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Charlton must seal a deal for £6k-per-week Millwall midfielder Shane Ferguson this summer.

What’s the talk?

Millwall utility man Shane Ferguson has revealed that he decided against signing a new deal with the club as he wants to go and play regular football elsewhere. Ferguson does not want to sit on the bench next season and is now on the lookout for a new club. He told London News Online:

“It just felt natural (to leave Millwall now). I didn’t play much this season and I want to be playing. I didn’t feel I could do another season of that, it wouldn’t be good for my career at all.

“I had a good chat with the manager, we were both really honest where we were at with it. I’m looking forward to what happens next, I’ve left that to my agent. I’m away on internationals and I’m focused on that, just keeping myself fit. I’ll see what happens in the coming weeks.”

Journalist Richard Cawley reported earlier this year that Charlton had an interest in Ferguson. The Addicks failed to seal a deal due to salary caps, which have since been revoked by the Football League.

Millwall boss Gary Rowett admitted last month that Ferguson “desperately wants to play” and that is the reason behind his exit from The Den this summer. He told London News Online:

“I know he wants to play more, he desperately wants to play more. Sometimes you get to the point with a player when they are a full international that you can’t keep them from playing and starting games for a further season.”

Must seal deal

Charlton must now swoop in and seal a deal for Ferguson. This is the perfect opportunity for Nigel Adkins to add the player to his squad as he is set to become a free agent next month and they will not need to lavish out a transfer fee for his services.

Cawley reported that the wage cap was an issue for Charlton in the January window, but that is no longer the case given that the rules have been scrapped. Therefore, Charlton should – in theory – be able to afford a deal for Ferguson.

The Northern Ireland international’s attitude is one reason why he could be a great addition to Adkins’ squad. Ferguson could have stayed at Millwall and been happy to pick up a paycheque and sit on the bench week-in-week-out in the Championship, but has been brave and decided to search for a new club and potentially drop down a division to League One to find somewhere where he can play regularly.

This shows that he is not just in the game for the money and that he is motivated to perform on the pitch.

The £6k-per-week ace has played over 100 times in four Championship seasons for Millwall. This suggests that his managers at Millwall trusted him to a job in the second tier, which means that he could excel in League One.

Therefore, he could be an experienced and motivated player who could add to the depth of Adkins’ squad and who could give the manager another seasoned professional in the dressing room.

AND in other news, Charlton must act swiftly after major transfer update on “phenomenal” £810k-rated ace…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has drawn parallels between Jack Grealish’s situation at his old club and Harry Kane’s at Tottenham.

Kane could be heading for the exit door at Tottenham, with Sky Sports reporting that the 27-year-old striker has asked to leave the club. This comes shortly after Kane made it clear that he wants to “win team trophies” and not just individual honours.

Meanwhile, Grealish also continues to be linked with a move away from his current employers. According to The Telegraph, he is a summer target for Premier League champions Manchester City.

And Hendrie believes, like Kane, the desire to win trophies could force him to seek a move elsewhere.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about the attacking midfielder’s future, the ex-Villa player said:

“He’s been a great servant so far for the club. You know, he’s proved that he loves the club, but sometimes it’s not, and this is where fans sometimes need to understand, it’s not all about having the money.

“The loyalties are obviously massive there; it’d be nothing to do with money. It’s a bit like the Harry Kane situation. Players who have got top quality and are labelled as one of the top players want to win trophies – that’s what you play football for.”

If Grealish does have that desire to win trophies, then the Etihad looks to be the perfect home for the 25-year-old as Manchester City continue to sweep up an array of domestic honours.

Newcastle United’s strong run of form at the end of the Premier League season has ‘doubled’ their merit payment from the Premier League, according to lawyer Paul Stothard. 

The lowdown

Newcastle were 17th in the Premier League after a dismal 3-0 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion prior to the March international break.

However, they moved clear of the relegation zone with a run of eight points from four matches, picking up commendable draws with Tottenham and Liverpool either side of back-to-back victories against Burnley and Newcastle.

Steve Bruce’s side suffered home losses against Arsenal and Manchester City in their last five games but also picked up another three wins. They impressively won at Leicester before downing Sheffield United in front of fans at St James’ Park and beating Fulham 2-0 on the final day.

That was enough for a 12th-placed finish and, between matchdays 31 and 38, the Magpies were fifth in the form table.

The latest

Finishing 17th would have netted Newcastle a merit payment of just £8.5m from the Premier League, but they are now set for a windfall of twice that amount. Stothard tweeted: “Moving from 17th to 12th with victories over Sheffield United and Fulham doubled Newcastle’ merit payment from the PL (from £8.5 to 17m).”

Shields Gazette journalist Liam Kennedy suggested that this may represent a ‘summer budget boost’ for the Magpies, adding that ‘the more in the pot the better’ given the effects of the global pandemic on the club’s balance sheets.

The verdict

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley will surely be reluctant to invest significant sums of his own money this summer given his reported desperation to sell the club, so this boosted influx from the Premier League could actually be quite important.

Bruce deserved to be criticised for leading Newcastle into the mire in the first place, but he also deserves credit for their fine finish to the campaign. The added £8.5m from those concluding victories over the last week may just finance one astute signing this summer which they may not have been able to afford had they lost both games.

In other news, Mark Douglas dropped this update on Newcastle’s Joe Willock chances. 

Aston Villa must avoid selling Anwar El Ghazi as major news emerges from Bodymoor Heath about Dean Smith’s position on the matter.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days have revealed that El Ghazi’s teammate, Trezeguet, is set to be out of first-team action for the best part of a year after suffering an ACL injury in the clash against Liverpool.

And now, Football Insider claim that because of the Egyptian’s lay-off, he has made a U-turn on El Ghazi’s future at the Premier League club.

The report suggests that both Smith and the Villa hierarchy were prepared to cash in on the Dutchman in the summer, but that stance has now been changed given Trezeguet’s injury blow.

Dean Smith would be making a mistake

With eight goals in 23 games, El Ghazi certainly has a very impressive goal-scoring record this season in the Premier League, so it beggars belief that Smith wanted to get rid of him.

There’s no questioning that he’s got the ability to be a real game-changer for the side when he’s on song – you only have to look at his back-to-back goals against West Brom and Everton in Villa’s last two games to see that.

And, speaking after his goal against Crystal Palace earlier this year, former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown said: “Dean Smith told me his training in how he executes those finishes is there for all to see. Craig Shakespeare then backed him straight up when I ran into him later, he just said ‘what a technician he is.’

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/villa-dean-smith-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-premier-league-buendia-berge-mcneil-trezeguet-villa-park” title=”Read the latest Villa transfer rumours and news!”]

“He’s practising in training, he has a bad week against Burnley: eight shots, great chances, can’t put one away. Then he scores against West Brom, then goes and puts one in the top bins like he did last night… Magnificent is the word we’re all looking for.”

Smith must avoid an unforgivable mistake by selling the £9m-rated El Ghazi this summer. And given Trezeguet’s injury update now, it would be even more of a foolish blunder on the part of the Villa boss to get rid of him.

Meanwhile, Villa are eyeing a move for this “great leader”…

During the last few years, Wolves have had a phenomenal record of beating the biggest and best teams in the Premier League.

This season alone, the Old Gold have defeated Arsenal on two occasions and also swatted aside Chelsea at Molineux, while they did the double over Manchester City last term and beat Manchester United twice in three weeks in 2019.

Therefore, they will have every right to feel confident when they face Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.

On the chalkboard

One player who has had a habit of destroying teams in the top flight is Adama Traore.

The Spaniard has had a particularly disappointing season by his high standards and has scored just two goals all term. That’s a far cry from the 13 goal involvements he managed throughout 2019/20.

Traore has been so off the boil that he didn’t even start against Brighton last time out. Nuno Espirito Santo instead decided to look towards the future as he started Vitinha, Fabio Silva and Morgan Gibbs-White in attack.

After going 1-0 down, Nuno turned to the swashbuckling winger, and he had a devastating impact during his 30 minutes on the pitch.

Traore crashed home the equaliser and completed all three of his dribbles. His ability to be a nuisance also wreaked havoc with the Seagulls defence as they seemingly had no answer to his speed, trickery and strength.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-wolves-transfer-rumours-and-news-soumare-dias-dembele-marques-nuno-santo” title=”Read the latest Wolves transfer rumours and news!”]

They aren’t the only team to feel his wrath. Once dubbed “unplayable” by Jurgen Klopp, the £46,000-per-week attacker is one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League.

Despite his measly goal tally this term, no player has completed more dribbles in the top flight than Traore’s 140. That’s 52 more than the next best player in the division, Fulham’s Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.

With that in mind, the 25-year-old could terrify Tottenham on Sunday afternoon. Instead of starting on the bench, Nuno needs him playing from the off and causing havoc, rather than relying on someone like Daniel Podence, who last scored a full five months ago.

The Spaniard’s mesmerising impact against Brighton last weekend proved that, even when he’s not completely in form, he has to play. Traore is capable of producing moments of magic from absolutely nowhere which against one of the sides aiming for European football, could be crucial.

He scored against the Lilywhites last term, too, running riot by winning ten ground duels and completing all five of his dribbles.

Nuno will need the speedy Spaniard at his best on Sunday.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Neto: Wolves must sign “spectacular” £32m beast, he’s shades of Ronaldo…

David Moyes should look to revive West Ham United’s interest in Rico Henry amid reports that Southampton are keen to sign the Brentford defender this summer.

What’s the word?

According to the Evening Standard, Henry is set to be in high demand when the transfer window opens as the full-back is destined to play Premier League football next season.

Brentford have seen their push for top-flight football hit a bump in recent weeks, with Thomas Frank’s side nine points outside the automatic places after a run of four straight draws.

Henry is determined to test himself in the Premier League next season – with or without the Bees – and has a number of potential suitors considering swoops to afford him that chance.

Southampton are claimed to be heading the emerging queue as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side prepare for life after Ryan Bertrand, with the £70,000-per-week full-back yet to agree on new terms ahead of becoming a free agent this June.

Manchester City are also understood to be monitoring Henry, who Moyes had previously considered signing for West Ham.

Brentford are expected to value Henry at between £12-15m as he will have two years left on his contract in the summer, although any deal would include add-ons based on future international appearances.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/the-latest-west-ham-news-and-views-2″ title=”The latest West Ham news and views!”]

Henry has been one of Brentford’s standout performers throughout their promotion chase and was an ever-present during their 21-game unbeaten run earlier in the season, but has missed the Bees’ last eight games due to a hamstring injury.

Should West Ham pursue Henry again?

While West Ham are noted to have previously shown an interest in Henry, it remains to be seen if Moyes is still a fan of the 23-year-old or if the defender will be heading for Premier League football with a rival club next season.

The Irons boss only walked away from his interest last year having decided to prioritise the arrival of a new centre-back, after having Henry scouted before weighing up a move for the former England U20 international, per The Athletic.

West Ham are still yet to acquire a new full-back to provide cover for Aaron Cresswell and Arthur Masuaku, but may feel the position has enough depth in Ben Johnson who has played frequently in the role this season.

But Johnson, a natural right-back, should not be the reason why Moyes allows Southampton and not West Ham to sign Henry, who many at Brentford believe is capable of becoming Gareth Southgate’s first-choice left-back for England with some Premier League experience.

Comments from Jon Whitney to The Athletic last year, a former coach at Walsall who claims Henry “lifted the crowd” through his energy at Banks’s Stadium, also give Moyes enough fuel to fire his interest again.

“His pace got him out of a lot of trouble, but he started to really get better tactically, especially with Dean [Smith], who he had a really good connection with,” Whitney said.

“He just went from strength to strength, really. The more responsibility you gave Rico, the better he got, and I think you also see that now. I think he’s become a lot more robust and resilient.”

Henry would likely already have been a top-flight defender had it not been for Ollie Watkins joining Aston Villa and Said Benrahma moving to the London Stadium last year, with the defender firmly seen as the next to be heading off Brentford’s production line.

West Ham potentially shot themselves in the foot last year, then, and must not see a repeat this summer by allowing Henry to move anywhere other than to east London.

Dubbed as “something special” by Aston Villa boss Dean Smith, the Hammers must revive a deal for Henry.

AND in other news, West Ham dodged a £32m bullet in a 2017 deal dubbed a “real coup”…

Many Southampton fans are far from happy with comments from Ralph Hasenhuttl on the club’s transfer plans ahead of the summer window.

It could well be a busy summer for the Saints, but mainly because they are likely to be fielding offers from other clubs for some of their star players. Striker Danny Ings has been linked with a move to Manchester City as Sergio Aguero leaves the Citizens (Sky Sports), while Tottenham are interested in signing central defender Jannik Vestergaard (Daily Express).

Speaking prior to Southampton’s match against West Bromwich Albion on Monday, Hasenhuttl shared the club’s plans. He provided some good news, saying that the likes of Ings and Vestergaard are not for sale, but he did also admit that the south coast outfit will need to look to sign players for below £10m, which is relatively cheap in the Premier League.

The comments were shared on Twitter by journalist Tom Leach, and it is fair to say that some Saints fans were far from happy, with one even calling the manager “deluded” following his remarks. Another took aim at what they saw as the flawed transfer dealings of former vice-chairman Les Reed.

These supporters took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments from Hasenhuttl below

“Hasenhuttl is deluded if he believes we will turn down good offers for Ings and Vestergaard, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ward-Prowse go as well,”

Credit: @spmooney68

“This is all rather depressing stuff. Sub £10 million targets = dross”

Credit: @MarcTR4

“The issue is that who is going to pay good money for the dross that fills our squad? Thanks Les Reed for wasting so much money, guess that agents were throwing cash about”

Credit: @SpencerHoughts

“That’s them sold then!”

Credit: @davsExt

“So next year we lose Ings for nothing. £20m down the drain”

Credit: @scottfi54648411

“Sounds like another negative transfer windows on the cards. It’s near on impossible to sign PL quality for those prices. No doubt sign some fringe player from a bigger European club as usual and they struggle to adjust.”

Credit: @James90044529

In other news, many Southampton fans are unhappy with this transfer link.

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have been reacting to the club’s official Twitter post on striker Ollie Watkins.

The 25-year-old, who was called up by Gareth Southgate last week, made his first England appearance on Thursday evening against San Marino.

Watkins came on for Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Wembley just after the hour mark and netted the Three Lions’ fifth goal with seven minutes remaining to cap a memorable debut.

The Villa man received the ball on the edge of the area before taking a touch and unleashing a shot into the far corner.

Shortly after the game, Watkins, Villa’s club-record signing, gave a brilliant interview to ITV. He labelled the moment as a ‘dream’, with the clip being viewed over 175,000 times.

Villa fans react

Aston Villa posted the interview on their official Twitter page on Thursday evening, which as to be expected, had plenty of Villa supporters talking.

These Villa fans were buzzing for the forward…

“When we finally get to see this guy in front of a full Villa Park crowd it will be an absolute joy. The roof will be blown off!”

Credit: @NeilWhelan

“The tears in his eyes”

Credit: @LukeKing_

“So proud of our Ollie”

Credit: @clare247

“Great goal for a great lad and lovely to see a player showing how proud he is to wear the shirt”

Credit: @shendo007

“Couldn’t have happened to a more nicer bloke. Top top man Ollie”

Credit: @VillaVisionBen

“Simply love the lad”

Credit: @sporty169

In other news: Club ready to listen to offers for attacker with Dean Smith not convinced, find out more here. 

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie isn’t sure whether Callum McGregor can step up and replace Scott Brown as captain.

Following the recent confirmation that 35-year-old Brown will leave and join Aberdeen as a player-coach, the Hoops are in search of a new skipper for the first time since the midfielder took the reigns from Stephen McManus back in 2009.

Only James Forrest and Tom Rogic have been with the Glasgow giants for longer than McGregor, who came through the ranks at Celtic Park, although McAvennie doesn’t seem convinced that the Scottish international has got what it takes to follow in Brown’s footsteps.

McGregor, whose the current vice-captain in Paradise, would appear the obvious choice to take the role, but that could quickly change when Celtic eventually appoint a replacement for Neil Lennon.

However, McGregor has worn the armband when Brown hasn’t available this season and would therefore be the favourite to replace Brown.

McAvennie told Football FanCast: “McGregor’s in there, but I’m not sure McGregor’s a captain. I don’t know if he’s got that pull.

“Paul McStay was quiet, he was the captain when I was playing, but he was quiet. But he did things in the park that would drag people through the game.

“Maybe Callum’s got that in him, but I think Soro and Turnbull might be the future, but I don’t know if they’re ready to make an assault on Europe.”

It was never going to be easy for whoever takes over from Brown, but given he’s the vice-captain, is relatively experienced and has only ever known Celtic, you’d be surprised not to see McGregor get the role, unless the Hoops make a shock summer signing.

Southampton face a tough trip to the Etihad on Wednesday evening where they’ll face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Premier League.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side picked up their first win in 10 Premier League games with a 2-0 victory at Bramall Lane at the weekend, whilst City saw their impressive winning run come to an end at the hands of arch-rivals Manchester United.

However, it will still be a huge ask for the Saints to come away with anything from the game on Wednesday night, as Guardiola possesses incredible strength in depth at City, and he will be more than happy to make changes after the slip up against the Red Devils at the weekend.

Unfortunately, injury problems have seriously exposed Southampton’s lack of strength in depth, and with several players having only just returned from injury against Sheffield United, the Austrian has hinted that the likes of Kyle Walker-Peters and Ibrahima Diallo could be rested against City.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Hasenhuttl to line his side up against the champions-elect, with five changes from the team that started against Sheffield United…

Fraser Forster continues in goal after earning another clean sheet in the win at Bramall Lane.

There’s one change in defence, as Walker-Peters is rested. That sees Mohammed Salisu returning to the side at centre-back, with Jan Bednarek moving back to right-back.

There are three changes in midfield, as Takumi Minamino is rested after recovering from his own injury problems to play against Sheffield United, with Moussa Djenepo replacing him on the left, and hopefully, he can replace the Japanese international’s pressing intensity, with Jurgen Klopp dubbing him a “machine” for his work rate earlier in the season.

Stuart Armstrong also deserves a rest after featuring a lot recently, with Nathan Redmond coming in on the right-hand side.

If Diallo is also not risked at the Etihad, then it seems likely that Alexandre Jankewitz could replace him alongside James Ward-Prowse, and hopefully, the youngster has a more enjoyable trip to Manchester than his last one, where he was sent off within two minutes at Old Trafford.

Finally, in attack, Che Adams replaces the injured Danny Ings to start alongside Nathan Tella, who should keep his place after another impressive display against Sheffield United.

And, in other news… Deadwood: Hasenhuttl should axe £10.8m-rated flop if he wants to rebuild this summer