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Former Premier League star Nigel Jemson does not believe that Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Yves Bissouma has the right profile to play for Liverpool amid links with the star.

Bissouma has emerged as a star at the Amex Stadium, since his arrival from Lille in the summer of 2018.

Brighton paid a total of £15m to bring him in from the French club and he has become an undisputed starter under the management of Graham Potter.

The Mali international has gone on to play 101 times for Brighton in defensive midfield and he has recently claimed that he believes he is the best midfielder in the Premier League.

Liverpool have been linked with a potential swoop, as have a variety of top English clubs.

Bissouma’s contract expires in 2023 and he is valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, but Jemson does not think that he has the right profile to go into the Anfield squad.

Indeed, Liverpool already have a number of midfielders who could be termed as industrious, such as Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Fabinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “You look at Wijnaldum. For me, I think he was a very good player and very underrated because he could do both, he could break up play and score goals as well. I don’t think they need one of those sorts of players right now.”

Danny Cowley has provided an update on Ellis Harrison which explains why he did not move to Bolton Wanderers.

What’s the talk?

The Portsmouth manager has explained why the Trotters failed to secure a deal for the striker during the transfer window.

Bolton were reportedly keen on a move for the centre-forward, with Cowley now revealing that Harrison asked to stay at the south coast club on deadline day as he was not looking to seal an exit from Fratton Park despite transfer interest.

He told Hampshire Live: “I had a really good conversation with Ellis on the telephone [on Tuesday] evening. He explained his reasons. It is absolutely his prerogative to want to stay.

“We didn’t want to lose him. He’s in the last year of his contract. He is motivated, he knows that it is really important for him in his career after a difficult year last year that he plays regularly and he knows that he controls that and he owns that.

“We need to get him fit enough, so that when he penetrates, he can become a handful because he stretches the pitch. Defenders don’t like forwards that run in behind and then defenders get deeper, it then gives him the opportunity then to pin up and you can play in to him and up to him and then he can start to link the play.

“I think there had been some interest, he had spoken to clubs, but he still feels he has got unfinished business here.”

Frustration for Evatt

Ian Evatt will surely be frustrated by these comments from Cowley as it means that Harrison decided he would rather play a supporting role at Pompey instead of potentially coming to Bolton and being a key figure. If the Trotters’ interest in him was genuine, that means he snubbed the chance to make the move, which will be disappointing to Evatt as it suggests he did not do enough to convince the 27-year-old that it was the right decision.

As Cowley explained, there was interest in Harrison and he did speak to clubs about a transfer. If Bolton were one of those, that means they ultimately failed in their attempts to bring him to the northwest, rather than it being a case of Portsmouth refusing to sell him.

This is doubly frustrating for Evatt, as it becomes an issue with Bolton rather than Portsmouth. The 39-year-old may need to do more to ensure that players want to join the club and are desperate to make the move so that the Trotters do not encounter similar problems in the future. Whether that means improving the training facilities or putting together a better pitch to give to targets remains to be seen, though.

The £4.3k-per-week Portsmouth forward has played one minute of League One football this season and only started 11 matches last term. This highlights the backup role he plays within Cowley’s team and why his decision to remain there is particularly frustrating for Evatt, as he has decided to continue being a bit-part player at Fratton Park instead of joining Bolton.

AND in other news, 82% duels won: Bolton gem with 85 touches was unsung hero for Evatt against Port Vale…

Despite signing 12 new first-team players in the transfer window, Celtic’s financial future looks incredibly well set right now.

The Hoops were sensible with their summer acquisitions and did so after receiving some hefty sums for star men Kristoffer Ajer and Odsonne Edouard.

What’s the word?

Ajer was the first to depart Parkhead a few months ago as the Norwegian centre-half joined newly-promoted Premier League side Brentford.

The transfer fee for him was £17.5m but fresh information claims that Edouard may actually rake in more cash for the Hoops.

At one stage, it looked as though the Frenchman was going to be priced out of a move due to his wage demands but Crystal Palace lodged a late attempt to sign him.

An upfront fee of £14m was gathered but according to Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph, that number could improve significantly.

Speaking on The Celtic Exchange podcast, he commented: “In terms of Edouard, Celtic wanted clauses that were achievable.

“And we understand them to be rising up to £18.5m, and any money now that comes in from the additional clauses will be going directly to Celtic that is not part of the initial fee, which was in the clause with Celtic and PSG.

“It was 40% of the profit from the transfer fee only. And that is from the £14m fee. So anything more that comes in from Edouard, any more riches will be going to Celtic directly.

“Even with this situation of his contract, because people were seeing Celtic were looking to get around £18 to £20m for him. They are still are likely to get that because I’m told that these are very achievable clauses.”

Fans surely buzzing

Despite having just a year left on his contract with Celtic, watching their top scorer over multiple years depart for just £14m almost felt insulting, that’s especially when you consider the sheer amount of money available to Premier League clubs.

However, if that tag does indeed rise to £18.5m then it will provide a significant cash injection to the Bhoys over the next few years.

Ange Postecoglou spent around £20m this summer which means that the club are already in the green by around £14m-£15m after their player sales.

That gives Celtic a sizeable amount of spending power when the January transfer window comes around.

Future bonuses from Ajer and Edouard will only see their profits rise which in turn, should lead to an improved feel around the entirety of the club.

The sensibility with which Celtic are acting right now is a direct contrast to the events of 12 months ago when they spent so poorly on players like Albian Ajeti and Vasilis Barkas.

The former has found the net on just six occasions while Barkas has already been touted with an exit after a nightmare first year in Glasgow.

Under the stewardship of Dominic McKay and Postecoglou, the future of Celtic looks a lot brighter. Supporters should be absolutely delighted right now.

AND in other news, Sold for £12.5m, now worth £5.8m: Celtic struck gold over “fantastic” Lennon signing…

Aston Villa have made contact and are in discussions with Norwich City over a deal for Todd Cantwell, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Grealish’s exit

As we now know, Jack Grealish is no longer an Aston Villa player. He became the most expensive signing by a British club, joining Manchester City in a deal worth £100m.

Grealish has signed a six-year deal at the Etihad and will wear the number ten shirt vacated by Sergio Aguero, with Villa’s attention now on bringing in reinforcements following his exit.

Sky Sports believed Villa were expected to pursue Cantwell if Grealish left, and it seems as if they are doing just that.

The Latest: Source shares update

According to Football Insider, who were informed by a Villa source, the club are working on a deal for the 23-year-old.

Discussions are ongoing, so contact has been made, with Villa keen to make Cantwell their fourth big-money signing of the summer after Emiliano Buendia, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings.

Cantwell, who is under the same agency as Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho, has rebuffed attempts to extend his Carrow Road deal.

The Verdict: Good planning

Villa, as Christian Purslow admitted, have planned for Grealish’s exit, and it appears as if Cantwell, who has 15 assists to his name in his fledgling senior career, is their main attacking midfield target.

It’s good to see that Villa are already acting on bringing in a replacement, but it could take upwards of £40-£50m to sign the Norwich man.

You’d expect Villa would want to secure a deal relatively quickly with the new season just around the corner, so there could well be significant developments over the weekend on what has the potential to be a second record signing of the summer at Villa Park.

In other news: ‘So scary’, ‘You what?’ – Lots of Aston Villa fans erupt at confirmed news.  

If you consider the huge amount of spending Wolves undertook last summer, this year has been relatively quiet in comparison.

The Old Gold have kept hold of their best players and added Trincao to their ranks, a player who should earn the admiration of supporters quite quickly.

What’s the word?

Another player who could catch the imagination quickly is Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

According to his agent, Mamuka Jugheli, Wolves are one of a number of teams interested in securing his services before the window shuts at the end of the month.

Speaking to Sportall, he said: “Khvicha is wanted by almost every team in the English Premier League, for example, Everton, Brighton and Wolves, but one thing is interest and the other is a real offer.

“Apart from Inter from Italy, Kvaratskhelia is also wanted by Juventus. There’s the interest of Atalanta, Napoli and Lazio. The initiative is shown by at least five clubs of the German Bundesliga.”

The Rubin Kazan winger is valued at £16.2m via Transfermarkt.

The next Traore

Kvaratskhelia may not be a household name but he looks like an exceptional player, someone who could take the Premier League by storm with his remarkable trickery and dribbling.

He only found the net on four occasions last term but was incredibly creative, providing his teammates with eight assists in the Russian top-flight.

Furthermore, no player in the entire division completed more successful dribbles than the 20-year-old last season.

The Georgia international managed a whopping 78 at a rate of 3.4 per game. That tally is even better in World Cup qualifying with Kvaratskhelia managing five dribbles per match.

Described as a player with “crazy technique” by Russian coach Denis Bushuev, he also compared the youngster to two of the trickiest wingers we’ve seen in recent history.

“He is from the same constellation of players as Ribery or Robben,” Bushuev admitted.

On that evidence, it’s clear to see who he’s most comparable to at Wolves; Adama Traore.

Like the Rubin Kazan attacker, the Spaniard is an incredible dribbler who is capable of taking down even the sternest of defences.

In 2020/21, no player in the Premier League made more dribbles than Traore who registered a jaw-dropping 153 at 4.1 per outing.

Capable of playing on the left, Kvaratskhelia would provide Pedro Neto with some reliable competition. Combine that with his incredible ball skills and you’d have a fine signing.

AND in other news, Get rid: Lage must axe £22k-p/w Wolves dud who caused “sleepless nights” last season…

David Norris believes West Bromwich Albion talisman Matheus Pereira would be a shrewd signing for Leeds United.

Pereira impressed despite the Baggies being consigned to an immediate relegation back to the Championship last season, with the Brazilian scoring 12 goals and contributing six assists in 34 appearances.

Valerien Ismael, who replaced Sam Allardyce in the Hawthorns hot-seat last month, has admitted he expects the creative midfielder and in-demand goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to depart before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

A host of clubs at home and abroad are looking to sign the 25-year-old, with Leeds United among those preparing to table a bid.

West Brom are hoping the amount of clubs keeping tabs on Pereira will result in a bidding war taking place, with West Ham United, Leicester City, Aston Villa and German outfits RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt also courting Pereira.

Former Leeds midfielder Norris thinks Pereira, who is rated at £15m according to The Daily Star, via HITC, would bolster boss Marcelo Bielsa’s attacking options.

He exclusively told The Transfer Tavern: “If it works then it could be a great bit of business because of the price and, at £15million, it wouldn’t be the end of the world if it doesn’t work out. They would still recoup some of that if he has to move on.

“He’s not a big, marquee signing but he could get a few goals or come in as a decent back-up when Leeds lose players to injury. It would be a shrewd bit of business.”

Leeds United are in the race to sign Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio, as reported by Fichajes.

The Lowdown: Leeds United prepare for the 2021/22 campaign

With Premier League action just around the corner in Yorkshire, Marcelo Bielsa will be desperate to get his ducks in a row by suitably bolstering positions weak on numbers.

Making progress in terms of recruitment, the Argentinian has sanctioned deals for trio Jack Harrison, Kristoffer Klaesoon and Junior Firpo [Transfermarkt].

Now, the Elland Road men could be set to fight it out for a two-time UEFA Champions League winner owing to recent reports.

The Latest: Leeds keen on Asensio if primary target Traore falls through

Despite his contribution in a Real Madrid shirt over the years, newly crowned Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti is said to be looking to offload his services [Fichajes].

Leeds United are believed to be in pursuit of the Spanish international, as a cheaper alternative to Adama Traore who is their primary target in the wide areas.

Top-flight rivals Everton and Leicester City are also keen on the 25-year-old due to his considerable pedigree.

The Verdict: Asensio would be a great piece of business by Bielsa

Cultivating a strong squad ahead of the new season kick-off, Asensio would only add to the impressive attacking arsenal Leeds United have at their disposal.

In 2020/21, he enjoyed a commendable season at the heart of the Madrid attack, registering nine goal contributions in 48 appearances; seven goals and two assists [Transfermarkt].

Possessing a threat in-front of goal, Asensio managed to record around 1.1 shots per fixture across the piece [WhoScored].

Once compared to Lionel Messi by former manager Zinedine Zidane, Leeds United should pursue the Real Madrid maestro as a matter of priority [Dream Team].

In other news, Leeds United have been tipped to acquire a Scottish Premiership ace.

Alex Rae has revealed his fears over the future of Glasgow Rangers defender Connor Goldson, who has just one year left on his contract at the club.

The Lowdown: Goldson future up in the air

Goldson has just 12 months left on his contract (Transfermarkt), although the Ibrox outfit are eager to get him signed up to a new three-year deal (Football Insider).

West Ham United are said to be interested in his services.

The Latest: Rae worried

Speaking to The Times, Rae has expressed his fears in regards to centre-back Goldson. He said:

“My only concern right now would be Connor Goldson because he’s in the final year of his contract [and] this isn’t a business model where they let players run down their contracts. So I’d like to see Goldson signing because he has been outstanding and is a leader.”

The Verdict: Must get it done

Rae is bang on the money – tying down Goldson to a new deal has to be one of Steven Gerrard’s and Ross Wilson’s priorities this summer. He played every single minute of every single game last term as the Gers conceded just 13 times (thefishy.co.uk) on their way to the Premiership title.

He clearly has a huge impact on the side, and is a player Gerrard clearly relies on. Aged 28, he still has a good few years left in front of him – the Gers cannot afford to let him go, and if they do, it must be after he has signed a new deal in order to strengthen the club’s negotiating position.

Hopefully, the Gers will be able to come to an agreement with the £6.75m-valued (Transfermarkt) former Brighton man in the near future.

In other news, Rangers fans are livid with this Club 1872.

A fresh twist has emerged about Rangers target Salih Ozcan, one which looks like it will end any chance of the player making a move to join Steven Gerrard at Ibrox this summer.

What’s the talk?

According to Kicker, as relayed by GGFN, Rangers target Salih Ozcan is poised to put pen to paper on a contract extension with Koln this week, ending speculation over his future. Koln manager Steffen Baumgart held talks with the midfielder and convinced him that remaining with the Bundesliga outfit was the best option for him, with a deal now in place to keep him at the club.

Earlier this month, Kicker reported that Rangers were interested in a swoop for the German. At the time, Ozcan was prepared to see out of his contract and leave on a free transfer at the end of the month, as he was said to be keen to experience a new league. However, he now looks set to reject the chance to sign with the Scottish giants to stay put in Germany.

Gerrard will be gutted

Gerrard will be gutted by this fresh twist in the club’s pursuit of Ozcan. The 23-year-old signing a new contract with Koln seemingly puts an end to their chances of landing him in the current transfer window and they will now need to look elsewhere for targets. This is a shame because Ozcan could have been an excellent addition to the former Liverpool midfielder’s squad.

Ozcan has already racked up over 100 appearances in the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga during his short career to date, highlighting his experience at the top level. He has also dipped his toes into European football, with five starts in the Europa League for Koln in 2017 – suggesting that he could have been a useful player for Rangers in Europe next season.

However, it is worth mentioning that Ozcan did not enjoy a successful 2020/21 campaign for Koln. He started 15 games for the club in the Bundesliga, with a further 13 substitute appearances, and averaged a disappointing WhoScored rating of 6.28, but he has previously performed much better than he did last year.

The £3.15m-rated dynamo had found his rhythm the previous season with Holstein Kiel on loan, though. In 26 starts for the 2. Bundesliga outfit, Ozcan produced five goals and seven assists from central midfield and averaged an exceptional WhoScored rating of 7.08.

This shows that he is capable of putting in superb performances at a good standard, which is why Gerrard will be frustrated that he now looks set to miss out on a bargain deal for the midfielder.

AND in other news, Rangers handed boost over “fabulous” beast compared to Kante, Gerrard will be buzzing…

Lots of Wolves fans have been expressing their delight as the Midlands club confirmed the signing of Trincao on their official Twitter channel.

As per the club’s official website, he joins on a season-long loan from Barcelona, with an option to buy him in the future.

Wolves technical director Scott Sellars has described Trincao as an ‘exciting’ player, who ‘drives with the ball well’ and has ‘good creativity’.

The winger will be very familiar with some of his new teammates given that he has played in six senior games for the Portugal national team, and also played with Pedro Neto at Braga, with whom he briefly featured against Wolves in the Europa League in the autumn of 2019. He clocked nine goals and 13 assists in that season to earn his move to Camp Nou.

Trincao is an emerging talent at just 21 years of age, and by playing alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, he will have gained a lot of experience and knowledge from some of the best footballers in the world.

Wolves fans on Trincao signing

These Wolves fans erupted as the news was shared on Twitter, with one describing the transfer as ‘unbelievable’:

“WE ARE WINNING THE LEAGUE”

Credit: @portopom

“Go on boys!!! Quality”

Credit: @C7Burton

“WOW! What a surprise!?! Amazing signing! Unbelievable.”

Credit: @idmahon

“YAAASSSSSSSS”

Credit: @Cal_Wood1990

“Get in!!”

Credit: @PhilChiller77

“Class signing”

Credit: @itsmebrody44

In other news, find out what transfer update Tim Spiers has dropped on this Wolves fans’ favourite