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Everton manager Frank Lampard should cash in on “dreadful” defender Michael Keane this summer and re-build the club’s defence.

According to a report in The Daily Star, West Ham United would be keen on buying the 29-year-old if the Toffees are relegated from the Premier League.

We think that they should sell him regardless of what league they’re in next season and use the money to improve the rest of the team. He is rated at £19.8m by Transfermarkt, a far cry from the £30m they paid for his services in 2017.

It would be unfair to say that Everton don’t have any talented players, however, they simply haven’t been performing good enough this season and they find themselves in a real survival battle as a result.

They have conceded the fifth most amount of goals this season and have only kept six clean sheets in the league, and at the heart of that is Keane who has made 28 appearances.

When you analyse his statistics they further highlight Everton’s defensive worries. He is in the bottom 15% compared to other defenders in the league this season when it comes to progressive carries, proving that he isn’t great at playing out from the back. He’s also netted two own goals this campaign.

Last month former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy blasted Lampard for continuing to pick Keane in his team saying that “he’s physically gone” and didn’t understand why he kept being played.

The simple answer is that the Toffees don’t have many better options. Yerry Mina who is arguably the best defender at the club has been out injured for the majority of the season, with his current hamstring injury coming in February.

It won’t be long before Keane is the wrong side of 30, at which point his value will start decreasing and Everton will get even less of the money they paid for him back. It’s not all doom and gloom though; he has had a pretty decent career overall which includes 12 appearances and a goal for England.

But ultimately he can’t cut it at the top level, and with the position they’re in, now is the time for the Toffees to build for the future. They have a perfect manager in Lampard to do this, he even has experience managing in the Championship if they do end up being relegated.

IN other news: More misery: Alan Myers drops four-word Everton claim that’ll leave supporters fuming…

West Ham United are battling to sign soon-to-be free agent and Torino striker Andrea Belotti for David Moyes this summer as an update comes to light this week.

The Lowdown: Moyes eyeing new forward…

Hammers boss Moyes is reportedly eyeing a new forward signing for his side this summer, coming after the club couldn’t finalise the addition of a striker in January.

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West Ham were apparently very close to signing Atalanta ace Duvan Zapata in the final hours of deadline day, but after the player went AWOL, with phone calls to entourage left unanswered, Moyes and co ultimately missed out.

The Irons are currently gearing for their crunch semi-final second leg against Frankfurt in the Europa League on Thursday evening but that hasn’t stopped both owners GSB and head of recruitment Rob Newman gearing up for the 2022/2023 Premier League season.

The Latest: Insider shares Belotti update…

According to ‘insider’ and Italian football reporter Rudy Galetti, speaking to Tribal Football, West Ham are in a ‘battle’ to sign Belotti for Moyes this summer.

Touted as ‘one of the most followed players in Europe’, the 28-year-old is set to be a man in demand this summer with his contract expiring in June.

West Ham are in the mix to sign Belotti on a Bosman with the striker’s imminent ‘final decision’ expected in the ‘next few weeks’.

The Verdict: Right man for Moyes?

Scoring a career total 158 goals and still in his prime, Belotti could prove to be a pretty astute signing and capable back-up for Michail Antonio – especially at zero initial transfer cost.

An established Italy international with over 40 caps for the Azzurri, Torino’s captain will certainly be attracting major interest as one of the big name free agents up for grabs at the end of 2021/2022.

West Ham will face many competitors in the race for Belotti but landing the forward would be a smart of piece of business by Moyes.

In other news: GSB ready to back Moyes with £21m West Ham bid for colossal player, find out more here.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola could also join the race to sign a £354,000-per-week star amid the plethora of transfer rumours in recent days, according to reports.

The Lowdown: City set to be busy?

Coming after the Sky Blues’ heart-breaking defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals, an arguably undeserved loss when taking into account their performances over the two legs, City could be set for a busy few months.

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Guardiola is now tasked with re-grouping his side and gearing them up for a crunch Premier League clash with Newcastle United on Sunday as they continue to chase the title.

Following on from this season, an entertaining summer transfer window should lie in store, with City reliably believed to have already secured a deal to sign Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland.

They’re not finished there though as Guardiola and Etihad Stadium officials allegedly cast their eye on a new midfield signing after the Norwegian.

Fernandinho’s summer exit from Eastlands will prompt City chiefs to hunt for his replacement with West Ham star Declan Rice and, shockingly, Man United outcast Paul Pogba on their radar.

The Latest: Guardiola could join de Jong race…

Now, according to what has been collected by Daily Mail journalist Jack Gaughan, a supremely reliable source for City news, Guardiola could also ‘reignite interest’ in Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong.

This comes after the former Ajax sensation was ‘close to the Etihad Stadium’ in 2019 with his family even viewing houses in the North West.

After de Jong eventually decided on a move to Barca, it is believed Guardiola could try to tempt him to Eastlands again this year.

The Verdict: No-brainer…

The £354,000-per-week star comes as a real no-brainer in terms of quality.

According to WhoScored, only forward Memphis Depay has matched de Jong in terms of La Liga Man of the Match awards for Barcelona over 2021/2022.

The Netherlands international has also played the fourth-most minutes in Spain’s top flight under Xavi, coming as a real untouchable in their first team alongside Catalan veterans Sergio Busquets, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique (WhoScored).

Averaging the same pass accuracy as City mainstay and defensive midfield star Rodri (91.4%), de Jong would come as the perfect like-for-like alternative to Guardiola’s figurehead.

Lauded as ‘phenomenal’ by former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell, we believe he is a far more credible potential signing than the likes of Pogba.

In other news: Man City take pre-summer steps to sign ‘absolutely unplayable’ forward alongside Haaland! Find out more here.

Manchester City are back on the road once again as Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Molineux to take on Wolves for their penultimate away game of the season.

Having seen off Newcastle United in their previous clash at the Etihad Stadium with an impressive scoreline of 5-0, the Citizens will want to repeat that result this time around as they close in on the league title.

Heading into tonight’s showdown against Bruno Lage’s side, it seems as though the away side have been handed a significant triple injury boost that will surely be a big lift for their chances of securing another win.

What’s the news?

A Twitter post from The Athletic’s Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers relayed comments made by the Midlands club’s first-team fitness coach Carlos Cachada during yesterday’s press conference.

On the topic of current injury issues in the Wolves squad, Cachada revealed that the trio of Daniel Podence, Nelson Semedo and Max Kilman will not be available to play against City through injury.

Great news for Pep

With two defenders and an attacker out for the home team, this will be a big blow for them as they prepare to face a City side that boasts the best attack and defence in the entire league.

As for City, it will be a big boost to their chances of getting a win, an eventuality that would leave Pep Guardiola thrilled, especially if his team can capitalise and seal all three points.

Taking into account how the defensive duo of Semedo and Kilman have racked up a combined total of 220 tackles and interceptions together in the league this season, this would definitely weaken their sturdy defence, one that has shipped just 34 times all term.

As for Podence, only three other Wolves players have delivered more goal contributions than the winger, who has two strikes and three assists to his name.

With City having their own defensive injuries with the trio of Ruben Dias, John Stones and Kyle Walker out for the rest of the season, having Podence out of the frame tonight will be a big relief for Guardiola as well.

Moving forward, the only thing on the Manchester club’s mind will undoubtedly be to get all three points no matter which players are fit enough to play on both sides.

In other news: David Ornstein drops big Man City transfer development, supporters will be gutted

Leeds United employee Noel Whelan has backed Joe Gelhardt to play a leading role against Brighton in their crucial Premier League match this afternoon. 

The lowdown: Leeds bereft of options

Already likely to be without talismanic striker Patrick Bamford after Jesse Marsch confirmed that the 28-year-old was still being ‘assessed’ during Friday’s pre-match press conference, Dan James’ suspension leaves the Whites with little in the way of attacking options.

Rodrigo completed 90 minutes in midweek against Chelsea but the Spaniard can also play in deeper roles, whilst winger Jack Harrison was added to the injury list as Leeds succumbed to a 3-0 victory at Elland Road.

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Gelhardt was chosen to lead the line recently against Arsenal before being withdrawn when Luke Ayling saw red inside the opening half-hour, and Whelan has backed the 20-year-old to be handed another opportunity…

The latest: Whelan wants Gelhardt to start

Speaking to Football Insider, the Leeds ambassador urged Marsch to opt for a more ‘natural’ centre-forward option for today’s clash against Graham Potter’s side.

The 47-year-old said: “It’s very difficult as a young player to come into any squad when you’re on the back of defeats. It’s a lot to carry on your shoulders and a lot of responsibility.

“It’s made more difficult with the injuries and the sending offs. We’re losing that experience, we’re losing players. Dan James, Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas, Adam Forshaw, that is a huge amount of experience in these last few games we’re missing. I hope it doesn’t hurt us, I hope somebody steps into their shoes and becomes that leader. Probably a little bit earlier than they expected.

“We’ve not had a natural goalscoring striker, a number nine, all season. That’s been difficult for us. Whoever’s played there has found it quite difficult to play that number nine role. In my opinion, Gelhardt is the more natural number nine.

“He is as close as to a number nine as we’ve got at that football club and I believe he’s got to start. There’s nothing in my mind that says that kid will not thrive against Brighton. I think he can take all the responsibility, he’s got that maturity about him in his game.

“We need captains and leaders out there. It might come a little early for some but they need to rise to this challenge.”

The verdict: Time to step up

Already a match-winning hero with a late goal against Norwich City earlier in the campaign, Gelhardt may need to come to the fore once again when Leeds need him most of all.

So far this season, the Liverpudlian starlet – who was described as ‘astonishing’ by talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham – has scored twice and provided three assists in 18 Premier League outings, impressing for the most part given his tender years.

However, it’s for the Whites’ under-23s that Gelhardt has mainly flourished, netting seven goals in just 10 matches at that level, and Marsch would be well served to turn to someone with such a clinical nature for a pivotal final two games for Leeds.

Alternatively, the American could stand firm with Rodrigo or gamble on another youngster in Sam Greenwood, but whichever way the boss turns today, the Elland Road faithful could be looking for an out-of-sorts Raphinha to return to form.

In other news: Phil Hay claims Orta now wants to sign ‘unbelievable’ ace even if Leeds go down; club green-light sale

Celtic will look to strengthen in several areas of the pitch during the summer transfer window, reports reliable journalist Kieran Devlin.

The Lowdown: Big summer ahead

The Hoops may be the newly-crowned Scottish Premiership champions but Ange Postecoglou is unlikely to be resting on his laurels.

The Australian has a good squad at his disposal but new faces are required in order to make it even more formidable in the coming years, especially with Champions League qualification sealed and battles against Europe’s elite to come.

Now, a new update has emerged outlining the specific areas where Celtic will be looking to strengthen.

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The Latest: Devlin makes key claim

Taking to Twitter, The Ahletic‘s Devlin said that Postecoglou wants two players in every position moving forward, with centre-back, left-back, right wing and central midfield all points of focus:

“Looks like CB, LB, RW, and CM are priority targets assuming Jota and CCV sign permanently, and another CB and winger if they don’t. That strengthens the squad but to specifically improve in Europe, personally think one or two other areas could be targeted.”

The Verdict: Build a Champions League squad

This is an encouraging update that suggests Celtic will continue to go from strength to strength, with the finances now there to significantly enhance their squad.

While the current crop are already good enough to be Scottish champions, the big task now is to compete in the Champions League, rather than be blown away in the group stage.

By bringing in several top-class new signings, Postecoglou would be able to rotate his squad regularly across various competitions, retaining freshness in the process and ensuring a challenge on multiple fronts.

In other news, a pundit has dropped another Celtic claim regarding one player. Find out who it is here.

Wolves are plotting a bid for Vitoria Guimaraes midfielder Andre Almeida ahead of a crucial summer transfer window for Bruno Lage.

What’s the word?

Portuguese news outlet Jornal de Noticias (via Sport Witness) claim that Wolves are discussing a deal for Almeida as Lage plans a major summer rebuild for next season.

The player could cost £6.8m and at only 21 years old, would represent a shrewd investment.

With his contract due to expire at the end of next season, Wolves may take advantage and try to secure a bargain deal.

Dream Moutinho heir

Lage has had a very solid first season in charge of Wolves, leading the club to a top-half finish despite a poor final few weeks of the campaign derailing some momentum.

He faces a big summer ahead, with the futures of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho uncertain, fresh faces will be guaranteed.

In Almeida, Wolves could have the perfect heir to the 35-year-old maestro. Almeida plays slightly further forward in an attacking midfield role and despite not scoring any goals this campaign, an 86% passing accuracy stat is solid.

The midfielder can also contribute defensively, making on average 1.4 tackles per game and winning 56% of his total duels.

These are extremely similar to Moutinho’s, who has a slightly better pass accuracy (87%) and wins 2.1 tackles per match, although his dominance in duels isn’t as good as Almeida’s (43%).

With that in mind, it’s easy to see why he’d make such a good replacement for the Portuguese veteran with his easy on the eye and accurate passing a key attribute when assessing the heir to his midfield throne.

For the aforementioned fee, Lage should be going all out to secure the youngster’s services, with Zach Lowy lauding him as “intriguing”, then it could certainly be worth the money.

AND in other news, Wolves can save millions by unearthing 22-year-old “diamond”, Lage will be ecstatic

The Athletic’s Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers has claimed that wing-back Rayan Ait-Nouri could be set for an eventual big move away from Molineux.

What’s the story?

Speaking on the Talking Wolves YouTube channel, Spiers stated that the 20-year-old will soon attract attention from “top-level clubs.”

“Ait-Nouri’s numbers are really, really good. He’ll attract top, top-level clubs to be interested in him,” said the Athletic writer.

“I don’t think he’s got much of a sort of reputation nationally, but he will do soon – he’s that good.”

The Frenchman had been subject from interest from PSG earlier this season, according to The Sun, and could eventually be set for a move away from the West Midlands.

Wolves supporters will be sweating

Of course, it will be widely accepted by Wolves fans that Ait-Nouri could one day leave for a bigger club with the wing-back impressing in the Premier League at just 20 years of age.

However, they will be desperate to keep hold of the French youngster for at least one more season.

Having initially struggled to get into Bruno Lage’s team, the left wing-back made 27 appearances for Wolves this term with the Black Country outfit one of the top-flight’s best defenders.

Only the top four conceded fewer goals than Wolves’ 43, although their struggles to put the ball in the back of the net held them back massively.

Ait-Nouri had initially made the move to England on loan from French outfit Angers in 2020 and made 27 appearances under former manager Nuno Espirito Santo before sealing a permanent move last summer.

The ‘really good’ numbers referred to by Spiers are certainly promising, with the 20-year-old averaging 60.8 touches per league match this term whilst making 25.1 passes at a 77% accuracy.

Moreover, the wing-back won 6.2 duels per appearance with a 55% success rate as well as making 2.8 tackles, one interception and 1.3 clearances.

With Jonny, Ait-Nouri’s main competitor for a place at left wing-back, game time still won’t be a guarantee next season, however, the Frenchman is certainly a bright prospect that Wolves will be keen to hang onto at least past this summer.

AND in other news, Lage could land dream Neves replacement as Wolves now eye “spectacular” 20 y/o talent..

Rangers endured a season which was filled with incredible European moments but was let down by a lack of domestic success, although the Scottish Cup was won for the first time in 13 years.

It wasn’t all plain sailing, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst arriving in mid-November and leading the club to the Europa League final, which ultimately ended in heartbreak.

This summer represents the chance for the Dutchman to enjoy his first pre-season with the squad and enable him to bring in his own players, as there will almost certainly be some outgoings from Ibrox.

Despite the player recently signing a new one-year extension, the manager should be looking to offload Scott Arfield. The 33-year-old earns £16k-p/w and this could be spent on someone who is likely to contribute on a more regular basis and is significantly younger.

The Dutchman has been eyeing up a deal for English midfielder Joe Rothwell and the Gers’ interest has been high in the player even before Van Bronckhorst took charge six months ago.

The 27-year-old becomes a free agent in June, but there are other clubs interested, such as Premier League new boys Fulham and Bournemouth, who could probably both offer bigger wages than the Ibrox giants.

Axe Arfield, sign Rothwell

Although Arfield has scored one more goal than Rothwell this season (four to three), the Blackburn ace has registered an impressive ten assists in his 41 matches.

The 27-year-old also contributed more defensively than the Canada international, winning more tackles (26 to 22) and making nearly twice as many interceptions (48 to 26).

Rothwell can also provide an attacking threat in wide areas, as he made a staggering 141 crosses over the course of the season, compared to just six from Arfield.

The 33-year-old has impressed in short spells at Rangers this season, but his influence on the team diminished for large parts of the campaign, and it’s time that Van Bronckhorst brought in someone who could offer more from the middle of the park.

As the statistics suggest, Rothwell fits the bill perfectly, and a free transfer wouldn’t break the bank either. Having been dubbed “superb” by journalist Josh Bunting earlier this season, it’s a move which could well be a wise investment from Rangers, especially if Arfield can be axed.

AND in other news: Huge transfer twist emerges on Rangers summer target, supporters will be gutted

According to transfer insider Dean Jones, Tottenham Hotspur are now ‘going after’ Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni after being highlighted as the ‘one they would want’ in defence heading into the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Top of Conte’s wish list

It has been claimed that bringing in a new left-sided central defender is a priority for the Lilywhites this summer, and the 23-year-old was one of just several names who had been linked with a move to the Premier League giants last month.

However, as reported by the Evening Standard earlier this week, Spurs appear to have suffered a huge blow in the race for the Italian, who is seemingly be keen to remain at the San Siro. This hasn’t shut down any interest from N17, though, with the defender believed to be at the very top of Antonio Conte’s wish list.

The north London club aren’t the only ones wanting to secure Bastoni’s signature, with top-flight rivals Manchester United also considering a move for the centre-back, despite him still having two years remaining on his current contract with Inter.

The Latest: Jones confirms Spurs’ Bastoni interest

Jones has now claimed that Tottenham are completely focused on completing a deal for Bastoni in the coming weeks.

He told GiveMeSport: “Bastoni is clearly the one they’re going after at Tottenham at the moment.

“It’s hard to look beyond that and it’s clearly a prime position that they’re looking to fix quickly. Bastoni is the one they would want.”

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The Verdict: Reunion on the cards?

It comes as no surprise to see that Conte is targeting a move for the 13-cap Italy international given that they worked alongside each other in Serie A, where Bastoni made 74 appearances under the 52-year-old during his Inter reign.

This season, Ben Davies has typically been the man to regularly feature as Spurs’ left-sided centre-back following Conte’s arrival in N17 last November, but you could argue that the £122k-per-week Inter starlet is viewed as an upgrade on the starting XI.

In their respective 2021/22 league campaigns, the Italian won more tackles, made more pressures and put in more crosses than the Wales defender (via FBRef).

Bastoni, who was once dubbed a “tenacious” tackler by talent scout Jacek Kulig, might well be tempted into reuniting with his former boss. Also, considering that Spurs will be playing Champions League football next season, this could be a huge factor when it comes down to the 23-year-old deciding where his next destination will be.

In other news… a Sky Sports pundit has reacted to this transfer update on one Spurs player