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Liam Kennedy has now shared some fresh insight on the potential takeover of Newcastle United from the Reuben brothers’ camp.

The Lowdown: CAT case underway

The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) case between Mike Ashley and the Premier League over the stalled takeover deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group is now underway, with the separate arbitration case set to take place on January 3rd next year.

The Toon army will of course be waiting with bated breath to see what comes of what has felt like a lifetime of delays, with Kennedy sharing insight from several different parties involved in the deal.

The Latest: Reubens insight

Writing in his latest article for Newcastle World, the journalist has now shared some insight from inside the Reubens’ camp on the consortium’s bid, amid the ongoing CAT case.

The journalist shares that there is ‘confidence’ in the camp that the deal can be done, with one prominent member of the family empire even going as far as to claim that ‘we will get this deal’ when asked about it recently.

Jamie Reuben is the ‘main driver’, with the Reubens set to hold a 10% stake at St. James’ Park if the takeover ends up going through.

The Verdict: Still hope

There should be hope among the Toon Army that the deal can be completed, as the buying side seem to still be confident as more details on the CAT case start to unravel.

However, it is likely that their chances will hinder more on the results of the arbitration hearing, which could go in their favour depending on what comes out of the anti-competition claim.

Nonetheless, the top flight will be equally as confident that the results go in their favour, and so it is all set up to be an intriguing legal battle between the two parties.

In other news, find out what takeover insight from PCP Capital Partners insight Kennedy has revealed here!

Speaking in a football.london Q&A, Tottenham Hotspur reporter Rob Guest has made a claim about highly-rated youngster Dane Scarlett.

The Lowdown: Scarlett set for stardom?

The 17-year-old made his competitive Spurs debut against Ludogorets in the Europa League last season, becoming their youngest ever player to do that (Goal).

Following another cameo against Wolfsberger in the same competition, former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho lauded the forward as a ‘diamond’ whilst backing him to become a ‘fantastic player’ (BT Sport via The Sun)

The Portuguese also likened Scarlett to Manchester United star Marcus Rashford, with Guest now making a claim about the Tottenham teenager.

The Latest: Guest makes Scarlett claim…

Speaking in the Q&A, Guest said that the promising talent ‘should get plenty of minutes’ under new boss Nuno Espirito Santo this season.

Meanwhile, the reporter also said that Scarlett is ‘rated extremely highly’ within the club.

“Scarlett is rated extremely highly at the club and he should get plenty of minutes in Europe and the cup competitions,” Guest replied when asked exactly how much faith is being put in the youngster at Spurs.

“Chances will also more than likely be there for him in the league going on the lack of another out-and-out striker. However, he just needs to be eased into action given his age.”

The Verdict: Exciting times in the academy…

As well as Scarlett, there seems to be plenty of hype surrounding the likes of Oliver Skipp and Alfie Devine to name a few.

Tottenham’s thriving youth prospects have always been a major talking point at N17 and there have been no sign of that slowing down over the last two or three seasons.

Scarlett in particular, now Spurs’ youngest ever debutant, will have eyes on him this year and it will be very interesting to see just how much he will feature under Nuno.

In other news: ‘Finished article’…Sky pundit in awe of Spurs starlet who’s an ‘improved version of Ndombele’, find out more here.

The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth has dropped an intriguing claim on Leeds United loanee Alfie McCalmont, even making some comparisons between him and Arsenal star Ben White.

What’s the story?

The 21-year-old McCalmont has joined League One side Morecambe on a season-long loan after spending the previous campaign in League Two with Oldham, and Smyth has now suggested that if he wants to make his mark on Marcelo Bielsa’s team in the years to come, he will have his work cut out.

He said: “You can never rule anything out, but he’ll have to do what Ben White did and show he can handle the step up to L1 with real comfort, having done well in L2. Leeds would have listened to permanent offers this summer though so he has his work cut out. Lots of potential I think.”

Fans will be intrigued

The midfielder was in impressive form for Oldham last season, scoring ten goals in 41 games in all competitions, and providing a further five assists too, being a key reason behind why they avoided relegation to non-league.

After seeing him make waves at Boundary Park, former Leeds man Noel Whelan waxed lyrical about the midfielder, saying: “He is a player that is immensely talented and he will do very well for Oldham. The way he plays the game is very intelligent.

“This is not a loan with a view to a permanent move from Leeds, this is a learning process. You have to be mentally tough to go out on loan, especially in League Two because it is more direct and robust compared to what you would get in the Premier League and Championship. He will be learning a lot about his game.”

And, speaking after he saw the 21-year-old put pen to paper on a new long-term deal to stay at Elland Road, Whelan insisted that Bielsa should be looking to utilise him more often.

He said: “A very good player, great on the ball and a good football mind. He is one that is learning his trade from watching Kalvin and being in and around that first-team setup.

“It is important that these young lads are integrated. It is vital for their progression and to give them confidence to step in when needed because there will be injuries and suspensions. Use them – that is why you have an academy and youth policy.”

Another season away out on loan, this time at Morecambe, will stand the youngster in good stead and if he performs well, he could give Bielsa another option in the middle of the park next season.

Leeds fans will be intrigued to see if McCalmont does indeed show shades of White and come through the divisions to eventually make his mark at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, Victor Orta delivered a Leeds masterclass…

Crystal Palace have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign Schalke 04 defender Ozan Kabak.

What’s the story?

The Eagles have been heavily linked with a move for the highly-rated 21-year-old throughout the summer as new manager Patrick Vieira attempts to overhaul the first-team squad.

However, according to well-known journalist Ed Aarons, Palace have now dropped their interest in Kabak, with Spanish heavyweights Sevilla jumping to the front of the queue for this signature.

He tweeted: “Palace have now dropped their interest in Ozan Kabak, with Sevilla now looking most likely destination for the Turkey defender”.

Patrick Vieira will be gutted

A recent report by German outlet Bild (as relayed by Sport Witness), claimed Palace had ‘offered €8m so far’ for the Turkey international, but it seems as though they never followed up their interest in the centre-back.

Vieira has already added significant strength in the heart of defence, signing Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen from Chelsea and Lyon respectively.

Nevertheless, the French tactician will still surely be gutted that chairman Steve Parish and sporting director Dougie Freedman were unable to secure the services of Kabak.

With the experienced trio of Gary Cahill, Mamadou Sakho and Scott Dann departing on free transfers, the former Nice boss may feel he is still rather light on numbers in central defence.

While Martin Kelly and Cheikhou Kouyate are capable deputies, neither are natural centre-backs, leaving James Tomkins are the only conventional backup.

And although a new right-winger and another striker should arguably take priority for the capital club over another defender, missing out on the chance the snap up such a promising prospect as Kabak in a cut-price deal is something Palace will be disappointed about.

Schalke’s relegation to the second tier of German football left them desperate to offload one of their highest earners, and his time on loan at Liverpool last season showcased his ability and potential.

His arrival at Selhurst Park would have added genuine strength in depth to Vieira’s ranks, but it’s looking increasingly unlikely that Kabak will be returning to English shores this summer.

And, in other news…Palace suffer blow in pursuit of “extraordinary” £20m prodigy, Vieira will be gutted 

Liverpool are believed to be in the market for another forward player in the current transfer window, but the club have been tipped to make a move for Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland next summer.

What’s the story?

The Reds are one of many clubs  to have been credited with an interest in the Norway international in recent months, and with a reported £70m release clause becoming active in 12 months’ time, a move could well be on the cards.

Former Dortmund star Michael Rummenigge believes that Anfield is a likely destination for the highly-rated 21-year-old, also stating his belief that Kylian Mbappe could end up plying his trade in the Premier League.

“Yes. They (Haaland and Mbappe) could get there. We’ll have to wait and see where he goes after this season. Real and Barca have financial problems, so I could imagine him moving to England. His father used to play there too,” Rummenigge said in an interview with Sport1.

“I could well imagine Liverpool for Haaland. Haaland is an exceptional phenomenon. There is a player like that every 30 or 40 years. I don’t know what his career plans are, but for Dortmund, it’s great that he’s still wearing the black and yellow jersey this season.

“He is an absolute goal machine, his opponents only fly away to the right and left when he starts running. I’ve never seen anything like him at that age. The only drawback in his size is his headers. He doesn’t score enough goals. Otherwise, Haaland is a perfect player,” he concluded.

Jurgen Klopp would love him

Haaland has showcased his incredible, truly world-class potential on a regular basis since moving to Signal Iduna Park in January 2020, bagging an astonishing 62 goals in 61 games for the German giants and winning the DFB-Pokal along the way.

The youngster has also notched up 18 assists for his teammates, illustrating how he can also play the role of provider as well as a finisher when needed.

He is set to become one of football’s poster boys of the next generation once Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi finally call it a day, and Klopp – just like any manager – would love to be able to call upon his services.

The normally dependable attacking duo of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino struggled to exert their usual levels of influence over proceedings last term, and Haaland’s significantly reduced price tag next summer could make him a realistic target for the Anfield outfit.

Many other Premier League and European clubs will also have the £117m-rated monster in their sights, though, so Liverpool’s director of football Michael Edwards may have to pull off another masterclass to get this deal over the line.

In other news… Report reveals exciting Liverpool update which will have Reds fans absolutely buzzing 

Derby County have been handed a huge boost regarding their incoming transfer business at Pride Park this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Chris Coles, with the BBC journalist revealing in a post on Twitter that, following further discussions with the EFL, Wayne Rooney will now be able to make a further four loan signings in the summer transfer window.

This news comes following John Percy’s previous claim that the Rams would be able to make five new additions to their first team squad ahead of their upcoming Championship campaign despite still being under an EFL-imposed transfer embargo.

However, in Coles’ tweets, the journalist went on to state that further discussions between the club and the governing body are currently taking place, with a resolution regarding unpaid tax expected to be sorted out at the end of this week, which could subsequently allow Derby to sign a further 10 new players this summer.

Fans will be delighted

While Derby’s off-field issues appear far from over just yet, reports that Rooney now looks to be able to add four more players – albeit on loan deals – to his first-team squad ahead of the new season is sure to have left fans very pleased.

Indeed, with the Rams technically still having just 13 contracted players – although a significant number of trialists are training with the club while waiting for Derby to receive clearance in order to offer them contracts – and with the transfer embargo meaning that Rooney could not bring in any new faces prior to the easing of the sanction, the possibility of him not being able to field a team for the opening day clash with Huddersfield Town on August 7 was very real.

However, following Coles’ latest update, it would now appear that this particular worry for Derby is one they can start to forget about, with the Rams looking set to be able to secure multiple new signings in the coming days.

While a potential takeover of Derby still looks way off, and the Rams still have cash flow problems, at the very least the Pride Park faithful now know that Rooney and his men should definitely be in Championship action in a little under two weeks’ time.

In other news: Alan Nixon drops two-word Derby County takeover update that will have fans fuming

Sheffield Wednesday have confirmed the arrival of George Byers at Hillsborough.

What’s the latest?

In a short statement posted on the Sheffield Wednesday website, the club announced that they have completed the signing of Swansea City central midfielder for an undisclosed fee.

The club went on to state that the 25-year-old will bolster Darren Moore’s options in the middle of the park ahead of the new League One season, while also announcing that he will wear the number 14 shirt for the Owls, before officially welcoming the former Scotland U17 international to the club.

Chansiri masterclass

While many Sheffield Wednesday fans would most likely argue that Dejphon Chansiri is one of the major reasons the club now find themselves in the third tier of English football, it is hard to argue against the owner’s signing of Byers being anything but a masterclass by the Owls owner.

Indeed, over his 35 Championship appearances for Swansea in 2019/20, the £1.08m-rated man scored two goals and created two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.3 shots and making 0.9 key passes per game.

The 25-year-old also impressed in a defensive capacity, making an average of 0.9 interceptions, 1.3 tackles, 0.5 clearances and winning 3.5 duels per match.

These returns saw the £11k-per-week Scot earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.84, ranking him as Steve Cooper’s ninth-best performer in the second tier of English football that season.

As such, if Byers can refind this form for Wednesday in League One next season, not only would the midfielder significantly boost the club’s chances of going on to secure an immediate return to the Championship, but he could well be up with as one of the most influential midfielders in the division come next summer.

This would be an eventuality that would further cement the idea that the signing of the former Watford player is a brilliant capture by Chansiri and his Sheffield Wednesday transfer team, as well as one that will have fans of the club buzzing.

In other news: Sheffield Wednesday confirm major transfer news that will leave fans gutted

Leeds United reportedly face Premier League competition in the battle to sign Maxwel Cornet this summer, with Watford showing an interest in snapping him up.

The Lowdown: Cornet linked with Leeds move

The Lyon left-back has been linked with a move to Elland Road in recent times, being seen as someone who could strengthen the Whites’ squad.

A move is yet to come to fruition, though, and Junior Firpo has since arrived from Barcelona.

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The Latest: Watford emerge as rivals

According to Foot Mercato [via Sport Witness], Watford are now also interested in signing Cornet, with Leeds also still mentioned as a suitor.

It is stated that the 24-year-old is ‘being followed by a few British teams’, but he will stay put with Lyon if the right offer doesn’t come along.

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The Verdict: Is there any need for him?

While the £10.8m-rated Cornet is a left-back of much attacking quality – he scored twice and registered five assists in Ligue 1 last season – Firpo has signed now and there doesn’t seem a need to bring in another left-back.

The hope is that Leif Davis continues to mature and will be able deputy for the Brazilian, meaning that funds can be spent on other parts of the squad.

Having both Firpo and Cornet battling for playing time may sound healthy, but both will be expecting to be first-choice and it may become a needlessly tricky situation for Marcelo Bielsa if he ends up needing to choose one over the other.

In other news, four players are expected to leave Leeds this summer – find out who they are here.

Football.London’s Sam Inkersole reckons that Alphonso Areola is better than Lukasz Fabianski.

With the 35-year-old about to go into his final season at the London Stadium, David Moyes is already planning and looking to add another face to his goalkeeping department.

Earlier this week, the Hammers saw a bid rejected for West Brom’s Sam Johnstone, but with his deal expiring next summer, the Londoners aren’t expected to return with a second offer, meaning their attention will now turn to Areola.

According to Sky Sports, West Ham are in talks with the Frenchman over a season-long loan deal, in what would see him make a switch return to the capital having spent last term with Fulham.

Despite their relegation, the £147,000-per-week stopper made 36 appearances in the Premier League, keeping an impressive nine clean sheets, including at Anfield, Goodison Park and the King Power Stadium as Scott Parker’s men proved a tough nut to crack.

Areola has spent his entire career with PSG but has enjoyed high-profile loan spells with both Real Madrid and Villarreal before his Premier League switch.

Asked whether the 28-year-old would be an improvement on Fabianski, Inkersole told The Transfer Tavern:

“He’s younger and Fabianski is not getting any younger. I think it would be an upgrade, but I don’t know whether Fabianski would be happy to be back-up during his final season, but if you’re bringing in the likes of Areola, he’s not going to be on small wages.

“So, it would be a delicate balancing act for Moyes if he does get Areola in, which I believe will be on loan first with an obligation at the end of it.”

Aston Villa are still eyeing a move for Burnley winger Dwight McNeil after The Telegraph’s recent transfer update.

What’s the story?

A report from Football Insider had previously claimed that Dean Smith’s side have their eye on the 21-year-old, and that the Premier League club are “lining up a huge bid for him”.

Then, The Athletic’s Gregg Evans revealed: “Villa already recognise the need for another wide player, and The Athletic understands Burnley’s Dwight McNeil is of serious interest, as is Emi Buendia of Championship winners Norwich. Extensive groundwork has already been done on both of them.

“The scouting department has closely scrutinised his in-game contributions, and McNeil is recognised as a player who brings additional options to open up a game.

And now, The Telegraph have claimed that Villa still have McNeil high up on their target list as they look to reinforce their squad ahead of the new Premier League season.

Premier League quality

The £43m-rated winger has been one of the few standout players for the Clarets since breaking onto the scene, and it’s something which has led to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp raving about him.

He said: “Dwight McNeil is such a good player, lovely left foot, doesn’t stop running. Every time I watch him he gets better and better, he’s got real quality and certainly a player that the top six to eight clubs will be looking at, and that’s no disrespect to Burnley because I don’t like saying that sometimes, but he is that good.”

With his ability to beat players one-on-one – his average of 1.8 dribbles per game in the Premier League was the highest of any Burnley player last season – McNeil could bring a new and exciting dimension to Villa’s attack.

That dribbling, and McNeil’s composure on the ball, is something very much akin to Villa talisman Jack Grealish, andled to Burnley manager Sean Dyche waxing lyrical about the kind of talent he is.

He said: “He’s a real talent. He’s a really good player, he’s improving, his calmness at the end – I’m saying get it in the corner – but he cuts in, and his calmness to cross it into a dangerous area, and then gets his reward.

“Before then, his calmness to dribble out of trouble – he’s a really good player, really good, and he can only mature.”

The Telegraph’s update on their interest in McNeil should surely have Villa fans buzzing given the kind of attacking flair the winger could bring to the club.

Meanwhile, Matt Maher has dropped a major Aston Villa transfer update…