New Everton manager Sam Allardyce conducted his first interview since taking the job which was posted on the club’s official Twitter account on Thursday evening, and Toffees fans are clearly still unhappy with his appointment.

The former England boss was confirmed as Ronald Koeman’s successor on Wednesday – prior to the 4-0 win against West Ham United at Goodison Park – more than five weeks after the Dutchman was sacked, but the deal officially went through on Thursday with a contract signed until 2019.

The 63-year-old sat down to give his thoughts on getting the job, and he was quick to mention the “ambition” that the Merseyside outfit have, as well as covering a number of other subjects.

Everton supporters were quick to have their say on Allardyce’s first interview via social media, and while one described it as “underwhelming”, another said “this is everything that is wrong with football”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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According to reports in The Mirror, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly willing to listen to offers for Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marouane Fellaini during the January transfer window.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Mirror says that Mourinho has told any unsettled players that they can leave next month if the price is right, and that could apply to Mkhitaryan and Fellaini.

The Mirror says the former is unhappy at being banished from the matchday squad in recent weeks by the Portuguese boss following a poor run of form, while the latter is yet to agree an extension to his contract that is due to run out next summer.

Speaking on Friday, according to The Mirror, Mourinho said: “I think every player has a price. If a player is not happy, if a player brings with him the request with the number that we consider a good number for us – like it happened for us last season with Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin – I would never say no.”

Would the duo be a big loss?

Fellaini would probably be a bigger loss than Mkhitaryan, and that is something that United supporters wouldn’t have believed at the start of last season.

The Belgium international has proven to be an important player for the Red Devils over the course of the last 18 months or so, and as well as being a strong midfielder he has also been useful in both penalty areas.

Meanwhile, Mkhitaryan looked as though he could be a key player for Mourinho’s men this term when he provided five assists in their opening three Premier League matches, but his form dropped off and he hasn’t even made the squad in recent weeks.

Will they go in January?

As Mourinho says, if the club receives an offer that they deem to be acceptable then it is more than likely they will go.

If United could recoup most of the £30m they paid to sign Mkhitaryan in 2016 they would certainly sell given his apparent fall-out with the Portuguese boss, while Fellaini could leave if he tells the Red Devils that he has no intention of signing a new contract.

Considering he has six months left on that deal, it remains to be seen what bid could prise the Belgian away in the New Year however.

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Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg is attracting interest from Lille, according to France Football.

What’s the word?

The Dutchman, who has earned 58 caps for the national team, has become a forgotten figure at Goodison Park.

The 35-year-old signed from Fulham in 2016, but has dropped down the pecking order.

Despite only making three appearances in all competitions for the Toffees last season, France Football claims that Lille want Stekelenburg to be their number two.

The French outfit are hoping to find a keeper that will cover Mike Maignan, meaning that the Dutchman will have to play second fiddle once again.

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What’s Everton’s best option?

This should be a no-brainer for the Merseyside outfit considering that Stekelenburg has no chance of returning to regular first-team action at the club.

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Jordan Pickford is Everton’s number one, and that is highly unlikely to change given his impressive performances for England at the World Cup in Russia.

If Stekelenburg is keen to leave, then sanctioning a sale works out for all parties as it gets the shot-stopper off the wage bill.

Everton could do with having a keeper than can challenge Pickford and keep him on his toes, but Stekelenburg is not that man to do that.

The former Roma man is vastly experienced, but he is reaching the latter stages of his career and will not play any significant role in Everton’s season if he stays.

According to a recent report from The Sun, Celtic are eyeing up a summer move for Cruzeiro and Uruguay midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta. The 24-year-old was part of his country’s squad that reached the last eight of the World Cup this summer before coming unstuck against eventual winners France, with the attacking midfielder doing his bit in helping Oscar Tabarez’s side reach the quarter-finals. 

And Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic, alongside Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United, are reportedly keen on landing the £18 million-rated midfielder this summer, which would be a huge statement of intent by the Bhoys were they to win the race for the 16-cap international.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, the Scottish heavyweights will be seeking the reinforcements this summer that could help them maintain their domination of football north of the border this season, having secured the treble in each of the last two campaigns.

Yet Rodgers’ side will be hoping to do better on the European stage this term after a disappointing last-32 exit in the Europa League last season, and a signing in the ilk of Uruguay’s De Arrascaeta could go some way to aiding in that quest in what would certainly be an excellent addition.

The 24-year-old currently plays his football in Brazil with Cruzeiro and has done so since 2015, in which time the attacker has scored 20 goals and laid on 13 assists in 90 appearances, three goals of which have come in 2018.

Thus, it’s pretty clear that the Uruguayan would add a great deal of attacking talent to Rodgers’ squad ahead of the new season, but significantly a deal to bring the 24-year-old to Celtic Park would be a huge statement of intent ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.

The Bhoys have watched Old Firm rivals Rangers make some very shrewd moves under Steven Gerrard in the transfer window so far to suggest that the Gers may be ready to challenge Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title, but landing De Arrascaeta would be a much bigger signing than anything Rangers have come up with so far.

Beating Benitez’s Newcastle to his signature would itself be a massive coup given the strength and competition of the English Premier League, but it would also be another clear statement to the rest of Scotland that Rodgers’ men will continue to improve, and thus seek to continue dominating football north of the border.

Celtic fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Newcastle fans are really scratching their heads over the latest transfer rumour, as reports suggest their striker chase could turn towards Swansea City’s Andre Ayew.

According to reports, Besiktas are close to securing a move for Ayew, but Newcastle are making a shock late bid to sign him.

The report claims the Swans are resigned to losing the versatile Ghanaian, who has 14 goals in 74 caps for his country.

Besiktas are the front-runners to land him, but “a number of clubs from home and abroad” are interested, and the Magpies have apparently now thrown their hat in the ring.

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Newcastle have already been linked with a move for Jordan Ayew, Andre’s younger brother, and it doesn’t seem like fans are too fond of this one either.

The 28 year-old was a huge hit during his first season with Swansea, but his move to West Ham turned out to be a massive mistake.

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Valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, he could actually be a shrewd addition for Rafael Benitez, but fans clearly don’t think so, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

According to The Telegraph, Manchester United are prioritising a move for Leicester City defender Harry Maguire, but Everton should try to scupper the deal.

What’s the word?

The publication claims that Jose Mourinho has placed Maguire at the top of his list of centre-back targets following the England international’s impressive World Cup display.

Everton are also in the market for a new defender, and the Leicester man is certainly a figure they should be keeping a close eye on.

Maguire showed the nation why Gareth Southgate was right to pick him for the tournament in Russia.

The 25-year-old was a pillar of strength at the back, but also looked comfortable on the ball with the ability to drive forward and pick out teammates.

Why should Everton swoop?

The Toffees experienced inconsistency at the back last season, with Michael Keane struggling to maintain good form, while Ashley Williams fell out of favour.

If Maguire was to join the Merseyside outfit then he would be an automatic starter, probably alongside Keane.

Phil Jagielka remains the captain of the club, so even though his game time could end up limited, he remains an important figure.

Mason Holgate is still perfecting his craft, so it is likely that Williams would be the defender sacrificed to make way for Keane.

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Do they have a chance?

Everton have proven before that they are prepared to spend big in the transfer market, but they could struggle to compete with United.

Financially, the Red Devils trump them, but the lure of moving to Old Trafford is likely to be far greater than a switch to Everton.

Maguire could continue his upward trajectory by playing for a club competing in the Champions League and challenging for the title.

The former Hull City centre-back proved on the global stage that he is ready to take that next step.

With that in mind, Everton may have plenty of work to do to convince him to move to Merseyside.

West Ham United continued their preparations for the 2018-19 campaign with a 3-1 win over Championship outfit Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

Michail Antonio, Marko Arnautovic and Robert Snodgrass were on the scoresheet for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, who will continue their pre-season against Ipswich Town this weekend.

Antonio’s goal was a real cracker as he drove down the right before working space inside the box and steering a low effort into the bottom corner.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Hammers this summer, with Crystal Palace amongst the list of clubs believed to be interested.

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However, a number of West Ham fans have called on their club to keep hold of the former Nottingham Forest winger for the 2018-19 season.

Last season was frustrating for 5ft 11in ace Antonio due to injury, but he did make 21 Premier League appearances for the Hammers.

It might well be that Pellegrini decides to sell the attacker before the summer transfer window slams shut, but there are West Ham fans who want to keep him.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

West Ham have really impressed many football fans as their summer spending totals around £100 million, a figure that makes them second to Liverpool for the most spent. 

All that spending comes as a result of a 13th place finish in the Premier League, something new manager Manuel Pellegrini definitely wants to improve on. Having been promised an awful lot when moving to the London Stadium, fans are more keen on the owners after their spending activity, proving that ultimately they have the clubs best intentions at heart.

Seven new faces have already arrived at the London Stadium but if West Ham could add an eighth in Timothy Fosu-Mensah, all their problems would have been resolved.

The Man United youngster who is valued at £6.3 million on Transfermarkt, would be a tremendous coup for the Hammers considering his brilliant versatility which could come in handy this season. With the ability to play as a centre-back, right-back or even defensive-midfielder, Fosu-Mensah is the exact type of talent Hammers could get behind should he arrive at the London Stadium.

The 20-year-old spent last season on-loan with Crystal Palace and made a total of 24 appearances in a roller-coaster season for the Eagles. His impressive speed and strength in defence was vital to Palace being able to be solid at the back, something that Man United have also recognised in the youngster.

He is without a doubt a hot prospect and with an attempt to buy him, West Ham would conclude their business in fine fashion, having recruited a young, pacey player, which was exactly the criteria Manuel Pellegrini was looking for.

Would Fosu-Mensah be a good signing for West Ham… Let us know!

Tottenham Hotspur have submitted a bid for 16-year-old Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu according to The Irish Independent.

What’s the story?

The young shotstopper has only made six senior appearances for the Irish side but has impressed so far, keeping four clean sheets in four League of Ireland games.

He also played in two Europa League qualifying games which Shamrock lost after extra time in the second leg.

According to the report, Tottemham have lodged a €200,000 (£179,000) bid for the wonderkid but Manchester City and Chelsea are also interested in signing the youngster.

Whatever happens, Bazunu will remain at Shamrock until he finishes his school exams next summer according to the report.

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Star in the making

Even though it’s very early in his career, Bazunu’s performances have belied his years and this is shown by the fact he’s only conceded twice in six games and the serious interest in him from top clubs.

It will be good for the young talent to get a full season of first team football under his belt at Shamrock before he makes the move to the Premier League and develops under the wings of Mauricio Pochettino.

He’s showing every sign that he could be a top goalkeeper in the future and Spurs are right to try and snap him up now while they can.

Arsenal’s deadline day was a fairly boring one in comparison to some other clubs in the league – aside from Manchester United.

Under Unai Emery, the club completed their business early in the summer and brought in five new players to the first-team squad.

As the last few weeks of the window ticked down, the club were linked with a move for Barcelona striker Ousmane Dembele, but that seemed a bit of a far-fetched deal.

The Gunners were also linked with a move for Sevilla midfielder Steven Nzonzi, but much like the Dembele rumour, nothing came about.

More likely, Arsenal were looking to sell some of their squad players, namely Lucas Perez.

In what seems unbelievably good business for West Ham, the Gunners somehow sanctioned a deal for the Spaniard to join the East London club for a paltry fee of £4 million.

The Breakdown

When looking at his stats, the deal just looks worse and worse.

On loan at his former club Deportivo La Coruna, Perez scored eight goals to go along with six assists. In the one season where he actually played for the club, Perez scored seven goals in 21 games, nine of those being starts. Before he made the move to Arsenal, he scored 17 goals and 10 assists for Deportivo.

Moreover, with only four out-and-out wingers at the club, one being Joel Campbell, it just simply doesn’t make sense as to why the Gunners would not only sell Perez, but for such a small fee.

After a superb summer, new boss Emery might have just made his first big mistake.

Arsenal fans… what do you think? Let us know!