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Aston Villa would be risking Dean Smith’s wrath by selling Douglas Luiz this summer amid a recent transfer update.

What’s the story?

The 23-year-old has pretty much been a permanent fixture in Dean Smith’s side since making the switch to Villa Park, already making 76 appearances for the first-team, including playing 33 out of the 38 Premier League games last season.

His form even earned him international honours, picking up his first couple of senior caps for Brazil, and so it’s been no surprise then that his market value has absolutely sky-rocketed, now standing at £31.5m according to Transfermarkt.

Now, BBC Sport claim that Serie A giants AS Roma are interested in signing Luiz this summer, amid the Italian side’s offer for Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka being rejected.

Dean Smith would be fuming

While Southampton star James Ward-Prowse would be an upgrade on Luiz, selling the Brazilian outright this summer would be a foolish mistake by the Villa hierarchy.

Speaking last summer, The Athletic journalist Gregg Evans, said of him: “He’s an absolute joy to watch now and I never thought I would be saying that. Villa have got a fantastic player in Douglas Luiz now, he looks like an absolute star, he could have played in that Man United team.

“He was better than (Paul) Pogba, I thought. I thought he was brilliant, hardly did anything wrong, hardly put a foot wrong. He won so many interceptions and made so many important blocks. When he gets the ball, he passes it nicely. He’s the best player in that Villa team at the moment because it’s just not working for John McGinn.”

Given the fact he played such an integral role in Villa’s superb Premier League campaign last season, it would be absurd for the club to let him go, especially without any replacements having been signed first.

If Ward-Prowse does arrive, then perhaps the argument changes about potentially cashing in on him and recouping some money, but the fact is, with the owners supposedly backing Smith to the hilt in the transfer market, there should be no need to sell.

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Luiz has been a regular starter for Smith, and the Villa boss would surely be fuming were the club to sell him to Roma.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has dropped an update on this Villa man…

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Premier League defender Steve Howey can imagine both Frank Lampard and Chelsea’s Billy Gilmour at Crystal Palace next season.

Lampard is searching for work following his dismissal from Chelsea at the end of January, while Gilmour may need to leave Stamford Bridge temporarily for more first-team minutes.

According to The Telegraph, both individuals could be options for Palace ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

The south London club, of course, need a new manager following Roy Hodgson’s departure and could also do with some fresh faces coming in for the players that they are likely to lose. Currently, they have 15 players who are all out of contract next month.

Asked by TT if he could see Gilmour fitting in at Palace under Lampard, Howey said:

“Absolutely, absolutely. I think the lads that are in there are really good pros, [James] McCarthy, [James] McArthur, [Luka] Milivojevic. For me, you get him, you’ve done well.

“I rate him. I rate him very, very highly. It’s not surprising to me that Steve Clarke’s put him in the squad.”

It was Lampard who gave Gilmour his senior debut last season, with the 19-year-old Scottish midfielder later catching everyone’s attention with an impressive display against Liverpool in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

He helped inspire Chelsea to a 2-0 win, absolutely destroying Fabinho in an epic battle in the middle of the park.

Queens Park Rangers have been handed a boost in their attempts to bring Josh McPake to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium this summer.

What’s been said?

In a recent interview with the Harrogate Advertiser, Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver revealed that the Rangers winger could be set to leave Steven Gerrard’s side on a temporary basis this summer, although the 19-year-old will not be returning to The EnviroVent Stadium.

It has previously been reported that QPR had sent scouts to watch the Scotland under-21 international in action for the League Two side, and are considering a move for the younger this summer.

When asked about McPake’s future, Weaver said: “He did very well for us, but I don’t envisage him returning here. I know that he won’t want to come back to Harrogate because he wants to play higher up the ladder.

“Whether that’s playing games at Rangers or going out on loan again, I’m not sure. But I know he is aiming higher than League Two.”

Warburton will be delighted

While McPake’s form was somewhat up and down with the Sulphurites last season, the Rangers loanee showed glimpses of brilliance which could well indicate that he has a very bright future in the game.

Over his 23 League Two appearances for Weaver’s side, the winger scored four goals and created two big chances for his team-mates, as well as taking an average of two shots and making 0.8 key passes per game.

These returns saw the £2,100-a-week earner accrue a modest seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.57, but the 19-year-old showed what he is truly capable of in flashes for the club.

In Harrogate’s 2-1 victory over Bradford City, McPake scored an 89th-minute winner, as well as having two shots on target and winning 10 duels, with these metrics culminating in a SofaScore match rating of 7.1.

The winger also impressed in the club’s 2-2 draw with Leyton Orient, once again scoring late on to equalise for Harrogate, in addition to having three shots on target and winning 11 duels and four fouls for his side, seeing him earn a SofaScore match rating of 7.9 – the best of any Sulphurites player on the day.

As such, with it being reported that Mark Warburton is looking for additions to the wide areas of his QPR squad this summer, McPake could well be a very astute signing in the upcoming transfer market.

With it appearing as if Rangers will not stand in the way of the man David Hopkin claimed has a “fantastic chance in football” leaving the club in the coming months, a deal seems as if it’s there to be done for the QPR manager this summer.

In other news: Get it done: Bhatia must sanction QPR swoop for “important” £8k-p/w beast this summer

Manchester United have been handed a double injury blow ahead of tonight’s Premier League clash with Liverpool…

What’s the latest?

The Red Devils will play their third game of four this week when they host the 2019/20 title winners at Old Trafford in this rearranged encounter and it could prove to be an intriguing affair.

United have all but cemented second place once again but will not want to lose to their arch-rivals, whilst the Reds need a victory to bolster their top-four claims.

Ahead of kick-off, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed to MUTV he would be without two key players in skipper Harry Maguire and winger Daniel James.

On Maguire, he said: “He’s obviously had the scans and the good news is there is no fracture. [There is] ligament damage but hopefully we will see him again this season. Hopefully, he’ll be ready for the [Europa League] final.”

And on James, he added: “Dan James is not available. He’s still out for a little while.”

Worrying news

Clinching all three points is imperative for Liverpool this evening and the Manchester giants will want to cause an upset in their rival’s quest to qualify for the Champions League.

Solskjaer certainly showed his intentions on Tuesday night, near enough rotating his entire XI against Leicester City, so we’re expecting a strong line-up here. Whilst their defeat meant that City were crowned champions this season.

However, with games on Tuesday, Sunday and then again on Wednesday, Solskjaer may be a little gutted that he cannot keep rotating in key areas.

In the absence of Maguire, the 48-year-old boss only really has Axel Tuanzebe to come in with Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof likely first-choice options, and United already lack an out-and-out right-winger, so to not have James is another gutting blow.

Of course, the Manchester side have very little to play for in the Premier League but they will also want to build momentum heading into that crucial Europa League final, where Solskjaer could win his first-ever trophy at the club.

He will certainly be sweating on the fitness of these two players heading into that final, with it not certain that either will make it. It would be a gutting blow to not have either available against Villarreal in ten days time.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Pundit claims Man Utd youngster can be the best in the world…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Leicester City striker Brian Deane has hailed the East Midlands club’s recruitment.

In the last summer transfer window, Leicester signed defenders Wesley Fofana and Timothy Castagne from Saint-Etienne and Atalanta respectively, with both players going on to help the Foxes win their first FA Cup.

Fofana arrived to strengthen the team’s central defence, while the versatile Castagne joined as a replacement for left-back Ben Chilwell, who departed the King Power for Chelsea in a £50m deal.

The duo have undoubtedly been successes for the club this season, featuring regularly for their side, and Deane has since praised Brendan Rodgers and his recruitment team for signing the two defenders and their overall work in recent transfer windows.

The ex-Leicester player, who feels his old side are setting the right example in the transfer market, told FFC:

“It [Leicester’s success] comes down to good recruitment. If Leicester can do it, then you think to yourself, ‘Why do clubs always look at paying the premium for players? Are they waiting to see how they do at a club and then go in for them?’

“That costs more money. You know, why not be more proactive? But you have to say, Leicester have got their recruitment spot on again.”

As well as Fofana and Castagne, Rodgers has also brought in the likes of James Justin, Ayoze Perez and Youri Tielemans permanently – the latter winning the FA Cup for his side and arguably epitomising Leicester’s recruitment success.

Former Tottenham Hotspur captain Graham Roberts has told Football FanCast that the club will not keep Gareth Bale at the club next season if Jose Mourinho is in charge.

The winger arrived on loan from Real Madrid in the summer in an emotional deal that saw the Wales international return to the club where he made his name.

Bale has struggled to make a real impact, however, and has been reduced to sitting on the bench in the biggest games.

He came on as a late substitute against Manchester United at the weekend, with his side losing 3-1.

He has played a total of 10 minutes in the last two games, and has never played 90 minutes in the Premier League in 2020/21.

Roberts does not think Mourinho is likely to integrate him into his squad either this season or next season.

Indeed, it has been reported that Spurs have the option to extend Bale’s loan should they wish to, but Roberts, who twice won the FA Cup with the club, doubts very much that he will still be in north London next season.

He told FFC: “They’re not going to keep him if it’s going to cost them £250,000, £300,000-per-week, and Jose’s in charge, because Jose’s not going to play him.

“They’re not going to waste £250,000-a-week, so it’s a shame.”

Many Everton fans were left delighted by the news that the Goodison Park faithful condemned the idea of the European Super League (ESL).

The league has since collapsed following the withdrawal of the six English clubs who were originally going to play in it, but the Merseyside club made their feelings known from the start.

As per the official website of the Toffees, they were both ‘saddened’ and ‘disappointed’ by the proposals of the breakaway league which was pushed forward by Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Blues went on to vent their anger and frustration at the idea, which gained a lot of support not just from EFC supporters, but fans all across the country.

Everton fans on European Super League news

These Everton fans flocked to the news after it was shared on Twitter by the club, with one Toffee even going as far as to claim that it was ‘brilliant’:

“Brilliant”

Credit: @ScottyTMJ

“Outstanding Blues. Proud as ever to support the People’s Club!”

Credit: @Richie_F26

“Powerful. People saying we would of jumped at the idea if being invited. Not a chance, Everton understand the fabric of their fans and actually care what they think.”

Credit: @Gibbo28

“As always a club acting with CLASS. Carry on Everton, the PEOPLE’S CLUB.”

Credit: @brundellfilimou

“Excellent statement from the club! #SayNoToEuropeanSuperLeague”

Credit: @eriklsym

“Absolutely fantastic. My football club.”

Credit: @EFCT0M

In other news, find out which star once compared to Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe Everton are claimed to be pursuing here!

According to reports from Belgium, Southampton are monitoring 18-year-old defensive midfielder, Marco Kana, ahead of the summer transfer window.

The report by Belgian outlet Voetbalkrant (via Sport Witness) claims that both Southampton and AC Milan are interested in the RSC Anderlecht youngster this summer, with both sides said to have been keeping an eye on the midfielder for a number of months.

Indeed, it was reported back in November that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side were aware of the £3.15 million-rated 18-year-old, who was believed to have been unhappy with a lack of minutes for Vincent Kompany’s side.

However, it is also claimed that, should either Southampton or Milan wish to get a deal over the line for the Belgium U21 international, it would take an offer that “cannot be refused” by Anderlecht.

Transfer Tavern Take

With Kana having only played 27 senior games thus far in his career at Anderlecht, it is challenging to make an assessment as to whether the defensive midfielder could prove a useful addition to Hasenhuttl’s options in the middle of the park this summer.

Having said that, while his game time has indeed been limited this season, Kana’s form over his eight appearances in the Pro League has been decent enough, with the 18-year-old making an average of 0.9 interceptions, 1.1 tackles and one clearance per game, as well as averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.75.

However, whether or not these displays are enough to convince Southampton to submit an offer that Kompany’s side could simply not refuse is something that will only be discovered this summer.

In other news: loads of Saints fans pleaded for this ‘no brainer’ deal for this ‘superb’ £60k-p/w star – find out more here!

Crystal Palace have been dealt with a huge blow relating to the future of one of their first-team stars.

According to Sky Sports, Turkish giants Galatasaray have offered a contract to left-back Patrick van Aanholt as his current Selhurst Park deal continues to tick down at the end of the season.

Should the Dutchman end up departing Palace, he will be a considerable miss.

Ever since arriving from Sunderland in 2017, van Aanholt has been all-but constant in the Crystal Palace team.

He has played 132 times for the Eagles in all competitions, scoring a fantastic 14 goals from left-back.

His reliability can also not be called into question with the 30-year-old having missed just 19 Premier League matches through injury in his four years at Selhurst Park.

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Previously linked with a transfer to Arsenal, current Eagles boss Roy Hodgson suggested that he was ‘good enough’ to play for the Gunners.

So, whilst losing their first-choice left-back would of course be a bitter pill for Palace to swallow, it could also have destructive consequences on not only the current squad but also the club’s future transfer plans.

Much like van Aanholt, fellow left-back Tyrick Mitchell is also out of contract at the end of the season. Should the two of them depart, this would leave the club without a recognised left-sided defender in the squad.

Joel Ward is capable of deputising but it would be thought that they would not want to head into the 2021/22 campaign with such limited options.

This would cause the club to thus dip into the transfer market. Considering van Aanholt is rated at £7.2m, with Mitchell slightly lower at £4.5m, it could be suggested that it would take a fee similar to that of their combined valuations to recruit a Premier League ready left-back unless any arrival is a free transfer.

The potential departure of van Aanholt then is certainly a blow for Crystal Palace.

AND in more news, have a look at how a former Chelsea boss could provide a clue on Palace’s next manager…

A journalist has dropped a quite big claim on Rafa Benitez and the proposed Newcastle United takeover consortium.

Writing in her latest piece for The Guardian, Louise Taylor has claimed that the former manager at the St. James’ Park faithful appears to be the consortium’s ‘preferred candidate’ should they complete a takeover in the North East, as he already has inside knowledge of the Tyneside club and is currently out of management and available for work.

Newcastle should hire Benitez if possible

If the Magpies do end up getting taken over by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group, then Benitez could well be the ideal candidate to potentially replace Steve Bruce.

The former Liverpool and Chelsea manager may feel as if he has unfinished business at the Toon, and if he was given the financial backing in the transfer market, then it may be seen as an attractive project for him to return.

Benitez guided NUFC to promotion back to the Premier League from the EFL Championship and managed to keep them in the top flight for two consecutive terms after that, boasting no fewer than 62 wins from 146 games in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt), a 42.5% win ratio.

Nonetheless, it would be very interesting to see who the potential new owners would go for as their manager of they were to take over, or whether they would even stick with Bruce.

In other news, find out what takeover ‘advantage’ Newcastle have here!