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Celtic are reportedly closing in on securing a transfer deal for Lanus full-back Alexandro Bernabei.

What’s the news?

According to a recent article from Football.Scotland, the left-back has been chosen as Celtic’s primary target to provide back-up for Greg Taylor and a deal “could be announced in the days ahead,” with a move now close.

As a product of Lanus’ youth system, the 21-year-old has gone on to make 84 senior appearances for the Argentina club across all competitions.

Postecoglou will be thrilled

In those aforementioned appearances, the defender has scored four goals and delivered ten assists, highlighting the attacking prowess he has.

To further highlight his attacking talent, with 24 league appearances under his belt last season, the full-back ended the campaign with a higher average of dribbles per game (2.9) than any of his teammates, as well as the fourth-highest average for shots per game (1.3).

This also makes it easy to see why Celtic are reportedly close to signing him as Taylor, Anthony Ralston and Josip Juranovic chipped in with seven goals and ten assists between them in the SPFL this season.

It also backs up why he was labelled as a “dangerous” player on the left by journalist Fernando Campos on Twitter.

Therefore, adding another full-back that knows what to do in front of goal would make sense for the Hoops as they look to regain the league title and go as far as they can in Europe next time around.

With an overall performance rating of 6.89/10 from his displays last season, the Argentine ended the campaign as Lanus’ fourth-highest rated player as well as their highest-rated defender according to WhoScored.

With current Celtic left-back Boli Bolingoli only making two appearances for the club throughout their latest campaign as well as being away from the squad at times, it seems likely that Bernabei’s potential arrival could well push the Belgian out of the door permanently this summer.

Having already confirmed their permanent signing of Cameron Carter-Vickers from Tottenham Hotspur after his title-winning loan spell at Parkhead, adding the Argentina starlet to their ranks would surely have Ange Postecoglou buzzing as he adds some extra depth to his defence.

In other news: Ange can seal his own Hulk as Celtic plot bid for £20m wiz who’s “difficult to mark”

Crystal Palace are ‘seriously interested’ in signing Nigeria international Joe Aribo, according to The Athletic.

The Lowdown: 19 goal contributions

Aribo, described as ‘unique’ and even ’like Yaya Toure’ by Ezri Konsa, made a whopping 57 appearances for Rangers during the 2021/22 season.

The Nigeria international turned out in a variety of positions ranging from centre-midfield to centre-forward, scoring nine times and providing ten assists. [Transfermarkt]

The 25-year-old’s last goal of the season came in the Europa League final defeat to Frankfurt, and it looks as if a move to the Premier League could now be in the cards.

The Latest: Palace keen

The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell provided a Rangers transfer update on Friday, looking at the club’s summer plans.

When it came to ‘who could go for big money’, Campbell said there is ‘serious interest’ from Palace when it comes to Aribo, with the Eagles believing the Rangers midfielder would fit in at Selhurst Park.

The Verdict: Get it done

Aribo impressed in a number of different positions last season and is at the peak of his powers with a career-high £9m Transfermarkt valuation.

And Patrick Vieira could also do with bolstering his midfield ranks, especially with Conor Gallagher returning to parent club Chelsea.

The Rangers star could be the perfect replacement for Gallagher at Selhurst Park, and with Aribo entering the final 12 months of his Ibrox deal, a transfer could be a real possibility over the coming months.

In other news: Palace and Vieira consider move for 34-goal ‘king’ who was once MOTM in a Euros final. 

Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco recently and the Belgian could be a superb addition to Steven Gerrard’s side.

What’s the word?

According to Spanish news outlet Sport (17:57 in live blog), Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle are all interested in the 28-year-old this summer, with a departure from the Wanda Metropolitano seemingly on the cards.

They claim that Newcastle United see him as their main target this summer but Villa and Spurs are also potential bidders, with all three sides undoubtedly targeting European qualification next season.

Coutinho 2.0?

Carrasco would be another huge name for Villa to bring in this summer, having already secured the permanent signing of Philippe Coutinho following his impressive loan spell last season.

Like the mini-Brazilian, Carrasco has experience at the very top, having regularly appeared for Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, while he also has won the Europa League and La Liga during his time with Los Colchoneros.

Last season saw the Belgium international contribute six goals and six assists for Atletico, averaging an impressive 7.08 rating from WhoScored for his performances in the top-flight.

This was a better return than any winger in Villa’s squad last season in terms of both goals and assists, so he could definitely add some quality in Gerrard’s side next season.

Diego Simeone was full of praise for the winger after he arrived from AS Monaco, saying:

“Carrasco is growing based on the effort he made to suit the characteristics of the team,” he said. “We’re happy [about] his performance. Goals [are] his speciality.

“He’s a guy who is used to scoring important goals. He is a player that has certain attributes, that [is] why he is at Atletico.”

Previous reports have suggested that Villa will need to spend up to £50m to bring in Carrasco this summer but if he could have a similar impact to Coutinho, who was only behind Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins in terms of goal contributions last season despite joining in January, then he would surely be worth the risk.

And, in other news… Gerrard heading for summer transfer disaster

West Bromwich Albion are expected to have a huge transfer window following Steve Bruce confirming plans for the summer, and improving the squad is a necessity if the club wants to compete for Premier League promotion next season.

The Baggies manager claimed (via Birmingham Live):

“I think we need to freshen the whole squad up. How big? I would think it would be substantial – I hope.”

“I think we need as many as five or six – a major overhaul is needed.”

Bruce has a huge challenge on his hands to identify areas and players that need to be moved on this summer as well as securing deals for the right players that can make an instant impact and improve the squad ahead of the next Championship season.

One player who has failed to make a positive impact on the side and contributed to the disappointing campaign for the Baggies is Grady Diangana.

The £18m flop who was dubbed “disappointing” by Kevin Phillips, has only scored 11 goals and contributed eight assists in 94 appearances for West Brom since he joined the club in 2020, with glimmers of potential in his first season with the side, the winger has failed to impose himself on opponents this season.

Scoring two goals and contributing one assist in 41 league appearances Diangana has failed to offer a reliable attacking threat in the team, making only 0.8 key passes and taking 0.2 shots on target on average per game, as well as losing possession of the ball every 3.2 touches, losing the majority of his duels (63%) and unsuccessful in the majority of his dribbles (56%) too.

With that being said, West Brom have been linked on numerous occasions with out of contract Milwall winger Jed Wallace who could definitely offer an upgrade on Diangana this summer if Bruce can seal a deal for the player.

The 28-year-old who was hailed “unbelievable” by Gary Rowett has been far more prolific in his position for Millwall in the Championship this season scoring six goals, contributing 12 assists and creating an impressive 14 big chances, making 2.5 key passes and taking 0.7 shots on target on average per game.

Ultimately, the Baggies would need to make a lucrative offer for Wallace this summer if they did want to pursue him as a move to Turkey could be an option for the player with both Konyaspor and Galatasaray allegedly interested too.

AND in other news: WBA can replicate Clarke masterclass by signing £6m machine who’s “solid as a rock”

Leeds United now want to sign Barcelona’s Sergino Dest after Manchester United were offered the right-back’s services, TEAMtalk report.

The Lowdown: Aaronson wrapped up

The Whites have made a quick start to their summer business by signing long-term target Brenden Aaronson. The attacking midfielder was officially unveiled as a Leeds player on Thursday evening, penning a five-year deal at Elland Road.

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Aaronson will now link up with Jesse Marsch once again following their successful short stint together at FC Salzburg, and it looks as if another USA international could be on their way.

The Latest: Dest links

TEAMtalk shared a story on Wednesday morning regarding Leeds and Dest after Manchester United were offered his services.

They claimed that Marsch now wants to bring Dest to Yorkshire after being made surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp.

The Verdict: Needed?

Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas both look set to miss the start of next season through injury, so bringing in Dest could be a shrewd move.

Rated at €70m (£59m) by CIES, Dest made 31 appearances in 2021/22 and even played as a left-back, right-winger and left-winger. He’s clearly an exciting versatile young talent who already has Champions League and Europa League experience, and sharing the same agency as Leeds stars Ayling, Patrick Bamford and Dan James may make a transfer easier as well.

However, another young right-back linked with a move to Leeds is Aberdeen’s Calvin Ramsay, so it could be one or the other when it comes to bolstering their full-back ranks.

In other news: Leeds and Orta ask about signing ‘extraordinary’ talent for Marsch. 

Manchester United have reportedly made the ‘strongest bid’ for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

The Lowdown: Ten Hag to watch Palace match

As we all know, Erik ten Hag will be the man in charge at Old Trafford next season, taking over from Ralf Rangnick. The Dutchman has terminated his Ajax deal six weeks early in order to get going with the Red Devils.

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Ten Hag will reportedly be in attendance for the final game of the season away to Crystal Palace this afternoon, and an update has emerged prior to the game on key target De Jong.

The Latest: ‘Strongest bid’ by United

Sport Witness relayed an update from Sport regarding United and De Jong on Friday. They claimed that Ten Hag is pushing the move for De Jong and that the Red Devils have made the ‘strongest bid’ so far.

The report adds that Barcelona would be ‘willing to sell’ the midfielder, who Xavi called a ‘genius’, and won’t go below a fee in the region of €80m (£67.6m).

The Verdict: Get it done

Ten Hag knows just how to get the best out of his fellow countryman following their successful time together at Ajax.

United are also in desperate need of midfield reinforcements with Nemanja Matic set to leave and Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata all out of contract over the coming weeks.

Therefore, it would be ideal if the club could get a deal in place as soon as possible, which will then allow them to explore further additions, including possibly another marquee midfielder to play alongside De Jong.

In other news – After AWB: Fabrizio Romano reveals Man Utd and Ten Hag now ‘prepared’ to sell ‘really poor’ flop

Tonight at 19:45, we have Championship action at the City Ground between Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest in the second leg of the play-off semi-final.

Both sides will be desperate for a win that will see them join Huddersfield in the play-off final, though it’s Sheffield United who will be hoping to overturn the deficit suffered in the previous game.

The first leg saw Paul Heckingbottom’s side dominate the ball, but fail to register a single big chance, whilst Cooper’s Forest notched up five big chances by hitting on the counter.

With the final score finishing 2-1 to the Tricky Trees, Nottingham Forest hold a one-goal advantage going into this game, with Sander Berge halving the deficit, courtesy of a late goal which has given the Blades a lifeline going into this second leg.

Will Heckingbottom make any changes to the team that he deployed in the first leg?? Here is how we at Football FanCast believe Sheffield United will line up in the season-defining game versus Forest.

Our predicted XI sees Forest deploy the exact same team that faced Forest last time out.

Having missed the last three games, Billy Sharp could have some involvement game for the Blades, with Heckingbottom saying: “We are doing all we can with him.” However, we don’t expect him to actually start the clash.

In other news, Berge – scorer of the last-minute goal last time out – had his home broken into on Friday afternoon and whilst the club have said it is “supporting Sander as much as possible”, his inclusion in the squad remains to be seen.

Aside from the aforementioned, there are fortunately no fresh injury concerns for Heckingbottom.

The same formation should also be used, though there is an option for Heckingbottom to use Morgan Gibbs-White, who has been dubbed a “sensation” by Mike McGrath, as a second number 10.

That would then see the Blades line-up in a slightly different 3-4-2-1 formation with the same personnel. It would also mean that “starboy” Illiman Ndiaye would function as an independent forward. Either way, the 22-year-old’s inclusion is a must with four goals in his last six outings for the Yorkshire club.

Sheffield United dominated the ball and created opportunities – just not clear cut ones. They showed promise last time out, so it would be a shock if Heckingbottom differed from a back-three set-up.

In other news: 75% duels lost: Sheffield United dud who gave away the ball 12x had a shocker v Forest