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Wolves are reportedly eyeing a move for Joao Palhinha in the summer transfer window, and Ruben Vinagre may be used as part of a deal.

The Lowdown: Vinagre not needed

Vinagre is clearly surplus to requirements at the Midlands club, given that he was shipped out on loan to two different teams in the 2020/21 season.

At just 22 years of age, the left-back still holds some market value, and so the Molineux faithful may be able to use this to their advantage.

The Latest: Palhinha priority

As per A Bola (via Sport Witness), Palhinha is reportedly a ‘priority target’ for the Wanderers, but his price may be a problem, as Sporting Lisbon want €30m (£25.8m) to prize him away.

However, Vinagre could be used as part of a deal to sign Palhinha, as Sporting are interested in his signature, but WWFC will face competition from Napoli for Palhinha.

The Verdict: Sign him

Bruno Lage will need all the help that he can get in his first season with Wolves and in the Premier League in general, and Palhinha would certainly be a welcome addition to his squad.

He was such a key man in his team’s domestic title win, winning no fewer than 9.1 duels per game, while also averaging a whopping 3.3 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 1.2 clearances a match (Sofascore).

At 25 years of age, Palhinha has not entered his peak yet either, and by adding Vinagre as part of a potential deal, it could turn out to be a real bargain for a truly destructive player to sit just in front of the defence.

In other news, find out what transfer update has left Wanderers buzzing here!

Nottingham Forest will look to continue their sprint towards Premier League promotion tonight, but will face a tough test against Champions-elect Fulham at Craven Cottage.

A victory would effectively cement Forest’s spot in the play-off places, though Cooper will be looking for a win in case of the possibility that they could pip both Bournemouth and Huddersfield to the second-place automatic promotion spot.

Including tonight’s fixture, Forest have four games to play with one of those ties against Bournemouth – their rivals for automatic promotion. A win today is a must for Steve Cooper’s side.

In terms of injury news, Max Lowe is still out with a groin issue, and Steve Cook is also unlikely to start after just coming back from an ankle injury. Fulham will not roll over though and still have the title to play for, despite already sealing their ticket back to the Premier League.

Keinan Davis is another who is ruled out due to a hamstring injury sustained against Luton Town two games ago.

Lewis Grabban is also unlikely to feature after hobbling off after a 15-minute cameo appearance against Peterborough.

With that update, here is how we at Football FanCast expect Nottingham Forest to line up against Fulham tonight.

In what would be a real statement of intent, our predicted line-up sees Surridge retain his starting spot through Grabban’s injury, meaning that there is just one change, with £1.8m-rated Tobias Figueiredo axed for Joe Lolley, due to the 4-2-3-1 system switch.

With his attacking prowess – he has 26 goals for Forest in total – and Lyle Taylor’s praise, dubbing him a “wriggly worm”, he could cause the Cottagers all sorts of problems this evening.

Cooper’s side have stuck with the 3-4-1-2 system for the last six games which has seen them score thirteen goals and concede just two during that run. And although the saying “don’t fix what isn’t broken” rings true in most cases, it failed to work for them last time out against Fulham who ran out 4-0 winners.

The 4-2-3-1 system has notably been used in big games by Cooper. In the game against Fulham before the 4-0 thrashing, they used the 4-2-3-1 system and narrowly lost 1-0.

This system was also used against Liverpool, who also found it tough against Forest.

A change to a hardy 4-2-3-1 could pay dividends for Cooper and provide an element of shock for Marco Silva.

In other news: Sold after 1 appearance: Nottingham Forest had a disaster over 23 y/o “top talent”…

If there is one thing that’s for certain about Everton Football Club right now, it’s that they’re an attractive team to play for.

Carlo Ancelotti has added an extra lure to the Toffees and in the last fortnight alone, they’ve been linked with moves for high profile players like Philippe Coutinho and Sergio Aguero.

What’s the word?

The onslaught of eye-catching transfer rumours doesn’t stop at those two superstars.

Also on Everton’s radar this summer is Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale. The Welshman is currently on loan at Tottenham but is due to head back to Spain this summer.

Reports from the continent suggest that Ancelotti has asked Madrid for Bale, a player he always loved when he was head coach at the Bernabeu. As a result, he now wants to bring him to Goodison Park in the summer.

Bale is currently on a mighty salary of £600k-per-week at Real but Tottenham are only paying £250k-per-week of it while he sees out his loan spell in north London.

A deal, therefore, would be a pricey one to conclude.

Imagine him and James

Bale may now be in his 30s but this would be a mesmeric addition from the Everton hierarchy.

The Wales international has proven as recently as the last two weeks that he still has what it takes at Premier League level, knocking three goals past Sheffield United and also finding the net against Southampton.

This has not been the easiest of campaigns for the attacker but his numbers are still phenomenal, scoring on 14 occasions in 30 outings.

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A four times Champions League winner, it was alongside Ancelotti and James Rodriguez that Bale found his best form at Real Madrid.

He played 92 times under the Italian manager, finding the net on 39 occasions and registering a further 31 assists. On that evidence, it’s hardly a surprise to hear the Everton boss wants to work with him again.

Though, just imagine what he could do when reunited with James. The Colombian has had his fitness issues this campaign but his creativity and vision is second to very few in the division.

Place James in behind the striker, unleash Bale on the wing and you have the potential for a dream combination.

The duo played together on 64 occasions for Madrid during 2014-2020 with both having a significant hand in Champions League triumphs.

Neither are at their peak anymore but it’s a partnership worth drooling over. They were two significant players for Ancelotti at Madrid and to renew the spark could create a feeling of magic at Goodison Park.

After all, commenting a number of years ago, the 61-year-old called Bale “our [Madrid’s] most dangerous player.”

It would not be a surprise if the manager was turning to that phrase again if he came to Everton.

AND in other news, Forget Koulibaly: Everton must swoop for “dominant” 6ft3 beast, he’s got “everything”…

Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge reckons that Tottenham would sell Tanguy Ndombele for £50m this summer.

The Frenchman arrived in north London for a club-record fee with a huge weight of expectation on his shoulders following his ravishing form for Lyon, notably against Manchester City in the Champions League.

However, Ndombele hasn’t been able to replicate that form, with his two-years in north London overshadowed by some lacklustre performances and constant injury problems.

The 24-year-old appeared to put his injuries aside last season, turning out 46 times across all competitions.

Ndombele didn’t do enough to earn a place in France’s Euro 2020 squad, though, which meant he was amongst the first crop of players to return to Hotspur Way for the start of pre-season.

But the midfielder didn’t play a single minute in any of Tottenham’s opening three pre-season games, which has once more raised concerns over previous fitness problems he endured under Jose Mourinho.

Asked whether Spurs would consider cashing in on him, Bridge told Football FanCast: “I think they would. £50m can go a long way now. He could prove everyone wrong and turn up next season.

“No one from Spain is going to have the money, though, it’s difficult now, but we can’t sell all of these players we want to get rid of, some are going to have to stay.”

Plenty of Aston Villa fans were left disappointed after defender Ezri Konsa was left out of Gareth Southgate’s provisional England squad for this summer’s European Championships.

Southgate named Tyrone Mings, Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins in his 33-man squad, with no room for Konsa or Matt Targett.

That squad will have to be trimmed down to 26 players over the coming days, but plenty of Villa supporters were baffled at Konsa not making the initial 33.

He missed just two Premier League games all season and was key in a Villa defence that kept 15 clean sheets during the 2020/21 campaign.

Konsa, who can also represent Portugal, has turned out for the Three Lions at Under-21 level, but a maiden senior call up will, unfortunately, have to wait.

Villa fans react

Villa shared the news on Mings, Grealish and Watkins on their official Twitter page on Tuesday afternoon.

However, these supporters wanted to talk about Konsa’s exclusion, with one describing the decision to overlook him as ‘terrible’.

“Disgusting that Konsa hasn’t gone”Credit: @Harry34740948″How Konsa hasn’t been named is a travesty. He’s our best defender and a Rolls Royce of a player. He only called up Jack after major pressure from fans/pundits and squad injuries. No doubt he’ll bin off Ollie too later for his favourites.”Credit: @Scott84764090″Konsa robbed”Credit: @joshkentx”How konsa hasn’t gone is terrible”Credit: @harry79050597″justice for konsa I say”Credit: @catrinedwards18″Feel for Konsa. Deserves a chance.”Credit: @JayVtid

In other news: Many AVFC fans buzz at Emiliano Buendia latest, find out more here. 

An update has emerged on Valencia winger Goncalo Guedes, regarding Jorge Mendes’ efforts to send him to Tottenham.

What’s the talk?

According to Deporte Valenciano, super-agent Jorge Mendes is working hard to facilitate a deal to take Goncalo Guedes to Tottenham this summer. The report claims that the Portuguese agent has offered Guedes to his compatriot Nuno Santo and is trying to get a move over the line.

Guedes still has two years left to run on his current deal with Valencia and the report does not state how much the La Liga club would like for their winger.

Fans will love him

Fabio Paratici must act on this potential opportunity and work with Mendes to bring Guedes to North London this summer. The attacker could be an excellent addition to Santo’s squad and h’es a player that the fans would love watching. He is an exciting, direct, winger who could get supporters off their feet by committing defenders and creating chances, both for himself and for his teammates.

Former PSG director Patrick Kluivert heaped praise on the forward upon his arrival in Paris in 2017. He claimed that Guedes was one of the best talents in Portugal and stated that “fans will love” his style of play.

He told ESPN:

“I think he is one of the greatest Portuguese talents at present.

“The club has a long and loving history with this country and I am sure the fans will love his style of play. His arrival makes things interesting for us because he is extremely versatile.”

Guedes averaged 2.1 dribbles completed and 1.1 chances created per game in La Liga last season for Valencia, which illustrates Kluivert’s point about his style of play. He likes to take players on and that way of going about his business could lend itself to him being loved by fans, as it an exciting way to play the game.

Portuguese legend Luis Figo once lauded the beast and highlighted his unpredictability as one of his biggest strengths. 

He told Foot Mercato, as transcribed by Tribal Football:

“Guedes is a fast, irreverent and unpredictable player, who himself builds actions for his teammates and is also able to finish well.”

The 24-year-old could be an excellent addition to Tottenham’s squad and he’s a player that fans would love to watch in the Premier League next season.

Paratici must take Mendes up on his offer and bring Guedes to the club, as long as the finances are in line with what the club are hoping to spend this summer.

AND in other news, Tottenham must sanction swoop for “devastating” £74k-p/w powerhouse, Nuno needs him…

Former Glasgow Rangers chairman Dave King is unhappy with the behaviour of certain Gers fans towards supporters group Club 1872.

The Lowdown: Allegations directed

Club 1872 has been given the chance to purchase King’s shares, and they have three years to do so (Sky Sports). The supporters group wants to give 20,000 fans the chance to buy a share.

However, the group is now facing a vote of no confidence, and they have been accused of a lack of corporate governance.

The Latest: King unhappy

Speaking to The Scottish Sun, King has shared his frustration with those supporters who have spoken out against Club 1872. He said:

“The supporters need to be able to talk with one voice at times when the club needs to be challenged. 

“Club 1872 has done this effectively for many years and I am concerned that the club’s recent success has created short memories. 

“I am starting to see the emergence of the type of back-biting by supporters against each other that was so typical and so damaging to the club during the David Murray era.

“I truly hope that the supporter unity that was essential to regime change – and hence our recent success – does not get degraded merely because a few embittered supporters resort to social media as a megaphone to trumpet unfair allegations. 

“That is a disservice to all the loyal supporters that supported me at regime change and thereafter.

“Individual share ownership has never been an effective source of supporter influence. 

“Club 1872 is the only viable option to achieve that.”

The Verdict: Trying to do the right thing

The Gers supporters have been given a fantastic opportunity to have a say and a voice in their club – this is something of which many fans at clubs around the world can only dream. Why some supporters now seem angry with Club 1872 is perplexing – surely they should be happy with what the group has managed to achieve.

Raising the £13.3m needed to purchase King’s shares will be a hard task, but the only way they will achieve it is if the supporters stick together. As King himself says, infighting between Gers fans will not do anyone any good.

In other news, Rangers have this worrying funding gap to fill.

The Athletic journalist Phil Hay has praised match-winner Rodrigo’s improved performance in Leeds United’s vital 2-1 win away to Norwich City.

The Lowdown: Massive win for Leeds

The Whites faced a huge game at the bottom end of the Premier League on Sunday, but they prevailed to secure a much-needed three points.

It wasn’t a classic at Carrow Road, but goals from Raphinha and Rodrigo helped Marcelo Bielsa’s side to climb out of the relegation zone.

After the late draw at home to Wolves and now a crucial away win, the hope is that Leeds may slowly be turning a corner after a poor start to the season.

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The Latest: Hay praises Rodrigo

It was Rodrigo who fired home the winner on Sunday, finding the net from distance as he bagged his second league goal of the campaign. His ball distribution was also on point, completing 24 of his 28 passes, while he also won five duels and had three shots in total (SofaScore).

Taking to Twitter after the game, Hay spoke positively about the Spaniard with the seven-word verdict of: “Rodrigo got better as that went on.”

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The Verdict: Still need more from Rodrigo

It was a key contribution from Rodrigo, who now has two goals in as many league outings, but there is still a feeling that more is required from him, having been described as a ‘huge’ player by Hay in the past.

The 30-year-old is the club’s record signing but is yet to perform like it overall, with two goals in 12 appearances still a disappointing return so far this season.

With Patrick Bamford out injured, it is vital that Rodrigo continues to steps up to the plate in the coming weeks, justifying his price tag in the process. More performances like yesterday’s should help.

In other news, three Leeds players struggled despite the eventual win over Norwich. Find out who they are here.

Fresh from leading West Ham United into an unlikely spot in the Europa League, a year on from staring relegation in the face, manager David Moyes has a tricky task on his hands to repeat such a feat.

The 58-year-old has often been a mark of consistency in the Premier League, regularly recording top-eight finishes during his time at Everton, but this season looks tougher than ever.

A lot of teams around them, including the likes of Spurs and Arsenal who finished lower in the table, have strengthened their playing squad considerably, whilst the Irons have only made the one senior addition, a back-up loan goalkeeper in Alphonse Areola.

The likes of Declan Rice, Michail Antonio, Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek will need to step up and perform at a similar output to last term, especially in the absence of Jesse Lingard, who arguably changed the Hammers’ fortunes for the better.

After joining on loan in January, the Manchester United outcast provided nine goals and five assists to end the year as their second-highest rated player, as per WhoScored, which only emphasises just how crucial he was to Moyes and their impressive sixth-place finish.

He seems rather unlikely to return to the London Stadium and that’s a big blow. It means that other players will have to step up – perhaps it’s Said Benrahma’s time to shine?

The nine-cap Algerian winger, signed in a £30m deal from Brentford, didn’t have the best debut campaign in the big time, registering only one goal and six assists but that’s warranted. It’s the first time he’s competed at such a level. And he only started 14 times in the Premier League.

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If Moyes needs someone to provide that extra spark in midfield, then Benrahma must step forward. He could turn out to be the Hammers’ perfect Lingard replacement.

The 26-year-old has looked electric throughout pre-season, having scored against Celtic and Brentford, and provided two assists against Atalanta. He appears to be playing with a lot more confidence and his creativity could be utilised through the middle, to get the best out of him.

At the Bees, where he was described as someone who “could nutmeg a mermaid”, he delivered a direct goal contribution every 119.5 minutes, as per Transfermarkt, so it’s on Moyes to get that back out of him.

Also dubbed a “true magician” by former OGC Nice teammate Lorenzo Vinci, Benrahma can provide Moyes and West Ham with excitement by plugging the void left behind by Lingard.

The squad undoubtedly needs more additions to put up a fight across all competitions but the £18m-rated dynamo is someone who could be in line for a massive boost heading into the new campaign.

Moyes must look to unleash Benrahma in a free role in the absence of their former loan sensation.

AND in other news, Moyes risks West Ham transfer nightmare with a swoop for “ungrateful” £105k-p/w flop…

Rangers extended their unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions as they beat St Johnstone in a tense match on Saturday.

Steven Gerrard’s side went 1-0 down just after half-time as Filip Helander was caught out from a long ball and Michael O’Halloran made the most of it to fire the ball into the back of the net.

A cooly dispatched penalty, won by Ryan Kent, from Kemar Roofe soon saw Rangers level the scores. Captain James Tavernier, returning to the side, then secured the three points with a stunning effort from distance in the 79th minute.

Despite Kent, Tavernier and Roofe being heavily involved in the goals, another player stole the show with his performance – Glen Kamara.

The Finland international produced an excellent display in the middle of the pitch as he helped to keep Rangers on the front foot throughout the match. He was able to win possession back and dictate play in the engine room, allowing the Gers to control the ball and ultimately turn that 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win.

Defensively, Kamara was excellent. Per SofaScore, he won an impressive 82% of his duels on the pitch as he came out on top in five of his six ground battles and won three of his four aerial contests. He also made two clearances, one tackle and an interception.

This shows that he was active in winning the ball back for his side and competing in physical battles against the St Johnstone midfield. By winning the vast majority of his duels, he kept Rangers in possession and that allowed Gerrard’s side to dominate the ball and continually create the chances needed to get back into the game.

Offensively and in transition, Kamara also excelled. Per SofaScore, he had 73 touches of the ball in midfield – more than Steven Davis and Joe Aribo – whilst completing 85% of his passes and both of his attempted dribbles – also being fouled twice.

These statistics highlight his control of the match in possession. He was running the show in midfield by dictating the play and allowing the likes of Tavernier, Kent and Roofe to then work their magic in the final third.

Gerrard will surely be delighted with the 25-year-old’s display and will be hoping that he can keep it going for the rest of the campaign.

AND in other news, Gerrard must seal Rangers deal for “instrumental” maestro, he won’t cost a penny…