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Loads of Wolves fans have been left fuming as they conceded a penalty in their pre-season game against Coventry City.

As tweeted by The Athletic journalist Tim Spiers, a penalty was conceded against the EFL Championship club after Ki-Jana Hoever was ‘sucked into trouble’ and ended up bundling one of their players over.

Martyn Waghorn eventually beat John Ruddy from the spot and made the score 2-1, meaning that the Midlands club had to nervously hold on to victory.

Of course, no supporter wants to see their side conceding goals, but Hoever gifted Coventry the opportunity to score from the penalty spot quite cheaply, and those kind of errors are what Bruno Lage will want to cut out ahead of the new 2021/22 Premier League season.

Wolves fans on conceded penalty

These WWFC supporters were left fuming as the news of the penalty being conceded was shared by Spiers on his Twitter page, with one Wanderer even going as far as to claim that it was ‘typical’:

“This defence be conceding 4 goals a game in the Prem shambles”

Credit: @satsomboon

“Defence is a shambles, injury prone and liable. Worrying if its like this even in a friendly”

Credit: @DarrenJones86

“The eventual defensive error leading to a goal has happened not surprised”

Credit: @Alexwwfc_

“Defence is a shambles. Going to get spanked in the Prem”

Credit: @Ianph61

“Typical”

Credit: @Ianph61

“Hoever sucked into trouble…. very good”

Credit: @xawcx14

In other news, find out what pre-season footage has Wanderers buzzing here!

West Ham had hoped ‘to finish’ a deal for Red Bull Salzburg forward Patson Daka before the striker opted to join Leicester instead, according to journalist Ekrem Konur. 

The marksman caught the eye with a number of impressive performances for the Austrian club during the 2020/21 campaign as they won the domestic league title and competed in the Champions League group stage.

The 22-year-old Zambia international netted 34 goals in 42 appearances in total for Salzburg last term, and his strong performances hadn’t gone unnoticed heading into the summer transfer window.

West Ham were rumoured to be keen on reaching an agreement to land Daka’s signature as they soughtto add depth to their attacking options ahead of the 2021/22 season, but the player revealed that he has chosen to pursue a move to Leicester instead, which will come as a hugely frustrating update to the east Londoners.

The Irons finished sixth in the Premier League last term, just one place behind the Foxes, and will be eager to pick up where they left off when they take on Newcastle in their opening match of the 2021/22 season on 15 August.

Check out some of the best of the reaction from West Ham supporters to Konur’s update on Daka below…

“Wanted to hang around and see if we could pick him up on the cheap. Leicester pile in and get him.”

Credit: @WestHamRambles

“Sure he’d choose Leicester over West Ham ahahahaha we didn’t fancy it.”

Credit: @Westhamfan987

“Don’t blame him, Leicester much better run club and facilities.”

Credit: @Callumfitzer__

“So it wasn’t the board’s fault for once.”

Credit: @AmbitiousAnang

“There’s a reason why no one has snapped him up sooner and it’s probably because he’s not good enough!”

Credit: @ELTEL241

“Leicester are a bigger, more successful club than us, simple as that.”

Credit: @H4YDEN0503

“Because we are inept?”

Credit: @westhamhour

“He’s alright but I think Tammy Abraham is better.”

Credit: @geno474

In other news, plenty of West Ham fans reacted to this update on another Irons transfer target.

West Bromwich Albion have ‘held talks’ with Lincoln City boss Michael Appleton over their vacant managerial position, according to Birmingham Mail.

The Lowdown: Wilder talks have hit stumbling block

The Baggies have been in the hunt for a new manager since Sam Allardyce departed the West Midlands last month [BBC]. Following their relegation from the Premier League, Albion seemed all but certain to appoint Chris Wilder to lead their 2021/22 promotion bid.

However, West Brom have now seemingly decided against hiring the 53-year-old, with Football Insider reporting that talks between him and the club have ended. Raising concerns over the Yorkshireman’s suitability for the role at The Hawthorns, they have turned their attention to alternative contenders, as they look to secure promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt.

Could this pave the way for Appleton to seize the role?

The Latest: Talks have taken place between Appleton and West Brom

No stranger to the club, the 45-year-old has spent time in West Bromwich as a player and a coach, even taking interim charge of Albion in 2011 [Transfermarkt].

Having also previously being in command of the Baggies’ under-23 side before moving on to become Lincoln manager [BBC], he has emerged as a serious candidate for the role.

Appleton is believed to have ‘admirers’ amongst the West Brom hierarchy, whilst talks have been held between the Championship club and the Lincoln boss, according to Birmingham Mail journalist Joseph Chapman.

The Verdict: Appleton would be an intelligent Baggies appointment

All things considered, Appleton would be an intelligent appointment for West Brom who could reap long-term benefits for the club. Acquiring someone who is young in managerial terms whilst also an incredibly hard worker – as outlined by Danny Higginbotham [Lincolnshire Live] may be the correct tonic to revitalise the Baggies.

Needing some reconstruction after a gruelling top-flight campaign, the former Portsmouth manager could be the perfect candidate to revitalise a disjointed West Brom squad.

Deserving a shot at the hot-seat, the enormity of taking Lincoln City to within one game of Championship promotion should not be disregarded. Falling only at the final hurdle against Blackpool in the League One play-offs [BBC], he may feel he can get over the line with Albion in 2021/22 if he is given the opportunity by his former club.

In other news, the Baggies have also been linked with a managerial candidate with Champions League experience.

Pundit Kevin Campbell believes Newcastle United will win the race to sign Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer this summer, as reported by Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Newcastle’s interest; Ajer’s comments

The Magpies were first linked with a move for Ajer back in March, where they were thought to be preparing an £8m bid.

Reports at the end of May went as far as saying a transfer was close in a fee worth £6m, but as we know, there has been no confirmation as of yet from either club.

Ajer, who can play as a centre-back or as a right-back, confirmed last weekend he wanted to leave Parkhead this summer. He has just 12 months on his Hoops deal and would like to join a top-five league.

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The Latest: Campbell reacts

Campbell, who has appeared as a pundit on Sky Sports, was talking to Football Insider about Ajer and a possible move to Newcastle, to which he said:

“That is going to happen.

“The lure of Newcastle, who are a big club, is going to be a bit too strong I think. Ajer, like the majority of players out there, wants to play in the Premier League. It is a big draw.

“I am pretty sure that one is going to happen. From what I hear from people in the game, he has made his intentions quite clear.”

The Verdict: Should be of interest to Postecoglou

Campbell is clearly confident Ajer is heading to St James’ Park, and that should be of interest to new Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou.

The 55-year-old was announced as Neil Lennon’s successor on Thursday morning, and if Ajer departs for Newcastle, that will leave him with just Stephen Welsh as the only fit senior centre-back due to Christopher Jullien’s injury.

Postecoglou, who will assess targets during his 10-day isolation period, may well want to act fast in the transfer window when it comes to signings, and he may well need more than one central defender if Campbell’s claims come to fruition.

Going into the European qualifiers with just one fit senior centre-back would potentially be a disaster, so this is one deal Postecoglou will surely be keeping a very close eye on.

In other news: Postecoglou makes Celtic U-turn on key decision, find out more here. 

An update has emerged on Rangers transfer target John Lundstram regarding interest surrounding his services heading into next season.

What’s the talk?

According to The Sheffield Star, interest in the 27-year-old is expected to ramp up upon the expiry of his Sheffield United contract next week. The report claims that Rangers are one of the clubs interested in signing the midfielder, who has rejected the chance to stay at Bramall Lane following the Blades’ relegation to the Championship in England.

Last year, former Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder lauded Lundstram as being “exemplary” and praised the example he sets for players around him.

He told The Sheffield Star: “The way he has been in the changing room when he hasn’t played has been exemplary. And then he comes back in and plays like he has.

“I think that’s a fantastic example of how you should be as a professional footballer.”

He won’t cost a penny

Steven Gerrard must ensure that Rangers win the race for Lundstram’s signature once the interest around the midfielder starts to ramp up. The report suggests that there will be competition for his services, which is why Gerrard must act quickly to swoop for him in order to bolster Rangers’ squad ahead of next season. With his contract expiring, the Gers could pick up a bargain as they will not have to pay a penny in transfer fees for Lundstram and will only need to worry about his wages.

He is a proven player at Premier League and Championship level in England. In the second tier, he played for Yeovil, Blackpool and Sheffield United before finally getting his break at the top level with the Blades after promotion in 2019. He caught the eye with some excellent performances in the Premier League in the 2019/20 campaign, averaging an impressive WhoScored rating of 6.70, scoring five times and setting up three goals in 34 appearances.

This suggests that the £25,000-per-week beast has the pedigree and quality to come in at Ibrox and make an instant impact. Lundstram is at the perfect age to instantly improve Rangers’ team, with the 27-year-old in what should be the peak years of his career.

He is not an up-and-coming player who needs guidance and he is not an experienced veteran in the final years of his playing days, which means Gerrard could slot him straight into the team and expect him to perform.

Therefore, the manager should do everything he can to make sure that Lundstram is a Rangers player next season. His contract expires at the end of this month and the Gers need to be the first club he contacts. They must make an offer worth his time to convince him to make the move to Scotland.

AND in other news, Rangers must avoid major error over “non-stop” £33k-p/w beast, Gerrard would be fuming…

Celtic are thought to be interested in signing Barcelona youngster Mika Marmol, according to reports from Spain.

The Lowdown: Marmol profiled

Marmol appears to be a rising star for the Catalan giants. The 19-year-old, primarily a left-back, can also play as a central defender.

He has five caps for Spain at Under-20 level and was a regular for Barcelona’s B side in the 2020/21 campaign.

The teenager has a total of 27 appearances under his belt for Barcelona B, with 14 at left-back and 11 as a centre-back this season.

It seems Marmol, who has over two years left on his Barca deal, has caught the eye of the Hoops, but they aren’t the only side interested.

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The Latest: Hoops make approach

According to Mundo Deportivo, cited by the Daily Record, Celtic have made an approach for Marmol.

It is unclear if the Hoops have enquired over a loan or permanent deal, however, Spanish sides Getafe and newly-promoted Mallorca are also interested in Marmol’s services.

The Verdict: Down to recent Laxalt U-turn?

Marmol is highly thought of at the Nou Camp, so a possible deal for the defender could be a shrewd one by new CEO Dominic McKay.

In our opinion, Celtic may have looked at the youngster after making a U-turn regarding loanee Diego Laxalt.

The Hoops reportedly ‘abruptly changed their mind’ regarding a permanent deal for Laxalt at the end of the campaign.

Bringing in a young player like Marmol to rival Greg Taylor instead of signing Laxalt, who is on £57,000-a-week, could be smart.

Of course, there’s plenty of work to be done over any potential deal yet, but it’s good to see the Hoops taking a proactive approach when it comes to summer acquisitions.

In other news: Celtic win race for versatile teenager, find out more here. 

Crystal Palace are facing fresh competition over one of their mooted managerial targets, and it’s not great news for Steve Parish…

What’s the word?

According to an update from Italian outlet Calciomercato, several Ligue 1 teams are also keen on appointing Paulo Fonseca, with Olympique Lyonnais the most interested.

Only a few weeks ago, reports surfaced suggesting that the Eagles owner and CEO had already held talks with the 48-year-old over potentially succeeding Roy Hodgson at Selhurst Park.

The 73-year-old is out of contract this summer and no fresh announcement has been made over his future, whilst his brand of football has come under fire, especially with players like Wilfried Zaha and Eberechi Eze at his disposal.

Fonseca will leave the Serie A side at the end of the season, opening the door for Palace to strike if they so wish but now they face fierce competition.

Bad news for Parish

If Parish has indeed already spoken to the Portuguese manager, then this latest development will come as a gutting blow as it means the mid-table straddlers will have to compete with a team that are likely to be competing in Europe next season.

And whilst the chance to manage in the Premier League is an attractive prospect in its own right, the opportunity to display your talents in the Europa and Champions League may be much more tempting.

Fonseca has a very respectable record, too. At Roma, he has accrued a 52% win rate, yet the Italian club feel that Jose Mourinho is the man to take them onto the next level.

By comparison, Hodgson has won only 33% of his matches in charge of the Eagles.

One downside to hiring the former Shakhtar Donetsk boss would be the fact that he’s never managed in England before but having left a long coaching career in Portugal, where he transformed Pacos de Ferreira from relegation candidates to European contenders, for the obscurity of Ukraine, he should have no problem in adapting to new conditions.

However, Palace’s chances of now clinching him would appear to be a lot slimmer than they were several weeks ago, and that won’t please Parish whatsoever.

AND in other news, Next Crystal Palace boss in line for major Wilfried Zaha boost…

In the seemingly never-ending saga that is Newcastle United’s potential takeover, Rob Lee, who played during the Entertainers era on Tyneside, has exclusively told Football FanCast that there is too much noise around the deal for his liking.

In the latest twist of events, details of the Premier League requesting an extension to prepare their evidence for both legal cases that Mike Ashley has launched against them emerged, with just one being accepted and that is the one surrounding anti-competition.

Ashley thought he had struck gold when Amanda Staveley’s consortium, backed by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, agreed to take the club off his hands, only for them to pull the plug at the last minute.

Takeovers happen all the time in football and they are usually passed through quietly without many people knowing, which is the opposite of this potential deal, something Lee doesn’t like as he exclusively told FFC:

“I genuinely don’t know where this is all going but it looks like Ashley is just trying to get the fans to dislike somebody else rather than himself. He’s blaming the Premier League and seemingly everybody else apart from himself and as I’ve said before, there is way too much noise going on.

“These deals usually get done very quietly but we’re still hanging onto the fact that hopefully, something might happen.”

A deal was agreed for PCP Capital Partners to buy Newcastle over 12 months ago but as Steve Bruce heads into what will be his fifth transfer window as manager, Ashley still holds the keys to the club.

Recently, documents suggested that the arbitration case is set to begin in July, which could determine whether or not Ashley can sell the club to PCP Capital Partners or not.

Speaking in a Q&A for football.london, reliable correspondent Alasdair Gold has shared news on Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer plans and how they will fund summer swoops ahead of the 2021/2022 season.

The Lowdown: Big summer ahead…

Tottenham are arguably in need a big rebuild, with former boss Mauricio Pochettino explaining that fact over two years ago now.

Last summer, chairman Daniel Levy did more than most expected with the acquisition of seven players through the door.

Indeed, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Joe Hart, Matt Doherty, Sergio Reguilon, Gareth Bale, Carlos Vinicius and Joe Rodon all arrived in 2020, but two of them were on loan (Bale and Vinicius) and Spurs still missed out on a star centre-half.

Technical performance director Steve Hitchen flew to Italy in an attempt to strike a deal for Serie A colossus Milan Skriniar, but couldn’t reach an agreement on price (football.london).

Lilywhites supporters will be hoping they can bolster their backline this time and it is known they are keen on signing a ‘leader’ (football.london).

The Latest: Gold shares news on Spurs transfer plans

Speaking in a Q&A, when asked what kind of budget Tottenham will be working with and how they will be funding moves, Gold shared what he’s been told.

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Amid the coronavirus pandemic, club finances are stretched, meaning Spurs must first offload players who are surplus-to-requirements.

“Everything I’m told suggests it’s based on sales,” explained Gold when asked about the Tottenham transfer kitty.

“So many clubs have been stuffed financially by the pandemic. That could though have a knock-on effect in prices coming down across the board.”

The Verdict: Who should go…

Spurs have no shortage of candidates for the chopping block when it comes to player sales this summer.

As the Lilywhites need to bolster their funds for the 2021/2022 transfer window, which opens shortly, we believe Serge Aurier, Erik Lamela and Moussa Sissoko are certainly most suited for the exit door.

Aurier, despite a fine start to the season, tailed off and has just one year left on his current deal – he also recently dropped a big hint over his future.

His international compatriot, Sissoko, is 31-years-old and was used far more sporadically over 2020/2021 than in previous seasons (WhoScored) – with the midfielder also hinting he could be open to a move away.

Lamela, the longest serving member of Tottenham’s ‘magnificent seven’ brought in to fill the void left by Gareth Bale in 2013, should also leave.

Similar to Aurier, the Argentine has just one year left on his current deal and Spurs should take advantage of alleged Serie A interest in the player.

In other news: Spurs now eyeing this ‘amazing’ 103-goal striker, find out more here.

Noel Whelan has heaped praise on Fergal Harkin, who is reportedly closing in on a move to Celtic.

Football Insider were informed by a Hoops source in recent days that they are close to appointing the 44-year-old in a newly created director of football role. They are ‘committed’ to appointing the Irishman, who is currently Manchester City’s football partnerships manager, and are even willing to defy the wishes of managerial target Eddie Howe in the process.

Reports last month claimed that the Hoops were left impressed by the Irishman with his 11 years of experience built up at the Etihad Stadium, although Howe wants to bring Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes with him to Parkhead.

Whelan was speaking to Football Insider about the update on Harkin, with the 46-year-old believing it will be a ‘very good signing’ as he said.

“You can’t hold out for the decisions of a manager that might not or might want to sign for you.

“They’ve got spaces to fill and very important roles to fill there. This is the first time they’re going to have a football technical director and it’s got to be the right one.

“Somebody with experience, somebody that knows what he’s doing, someone that’s been in that position for a long time and you can’t look any further than Man City can you?

“I mean look at the experience that they brought into the club, look how they went out and found gems instead of just paying out thousands and thousands and millions of pounds on international players.

“He’s done the same thing with 23s as well don’t forget, finding players so he will know where to look and he’ll have the resources and he’ll have the contacts.

“So it looks like a very very good signing.”

Transfer Tavern take

Harkin and Peter Lawwell know each other very well, so their long-standing friendship may well have been crucial in regards to the pending deal. Harkin actually helped Lawwell’s son Mark join Manchester City eight years ago.

He also recommended Ronny Deila to the Hoops back in 2014 and is a ‘massive’ Celtic fan, so you’d expect him to have plenty of knowledge on the Glasgow giants, and it doesn’t seem surprising that Whelan feels he would be a good appointment at Parkhead.

His first role could well be helping the club to appoint a new first-team manager, and you’d expect him to work closely with incoming chief executive Dominic McKay.

In other news: Expert thinks Celtic manager hunt could step up over coming days due to one reason, find out more here.