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Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa could sign his club’s new Ian Harte in Rangers star Borna Barisic.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days have suggested that the Whites are one of the sides interested in signing the Croatia international this summer as they make signing a new left-back a priority in the transfer window.

The likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa and Wolves are among the Premier League clubs interested in luring the £15k-a-week earning full-back south of the border, but if Bielsa can convince Barisic to come to Elland Road, then he could well have his club’s new Harte.

A new Ian Harte

A profile done by Marching On Together, said: “Ian Harte found himself become Leeds’ regular left back in 1998 under the stewardship of George Graham, after featuring frequently in the previous two seasons.

“Harte was a dead ball specialist becoming the free kick and penalty taker for the club, leading to him scoring 39 goals in 288 appearances. Had the season of his life during Leeds’ Champions League run of 2000-2001.”

That ability to find goals despite being a left-back – namely through set-pieces – but also from some powerful strikes as well, was a real feature of Harte’s game, and his attacking threat is equally matched by the destructive Barisic.

Hailed as “outstanding”, the Croatian flier racked up 14 assists in 50 games across all competitions last season, including enjoying an impressive Europa League campaign too – he bagged three goals and set up another three as the Gers made it to the last 16.

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The sporting director at his former club, Osijek, Alen Petrovic even said: “Borno isn’t just the best left-back in Croatia but the whole region. I’ve watched him all my life and he is the best crosser of the ball in the country.”

And, the man who signed him for his former club, Osijek, Zoran Zekic, said: “We used to make a made a plan for every game and every game we made that plan 90 per cent around playing it to Borna Barisic. He is technically good, understands football, his timing is very good too and he has great crossing ability.”

Having someone like Barisic flying up and down the left touch-line, delivering superb deliveries into the box either through open play or from free-kick and corner situations, would be very much reminiscent of Harte in his pomp.

Victor Orta could strike gold with a move for Barisic this summer.

Meanwhile, Bielsa must make a ruthless call on this Leeds United star…

Chronicle Live journalist Mark Douglas says he could still see Dwight Gayle leaving Newcastle United this summer.

The lowdown

The Athletic reported at the end of March that Newcastle had committed Gayle to a new three-year contract.

Gayle has a prolific track record, with 103 career goals to his name, but his involvement has been limited this season.

The Englishman has played only 503 Premier League minutes, albeit having missed the first 10 matches of the season with an MCL injury (via Transfermarkt).

His one and only goal in 2020/21 came against former club West Bromwich Albion as he came off the bench to net an 82nd-minute winner at St James’ Park.

Manager Steve Bruce nonetheless regards Gayle as a ‘natural goalscorer’ and says he is ‘invaluable’ to the squad.

The latest

Douglas was asked in a fan Q&A what areas Newcastle need to target this summer.

He said that a player of Joe Willock’s ilk is clearly necessary, as well as ‘defensive reinforcements’.

But he also thinks that proper back-up for Callum Wilson will be required, revealing that he believes Gayle will depart despite signing that new deal.

The verdict

This is a surprising comment from Douglas, given that Newcastle had seemingly tied Gayle down for the exact purpose of providing support for Wilson.

One has to wonder if the new deal was a means of protecting his transfer value with a view to a summer sale.

There would likely be plentiful interest in the 30-year-old from the Championship given his devastating record in the second tier, so perhaps cashing in to reinvest in a more top-flight proven player was always the plan.

In other news, Lee Ryder has an issued an update on the future of another striker.

Many Everton fans have been left to buzz as a new manager candidate emerged in the form of Sergio Conceicao.

As per sports journalist Pete O’Rourke, the current boss at FC Porto is in the frame for the job at Goodison Park, after Carlo Ancelotti left the Merseyside club to go and manage Real Madrid.

Conceicao’s preferred formation is a 4-4-2, which could be the way to go for the Toffees, given that they only managed to score a mere 47 goals in the Premier League in the 2020/21 season, the lowest by far out of any team in the top half of the table (Sky Sports).

Playing with two strikers would give them more opportunities to score, and give some much-needed help to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who found himself very isolated at times in games this term.

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Conceicao has also won numerous trophies throughout his managerial career so far, and would believe that he can do so again with the Blues, offering his valuable winning mentality.

Everton fans on Conceicao manager update

These EFC supporters buzzed as the manager update was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it was ‘exciting’:

“This one appeals”

Credit: @paulwithe

“Appoint him immediately”

Credit: @FinKitch

“Get it done”

Credit: @brenters85

“Oooo this may be an exciting one!”

Credit: @ctayts

“@Gwladruns yes please”Credit: @ellieq”Yes from me”Credit: @_SK1994_In other news, find out what manager update has left Toffees raving here!

A reliable journalist has named five players that Newcastle United may sign in the summer transfer window as an alternative to Joe Willock.

The Lowdown: Willock may not join Newcastle permanently

As well as Willock has done in the North East since arriving at St. James’ Park from Arsenal on loan in January, there is no guarantee that the deal could be made into a permanent one, and so Steve Bruce’s team may have to look at alternative targets to find someone to add end product from midfield.

As money could well be tight due to the financial impact of the global pandemic, players who will become free agents in the summer could be a fruitful market to go to.

The Latest: Five players Newcastle could target

Writing in his latest piece for The Chronicle, journalist Sean McCormick has named five players that the Tyneside club could target in the summer if they run their respective contracts down.

The Toon Army will be familiar with the names of John Lundstram and James McCarthy, who both currently play in the Premier League for Sheffield United and Crystal Palace respectively, while Alex Mowatt has been captain of a Barnsley side who have taken up an unlikely position in the EFL Championship play-off places.

Hakan Calhanoglu and Alan Dzagoev have both featured prominently on both the European and international stage, and while the Magpies are very unlikely to sign up all five, one or two may be smart buys if they do not have to pay any transfer fees.

The Verdict: Little risk with free signings

There is little risk involved with signing players on a free transfer, as they are sure to have some resale value.

Taking the Transfermarkt values of each of the five players mentioned above currently, Calhanoglu (£31.5m), Lundstram (£6.3m), Mowatt (£3.6m), McCarthy (£3.15m) and Dzagoev (£3.15m) could save NUFC nearly £50m in potential transfer fees if they signed up all of them.

Of course, that is not going to happen, but even signing one or two of these players as free agents would certainly count as shrewd business if they can prove effective long-term or even for a short period before being sold for profit.

In other news, find out what big claim has been dropped on the potential takeover here!

Liverpool have been handed a huge boost for tonight’s clash against Burnley after Jurgen Klopp confirmed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is back in contention and that James Milner may also be fit enough to make a return.

The Reds travel to Turf Moor this evening to take on Sean Dyche’s men in what could prove to be a pivotal encounter for their Champions League qualification hopes.

Klopp’s charges are currently sitting in the fifth position in the Premier League standings, just three points behind fourth-placed Leicester City. However, the six-time European champions have a game in hand over the Foxes, and their superior goal difference means Liverpool are in control of their own destiny.

A dramatic win last time out against West Bromwich Albion, courtesy of goalkeeper Alisson Becker’s injury-time effort, has kept the Anfield outfit’s top-four dreams alive, and now they’ve been handed another significant lift.

In a press conference on Tuesday (as reported by the Liverpool Echo), Klopp revealed experienced midfielder Milner was set to take part in training, while Oxlade-Chamberlain had recovered from illness.

“Milly will train today but is that enough to be involved tomorrow? I will see,” he said. “Ox was ill. Ox is back.”

The potential return of the duo is bound to have Klopp buzzing after having to cope without several key players throughout the current campaign due to injury.

It would allow the enigmatic German manager to field Fabinho in the centre of defence if he so wishes knowing he has experienced heads to call upon to fill the gap left in the engine room, or simply offers him more experienced options from the bench should he require them.

Liverpool’s season hinges on tonight’s result against Burnley, but the return of Milner and Oxlade-Chamberlain is certainly a big boost to their chances, whether either of the duo start or are able to come on from the bench, as tonight has the feel of a game where experienced stars will be more beneficial than raw youngsters.

And, in other news… Asking price set: Edwards must act to sign Reds target with a pass accuracy of 87.1%

Crystal Palace’s transfer plans appear to have taken a considerable blow with one of their prime targets apparently not interested in moving.

According to The Athletic, Aaron Ramsey currently has no interest in leaving Juventus which could leave Steve Parish having to look elsewhere for a central midfielder.

It was previously thought that Palace were interested in bringing the Welshman back to the Premier League, with journalist Nicolo Schira suggesting that the Eagles had made an enquiry to Juventus.

Ramsey, a Serie A champion in 2019/20, would certainly have been a statement arrival should he actually have signed for Palace in the summer transfer window.

Before his move to Turin, he had made 262 appearances in the Premier League, scoring 40 goals and providing a further 51 assists – a record that would have been hugely useful in the Crystal Palace midfield.

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Even former Gunners’ boss Unai Emery was left enamoured by Ramsey, with the Spaniard praising the midfielder’s “amazing” attitude and application during his final year at the Emirates Stadium.

It goes without saying then that the 30-year-old would have gone a long way in replacing the likes of James McArthur and James McCarthy, whose Selhurst Park deals expire this summer, whilst he would have been a fantastic partner in the centre of the park for current Eagles captain Luka Milivojevic.

Rated at £18m and with two years left on his current contract at the Juventus Stadium, Ramsey certainly looked the perfect addition for the Eagles and one that could even have taken them to the next level during the 2021/22 campaign.

However, that now does not seem an option following the news that he has intentions on remaining in Turin for the foreseeable future, a development that is certainly a big blow to Crystal Palace’s transfer aspirations.

AND in more news, take a look at which player could be the perfect successor to Vicente Guaita…

Despite Kelechi Iheanacho’s electric form for Leicester City this season, Brendan Rodgers is still apparently keen to sign a striker for The Foxes.

A number of options have been mooted – one of the most prominent names being Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard.

However, the Frenchman could face some competition for a move to the King Power Stadium with Leicester now reportedly eyeing Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

At same age, the two could certainly be intriguing rivals for a move but it is Edouard who Leicester should be pursuing most fiercely.

The Frenchman is certainly in the midst of a far more impressive season when comparing the two players.

He has plundered 20 goals in all competitions for the Hoops this season, the third consecutive campaign in which he has hit over 20 goals for Celtic.

Meanwhile, Abraham has endured a frustrating campaign for Chelsea, netting just six Premier League goals this season having fallen down the pecking order behind the likes of Timo Werner and Olivier Giroud at Stamford Bridge.

Hailed as “top-class” by former boss Rodgers, Edouard’s personal statistics also continue to rate him above Abraham.

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According to WhoScored, he averages far more shots per game in the league with 3.5 to 1.6, whilst the former Paris Saint Germain man can also rack up far more key passes and dribbles; 1.3 and 1.6 compared to 0.5 and 0.6.

Whilst Celtic are clearly playing against poorer teams than Chelsea, these stats still go some way to indicate that Edouard is certainly a great attacking threat, so it is easy to why Rodgers is such a fan of his.

Whilst the Frenchman is plying his trade in a league of lower quality, Abraham was still not able to overcome Edouard’s current numbers even in his prolific 2018/19 Championship campaign with Aston Villa.

Meanwhile, it is likely that the Celtic man will also cost considerably less than the current Chelsea forward. He is rated at £13.5m, whilst Abraham holds a rating of £36m.

So considering that Edouard looks by far the better option in terms of his quality, he is also far more attractive in relation to transfer fee.

Leicester then, must prioritise the Celtic man if they do want to recruit a striker in the summer.

AND in more news, Foxes boss Rodgers has handed the club a huge boost with his comments…

Peterborough Director of Football Barry Fry has exclusively told Football FanCast that the chances of Gareth Bale coming back to Tottenham next season are slim.

The Welshman made an astonishing return from Real Madrid last summer on a one-year loan, and strong reports at the time revealed that Spurs do have the first option to re-sign him next season, especially with career at the Bernabeu all-but over following his toxic relationship with Zinedine Zidane.

Tottenham have been paying 40 percent of his wages which are around £600,000 a week, but in order to bring him back would need to loan him, pay Madrid a fee, which is unlikely given that Bale’s contract expires next summer or hope that Madrid pay him off and allow him to leave on a free transfer.

Bale recently said on international duty that he’s planning on returning to Real Madrid at the end of the season, although he visited the topic a few days later and admitted that he’ll discuss his future after the Euro’s and his summer holiday.

And whilst Fry believes that Tottenham have the perfect man in place in Daniel Levy to sort a deal, he thinks another loan is their best chance.

“I think two things could stop that – the enormous amount of money he’s on, either Bale himself will have to waiver that, or Real Madrid will have to give him a big pay off to go on a free transfer. And I don’t think Tottenham will pay his wages, and I don’t think Madrid will contribute largely to giving him a free transfer.

“So there is a big problem there and he might have to stay at Real Madrid for a year without kicking a ball, which will be a shame.

“But if anyone can do a deal, Levy can because he’s got a willing player that wants to come. But the only outcome I can see on that is possibly another loan and for Tottenham to pay a substantial amount of his wages, they won’t pay it all.”

Former Newcastle United midfielder Steve Howey has exclusively told the Transfer Tavern that Aaron Ramsey would be a good fit for West Ham.

The Welshman only left the Premier League 18 months ago, but has struggled to become a regular in a Juventus side that are on the verge of failing to win Serie A for the first time since 2011.

Ramsey is earning in the region of £400,000 a week in Turin, but has missed parts of the season with different muscle problems, completing 90 minutes just twice in the league, and has scored only six times in more than 60 appearances following his move from Arsenal.

And following his difficulties in Italy, recent reports suggest that the midfielder could be in line to make a shock move back to England this summer, with the likes of West Ham, Crystal Palace and Everton all keen on his signature.

West Ham’s interest in Ramsey could depend on whether they convince Manchester United loanee Jesse Lingard to join permanently – with the pair both playing in the same attacking midfield position.

The former Arsenal man has also been linked with champions elect Manchester City, but Howey believes a move to the capital would be his preference.

He told the Transfer Tavern:

“I think it would suit him, it’s London. I can’t see him coming up north, if I’m being brutally honest. I think that could be a good one.

“Jesse Lingard, would he want to go back to Manchester United? He’s gone to West Ham and absolutely turned it around, because he was disappearing and disappearing fast.”

It has now been more than three weeks since Neil Lennon decided to stand down as manager of Celtic.

The Hoops are still on the hunt for a new manager but it wouldn’t be a great surprise if they waited until the summer to bring in a fresh face.

What’s the word?

Jesse Marsch revealed this week that it was an honour to be linked with the Celtic job.

However, in a fresh twist to their search, there has also been an update in the Hoops’ pursuit of former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard.

That came courtesy of Alex McLeish, who was speaking to Football Insider this week. He said: “I’m hearing whispers that Frank Lampard was seen with the Celtic directors. No matter what, the rumour mill will continue to thrive until an appointment is finally made.

“I think the fans would love a big name. There’s no doubt about it, they’ll be looking for that kind of personality.”

Desmond buzzing

It’s evident that the Bhoys are stepping up their hunt for a new manager, and if they have really met with Lampard, majority shareholder Dermot Desmond should be foaming at the mouth.

Celtic have been linked with a variety of managers from Steve Clarke to Mick McCarthy. However, as McLeish says, a big name would really get the fans off their seats.

Lampard may be relatively inexperienced but he could bring a host of qualities to Parkhead which would suit the Bhoys.

For starters, he gives young players an opportunity, something Lennon seldom offered during his time in Glasgow. Cameron Harper has already left because of a lack of first team opportunities while Karamoko Dembele could leave on a free transfer in the summer for the same reason.

Although Lampard received the sack in west London, he helped to bring players like Reece James, Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham into the limelight.

Therefore, it’s not just Desmond who should be excited at this news; the club’s reserve players should also be thrilled. This could finally be their chance to really make an impact at Parkhead.

In the past, opportunities to impress the first team manager have been limited. That could change if Lampard is chosen as Lennon’s long-term successor.

AND in other news, 0 starts under Kennedy: Celtic must unleash £11k-p/w beast with “explosive power”…