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West Bromwich Albion have been dealt a major injury blow ahead of their upcoming Championship fixture.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by the West Brom website, Valerien Ismael confirmed that Grady Diangana will not be available for selection for the trip to Swansea City on Wednesday evening, as the winger is yet to recover from a hamstring injury which saw him ruled out of the 1-0 win over Birmingham City last Friday.

Speaking about the current condition of the 23-year-old, Ismael said: “Grady won’t be available for the game because he only had his first session with the group on Tuesday. It’s too close for him to be able to play. If everything goes correctly then hopefully him being available for Saturday won’t be a problem.”

Meanwhile, the Frenchman also revealed that Alex Mowatt, who was brought off midway through the second half of the Birmingham victory due to a toe injury, will be assessed prior to Wednesday’s fixture.

On the central midfielder’s fitness, the 46-year-old said: “We’ll assess Alex before the game at Swansea. We’re going to keep a close eye on things and how he is before we make a decision on him.”

Ismael will be gutted

While it is undeniable that Diangana has not been in the best form of his career this season, having scored no goals and registered just one assist over his 11 Championship appearances, the absence of the winger for the trip to Swansea will nevertheless have left Ismael gutted. The 23-year-old proved in the Baggies’ promotion-winning campaign back in 2019/20 that he undoubtedly possesses the ability to help fire the club back to the Premier League.

Indeed, over his 30 Championship appearances that season, the £9m-rated forward bagged eight goals, provided six assists and created eight big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.6 shots and making 1.4 key passes per game.

These metrics saw the £36k-per-week man earn a highly impressive seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.06, ranking him as Albion’s third-best performer throughout the campaign in question.

As such, while, as previously mentioned, the former West Ham United winger is yet to hit these heights so far this season, it is abundantly clear that Diangana can win a game in an instant for West Brom, a talent that Ismael will sorely miss on Wednesday night.

In other news: Forget Hugill: Ismael could save WBA millions by placing trust in 20 y/o “star boy”

West Bromwich Albion are believed to be one of a number of teams keen on signing Newcastle United midfielder Matt Longstaff on loan [Chronicle].

The Lowdown: Baggies prepare for 2021/22 title challenge

Moving into 2021/22, the Baggies will undoubtedly be eyeing up a Sky Bet Championship title charge as they look to bounce back from relegation in a positive manner.

Though they haven’t yet ventured into the transfer market, they have been heavily linked with moves for Sam Clucas and Dwight Gayle respectively.

However, could the energetic 21-year-old Geordie be the first Hawthorns import this summer following recent reports?

The Latest: West Brom eye Longstaff; numerous other teams interested

As it stands, West Brom are said to be interested in a loan swoop for Longstaff, who is available for a temporary move away from St James’ Park [Chronicle].

Manager Steve Bruce is set to let Longstaff explore regular first team football next season – he has admiration from Belgian side Anderlecht, accompanied by Norwich City, Middlesbrough and the West Midlands club [Chronicle].

Serie A outfit Udinese were also monitoring his situation heavily last summer [talkSPORT].

The Verdict: Longstaff would be an excellent addition to the Baggies

In need of some fresh impetus heading into the forthcoming campaign, Longstaff would be a shrewd addition for West Bromwich Albion.

Labelled as ‘terrific’ by former Newcastle United star Malcolm McDonald [Chronicle], he burst into prominence owing to a stunning strike from outside the box for the Magpies in a famous 1-0 triumph over Manchester United in 2019 [BBC].

Only making five senior appearances on Tyneside in 2020/21 [Transfermarkt], a move to the second tier could be the perfect tonic for the youngster after an injury hit season with his parent club.

West Bromwich Albion should be doing all they can to get the deal over the line.

West Ham United are keen on Emi Buendia, according to emerging reports…

What’s the word?

The Sunday Mirror (2nd May 2021, page 72) claim that David Moyes is eyeing up a move for the Norwich City playmaker as a potential alternative to loan sensation Jesse Lingard, in case the Hammers are unable to tie him down on a permanent basis.

It’s thought that the 24-year-old attacking midfielder is on the Irons’ radar ahead of the summer transfer window, though the Canaries will put up a fight to keep him, especially as he was recently crowned not only their own, but also the Championship’s, Player of the Year.

Last month, the Daily Mail suggested that Norwich rate the Argentine at around £40m, whilst Transfermarkt currently value him at just shy of £20m.

Shades of Payet

It would be a gutting blow to lose out on Lingard next season but Buendia is a very worthy option in his own right.

West Ham had long lacked that creative playmaker that could sit in the hole and produce the odd spectacular moment, at least since Dimitri Payet’s exit.

The Frenchman was a genius from set plays and consistently delivered in terms of goal returns – in total, he provided 15 goals and 23 assists in 60 appearances for the club. That’s one goal contribution every one-and-a-half matches.

After his departure to Ligue 1 outfit Marseille, the Irons struggled to replace him, with the likes of Felipe Andersen, Manuel Lanzini and Pablo Fornals not even close to his quality.

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Lingard has stepped up, banging in nine goals and delivering three assists in just 11 appearances, via WhoScored, but ultimately, he’s a Manchester United player until otherwise.

In Buendia, the Hammers could get their very own long-term Payet successor. He is very much cut from the same cloth as the Frenchman in terms of providing chances, unlocking defences and often finding the net.

The 5 foot 7 Argentine maestro has enjoyed an extraordinary season on Norwich’s way to the title, having registered a whopping 14 goals and 17 assists in just 38 matches.

Further figures of 3.2 key passes, 2.9 shots and 1.7 dribbles per game, via WhoScored, suggests even more so that Buendia is a similar sort of phenomenon and enigma that has the ability to completely control and transform a game.

Not even Lingard is matching these numbers, barring a 0.1 increase on attempts on goal per match.

Earlier this season, the Canaries suffered a dip in form in Buendia’s absence, proving just how crucial he has been to their fortunes, and speaking to The Athletic, teammate Ben Gibson claimed: “You’ll always miss a player of that quality. He’s a very special talent.”

Max Aarons, who has also been linked with a switch to East London in recent weeks, has also heaped praise on the magician before. He told the Byline podcast (via Pink Un): “He’s tenacious and very strong. He’s got a lot of attributes.”

£40m may be a stretch when you consider that Moyes also needs a new striker but David Sullivan and co shouldn’t pass up an opportunity to sign a player who could well evolve into their next Payet.

AND in other news, West Ham handed significant blow to “phenomenal” £36m-rated top Moyes target…

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has addressed the absence of Nir Bitton from the matchday squad in the Hoops’ 2-0 victory over Ross County on Sunday. 

The lowdown: Bitton’s importance to Celtic

The 30-year-old has endured an injury-ravaged time at Parkhead, missing 99 matches in a nine-year stint as a Bhoy with varying degrees of problems including a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a serious knee issue.

Despite the injuries, the Israel international has still amassed 269 appearances for the Hoops and has been a favourite of several managers at Parkhead over the years.

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Following the player’s latest non-appearance, Postecoglou has explained the situation surrounding the defensive midfielder…

The latest: ‘Slight issue’ for Bitton

Speaking to BBC, as quoted by the Daily Record, the 56-year-old has revealed the latest on the Israelim saying: “He’s got a bit of an issue. A slight issue.”

Bitton has not been seen in action since a fleeting 28-minute appearance in the 2-1 win over Rangers at Ibrox on April 3, having been an unused substitute in the subsequent 7-0 rout of St Johnstone.

The verdict: Worrying signs

Although Postecoglou seems undeterred by Bitton’s latest issue, unfortunately the problems keep mounting up for the 39-cap ace.

So far this season, the man who has been described as ‘fantastic’ by the Celtic manager has scored twice and provided two assists in 36 appearances across all competitions.

With Bitton out of contract in 2023 (Transfermarkt), the upcoming summer is a pivotal one for him, as the experienced midfielder will likely be hoping to receive a new deal, whilst the club could be considering selling him in order to avoid losing their man for nothing.

To that end, the Israeli will be desperate to play a part in this season’s run-in to try and secure a new contract.

In other news, one expert has made a key claim regarding the ownership of Celtic. Read more here.

Plenty of Aston Villa supporters have been reacting to footage shared on social media regarding Tyrone Mings and Ollie Watkins.

The pair both featured for the Three Lions on Thursday evening, with Watkins grabbing the final goal in a 5-0 win at Wembley.

Watkins, who had never featured for England at any level prior to his debut, received the ball on the edge of the area before firing through a defender’s legs and into the far corner.

Numerous Villa supporters took to social media to praise the 25-year-old following his interview after the game, and many more have done so towards the forward and centre-back Mings.

Villa shared slow-motion footage from England on their official Twitter page of Watkins’ goal and subsequent celebrations.

One of the first players to celebrate with Watkins was Mings, along with Manchester City’s Phil Foden.

Villa fans react

Villa heaped praise on Mings in the caption and these Villa fans followed suit in showing their love for the towering defender, with one describing the footage as ‘magic’.

“Magic – he’s a major reason behind the dressing room improving at Villa Park”

Credit: @Shy_Rhy

“Wonderful scenes did us proud”

Credit: @UTViIIa

“Love this”

Credit: @danfereday

“Class this is! Gives me Goosebumps man… UTV”

Credit: @AstonVilla_info

“Brilliant!!”

Credit: @clukk74

“Love it two of the best signings we’ve made”

Credit: @GV18271

In other news: Many AVFC fans react to Vila-linked star’s social media activity, find out more here.  

Newcastle United struggled for goals especially during the first half of the season whenever Callum Wilson was not fit, so to bring in someone of Josh King’s ability would be great for both the club and their reliable goalscorer, according to Steve Howey.

King was usually rather reliable in front of goal during his time at Bournemouth with 53 goals in 184 games, which saw him and Wilson strike up a great partnership that helped the Cherries enjoy five consecutive seasons in the Premier League.

The Norweigan international is now set to become a free agent after spending the second half of last season on loan at Everton, where he failed to start a single Premier League game, with reports linking the Magpies with a move for King.

This could potentially come about if Andy Carroll decides to turn down the one year contract his boyhood club have offered him, and Wilson would likely rather have King alongside him at the club instead of Carroll. Howey spoke about how Wilson would love to be reunited with yet another former Bournemouth teammate, exclusively to Football FanCast:

“I think it would just rejoin the two of them together again which I think Wilson would be delighted with because at times he was just up there on his own even though Saint-Maximin and Almiron do try to get up there with him.”

During King and Wilson’s partnership at Bournemouth, they managed to score an impressive 89 goals which did coincide with the Newcastle striker suffering two ACL injuries, which disrupted much of his time at the Vitality Stadium.

The Athletic have dropped an update regarding West Ham’s pursuit of Genk striker Paul Onuachu…

What’s the talk?

According to The Athletic, the Irons are one of the Premier League clubs interested in a deal to sign the 27-year-old this summer. The report claims that Watford, Arsenal and the Hammers have all looked at the attacker as a potential target ahead of next season.

Genk are demanding a fee of £20m for their top scorer and this has put Watford off as they may not have the funds to facilitate such a transfer following their promotion back to the Premier League, handing a boost to West Ham’s hopes of signing him.

Fans will be buzzing

West Ham fans will surely be buzzing with this news. For starters, the update has seemingly ruled out Watford as serious contenders for his signature as they do not have the financial muscle to compete with the Hammers or Arsenal in a straight transfer shootout. This means that David Moyes could have a greater chance of being able to sign the attacker to bolster his squad.

The injury-prone Michail Antonio has been the club’s top scorer in each of the past two seasons with 10 goals in the Premier League. This suggests that there is room in West Ham’s squad for a prolific goalscorer to come in and be the main source of goals in the top flight, which is where Onuachu could come in useful.

Former England international John Fashanu hailed the Nigerian forward as a “goal king” earlier this year and said that he is proving to people that he is a number one option at the top end of the pitch.

He told The Punch, via Goal.com: “I remember when I said he was a great player and that he was the player that we needed and now I was right. I think everybody else has seen how football has to be understood at the right level.

“I want to tell Onuachu well done and a big congratulation because he has proved to everybody that he is still number one and indeed a goal king.

“Let’s just try to say we are not trying to prove anybody wrong but that we can have a successful team with the right players.”

This shows how highly Onuachu is regarded as a goalscorer. His record for Genk in Belgium is outstanding, with 45 goals and seven assists in 69 competitive games for the club, including 29 goals in 33 league matches during the 2020/21 campaign.

Therefore, he could be a sublime signing for the Hammers and hopefully become the potent starting striker they are currently lacking, which is why their fans would surely be buzzing to see him come through the door at the London Stadium.

AND in other news, Imagine him and Soucek: West Ham must seal swoop for £17m maestro, Moyes needs him…

Leeds United defender Gaetano Berardi’s time at Elland Road will come to an end this summer, according to The Athletic‘s Phil Hay.

The once-capped Switzerland international joined the Whites back in 2014, arriving from Sampdoria for an undisclosed fee.

Berardi has gone on to make a total of 155 appearances for Leeds, performing solidly in that time and being more of a regular during his early years at the club.

Under Marcelo Bielsa, however, the 32-year-old has featured far less and he is now coming to the end of the one-year contract extension he signed last October.

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Hay tips Berardi to leave Leeds

The reliable Hay confirmed that he doesn’t expect Leeds to retain Berardi’s services beyond this summer, such is the depth now at Bielsa’s disposal:

“And I won’t be surprised if Gaetano Berardi leaves at the end of his latest contract too.”

Transfer Tavern take

Hay continued to explain that the Whites are very well covered at centre-back, and thus it makes perfect sense for the club to move Berardi on, getting him off the club’s wage bill and freeing up funds for potential reinforcements to come in.

He is currently on approximately £32,ooo per week (the fifth highest paid player in the squad), and considering he suffered an ACL injury last summer, he is unlikely to fully return the same player again.

Leeds have moved on without Berardi and should now be looking at younger players who can help take the team forward in the long-term – perhaps another striker given the rumours surrounding Rodrigo’s future.

In other news, a former Leeds star has given his take on the Whites’ summer transfer budget. Read more here.

Danny Mills had urged Glasgow Rangers striker Jermain Defoe to stay at Ibrox despite interest from League One outfit Ipswich Town.

The Lowdown: Ipswich eye Defoe

Defoe will be soon be out of contract at Ibrox and, as of yet, he has not put pen to paper on a new deal (Transfermarkt).

As such, Ipswich are said to be eager to take him back to England, and would be ready to offer a big-money deal to do so. If the 38-year-old is to stay at Rangers, he will likely have to take a pay-cut.

The Latest: Mills urges Defoe to stay

Speaking to Football Insider, Mills has urged Defoe to stay at Ibrox. He said:

“Does he really want to go to League One? That would be absolutely huge.

“Where it’s more physical and the games come thick and fast, the training facilities aren’t as good…

“I’m not convinced that a player in that situation… Unless he just loves football and wants to play every week, I’m not convinced that’s a move that he would make.

“No, I’m not sure I would be tempted by better money at that stage in my career. It’s Saturday-Tuesday, so he’s still not going to play every game, it will be bits and pieces.

“At that stage, happiness and stability are absolutely huge.”

The Verdict: Still a role to play

Since initially joining the Gers in January 2019, Defoe has done well for the club. In 72 games, he has managed 32 goals, as well as providing 10 assists. While he has not featured too much during this campaign, he has still played his part as Rangers won the Premiership title.

Given his age, he is likely unable to play week-in week-out – that is why he played just 20 times in all competitions this season. However, he will surely want to be part of a potential Champions League campaign this next term. That would be the perfect way to perhaps end his career, offering a reliable rotation and super-sub option for Steven Gerrard.

In other news, Rangers have been linked with a move for this striker.

Last season was mooted as Joao Moutinho’s final as a regular in the Wolves XI.

Indeed, had Bruno Lage acquired summer target Renato Sanches in the transfer window, that claim may have become a reality for the Portuguese maestro.

At the age of 35, Moutinho’s legs are growing older and on paper, should struggle with the pace of the frantic Premier League.

However, he’s begun the new campaign in wonderful form for the Old Gold. Immediately the Portugal international has become one of the most important players for Lage.

He and Ruben Neves ran the show against Spurs for example as the veteran midfielder registered three key passes and completed two key passes.

Moutinho was also impeccable against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup, taking 128 touches and playing a jaw-dropping nine key passes.

When his last campaign at Wolves does come remains to be seen but they may already have the midfielder’s heir in waiting already in the Molineux set-up.

We’re talking about Luke Cundle, a 19-year-old who is already modelling his style of play on Moutinho.

In an interview with the official website, Cundle was asked who he was trying to replicate: “Joao Moutinho,” he responded. “When I train with the first-team, he has a lot of energy and is really enthusiastic. He’s always trying his best to win.”

The teenager added: “I admire the way he plays, his work ethic and his professionalism on and off the pitch.”

Those comments have been supplemented by The Athletic’s Tim Spiers who called him a player in the ‘Moutinho mould.’

It’s easy to see why too. Against Wigan in the EFL Trophy last month, the midfielder made four tackles, three key passes and produced 104 touches.

Capable of dictating the tempo of a match, Cundle has plenty of tools at his disposal to make it in the senior game.

Speaking about his best attributes, Wolves U23 boss James Collins hailed his footballing brain: “With Cundle, I’m making a sub and about to tell the sub what I want him to do on the pitch, and I can already hear him telling the sub before I can, so it’s a real pleasing thing when you have intelligent footballers out there.”

He has played just twice for the Wolves first team but based on that review, further opportunities could emerge in the not too distant future.

Lage has already picked him multiple times on the bench in the Premier League this season so he is clearly on the radar.

AND in other news, 15x possession lost: £84k-p/w Wolves gem massively let Lage down on Saturday…