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Sheffield Wednesday reportedly face competition for the signing of Josh Griffiths this summer, with Portsmouth and Lincoln City also keen on a move for the goalkeeper.

The Lowdown: Owls show Griffiths interest

The Owls are getting ready for life in League One, following their hugely disappointing relegation from the Championship last season.

Darren Moore will be keen to bring in his own players this summer and West Brom goalkeeper Griffiths is someone Wednesday have been linked with.

The 19-year-old impressed on loan at Cheltenham Town last season, starting 44 games in League Two as they gained promotion to the third tier of English football, winning the league in the process.

The Latest: League One pair also keen

The Owls face competition for Griffiths’ signature, however, with journalist Alan Nixon taking to Twitter to claim that Portsmouth and Lincoln are both eyeing up loan moves for the teenager.

It remains to be seen how serious Wednesday’s interest is, but it looks as though they won’t be able to sign him easily.

The Verdict: Exciting long-term prospect

With Keiren Westwood leaving Hillsborough this summer, the need for a new ‘keeper is clear and Griffiths is someone very much at the other end of his career.

He looks like an exciting prospect who will be full of confidence after last season’s success, so Moore would be sensible to try and snap him up.

Granted, experience isn’t necessarily on Griffiths’ side, but he has already shown he can shine for a promotion-chasing team – something Wednesday will intend to be in 2021/22.

In other news, Sheff Wed have been tipped to sign an attacker this summer – find out who it is here. 

Crystal Palace host Leeds United this evening as they look to climb the Premier League table with just six matches to go whilst can all but secure their safety with a victory.

The Eagles followed up their Wembley heartbreak in the FA Cup semi-final with a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United last Wednesday night, with manager Patrick Vieira making changes to his team.

Now though, after a five-day break, the Frenchman must resort back to his best possible lineup, with striker Jean-Philippe Mateta leading the line.

On the chalkboard

Mateta was rested in the North East on Wednesday, with out-of-favour Odsonne Edouard getting the nod to start up front against the Magpies.

The Frenchman struggled to make an impact at St.James’ Park and hasn’t found the back of the net for Palace since late January.

As for his fellow countryman, Mateta has been the Eagles’ best striker since the turn of the year, scoring five goals and assisting one in 2022.

The 24-year-old’s form has ironically correlated with his loan move from Bundesliga outfit FC Mainz being made permanent in the January transfer window.

Vieira has chopped and changed his strikers this season, with no centre forward finding consistent form in front of goal that rivals that of top scorer Wilfried Zaha, as well as the impressive Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher.

The long-term Palace servant has enjoyed his best-ever season in front of goal for the Eagles this term, scoring 12 times across all competitions whilst Gallagher is the south London outfit’s second-top-scorer with eight strikes.

With Zaha in support, Mateta can find his best form, with the forward finally starting to find comfort in the red and blue of Crystal Palace after a shaky start to life in England.

The £30k-per-week striker was signed on a season-and-a-half loan from Mainz in January 2021, with former Palace boss Roy Hodgson handing the Frenchman just seven league appearances.

Although, the 24-year-old did instantly boost his popularity amongst the Selhurst Park faithful, netting the first goal in a dramatic 2-1 win against arch-rivals Brighton.

This season, the forward was shut out almost completely, playing just 61 minutes of the Eagles’ first 17 league matches and sometimes failed to even make a matchday squad.

However, once handed his chance at the back end of December, Mateta, who was labelled as “brilliant” by teammate Will Hughes earlier this term, grabbed it with both hands and is now the south London side’s most in form striker and thus must be unleashed against Leeds.

AND in other news: Cost £0, now worth £15.3m: Parish struck gold with “fantastic” £25k-p/w Palace dynamo

Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that Celtic’s transfer structure means that Tom Heaton is unlikely to sign for the Hoops this summer, after Paul Robinson told Football Insider that the Scottish giants should target him.

Heaton is out of contract at Aston Villa this June, with the Bhoys in need of a senior goalkeeper.

Celtic currently have three first-team shotstoppers, although neither Vasilis Barkas, Scott Bain nor Conor Hazard have been able to nail down the number-one spot at Parkhead.

Greek international Barkas has made a number of high-profile errors, especially in European competition, whilst Bain has been the preferred choice in recent weeks – starting Celtic’s last 15 games in all competitions.

But Celtic have kept just 17 clean sheets in their 36 Scottish Premiership matches, and whilst McAvennie recognises their need for a new goalkeeper, he doesn’t believe it’ll be Heaton, who’s not played a single minute of senior football since suffering a serious knee problem on New Year’s Day 2020.

McAvennie, suggesting new chief executive Dominic McKay needs to make changes, told Football FanCast:

“Tommy Heaton is a good keeper, and Aston Villa is a big club so it wouldn’t faze him coming up to Celtic. I think he’s a good keeper, but I don’t know if it will work. They’ve got three keepers at the moment, and none of them are my number one – that says everything.

“Celtic’s biggest problem is they like to buy young and sell and it hasn’t worked well. Unless the new guy changes the way Celtic work.”

Anthony Joseph has dropped a teasing update regarding Celtic’s business on transfer deadline day.

What’s the talk?

In a recent post on Twitter, the Sky Sports journalist revealed that, while a host of incoming signings aren’t expected on the final day of the January transfer window, Ange Postecoglou will be keeping a very close eye on the market in case a player becomes available who is too good for the Bhoys to pass up.

In his tweet, Joseph said: “In terms of Celtic, I’ve been told not to expect incomings, unless someone becomes available who’s too good to miss out on. Could see some fringe/younger players heading out – more likely on loan.”

Fans will be excited

While Celtic have already been one of the busier clubs in the January window, having already sealed the arrivals of Matt O’Riley, Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi, Daizen Maeda and Johnny Kenny, the news that the Hoops could still be active on deadline day is sure to have left the Parkhead faithful excited.

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Indeed, there are a number of areas within Postecoglou’s first-team squad which could still do with greater strength in depth, particularly at left-back, attacking midfield and on the wings.

The Bhoys have been linked with the likes of Lee Buchanan, Callum Styles, Danny Mandriou and Albert Gudmundsson this month. Should any of those become available during the closing stages of the January market, it would indeed seem advisable for the Celtic manager to sanction a late swoop in the window, as each player would very much appear to improve the club’s chances of reclaiming their Premiership crown this season.

In other news: Ange must seal Celtic deal for £4m gem dubbed “one of the best”, he’s a big upgrade

Leeds United star Patrick Bamford has suffered a major blow, with England manager Gareth Southgate omitting him from the provisional squad for Euro 2020.

What’s the story?

The striker has been an absolute sensation in the Premier League this season for the Whites, banging in 17 goals and providing another eight assists in the 38 games.

However, despite his form, Southgate has opted to leave him out from the expanded 33-man provisional squad that he named on Tuesday afternoon, instead choosing to go with the likes of Harry Kane, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins and Mason Greenwood as his strikers.

Leeds fans will be fuming

Given just how impressively Bamford has performed at the Premier League level this season, it’s no surprise that many Leeds fans are already up in arms over the striker’s omission from the England squad.

Only Kane has outscored the Whites forward in the Premier League in terms of the players Southgate has chosen, while only the England captain, Rashford and Jack Grealish have provided more assists than him.

When leaving Bamford out of the last squad, Southgate himself admitted: “(Bamford was) very close. There’s a number of positions in this squad that have been really close calls and we felt we wanted an extra striker.

“We like his (Watkins) pressing, the speed and the runs in behind. He’s got some improvement to make in linking the game, but in his first season in the Premier League at a big club, he’s done exceptionally well. That’s been a really close call because all the things I’ve said about Ollie I could have said for Patrick as well. So he’s very unfortunate.”

Meanwhile, there have been numerous of calls for Southgate to have taken Bamford as one of his forward options.

The Mirror’s Neil Moxley wrote: “I’d take Patrick Bamford instead of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The Leeds man provides more assists and his star is on an upwards curve.”

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Speaking recently to the Yorkshire Evening Post, former Leeds midfielder David Prutton said: “Get him in there. He’s got no tournament baggage and he’s a great team player who is a hard worker and selfless.

“He’s performed under pressure at a big club and always rises to the challenge of the questions against him. He’s an all round good egg.”

While Kalvin Phillips’ inclusion will surely please Leeds fans, the fact that Bamford isn’t in the squad despite outperforming almost every striker Southgate has chosen will understandably have the Elland Road faithful fuming.

Meanwhile, Leeds United are plotting a new move for this star…

Celtic have been in talks with Tottenham defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, according to American reporter Larry Henry Jr.

The Lowdown: Ajer to leave?

The Hoops may still need centre-back reinforcements ahead of the new season. Christopher Jullien is out injured, leaving Ange Postecoglou with Stephen Welsh, new signing Osaze Urhoghide and Kristoffer Ajer as senior options.

The Norwegian wants to leave Celtic Park and Norwich City are keen on the 23-year-old, so the Hoops may still need to bring in another centre-half to have four experienced defenders on the books.

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The Latest: Henry Jr’s post

Carter-Vickers, who was hailed as ‘quick’ by Jonathan Woodgate, is on £20,000 per week at Spurs and seems to be of interest to Celtic.

Henry Jr, who reports for SBI Soccer, posted two updates on Carter-Vickers on Twitter on Wednesday, firstly:

“It sounds like the Cameron Carter-Vickers race is down to three teams, per a source close to the player. Newcastle United, Celtic, and Bournemouth back in the mix. Should be a fun few weeks.”

Henry Jr soon added this update, revealing Carter-Vickers’ talks with Celtic:

“Newcastle is still in mix, but going over finances. Celtic has been in talks with Tottenham over a transfer too. Bournemouth’s interest quieted but has since picked back up.”

The Verdict: Look elsewhere

Carter-Vickers has made just four appearances for Tottenham and is valued at £1.8m by Transfermarkt.

Back in May, it was suggested that Spurs would want around £10m for the eight-cap USA international. Should that still be the case, Celtic would need to make him the club’s record signing.

He has just 12 months left on his north London contract, so all things considered, the Hoops shouldn’t pursue a £10m deal. The likes of Mario Vuskovic and Carl Starfelt have also been linked with a Parkhead move, and the Hoops could possibly get the pair for £10m combined.

In other news: UEFA Pro Licence coach keen to work with Ange Postecoglou at Celtic, find out more here. 

West Ham United fans have been angered on Twitter, after the club posted an official communication regarding their pre-season camp at St Andrews in Scotland.

As 2021/22 pre-season preparations get underway for the Londoners, manager David Moyes has elected to take his squad on a five-day trip to his homeland [West Ham United Official].

During the short break, the Hammers will cross into Tayside as they visit newly promoted Scottish Premiership outfit Dundee in what will be a first ever clash between the sides [West Ham United Official].

Despite the excitement around the inaugural fixture of the new campaign, West Ham have only made one signing in the form of tying up Craig Dawson permanently on a two-year contract [Football London].

In light of the level of inaction on the transfer front, loads of Irons diehards took to Twitter to vent their frustration at recent developments, as footage posted from training dawned the realisation that the new season will soon be upon us.

WHUFC fans react:

Replying to the West Ham United official Twitter account, here is how some fans summarized their thoughts on pre-season beginning with an identical squad to last term:

“All that talk of selling Lanzini at the end of last season, considering we’ve bought absolutely no-one!? We need him. Next season he’ll be our one-man ‘squad depth’.”

Credit: @TheCam01491612″What happened to all the signings David Moyes wanted before pre season… Is this why an ally of Mr. Moyes has been appointed… Reducing the transfer power of Lady Brady and Messrs Gold and Sullivan We shall see”Credit: @stephenfield515″No kits, no signings, nothing at all…”Credit: @RokasWHU”#GSBOUT”Credit: @danielmoore1987″Where are the new signings?”Credit: @katanna72″Buy some players”Credit: @HHickfordIn other news, a pundit exclusively drops a bold claim about a rumoured West Ham target.

Journalist George Caulkin has dropped a major update, regarding Newcastle’s pursuit of a new manager.

What’s the talk?

The Athletic reporter has claimed that PIF will not be appointing Portuguese head coach Paulo Fonseca to replace Steve Bruce at St. James’ Park.

A recent report stated that Newcastle were set to offer him a contract after he impressed in an interview with the club, but Caulkin has made it clear that he will not be in the dugout on Tyneside anytime soon.

He told the Pod on the Tyne podcast for The Athletic:

“I have been told that it won’t be Fonseca; I’ve been told that now, a couple of times, but I’m not saying that as a definitive thing.”

Buzzing

Newcastle fans could leave fans buzzing as it appears to increase the chances of the club sealing a deal for Ajax manager Erik ten Hag. The previous report made it seem as though Fonseca was the favourite for the role, with the club willing to offer him a deal.

However, Caulkin’s claim leaves the rumour pretty much dead in the water.

It does not get much clearer than ‘it won’t be Fonseca’ and this leaves Newcastle fans to get excited about who it could be instead.

The Portuguese head coach has an impressive C.V and PIF ultimately opting against a swoop for his services could hint at the standard of manager they believe they can attract.

Fonseca won 1.77 points per game with Roma in the Serie A during a two-year spell with the Italian giants and won three league titles in three years at Shakhtar Donetsk prior to his spell in Italy.

This suggests that he can handle the pressure of expectation at tops clubs, with impressive results on the whole for Shakhtar and Roma.

The club have been linked with a move for Ajax manager ten Hag and this update on Fonseca could play into the reports that the Magpies are keen on the Dutchman, which fans will be delighted with.

He has won two Eredivisie titles with Ajax and reached the Champions League quarter-final and semi-final, despite selling the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Hakim Ziyech and Donny van de Beek along the way.

Ten Hag has won 2.15 points per game across 204 Eredivisie matches in charge of Utrecht and Ajax and his proven track record of success under difficult circumstances shows that he could be a great appointment. This is why Newcastle fans could be buzzing with this update from Caulkin, as it leaves the door ajar for the Dutchman to walk through.

AND in other news, Bruce’s legacy: “Immense” NUFC dynamo has seen his value plummet £9.9m in two years…

Valerien Ismael is unfazed about Matheus Pereira’s impending exit from The Hawthorns.

What’s been said?

In a recent interview with BBC West Midlands, the Albion manager, whose recent comments regarding the winger’s apparent lack of commitment to the club drew an angry response from the 25-year-old on Twitter, suggested he is not concerned about Pereira’s deapture, and would rather focus his enegry on the players who will be in and around the Baggies squad next season.

In his latest comments, the 45-year-old said: “Everything has been said. It is not a new situation. My focus now is on the game and on the squad. I don’t want lost energy.

“For us, it is important to have the right direction. Every summer, every winter, some player at some club wants to leave. But the club is always bigger than the player.”

Fans will be buzzing

Considering the fact that Ismael was only appointed as the West Brom manager earlier this summer, with the Frenchman having only spent a single season in England prior to his rather high profile move to The Hawthorns, the fact that the former Barnsley manager appears to be completely in control of the situation surrounding Pereira’s exit from the club is sure to have left fans buzzing.

Indeed, the cool, calm and collected approach is an incredibly important characteristic for a manager to master, as, not only has the 45-year-old appeased the Albion fans by claiming that no one player – no matter how talented – is bigger than their club, his words will have also inspired the West Brom players, who will undoubtedly be hoping that Pereira’s transfer is resolved as quickly as possible in order for them to completely focus on their football.

Indeed, Ismael is right not to give attention to the situation during his side’s preparation for their Championship opener against Bournemouth on Friday, as a win against a likely promotion rival in the first game of the season would be a magnificent start to the Frenchman’s reign in West Bromwich.

In other news: Ismael could solve big West Brom issue by signing £8.9k-p/w gem, he won’t cost a penny

Glen Kamara has refused to commit his future to Glasgow Rangers while on international duty with Finland, saying he will wait and see what happens in regards to a new deal.

The Lowdown: Kamara future unsure

£5.4m-valued Kamara (Transfermarkt) was the subject of plenty of interest from the Premier League during the summer transfer window, including from former club Arsenal (Football Insider).

However, he remained at Ibrox in the end, although he has now provided an insight into his thinking.

The Latest: Kamara refuses to commit future

Speaking while away with Finland, Kamara did not close any doors in regards to what could happen. He said (via Ibrox News):

“From what I know, there has been some interest from different teams in different leagues.

“If something had happened, then it would have happened. But it didn’t happen, and the focus is on Rangers, which is something I look forward to.

“There have been, talks and they have been ongoing. We will see what happens. I can’t really tell you much, and I can’t really say more about that.

“Let’s see what happens.”

The Verdict: Worrying for Gers

We are approaching an important moment in the career of Kamara at Rangers. At the end of this campaign, he will have just one year left on his contract with the 55-time Scottish champions (Transfermarkt) – it is time to decide whether to sign a new deal or seek pastures new.

After impressing both with the Gers last term as they won the Premiership for the first time in ten years and with Finland during Euro 2020, Kamara has made himself an attractive proposition for a number of clubs. There is only so much he can achieve north of the border, and he may well be weighing his options as he deliberates a new deal.

In other news, Rangers fans reacted to this latest Heart and Hand twist.