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Manchester City fans are livid after it was revealed the club hope to make over £100m by selling Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte and Raheem Sterling this summer.

The previous campaign was a mixed one for the Citizens. They was plenty of success as they won both the Premier League and the League Cup but in the Champions League, the trophy they wanted to win more than any other, they suffered heartbreak at the hands of Chelsea in Porto.

As such, there is likely to be a small overhaul of the playing squad as Pep Guardiola eyes more silverware.

According to Mark Ogden of ESPN, City could sell Mahrez, Laporte and Sterling this summer to raise more than £100m for new players. However, the trio of players are valued at £159.3m (Transfermarkt) – it seems the targetted sum is particularly low.

The news was shared on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts, with one fan calling the news ‘ridiculous’.

Let’s see what the Man City fans had to say below

“We are useless at selling players”

Credit: @Paul24677815

“If we get rid of mahrez we’re actually so stupid”

Credit: @hallgeelez

“Txiki needs to be sacked asap”

Credit: @ItsErenCity

“That’s ridiculous Why should we sell Mahrez?? Actually Mahrez took us to the UCL final”

Credit: @ArashDclover

“100m+ from Laporte, Sterling and Mahrez are we a joke instead of talking about outgoings can we talk about incomings this is becoming a really annoying window”

Credit: @sinquarae

“All of this players leaving or not because Kane and Grealish signings?? To be honest really sad how a team can speak about players that gave everything in the pitch for City during years. Just for two players that may be City even don’t need. Disapointed to be honest.”

Credit: @jdiazm11

In other news, Man City fans want to sign this Champions League-winning midfielder.

Liverpool striker Divock Origi is preparing to leave Anfield this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. 

The lowdown: Yet more heroics from Origi

The 27-year-old was once again the hero for the Reds on Sunday as Jurgen Klopp’s side overcame Everton 2-0 in the Merseyside derby, scoring once and playing a pivotal role in the build-up to Andy Robertson’s opening goal.

The Belgium marksman has developed a happy knack of turning up when he’s needed the most and now has six derby goals to add to a Champions League final strike and a stunning brace in an unforgettable 4-0 victory over Barcelona.

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However, despite multiple iconic moments from the 27-year-old, it appears that the end could well be nigh for Origi at Anfield…

The latest: Romano provides Origi latest

Taking to Twitter to cite Klopp’s glowing words on the enigmatic Belgian, reputable journalist Romano confirmed that the 32-cap international is heading towards the exit door.

The reporter tweeted: ‘Jurgen Klopp: “We will miss Divock Origi – if he leaves, he will explode wherever he goes. He is a world-class striker, he is a legend and will stay a legend forever”. #LFC

‘Origi will leave Liverpool in June – AC Milan are leading the race to sign him as free agent.‘

The verdict: Time to say goodbye

Liverpool have certainly gotten their money’s worth from the £10m spent when bringing Origi to the club from Lille in 2014 (BBC). During his time on Merseyside, the Belgium striker has scored 41 goals and provided 17 assists in 173 outings as a Red.

However, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota all ahead of him in the pecking order and Takumi Minamino also somewhat in the cold, it has become apparent that opportunities will be few and far between for the man once described as a ‘monster’ by Klopp following a last-gasp winner against Wolves in December.

Out of contract in July (Transfermarkt), so far this season Origi has netted six times in 16 appearances across all competitions, and his latest derby exploits would suggest that should AC Milan indeed be the benefactors, the Serie A outfit would be landing a big-game striker for nothing in transfer fees.

In other news, Liverpool have been linked with a shock move for one player. Find out who it is here.

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan believes Rodrigo de Paul could be an exceptional addition to the Whites’ midfield this summer.

The Lowdown: Midfield addition required for Leeds

Marcelo Bielsa’s side have enjoyed a triumphant return to the Premier League this season, sitting 11th in the table and rarely looking relegation-threatened.

The aim to is to keep moving forward as a team, however, and there have been times when Leeds have looked a little light in midfield, with Kalvin Phillips arguably relied upon too much – they have lost seven of the nine matches without him in the top flight.

De Paul is one player the Whites have been linked with helping solve that issue, having shone for Udinese this season, registering eight goals and assists apiece in Serie A as a box to box dynamo with some serious creative flair.

The Latest: Whelan waxes lyrical over De Paul

Someone who clearly wants to see the 26-year-old in a Leeds shirt is Whelan, who told Football Insider that the £34.2million-rated Argentine could be the perfect man to come in and add competition in midfield:

“We need another midfielder. Someone with a bit of tenacity who can provide assists and goals. We need a player that is a level above what we currently have if we want to progress further.

“There has been so much talk about Rodrigo de Paul coming to Leeds last summer and I did not think for one second that he would be a player we forgot about. They seemed desperate to get him on board. It does not surprise me to hear we might be making a second move for him.

“What a player, he would definitely improve the team. I have seen clips of him and he has bags of energy, a great eye for a pass and can score a goal as well. He would provide really strong competition in the middle.

“I am sure the club recognise it is a position we need to strengthen in this summer.”

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The Verdict: Leeds should seal De Paul move

De Paul ticks all the boxes, in terms of an ideal summer signing for Leeds, possessing quality and end product from midfield, but also averaging 1.3 tackles per game in the league this season.

He is an all-round midfielder in the mould of Phillips, but in a more forward-thinking sense, as his aforementioned goals and assists tally highlights.

Not only that, but 19 caps for Argentina also speaks volumes, and working alongside his countryman Bielsa could take De Paul’s game to another level.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly interested in a move for a winger this summer – find out who it is here.

Having scored fewer goals than all of the clubs currently above them in the Championship table as well as a few currently underneath them, West Bromwich Albion dived into the January transfer market to add some extra firepower to Valerien Ismael’s squad with the signing of Daryl Dike from Orlando City.

However, with only a few days left until the window shuts, the Baggies may have to bring another attacking option to the club before the deadline arrives as a result of Dike’s recent muscle injury that will keep him out of action for the next eight weeks.

One potential option that West Brom could realistically look to bring in before the end of the month that they have been mentioned with recently is Middlesbrough striker Uche Ikpeazu.

With a total of 269 senior club appearances under his belt, the 26-year-old, who is currently picking up a weekly wage of £5.5k-per-week according to Salary Sport, has managed to score 53 goals and provide 32 assists along the way, highlighting the sort of experience he has and his ability to score and create goals, which is something that West Brom could do with at the moment.

Even though the attacker only joined Middlesbrough back in the previous summer transfer window from Wycombe Wanderers, he has only started eight of the 20 league games he’s appeared in, which suggests that he could be tempted with a move elsewhere if he’d get regular game time, which West Brom could offer him as a result of Dike’s unfortunate injury.

Labelled as a “humble” person in the past by Gareth Ainsworth, Ikpeazu could be just what Ismael needs at the moment to add an extra attacking dynamic to his side and potentially push the Baggies closer to promotion if he can hit the ground running in terms of scoring goals.

Moving forward, with West Brom’s recent 2-0 defeat against Preston North End proving how much they could do with some attacking reinforcements by having no shots on target throughout the match, the Baggies should definitely make a late approach to Middlesbrough to see if they’d be willing to negotiate a deal to sell their striker.

However, with Boro only three points behind West Brom at this stage of the season, they could be reluctant in allowing one of their attacking talents to join another team so close to them in the table, making it a potential challenge for the Baggies to sign him.

In other news: Ismael must finally axe £36k-p/w West Brom “leader” this month, he’s stealing a living

Paul Stewart has exclusively told Football FanCast that a move to Newcastle United could revitalise Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s career.

A knee injury wrecked the first half of his season, but even since returning from that setback before Christmas, the England midfielder has just twice in the Premier League for Liverpool and was left out of the squad for the victories at Manchester United and West Brom.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has enjoyed both Champions League and Premier League success since his move from Arsenal almost three years ago but has never been a guaranteed starter under Jurgen Klopp despite making 30 appearances during the Reds’ title winning campaign 12 months ago.

The 27-year-old still has more than two years remaining on his Anfield contract but is reportedly going to be available to sign for just £17m this summer, with German giants Borussia Dortmund interested in the midfielder.

But former Liverpool man Stewart believes that staying in the Premier League could get Oxlade Chamberlain’s career back on track following his recent injury struggles.

He told Football FanCast:

“Brighton, maybe Newcastle? I don’t want to be disrespectful to them clubs, but at that price they’re the type of players they can go in for.

“I think he’s got ability Oxlade, and he has been unlucky with injuries, but that Liverpool team, to try and get in there, I don’t think they will be looking at him as one of the players that can do that.

“So, one of those clubs could revitalise one of those careers – he’s playing week in, week out if he stays fit, people will be saying £17m is a steal.”

The Athletic journalist Adam Crafton has dropped an update involving Leeds United and Patrick Bamford.

What’s the story?

David Ornstein had previously revealed that last summer, the 27-year-old signed a new one-year extension to his existing contract at Elland Road, with his deal now running until June 2023.

And now, Crafton has claimed via his official Twitter account that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are “closing on” an extension for Bamford, adding that discussions are progressing well over a renewal.

Leeds fans will be delighted

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

In fact, only Spurs talisman Harry Kane outscored the Leeds man in the top-flight in terms of the players Gareth Southgate chose for the England squad, while only the Three Lions captain, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish provided more assists than him.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, former Leeds midfielder David Prutton had urged Southgate to take Bamford to the EUROs, declaring: “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.”

The fact Bamford was in the conversation for an England spot for this summer is a real testament of just how much he has improved under Bielsa at Elland Road.

Keeping a hold of the core that Bielsa has built over the seasons at Elland Road is crucial to keeping the kind of team spirit that the Leeds boss has helped create, and Bamford has been one of the main reasons why the Whites find themselves in the Premier League again.

Given how Leeds fans were absolutely ecstatic when news emerged from Ornstein that a one-year extension was signed, the update from Crafton that talks are going well over a renewal is surely to delight fans even more.

Meanwhile, Beren Cross has dropped a Leeds United transfer update…

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith could sign his club’s new Nobby Solano in Burnley winger Dwight McNeil.

What’s the story?

The Telegraph had recentlly claimed that Villa still have McNeil high up on their target list as they look to reinforce their squad ahead of the new Premier League season.

And now, Football Insider have suggested that the Midlands club will turn their attentions towards the England U21 international if they can’t get a deal done for Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe.

It’s said that: “A Villa source has told Football Insider that manager Dean Smith is prioritising the capture of a versatile forward capable of operating in various positions across the attack.

“Villa are willing to pay a major fee for McNeil and are expected to submit a bid if they don’t land Smith Rowe.”

Villa’s new Solano

In a piece by The Birmingham Mail back in March on wingers that Villa fans loved to watch, it said of Solano: “Despite being at Villa for just 18 months, he was both player-of-the-season and top scorer, albeit it with eight goals, during his only full campaign. Arriving for £1.5 million from Newcastle in January 2004, his best form under then Villa boss David O’Leary came the following season.

“His winner in a Monday night home match against Tottenham showed off his dexterity as he worked room for an acrobatic finish in a confined six-yard box, while he also curled in a sublime free-kick equaliser against Liverpool at Villa Park and provided a sumptuous finish in a win over Portsmouth.”

And in the equally gifted McNeil, Smith could land a winger just as exciting and with an eye for goal like Solano.

The £34m-rated winger has been one of the few standout players for the Clarets since breaking onto the scene, and it’s something which has led to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp raving about him.

He said: “Dwight McNeil is such a good player, lovely left foot, doesn’t stop running. Every time I watch him he gets better and better, he’s got real quality and certainly a player that the top six to eight clubs will be looking at, and that’s no disrespect to Burnley because I don’t like saying that sometimes, but he is that good.”

With his ability to beat players one-on-one – his average of 1.8 dribbles per game in the Premier League was the highest of any Burnley player last season – McNeil could bring that same kind of flair that Solano brought to the table, with his Burnley boss Sean Dyche a big fan of his development.

He said: “He’s a real talent. He’s a really good player, he’s improving, his calmness at the end – I’m saying get it in the corner – but he cuts in, and his calmness to cross it into a dangerous area, and then gets his reward. Before then, his calmness to dribble out of trouble – he’s a really good player, really good, and he can only mature.”

And like Solano, he can really strike the ball from distance, with four out of his seven Premier League strikes coming from outside the box according to Understat (only one has come inside the six-yard area).

With a penchant for the spectacular – his long-range stunner against Everton is a testament to that – McNeil could be the kind of exciting winger that Solano was at Villa Park.

Meanwhile, Villa are now interested in this “unbelievable” star…

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has delivered his verdict on Aston Villa boss Dean Smith’s future.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days and weeks have suggested that the Villa manager is coming under increased pressure following a difficult start to the Premier League that has seen the Midlands club lie in the bottom half of the table.

And now, Preece has suggested that the next two games in the Premier League – against West Ham and Southampton respectively – could hold the key.

He said: “Villa have lost five from nine so pressure’s beginning to mount on the boss, of course it is. Smith’s once-indestructible grip on the job loosened as soon as Wolves won it in stoppage time 10 days ago.

“I dread to think what could happen if Villa lose their next two before the international break, which will take them to seven defeats from 11. That simply cannot happen. The next two games are huge in terms of Villa’s season – even at this early stage.

“I do believe Smith’s the right man for the job. He must prove his credentials once again here, though. It’s down to the boss to get a huge reaction from his players now. They badly let him down at Arsenal after he backed them to the hilt in his pre-match presser.”

Make or break for Dean Smith

After picking up an impressive win away at Manchester United a few weeks ago, things have rapidly taken a turn for the worse for Smith and Villa.

They followed up that 1-0 victory at Old Trafford with three successive defeats in the Premier League, and the manner of each of those losses would be the real shock.

Spurs were in a bad spell of form themselves under Nuno Espirito Santo, the Wolves defeat came as a result of a truly remarkable late collapse after leading 2-0, and the Arsenal loss was galling for its first-half shambles.

It’s no surprise then that the pressure has well and truly ramped up on Smith, and if things don’t improve markedly in terms of both their performances and results, then he could well find himself being one of the Premier League’s early managerial casualties.

Villa fans will be concerned about their side heading into this weekend.

Meanwhile, Villa must sell this star amid rival interest…

Celtic have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Royal Antwerp right-back Aurelio Buta, according to The Daily Record.

The Lowdown: Buta links

Celtic are on the hunt for a new right-back this summer and have been linked with a move for Buta for a number of weeks.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano was the man who initially shared the Hoops’ interest in the 24-year-old more than three weeks ago.

Reports since have claimed a £3m deal has been agreed between the two clubs, with personal terms believed to be the main issue.

The Latest: Antwerp inclusion

The Daily Record shared an update on Buta to Celtic on their live transfer blog on Saturday (16:16).

They shared the news that the Portuguese defender has been included in Antwerp’s official squad list, titling the news as another blow for the Hoops.

Claims of a deal being agreed between the two clubs were mentioned once again, with personal terms still yet to be agreed.

The Verdict: Time is ticking

Celtic don’t want to be left in a position where a deal for Buta falls through and leaves them with no time to add to their right-back ranks.

Anthony Ralston has been an ever-present figure in Ange Postecoglou’s side recently, so if the Royal Antwerp defender doesn’t want to accept the Hoops’ best offer, then they should move on.

Other right-backs such as Josip Juranovic, George Baldock and Fabricio Bustos have also been linked with a move to Celtic Park, so the Hoops may need to set a deadline for Buta before looking elsewhere.

In other news: Transfer listed: ‘Destructive’ Celtic-linked ace missing on Saturday as Hoops link resurfaces

Tottenham Hotspur are set to compete with Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain for the prospective free transfer of AC Milan’s Franck Kessie in January, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Tuttomercatoweb), and the trio of suitors may have been given some encouragement following recent developments. 

The Lowdown: Contract problems 

Since his permanent move to AC Milan in 2019 following a two-year loan spell, Kessie has been linked with a move to top clubs across Europe. 

The 24-year-old, who has made 44 appearances for the Ivory Coast national team, hasn’t appeared for the Serie A side since his brace earned all three points at the end of May against Atalanta.  He is yet to feature for Stefano Pioli’s side this season after helping his nation to the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games in Tokyo during the summer. 

With his contract running out next summer, the interest in Kessie is set to increase during the upcoming 12 months. 

The Latest: Contract roadblock

According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Tuttomercatoweb), Kessie has rejected a contract extension from Milan worth €6.5m (£5.57m) a year. 

The Italian newspaper reported that the midfielder wants €8m (£6.86m) a year plus €2m (£1.7m) in bonuses, and Spurs are said to be keen on the midfielder, who scored 13 goals in 37 league appearances for the Rossoneri last season. 

Milan will be fearful of losing one of their key players for nothing like they did with Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) and Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter). 

Kessie claimed in July that he wanted to stay at Milan ‘forever’ but has now rejected a new deal with the club.

The Verdict: Perfect Box-to-Box 

Kessie’s quality has been clear to see since he arrived at the San Siro. Last season he carried an 89% pass completion per match whilst making 2.07 blocks per game. 

Spurs currently have a couple of gifted centre-midfielders in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp, but with doubts having circulated over Tanguy Ndombele’s future, the arrival of Kessie would be an added bonus to Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad. 

Former Milan striker Antonio Cassano even lauded the midfielder as “intelligent” and “devastating” earlier in the year during one of the best seasons of his career, and we will have to see whether the Lilywhites can beat the pulling power of PSG or Liverpool next summer. 

In other news: Many Spurs fans have been raving about one of their summer signings – find out more here.