder due to doubts about Fernandinho’s future with the club, and whilst Brighton are resigned to losing Bissouma this summer, they are expected to demand around £30m for him.

This would see them earn a significant profit on the £15m they paid to sign him from Lille in 2018, a deal which looks to have been a shrewd purchase by the Seagulls given his impressive performances since joining.

Bissouma has gone on to make 92 appearances for the Sussex club, in which he has contributed four goals and one assist, so he has plenty of Premier League experience under his belt already.

His recent displays for Graham Potter’s side have been quite impressive, as he has earned above a 7/10 rating from WhoScored in each of his last six Premier League appearances, so it is easy to see why he is attracting so much interest ahead of next season.

Notably, his average of 2.8 tackles per game is better than anyone in Guardiola’s squad and almost double Fernandinho’s 1.5 match average.

Whilst the “exceptional” Bissouma – as hailed by Gary Lineker – could prove to be an excellent long-term replacement for Fernandinho in Guardiola’s side, his potential arrival would also strike a huge blow to one of City’s possible title rivals for next season in Liverpool.

Although Jurgen Klopp’s side have endured a nightmare 2020/21 season, it seems likely that with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez available next term, they will be challenging at the top again, so City could get an early edge on the Merseyside club by signing Bissouma.

It seems as if the Reds are keen to bring in the Brighton ace as a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, who looks set to depart Anfield in the summer when his contract expires, so it would be a significant blow for Klopp’s side if City were to beat them to the signing of the 24-year-old.

Therefore, City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain should definitely consider a move for the Mali midfielder this season, as he could prove to be an excellent addition for a number of reasons.

In other news… Txiki can sign Pep his ideal Fernandinho heir with swoop for “outstanding” Premier League star

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, Dean Windass, who made 402 appearances during his career, has claimed that Nathan Ake would like to sign for Tottenham Hotspur as he is not good enough for Manchester City.

Ake was signed for £40 million last summer following Bournemouth’s relegation to the Championship, however, injuries have seen him sit on the sidelines for 105 days this season, with his big blow coming while on international duty.

The former Bournemouth defender has been handed more starts towards the end of the season as Pep Guardiola rested his star players for the Champions League, with Ake starting three of the last four Premier League matches.

Speaking on how Ake isn’t good enough for Man City and if he would think a move to Spurs would be good, Windass exclusively told The Transfer Tavern:

“I don’t think he’ll stay at City because I don’t think he’s good enough to play for them in my opinion but also, I can’t see him going back to Bournemouth.

“He’s an athlete, he looks easy on the eye as he’s good on the ball, a threat from set-pieces and he’s quick. So I think that would be a good fit and the alarm bells would start ringing for him if he knew Tottenham wanted to sign him. That would be a massive, massive club for him to go to.”

Ake has established himself as a quality Premier League centre back having made 155 appearances since making his debut for Chelsea during the 2012/13 season before he was sold to Bournemouth in 2017.

Pep Guardiola appears to have found his much-desired centre back partnership in John Stones and Ruben Dias who have helped City concede just 26 goals in the league all season.

Southampton have been linked with Giorgos Giakoumakis recently and the Greek striker could add a completely new dimension to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s attack next season, should he make the move to St Mary’s this summer.

The Saints were linked with the VVV Venlo star recently, with TEAMtalk suggesting that the South Coast club, along with Norwich City and Brighton, were keen on bringing him to the Premier League this summer.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed a phenomenal season in the Eredivisie, contributing 26 goals in just 30 appearances in the Dutch top-flight, which has helped him average a superb 7.30 rating from WhoScored.

It is not just his goals that would make him an excellent fit at Southampton however.

While Giakoumakis may only be six foot tall, he has averaged four aerials won per game in the Eredivisie this season, which is more than any Southampton player has managed in the Premier League, with six foot six Jannik Vestergaard’s 3.4 aerials won per game the best of any player in Hasenhuttl’s squad.

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Danny Ings and Che Adams, Southampton’s main strike force this season, have managed 0.8 and 1.5 aerials won per game respectively, which suggests that going long isn’t really a viable option for Hasenhuttl at the moment. Meanwhile, Southampton have attempted the third-fewest crosses of any team in the Premier League this season, suggesting that they need a striker who can capitalise from crosses into the box.

Giakoumakis would certainly add that, as he is obviously a threat in the air as well as on the ground, and would surely capitalise from the quality of crosses that James Ward-Prowse can deliver from set-piece situations at Southampton.

Therefore, with recent reports suggesting that the “very special” striker could be prised away from VVV Venlo for less than £10m this summer, Martin Semmens should definitely be looking to bring him to St Mary’s, as he could offer something completely different in Hasenhuttl’s squad.

And, in other news… Southampton could sign their ideal Ings heir with swoop for “magnificent” 19-goal beast