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Carlton Palmer has told Football FanCast that he thought Nuno Espirito Santo was nailed on to become the Tottenham manager following his shock departure from Wolves last week.

Just 48 hours before the Premier League season finished, the Portuguese made a surprise announcement that he’ll be leaving the Midlands outfit after four years.

Santo was then almost immediately backed into the favourite for the Spurs job, although Alasdair Gold confirmed that he’s not a candidate to replace his compatriot, Jose Mourinho.

Countless names have been linked with the vacancy in N17, with the likes of Roberto Martinez, Antonio Conte and even Mauricio Pochettino all being reportedly considered, although it doesn’t appear that Spurs are any closer to naming Mourinho’s successor.

But one man it won’t be is Santo despite taking Wolves from the Championship to the top-seven in the Premier League and then quarter finals of the Europa League, much to the confusion of Palmer.

He told Football FanCast:

“I am still quite bemused as to why Nuno left Wolves. Why has he stepped down? There’s no reasons why he stepped down, I thought he 100 per cent stepped down because he was in with a shout for the Spurs job.

“But there will be a lot of people linked with the Spurs situation, and anybody will be honoured to be linked with Spurs, it’s a massive club.”

Sunderland chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus must complete a swoop to sign Scunthorpe midfielder Alex Gilliead this summer to bolster Lee Johnson’s squad.

What’s the talk?

According to Football League World, Sunderland are among a number of clubs exploring a deal to sign Gilliead from Scunthorpe this summer. The report claims that Championship duo Huddersfield and Coventry are in talks with the 25-year-old, whilst Ipswich and Sunderland are also interested in the former Newcastle midfielder.

Gilliead is out of contract at the end of the month and is expected to leave Scunthorpe on a free transfer after opting against signing an extension with the club. Huddersfield, Coventry, Sunderland and Ipswich have all reacted to this situation and are attempting to reach an agreement with the 25-year-old.

Earlier in his career, Luton Town manager Nathan Jones lavished praise on the midfielder, who he labelled a “wonderful” player during his loan spell with Luton and backed him to become a Premier League player.

The 48-year-old told Luton Today: “He’s a thoroughbred and I genuinely believe he will become a Premier League player. We know how good Alex Gilliead is, I know what he can do in possession.

“He’s a wonderful, wonderful player and is starting to prove that now. He’s had to be patient, he hasn’t wanted to be patient because he came here to play, but providing he keeps at the level he is, he will.” Get it done

Louis-Dreyfus needs to get a deal over the line for Gilliead to strengthen Lee Johnson’s squad ahead of the 2021/22 League One campaign. Sunderland have a chance to bring in a quality addition for nothing due to his contract situation, and they need to take advantage of this opportunity to improve their squad without paying a transfer fee for the Scunthorpe ace.

Gilliead enjoyed an excellent season in League Two on a personal note. He averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.82 across 43 starts in the league, whilst playing in a variety of different roles for Neil Cox’s side. He played in central, attacking, right and left midfield as well as right wing-back throughout the campaign, showing off his impressive versatility – all whilst keeping up an average WhoScored rating of 6.82. This shows that he is adaptable and could operate in Johnson’s side in a multitude of ways, offering the former Bristol City boss more flexibility in his tactical setup.

The £2,500-per-week utility man particularly impressed during his spell in central midfield during the season. Gilliead started nine games as an orthodox central midfielder and averaged a superb WhoScored rating of 7.06 for Scunthorpe, scoring once and assisting one goal. The defensive side of his game excelled in that role, averaging 3.6 tackles and interceptions per game in League Two.

For context, Grant Leadbitter posted 2.7 tackles and interceptions per game in midfield for Sunderland in League One and averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.80. This suggests that Gilliead could prove to be an upgrade this summer, with Leadbitter set to leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the month.

He could come in and take the veteran’s place in central midfield and use his tough-tackling to firm up the spine of Johnson’s side.

AND in other news, Sunderland could strike gold with £3,000-a-week ace after major transfer update…

Rangers return to European action tonight as they travel away from Ibrox in the first leg of their semi-final clash in Germany.

The Gers are in with a shot at reaching the final of the Europa League and can put one foot through the door with a win tonight.

Gio van Bronckhorst’s men come into the game off the back of a 3-1 win against Motherwell in the Premiership at the weekend, with an own goal from Liam Kelly and strikes from Scott Wright and James Tavernier securing the three points.

Despite the comfortable win, the Dutch head coach may look to make changes to his XI to get the best possible team out to face RB Leipzig. In doing so, one player he must brutally axe from the side is underperforming loanee Amad Diallo.

The Manchester United man started out on the right against Motherwell and only lasted 31 minutes before being substituted after Leon Balogun was sent off. In his short time on the pitch, he missed one ‘big chance’, lost all three of his duels and lost possession five times – suggesting that he struggled to make the most of a rare opportunity.

In the Premiership this season, Diallo has averaged a dismal SofaScore rating of 6.32 across six appearances in the division – starting three of those games.

Earlier this year, journalist Andrew Dickson suggested United want to “toughen” him up and criticised his lack of strength for the Gers as he dubbed the £28k-per-week dud’s decision to back out of a challenge as “really poor.”

His weak play off the ball for Rangers has been a clear issue since arriving in Glasgow. He has lost a whopping 74% of his duels in the league and averaged 0.4 tackles and interceptions, which shows that he is being dominated by opposition defenders and he is not getting stuck in to help his own defence out enough.

Therefore, van Bronckhorst will surely not want to start Diallo in a massive European clash tonight. He cannot rely on the Ivorian to put the graft in for the team and his one goal and zero assists in the Premiership do not suggest that he has the attacking quality to make up for him being a liability out of possession.

So, Diallo must be brutally axed from the starting XI in favour of Joe Aribo on the right. The Nigeria international registered two assists in his last Europa League outing against Braga and has contributed directly to 13 goals domestically for the Light Blues, showing that he carries more of a threat than the teenager.

AND in other news, Huge boost: Gvb issues UEL injury claim that’ll leave Rangers supporters buzzing…

Leeds United continue to be interested in Brenden Aaronson ahead of January 31st…

What’s the word?

That’s according to the Daily Mail, who claim that the Yorkshire giants are preparing another bid for the RB Salzburg midfielder after having a £15m bid knocked back by the Austrian champions.

The 21-year-old has only been at the club for a year but his impressive performances have caught the eye of many across Europe, though it is the Premier League that he dreams of playing in one day.

Aaronson’s running stats are amongst the highest around the continent, so it’s no wonder Marcelo Bielsa is hugely keen on securing him.

Shades of Gallagher

Leeds have long been looking for a central midfielder capable of driving the team forward in the final third, especially as it has now been four years since they signed someone in the role, that being Adam Forshaw from Middlesbrough in January 2018.

The Whites failed with their attempts to sign promising Chelsea starlet Conor Gallagher during the summer after his impressive loan stint at West Brom, with the England U21 dynamo opting for top-flight rivals Crystal Palace instead.

However, there are shades of the 21-year-old Eagles loanee in the 15-cap American sensation.

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“Typically an attacking midfielder, Aaronson is best described as a half-winger, capable of playing out wide or centrally in the third line of Salzburg’s 4-2-2-2 formation. During games, Aaronson is expected to cover ground in central spaces, as well as supporting attacks via the channels,” claimed journalist Joe Donnohue to LeedsLive recently.

Indeed, the bustling Salzburg gem ranks amongst the top 1% of midfielders in Europe for pressures, having averaged 27.84 pressures per 90 and he also forces the opposition into losing the ball 8.55 times per 90, with those figures coming in the Champions League, via FBRef.

This is right up Bielsa’s street as he loves a player who can press high up the pitch, just as Gallagher has proven to do during his time at the Hawthorns and Selhurst Park.

Nicknamed the ‘Medford Messi’, Aaronson has been dubbed “highly talented” by talent scout Jacek Kulig and “silky” by ex-USMNT international DeMarcus Beasley.

His returns of ten goals and 12 assists from only 51 appearances in Austria make him a very exciting young talent indeed. As such, Victor Orta and co must push ahead with plans to sign him as soon as possible.

Bielsa could finally be getting his Gallagher-like midfield presence.

AND in other news, Journalist drops huge Leeds United transfer claim ahead of deadline day…

David Norris has called for Leeds United to bolster their attacking midfield options by signing Joe Willock, amid a report from TEAMtalk that Conor Gallagher has rejected them to join Crystal Palace instead.

The former England under-21 international is back at Arsenal after enjoying the second half of last season on loan with Newcastle United.

Willock’s temporary spell at St James’ Park proved to be a huge success, with him becoming the first player to score in seven consecutive Premier League fixtures since Alan Shearer.

Arsenal chief Mikel Arteta has insisted the 21-year-old remains in his plans but that has not stopped a number of clubs being linked with his services, and Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has publicly admitted he is looking to seal Willock’s return to the north-east.

Willock could also head overseas as, according to French media outlet RMC Sport, Ligue One side Monaco have entered the race for the midfielder’s signature.

But Norris has urged Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa to tempt Willock to Elland Road.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, the ex-Leeds midfielder said: “I think it would be a good signing just from what he’s done and the potential he has got.

“I think it would look a bit like taking a chance at this stage rather than signing someone you know who is tried and tested, and going to come in with some real quality.

“But I still think it would potentially be a good signing.”

West Ham manager David Moyes is facing a potential nightmare at the London Stadium.

As revealed by Sky Sports last week, first-choice defender Vladimir Coufal is ‘becoming increasingly frustrated’ at the Irons’ hierarchy as negotiations over a new deal rumble on.

The 28-year-old Czech international has emerged as one of Moyes’ star players, having excelled at right-back on their way to qualifying for the Europa League.

WhoScored graded him fifth-best in the squad with an average rating of 6.95. No Irons player averaged more tackles per game (2.1) than Coufal, whilst he wasn’t too far behind in assists (seven), interceptions per game (1.2) and key passes per game (1.3) either.

His performances throughout the year earned plenty of glowing endorsements, including one from Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football pundit Jamie Carragher, who dubbed him “one of the signings of the season” (4th May, 22:24pm, via HITC).

“We talk about [Tomas] Soucek, but Coufal whether it’s right wing-back or right full-back at different times, he’s just one of those players that’s 7/10 minimum every time you watch him play. He’s the type of player you’d love to play with him. A manager’s dream, never injured, he’s there week in week out.”

Currently earning around £35k-per-week in East London, you could argue that the £12.5m-rated right-back has earned the right to gain a considerable increase on his salary, but it’s evident that GSB aren’t pulling out all the stops.

This should hardly come as a surprise as another one of Moyes’ standout performers is getting the same treatment in Declan Rice.

According to the Telegraph, the England international has rejected two contract offers from the club and the ever-reliable ExWHUemployee has since revealed exactly why.

“This is because the contract offers have been below what [Andriy] Yarmolenko is currently on, what [Javier] Hernandez was on and other well-paid players. For the player to stay at the club and turn down big moves, the pay needs to reflect his ability,” he claimed.

The Hammers’ ownership are leaving Moyes in a nightmare situation with their reluctance to stump up the cash for their leading stars. The last thing the 58-year-old needs is several members of his starting XI feeling frustrated off the pitch.

It also gives the London Stadium faithful more ammunition against the board, against whom they have actively protested in recent years, whilst recent talk of a potential takeover has seen many wanting GSB out the door.

This latest update on Coufal will only leave them even more furious as West Ham struggle to tie down their best players.

AND in other news, ExWHUemployee drops major West Ham transfer claim…

According to a report in the paper edition of the Sunday Mirror (16/5; page 73), via The Boot Room, Tottenham Hotspur and, by extension, chairman Daniel Levy are now eyeing Southampton striker Danny Ings.

The Lowdown: Spurs in striker hunt

Recent reports have suggested that Tottenham want to sign a new striker this summer alongside the problem position of centre-half.

Sky Sports revealed that Spurs will not take up the option to make Carlos Vinicius’ loan deal permanent and will instead be on the hunt for a new forward at a cheaper price.

Tottenham will need to adopt a sell-to-buy policy, as per reliable sources like Alasdair Gold, with this upcoming transfer window under the rule of a new manager set to be an interesting one.

The Latest: Spurs and Levy now eyeing Ings

As per the Sunday Mirror, Tottenham are among the clubs interested in signing Southampton striker Danny Ings alongside the likes of West Ham, Manchester City and Everton.

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The 28-year-old has scored 12 goals and supplied four assists in 25 Premier League starts over 2020/21, less than his scintillating 22 top-flight strikes last term. However, Ings has suffered from various injury absences this season, halting his momentum (Transfermarkt), and these clubs appear to still be interested given his quality.

The Sunday Mirror claimed that there is a growing belief he will sign a new deal at St Mary’s but, if he chooses to leave this summer, he would command around £30m.

The Verdict: Perfect for Spurs…

Homegrown and in his prime, Ings could come as the perfect rotation option to star striker Harry Kane and at a cheaper price than the loan with an option to buy deal for Vinicius (£41m, Goal).

When comparing the Southampton striker to players in the Tottenham squad, only Kane (3.9) has averaged more shots per game than his counterpart (two) this season in the Premier League.

Spurs pundits have voiced their approval of signing Ings upon previous links, with podcaster Lee McQueen telling Last Word on Spurs near the end of last year that the 28-year-old is ‘absolutely phenomenal’ . Meanwhile, former Lilywhites midfielder Jamie O’Hara dubbed him the ‘perfect’ fit for Spurs when speaking to talkSPORT in January.

Therefore, if Levy can win the race for his signature, Ings could come as a real coup for Tottenham.

In other news: Tottenham favourites to appoint this ‘perfectionist’, find out more here.

Newcastle United are now reportedly targeting a move for Mauro Icardi after the takeover by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium went through.

The Lowdown: Game time limited

The 28-year-old is currently enduring a tough time at Paris Saint-Germain, where he has seen his game-time becoming limited following the arrival of Lionel Messi from Barcelona.

Icardi has only managed to play the full 90 minutes on two separate occasions so far this season, with many of his appearances coming as a substitute.

The Latest: Icardi targeted

As per Calciomercato, Newcastle are now targeting a move for Icardi ahead of the January transfer window coming up.

However, they will reportedly face competition from both Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus for his signature.

The Verdict: Sign

As money is no object to the new owners, the Tyneside club should be looking to sign the £31.5m-rated Icardi. He should be relatively easy to acquire given his lack of game-time at PSG, and he may be a player who they would consider selling for the right price.

At 28 years of age, the Argentina international is a goalscorer in his prime, and with no fewer than 172 senior goals to his name for club and country combined, he certainly knows how to find the back of the net.

The striker would certainly be a statement signing which should hopefully persuade other global stars to follow him to St James’ Park.

In other news, find out which ‘phenomenal’ ace Newcastle are also eyeing

Speaking to West Ham Zone, former Irons striker Frank McAvennie has shared what he’s ‘heard’ about Man United forward and linked star Jesse Lingard.

The Lowdown: West Ham attempt Lingard signing…

It is no secret that the Hammers and manager David Moyes wanted to re-sign Lingard after his sensational stint on loan at the London Stadium last season.

The 28-year-old, branded ‘phenomenal’ by talkSPORT pundit Adrian Durham, scored nine goals and assisted four others in just 16 Premier League starts for West Ham last campaign (WhoScored).

Alas, Lingard chose not to relocate down south from Old Trafford but reports post-transfer window have suggested West Ham could still return in January – with the club apparently set to maintain a ‘dialogue’ behind the scenes according to Football Insider.

The Latest: McAvennie makes Lingard claim…

Speaking to WHZ, McAvennie has now shared what he’s ‘heard’ whilst sending a bold West Ham transfer message – avoid bringing him back at all costs.

“They’re [Manchester United] not giving Lingard a new contract I heard,” the former Irons favourite explained.

“Brilliant isn’t it, he’s blown it.

“Listen, I hope West Ham don’t take him back. We knew he wasn’t getting a game. It’s not for me. I liked him, I wanted him, he was a breath of fresh air.

“[But] The bottom line is he’s blown his chance. Did he honestly think he was going to go and get a game with [Cristiano] Ronaldo and all of that lot?

“I saw it coming. It’s going to cost him his England place.”

The Verdict: Correct call?

We believe West Ham should, at the very least, contemplate returning for him in January – especially considering the Red Devils could offload for as little as £15m due to his contract situation – which currently expires in 2022.

Despite the Irons signing Nikola Vlasic in the summer, Moyes will need plenty of options in the attacking areas if he is to maintain West Ham’s excellent 2021/2022 start.

In other news: Contact made: West Ham have already positioned themselves to sign 17-goal ‘real handful’ for Moyes, find out more here.

Fulham would be open to the idea of sanctioning Anthony Knockaert’s departure from Craven Cottage this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football League World, who claim that, following the recent arrival of Harry Wilson, Marco Silva’s side are now willing to listen to offers for the 29-year-old winger.

The report goes on to state that Tony Khan and the Cottagers transfer team will be contacting potential suitors for the forward over what remains of the summer transfer window, although it is thought that the former France U21 international’s wages could be a stumbling block to his departure.

Stealing a living

While Knockaert is undoubtedly a player who has the capability to be a match-winner in any given fixture, the fact that Scott Parker felt it would not harm Fulham by sending the winger out on loan last season, as well the club having just landed the rather impressive signing of Wilson, would very much appear to indicate the Frenchman’s time in west London could well be up.

Indeed, although his spell at Nottingham Forest last term was not particularly disastrous, the 29-year-old’s performances were also far from breathtaking.

Over his 34 Championship appearances for Chris Hughton’s side, the £2.7m-rated man scored just two goals, registered one assist and missed four big chances, as well as hitting the target an average of just 0.3 times per game.

However, rather bizarrely, these returns saw the man Hughton once dubbed a “fabulous” player earn a decent seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.93, ranking him as Forest’s joint sixth-best performer in the second tier of English football.

But, with Nottingham Forest having struggled at the wrong end of the Championship table last season, while Fulham will undoubtedly be hoping to secure an immediate return to the Premier League in their upcoming campaign, it would indeed appear as if Knockaert is no longer at the level Marco Silva requires.

Furthermore, with the 29-year-old reported to be taking home a whopping £35k-per-week at Craven Cottage, considering just how far the winger has slipped down the Fulham pecking order, this salary would not appear to reflect the Frenchman’s current status within the club.

As such, Khan must do all he possibly can to try and secure Knockaert a move away from Fulham this summer, as, if the forward does not feature in Silva’s first-team plans next season, spending £140k a month on the 29-year-old would be a significant waste of money.

In other news: Imagine him & Mitro: Khan must seal deal for £2.7m-rated “presence”, Fulham plan offer