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Kieran Maguire has dropped a big claim on Mike Ashley after he made some comments on the handling of the potential takeover of Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Ashley makes takeover statement

In a statement released after the case HMRC held over the St. James’ Park faithful was discontinued, Ashley claimed that ‘dark forces’ were stopping them from becoming ‘the powerhouse the fans deserve.’

This is in reference to the proposed deal that he had with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group, which was ultimately failed by the Premier League and one that he is desperately looking to get back onto the table.

The Latest: Maguire on Ashley comments

Maguire, who is an expert in football finance, has since given his thoughts to Football Insider on the comments that were made by Ashley:

“Mike Ashley’s comments were certainly very colourful.

“I think he was trying to ingratiate himself with the fans. But it’s the equivalent of the bloke who’s been having an affair with your wife asking you out for a pizza.

“Things have gone too far. I think he must hold Newcastle fans in complete contempt if he thinks that by coming out with comments like this he can get into their good books after more than a decade of not delivering.”

The Verdict: Ashley hypocritical

It seemed very hypocritical of Ashley to suggest that he wants to give to the fans what they deserve when the relationship between him and the Toon Army has not been the best due to the fact that he himself has failed to do exactly what he is speaking of.

As much as the takeover would bring riches to the North East, a lot of supporters would likely just be relieved that Ashley would be leaving the Tyneside club.

The potential deal between him and the consortium is at a delicate stage at the moment, with an arbitration case poised to take place between the Magpies and the top flight over the failed Owners and Directors Test.

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A positive result for NUFC could be a huge step in getting the takeover back on track, which would bring a lot of joy not just because of the possibility of climbing up to the top of the football food chain, but it would also mean an end to Ashley’s reign.

In other news, find out which 6 ft 1 talent Newcastle are eyeing here!

Former Premier League striker Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that Danny Ings would jump at the chance to sign for Tottenham should Harry Kane leave.

Kane’s future at the club is in serious doubt following reports from Sky Sports suggesting that he wants out this summer with Spurs on the cusp of failing to qualify for the Champions League or winning silverware.

Those same reports also believe that Tottenham are already lining up potential replacements for the England captain if he does get his wish to leave.

There aren’t many strikers that can replace Kane’s goalscoring record, but Windass thinks that his Three Lions colleague Ings, whose own future at Southampton is up in the air, would be keen on a move to north London.

Ings hasn’t been his prolific self this season, scoring just 12 times, but has 46 goals in 98 matches for the Saints since making the January switch from Liverpool more than two years ago.

“If Kane doesn’t stay, Danny Ings would jump at the chance,” Windass told Football FanCast.

“It’s a great stadium, massive club, great fan base. These players want to play first-team football and if Harry Kane goes, they will bring someone in. And as a 20-goal striker like Danny Ings is, he will want to play week in, week out.”

Newcastle have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham after a new update about his situation.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days suggested that Steve Bruce’s side are one of the teams interested in signing the England international this summer, and it now appears that a potential deal could well be on the cards.

According to The Express and Star, Chelsea are now willing to let Abraham go, and are likely to demand a fee of around £40m to part ways with the centre-forward.

Transforming Newcastle’s attack

With Callum Wilson enduring an injury-hit campaign in his debut season at St James’ Park, making sure the Magpies are well-stocked with quality in the striking department has to be a priority this summer.

And by bringing in the £50k-a-week earning Abraham, Lee Charnley could ensure that Newcastle’s attack could well be transformed. The England ace has suffered from a real lack of game-time at Stamford Bridge, but has still managed 12 goals across all competitions, while he bagged 15 in the Premier League alone last year.

Dubbed as the “real deal” by former Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood, Abraham has a big fan in Newcastle legend Alan Shearer, who waxed lyrical about him earlier this season.

He said: “I like him but I also think he has to go to the next level and to do that, that stat (only scoring four goals from crosses) has to improve. He is very good at finishing balls that come from midfield and in behind the defence. Where he can improve is when balls come into the box, he needs to have that intelligent movement where number nines score on a regular basis.

“I like him, he has great potential but where he has to go to the next level, the one thing he can improve on is that movement in the box and he can improve that. He just needs to work on it and improve.”

Having Abraham to either partner Wilson in attack, or simply compete with him, would be a major boost to Newcastle’s striking options and would ensure they don’t just fall by the wayside if the latter pulls up with injury – in the nine Premier League games that the summer signing has missed, the Magpies have scored just five goals.

Abraham’s arrival would go a long way to transforming that.

Meanwhile, Newcastle could sign a perfect midfield partner for Joe Willock in this star…

Former Sheffield United midfielder Keith Gillespie has exclusively told Football FanCast that he sympathises with striker Rhian Brewster following his nightmare first season at Bramall Lane.

The youngster became the Blades’ record signing when he joined from Liverpool last summer, but still hasn’t managed to get off the mark for the club.

Brewster has started just three times in the Premier League in 2021, and hasn’t scored in 24 appearances in all competitions, although it’s a growing theme at Sheffield United this term – with David McGoldrick and Billy Sharp the only strikers to have found the net more than once in the league.

United’s struggles in front of goal have put the club on the verge of relegation, less than 12 months after they achieved their best topflight finish for 45-years.

But Gillespie, who played for Sheffield United the last time they were relegated from the Premier League, told Football FanCast that the England Under-21 star needs time:

“When you sign for Sheffield United, like he has done, and you look at what they achieved last season, you couldn’t have foreseen the season they have.

“They haven’t scored many goals. He’s a young player who scored quite a few goals at Swansea, and people just expect him to step up and do that at Sheffield United, but he’s ending up going to a struggling side and that becomes a problem.

“He hasn’t played every week, they’ve chopped any changed – they’ve got McBurnie there, Sharp, McGoldrick. They have been trying to find that remedy, but you couldn’t tell who are going to be the top up top week to week because none of them are scoring goals.”

All of Brewster’s senior goals came in the Championship with Swansea, and whilst the ex-Liverpool striker hasn’t lived up to expectations at Bramall Lane, he could prove crucial in their bid to come straight back up next season, not forgetting that he only turned 21 earlier this month.

Many Arsenal fans have been criticising the performance of Hector Bellerin the first half of their Premier League game at Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.

The Spain international struggled defensively to try and contain the dangerous Allan Saint-Maximin, who he was up against on his flank, and aside from a tidy cross in the opening minutes which eventually fell to the feet of Mohamed Elneny to slot home, he did not offer too much going forward.

Some Gunners fans did not hold back when he missed a good chance midway through the first half either, spewing his shot well wide in the end.

The 26-year-old will be hoping to impress Mikel Arteta enough in the second half to earn himself a starting berth at right-back in their Europa League second leg at home to Villarreal on Thursday night.

Arsenal fans on Bellerin display

These Arsenal supporters slammed Bellerin’s performance on Twitter, with one Gooner going as far as to claim that he is an ‘absolute joke’:

“Useless Bellerin, again and again”

Credit: @arsenali

“Bro please sell Bellerin.”

Credit: @Bolu_Adesina

“Bellerin is so offensive to my eyes”

Credit: @ayaduye1

“Bellerin honestly offers nothing”

Credit: @SilkFarda

“Bellerin isn’t a real footballer…”

Credit: @AFCnolan

“Bellerin is a joke. Absolute joke.”

Credit: @_mikehy

In other news, find out which Arsenal player was slammed for his display against Villarreal.

Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing Sheffield Wednesday defender Osaze Urhoghide this summer.

The next transfer window could potentially be a busy one at Elland Road, as Marcelo Bielsa looks to further fine-tune his squad ahead of next season.

Leeds have enjoyed a more-than-adequate return to the Premier League, currently sitting 11th in the table, but the aim is to repeat that feat next year, or preferably better it.

The Whites could make additions all over the pitch, but one transfer rumour that has emerged claims they are eyeing up a versatile defender.

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Leeds keen on Urhoghide move

According to the Sheffield Star, Wednesday youngster Urhoghide is considered an option for Leeds, as they look to snatch away an exciting player from their local rivals.

The 20-year-old is out of contract at Hillsborough at the end of the season, so the Whites could snap him up on a free transfer.

Urhoghide is capable of playing at centre-back or in either of the full-back spots, making nine Championship starts for the struggling Owls this season.

Transfer Tavern take

It is always good to see Leeds linked with talented young English players and Urhoghide fits into that category, having made a name for himself with Wednesday.

His versatility could also come in handy, allowing him to fill in across several positions and hopefully mature as a player under Bielsa’s tutelage.

That versatility, youth and the fact he is available for free makes him a low risk high reward signing from Director of Football Victor Orta, if it goes through.

In other news, a key Leeds player is believed to be attracting interest from other clubs. Find out who it is here.

Lots of Wolves fans have been left to an official update from the Molineux faithful.
As per the website of the Midlands club, former Everton, Norwich City and Wigan Athletic defender Matt Jackson has taken up a new role as the strategic player marketing manager.The role is a first for the Wanderers, and will be dedicated to ensuring players at all levels of the club and Academy are getting the best possible futures when their time at Molineux comes to an end.Jackson will also assist in outgoing loans for WWFC’s Academy prospects, where he will use his extensive contacts throughout the game to ensure that the temporary moves are the best fit for the player’s individual needs.The update has caused quite a mixed reaction among a lot of Wolves supporters, as while some feel it is a good idea to be looking after the Academy players in this way, others do not feel that the role is necessary and instead more focus should be on other aspects of the club.

Wolves fans on Jackson update

These Wanderers flocked to the update on Twitter to give their thoughts:

“Having read into this, I think this is a fantastic role within the club. Putting in place measures to help academy kids after being released is arguably much more important than the first team aspects of the role”

Credit: @Gary_Poynton

“Easy to dismiss this but I have a feeling it might be an excellent idea”

Credit: @BrianWeetman

“I like this. The club needs these roles. Especially this summer. Getting out players is sometimes harder than getting in”
Credit: @SteC9911

“Now I know for sure football has completely and utterly lost it”
Credit: @CurtisS27314464

“You don’t know what you’re doing”

Credit: @TipsDamon

“Can’t believe we’ve appointed someone to try and make Adama look a good signing”
Credit: @DaanCooper

In other news, find out what Tim Spiers update has been bemoaned by Wanderers here!

Moise Kean’s brother admits that it is ‘difficult to imagine’ the striker returning to Everton at the end of his loan spell with Paris Saint-Germain.

Everton signed the Italy international from Juventus in August 2019 for an initial fee of £25.1m but he endured a difficult debut season on Merseyside, scoring only two goals in 33 appearances across all competitions.

PSG get the best out of Kean

The Blues opted to loan him out at the end of the 2020 summer transfer window and it was PSG who secured a deal for him.

He has spectacularly rediscovered his scoring touch in the French capital, netting 18 times. In PSG’s star-studded ranks, only Kylian Mbappe can boast a higher goal tally (31).

‘Even if he has a contract’ Kean probably won’t go back to Everton

Some Everton fans may be licking their lips at the prospect of a revitalised Kean re-entering the Goodison Park fold next season, but his brother Giovanni thinks that his future lies elsewhere. He is hopeful that the 21-year-old goes back to Turin, where he spent nine years before moving to Merseyside.

“I think it’s difficult to imagine him returning to Everton, even if he has a contract with them,” Giovanni Kean told Tuttosport.

“I can ensure he is very happy at PSG. Anything can happen in football. As a Juventus fan, I hope he returns to Juventus.”

Transfer Tavern verdict

Kean struggled at Everton, his woes peaking when Duncan Ferguson brought him on and then substituted him against Manchester United. Having thrived at Champions League-chasing PSG, he might not want to go back to Goodison Park.

The good news for the Toffees is that he will still have three years left on his contract come the summer, and they will be within their rights to slap a substantial price tag on him.

If PSG, or indeed Juventus, decide to pay a large transfer fee, Everton can then reinvest in weaker areas of their squad. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has shown he is more than good enough to be the long-term number nine at Goodison.

In other news, this Everton man was slammed for his latest performance.

Tottenham Hotspur return to action in the Premier League this afternoon and know a victory would see them move back into the top four following a poor run of results.

Last time out, Jose Mourinho’s side bounced back from an embarrassing week in which they were defeated by arch-rivals Arsenal in the north London derby before being knocked out of the Europa League despite holding a two-goal advantage by Dinamo Zagreb.

Spurs defeated an in-form Villa outfit 2-0 on their own patch, and now travel up the country once more, this time to face Newcastle United at St James’ Park later today.

The Portuguese will be sweating on the fitness of several of his key stars, whilst a welcome name could return to the fold, so with that in mind, here’s our predicted XI and the latest team and injury news from the Lilywhites’ camp…

In total, there could be as many as three changes from the side that saw off Villa with ease.

Having missed the trip to Villa Park, Heung-min Son is set to return having enjoyed some time off to recover during the international break and he should come straight back in for £25m-rated beast Carlos Vinicius, who partnered Harry Kane up top in a rare formation change.

He could be joined by Gareth Bale in the attack after the Welshman was snubbed from the starting XI, whilst Lucas Moura is expected to move back into the no.10 role over the likes of Giovani Lo Celso – who is axed here – and forgotten star, Dele Alli.

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It means the deeper midfield duo of Tanguy Ndombele and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is set to continue, leaving Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks on the bench.

The third and final change is likely to be at full-back, with Serge Aurier back from illness. He’ll take the place of Japhet Tanganga, who deputised to great effect. Perhaps it’s an unfair call, but the Ivorian has been Mourinho’s first-choice in the role for most of the campaign.

Ben Davies and Matt Doherty have both been ruled out and are subsequently unavailable for the trip, whilst Sergio Reguilon, who was withdrawn early through injury, is expected to be fit enough to start in the north-east.

At the back, Eric Dier could be overlooked once again, with Joe Rodon and Davinson Sanchez surely continuing in the middle after an impressive clean sheet last time out. It also means there is no place for Toby Alderwerield, who missed the Villa trip through illness too.

The £25m-rated Englishman has been snubbed from their last five league games, so is very unlikely to feature here.

Hugo Lloris heads the XI back between the sticks.

AND in other news, Spurs: Jose Mourinho should unleash 18 y/o prodigy against Newcastle…

Celtic may be without a permanent first-team manager but that hasn’t stopped the Bhoys from preparing adequately for next season.

They have already agreed a pre-contract with Liam Shaw while similar moves could be sorted for the likes of Siriki Dembele and Kwadwo Baah.

On the chalkboard

Celtic will have a list of areas they need to improve in ahead of next season. If they are to usurp Rangers again then the defence will surely be their first port of call.

The Hoops have shipped 14 more goals than the league winners this term but they could also do with more fluidity in the final third.

Besides Odsonne Edouard who has 20 goals to his name, the Glaswegian outfit have missed a regular scorer.

It hasn’t helped that James Forrest has only just returned from an injury lay-off that has kept him out since September. The Scotsman scored 16 goals and provided 22 assists last season so has been missed considerably.

Add that to the fact that Ryan Christie’s numbers are significantly down and it hasn’t helped Celtic.

The winger has netted five times all season has just a solitary strike to his name in 2021. Christie has been linked with moves to Leeds and Arsenal but his form surely doesn’t warrant a switch of that calibre.

He has been particularly abject in recent months and thus, Celtic could do with an upgrade.

Dazzling Lovric

Last summer, Celtic were linked with a move for Croatian winger Kristijan Lovric. It was reported that his current team, Gorica, turned down a bid in the region of £4.5m for his services the previous winter.

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The Hoops revived their interest but ultimately couldn’t conclude a deal. Clearly, there is a longstanding interest in the 25-year-old and with Celtic needing attacking recruits; they should turn to him again.

Lovric is yet to be capped by his country but has been one of the best players in the Croatian top-flight this term. The left-winger has scored on 16 occasions, taking his tally for Gorica to 42 in 88 outings.

He is a free-scoring forward with plenty of eye-catching abilities, picking up 21 assists in his Gorica career to date.

What really stands out, however, are his dribbling abilities and sprint speed. Speaking about Lovric last season, HNTV commentator Damir Petravic said: “He dribbles and scores in the style of Robben, shoots free throws like Pirlo or Pjanic, and knows how to sprint like Mbappe.”

That quote is about as glistening as they come. The statistics also paint the attacker as an incredibly dangerous player.

So far this season, Lovric has managed five dribbles and five shots per 90 minutes. On top of that, the Croat has produced 5.37 successful attacking actions over the same metric.

Those numbers are incredibly eye-catching. Take Christie, for instance; he has only produced 2.5 dribbles and two shots per game for Celtic this term in comparison.

Lovric would be a brilliant addition if the Hoops can finally conclude a deal.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Edouard: Celtic must swoop for 28-goal “sensation” who’ll “go to the very top”…