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Leeds United are reportedly interested in a deal to sign FC Midtjylland defensive midfielder Jens Cajuste, according to Swedish media outlet Expressen. 

The lowdown: ‘The future of Swedish football’

Cajuste has been with Danish side FC Midtjylland since 2018, and has made 69 appearances in total for them, having previously been on the books with Örgryte IS earlier in his career.

The midfielder is contracted with them until the summer of 2023, although it remains to be seen as to whether he’ll remain with FC Midtjylland for much longer, with the 21-year-old not short of offers.

Cajuste has also been capped five times for the Swedish national side, and he made one substitute appearance against Spain in the European Championships this year.

Football Talent Scout have previously labelled Cajuste as the future of Swedish football, before predicting that he’d receive offers from bigger clubs in the future.

“Excellent performance in an extremely important game for Midtjylland. The future of Swedish football. Danish Superliga has too many exciting talents.

“Cajuste will soon be ready to take the next step and attack one of the top 5 leagues. He will surely receive many offers in the summer.”

The latest: Leeds set to rival Premier League clubs for Cajuste

Leeds United are said to have registered their interest in signing Cajuste, according to Expressen, but they aren’t the only English team interested in a deal for the 21-year-old.

That same report claims that Newcastle United, Brentford, Wolves and Crystal Palace are also keen on signing Cajuste this summer, as they look to scoop up a talented long-term acquisition.

The verdict: Leeds have a real battle on their hands

They won’t have it all their way in the race to land Cajuste’s signature this summer.

Leeds could be a tempting proposition for the Swedish midfielder, especially whilst they’re under the management of Marcelo Bielsa.

But he’ll need to think carefully about his game time in the future, as somewhere like Brentford, Newcastle, Wolves or Crystal Palace might actually be able to offer him more minutes on a consistent basis given Leeds’ impressive rise in the last couple of seasons.

The future looks bright for Cajuste though and he seems destined to move on to pastures new at some point – perhaps he could be the perfect deputy and understudy to Kalvin Phillips?

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Express and Star journalist Luke Hatfield has suggested that Manchester United will likely end their interest in Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish after signing Jadon Sancho.

Speaking to FFC, Hatfield said:

“Man United was obviously the big one last season. It looks like they’ve kind of changed their tack a little bit. Jadon Sancho looks to be coming through the door there.

“He plays a similar position, obviously on the wing, normally on the other side for Dortmund.”

Sancho’s move to Manchester United is now official, and after shelling out a reported £73m on the England international, it seems unlikely that they would be willing to spend the necessary fee to bring Grealish to Old Trafford this summer.

Although Manchester City are likely to still be interested in the 25-year-old, it is undoubtedly a big boost for Smith and Aston Villa that one of the main contenders to sign Grealish this summer are now seemingly out of the race.

If the Villans can keep hold of their talismanic captain this summer, then it could prove to be a very successful season for Smith’s side, especially if he can combine well with summer signing Emiliano Buendia.

Last season saw Grealish contribute an impressive six goals and 10 assists in 26 Premier League appearances, averaging a superb 7.56/10 rating from WhoScored for his performances, which was unsurprisingly enough to see him ranked as the best player in Smith’s side for the 2020/21 campaign.

The “incredible” attacker is likely to attract a lot of interest after some strong showings at the Euros but if Hatfield’s prediction is true and United have ended their reported interest in Grealish, whixh does make sense given they’ve now splashed the cash on Sancho, then it would be a massive boost for their hopes of keeping Grealish at Villa Park, which will obviously delight Villa fans.

And, in other news… Villa can land major El Ghazi upgrade with PL winger

A major update has emerged on Manchester City centre-back Nathan Ake, regarding interest from one of the club’s Premier League rivals.

What’s the talk?

According to The Sun, Manchester United are weighing up a potential swoop for City centre-back Nathan Ake this summer. United want to add a centre-back to their squad this summer and they are keeping a close eye on Ake’s situation at City.

However, he is not their only target in that position. United are also considering Real Madrid and France centre-back Raphael Varane and Villarreal and Spain’s Pau Torres alongside Ake.

Last month, former Premier League midfielder Dean Windass suggested that Ake will leave Manchester City this summer as he is not “good enough” for Pep Guardiola’s side. Windass said that he could move to City’s Premier League rivals Tottenham in search of more game time. He told Transfer Tavern:

“I don’t think he’ll stay at City because I don’t think he’s good enough to play for them in my opinion but also, I can’t see him going back to Bournemouth.

“He’s an athlete, he looks easy on the eye as he’s good on the ball, a threat from set-pieces and he’s quick. So I think that would be a good fit and the alarm bells would start ringing for him if he knew Tottenham wanted to sign him. That would be a massive, massive club for him to go to.”

TIME’S UP

Despite only joining City last summer, the time is already up for Ake at The Etihad. Txiki Begiristain must now ruthlessly axe him in the coming weeks/months even if it means selling him to one of their Premier League competitors in the form of Manchester United. It could end up being a masterclass from Txiki if he manages to cash in on Ake and send the underperforming Dutchman to United, as it could weaken their side and improve City’s of finishing above them again all in one deal.

Ake was dreadful for Manchester City in the Premier League. He averaged a dismal WhoScored rating of 6.57 in 10 appearances in the league, with the club keeping three clean sheets in the matches he featured in. This comes after he signed for City off the back of being relegated from the top-flight with Bournemouth –  who let in 65 goals that campaign, the second-most in the division.

The £92k-per-week flop, therefore, has shown that he is not good enough – as Windass has explained – to play for Manchester City. This could also mean that he might be a poor addition to United’s squad and that he is unlikely to bridge any gap between the two sides. Txiki should sanction Ake’s exit and bring in a higher-quality defender to replace him and send him to United to potentially weaken their side.

AND in other news, Forget Kane: Txiki must seal Man City swoop for “extraordinary” £352k-p/w goal machine…

Queens Park Rangers have been dealt a huge blow in their bid to bring George Cox to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claim that Mark Warburton’s side have had an offer of around £500k rejected for the Fortuna Sittard left-back in the past few days.

It was reported earlier this week that the 58-year-old QPR manager is looking to bring in reinforcements at both left and right-back this summer, with Todd Kane looking likely to depart the club this summer.

Warburton will be gutted

Considering just how impressive Cox has been since joining Fortuna back in the summer of 2019, the fact that the Rs have failed in their first bid to sign the defender is sure to leave Warburton gutted.

Indeed, over his 33 Eredivisie appearances last season, the £900k-rated left-back scored five goals, provided five assists and created six big chances for his teammates, in addition to making an average of 0.9 key passes per game.

Cox also impressed in a defensive capacity, helping his side keep three clean sheets, as well as making an average of 2.4 interceptions, 1.8 tackles and making 2.3 clearances per game, with these returns seeing the 23-year-old earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.98, ranking him as Sjors Ultee’s fourth-best player in the top flight of Dutch football.

As such, with the QPR boss undoubtedly hoping to build a side in the summer transfer window that is capable of going on to mount a push for a top-six finish in their upcoming Championship campaign, the addition of a left-back who poses such a threat going forward, while also appearing extremely solid at the back, would seem to provide the club with a huge boost to their chances of going on and achieving this feat.

However, in order to land the £1.2k-per-week man in the coming months, it would appear as if QPR will have to up their last bid for the former Brighton & Hove Albion man, although, with a fee looking likely to be a relatively affordable amount of money for the Rs, we would expect Cox’s transfer to indeed go through ahead of next season.

In other news: QPR dealt transfer blow over “unbelievable” £8k-p/w gem, Warburton will be gutted

Journalist Alan Nixon has claimed that Glasgow Rangers will sign John Lundstram on a free transfer this week.

The Lowdown: Gers set to announce signing

Speaking upon the Gers’ return to pre-season training, Steven Gerrard revealed that the Ibrox outfit are close to agreeing a deal for an unnamed player.

The 55-time Scottish champions have been linked with Lundstram for a number of months after it emerged that he would be available as a free agent (via Glasgow Live).

The Latest: Nixon makes Lundstram reveal

Nixon was asked on Twitter by a Gers supporter: “Any idea who Rangers are apparently going to announce this week? Lundstram rumoured?”

His response was short but sweet, simply stating: “It will be”.

The Verdict: Top deal

Although Sheffield United were relegated from the Premier League last season, Lundstram did well during his time amongst the elite. During the Blades’ first campaign back in the top flight in 2019/20, he scored five goals in 34 appearances as the Yorkshire side impressed (Transfermarkt). He didn’t match the same heights the following season, but he still did not let himself down.

The midfielder is valued at £6.3m by Transfermarkt  and is just 27 years old – he is in his prime, which means the Gers would be getting a player seemingly on the top of his game. As they chase a spot in the group stages of the Champions League, the signing of players like Lundstram appears to bode well for their chances.

In other news, this man has been urged to leave Ibrox.

Aston Villa have been handed a major update on their pursuit of Norwich City star Emi Buendia amid rival interest from Arsenal.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days and weeks have suggested that the Argentine playmaker is someone who Dean Smith is keen on bringing to Villa Park this summer, although the Midlanders are set to face significant competition for his signature from the Gunners.

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece revealed via Twitter: “I’ve just been told Villa & Arsenal both lodged bids yesterday. Emi Buendia currently with Emi Martinez ahead of Argentina’s #WCQ with Chile at 1am UK time. Contact has informed me that Buendia knows of #AVFC and Arsenal interest.”

Fans should be buzzing

Make no mistake about it, news that Villa have made their move for Buendia should have fans absolutely buzzing.

With the Premier League season only finishing a couple of weeks ago, to hear that the Midlands club are already stepping up their transfer plans so early bodes well for the kind of organisation and preparation with which Smith’s side are working at the moment.

With Emi Martinez currently on international duty with Buendia, the Villa and former Arsenal goalkeeper could actually swing things in his new club’s favour and give his international teammate the lowdown about why he should join Villa instead.

Buendia’s arrival would likely help ease the creative burden on Jack Grealish – he managed 17 assists in the Championship last season – and given that Villa have set their sights on him early doors, it suggests that they are intent on signing a new playmaker.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/aston-villa-dean-smith-transfer-window-premier-league-villa-park-emi-buendia-gregg-evans-gossip-rumours-update-news” title=”Read the latest Aston Villa transfer rumours and news!”]

That should help no end next year in the Premier League, and given how Villa fans have already shown their excitement at Buendia’s potential arrival, this latest update from Preece should have them buzzing.

Meanwhile, Dean Smith could sign Villa’s new Dion Dublin in this star…

Many Southampton fans were livid with the “dreadful” performance of Nathan Redmond despite their win over Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.

The game had little riding on it, with Fulham already relegated back to the Championship and Southampton mathematically safe, but the south coast outfit still put in a generally good display.

Che Adams and Nathan Tella scored to put the Saints 2-0 up, and Theo Walcott restored his side’s two-goal advantage after Fabio Carvalho had halved the deficit.

Redmond was far from at his best on the flank, though. He lost possession on more than 20 occasions and missed two big chances to increase the margin of victory. It is not the first time he has come in for criticism from some Saints supporters, and he must do more if he wants to stay in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s plans going into the 2021/22 campaign.

These Southampton fans were far from happy with what they saw from him, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Redmond below

“Redmond really needs to go in the summer, he really isn’t good enough”

Credit: @JHart_1993

“Redmond is an awful footballer”

Credit: @lagbo13

“Nathan Redmond is playing against us, useless”

Credit: @LunnonSFC

“I’ve had enough of Redmond now”

Credit: @jackbuchanan151

“Redmond back to his one dimensional worst today. Doesn’t look too comfortable playing off the left, but hasn’t really got into the game playing on the right. “

Credit: @Saintmat24

“Now get Redmond off, his body language is dreadful”

Credit: @Stevie_LA

In other news, Southampton are interested in signing this striker.

West Ham United fans are delighted after it was revealed Jesse Lingard has told his Hammers teammates he wishes to stay at the club beyond his current loan spell.

£13.5m-valued Lingard (Transfermarkt) has had a fantastic time during the few months he has spent with the Irons after joining on loan from Manchester United. In 16 games, he has managed nine goals and five assists (Transfermarkt), and he added fresh impetus as the Hammers qualified for the Europa League.

He has been called up to Gareth Southgate’s provisional England squad for this summer’s European Championships (Sky News), and he is set to return to Manchester United once his loan spell in London has come to an end. However, according to reliable Hammers insider ExWHUemployee, he still wants to remain at the London Stadium.

The news was shared on Twitter by @WestHam_Central, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Lingard news below

“Never in doubt”

Credit: @whuabz

“So let it be done”

Credit: @LeefromAHN

“Lets go”

Credit: @Zakwatkins2

“GET THIS DONE!!!”

Credit: @Charlie12918777

“Wonderful”

Credit: @WestHamFan1895

“More importantly that means Dec is staying”

Credit: @j_allardice

In other news, West Ham fans are livid at this man’s snub.

Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham is edging closer to a move to Greek side AEK Athens, according to The Scottish Sun.

The Lowdown: Hoops to terminate Ntcham’s deal?

Reports last month suggested that the Hoops have exploited a loophole in the Frenchman’s contract.

His deal at Parkhead still has 12 months left to run, however, Celtic were ready to terminate the last year and absolve themselves of the requirement to pay his wages.

It appears as if Ntcham has now taken his future into his own hands and is awaiting a response from Celtic to seal a Glasgow exit.

The Latest: Ntcham agrees personal terms

The Scottish Sun claim that Ntcham has agreed on a deal with AEK Athens worth around £1million a year, just over £19,000-a-week.

Ntcham, who Neil Lennon described as ‘class’, is currently on £15,000-a-week at Parkhead and is now waiting to see if he can seal a free transfer away from the club.

AEK are hoping to land him for nothing, with the report on Tuesday evening claiming a deal may go through over the coming days.

The Verdict: McKay’s first piece of transfer activity at Celtic?

New Celtic CEO Dominic McKay will have to be at the heart of any potential Ntcham exit, considering there is currently no manager or director of football in place.

Should a transfer materialise over the coming days, it could also be the club’s first real piece of summer transfer business since McKay’s arrival – the window opened on Wednesday.

In an ideal world Celtic would receive a transfer fee for the 25-year-old, valued at £2.7m by Transfermarkt, but at least they’ll be getting a high earner off the books, which could allow for incomings over the coming months.

In other news: Liam Shaw transfer details emerge, find out more here. 

Farhad Moshiri played a blinder in backing a permanent centre-back transfer last summer after Marcel Brands revealed the Everton owner’s role in Ben Godfrey’s move from Norwich City.

What’s the word?

In quotes shared by the Liverpool Echo, Brands has told the Toffees’ USA Live event that Godfrey became the club’s number one target after the intervention of Moshiri.

The defender sealed a £20m move to Goodison Park at the start of October and has proven to be a key player for Carlo Ancelotti, with minutes across the Italian’s backline in 29 of a possible 32 games in all competitions.

Everton were not initially targeting a centre-back but were forced to make a quick change to their end-of-window plans in September after Mason Holgate sustained a toe injury and Jarrad Branthwaite tore ligaments in his ankle.

The Blues were unsure whether to add depth to Ancelotti’s unit with a temporary or permanent solution, but the influence of Moshiri led to a full-time deal being struck with Norwich for Godfrey.

“He was on our list already for two years, and when I had the discussion this summer with Carlo, the Chairman and our owner, we had to decide if we were looking for a centre-back on loan or if we want to buy,” Brands said.

“Our owner preferred to do a permanent, so Ben Godfrey was the first one on our list – and I think we did our homework well. He’s a great character, great athlete. He really adapted quickly to the level and to the club. I think the fans loved him from the beginning and that’s a good thing to see.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-everton-news%2c-views-and-gossip” title=”Latest Everton news, views and gossip!”]

A blinder from Moshiri

While Everton may not have been sure whether to explore a loan deal or make a permanent centre-back signing last year before Moshiri stepped in, the Blues chief certainly played a blinder by backing a full-time deal being struck.

Everton were left in an uncomfortable situation in the summer 2019 market when Marco Silva sought to sign Kurt Zouma at the end of his season-long loan spell from Chelsea, having seen the Frenchman impress in royal blue but hold no option to retain him long-term.

Zouma eventually returned to Stamford Bridge after the southwest London natives slapped a minimum £30m asking price on the 26-year-old, and he has featured in 28 Premier League games last term and 19 so far this season.

The Toffees would have rued being in the same position with Godfrey had they only signed the centre-back on loan from Norwich, having seen the 23-year-old establish himself as a key part of Ancelotti’s defence.

Godfrey has covered at left-back when Lucas Digne has been injured, featured occasionally at right-back and played regularly at centre-half over his 29 outings in all competitions since his move.

The England under-21 international’s efforts reportedly led Tottenham Hotspur to launch an inquiry into why they passed on his potential availability, while many Everton supporters often laud the defender who Ancelotti has hailed as being “fantastic” and “tactically intelligent”.

With the manager also considering Godfrey to be the best of his current centre-back options and the one with the most potential, the Italian seemingly owes a lot of gratitude to Moshiri for backing Everton to make a permanent move for the 23-year-old last year.

AND in other news, Carlo Ancelotti set to make shrewd Everton appointment with “hugely popular” coach…