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Former Rangers defender Michael Ball has told The Transfer Tavern in an exclusive interview that he does not think Steven Gerrard is ready to leave Ibrox.

Given what the 40-year-old has managed to accomplish this season, some feel that he would be a good candidate for the Tottenham job, with Peter Crouch believing that he is the sort of manager the north London club should be interested in.

However, the retired striker, who played alongside Gerrard for both Liverpool and England, does not think he would leave Rangers for any outfit other than the Reds.

And it is a sentiment shared by Ball, who cannot see the legendary midfielder departing Ibrox now.

Speaking exclusively to TT about Gerrard’s future, Ball said:

“I think everybody probably knows what Steven’s end goal is. I don’t think Steven’s ready to leave Rangers right now.”

It is not hard to see why Gerrard would want to remain at Rangers next season and even beyond.

The Gers boss will surely want to have a go at defending the Scottish Premiership title against rivals Celtic, while what is likely to be his dream job, the Liverpool manager position, is not available and probably will not be for a while as Jurgen Klopp continues to succeed at Anfield.

With the news that key midfielder Eberechi Eze is set to be sidelined for up to eight months with an Achilles injury, it’s now more important than ever that Crystal Palace keep hold of Wilfried Zaha.

The Ivory Coast international has been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park for the last two seasons now, and at one stage, his departure seemed almost inevitable, but the capital club must do all they can to retain his services this summer.

Zaha’s influence over his boyhood club has arguably never been greater. The 28-year-old has already recorded his best-ever Premier League goal return, bagging 11 efforts with one game of the season remaining.

The arrival of Eze following a £16m move from Queens Park Rangers last summer appeared to free up the talented Zaha, taking some of the creative burden away from talented forward and allowing him more time and space on the ball as opponents could no longer solely focus on stopping his progress.

After a slow start to life in the top-flight, Eze soon found his feet in south London, recording three assists and one goal in the five games preceding his injury setback.

Losing the 22-year-old is bad enough, but the possible departure of Zaha as well would be a disaster waiting to happen for the Eagles.

With current manager Roy Hodgson announced his upcoming departure earlier in the week and over a dozen players set to become free agents over the coming months, it’s set to be a summer of upheaval at Selhurst Park.

Whoever succeeds the former England boss will have a tough rebuilding job on their hands, and the absence of Eze for at least the first half of the campaign will be a bitter blow for Steve Parish and co.

The former England Under-21 international and Zaha were amongst Palace’s top three for goals, shots per game, key passes, dribbles, and were the two most fouled first-team players before news of Eze’s Achilles issue surfaced (as per WhoScored).

In the past, Hodgson has openly outlined Zaha’s importance to the Eagles, stating: “We think very highly of him both as a person and a player, and he’s got even a talismanic quality, being from this part of the world and starting his career at Crystal Palace.”

But the Palace talisman has never been needed at Palace more than he is right now. Without their two most productive attacking outlets next season it’s likely to be a long and arduous season for the Selhurst Park outfit and turn an already difficult job into an almost impossible one for any new manager.

And, in other news…Lost 66.6% of his duels: £4.5m-rated lightweight badly let Hodgson down last night 

Earlier this month Southampton announced that Ryan Bertrand would be leaving the club when his contract expires this summer and former Leicester City defender Steve Howey has urged the left-back to join the Foxes.

Bertrand joined the Saints in 2015 when he left Chelsea having won both the Champions League and Europa League with the Blues, and he may leave with a heavy heart having made 240 appearances on the south coast.

Since the news broke that the former England international would be leaving the Saints, he has been heavily linked with a move to both Arsenal and Leicester with the two clubs experiencing very different fortunes this season.

Howey believes that if he wants the bright lights and money then go to London, but for footballing reasons he has to pick the Foxes – something he explained exclusively to Football FanCast:

“I think Leicester is a fantastic club at the minute and you just look at the squad and it appears that they are a close-knit group so for me, I would pick them.

“It always sounds better when you tell people you played for Arsenal instead of Leicester, but Leicester is a fabulous club with an unbelievable owner, very good manager and they have some top players.”

The Foxes managed to finish higher in the Premier League than Arsenal so if Bertrand was to join the Gunners then he would not be experiencing any European football for at least one season.

Left-back appears to be more of a problem area for Mikel Arteta as he has often wanted to deploy number one full-back, Kieran Tierney, as a third centre back so having Bertrand at the club could help him do that on a more regular basis.

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has tipped Raphinha to become a ‘god’ at Elland Road, claiming he will stay put at the club.

The Lowdown: Wonderful first season

The Whites enjoyed a superb first season back in the Premier League, finishing ninth and gaining many admirers for their playing style.

Raphinha was undoubtedly one of Leeds’ standout players, scoring six goals and registering nine assists in the league, having joined from Rennes in last summer’s transfer window.

The Brazilian has been loosely linked with a summer exit to Liverpool, but Whelan believes the 24-year-old will stay at Elland Road for another while yet.

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The Latest: Raphinha tipped to stay put

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan said that the Brazilian could go on to become a true superstar at the club as he proclaimed:

“The club have looked after him very well. Signing any player is a gamble, whether they are established or not. Harry Kane could go to Manchester City and not do well.

“We’ve seen it before, Robbie Keane went to Liverpool from Tottenham and wasn’t the same player.

“Raphinha’s lit up the Premier League, he’s been fantastic. He gets you off your seat and plays with a freedom you can only admire.

“I just think the club have looked after him and he respects what they have done for him.  Why would you not be excited about the future? There are big things happening, plenty of investment into Elland Road.

“Hopefully we can sign some stars in the summer as well. Everything is looking bright and Raphinha looks comfortable.

“He’s not been welcomed by the fans yet but when that happens he’ll be loving it and not wanting to leave Leeds even more. He will be a god, trust me.”

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The Verdict: Crucial player moving forward

Leeds’ aim must be to reach the European places next season, with Marcelo Bielsa and his players needing to dream big and go one better than their 2020/21 efforts.

For that to happen, they need to keep hold of players of Raphinha’s quality – Whelan has hailed him as ‘incredible’ in the past – with the attacker possessing quick feet, unpredictability and a strong work ethic.

If Leeds were to lose someone of his class, it would immediately represent a backwards step, highlighting the importance of keeping hold of him if they are to keep the curve moving upward.

In other news, a pundit has provided a bleak outlook for one Leeds player – find out who it is here.

A number of Liverpool fans have been calling for the Reds to sign Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, following an update on his future.

Gini Wijnaldum has left Anfield after a superb five-year spell, meaning midfield reinforcements could be required this summer.

The Dutchman was a consistent performer for Liverpool, both in term of quality and fitness, so replacing him is not going to be an easy task for Jurgen Klopp.

One player who has been linked with a move to the Reds is Tielemans, with the Belgium international one of Leicester’s outstanding performers in 2020/21, including scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final.

According to Eurosport, the 24-year-old has delayed discussions over a new Foxes deal until after he finishes Euro 2020 duties with Belgium, with doubt creeping in about his future.

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Liverpool fans call for Tielemans signing

These Liverpool supporters took to Twitter (via LFC Transfer Room) calling for the Reds to snap up Thielemans in light of his contract news, seeing him as an ideal Wijnaldum replacement.

“Tielemans would be a great next step in Klopp’s midfield revolution”

Credit: @MattThielen

“Imagine a Fabinho – Thiago – Tielemans trio”

Credit: @Thukela_P

“Could be a massive signing”

Credit: @07_lrd

“If these reports are true, he is desperate to come. Get him before anyone else does”

Credit: @JAMESFF9

“Would love it he’s a cracking player”

Credit: @Tim171093

“Replace him with Keita, Raphinha with Shaqiri”

Credit: @edem_DemsLfc

In other news, some Liverpool fans are keen for the Reds to sign a La Liga star this summer. Find out who it is here.

Rangers must avoid a grave error with Ryan Kent following Michael Ball’s transfer claim about him perhaps being tempted to make a move away from Ibrox.

What’s the talk?

Former Rangers defender Michael Ball has suggested that Ryan Kent could be tempted to quit the club this summer to move to the Premier League with Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United.

Ball has claimed that Leeds have shown an interest in Kent and that the pull of the Premier League could entice Kent into a switch down south away from Glasgow.

He told the Transfer Tavern:

“When you have a good year, you want to capitalise and get better terms and Leeds have shown an interest and it’s a huge pull to come back into the Premier League.”

According to the Scottish Sun, Rangers rejected an £11m bid from Leeds in the summer of 2020 and the Premier League club has retained an interest in the winger. The report was published in April of this year, with Leeds said to be considering a £15m offer for Kent this summer.

Back in 2019, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp hailed the “wonderful” winger after he impressed in a friendly for the Premier League side. He told Liverpool TV, as transcribed by Leeds Live:

“He is a wonderful kid, a wonderful player.”

Grave error

Selling Kent this summer would constitute a grave error for the club. Rangers must avoid cashing in on him now as they could be on the verge of starting something special. The Gers sealed their first top-flight title in a decade this year and now need to build on their success, rather than dismantling their excellent team and rebuilding ahead of next season, which is what would need to happen if Kent left the club.

Rangers should be attempting to add to their squad instead of taking away from it. This could then give them the platform to build a dynasty under Steven Gerrard and begin to dominate Scottish football, as Celtic did with their nine straight titles prior to the 2020/21 campaign. To do this, they will need their best players to build some momentum over several years to show other potential transfer targets that they are the club to join in Scotland.

The £18k-per-week ace, Kent, has proven himself to be one of the club’s top performers over the past few seasons in Scotland. Kent was named in the Scottish Premiership PFA Team of the Year in the 2018/19 and 2020/21 campaigns, establishing himself as one of the elite players in the division.

The 24-year-old scored eight goals and assisted seven others in 33 league appearances in the season just gone, averaging a superb WhoScored rating of 7.40 – a score only James Tavernier could better.

This highlights Kent’s importance to Rangers and why selling him now would be a grave error by the club. His contract expires in 2023, which means that Rangers do not have to worry about him running down his deal and leaving on a free next summer. If Rangers get to 2022 and Kent has not committed to a contract extension, then the time could be right to consider cashing in on him so to avoid losing him for nothing, but letting him leave this summer should not be a consideration.

AND in other news, Gerrard must entice his “very good” friend to Rangers after pundit’s transfer claim…

Everton’s search for a new manager could come to a close in the coming days with the Toffees in the final stages of their bid to sign Nuno Santo.

The Portuguese left Wolves a number of weeks ago and is now a free agent.

That being said, things can collapse quickly and Everton must have other candidates primed and ready to enter negotiations.

After all, Nuno was on the verge of joining Crystal Palace before a deal fell through at the 11th hour.

On the chalkboard

The Toffees have been linked with a number of new coaches from Rafa Benitez and Christophe Galtier to Roberto Martinez.

However, the freshest name on their lips is former Lyon manager Rudi Garcia.

The Daily Mail suggested earlier this week that they’d added the 57-year-old to their list of candidates to replace Carlo Ancelotti.

Garcia left Lyon last month after the French side failed to qualify for the Champions League which doesn’t bode enormously well for Everton.

That being said, his record prior to this season with them was enormously impressive, meaning he could be a better appointment than Nuno.

He immediately revived the fortunes of Lyon after they won just two of their opening nine matches in 2019/20.

After Garcia entered the camp, he guided them to five wins and a draw in his first eight games in charge.

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French football ended up being cancelled due to the pandemic with Lyon in seventh but in cup competitions, they were a team to be feared.

They reached the League Cup final and French Cup semi-final and surpassed all expectations in Europe, reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.

In the process, he revived the career of a certain Memphis Depay, proving he can get the best from players who need a leg up in order to reach their potential.

The Dutchman scored 15 in 22 last term before racking up 22 in 40 outings during the course of the current season.

Hailed for his “exceptional” team talks by Lyon CEO Jean-Michel Aulas, he is also a strong motivator and talker in the dressing room. On that evidence, Garcia would be a smart choice for the Everton hierarchy.

He’d certainly be a more exciting option than the inflexible and stubborn Nuno.

AND in other news, Moshiri can make the biggest statement of his Everton tenure by hiring 51 y/o “genius”…

Carlton Palmer has told The Transfer Tavern that he doesn’t think that Leeds wouldn’t sell Raphinha for anything less than £30m.

The Brazilian winger enjoyed an impressive first campaign in the Premier League and has been attracting interest from Manchester United and Liverpool, who’ll both be trying to close the gap on Manchester City next season.

Raphinha scored six times and chipped in with nine assists as Leeds marked their first season back in the top-flight by finishing 9th, with the former Rennes attacker a key part of the recent success under Marcelo Bielsa.

He has still has four years remaining on the long-term deal he signed 12 months ago, meaning either of the North West sides would have to dig into their pockets to be able to prize Raphinha away from Elland Road this summer.

And whilst he’s only valued at £22.5m by Transfermarket, Palmer exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that the 24-year-old is worth plenty more in the current market:

“I certainly don’t think Leeds would entertain an offer for him less than £30m the way the Premier League is at the moment.”

Bielsa’s men will be looking to build on their top-half finish by mounting a challenge for the European places next season, but will need to keep all of their best players, so they’ll be hoping the Brazilian’s head doesn’t get turned should either Liverpool or United come calling.

Former Wolves striker Steve Bull has warned potential Adama Traore suitors that the 25-year-old will only leave Molineux for a top-four club.

Traore has been heavily linked with a move away from Wolves, with one Premier League rival said to be very keen in particular.

According to Eurosport, Leeds United have a long-standing interest in Traore and are willing to pay up to £40m for the player this summer.

The same outlet reports that Wolves value Traore closer to the £80m mark, which may come as a shock to Leeds given his goal record and the fact that he has just two years left on his contract.

Whatever the case, Bull cannot see the Spanish winger moving to a club that is outside of the top four. He told TT in an exclusive interview:

“He’s too good to play for Leeds, put it that way. That’s no disrespect to Leeds. I think if he’s going to go anywhere, he’s going to go to a top-four club or he’ll go back to Spain, or Italy or Portugal – he’s a talented player.”

As well as Leeds, Chelsea are also said to be interested in Traore, with The Telegraph reporting that he is one target for Thomas Tuchel, so perhaps a move to a top-four club could be on the cards.

As per The Sunderland Echo, the Black Cats are interested in signing Ethan Galbraith on loan this summer.

The Lowdown: Sunderland need midfield reinforcements

Sunderland missed out on promotion to the Championship last term via the play-offs, and will be hoping next year is finally their time to shine.

However, during the off-season Grant Leadbitter, Josh Scowen and Max Power all left the club, meaning they are in desperate need of midfield reinforcements.

The Latest: Galbraith on Johnson’s radar

Now, it is being reported Lee Johnson and co are interested in signing Galbraith from Manchester United.

The Red Devils are reportedly prepared to let the 20-year-old leave on a temporary basis, but Sunderland will face competition from a number of Championship clubs, as well as their League One promotion rivals.

The Verdict: Interesting talent

Clubs at Sunderland’s level must take advantage of the loan market, and Galbraith could be an interesting addition to the north-east outfit’s squad should they be able to capture his services.

Valued at £810,000 (Transfermarkt), he has extensive experience for United at youth level, and even has two caps for Northern Ireland.

Former Northern Ireland U21 boss – and now manager of the senior side – Ian Baraclough showered Galbraith in praise in 2019 by comparing him to legendary Spanish duo Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta (manutd.com).

Of course, he is some way off that level, but he is clearly an exciting talent who could prove influential for Sunderland.

In other news, Sunderland have a bid rejected for this in-demand defender.