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Leeds United are in advanced talks to clinch their first signing of the summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to Football Insider, Marcelo Bielsa’s side are in negotiations with Birmingham City over bringing 18-year-old starlet Amari Miller to Elland Road this summer.

The report claims that “a source has told Football Insider Leeds have moved quickly to offer a contract to Miller and the Championship side will not stand in the way of him leaving.

“Everton have also been closely monitoring the wonderkid’s situation and their talent spotters have been impressed. But the big-spending Merseysiders are now set to miss out on his signature to Leeds.”

Exciting signing for Leeds

The 5 foot 10 gem, who can play on both the right and left flanks, played five times in the Championship last season for Birmingham, and had boss Lee Bowyer raving about his ability and potential.

He said: “I want to look at Amari, I will look at him from the start of a game. He is a young lad who does well when he comes on for five-ten minutes when everyone’s tired.

“I want to look at him and see if he can start a game next season for us because he has got potential. I don’t know, this is something I have got two games to figure out because he is a good player who has got great potential. He came on against Derby again and did well.

“(He adds) Goals, assists, pace, something that we probably lack a bit is pace. He’s at that age where he is fearless. When he came on against Stoke, he got himself into an area and wasn’t afraid to go at the defender.”

That fearlessness and potential is something that will surely have Bielsa excited at the prospect of managing him, and taking him under his wing, much like he has done with some of the club’s other rising stars such as Kalvin Phillips.

The Argentine helped to turn Phillips from a promising prospect into a bonafide England international, one who is starring on the biggest stage at EURO 2020 this summer.

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While Miller has a long way to go to match those heights, Bowyer’s comments on him, and the fact he remains only 18 but is seemingly versatile enough to play on either side, makes him a very intriguing pet project for Bielsa.

The Leeds boss would surely love him at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, Leeds could land a bargain in this Premier League star…

Tottenham Hotspur may be offered a tempting deal that could kickstart a much-needed overhaul…

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Star, Spurs have an interest in Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus, which could create the possibility of a cash-plus-swap deal for Harry Kane this summer.

It’s thought that the Brazilian is valued at around £70m and that a similar amount on top of his signature could tempt the Lilywhites into a move.

They also claim that Pep Guardiola would be reluctant to let the 24-year-old go but making him part of any offer could bolster their chances of securing Kane as it would give them a direct replacement for the England international.

Bye-bye Kane?

Whilst Kane is one of the irreplaceable members of this current Spurs squad, the fact that he wants out does not put the North London outfit in a strong position of negotiation, with £150m being a mooted price tag.

Sky Sports claimed earlier this month that the 27-year-old reiterated his desire to leave his boyhood club this summer and his preference is to remain in the Premier League, only further making it a difficult decision for chairman Daniel Levy.

It’s also true that Spurs are in need of a vast squad overhaul ahead of next season, regardless of whoever takes the currently vacant managerial role. Many of these players who featured during Mauricio Pochettino’s reign are still here, and they are the same ones that not only let him down but also Jose Mourinho.

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Selling Kane could be the only genuine way of raising enough funds to bolster areas right across the pitch, with the Daily Mail suggesting that Spurs will have to sell before they can buy this summer – are the likes of Erik Lamela, Serge Aurier, Moussa Sissoko and many more going to raise as much as Kane would? It’s rather unlikely.

Not only would Spurs be getting some funds to help aid this but they’d also be getting very viable successor. As mentioned above, it’s going to be hard to fill his void but in Jesus, Levy could grab his next manager a top player with plenty of experience in the Premier League.

On City’s way to the title this campaign, the 5 foot 9 dynamo found the net nine times in 29 appearances, also adding five goals in other competitions, via Transfermarkt.

It means he’s bagged 82 goals across 195 appearances for the Citizens since joining them in August 2016.

The 40-time Brazil international’s form over the years has earned plenty of plaudits, namely from his boss Pep Guardiola, who has effectively dubbed him an unsung hero in this title-winning squad.

“You cannot imagine how happy we are when Gabriel can score the goals he has scored,” he told City’s official website. “But it is the things he does for the team that people don’t realise he does. That’s why the striker has to score and today he scored two. He helps us with his pressing and he is a joyous guy.”

The former Barcelona head coach also went onto call his striker “amazing” and “brilliant,” too.

Whilst even ex-Spurs boss Pochettino knows of his qualities, calling him a “very talented player” with “potential” back in 2017, via the Manchester Evening News.

All in all, if Kane is to be sold this summer, then it would make perfect sense to try and involve a player that could instantly fill his void, and Spurs can probably do that with the £54m-rated Jesus.

There are surely not many better choices out there right now.

AND in other news, Spurs eye swoop for “remarkable” 16 G/A beast, he’s everything Lo Celso should’ve been…

According to a report by Anfield Central, West Ham United have now made a fresh approach to sign Liverpool attacker Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The Lowdown: The Ox and the Hammers…

The Englishman has recently been linked with a move to east London following a frustrating season under Jurgen Klopp on Merseyside.

Oxlade-Chamberlain spent a large portion of the 2020/2021 campaign out through injury and the second half only featuring sporadically in midfield.

News then emerged of GSB’s interest in the former Arsenal star as manager David Moyes aims to bolster the squad for next season.

The Irons will need more strength in depth, especially as they enter the Europa League group stages for 2021/2022.

The Latest: GSB have now made fresh approach…

As per Anfield Central, the Hammers have now made a fresh approach to sign Oxlade-Chamberlain for next season – but Liverpool have taken a firm stance.

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According to the outlet, Klopp and co do not want to sell the 27-year-old and will only do so if the player himself asks to leave Merseyside.

Moyes is said to be an admirer of Oxlade-Chamberlain and believes the £120,000-per-week attacker can succeed at West Ham.

Alas, as it stands, this report indicates that Liverpool will fight tooth and nail to keep him.

The Verdict: Not a priority…

While Oxlade-Chamberlain is arguably a proven player in the Premier League and still has plenty of years before his sell-by date, Moyes should have other priorities this summer.

Among them, signing a new centre-forward and completing a permanent deal for Jesse Lingard should be taking precedent.

The ex-Southampton man could prove useful for Moyes given he can play on both wings or in midfield, but he certainly shouldn’t be at the forefront of West Ham’s plans.

Lauded as an ‘outstanding player’ by Klopp, however, it will be interesting to see how this unfolds over the summer if GSB and co decide to take a risk on the injury prone but talented ace.

In other news: GSB willing to pay over £20m as West Ham enter advanced player talks, find out more here.

Former Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell believes Alex Moreno would be a great replacement for Ezgjan Alioski at Leeds United.

The Lowdown: Alioski replacement required

Alioski is expected to move on at the end of the season, having reportedly agreed to join Turkish giants Galatasaray. That will leave Leeds needing to sign a new left-back in the summer transfer window, with a host of names linked with the Whites in recent months.

One of those is Real Betis defender Moreno, who has made 21 appearances in La Liga this season, chipping in with two assists to date.

The Latest: Campbell rates Moreno highly

Campbell believes the 27-year-old could be the ideal man to come in for Alioski as he outlined to Football Insider why the Real Betis left-back could be the perfect fit for Leeds:

“Moreno, he’s a good player. He’s naturally a left footer and he likes to gets up and down that wing as often as possible. He has that attacking ability that Leeds will be after.

“I think he would be a great signing for Leeds. I really like him.”

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The Verdict: Could Leeds do better?

Moreno is an experienced figure who could fill the Alioski-shaped void at Elland Road, but it could be argued that there are better options to be found.

The Spaniard’s shortage of assists suggests a lack of attacking thrust – Marcelo Bielsa would surely want a forward-thinking full-back in the mould of Alioski – with an average of just 0.7 key passes per game in the league this season.

In comparison, Nicolas Tagliafico, another Leeds target, has averaged 1.1 key passes per match for Ajax in the Eredivisie, also getting one goal and three assists.

Moreno seems to be a solid transfer target, but Tagliafico appears the more experienced, superior choice if the Whites want to go up another gear in the Premier League next season.

In other news, a former Leeds player can’t understand Marcelo Bielsa’s treatment of one player this season. Read more here.

Former Manchester City star Michael Ball has told Football FanCast that the club are more likely to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund than Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur.

The club have been heavily linked with both strikers in recent days and weeks.

Sky Sports reports that Kane has asked Spurs to leave this summer amid interest from City, Manchester United, and Chelsea.

It would be immensely expensive to sign the England captain this summer, given that he has three years left to run on his contract.

Still, City would surely have the financial resources required to sign Kane should they want to.

However, Ball believes that a deal for Haaland is more realistic.

The Borussia Dortmund striker is just 20, while Kane will turn 28 later this year, and he has scored a staggering 39 goals in 40 games thus far this season, with 22 of those coming in 2021.

As such, Ball believes Haaland, most realistically linked with the club by Goal, would be a more realistic purchase in the coming transfer window.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “Brilliant choice to have as a manager, if your club can go ‘which one do you want’, but Man City have got the resources, but realistically, I probably see Haaland happening more than Kane.”

An expert in football finance has dropped quite a big claim on Everton and Alisher Usmanov.

Speaking to Football Insider, Kieran Maguire thinks that it is not out of the question that the Russian billionaire may one day formalise his investment in the Goodison Park faithful:

“I think at present, he’s very happy with the relationship he has with Farhad Moshiri and the money being invested in the club.

“There’s no doubt at a future time, if Farhad Moshiri needed additional equity investment then Usmanov would be his first port of call.

“They have worked together, they know each other well, they understand each other.

“It’s a case of Moshiri being quite happy as majority owner to the extent that he is at the moment, but never say never in business.

“He could be the person to take them to the next level in due course.

“Moshiri is wealthy but we have high net worth individuals and then ultra-high net worth individuals. Usmanov is in the latter camp.”

Usmanov and Moshiri could be formidable for Everton

A full on partnership of Usmanov and Moshiri could be a very formidable one for the Merseyside club if it were ever to come into fruition.

With the plans to move into the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock going ahead, the two tycoons could take the Toffees into a brand new and potentially successful era.

If Carlo Ancelotti’s team want to truly compete at the top of the Premier League, then a lot of investment is likely to be needed, and Usmanov would help provide the finances for that.

It was reported back in March that the 67-year-old could invest in the Toffees after they were told that they could proceed with the plans to build their new ground, and the links between him and the Blues do not seem to be going away any time soon.

Nonetheless, there would be pretty exciting times ahead for EFC if he decided to partner with Moshiri and invest.

In other news, find out what transfer plans have left Toffees fuming here!

Tottenham Hotspur continue to feel the aftermath of the collapse of the European Super League this week, and fresh claims will deal another blow to ownership group ENIC and Daniel Levy.It was announced on Tuesday night that Spurs had pulled out of the ESL as the Premier League’s traditional top six dropped like flies following heavy backlash from fans, players, coaches and the media alike.In a statement released by the club, Levy claimed they “regret the anxiety and upset caused by the ESL proposal” before thanking supporters for their “considered opinion.”But now a fresh claim has emerged that contradicts that entirely, leaving the north London outfit exposed to further criticism.Originally, Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness) reported that UEFA had offered the English sides financial compensation to leave the controversial ESL project, and now El Chiringuito journalist Jose Alvarez has stoked the fire more.”The English clubs didn’t leave the Super League because of the fans, they did it for money,” he told the show’s Twitch channel.This could well open up a fresh can of worms in N17.Despite the club pulling out of the league earlier this week, the Hotspur faithful turned up to the stadium before their game with Southampton on Wednesday evening to protest against ENIC and Levy.”Shame on you Levy,” “Time to say goodbye,” and “ENIC out” were just some of the banners held up by Spurs’ seething fans, who have clearly had enough of how their club is being run.

Alvarez’s latest claim will do Joe Lewis and Levy no favours whatsoever.

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville led the British media’s revolt in a passionate rant before news filtered through of Spurs’ withdrawal, as he called the teams involved a “disgrace” and beckoned for severe sanctions.

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“Deduct them all points tomorrow,” he said. “Put them at the bottom of the league and take the money off them. Seriously, we have got to stamp on this. It’s criminal. It’s a criminal act against football fans in this country, make no mistake about it.”

According to RMC journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi, the 12 rebel clubs will indeed face repercussions from UEFA.

He revealed on Wednesday: “UEFA says the 12 founding ESL clubs WILL face consequences, the first will be ‘they will live with shame’ with proper sanctions to come, the Vice President confirms. Several big clubs are asking the UEFA for sanctions for the 12.”

They’ll face shame, indeed, but if it turns out to be true that Levy and co pulled out due to the prospect of additional finances rather than for the backlash from supporters, then it’ll only be another hammer blow to the club’s already sinking reputation.

The scenes witnessed ahead of the game this week aren’t likely to be the first signs of mutiny, either. Especially if their hunt for their first trophy since 2008 continues to rumble on after Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.

Spurs fans have had enough, and quite rightly too.

AND in other news, Levy could hire Spurs’ dream Mourinho successor in trophy-laden 53 y/o winner…

Noel Whelan has claimed that Roberto Martinez would ‘be a fool’ to take the manager’s job at Newcastle United if Steve Bruce were to leave.

This comes after it was reported that the former Everton, Swansea City and Wigan Athletic manager is the leading contender to replace the Geordie if he were to exit St James’ Park.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan has urged Martinez not to take the job in the northeast if it were offered to him. The former Leeds man said:

“He’d be a fool to leave Belgium to go to Newcastle.

“With the current owner, no money to spend – he’s a manager, not a magician. If you’re going to leave a setup like Belgium, you’re going to need reassurances that you’re going to have a lot of money to spend.

“He’s not going to get that from Mike Ashley, he’s just not. Why would you leave something so successful right now? With the players he has at his disposal, why would you go into a club that is in turmoil?

“They’re in turmoil with the players, the manager and with the board.

“The fans must be so frustrated by what is going on here because they’re teetering on the edge. There’s no way he’s taking that job if it’s in the Championship.” 

Martinez would be a good appointment by Newcastle

If Bruce were to leave the Tyneside club, then they should look no further than trying to appoint Martinez, providing that they can avoid being relegated from the Premier League.

The 47-year-old has a lot of previous experience managing in the English top flight, famously guiding Wigan to an unlikely win against Manchester City in the 2013 FA Cup final. He has also guided Belgium to number one in the FIFA World Rankings, and he would certainly be a high-profile appointment by the Magpies.

However, there would likely be a question mark over whether the Spaniard would be interested in taking the job, especially if Newcastle were to find themselves relegated at the end of the season.

In other news, find out which former fan favourite is on NUFC’s radar!

A number of Crystal Palace supporters have been giving their thoughts to a transfer update regarding Marseille star Florian Thauvin.

Reports from France (cited by Inside Futbol) earlier this month claimed that the Eagles, along with Leicester City, had made contact with the 28-year-old ahead of a potential summer move.

The Sun exclusively reported on Sunday that Palace are keen to sign the World Cup winner as part of their summer rebuild, but they face serious competition from AC Milan.

The Italian giants could offer big money for the winger in a pre-contract agreement, but the £91,000-a-week Thauvin is believed to be interested in a return to the Premier League.

Palace’s first choice wide addition is Watford’s Ismaila Sarr, but with the Hornets closing in on an immediate return to the top flight, his price tag could increase.

Palace fans react

@cpfc_xtra shared the update regarding Thauvin on Twitter on Sunday afternoon. Here is what these Palace fans had to say in reply, with one ‘baffled’ by the links.

“would be unreal signing BUT he’s gonna go AC Milan”

Credit: @cpfcharlie0

“Already in precontract talks with Milan? Why even tease Palace fans with this post as if we aren’t having a hard time of it losing 4-1 to Chelski yesterday”

Credit: @Twentyfour7Sanj

“Freedman will think he can convince him to play in Croydon over Milan”

Credit: @Sumo08112

“Congrats AC Milan for signing Florian Thauvin”

Credit: @cpfcpaddy0

“I’m still baffled why “Florian Thauvin” and “Crystal Palace” are being mentioned in the same sentence”

Credit: @s_cpfc

“Unless it’s always been his dream to scrap for 12th in the PL this isn’t happening”

Credit: @rayapp82

In other news: Many CPFC fans share concern as expert shares inside report, find out more here.

David Moyes may have West Ham United’s next defensive titan already in Ajibola Alese, as Fabian Balbuena reportedly prepares to leave the Premier League club in the summer.

Balbuena is nearing the end of the three-year contract awarded upon the Paraguayan’s £6.5m arrival in 2018, and appears to be focusing on a future away from east London.

The centre-back’s agent, Renato Bittar, confirmed as much to Versus Radio earlier this week, having stated that talks are already underway with potential suitors.

Balbuena has been linked with clubs from around the world with his £40,000-per-week deal due to expire in June, with Flamengo, Internacional, a Saudi Arabian outfit plus a team from Major League Soccer previously said to be weighing up offers.

Flamengo have held a long-standing interest in Balbuena’s potential availability as a free agent, but Bittar adds that his client is currently considering a longer stay in Europe despite speculation of desires to return to Brazil after his two years at Corinthians.

“We are talking with several teams but nothing in particular,” Bittar said. “There are several options for Fabian.

“For now, he will not continue at West Ham, but [he] will continue in Europe.”

Balbuena has played 59 times in three seasons at the London Stadium but has only stepped foot onto the field for 90 minutes since December 27, having fallen out of Moyes’ Premier League plans and only been called on to feature against Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup.

The 29-year-old leaving the Irons in the summer could leave Moyes’ centre-back options at Angelo Ogbonna, who turns 33 in May, Craig Dawson, should he be kept after a season-long loan from Watford, Issa Diop and the highly-rated 21-year-old Frederik Alves.

Moyes is claimed to be keen on signing another senior option to supplement his centre-back group next season, but may already have his sought-after depth in the West Ham academy.

Alese penned a new contract at the London Stadium on Tuesday, one that keeps the 20-year-old tied down in claret and blue through to the summer of 2023, with the option to extend the terms by a further year.

The academy starlet has been with the Irons since the age of seven and is currently away on loan with League Two side Cambridge United, where the England U20 international is gaining valuable first-team experience as the U’s strive to secure the fourth-tier title.

He has so far only featured twice under Mark Bonner since his arrival at the Abbey Stadium on Deadline Day of the winter transfer window but has impressed West Ham coach Kevin Nolan, who closely worked with Alese before the loan transfer was finalised.

“It’s fantastic that Aji has become the latest young player to commit his future to the club,” Nolan said on Alese’s new contract. “He is one of a talented group we hope will go on to break through and establish himself in the first-team in the future.

“We did a lot of work with Aji on the training field last year when he came back from his loan spell at Accrington. He’s a great lad, with a very good attitude towards his development, and he took a lot on board, in terms of what we expect from him and the targets he needs to set himself.”

An impressive run in the Cambridge side as they fight for promotion into League One could be enough for Moyes to begin bedding Alese into the West Ham first-team upon his return, with the Hammers set to be boasting a somewhat different defensive unit next season.

AND in other news, West Ham face a £51.5m asking price to sign a dynamic star who grew up learning from Frank Lampard…