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Leeds United may feel they would be taking a 'risk' by appointing Andoni Iraola as their new manager at Elland Road, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest news involving Leeds United and Andoni Iraola?

As per Radio Marca via Estadio Deportivo, Iraola is expected to leave Rayo Vallecano at the end of this season and is said to have a number of options on the table as he assesses his next move.

The report states that Leeds United, Sevilla and Villarreal are beginning to 'rub their hands together' as the 40-year-old may be available for a new venture as he believes he has achieved all he can at the Estadio de Vallecas.

Last week, the Whites were relegated to the Sky Bet Championship unceremoniously following a 4-1 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur amid fan protests directed towards owner Andrea Radrizzani who was not present at the affair, as per BBC Sport.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones isn't sure that Leeds United would go down the route of hiring Iraola, who plays an exciting 4-2-3-1 style, as they try to regain promotion to the Premier League in 2023/24.

Jones told FFC: "I think that trying somebody from abroad might be seen as a risk. Victor Orta was perhaps the guy that liked to take a risk. I'm not sure the people left over will be as willing given the state that find themselves in now."

Who else has been linked to the Leeds United manager role

Phil Hay of The Athletic has stated that former Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers may come into consideration as a candidate, but that doesn't seem to likely now.

The Daily Mail report that former Chelsea manager Graham Potter is another name that has been mentioned in connection with the job; however, he also has admirers at Leicester City, who will also play in the Sky Bet Championship in 2023/24.

Football Insider have also claimed that Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou is a name that the Whites have 'continuously shown an interest' in; however, the prospects of that happening look to be extremely unlikely.

Whoever is in charge of Leeds United will have a difficult job on their hands as they look to rebuild a fragmented squad and try to win promotion to the top flight.

Leeds United's relegation has condemned them to at least another year of Championship football, just three years after they thought they had left that league for good.

Whilst their 2004 demotion came as a shock to most, their 16-year failure to return to the top flight surpassed all of these emotions. They had gone from a sleeping giant to a comatose one, and it felt like no matter what occurred they would never earn that romantic Premier League return.

That was until Marcelo Bielsa was appointed, and his magic enacted.

His team was steely and hard-working, completely enamoured with a hard-working philosophy that saw them dominate the division. It was the perfect storm, with Kalvin Phillips conducting from within its eye.

An academy graduate handed a show of faith in a league where the top-flight often send their youngsters to develop, he instead was allowed to learn on the job, quickly becoming their most influential player. That promotion year saw the 27-year-old maintain a 7.28 average rating, alongside 1.8 key passes and 2.6 tackles per game, via Sofascore.

Now, in an effort to repeat that feat at the first time of asking, perhaps they could once again seek to put their faith in the academy, with Sean McGurk surely high on the list for those deserving of a first-team berth.

Who is Sean McGurk?

His potential inclusion within the senior squad is made all the more likely given the expected exit of Luis Sinisterra, who The Athletic suggest could seek to move, with a reported release clause encouraging this. With the possibility of relegation now a reality, the Colombian will be a fine signing for someone out there should he find fitness.

After all, his tally of seven goals in all competitions, whilst slightly underwhelming, was largely marred by a lack of fitness throughout the term.

His failure to adapt to the physicality of the English game cost him, especially after the 23-year-old joined having hit 23 goals and 14 assists the season prior in Holland.

Although having posted numbers nowhere near this level, McGurk has remained one of Michael Skubala's most consistent performers from that left flank, with his six goal contributions in 17 games a solid return. He has been a mainstay in the side that recently earned promotion into the Premier League 1 Division 1.

Seeking to cut in from his wing onto that favoured right foot, the 20-year-old boasts similarly blistering pace and sought to outline his other outstanding attributes after joining the club in 2021: "People describe me as a player who is quite exciting, I like to create goals and score goals and I think that is the strongest part of my game."

Whilst that is yet to shine through in the U21s, perhaps a promotion into the senior squad could see him realise this potential at the Championship level. After all, it only takes the new manager to hand him a few starts to figure out whether he can terrorise the division.

With his frightening speed, quick feet and youthful energy, that is sure to be a given though.

Leeds United will do all they can to ensure that key attackers Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford are fit to face Tottenham this weekend, with the former training on Friday, according to reliable journalist Phil Hay.

What is the situation this weekend?

The Whites have experienced a difficult season in the Premier League, not learning from last year's lessons and again battling relegation throughout the campaign. Both Jesse Marsch and Javi Gracia have been and gone as manager, and it is now up to Sam Allardyce to perform a miracle escape act.

Ahead of the final day on Sunday, Leeds know that they simply have to beat Spurs at Elland Road, and also hope that Everton and Leicester City slip up, against Bournemouth and West Ham respectively.

In truth, it looks like an extremely tall order for the Whites, and with injury doubts over both Rodrigo and Bamford, their task could get even more tricky.

Will Rodrigo be fit for visit of Tottenham?

However, taking to Twitter, Hay claimed that Leeds will do all they can to get both Rodrigo and Bamford on the pitch, with the former training on Friday in a positive update.

"Allardyce on injuries – Rodrigo trained today. Bamford will be given as long as possible. Decision to be made on him tomorrow, when Allardyce picks his XI.

"'I'll gamble on anyone's fitness if they want to play, if I think they can make a contribution to help us win.'"

Having Rodrigo and Bamford available this weekend is absolutely essential for Leeds, even if they aren't 100% fit, given their experience and quality. The former, who earn £100,000 per week, has been hailed as "sensational" by Gary Neville in the recent past and he has the ability to produce a match-winning moment from nowhere.

His stunning strike away to West Ham last weekend was proof of his class, even though it ultimately didn't affect the result in the end, and to have both him and Bamford sidelined would be cruel luck ahead of an absolute must-win encounter from Spurs, even if the latter has struggled for form recently.

You wonder if this could be Rodrigo's final game in a Leeds shirt, should relegation come their way, with the 32-year-old surely not wanting to be playing Championship football next season. The hope is that he can go out with a bang, scoring a goal that at least gives the White some hope of survival.

The final day can do crazy things, however, and if Rodrigo and Bamford both played a part in an incredible survival mission, they would further etch their name into Leeds folklore.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified a potential target ahead of the summer transfer window, amid recent speculation involving Strasbourg sensation, Habib Diarra.

What's the latest on Diarra to Tottenham?

According to The Sun, the Lilywhites are said to be among a host of Premier League clubs who are interested in the 19-year-old midfielder, with as many as nine top-flight teams having scouted the teenager against Nice last week.

While the report suggests that it is Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers who are currently leading the way in that intense battle for the youngster's services, the piece adds that the France youth international is 'on the watch list' of the likes of Spurs, Manchester City and Manchester United.

The Senegal-born ace – who still has four years left to run on his existing deal – is believed to have a price tag of around £20m, ensuring he could represent something of a low-cost option for that raft of suitors.

Who is Habib Diarra?

The 5 foot 10 ace may well be something of an unknown quantity for those outside of France having thus far made just 32 senior appearances for his current side, although the suggestion is that the emerging prospect is a "big talent", according to talent scout Jacek Kulig.

While still something of a "rough diamond" – according to journalist Sebastien Denis – the versatile asset has enjoyed a fine, breakthrough campaign in Ligue 1, scoring three goals and providing three assists in 27 top-flight games.

That attacking prowess – as well as the teen's ability to feature all across the midfield and on the flanks – could make young Diarra a dream option for Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy this summer, amid what looks set to be a fresh start at N17 with the prospect of a new manager.

The arrival of the exciting dynamo could well spell bad news for current Spurs man, Oliver Skipp however, with the youth product having somewhat failed to make his mark amid his consistent run in the side in recent months, scoring just one goal and registering no assists in 30 appearances this season.

While perhaps a more defensive-minded option than Diarra, the latter man also has the capability to feature in front of the back four or in an advanced role if required, with that flexibility likely to be more attractive for any new Lilywhites boss.

The Strasbourg also appears to offer a greater creative quality from his midfield berth as he ranks in the top 1% among his European peers for progressive carries and in the top 9% for progressive passes received, with Skipp, by contrast, ranking in just the bottom 38% and the bottom 45% for those same two metrics, respectively.

The Englishman's woes were also laid bare during the weekend defeat to Brentford as he 'gifted' possession to the Bees in the build-up to Yoane Wissa's late strike – as per football.london's Alasdair Gold – with the £40k-per-week talent having seemingly 'faded' of late, according to the Evening Standard's Dan Kilpatrick.

As such, bringing Diarra into the fold could well bolster the competition for places in the midfield ranks next season, ensuring that Skipp may well have a fight on his hands to secure a regular role in the side in the centre of the park.

Sunderland could reportedly now sell Ross Stewart to one of their new Championship rivals.

The Lowdown: ‘Incredible’ season

As Black Cats legend Kevin Phillips has pointed out, Stewart has had an ‘incredible‘ season at the Stadium of Light, scoring no fewer than 26 goals in total over all competitions, double the next best in Everton loanee Nathan Broadhead with 13 (Transfermarkt).

Fittingly, he also scored their final goal of the campaign as well, the one that sealed promotion back up to the Championship in the 2-0 League One play-off final win over Wycombe Wanderers.

The Latest: Clubs swarming

As per the print edition of The Daily Mirror (via The Sunderland Echo), fellow Championship sides Middlesbrough, QPR and Sheffield United are all now in the hunt to sign Stewart, as well as Glasgow Rangers.

However, Alex Neil’s team would like to tie him down to a lucrative new contract that would make him their best-paid player.

The Verdict: Keep at all costs

There is no denying how important Stewart is to the team with his goal output, and if they are to have the best possible chance of staying in the division next term, then there is no doubt that the striker would have to stay.

At 25 years of age, it is scary to think that Stewart’s best playing days are ahead of him, and so tying him down to a new deal would be huge.

Nonetheless, selling the Scotsman to a Championship rival would surely be seen as unforgivable by the Wearside club’s supporters.

In other news, find out who SAFC will now ‘hold talks’ over signing here!

Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on their first signing of the summer…

What’s the word?

According to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Ivan Perisic is set to join Spurs on a two-year deal following the expiry of his contract at Serie A giants Inter Milan.

It’s thought that a medical is set to take place in north London next week, once everything has been signed. It’s also said that manager Antonio Conte wanted the 33-year-old as a priority signing for the Premier League outfit.

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“Ivan Perisić’s set to join Tottenham, here we go! Full agreement set to be signed on a two-year deal. Inter have received final communication,” he tweeted.

“Medical could take place next week in London, once everything will be signed. Antonio Conte wanted Ivan as [a] priority.”

Big signing

On the face of it, signing a 33-year-old veteran is hardly an inspiring move. However, Perisic will add an abundance to the Lilywhites, who will be competing in next season’s Champions League after their top-four finish.

As football.london reporter Alasdair Gold put it perfectly, the Croatian star “would be a big signing” for Spurs. He’s won multiple titles – including the UCL – has bundles of experience and the exact mentality that the Italian head coach desires.

Despite his advancing years, Perisic contributed ten goals and nine assists across 49 appearances in all competitions, largely playing a left wing-back role, and that adds to his ten goal contributions on Inter’s way to the title in 2020/21, too.

Across the last three seasons alone, he’s picked up five trophies. Something that few, if any, in the current Spurs squad can match.

The 6 foot 1 dynamo, whose “physique is that of a horse” according to former manager Luciano Spalletti, is a very shrewd addition for Spurs and Conte indeed.

He’s certainly still got it, having also averaged the second-highest WhoScored rating in the Inter squad in the Serie A this campaign. He led the team for interceptions (1.3 per game) and was third for key passes per game (1.6), proving to be solid defensively and very much a creator in the final third.

Also lauded as a “physical monster” by Eurosport journalist Siavoush Fallahi, it’s evident that age is merely a number when it comes to the £125k-per-week brute.

As such, Perisic could indeed be a big signing for Tottenham heading into next season. He and Heung-min Son down the left flank is certainly an intriguing prospect indeed.

The Lilywhites faithful, and the manager, must be absolutely buzzing by Romano’s latest update.

AND in other news, Spurs will “try and sign” £18m-rated “monster” after scouting mission, he’s Bale 2.0…

A worrying Newcastle United injury setback has emerged regarding centre-back Fabian Schar…

What’s the latest?

The Magpies defender was forced off during the 2-0 win over Arsenal on Monday night after clashing heads with Eddie Nketiah, with the club able to use a fourth (concussion) substitute to replace him.

An own goal from Ben White and a calm finish from Bruno Guimaraes sealed all three points for the Toon, but the victory was marred by the collision which left Schar in need of treatment.

After the game, Eddie Howe confirmed that the Switzerland international’s knock is not a serious one and that they were forced to take him off the pitch. The Shields Gazette quote the 44-year-old as saying: “Fabian, I think, is OK. I think he was taken off due to protocols. He wanted to stay on. I think it was the right decision.”

Any player diagnosed with a concussion will not be able to train for a minimum of six days to ensure that a full recovery has taken place, and this means that the 30-year-old may now miss the season finale against Burnley on Sunday.

Supporters will be gutted

First and foremost, everyone will be thankful that Schar is not in a bad way and that he is ‘OK’ at the moment, given what happened on the pitch. However, Newcastle supporters will now be gutted that he may not be available this weekend.

His absence will be a big blow for Howe, as the Swiss ace has been in fantastic form in the second half of the campaign for the Magpies. Since the turn of the year, Schar has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.9 or higher in the Premier League in every month, which shows that he has been consistently superb at the back.

He has proven that he can put in quality performances on a regular basis and has formed a strong partnership with Dan Burn at the heart of defence. The pair have played their part in lifting the team up the table, with Howe’s team currently sat in 12th place, a far cry from when he took over six months ago with the Magpies 19th in the league.

Schar has played 25 matches in the top flight this term, making 1.9 tackles and interceptions and 3.8 clearances per game. He has also chipped in with two goals and two assists as he has showcased his attacking quality from centre-back, adding another weapon to Newcastle’s threat in the final third.

These statistics illustrate how important he has been to the club, and that is why supporters will be gutted by the prospect of him missing out against Burnley, a game which could see the Magpies finish the season in the top half with a win.

AND in other news, Forget Guimaraes: £59k-p/w NUFC dynamo who won of his 100% duels was a monster on Monday… 

Rangers manager Gio van Bronckhorst offered Ibrox fans a glimpse into the future at Glasgow as he offered minutes to a host of young players at the weekend.

The Gers ran out 2-0 winners in their Premiership clash as Leon King, Alex Lowry, Charlie McCann and Adam Devine were all given an opportunity to feature.

They have all sufficiently impressed the Dutch head coach to be rewarded with a first-team call-up, and the next step will be to integrate them into the side on a regular basis, whether that comes next year or in the longer-term.

One of those players can end up following in the footsteps of Rangers’ most expensive ever departure. Nathan Patterson was sold to Everton for a club-record fee in January, and Van Bronckhorst can unearth the new Patterson in 19-year-old Devine.

Partick Thistle manager Ian McCall described the right-back as “highly rated”, and the youngster has also caught the eye of his managers in other loan spells.

Brechin boss Michael Paton praised the gem upon signing him on a temporary basis last year, saying: “Adam will be another great addition to the squad and he’s exactly what we’re looking for. He is athletic and can get up and down the park – I feel he can provide what we’re missing in that final third. He has great awareness and quality of crossing.

“Rangers feel he is on the same path as Nathan Paterson and have high hopes for him. Hopefully he can come here and hit the ground running and help us push towards where we want to go.”

This shows that the Light Blues already view Devine as a player with the potential to match what the Scotland international achieved at Ibrox and now Everton.

The teenager has showcased his potential for the Gers’ youth team throughout the campaign. He has registered an impressive five assists in nine Challenge Cup and UEFA Youth League outings for the B team, which shows off his attacking quality from right-back.

Devine also managed two assists in 11 games on loan at Brechin last term as he enjoyed a taste of regular first-team football in the second half of the season.

Along with the praise from his former managers and his involvement against Dundee United, these statistics suggest that the 19-year-old dynamo has a bright future ahead of him.

It is now up to Van Bronckhorst to provide the youngster with ample opportunities to prove that he can make the step up to playing regularly for Rangers so that he can develop into the next Patterson at Ibrox…

AND in other news, Ibrox sources: Van Bronckhorst set for imminent Rangers deal that’ll leave supporters delighted…

The Daily Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards has been left wowed by some news that he has now heard coming out of Sunderland before their Friday game against Sheffield Wednesday.

The Lowdown: Big ticket sales

Taking to Twitter, The Athletic journalist Michael Walker has revealed that the Wearside club have already sold 35,000 tickets for their first leg of their play-off tie at home to the Owls on Friday night, and are aiming to sell more than 45,000 in total.

That would be the biggest crowd outside of the Premier League so far this season, beating the 38,000 who showed up to watch the Black Cats take on Doncaster earlier this year.

The Latest: Edwards reacts

Edwards gave his instant reaction to the news on the tickets, calling it ‘remarkable’.

Considering that the Stadium of Light faithful are in the third tier of English football, and it would be the biggest crowd outside of the top flight, it would really be a monumental achievement to get that many supporters into the stadium.

The Verdict: Support needed

In truth, the Black Cats need all of the support that they can get as they look to get past a Wednesday team that finished above them in the League One table.

They both beat each other at their own homes in the league campaign, and so Alex Neil will be hoping that his side can repeat the trick on Friday, banking a healthy lead to take to Sheffield next week.

Nonetheless, these are two massive clubs in the English football pyramid, and so there should be a feisty atmosphere for a game that really doesn’t belong in League One.

In other news, find out who SAFC’s three worst players were against Morecambe here!

West Ham United cruised to a 4-0 victory against already relegated Norwich City to provide a huge boost to their hopes of finishing the Premier League season in a European spot.

They remain seventh but increase the gap to Wolverhampton Wanderers in eighth who have a game in hand to play on Wednesday. The win also means they can put the Europa League woes behind them after they crashed out of the competition at the semi-final stage on Thursday.

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The Hammers dominated the game with Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen grabbing the headlines with their two goals and two assists respectively. However, it was defender Craig Dawson who we think stole the show against the Canaries.

The veteran defender has been a key part to West Ham’s successes, and whilst he might get the appreciation from the supporters, he is often overlooked by those outside of the club.

He impressed greatly against Norwich winning 100% of his duels which was vital in ensuring that West Ham kept a clean sheet. He also received a SofaScore rating of 7.5 which was only beaten by his teammates mentioned above and Declan Rice.

The 32-year old made the move across London permanent at the start of the campaign joining from Watford after impressing on loan last season.

It’s been an unexpected rise for a player who has spent the majority of his career playing for a club either in a Premier League relegation battle or in the Championship.

Now he’s at the heart of the West Ham defence fighting for a European finish. He’s been described as “outstanding” by journalist Matt Law with manager Moyes praising his performances in Europe this season.

He also didn’t put a foot wrong when it came to his passing against Norwich. Dawson recorded a pass accuracy percentage of 95% during the game, proving that he is just as good in possession as he is battling one on one with an opponent.

For a player who rarely gets talked about, he produces performances that without, West Ham would find themselves struggling at the back. Luckily he has hardly missed a game for them this season with 48 appearances in all competitions.

IN other news: Imagine him & Said: West Ham set to move for 22 y/o “hurricane”, he won’t cost a penny…