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Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Burnley midfielder Robbie Brady on a free transfer ahead of the summer window.

What’s the story?

According to The Mirror’s John Cross, the 29-year-old is wanted by several clubs, with his contract at Turf Moor set to expire over the coming months.

The report claims that Watford, Southampton and Scottish giants Celtic are set to rival the Eagles for Brady’s signature.

Parish must avoid

Palace have been left in a state of limbo following the departure of Roy Hodgson, who brought a sense of stability to the south London outfit during his four-year stint at the club.

Although the former England boss did a commendable job with the Eagles, recording finishes of 11th, 12th, 14th and 14th, he’s arguably left the first team squad in a rather poor state.

With 14 players coming to the end of their current deals at Selhurst Park, Wilfried Zaha continuously being linked with a move away from his boyhood club and serious injuries to youngsters Eberechi Eze and Nathan Ferguson, the task facing Hodgson’s successor is a daunting one.

The Eagles had the oldest squad in the Premier League last season, and it’s a major issue which needs addressing in the transfer market over the summer by chairman Steve Parish.

Many of the Palace players set to become free agents are either in their 30s or fast approaching that landmark, and the arrivals of Eze (22) and Jean-Philippe Mateta (23) appeared to indicate that Parish was beginning to address that particular issue.

However, bringing in Brady would completely go against that philosophy. Although the Republic of Ireland international is a useful asset to have for a mid-table top-flight team, his injury issues and age (29) make him an inappropriate target for Palace at this moment in time.

In five seasons at Burnley, the versatile winger never made more than 19 league appearances in a single campaign for Sean Dyche’s men.

With left-back Patrick van Aanholt set to depart Palace and winger Andros Townsend potentially following suit, the arrival of Brady as their potential replacement would make little sense, and Parish must avoid the temptation to find a quick, short-term solution to Palace’s extensive issues.

In other news… Parish heading for huge transfer mistake over £7.2m-rated dynamo, Palace need him

According to a report by Football Insider, West Ham United, and by extension GSB, are lining up a bid to sign West Bromwich Albion ace Sam Johnstone this summer – and it is believed he is ‘very keen’ to join the club.

The Lowdown: Johnstone and West Ham…

Links to the England shot stopper are nothing new with David Moyes’ men keeping tabs on his exploits for quite a while now.

Indeed, previous reports even claimed that West Ham are above other competitors in the race for his signature as the Irons search for an eventual heir to current mainstay Lukasz Fabianski.

The Latest: GSB lining up bid…

It is now claimed by Football Insider that GSB and West Ham United are lining up a bid to sign the player this summer and he is a firm target for the club.

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As well as this, Johnstone has apparently told friends he is ‘very keen’ on a move to east London and has privately made it clear he wants an instant return to the Premier League.

He was relegated with current club West Brom last season but reports claim the Baggies will still demand a lofty price tag.

The Sun stated recently that they have slapped a £20m price tag on Johnstone despite their Championship status.

The Verdict: Do it West Ham…

Even though his mooted fee could be lofty given these uncertain financial times, the price tag could yet be negotiated depending on developments and the notion of West Ham lining up a bid is exciting.

Johnstone was arguably one of the shining lights for WBA last season, starting 37 Premier League matches and only missing one match all campaign (WhoScored).

He kept six clean sheets in that time and even bagged an assist during West Brom’s surprising 5-2 victory at Stamford Bridge (Transfermarkt) – with pundit Kevin Phillips lauding him as their ‘outstanding player’ of the campaign (West Brom News).

At 28-years-old with plenty of years ahead between the sticks, he could be a brilliant option for the Hammers this summer.

In other news: West Ham fans horrified by club announcement, find out more here.

West Ham United are reportedly facing even more competition for one of their top transfer targets ahead of the summer transfer window…

What’s the word?

Back in April, the ever-reliable Irons insider ExWHUemployee told fans that David Moyes’ first-choice striker target was Tammy Abraham, who is thought to be free to leave Chelsea for around £40m.

And now the Hammers are facing a likely transfer tussle over his signature, especially with the Scot supposedly unwilling to pay such a high fee for a homegrown and proven Premier League talent.

According to the Sunday World, top-flight rivals Crystal Palace are the latest side to be linked to the 23-year-old forward and despite not having a manager in the dugout, there is ‘strong interest’ from their side.

Leicester City, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers have also been linked to Abraham in recent months.

Big setback

This will come as devastating news to Moyes, especially if the Chelsea outcast is indeed his no.1 candidate.

It’s no secret that the East London outfit are desperate for additions to their frontline. After the departure of club-record flop Sebastian Haller in January, the 58-year-old was left with only one striker, an injury-prone Michail Antonio.

He has not started in more than 24 games in any Premier League season, leaving Moyes in a sticky spot whenever he’s injured. At times, the likes of Manchester United loan sensation Jesse Lingard and Jarrod Bowen had to be deployed as makeshift centre-forwards.

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The need for a new talisman has since ramped up, with the Irons qualifying to compete in the Europa League next season. Even the addition of one man may not be enough to keep them competitive in what could be a 50-plus game season.

Abraham is certainly an interesting candidate, given he finished the season amongst Chelsea’s top goalscorers (six) despite rarely featuring under Thomas Tuchel.

In all competitions this season, the six-time England international – who is not on the plane to the Euros – has found the next 12 times, taking his total tally for the Blues to 30 in 82 appearances, via Transfermarkt.

His attitude on the training ground earned praise from club legend John Terry, who coached him during a loan spell at Villa in the Championship. He told the club’s official website that the striker was “incredible” and also added:

“His passion is infectious. We all want results and performances, but supporters want you to work your socks off for the football club. Tammy has that and that’s what you want in the whole group. It breeds a winning mentality and makes you relentless.”

The fact that there is yet another side in the running for him will come as a massive blow to the Irons, especially it could leave Moyes rueing his stubbornness over the fee.

They simply cannot afford to risk going into next season with just Antonio. That would be disastrous.

AND in other news, Moyes must brutally axe £75k-p/w West Ham flop this summer, he’s been “too anonymous”…

Crystal Palace are rumoured to have made a move for Torino midfielder Saša Lukić, who is also a Tottenham Hotspur target, as reported by Spurs Web [via Gianluca di Marzio].

The Lowdown: Another solid season for Lukić in Italy

Enjoying another accomplished season in Serie A at Torino, the Serbia international has made 32 appearances for the Turin-based club, registering three goals and one assist [Transfermarkt].

Also making 18 appearances for his country [Transfermarkt], the 24-year-old has an insatiable appetite to initiate build up play through intricate midfield passes.

Illustrated by his passing accuracy across the 2020/21 season of 81% [WhoScored] for a team who finished 17th in Serie A, it is easy to see why clubs would be interested in his services. That figure would put him joint-seventh among Palace’s squad and above one Wilfried Zaha, whose passing accuracy for the season came in at 78.3% [WhoScored].

Initially courted by Spurs back in March [The Sun], it now seems that Crystal Palace may be in pole position for his signature.

The Latest: Crystal Palace rivalling Spurs for the Serbian international, Spartak Moscow also keen

Looking to rebuild after the departure of Roy Hodgson, Palace are set to bid for Lukić, who is quoted as being potentially available for £8.5m this summer [Spurs Web].

Throwing the cat even further amongst the pigeons, Di Marzio claimed that Selhurst Park could be of Lukić’s likely destinations this transfer window. Spartak Moscow have also been credited with an interest in the former Levante man [Gianluca di Marzio].

The Verdict: Lukić would be a fantastic start to the Palace rebuild

Acquiring the Torino midfielder would appear to be a huge coup for the south Londoners if they can beat their capital rivals to his signature. In need of quality additions as they look towards 2021/22, Lukić could be a Premier League mainstay for years to come.

Beating off interest from Tottenham may also sweeten any prospective arrival. As they start to replenish an ageing squad, the deep-lying enforcer could generate much excitement if he were to make the move to SE25.

In other news, these Crystal Palace fans react to the club’s 2020/21 released list.

More often than not Leicester City get their recruitment spot on, but someone who potentially doesn’t fit their mould when looking for players is Philippe Coutinho. However, former Foxes defender Steve Howey believes that he would be great for them.

Coutinho got his big-money move to Barcelona, however, with the Catalan club ins serious debt they are looking to offload some of their fringe players who are earning big money – and Coutinho is certainly one of them given he earns just over £400,000-a-week, according to Salary Sport.

The Foxes have been linked with a move for the Brazillian star who is still only 28-years old-and if available at the reported £35 million, then Brendan Rodgers may feel like a reunion with one of his former Liverpool stars is a feasible option.

Leicester have a squad of players willing to work hard and are flexible in the positions that they can play in, something that doesn’t seem to fit Coutinho, but Howey still think he would be a great player if others around him can accommodate his ability, as he told Football FanCast:

“If you’ve got willing runners around him like Harvey Barnes, Ayoze Perez and possibly Edouard then I think he could be a very good signing for them.”

After missing out on the Champions League for a second successive season Rodgers will potentially want to add some unearthed gems as well as some more experience at the top level in both England and Europe.

Leicester certainly have a natural pull about them given how great their facilities are, they have money to spend and are a club that have a clear vision of how they want to progress and all those things are what players will want to be part of in their development.

Writing on Twitter, relaying information from colleague David Ornstein, The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke has shared ‘another dramatic twist’ in the Tottenham Hotspur managerial saga.

The Lowdown: Spurs manager hunt continues, still…

It’s been two months since Tottenham sacked Jose Mourinho as head coach in late April, and many can be forgiven for thinking the Lilywhites would have their new man by now.

Julian Nagelsmann and Brendan Rodgers were thought to be top contenders for the role early on, but after those moves became unlikely, Spurs turned their attention to other names.

Thereafter, the club very publicly entered talks with both Mauricio Pochettino and Antonio Conte, but those negotiations also eventually failed.

More recently, Spurs have turned to Italy in chases for experienced Serie A bosses and at one point looked very likely to appoint former Roma boss Paulo Fonseca as Mourinho’s heir.

Alas, that also didn’t materialise, with Pitt-Brooke now relaying another twist in the Spurs manager chase.

The Latest: Pitt-Brooke relays Spurs manager twist…

Tottenham turned their attention to ex-AC Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso as another candidate out of Italy.

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However, as backed by Pitt-Brooke and Ornstein, Spurs have pulled out of those discussions as well.

Sharing a piece in The Athletic by his colleague, which detailed Spurs’ decision to halt talks with the Italian, Pitt-Brooke explained on social media: “Here we go again! Tottenham pulled out of Gattuso move last night. Another dramatic twist in the head coach search saga.”

As written by Ornstein in the piece, conversations took place between Spurs and the 43-year-old, but he will not be getting the job.

There was huge backlash from Spurs supporters with ‘#NoToGattuso’ even trending on Twitter in the United Kingdom at one point.

Those fans also shared alleged comments once made by Gattuso in regards to women in football, same-sex marriage and racism.

The Verdict: Dodged a bullet…

We believe that Spurs pulling out of talks with Gattuso should come as a sigh of relief to many supporters.

As a player, the once tenacious midfielder was revered in Italy and a member of their 2006 World Cup-winning squad, but it’s safe to say he hasn’t replicated those heroics as a coach.

Despite winning the Coppa Italia with Napoli in 2019/2020, his only trophy to date, Gattuso’s managerial experience is limited to that and two brief seasons at Milan – where he couldn’t win anything.

His fiery nature and the fact he left the post at Fiorentina after just 23 days over a disagreement on transfer strategy point towards a match made in hell for Daniel Levy.

In other news: ‘Now all parties confident’…Fabrizio Romano makes exciting Tottenham claim, find out more here.

Lots of Everton fans have been buzzing as a transfer update emerged on Jonjoe Kenny.

As per the Daily Mail, Arsenal have discussed a potential move to bring the right-back to the Emirates Stadium in the summer transfer window.

Kenny is a player on the fringes at Goodison Park, having only made eight appearances across all competitions for Everton in the 2020/21 season before being shipped out on loan to Celtic (failed to impress many supporters.

The fact that he is English, and at a good age at 24, means that the Toffees have an opportunity to sell him for a decent sum of money, especially if Mikel Arteta’s team come knocking at the door, and so it is not a surprise to see so many Blues happy with the potential transfer.

Everton fans on Kenny transfer update

These Everton supporters were buzzing as the transfer update on Kenny was shared on Twitter, with one even saying that they should do a ‘car share with Iwobi’ in reference to the Nigerian forward, who scored just twice in 36 appearances for the Toffees last season:

“Hopefully car share with Iwobi”

Credit: @Greedygreeny1

“Sold!”

Credit: @peterabbit68

“I’d drive him there myself”

Credit: @Ironman_Ste

“Bye”

Credit: @Kreeder85

“Throw in Iwobi for free”

Credit: @Everton4eva

“Take Iwobi too”

Credit: @TheDogsofWar1

In other news, Everton are in the frame to sign this ace previously compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe!

West Ham have reportedly made a £10.3m offer for Fenerbahçe centre-back Attila Szalai which has been swiftly rejected [Enson Haber].

The Lowdown: West Ham get ready for the 2021/22 season

As they get their ducks in a row ahead of pre-season, the Hammers will be desperate to acquire quality additions as they get ready to embark on their 2021/22 Europa League adventure.

David Moyes has made one acquisition since the curtain fell on 2020/21, bringing in Craig Dawson permanently from Watford owing to his excellent last few months for the Irons [whufc.com].

Could they now be set to become embroiled in a summer transfer saga following recent developments?

The Latest: Hammers see £10.3m bid rebuffed for Szalai’s services

West Ham have seen a £10.3m bid swiftly rebuffed for Hungary international Szalai [Enson Haber via Hammers News].

Disappointingly for the Irons, his current employers are said to value the 23-year-old at around £17.2m, meaning the east Londoners would have to dig deep in order to secure their target.

Understandably, the 1.92m (6 foot 4) colossus may be brought in to consolidate the depth in central defence, which has been lacking in recent months due to the injury-prone tendencies of Italian defender Angelo Ogbonna [West Ham Zone].

The Verdict: West Ham should stump up the funds

Seeing their proposition rejected by Fenerbahçe will come as a frustrating blow to the London Stadium hierarchy.

Szalari is very capable of posing an attacking threat and the towering figure enjoyed a dominant 2020/21 season for both former club Apollon Limassol and his current side. Making 41 appearances last season between the two clubs, he registered an astonishing nine goal contributions, with six goals and three assists [Transfermarkt].

He has also featured 16 times for his native Hungary [Transfermarkt], impressing at Euro 2020 as he completed 17 ball recoveries across their three group games [UEFA].

Once labelled ‘amazing’ by Hungarian football journalist Gergely Marosi [New Straits Times], West Ham should really look to stump up the asking price in order to capture the talented centre-back.

Due to Fenerbahçe failing to obtain Champions League qualification, this may be possible to carry out so long as the Irons are willing to come closer to the Istanbul club’s valuation for the player.

In other news, many West Ham United fans flock to news of a recent signing.

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith is eyeing a summer swoop for Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that the Premier League side are keen on Romeu’s Saints teammate, James Ward-Prowse, but it appears Smith also has his sights set on the Spaniard too.

According to The Telegraph, Villa have identified the holding midfield area as something they need to strengthen this summer, and that Romeu now figures on their target list.

The report adds that Southampton are reluctant to make a sale, so that deal could be difficult to do.

Dean Smith needs him

With Marvelous Nakamba, John McGinn and Douglas Luiz the central midfield options that Smith really relied upon last season, Villa could really do with someone who can be the ‘destroyer’, breaking things up before playing the simple passes.

And in Romeu, they could get exactly that.

As per Whoscored, the 29-year-old averaged a mammoth 3.3 tackles per game in the Premier League last season, which actually ranked him third in the entire division, with only Leicester’s Wilfried Ndidi and Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell making more.

Romeu also averaged an impressive 1.4 interceptions too, so clearly has the ability to read the game rather than being someone who just lunges in for challenges to try and win the ball back – Nakamba is the closest Villa player to the Spaniard, managing just 1.7 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per match.

And it’s safe to say his manager at Southampton, Ralph Hasenhuttl, has been suitably impressed.

He said: “I have never seen a professional like him before in my entire managing career. He’s one of the most professional guys I’ve ever seen.

“When you see him as a professional, how he reacts when he’s not first choice, it’s unbelievable. He’s always the first on the pitch, always hard working. I think for this, they love him here.”

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The £8.5m-rated beast’s defensive tenacity would add something that Villa’s midfield currently lacks.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece reveals Villa’s plans for Jacob Ramsey…

Crystal Palace are interested in a deal to bring Noni Madueke to Selhurst Park this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claimed that the Eagles, as well as Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund, are keeping a very close eye on the situation of the PSV Eindhoven winger ahead of a potential move in the summer transfer window.

It is reported that, despite previously demanding a fee of around £25m to part with the 19-year-old this summer, the Eredivisie side have now lowered their asking price to £20m, potentially opening the door for a Crystal Palace swoop.

Vieira must move

Considering just how impressive Madueke was for PSV last season, it is unsurprising to learn of Palace’s interest in a move for the England under-21 international this summer.

Indeed, over his 24 Eredivisie appearances for Roger Schmidt’s side last term, only seven of which came as starts, the £14.4m-rated man scored seven goals, registered four assists and created four big chances for his teammates, as well as taking 1.3 shots and making 0.8 key passes per game.

These returns saw the man who Aidy Boothroyd compared to Phil Foden earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.05, ranking him as PSV’s 11th-best performer in the top flight of Dutch football, helping his side secure a runners-up finish in the league.

With impending new Eagles manager Patrick Vieira currently not having an out-and-out option at right wing in his Palace squad, the position would appear to be one in which the Frenchman must look to strengthen in the summer transfer window once his employment at the club is finalised.

As such, Madueke would appear to be a fantastic option for the Eagles, with the 19-year-old not only seeming to have the potential to develop into a real star in the future but also being a player who appears more than capable of having an impact within the Palace first team immediately, judging by his form in the 2020/21 Eredivisie. Therefore, Vieria must do everything he can to convince the winger of a move to Selhurst Park this summer.

In other news: Vieira could land Palace perfect McCarthy replacement in “massive” £13.5m-rated dynamo