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Ipswich should abandon their pursuit of striker Joe Dodoo after Wigan confirmed that they have offered an extended contract to the former Rangers centre-forward.

What’s the talk?

League One outfit Wigan have named Dodoo as one of the players they are attempting to keep beyond the end of their contract this summer. Dodoo is currently set to become a free agent at the end of next month, but Wigan are now looking to tie him down to a new deal to keep him at the club heading into next season.

Football Insider have claimed that Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham are all chasing after the striker as they weigh up their options in the transfer market. Ipswich are said to be interested in the attacker to bolster their squad ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

Potential mistake

Wigan are keen to keep hold of Dodoo, as shown by their announcement, and this could make a transfer very difficult for Ipswich to complete. As h’es a free agent, Ipswich could negotiate directly with Dodoo and avoid paying a transfer fee for his services, but this will not be the case if he signs fresh terms with Wigan and remains a contracted player going into July.

Dodoo negotiating a new deal with Wigan makes the situation complicated and the striker is not worth the hassle for Ipswich. For starters, Dodoo has been a journeyman during his career so far; playing for Bolton, Rangers, Blackpool, Bury, Charlton, Leicester and Ankara Keciörengücü prior to his move to Wigan – all by the age of 25. He has not been able to settle down at any club, with 27 games for Bolton the most he has managed for a single side at senior level.

Paul Cook outlined his long-term ambitions to reach the Championship upon his arrival at Portman Road and signing a player who could only be in it for the short-term is a potential mistake. Cook told Ipswich’s website:

“I have been impressed by his ideas and ambitions to help take Ipswich Town forwards.

“I look forward to working with him as we strive firstly to return to the Championship.”

If Ipswich are planning for the long-term then Dodoo is not a player the club should be targeting, especially if it involves paying a fee for the £315k-rated dud.

Dodoo produced four goals and three assists in 20 League One appearances for Wigan this season. Ipswich striker James Norwood managed nine goals and three assists in 26 games, 19 starts, which suggests that Dodoo would not be an improvement on Cook’s current options even if did join Ipswich for the long haul.

AND in other news, Paul Cook is closing in on two exciting additions to Ipswich’s squad…

Manchester United could be set for a significant windfall if Inter sell star striker Romelu Lukaku this summer.

What’s the story?

According to the Manchester Evening News, United negotiated a sell-on clause into the 28-year-old’s £74 million sale back in 2019.

With his current club experiencing financial difficulties, Lukaku is reportedly up for sale, meaning the Old Trafford outfit could receive a substantial, and welcome, boost to their transfer budget.

Ole would be buzzing

The Belgium international was a crucial component of Antonio Conte’s title-winning side in 2020/21, bagging 30 goals and providing 10 assists in 44 appearances as Inter secured their first Serie A crown in over a decade.

However, it’s widely believed that the Nerazzurri need to raise around £80m through player sales over the upcoming window due to stay afloat, and with Lukaku being one of the San Siro outfit’s most valuable assets, he could be one of the first names out the exit door.

Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City have been linked with a move for the prolific target man as Pep Guardiola searches for Sergio Aguero’s replacement, while one of Lukaku’s former clubs Chelsea have also shown an interest.

His potential return to the English top-flight could be bad news for United if he strengthens one of their main title rivals, but the prospect of extra funds to spend on new players for themselves would surely have Ole Gunnar Solskjaer buzzing.

The exact percentage the sale-on clause is worth is not known, but the Red Devils’ hierarchy are thought to have inserted a 25 per cent clause into the deal that took Wilfried Zaha back to Crystal Palace.

If a similar figure was included in the Lukaku move, then Solskjaer may get a nice top up of his transfer budget.

The likes of Harry Kane, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane have all been linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks, but the financial impact of the ongoing pandemic has made securing all of the Norwegian’s targets virtually impossible.

Therefore, a potential boost to the kitty from Lukaku’s proposed Inter exit is bound to excite the United boss and the club’s supporters.

And, in other news…Get it done: United could seal their next Fernandes in “outstanding” £19.8m-rated gem 

Anthony Joseph believes Leicester City’s move for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard ‘is still some distance away’.

The Lowdown: Reports claim Foxes are closing in

Reports on Monday afternoon from The Guardian and reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano suggested Leicester are closing in on a deal for the 23-year-old.

The Foxes are confident of securing a deal for Edouard following advanced talks, with the striker set to challenge the likes of Jamie Vardy, Kelechi Iheanacho and Ayoze Perez at the King Power, should a move go through.

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The Latest: Joseph’s tweet

Hours on from The Guardian’s story, Sky Sports reporter Joseph shared his information on a potential deal.

He claimed that an £18m transfer could go through, however, a move still has some work to do despite constructive talks.

“Leicester City could land Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard for £18m this summer. A deal is still some distance away, but the two clubs have held constructive talks.”

The Verdict: A good fee for the Hoops

There’s a difference between constructive and advanced talks, so a deal may not yet be a banker just yet.

Should an £18m transfer go through, though, it appears to be a great fee for the Hoops.

Edouard, who is yet to represent France at senior level, has just 12 months left on his contract so could talk with clubs over a free transfer in January.

The player’s representatives also felt a move in the region of £8-10m was achievable in recent months, but it seems as if Celtic will be closer to the £20m mark instead, so you’d have to look at this potential deal as some masterful business for the Hoops if it goes through.

In other news: Liam Shaw details emerge, find out more here. 

Leeds United youngster Charlie Cresswell has lauded centre-back Pascal Struijk, admitting he looks up to the ‘amazing’ Whites defender.

The Lowdown: Struijk shines for Leeds

Marcelo Bielsa’s sides enjoyed a superb season back in the Premier League, finishing ninth in the table and proving to be entertaining on the eye.

Struijk was one of many Leeds players who impressed throughout the campaign, appearing in 27 league games and rarely letting the side down.

At 21, he is already playing with great maturity and it appears as though his efforts are appreciated by those around him.

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The Latest: Cresswell lauds centre-back

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds Under-23s’ captain Cresswell heaped praise on Struijk, admitting he is someone the entire academy looks up to:

“Pascal has been brilliant this season, he has done amazing. All of the Academy boys here have just looked up to him and gone ‘wow’.

“If he can be given an opportunity like that in the Premier League then that is something for us to strive for too. He gives us all hope.”

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The Verdict: Top-quality addition

Struijk has been a great signing since arriving in 2019, and while he isn’t necessarily a guaranteed starter, his age means that could become a given over time.

His versatility makes him an even more priceless member of the squad, shining at both centre-back and in midfield, and Leeds will be desperate to keep hold of him for many years.

Struijk averaged 3.1 clearances per game in the league last season, which was more than any other Whites player, highlighting his defensive quality despite not always playing in his primary position.

In other news, a reliable journalist has provided a key update on Leeds’ quest to sign one player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Michael Ball insists Everton only want players who are fully committed to the cause following Carlo Ancelotti’s shock exit from Goodison Park.

The Italian decided to walk out on the Merseyside club after Real Madrid expressed their interest in appointing him.

Zinedine Zidane, of course, walked out on Real and, as a result, a vacancy was opened up in Spain, which Ancelotti filled once more.

He previously spent two years at the club, between 2013 and 2015, and won the Champions League in his first spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ball, though, believes that Toffees fans are growing tired of both managers and players deciding to leave the club as soon as a big offer is tabled, and has urged the club to only bring people to the club who are completely committed to being a success on Merseyside.

Reports suggest that Nuno Espirito Santo, the former Wolves boss, is likely to be appointed as Ancelotti’s successor.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “I think Everton fans are sick and tired of hearing the same stuff from the board and the players. That as soon as an opportunity comes, they’re off.

“If they don’t want to be here, if their head’s not right, they don’t want to be 100% dedicated to the football club next season, I’m more than happy for them to let them go and bring in someone who has got the right desire and right belief to be a club legend and get Everton to complete this project that we’re on right now.”

Crystal Palace shared the price list of the Eagles squad for the upcoming Fantasy Premier League season on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon.

And a number of Eagles fans were talking about versatile ace Cheikhou Kouyate after he was included in the list and the club’s tweet.

Reports last month suggested that the 31-year-old is looking to leave Selhurst Park, with Turkish giants Galatasaray considering making a move for his services.

Kouyate, on £67,000-a-week with Palace, still has 12 months remaining on his deal and has been moved from a midfielder to a defender for this season’s FPL.

He made 33 appearances as a centre-back under Roy Hodgson last season, with just four of his displays coming in midfield, taking his Eagles tally to 110.

Palace fans react

The club shared the FPL news with a specific mention of Kouyate’s position change. This is what these supporters had to say in reply, with many excited at his mention in regards to a potential Palace stay.

“Kouyate pic please admin”

Credit: @unIocaIpIa9tic

“Does this count as a Kouyate announcement tweet?”

Credit: @cpfctris

“CK8 mention OMG”

Credit: @DrizzyCPFC

“Wait you acc may be onto something they put an eye emoji”

Credit: @chr1s_cpfc

“A Kouyate tweet”

Credit: @cpfcdanny

“Kouyate mention”

Credit: @CPFCMax9

In other news: Many CPFC fans react to Chamakh clip, find out more here. 

An update has emerged about Wolves centre-back Dion Sanderson, it could affect Sunderland’s transfer plans this summer.

What’s the talk?

According to the Sheffield Star, Slavisa Jokanovic has identified Sunderland target Dion Sanderson as a player he would like to bring to Brammal Lane this summer. Jokanovic has drawn up a list of transfer targets for the Sheffield United board and Sanderson is one of the players he is hoping to land.

Earlier this month, Football Insider claimed that Wolves are now ready to sell Sanderson on a permanent basis and would like £2m for his services. The report stated that Sunderland are keen on signing the centre-back for a second spell at the Stadium of Light and believe personal relationships could help get a deal over the line.

Back in February of this year, Sunderland boss Lee Johnson hailed Sanderson as a “Rolls-Royce” of a defender for his age. He told Chronicle Live:

“I’ve been very impressed with him, he’s really stepped up.

“He’s recognised that Bailey Wright is out, and that he needs to up it another five or six percent and talk to the players around him.

“He has got a really good attitude, and it’s consistent with his personality.

“He’s a centre-half and at his age level he is an absolute Rolls-Royce.”

Fans will be fuming

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman is facing a disaster with this transfer saga and it will leave fans fuming. The Black Cats have had the inside track on Sanderson after working with him throughout the 2020/21 campaign and they are now allowing other clubs to join the race and diminish their chances of signing him permanently.

Instead of acting quickly, as soon as Johnson made it clear that he would like Sanderson to return, Speakman has seemingly been slow out of the blocks and it could now lead to the ‘Rolls-Royce’ moving elsewhere.

Sanderson now has suitors from the Championship and that could appeal to him more than a transfer back down to League One. Sheffield United have just been relegated from the Premier League and have a manager in Jokanovic who has been promoted to the top-flight twice in his career, with Fulham and Watford. This means that Sanderson could have the opportunity to join an exciting project in Sheffield, with the prospect of playing Premier League football in the 2022/23 campaign being a more than realistic target for the Blades.

The £2m beast impressed during his loan stint with Sunderland. He averaged an impressive WhoScored rating of 6.88 in 17 starts at centre-back, showing his consistency and quality despite only turning 21 last December.

Given that Speakman has had since the end of last season to negotiate a deal with Wolves and has been unable, or unwilling, to do so, Sunderland fans will be fuming that he has not acted quicker to make sure that other clubs are not able to swoop in and snap him up.

AND in other news, Speakman heading for big error if SAFC land £1.5k-p/w dud, fans would be livid…

Fiorentina are reportedly eyeing up a move for Marcelo Bielsa after having doubts over the appointment of Vincenzo Italiano.

The Lowdown: Bielsa irreplaceable at Leeds

The Argentine has been a wonderful manager for Leeds United, overseeing their return to the Premier League and being loved by supporters.

Bielsa has arguably been one of the most important figures in the club’s history, and while the thought of him leaving is a grim one, the hope is that he will sign a new contract imminently (BBC).

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The Latest: Fiorentina linked snapping up Argentine

According to Rai [via Sport Witness], Fiorentina are interested in bringing Bielsa to the club, with Rafa Benitez also considered an option.

Both are considered possible strong alternatives to Italiano, partly due to being bigger names.

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 The Verdict: No reason to worry too much

While any report linking Bielsa with an exit is a worrying one for Leeds, it would be a huge surprise if he departed Elland Road this summer.

The 65-year-old’s contract may be on the cusp of expiring, but he has shown no desire to leave the Whites and should agree a new contract before the end of this month.

His standing in the game means he is always going to interest other clubs – Jurgen Klopp has described him as ‘incredible’ – but Leeds fans should have at least one more year of Bielsa to look forward to.

In other news, Leeds are keen on signing a player currently starring at Copa America – find out who it is here.

Stoke City are interested in a deal to bring Alistair McCann to the bet365 Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Sun on Sunday (27/06, p61) (via Football League World), who claimed that Michael O’Neill’s side are among number of Championship clubs keeping tabs on the St Johnstone midfielder ahead of a potential move in the summer transfer window.

The report added that the Scottish Premiership side would demand a fee of around £1m in order to part with the 21-year-old this summer, with the Potters said to be attempting to raise funds through player sales in order to make a bid for the youngster.

O’Neill must move

Considering how promising McCann looked for St Johnstone last season, along with Stoke midfielder Sam Clucas being heavily linked with a move away from the club, it is unsurprising to learn that O’Neill is considering a move for the Northern Ireland international this summer.

Indeed, over his 34 Scottish Premiership appearances for Callum Davidson’s side last term, the £1.08m-rated man scored two goals and registered two assists, as well as averaging 0.7 key passes per game. The 21-year-old also impressed in more traditional central midfield metrics, averaging 1.5 interceptions and 2.7 tackles and winning 5.9 duels per league fixture.

These returns saw the man Jason Holt dubbed an “undroppable” player earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.85, ranking him as St Johnstone’s 10th-best performer in the Scottish top flight.

As such, should Clucas go on to leave the bet365 Stadium this summer, McCann would appear to be an ideal replacement for the 30-year-old, as well as being a player who, at just 21 years of age, would seem to have a considerably brighter future than the current Stoke man.

It would appear highly advisable for O’Neill to do all he can to get a deal over the line for his fellow countryman this summer, or else the 51-year-old runs the risk of coming up against him in the Championship next season.

In other news: Forget Collins: Stoke transfer update emerges on £5k-p/w beast which will delight O’Neill

Rangers centre-back Nikola Katic has spoken about his potential return from injury and has suggested that he is ready to make his comeback, which is a huge boost for Steven Gerrard at Ibrox ahead of next season.

The Croatian defender suffered a horrible cruciate ligament injury in pre-season last year, which ruled him out for the entirety of the 2020/21 campaign, although Rangers were able to rally in his absence, winning the league title unbeaten.

Although you might not expect Gerrard to make too many changes to a defence that conceded just 13 goals in the top-flight last season ahead of the new campaign, Katic has emphasised his class for Rangers in the past and is clearly appreciated by the 41-year-old manager, so there is every possibility that he will be a regular next season if he can get back to his best.

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Katic spoke to Rangers TV recently and provided an update on when he hopes to return, saying:

“It has been such a long time out of the team and struggling with a really tough injury, but I am really happy that all of that is behind me now and I am ready to go with the team again.

“They were great, honestly, and I am very grateful for the staff, the medical, the team-mates, everyone was really good with me. They all knew that I was facing a really tough time but the club always tried to find the way to help me, to get me in a positive mind and connect me with my family.

“We all know it was really difficult last season. They always did their best to try and make me happy and I will always be grateful for that.

“In one side it was really difficult and painful to watch and not be part of that as much as you want to be.

“On the other side, I was truly happy for the team. I am already three years with them and I know how much effort they put in every day and how hard they work.

“I was really happy for them to achieve that and it was no more than they deserved.

“I am desperate, honestly, I am desperate [to get back playing]. I lost 12 months with my injury and now I am so desperate to play and so excited.

“Honestly, I am giving 24 hours per day to be as ready as possible to help the team and to prove to the manager, prove to the fans how ready I am.”

During his time at Ibrox, Katic has made 59 appearances, contributing six goals and three assists, and was labelled “a winner and a warrior” by Gerrard after scoring in an Old Firm derby win in 2019.

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If he can get himself fit in pre-season, then it would not be a surprise to see the 24-year-old centre-back challenge the likes of Connor Goldson and Filip Helander in Gerrard’s side next season, and it is undoubtedly a huge boost to potentially have him back fit in time for upcoming games in the Scottish Premiership and Champions League.

Gerrard will be buzzing to have him back fit and ready to play a full-part in pre-season training.

And, in other news… Rangers handed huge boost with “outstanding” Ibrox beast, Gerrard surely buzzing