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The Athletic journalist Adam Crafton has dropped an update involving Leeds United and Patrick Bamford.

What’s the story?

David Ornstein had previously revealed that last summer, the 27-year-old signed a new one-year extension to his existing contract at Elland Road, with his deal now running until June 2023.

And now, Crafton has claimed via his official Twitter account that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are “closing on” an extension for Bamford, adding that discussions are progressing well over a renewal.

Leeds fans will be delighted

The striker was an absolute sensation in the Premier League last season for the Whites, banging in 17 goals and providing another eight assists in 38 games.

In fact, only Spurs talisman Harry Kane outscored the Leeds man in the top-flight in terms of the players Gareth Southgate chose for the England squad, while only the Three Lions captain, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish provided more assists than him.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, former Leeds midfielder David Prutton had urged Southgate to take Bamford to the EUROs, declaring: “Get him in there. He’s got no tournament baggage and he’s a great team player who is a hard worker and selfless. He’s performed under pressure at a big club and always rises to the challenge of the questions against him. He’s an all round good egg.”

The fact Bamford was in the conversation for an England spot for this summer is a real testament of just how much he has improved under Bielsa at Elland Road.

Keeping a hold of the core that Bielsa has built over the seasons at Elland Road is crucial to keeping the kind of team spirit that the Leeds boss has helped create, and Bamford has been one of the main reasons why the Whites find themselves in the Premier League again.

Given how Leeds fans were absolutely ecstatic when news emerged from Ornstein that a one-year extension was signed, the update from Crafton that talks are going well over a renewal is surely to delight fans even more.

Meanwhile, Beren Cross has dropped a Leeds United transfer update…

Tottenham Hotspur’s managerial search took another worrying twist last week, leaving chairman Daniel Levy running out of viable options.

According to the Telegraph, the North London outfit abandoned their pursuit of Antonio Conte after both parties had major doubts about the fit for one another.

It’s thought that the 51-year-old – a nine-time major trophy winner – wasn’t sure if Spurs could match his ambitions, whilst the club didn’t believe he would give enough of an opportunity to their young prospects, with the likes of Oliver Skipp and Ryan Sessegnon due to be involved next season.

The Lilywhites are now back at square one but as per the Mirror, they could revisit their interest in Ajax supremo Erik ten Hag, who the club distanced themselves from after he signed a contract extension at Ajax.

This could be the last chance that Levy has to show some ambition and get a coach that could genuinely revive the faltering North Londoners, especially when considering the uninspiring other names involved.

Spurs have already missed out on the likes of Brendan Rodgers, Julian Nagelsmann, and even Mauricio Pochettino – on top of Conte.

It’s previously been claimed by The Athletic that the Dutchman is among a four-man shortlist in which disastrous ex-Everton boss Roberto Martinez, Brighton’s Graham Potter and the unemployed Ralf Rangnick feature.

After clinching his second Eredivisie title at the Dutch giants, ten Hag could be intrigued by a new challenge in the form of Spurs and he ticks a whole lot of boxes for Levy.

His two main criteria appear to be a) an attack-minded system, and b) a willingness to commit to developing the club’s emerging talents.

You can put two big green ticks against the 51-year-old’s name as he’s renowned for both of these facets.

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Ten Hag has created his brand of football having drawn inspiration from the likes of Pep Guardiola and Johan Cruyff.

As explained by former Manchester United star Daley Blind: “Johan Cruyff’s philosophy and spirit still flows around in this club. Erik ten Hag is doing very well now. He wants us to play attacking football but most of all without any fear.”

At Ajax, the Dutch coach has won 74% of his matches, bringing home a whopping 2.34 points and 2.71 goals per game, via Transfermarkt, which has earned him the most glowing of endorsements from Jurgen Klopp.

“Erik is rightly regarded as one of the most exciting coaching talents in world football at the moment because of the work he does with Ajax,” claimed the Liverpool boss.

Meanwhile, plenty of young players have come through the academy set-up under ten Hag before going onto be sold for mega fortunes, with two prime examples being Matthijs de Ligt to Juventus (£65m) and Frenkie de Jong to Barcelona (£65m).

“What he is managing to do with such young players is remarkable,” former striker Pierre van Hooijdonk told TV station NOS in May 2019 (via Planet Football). “The likes of De Ligt, De Jong and Van de Beek have only just come out of the academy and are already playing like veterans. Ten Hag deserves huge credit.”

On the above evidence, Levy won’t be able to find a better choice to take the helm at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – barring a surprise U-turn of Conte or a new name emerging from the shadows.

He must go for broke on the Dutch gem or risk facing the consequences from the Spurs fanbase.

AND in other news, Levy risks unmitigated Spurs disaster by hiring 62 y/o who’d “clash with the players”…

As the Everton hierarchy will tell you; finding a new first-team manager is incredibly hard.

The Toffees have had to do it on multiple occasions over the last decade but they’re now back at square one as they hunt Carlo Ancelotti’s successor.

What’s the word?

This has been a week of twists and turns in the club’s chase for a new head coach.

Nuno Santo was the favourite but after talks stalled, Everton turned their focus to former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

Gennaro Gattuso is now believed to be in the frame too after Tottenham ended their short chase of the Italian on Friday morning.

Benitez was on the verge of becoming the new boss at Goodison Park according to talkSPORT and Sky Sports News host Jim White but there is another name in the frame.

Per ESPN, the 61-year-old faces competition for the role from Roberto Martinez. He’s a coach that Bill Kenwright has been keen on bringing back since their search began.

Forget Gattuso

Martinez would be an interesting hire for the Toffees based on his previous reign in Merseyside.

He told Kenwright that he’d deliver Champions League football to Goodison Park but departed after just three years having won 42.7% of his matches.

The Spaniard came close to delivering on his promise in his first campaign, taking them to a fifth-place finish.

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However, what followed was mid-table mediocrity for Everton as the manager was dubbed “stubborn” for his tactical approach by Lyndon Lloyd, editor of popular Everton fansite ToffeeWeb.

Based on that, he’d be a poor appointment. As Ancelotti was keen to reiterate, the Toffees have a goal of reaching Europe’s top table and Martinez has already had one bite of the cherry and failed to do that with them.

However, he would be a much better choice than Gattuso. Everton need someone who can bring them stability and it’s evident that the Italian is not up to that task in that area.

He left Fiorentina after only 23 days in charge and has never managed more than 100 matches at a single club throughout his managerial career.

The hot-headed coach has a stern attitude but is an unknown quantity in English football. Martinez, on the other hand, now has experience of managing the highest-ranked side in international football; Belgium.

Crucially, the 47-year-old also has experience in England and knows the surroundings at Goodison Park.

Very rarely should you go back to a past lover but if Gattuso is the only other alternative, Everton would have to consider Martinez instead.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Benitez: Everton must sign £266k-p/w beast who dubbed Rafa “amazing”…

West Ham United are interested in signing Cyle Larin this summer, according to reports…

What’s the word?

Turkish newspaper Sozcu claimed (via Sport Witness) that the Irons are keen to bolster their frontline ahead of a campaign in the Europa League next season and the Besiktas talisman is a player they have been closely monitoring.

It’s claimed that the Super Lig outfit will command around €15m (£12.5m) for the 26-year-old striker, although West Ham are facing competition from West Bromwich Albion, as well as other unnamed Premier League and Championship clubs.

Larin has previously been linked with Leeds United, as per the report, whilst his £28,000-per-week contract isn’t set to expire until 2022.

Shades of Antonio

Hammers boss David Moyes has been longing for a new striker since the turn of the year after the club’s hierarchy sanctioned the exit of Sebastian Haller without finding a viable replacement.

It left the 58-year-old in a tricky spot as he could only call upon an injury-prone Michail Antonio to lead his line, whilst in his absence, the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Jesse Lingard were deployed as makeshift centre-forwards.

Clearly, he needs more options if the east Londoners are to put up a decent fight in Europe next season, on top of ensuring that this campaign was no mere fluke. Moyes could do with another forward in the mould of Antonio, which is where Larin could come in.

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Also capable of playing out wide, the versatile 33-cap Canada international is most devastating through the middle, where he has delivered 23 goals and six assists in all competitions, via Transfermarkt.

Nine of those have come as a striker, playing in that role 16 times, and it is his form which has helped fire the Super Eagles to the Turkish title for the first time since 2016.

Once at Orlando City in Major League Soccer (MLS), Larin earned praise from then-teammate and legendary midfielder Kaka, who tipped him for big things.

“I think Cyle can go far,” Kaka said at an MLS media day, via Goal.com. “Cyle is a very good player and the third season for us will be great, but I think Cyle can play in a big team in Europe as well.”

His national team head coach John Herdman waxed lyrical about his qualities earlier this year, dubbing the 6 foot 2 beast “an absolute predator” who “has that ability”, via Total Soccer Project.

“There’s been real improvement and development in his game,” added Canada captain Atiba Hutchinson. “Not only the goals he’s been scoring, but his work ethic, his understanding of the game. He’s become a lot more tidy as a player.”

Larin earns further comparisons to the current Hammers star as he has a similar mix of explosive pace and brute power, having averaged 2.1 shots and 1.2 dribbles per game in the Super Lig, compared to Antonio’s 2.4 shots and 1.7 dribbles per match.

Moyes could well sign West Ham’s next versatile monster with a swoop for Larin, and at just £12.5m, you’d have to say it would be a snip.

AND in other news, GSB masterclass: West Ham hit gold with £35k-p/w “machine” who’s a “manager’s dream”…

Leeds United have reportedly set their sights on signing Nahitan Nandez in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Midfielders struggle with injuries

There were a few central midfield players who struggled with injuries during the 2020/21 season at Elland Road, namely Kalvin Phillips and further forward Rodrigo, and so it should really be an area that Marcelo Bielsa would be looking at strengthening.

Nandez could well fit the bill in that regard, as a latest update has been given on the Yorkshire club’s pursuit of the Cagliari ace.

The Latest: Leeds set sights on Nandez

As per Calciomercato, Leeds, as well as Inter Milan, have set their sights on signing Nandez.

Relations between the presidents of both Cagliari and LUFC are reportedly ‘excellent’, while Bielsa likes the profile of the Uruguay international.

Nandez has a deal at the Serie A club until 2024, and has a release clause of €36m (£30.9m), a sum that Leeds may well be tempted by.

The Verdict: Leeds should sign Nandez

Nandez would certainly be a shrewd addition to the squad for the Whites should they be able to beat the likes of Inter to his signature.

Allegedly admired by Bielsa, the Argentine will likely already have a system in mind for how he would like to play Nandez, and with his added versatility to be able to play in a number of different positions, it could well turn out to be a match made in heaven.

Italian football journalist Mina Rzouki described Nandez as ‘unstoppable’ in a performance for Cagliari against UEFA Europa League semi-finalists AS Roma back in May, and at 25 years of age, he still has plenty of room to grow.

In other news, find out why Victor Orta’s summer transfer plans have been described as ‘huge’ here!

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Paul Stewart, who made over 160 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur, has backed Oliver Skipp to have a big season when he returns from his loan spell at Norwich City.

Skipp has started all but one league game for the Canaries this season having racked up an impressive 6.90 WhoScored rating as he has been an important player in the club’s title-winning campaign.

The 20-year old could look to impress whoever comes in as manager at Spurs this summer with his parent club experiencing an indifferent and unsuccessful campaign this season.

Speaking on if he expects Skipp to play for Spurs next season and how this loan spell has really helped his development, Stewart told FFC:

“I think he comes back to us next season and it’s been a good move for him. Spurs sent him to an ideal club in Norwich because of their style of play and I think what it’s done for Skipp is provided him with game time and allowed him to develop.

“I’ve been watching him so I genuinely think he will be a revelation when he does come back.”

Skipp made his debut for Tottenham in 2018 but this loan spell with Norwich is his first time being away from Spurs in his career having been with the under 23s and on the bench for the first team often.

Spurs are likely to appoint a new manager before deciding on anyone’s future at the club to give the new boss a chance to decide who he wants to keep. That would be good news for someone like Skipp, who barely featured under Jose Mourinho.

Manchester United duo Anthony Martial and Dan James are set to return to the first team squad for this evening’s fixture against Fulham, providing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a huge boost ahead of the Europa League final.

What’s the latest?

Martial has been sidelined with a hip injury and a ruptured knee ligament since early March, missing United’s last 13 games in all competitions, while James has been absent since the second leg against Roma with an injury issue.

After the 25-year-old France international incurred his injury setback on international duty, Solskjaer revealed his fears that Martial may be out for the remainder of the season, but it seems as though the forward has recovered ahead of schedule.

In a recent press conference (via Manchester Evening News), the Red Devils boss provided a fresh update on the attacking duo ahead of tonight’s clash with the already-relegated Cottagers, disclosing how they are expected to play some part at Old Trafford.

“I’m hoping to get Anthony (Martial) and Dan (James) back involved in this game which is a very good boost for us. Maybe they can even start against Wolves, and then maybe if they’re sensational? It’s hard to leave players out if they really perform at their highest level,” said Solskjaer.

A significant boost

While Martial has not enjoyed his most fruitful campaign in a United shirt, the former Monaco man has still managed to record some respectable numbers throughout 2020/21

The Frenchman has bagged seven goals and provided nine assists in 36 appearances for the 20-time English champions and could play a significant role as they attempt to end the club’s longest trophy drought in more than 30 years.

Although James has struggled at times since making the step up from Swansea two seasons ago, the Wales international has enjoyed some of his best displays for the Red Devils in the Europa League, as his 6.99 WhoScored rating illustrates. His performance in the 4-0 win over Real Sociedad in February, when he scored one goal and set up another, showcased what he is capable of producing when at his best.

Therefore, the duo’s return to action tonight should provide a significant boost to Solskjaer’s attacking options ahead of the showpiece event against Villarreal, and the Norwegian must be buzzing to see Martial and James form part of his matchday squad once again.

In other news…Major Manchester United transfer update emerges; fans will surely be buzzing – opinion

If you’re a striker that’s played for Celtic in the last few years and your name isn’t Odsonne Edouard, it’s unlikely you’ll go down in history as a roaring success.

That isn’t necessarily the fault of the players, more the fault of Edouard who has been a red-hot goal-scoring machine for the Hoops.

He hasn’t enjoyed his greatest campaign in green and white but the Frenchman has still found the net on 20 occasions in 2020/21.

Unfortunately, after a year without a trophy, he could leave for the Premier League.

Finding his replacement will be imperative but the Bhoys will also need to find a successor for Patryk Klimala.

He is one of the aforementioned strikers who failed to ever get going in Glasgow. Signed in January 2020, he’s just left for New York Red Bulls after scoring just three goals in 28 games. In a few years time, it won’t be a surprise if supporters forget who he was.

If Edouard and Klimala both depart, it will leave Celtic fairly light on options in attack. Fortunately, they have a shrewd deal potentially right up their sleeve.

The Glaswegian outfit have been linked with a move for Peterborough forward Siriki Dembele over the last few months and if he fails to sign a deal south of the border, he’ll be available on a free transfer in the summer.

Brother of Karamoko Dembele, he shares plenty of similar traits. He is quick, energetic and can beat players for fun.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast this week, Posh Director of Football Barry Fry only had praise for the 24-year-old; “Siriki can get the ball in his own half and with dazzling dribbling ability, he can beat four or five players and score a wonder goal or cross it for somebody else to score.”

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Fry added: “He’s very, very exciting. He’s got the best stats outside the [English] Premier League, I think. We’ll try to keep hold of him if we go up, and we’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse! So watch this space.”

A player blessed with enormous quality, he has scored 11 goals in the third tier of English football this term. He’s also provided 12 assists for his teammates.

Evidently, there is more of a buzz to Dembele’s game than there ever has been with Klimala.

He is electric in possession and can finish chances with a sensational degree of confidence. For Celtic’s former Polish striker, everything looked a little sluggish and off the pace.

If Celtic can secure his signature on a free transfer, it would be an inspirational piece of business from Dominic McKay.

AND in other news, Forget Howe: Celtic should hire jaw-dropping 47 y/o instead, he’s shades of Rodgers…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League manager Lawrie Sanchez has compared Marcelo Bielsa to Roy Hodgson, and believes the Argentine will stay at Leeds this summer.

Following his outstanding job since his appointment in 2018, the 65-year-old is a hugely popular figure with the Elland Road faithful.

Having guided Leeds back to the Premier League, Bielsa has already turned them into an extremely competitive side, with a top-half finish firmly in their sights despite losing to Brighton on Saturday.

But just like this time 12 months ago, there remains anxiety surrounding his future once again, with his current deal running out in two months.

Bielsa only signed a new one-year contract one day before the season got underway, and a repeat could be on the cards this time around.

However, reports do point towards the fan favourite remaining at Elland Road next season.

And despite the uncertainty, Sanchez has reassured Leeds supporters by saying that he expects the experienced manager to stay on.

He told Football FanCast:

“Where does he go? He isn’t going to another Premier League club. I think he’s a bit like Roy Hodgson. He wants to work, doesn’t he?

“He’s working now in the biggest league in his life, and as much as he comes across as not that interested in it, when people tap you on the shoulder back home and say, ‘I saw you on the TV the other week, your team did brilliant,’ it’s a massive boost to you.

“I think he will stay. They call him a maverick; he dances to his own tune, doesn’t he?

“So, if he did leave you would say ‘that’s Bielsa’. But if he were to stay involved in football and having come all the way to Leeds and having seen how well the team has done this year, and obviously they will be backed next year, so I can see him staying.”

Celtic will demand a ‘big money’ permanent deal for Odsonne Edouard or ‘nothing’, Italian transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has told Give Me Sport.

Romano says that Inter Milan pursued a loan move for the French striker last summer but were rebuffed by Celtic.

Edouard is approaching the final year of his contract at Parkhead, having signed for a club-record fee in 2018.

2020 Inter move was ‘impossible’ for Edouard

Romano expects the former Paris Saint-Germain striker to push for a move, with no shortage of suitors.

“Last summer he close to leaving Celtic but decided to stay, but now it’s time to decide for a new club probably,” the journalist said.

“Let’s see if the right bid will arrive, we have to respect Celtic because they’re doing an amazing job with him.

“Last summer Inter were thinking of Edouard as a backup option for Lukaku, but then it was impossible because Celtic wanted a permanent deal and they were offering a loan with an option to buy.

“Also Roma are interested in him… so there are a lot of opportunities for him.”

‘At the moment there is not a price’ for Edouard, Romano says

Celtic apparently have no set fee in mind for the 23-year-old, who has scored 16 goals in 12 caps for France at under-21 level, but a ‘big and important’ bid will compel the Hoops to sell him and duly enable them to reinvest in their squad.

“If someone wants the player they have to arrive and negotiate, but at the moment there is not a price they have decided because they are happy with the player,” Romano said.

“Normally you put a price when you want to sell a player, they would love to keep him, but probably with big and important bids, they need to sell him.”

Transfer Tavern verdict

How much, then, Celtic will eventually demand?

At the start of March, the Daily Mail reported that Leicester City had set their sights on the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer and that a £15m deal was in the offing.

Reacting to those claims, Celtic’s interim manager John Kennedy said the quoted figure was ‘far too cheap’. Partly because Edouard’s contract is running out, Transfermarkt only value him at £13.5m.

Celtic are under some pressure to sell given that, from next January, the player would be free to negotiate a free transfer with other clubs. However, what may aid them is added competition potentially leading to a bidding war.

Romano named Inter and Roma as prospective suitors, but alongside Leicester, there is also said to be Premier League interest from Liverpool and Arsenal.

This could theoretically push offers close to £20m.

You can view the full interview with Fabrizio Romano on Give Me Sport here!