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Aston Villa confirmed the signing of Southampton striker Danny Ings on Wednesday evening.

And, with no rumours of a transfer beforehand, the confirmation led to a number of Villa supporters going wild on social media.

Ings put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Villa Park, with a move thought to be costing Villa £25m.

The 5 foot 8 forward becomes Villa’s fourth summer signing and you’d expect the Englishman may rival Ollie Watkins for a starting spot under Dean Smith, who also has Wesley Moraes in his ranks.

Ings has scored 34 Premier League goals in the past two seasons and leaves Southampton after making 100 appearances.

The 29-year-old turned down a new Saints contract earlier in the summer, which would have made him the club’s best-paid player, but he is now a Villa man after an under-the-radar deal went through on Wednesday.

Villa fans react

The club shared the news regarding Ings on their official Twitter page. This is what some Villa fans had to say in reply…

“Nah it’s actually so scary for the rest of the league. It’s happening”Credit: @HarryUTV”I may be in the minority… but not a fan of this signing. So Watkins wide or we play 352? 30 mil for a 30 year old with injuries who’s had one good season? We are panic buying.”Credit: @pkaza84″YOU WHAT?”Credit: @NCAVFC”Excuse us? I mean, this is GREAT. Lange quietly working his magic again?”Credit: @VillaNoFiller”LANGEEEEEEEEE AT THE BACK POST!”Credit: @lewastbury”Love you Villa”Credit: @MerseMagic

In other news: ‘I’ve heard’ – Dharmesh Sheth shares Todd Cantwell to Aston Villa transfer update on Sky Sports. 

Graham Roberts reckons that Tottenham should get rid of both Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso this summer.

The pair cost around £100m when they were signed in the same transfer window by Mauricio Pochettino in 2019.

However, neither have been able to fulfil their potential, whilst they’ve contributed to just 13 goals in 100 Premier League games combined – with Ndombele chipping in with nine and Lo Celso only four.

Ndombele was a regular under Jose Mourinho last season after failing to settle in his first campaign in England, although Argentine attacking midfielder Lo Celso has started just 26 games in the league having failed to nail down a starting place.

They sit first and third in Tottenham’s record arrivals list, but Roberts exclusively reckons that neither player can cope with the pace of the Premier League.

Asked which players he could see Tottenham selling this summer, the ex-Spurs skipper exclusively told The Transfer Tavern:

“I think Lo Celso and Ndombele. They’ve had two seasons, and they’re not scoring goals or assisting, they need to move on. I would look for a creative midfield player.

“I’m not sure what position Ndombele plays, Lo Celso is always injured. The league is too powerful for them, they can’t get to the pace of the league, and if you can’t get to the pace of the league, you’re a waste of time.”

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Everton defender Michael Ball has hit out at Carlo Ancelotti, suggesting that he failed during his short spell at Goodison Park.

The Italian recently departed Everton to make a shock return to Real Madrid following Zinedine Zidane’s decision to walk away from the Spanish giants.

Given his profile and what he has accomplished in the game, big expectations came with Ancelotti’s Everton appointment at the end of 2019.

He also brought in a couple big-name players in James Rodriguez and Allan, only adding to those expectations. However, in the end, Ancelotti was only able to guide the Toffees to a 10th-placed finish in his only full season with the club.

“I think he’s bottled the whole project,” Ball told FFC. “I feel it was a great opportunity for him to show what a top manager he is. He’s won trophies everywhere, but he’s always had the wealth and he’s always had the players.

“Could he bring Everton from a mid-table team to the European spots? That was his ambition; that was his target. He failed to do that.”

Quite frankly, Ancelotti’s exit was disappointing, especially given that he has been so vocal with his criticism of the failed European Super League, something his new employers were at the heart of.

That being said, understandably, players and managers will always find it hard to say no to a club of Real Madrid’s size.

Bruno Lage’s arrival at Molineux has been met with a sense of excitement, particularly by Wolves skipper Conor Coady.

The centre-back is one of a number of players linked with the exit door in recent weeks but if anyone is going to stand by the new manager’s side, it’ll likely be him.

On the chalkboard

Lage should be looking towards Coady to set the example during the new season but he will also need a fit and firing Raul Jimenez.

Nuno Santo’s final campaign with the club was marred by a significant spell on the sidelines for their Mexican star.

He suffered a fractured skull back in November and hasn’t played since. Jimenez featured on just 11 occasions in all competitions but crucially, he has made a full recovery.

The forward will have to wear protective headgear for the rest of his career but will be fit enough to return to pre-season once the squad links up after Euro 2020.

Jimenez has been a revelation in the Midlands with 48 goals to his name but it’s uncertain whether he’ll return with the same rich vein of form.

The solution

Wolves have been targeting a new striker ahead of the new season and you can hardly blame them.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-wolves-transfer-news-alena-dike-neves-barisic” title=”Real the latest Wolves transfer news!”]

Their top scorer in 2020/21 was Pedro Neto on just five while Fabio Silva’s first campaign in English football provided only four strikes.

As for Willian Jose, he beat the goalkeeper once after arriving on a short-term loan deal from Real Sociedad.

He has returned to Spain and is unlikely to make a return. Rafa Mir is also set to leave so Wolves have turned their attentions towards Dany Mota.

Hailing from Portugal, the 23-year-old is typically a client of Jorge Mendes but starred at the recent European U21 Championships by scoring two goals in three outings.

He also outshone another Wolves target in Rafael Leao.

Speaking after the tournament, reporter Zach Lowy commented: “The fact that Dany Mota — a player at Monza — and Gonçalo Ramos — a benchwarmer at Benfica — overshadowed Rafael Leão during the U-21 Euros should serve as a wake-up call for him. He needs to drastically change his mentality or he’ll be leaving Milan sooner rather than later.”

Leao has plenty of desirable traits and has been compared to both Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe. However, with the youngster’s attitude proving to be a barrier to his potential, he might not be the best signing for Wolves.

Mota only found the net on seven occasions for Monza last term but judging by the way Jimenez bloomed late, there is a reason to believe he could have a similar impact at Wolves.

After all, he possesses very similar traits to the Mexican sensation.

Discussing Mota during the U21 Euros, Rui Jorge commented: “Dany has been doing an extraordinary journey with us. He is not a very elegant player, one of those players that draws a lot of attention, but he is very valuable for a coach and for a team.

“He is very strong in the air, despite not being very tall, and works tremendously up front and has a goal. Today he scored a fabulous goal.”

Jimenez is also a large threat in the air but with that aspect of his game threatened by the horrendous skull injury he sustained, Mota could be one to take his place in a few years time.

This would be a shrewd signing from the Old Gold hierarchy.

AND in other news, Wolves could find their new Barry Douglas with swoop for “magic” £22m-rated beast…

£30m would be a fair price for Wolves’ Adama Traore in this “crazy” market, says former Leeds United midfielder David Norris.

The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to Leeds for a while now, with 90min claiming last December that both manager Marcelo Bielsa and director of football Victor Orta are admirers of the player.

Traore has two years left on his contract and while reports in May suggested that the Spanish winger was close to signing a new one, nothing has yet materialised.

It means Wolves could decide to sell this summer while they still have some leverage, and Norris thinks Leeds may very well end up doing some good business if they can get the Midlands club to accept a £30m offer.

“I think if you can get him at £30m, knowing what he can do, I think that doesn’t seem too crazy,” the ex-Leeds player exclusively told FFC. “It’s crazy, but it doesn’t seem too crazy these days.”

Traore did not have the best of seasons last term. In 37 league appearances, the Spain international managed to score just two goals.

He did, however, manage to average 4.1 dribbles per game, which was more than any other player in the Premier League (via WhoScored), so still carried a threat, even if it did come outside of the box.

Charlton manager Nigel Adkins is potentially heading for a huge error as the club are reportedly keen on signing QPR right-back Todd Kane, after a report claimed that Portsmouth are not in for the defender.

What’s the talk?

Charlton, Sunderland and Portsmouth were all named as clubs eyeing up Kane as a possible target for the upcoming transfer window. London Football News claimed all three teams were keen on the English full-back, who is expected to depart from QPR this summer after he lost his place in Mark Warburton’s side to young defender Osman Kaykay earlier this season.

Since that report emerged, however, Portsmouth’s interest in Kane has been rubbished. Hampshire Live has rejected the news that Portsmouth are a potential destination for Kane, leaving Charlton and Sunderland as the two teams in the race to sign the former Chelsea defender.

Heading for huge error

Nigel Adkins could be heading for a huge error if he opts to move for Kane, following the news of Portsmouth’s lack of interest in the right-back. Kane has been a subpar performer in the Championship for the last three seasons, averaging a WhoScored rating of 6.52 or lower in each of the three campaigns for Hull and QPR. In the seasons just gone, Kane was displaced by Osman Kaykay and his last start in the Championship was in March as he played on the right wing.

Charlton are reportedly still in talks with Adam Matthews over a new deal at the club. The Welsh defender is out of contract at the end of the month and could leave on a free transfer unless Charlton are able to agree fresh terms with the right-back.

Matthews was a solid performer at right-back in League One, averaging a WhoScored rating of 6.72 in 18 starts in the position. He also started at centre-back, right wing-back and left-back, which proves that he offers value in multiple positions instead of just one.

Therefore, allowing Matthews to depart for nothing and then paying QPR a fee to sign Kane on a permanent deal to replace him could be a huge error by Charlton. Looking at the statistics of the two players, Matthews appears to be the better option and he is already in the door and acquainted with the rest of Adkins’ squad. Charlton should be trying to pin Matthews down to an extended deal instead of signing Kane, allowing Sunderland a free run at the £7k-per-week defender.

Adkins has Chris Gunter in his squad to provide cover for his first-choice right-back. The experienced, ex-Reading, defender can play in a variety of roles and can offer competition to Matthews if his compatriot extends his stay with the club heading into next season.

And in other news; Premier League club open the door for Charlton to sign star defender

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Aston Villa midfielder and current Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes Bertrand Traore has been a better signing than Timo Werner.

Much was expected of Werner after he joined Chelsea for big money last summer, but the German striker has struggled at times this season, yet to reach the 10-goal mark in the Premier League.

In fact, following his incredible strike last weekend against Manchester United, £78,000-a-week star Traore had equalled Werner’s league tally of six, prompting Hendrie to suggest that the former has been the better summer addition out of the two.

In an exclusive interview with TT, the ex-Villa player said:

“I’ve got to say, if you compare the two, I mean, I’d certainly say Traore’s certainly been a better signing. I still think Werner will turn a corner and start scoring goals eventually. I just think it’s been a bit of a hit and miss season for him.

“The goal he [Traore] scored over the weekend, I thought it was top drawer. He’s scored some really good goals, he’s been dynamic in his forward play and out of the forward play, I think you take [Jack] Grealish out of that front three, and he’s the one that certainly stood up and be one to be counted for.”

As for Werner, while the Germany international probably would have hoped for a better individual season, collectively, this campaign could still end brilliantly for him.

His Chelsea side are on course for a top-four finish and have the chance to win both the FA Cup and Champions League.

Noel Whelan has suggested Glasgow Rangers could offer players in exchange for Aberdeen midfielder Lewis Ferguson.

The Lowdown: Gers eye Ferguson

Dons midfielder Ferguson recently handed in a transfer request (BBC), and the Gers are believed to be interested in a move for the 21-year-old.

Some sources suggests the midfielder would be very eager to make the switch to Ibrox.

The Latest: Whelan makes exchange claim

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan has suggested the Gers may offer players in order to capture the U21 Scotland international’s services. He said:

“I’m sure there might be players Aberdeen need that Rangers can offer, possibly.

“If that’s what it’s going to take to get a player through the door to improve them for the next four or five years…

“You’ve got the links, you’ve then got the enticement of Steven Gerrard. Also working with Gary McAllister, the likes of Jermain Defoe there, some great players in that midfield area.

“It’s a very tempting proposition, Rangers and playing at Ibrox, it really is.”

The Verdict: Better deal

Qualification for the Champions League group stages would provide a huge financial boost for the Gers, but that would not be secured until August, and the Ibrox outfit will need to bring in new signings before then. They will need to be clever in the transfer market, and a swap deal in this case could be an interesting one.

For example, the likes of Glenn Middleton and Greg Stewart appear to have no part to play in Steven Gerrard’s plans moving forward, yet they are both players with plenty of ability. A lower cash sum plus a couple of talented performers for Ferguson, who has 27 senior career assists to his name (Transfermarkt), may be enough to convince Aberdeen to part ways.

In other news, Rangers fans were livid at this Times article.

Sheffield United have been dealt a blow in their bid to keep Kean Bryan at Bramall Lane this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, who revealed in a post on Twitter that Bundesliga side Schalke have taken an interest in the 24-year-old centre-back ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

The Blades confirmed in a statement on their club website last week that the £1.8m-rated defender has been offered a new deal to extend his stay at the club, as his current contract is set to expire at the end of the month.

Jokanovic will be gutted

It would be a fair statement to make that Sheffield United have not quite seen the best of Bryan since he made a move to the club from Manchester City back in 2018, however, the centre-back began to show glimpses of his best towards the back end of last season.

Over his 13 Premier League appearances, the £3k-per-week man helped his side keep two clean sheets, in addition to making an average of one interception, 1.5 tackles, winning 4.3 duels and making 2.7 clearances per game.

The former England U20 international was also dangerous at times going forwards, scoring one goal and creating one big chance, with these returns seeing him earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.74 – ranking him as the club’s 10th-best performer in the top flight.

As such, following United’s relegation, it would be expected that Bryan could truly come into his own in the Championship next season, with the defender appearing to have the potential to play a key role in Slavisa Jokanovic’s side’s push for an immediate return to the Premier League.

And, it would appear that, from the offer of a new deal, this is an opinion shared by the 52-year-old manager himself, meaning that news of interest in Bryan – and with it, the possibility of losing the “versatile” player – is likely to leave the Serbian gutted.

In other news: Transfer news emerges on in-demand £2.7m-rated gem that’ll leave Sheff Utd fans gutted

A number of Liverpool fans have been reacting to the Reds’ starting line-up to face Newcastle United, with much focus on four attackers all getting a start.

Jurgen Klopp’s champions return to Premier League action on Saturday lunchtime, welcoming an in-form Magpies side to Anfield. Liverpool could only draw 1-1 at home to Leeds United on Monday night, but they remain firmly in the battle to secure a top-four finish.

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Victory for the Reds over Newcastle would see them jump from seventh place to fourth in the league table, temporarily overtaking Chelsea, West Ham and Tottenham in the process.

The Hammers host Chelsea later this evening, giving Klopp’s men even more of an incentive to pick up a vital three points at Anfield before then.

Liverpool’s starting line-up sees just one change from the Leeds game, with Mohamed Salah coming in for James Milner, in what is an attack-minded side.

Liverpool fans react to starting lineup to take on Newcastle

These Reds supporters took to Twitter to react to the presence of their four main forwards in the starting line-up.

“I’m bang into the front four starting! Up the Reds”

Credit: @JamieHolme

“Front 4, baby”

Credit: @ShanklysBoys1

“Love to see it”

Credit: @GageTaylor14

“Love it. Thank god we playing 4-2-3-1”

Credit: @Jay82_LFC

“Things You Love To See”

Credit: @BhovSanjeev08

“What a lineup!!! Front four”

Credit: @lfcleahx

In other news, some Liverpool fans are excited about the Reds being linked with a Bundesliga star. Find out who it is here.