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Ralph Hasenhuttl has revealed Southampton tried to sign Timothy Castagne last summer before he made the move to Leicester City instead.

Saints tried to sign Castagne

Castagne made the move from Atalanta to the King Power Stadium last year for a fee of £21.5m (BBC).

Speaking prior to the Saints’ clash with the Foxes on Friday, Hasenhuttl revealed his side attempted to capture the 25-year-old but were unable to do so. He told Hampshire Live:

“He was a player we were interested in. He was available and we knew this.

“Although they have lost players like [Riyad] Mahrez or [N’Golo] Kante or [Harry] Maguire, you see that Leicester are still able to bring very good players in,

“We had an eye on [Timothy] Castagne but as soon as they are in the duel, then we have no chance to get him. This is exactly what makes the difference between these two clubs. It is normal.”

Shame

Other than a couple of spells on the sidelines through injury (Transfermarkt), Castagne has proven to be an inspired signing for Brendan Rodgers and co. He has managed two assists and four goals in all competitions and has displayed his versatility by playing both at left-back and right-back, as well as in midfield.

It was an ambitious move from the Saints to sign him – after all, he competed in the Champions League last term with Atalanta and will have been wanting to play for a side that harboured ambitions of featuring in that tournament on a regular basis. Unfortunately, the south-coast outfit are unable to offer anything close to that at the moment. However, at least they are looking to capture top talent, it seems.

In other news, Southampton have been dealt this transfer blow.

Leeds United have endured a tough and frustrating second season in the Premier League as they find themselves on the cusp of a relegation battle but amid the mounting injury crisis and disappointment on the pitch, there has been at least one positive.

Another one of the club’s promising academy starlets, Liam McCarron, made the most of Marcelo Bielsa’s busy treatment room on Saturday after he made his senior top-flight debut for the club.

The 20-year-old winger replaced fellow substitute Crysencio Summerville in the 81st-minute.

After the game, McCarron made note of his pride on Twitter, where he said: “Unfortunate not to be getting the results we deserve at the moment but delighted to make my premier league debut in front of these incredible fans, we keep pushing.”

The young prospect signed for the Yorkshire giants from Carlisle United in 2019 and has emerged as a bit of a utility player for Mark Jackson’s U23 squad.

Indeed, the 5 foot 9 dynamo has largely played as a left-back but can also play in central midfield and further up the wing. In some ways, this could echo the role of Stuart Dallas under Bielsa.

The Northern Irishman, despite being a midfielder by trade, is nicknamed the ‘Cookstown Cafu’, which only goes to show the level of performance he often achieves when deployed at full-back, rather than in his natural role.

McCarron has played 12 times for the U23s in the Premier League 2 this campaign, where he has contributed a goal and an assist from left-back, as per Transfermarkt.

Capped by Scotland at U19 level, the versatile gem could well follow in the footsteps of the 30-year-old in the first-team squad and he could prove to be a valuable asset to Bielsa considering the ongoing injury nightmare.

His former academy coach at the Cumbrians, Darren Edmondson, once described him as a player “with no ego, no airs and graces”, also claiming that “his work rate is unbelievable.”

After making his senior bow at the weekend, McCarron will be hoping he can continue to catch the eye of Bielsa during a desperate time of need. In the young dynamo, the Argentine could well discover another priceless Dallas-like presence.

He’s certainly one to keep an eye on.

AND in other news, Bielsa must now brutally axe £34k-p/w Leeds passenger, he’s not good enough for the Premier League…

Rangers could find Steven Gerrard’s perfect heir at Ibrox after being mooted with a move for someone who’s already spent some time with the Gers in Glasgow.

What’s the story?

Gerrard was formally announced as Aston Villa’s new boss after a successful two-and-a-half-year stint in Scottish football, leading to intense speculation over who will take over the reins.

The Sun journalist Bruce Archer took to Twitter on Wednesday afternoon as doubts over Gerrard’s future grew, saying: “Think I’d go for Gio or Paulo Fonseca #RangersFC,” when addressing who he would appoint as his successor. 

A report from the same outlet, meanwhile, claims the former defender is even keen on coming to Scotland.

While Fonseca would be an extremely intriguing option, Van Bronckhorst’s past experience with the Glasow giants could make him the ideal replacement.

Steven Gerrard’s perfect heir?

The 46-year-old enjoyed a hugely successful playing career at both club and international level, making 106 appearances for the Netherlands and turning out for Feyenoord, Rangers, Arsenal and Barcelona at left-back.

Van Bronckhorst won two league titles, two Scottish Cups and one League Cup during his three-year stay with the Gers between 1998 and 2001, before going on to claim further silverware in north London.

After joining the Gunners in a big-money move, he secured one Premier League title and two FA Cups with the capital club, and then also enjoyed two league title victories and one Champions League success at Barca and two Dutch Cups with Feyenoord.

He retired in 2010 having helped the Netherlands reach the World Cup final and was appointed as Ronald Koeman’s assistant manager at De Kuip a year later, eventually replacing his compatriot at the helm in 2015.

In just his first year in charge, Van Bronckhorst guided Feyenoord to the KNVB Cup and followed that triumph up by winning the Eredivisie in 2016/17.

It was the Rotterdam outfit’s first top-flight title in 18 years and they continued their quest for silverware by claiming the Dutch Cup once again in the subsequent campaign, illustrating his true credentials as a top-class manager.

The Dutchman’s fairytale time at his boyhood club came to an end in 2019, and when discussing Van Bronckhorst’s decision to leave Feyenoord, the club’s former technical director Martin van Geel lauded his work.

“Gio has done more than fantastic here and he continues to do well. So we would have liked to sit down with him next month, as planned, to start talking about any contract extension,” Van Gaal said.

“Gio is really someone who follows his heart and if he feels he wants to do something else after this season, we can only respect that. We are incredibly grateful to him, already, for the great contribution he has made to the club’s recent unprecedented successful period.”

A spell at Chinese outfit Guangzhou followed in 2020, but Van Bronckhorst has been out of work since, but judging by his previous accomplishments, he may well be the perfect heir to carry on Gerrard’s excellent work at Rangers.

Both as a manager and a player, he has a history of winning titles on a consistent basis. With that in mind, it feels like a match made in heaven for the trophy-hungry Gers.

And, in other news…Bye-bye Stevie: Rangers could land dream Gerrard successor in “excellent” 50 y/o boss

With Dara O’Shea suffering a serious injury earlier in the season that will keep him out for the next few months and Kean Bryan suffering a season-ending blow recently, it’s safe to say West Brom will need as many defensive options as possible at their disposal for the time being.

With that in mind, it seems that the Midlands club could be set to lose one of their young defenders currently in their youth ranks.

What’s the news?

It has recently been reported by All Nigeria Soccer (via Birmingham Live) that Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, Aston Villa and Southampton are interested in signing West Brom youth defender Kevin Joshua.

Despite only joining West Brom’s U23 side from Solihull Moors’ U19 side back in March for an undisclosed fee, the 19-year-old centre-back has played in six of their 11 league games, grabbing one assist in the process, showing how impressive he has been given the number of clubs reportedly eyeing up a transfer swoop for the youngster.

Ferguson 2.0

Even though Joshua hasn’t made an appearance for Valerien Ismael’s side this season, there is a possibility that Ismael could be forced into giving the teenager his senior debut for the Baggies given their defensive injury issues, and certainly if any of their other senior defenders get injured between now and the end of the season.

Therefore, it should now be one of Lai Guochuan’s top priorities to keep hold of Joshua and out of the clutches of the numerous clubs reportedly interested in signing him, which could be seen as a disaster if he were to leave the club so soon after joining them. That’s especially when you consider the way they lost a fellow defensive talent in Nathan Ferguson so controversially to the jaws of the Premier League.

Given his young age, there’s no reason why Joshua, who has been described as a player who is “aggressive, quick, and excellent on the ball,” by his agent Arfan Rehman when he joined the club, couldn’t go on to become a regular first-team figure at The Hawthorns in the future, giving the Midlands club even more reason to keep the defender in their ranks.

Moving forward, perhaps giving the teenager some first-team minutes could not only help Ismael’s side in the short term while O’Shea and Bryan are out injured but also in the long-term by proving that they feel Joshua will have a big part to play for the senior team. By doing so, they may also be able to avoid a repeat Ferguson scenario too.

In other news: 60% duels won: WBA’s “dangerous” £18k-p/w beast proved he can be Ismael’s main man – opinion

Carlo Ancelotti must shoulder part of the blame for Mason Holgate feeling that his performances have not been up to his normal standards for Everton this season.

The 24-year-old earned his 14th start of the Premier League campaign during Saturday’s Merseyside derby win away to Liverpool, partnering Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey in central defence in the absence of the injured Yerry Mina.

Holgate had earned just four of his 13 prior top-flight appearances in his natural centre-back position this term, with Ancelotti often fielding the Doncaster-born talent at right-back.

Ancelotti’s selection of Holgate at full-back initially came through a need to plug a gap in defence following Seamus Coleman’s hamstring strain, but soon saw the £16m-rated ace establish himself as the Italian’s secret weapon amid calls to strengthen in the position.

At centre-half or right-back, praise has since come Holgate’s way, with former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch only able to wax lyrical over the ex-England U21 international following the Merseyside derby.

“Mason Holgate was brilliant. He needs to be mentioned, he’s different class and is going to be a top player,” Crouch noted in his column for the Daily Mail.

And yet Holgate believes that his performances still have a sizable margin for improvement.

“We have to stay level-headed and keep going. I am coming into it [reaching form] a bit more,” Holgate told EvertonTV.

“I am not where I’d like to be and hitting it consistently, but I can only work as hard as possible. I have not done too badly but am not near my normal standards.

“It is hard to come to the season partway through, but I am feeling stronger and fitter now and am happy the way things are going. Hopefully, I can keep it going.”

Holgate missed the first seven games of the Premier League campaign with a toe injury sustained during a pre-season friendly with Preston North End, which sparked Everton to explore central defensive signings before the £20m capture of Godfrey from Norwich City.

Rarely has Holgate been given a look in at his preferred position since and, despite the high moments occasionally seen at full-back, Ancelotti should accept some of the blame for the 6 ft 1 defender feeling as if he is yet to reach his best levels this term.

Holgate’s longest run of appearances in a single position for top-flight fixtures so far has lasted just four games, when fielded at right-back for much of December whilst Coleman was back in the treatment room after aggravating his hamstring issue.

One game back at centre-half then resulted in Holgate returning to right-back for four of the Blues’ following five games, before going back and forth between the two roles this month.

Never having a settled role to play in the Toffees’ push for European qualification is likely holding Holgate back from reaching his max potential, all the while Godfrey puts his teammate in his shadow.

“He’s really stepped up to the plate. We all knew he was a good player when Everton signed him and had high hopes, but he’s exceeded those expectations by the level of his performance, both in central defence and also in full-backs as well,” former Everton defender David Weir told Football Pass of Godfrey.

So, while Holgate’s injury meant the 24-year-old’s season started later than for some, Ancelotti must accept part of the responsibility for how his campaign has since turned out, for better or worse.

AND in other news, Everton face widespread PL competition for the transfer of an £18k-p/w beast this summer…

Celtic will have plenty on their mind during the course of the summer, not least potentially replacing their manager.

Though, with a possible 12-man exodus on the cards, finding replacements for the playing squad will also be of utmost importance.

What’s the word?

Celtic have reportedly agreed a deal to bring in Liam Shaw on a pre-contract but now the Hoops are thinking of landing another English Football League talent.

According to Football Insider, the Bhoys are interested in bringing young Wigan forward Kyle Joseph to Parkhead.

Celtic made an approach to sign the striker back in January with the 19-year-old’s contract expiring in the summer. Thus, they’re attempting to land him on a free transfer once the window opens.

The Hoops have made it an ambition to bring in a line of promising young talent for the new manager to work with.

Forget Harper

This addition would be rather timely for Celtic. They’re set to lose Cameron Harper in a few months time once his own contract expires.

The youth product hasn’t made many first-team appearances and could already be on his way out. New York Red Bulls have supposedly made an approach for the attacker so the chances of Harper renewing at Parkhead seem slim.

Add Joseph’s arrival into the picture and any hopes of the American staying surely become even slender.

That being said, they shouldn’t be worried. After all, Joseph has proven himself to be a canny operator already at senior level. The teenager has been linked with a move to Tottenham so has plenty of eyes watching his performances.

Composed in front of goal, Joseph isn’t just capable of finding the net – scoring five times this term – but he’s also very adept at winning aerial duels. He’s won 2.1 per game this season, a tally that could rise if you take into account some of the football that’s played in the SPFL.

Despite playing in just his first year of senior football, he’s already netted a hat-trick, bagging three goals in Wigan’s win over Burton in late December. It was the moment he truly burst onto the scene and caught the eye of Celtic’s talent scouts.

It was also a moment that caretaker manager Leam Richardson revealed Joseph was “on top of the world” afterwards.

With a move to Celtic potentially on the cards, it would cap off a remarkable year for the youngster. Unlike Harper, he’s already doing well at first-team level. This could be an upgrade for any new manager that walks through the door. As such, the recruitment team should seal a deal.

AND in other news, 39% win rate: Celtic must consider “superb” manager who “knows the game inside out”…

Liverpool potentially have another Michael Owen within their ranks.

17-year-old Oakley Cannonier has been on fire for Liverpool’s U18 side this season, having surpassed the 40-goal mark this campaign.

Cannonier has been firing all season which has earned him mass plaudits from U18’s manager Marc Bridge-Wilkinson as he told The Athletic:

“Oakley is really bright. He’s a good little footballer. His instincts for the game are very natural. It’s something we have to make sure he retains.”

Cannonier previously earned acclaim for his alertness as a ball-boy – giving Trent Alexander-Arnold the ball for the right-back’s quickly-taken corner which created the winner for Divock Origi in the Reds’ sensational Champions League comeback against Barcelona.

It was this act that bagged him an invitation to train with the Liverpool first-team, with Klopp telling the youngster: “I just need to thank you for what you did!”

Cannonier, who trained with the first team solely on merit, impressed Klopp during those sessions, with the German keeping tabs on his development with the U18’s ever since.

His goalscoring touch has earned him comparisons to Roberto Firmino, with many believing he is the future of Liverpool’s front line.

Whilst the latter is highly likely if he can keep up this form, his presence as a feared out-and-out forward is more reminiscent of Michael Owen, who also enjoyed a rise to fame via the Liverpool youth system.

Cannonier bagged his 39th and 40th goals of the season during Liverpool U18’s 5-1 victory over Wolves, which will have felt sweet for the lifelong Liverpool fan who told The Athletic: “I just always wanted to play for Liverpool. It was a no-brainer.”

The young Englishman’s rise to success is gaining traction and with the 17-year-old tipped to be moving up to the Liverpool U23s next season, we could well see the new Michael Owen donning the Liverpool shirt come next season.

AND in other news: Liverpool now plot £67m bid for “sensational” £76k-p/w “winner”, imagine him and Salah

David Moyes can find his ideal Arthur Masuaku replacement in Rangers full-back Borna Barisic amid reports West Ham United are considering a mid-season deal.

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, the Irons are monitoring the Gers’ star left-back ahead of the January transfer window after losing Masuaku for the foreseeable future following knee surgery.

The Hammers believe there is a need for top-quality fresh legs in the position following Masuaku’s operation, while introducing competition for Aaron Cresswell after the three-cap England international’s struggles in recent games.

Barisic has emerged as the latest in a line of left-backs to be linked with a mid-season move to the London Stadium, with West Ham also said to be interested in FC Barcelona’s Junior Firpo and Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Rangers chiefs expect Barisic to be a target for several sides in the upcoming window with his contract entering its final 18-months, but they will still demand upwards of £8m after snubbing approaches from Leeds United in the summer.

Forget Cresswell, sign Barisic

Barisic has been in sublime form under Steven Gerrard as Rangers look to claim the Scottish Premiership title this season, with the Liverpool icon lauding the 28-year-old for his consistency which ensured interest was inevitably high in the summer.

“We’re not surprised if there is any interest in Borna,” Gerrard said, via quotes by the Glasgow Times. “Of course, we’re not because he has been a consistent performer for us for some time now and has started the season so brightly again.

“But he has signed a long-term deal here, everyone loves him, the fans like him and he was in the running for Player of the Year. If someone did come, they would have to bring an awful lot of money with them.”

Rangers are rightfully loath to part ways with Barisic, who has provided an astonishing 10 assists and two goals in 26 appearances across all competitions thus far this season, despite failing to create or find the back of the net since September in the Premiership.

His output has remained high nonetheless, with Barisic averaging 2.7 accurate crosses and providing 2.2 key balls a game in the Scottish top-flight, along with 0.7 shots, while winning possession with 1.1 interceptions, 0.8 successful tackles and 1.0 clearances, per SofaScore.

It would not take long for Barisic to warm the hearts of Moyes and West Ham supporters were he to move to east London in January and hit the ground running with the same impact.

AND in other news, West Ham are monitoring a £20k-p/w talent to resolve David Moyes’ “big” blow.

Leeds have been told they face significant competition in the race to sign Arsenal star Ainsley Maitland-Niles this summer.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days and weeks have suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are keen on bringing the England international to Elland Road, although now, former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed that plenty of teams will be interested too.

He said: “100 per cent. I think he would be a good signing for a lot of teams. I wouldn’t mind him at Villa. He showed at the weekend, he can play in different positions. A very good player, he can attack.

“He can play in a similar amount of positions as Dallas. Both are Mr Reliable and he could be the next Dallas. I’m sure there will be more teams than Leeds after him. I don’t see him going back to Arsenal and playing so it’s probably the right decision for him to move on.”

Solving a major Bielsa problem

One of the main issues Bielsa has faced all season, and arguably throughout his tenure as Leeds manager, is the real lack of depth. Injuries can often really take their toll on the Whites, leaving them exposed in several key areas when one or two players go down – you only have to look at how Pascal Struijk has had to slot in at centre-back in recent weeks and months to see that.

But in the versatile Maitland-Niles, Andrea Radrizzani could go a long way to solving that issue for Bielsa. This season alone has seen the England international feature at left-back, right-back, left-midfield, right-midfield and in the middle of the park too.

That ability to play in numerous roles and positions is something that former Celtic star Chris Sutton has previously hailed, saying: “The young man’s versatility is a weapon. He is such a versatile talent – a diamond.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Leeds transfer rumours and news!”]

The £16.2m-rated Maitland-Niles would be the kind of shrewd buy that plugs a few different holes in the Leeds squad at once, while also allowing him the opportunity to potentially shine as a central midfielder.

Meanwhile, Leeds must unleash this star who’s “got it all”…

Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that West Ham should be all over Sam Johnstone this summer.

The former Manchester United youngster has been one of the standout goalkeepers in the Premier League this season, although his excellent form is unlikely to save West Brom from relegation.

Providing the Baggies don’t make a great escape in the coming weeks, the £32,500-a-week England shotstopper, who was recently rewarded with his first call-up by Gareth Southgate, is likely to leave the club.

Reports believe that Johnstone will be available for just £10million, although the Hammers could face stiff competition from London rivals Tottenham, who might also need a new goalkeeper.

Number one Lukasz Fabianski recently extended his deal with the Hammers, but mistakes have been creeping into the Pole’s game this term, none more so than in the defeat at Newcastle earlier this month.

And McAvennie told Football FanCast that Johnstone would be an ideal replacement:

“I think it would be really good business.

“When you’re playing for West Brom you’re not short of action, he’s probably made more saves than most of the keepers put together, and that’s no disrespect to them but without him they wouldn’t have as many points as they have got.

“For £10million, I can’t believe I’m saying it, but it’s nothing in this game. That’s the nature of the beast now, and it’s right up West Ham’s street that kind of money.”