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Speaking to Football Insider, Danny Mills has gone on record to state that he thinks Jack Clarke is best off staying at Elland Road in order to aid his future development.

The 18-year-old has made 22 appearances for the Whites so far this season and he has improved massively under the tutelage of Marcelo Bielsa.

What’s been said then

The former England defender believes that Clarke should stay at Leeds due to the opportunities he will be granted.

“I think Jack Clarke should stay at Leeds,” Mills told Football Insider.

“He’s played a few games this season, he’s not played often enough and when I look at players who have left Leeds United too early in the past, it’s very, very difficult not to.

“Sometimes it’s very, very difficult to hold yourself back and go ‘no, I need to play.’ He can’t get into the Leeds team at the moment, week in, week out, so if he goes to a so-called bigger club, a Premier League side, is he going to play week in, week out? No. Simple as that.”

Chance to develop

There is an argument to be made that Leeds United is the best place in the country for a young player to be at the moment.

The squad isn’t massive, so the 18-year-old will certainly continue to get first-team opportunities and, on top of that, he gets to play under one of the greatest footballing minds the world has ever seen.

Marcelo Bielsa has overseen the development of the likes of Gabriel Batistuta, Ander Herrera and Benjamin Mendy. All would go on to play for some of the biggest clubs in the world and Clarke may be next up on that list.

Batistuta would even describe the Leeds boss as “The only manager to ever leave an indelible mark on me” in his autobiography.

Clarke simply can’t pass up the chance to play under Bielsa as a part of a squad where he will get game time.

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Tottenham Hotspur continue to be linked with a summer move for Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele.

And it would be fair to say that the London club’s fans are desperate for the deal to take place ahead of the 2019-2020 campaign.

Spurs are seriously short of central midfielders at the moment, and it seems almost certain that they will improve that area of the field this summer.

Ndombele has been in strong form for Lyon during the 2018-19 season – scoring twice and contributing seven assists in 46 appearances in all competitions.

Tottenham did not sign a single player last summer or in January, but it would be a real statement of intent if they managed to secure a deal for Ndombele.

As mentioned, the club’s supporters have been all over social media offering their views on the Frenchman.

Check out the video below to see how Brazil fans reacted to being asked how Cristiano Ronaldo would perform for them in a hilarious prank by Pl>ymaker FC…

And the majority have called on chairman Daniel Levy to ensure that the move goes through.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

What a season. Despite not being able to clinch the Premier League title, Liverpool are in the Champions League final and on the whole have enjoyed a terrific campaign.

The progress this term has been indescribable as Jurgen Klopp has brought fantastic success and good times right back to Anfield.

It is something that can’t yet be dwelled upon, as the Reds need to continue strengthening their squad so they stay at the summit of English football.

Plenty of rumours are already circulating in relation to Liverpool (as per the Guardian via the Daily Mail) and one particular signing that could have fans very excited is the capture of Celta Vigo’s Maxi Gomez.

Gomez (who was signed for £3.6 million, as per Transfermarkt) is a striker that could drastically improve Liverpool’s squad as Klopp looks to add more firepower to his attack.

Whilst Divock Origi has been Liverpool’s valiant saviour at times this season, he and Daniel Sturridge are players that could easily be replaced by better options, if FSG are willing to spend big.

It certainly wouldn’t be a guarantee but Gomez, who has 13 La Liga goals this season, could really put pressure on Roberto Firmino for a place in the starting line-up and healthy competition is something that could only be beneficial for Liverpool ahead of the next campaign.

After all, Gomez is only 22-years-old, so to say he has a bright future ahead of him would be a huge understatement.

With the traits he possesses, there is nothing false in suggesting that Gomez could be a world-beater under a manager such as Klopp and it’s a partnership that could blossom very nicely indeed.

Do you think Liverpool should spend big on a striker like Maxi Gomez… Let us know!

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According to The Sun, Arsenal are interested in Wilfried Zaha and would be willing to offer Reiss Nelson, Calum Chambers, or Carl Jenkinson as part of the deal.

What’s the word?

After another terrific season at Selhurst Park in which Zaha scored ten goals and added ten assists, it could finally be time for the Ivorian to depart in search of Champions League football.

Unai Emery is desperate to inject a bit of pace into Arsenal’s attack and Zaha perfectly fits the bill due to his energy and direct approach.

Arsenal are one of numerous clubs interested in acquiring the winger’s services, according to The Sun, although they are currently priced out of a deal due to Crystal Palace’s £80m valuation of their prized asset.

The Gunners could look to lower the price by offering Nelson, Chambers or Jenkinson as part of the deal.

At what cost though?

Whilst Zaha is a tremendously talented footballer who would no doubt offer Arsenal some of the attacking impetus that has been missing, the costs proposed are unfeasible and potentially gravely damaging.

The £80m price tag is clearly an impossible ask for considering Arsenal’s stringent budget restraints, making a player plus cash offer a logical step.

However, the player being mentioned in the swap is what transforms this deal from an exciting show of transfer muscle to a disastrous move.

At just 19 years of age Nelson is one of the more talented players in his age bracket. The prodigious winger notched seven Bundesliga goals on loan at Hoffenheim this season, scoring at a remarkable rate of one goal every 90 minutes.

Although his performances tailed off, unsurprising for a youngster in their first season of professional football, he still displayed the explosiveness that could realistically lead to a world-class career.

Check out an Arsenal fan vow to “move to another planet” if Spurs win the UCL in the video below…

At the same age, Zaha managed six goals in 41 Championship performances, flashing potential, but certainly not the finished article as was shown by his failed move to Manchester United.

Looking at their career trajectories there is nothing to suggest that Nelson cannot reach, or even exceed, Zaha’s heights.

He will almost certainly offer more than Nelson in the short-term as the Arsenal youth product continues his football education, but in the long run, the Gunners will be losing a major asset who could genuinely be better than Zaha, while spending the bulk of their transfer budget in the process.

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Newcastle are eyeing a record-breaking bid for CSKA Moscow defender Mario Fernandes, reports claim.

What’s the story?

According to The Daily Star, the Magpies are plotting a £26.5m offer for Fernandes, eclipsing the record sum they paid for Miguel Almiron in January.

The report claims Atletico Madrid are also chasing the right-back, who was phenomenal at the World Cup for Russia.

Born in Brazil, Fernandes was granted Russian citizenship via a Presidential decree from Vladimir Putin.

The report says Fernandes is one of a number of options as Rafael Benitez looks to upgrade his full-backs.

Have the new Newcastle home and away kits for next season accidentally been leaked? See for yourself in the video below…

Crucial for Benitez

£26.5m is a huge amount of money for a club that so rarely splashes out big, but Fernandes could be worth it if Benitez stays at the club.

This is because in Rafa’s 5-2-2-1 formation, the wing-backs are perhaps the most important of players on the pitch, and Fernandes could occupy the right flank for years to come.

At 28 he is right in his prime but with plenty of experience under his belt, and he has enjoyed a superb season in a struggling CSKA side.

The 6 ft 2 in ace averages two tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game, but is no slouch on the attacking end either, racking up nine assists in all competitions.

Capable of playing in a traditional back four or further forward as wing-back, he would offer Benitez tactical flexibility as well as add another leader to a defensive unit that has grown stronger each year Rafa has been at the club.

Even at what would be a new club record £26.5m, Fernandes would be an excellent arrival on Tyneside.

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Celtic are interested in signing Bolton Wanderers midfielder Luca Connell this summer, according to The Scottish Sun.

What’s the story?

Connell’s contract at the English side expires this summer and with his team having suffered relegation to League One last season amid financial difficulties it looks like he could be set for bigger things.

The paper say Sheffield United, Norwich City and Wolves, all now Premier League outfits, are keen on signing the 18-year-old after impressing on his breakthrough to the Bolton team.

Celtic meanwhile are also interested, states the report, with cross border rules meaning they’d have to pay much less compensation than any English club vying for his signature.

Keith from C’mon the Hoops fondly remembers a true Celtic cult hero in the video below…

How talented is he?

Connell was recently called up to the Republic of Ireland squad after 12 senior appearances for Bolton in the tail-end of last season, impressing with an all-round box-to-box game that exhibited a long-range passing ability and a desire to carry the ball forward into attacking areas.

Clearly he is a talent to keep an eye on in the future and to have multiple, ambitious top-flight teams interested means scouts must see a strong potential in the player.

Where would he fit in at Celtic?

Unfortunately for Connell the Celtic midfield is absolutely jam packed right now, with regulars such as Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie and Scott Brown unlikely to be dropped anytime soon.

When you consider other options like Olivier Ntcham, Tom Rogic and even academy talent Ewan Henderson, there is little scope for Connell’s inclusion in more than a few games across a season.

The Bolton youngster will need plenty of games to progress and further his potential, meaning a Celtic move doesn’t make much sense for the club or the player right now.

When you look at Leeds United’s attacking statistics for the 2018/19 campaign from afar, they seem to be relatively impressive.

With only four other teams in the Championship scoring more than the Whites’ 74 goals in the competition, the last thing that the club needs is a new striker, right?

Well, despite the fact that Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford both managed to reach double figures for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, their constant battles with injuries over the past 10 months undeniably played a role in why Leeds were incapable of securing promotion to the Premier League.

Therefore, it may be a wise decision by the Argentine to delve into the transfer market this summer to bring in a new striker who has the potential to set the second tier alight.

Although the Whites will be keen to add to their forward options, it is imperative that they resist the temptation to sign Sam Gallagher.

According to Football Insider, Leeds are interested in the 23-year-old who has reportedly been made available for transfer by Southampton.

Having failed to make any sort of impression for the Saints last season, bringing in Gallagher would be an almighty risk for Leeds to take as there is no guarantee that he will be able to thrive in the second tier.

Far from a prolific goal-scorer, the £2.7m-rated ace (via Transfermarkt) has only been able to reach double figures on one occasion during his career and struggled massively during his most recent loan spell in the Championship at Birmingham City.

During a hugely frustrating 2017/18 campaign with the Blues, Gallagher inconsistencies saw him score just seven goals in all competitions, a total which will not cut the mustard if he is to join to Leeds this summer.

Whereas the Saints’ eagerness to offload him may see their valuation lower between now and August, it is imperative that the Whites switch their focus towards targeting a centre-forward with a proven track record at Championship level.

What do you think Leeds fans? Should your club avoid signing Gallacher this summer? Or would he be a good addition to your side? Get in touch below.

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Loads of Liverpool fans have been reacting to the confirmed departure of Daniel Sturridge, and they’ve got nothing but good things to say about the striker.

Sturridge and Alberto Moreno will both leave Anfield when their contracts expire this summer, the club confirmed on their official Twitter account.

“Everyone wishes Daniel and Alberto all the very best for their futures. They will always be a part of the LFC Family,” a club statement said.

And it’s fair to say that sentiment has been echoed for both players by the fans on social media, but for Sturridge in particular.

“The worst we’ve played all season” but “our most straightforward final since 2003” – a Liverpool fan reflects on the UCL final in the video below…

The 29 year-old joined when top four was the only goal each season and major trophies were a pipe dream, but enjoyed a stunning 2013/14 season alongside Luis Suarez.

Injuries have hampered his progress since then, but fans are delighted he will leave on a high as a European champion.

Have a look at some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

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Crystal Palace fans on Twitter have been reacting to a rumour connecting their club to West Bromwich Albion striker Jay Rodriguez.

A fan account posted speculation that came from a report from The Burnley Express stating that the Eagles had been put on alert by the availability of the former England international.

If the deal is done before the middle of July, the 29-year-old can be signed for just £5m plus £5m adds-ons according to a clause inserted in his contract when the Baggies were relegated to the Championship in 2017/2018.

Are Crystal Palace right to slap a £100m valuation on Wilfried Zaha’s head? Check out the video below to see why they are…

Rodriguez lit up the second tier last season with 22 goals and six assists, however his highly commendable efforts were not enough to earn the club promotion.

Despite his heroics in 2018/2019 and Premier League pedigree, Palace supporters were split on the idea of the centre-forward arriving at Selhurst Park.

Check out the best of their reactive Tweets, below…

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When news broke that Tottenham are reportedly interested in Olympique Marseille defender Hiroki Sakai, not everyone was impressed with the rumour.

Sky Sports News have recently reported that the Japanese international is a player Spurs are keen on signing this summer as the club aim to offload current right-backs Serge Aurier and Kieran Trippier.

At 29, Sakai’s age is perhaps a key reason why some Spurs fans have been uninspired with the rumour, but what have the experts said about the experienced defender?

Rudi Garcia – Former Marseille manager

“He is a smiling boy, in his upbringing there is humility. He is a soldier, and he is loved by everyone. He is a warrior on the ground. He knows that he can score and create assists.”

When you look around for quotes from Marseille players and officials who know Sakai better than anyone, it becomes quickly apparent that everyone associated with the club loves the Japanese international, including former manager Rudi Garcia.

Florian Thauvin – Marseille teammate

“For me, he will do everything (on the pitch). He will defend and attack and will run endlessly on the pitch. I am very happy to be able to play with him. I love him. I didn’t know him until I came to Marseille, but I played together this year and he is a wonderful player, which was a surprise.”

Sakai is a clear fan favourite in the French city, and another player who has waxed lyrical about the defender is former Newcastle midfielder Florian Thauvin, who when speaking to Goal Japan about his teammate sounded more than enthusiastic.

Vahid Halilhodzic – Former Japan manager

“He is an adorable boy, who never poses any problems. In the work, the application and the generosity, he is irreplaceable, and Marseille fans know it well. From a football point of view, he is the complete player and has phenomenal athletic qualities.”

Keeping up with the theme of some fairly known names in football fangirling over Sakai, former international manager Vahid Halilhodzic also appears to be a huge fan, previously praising the defender’s ability on the pitch and his attitude off it.