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Many Everton fans have been left rejoicing as some news emerged on Andros Townsend.

As shared by the official Twitter page of the Goodison Park faithful, the former Crystal Palace winger has now won the Premier League Goal of the Month (GOTM) award for September for his long-range strike in their 3-1 home win against Burnley.

It was an exceptional effort and fully deserved in the end, which just typifies how his career at the Merseyside club is going so far.

Townsend has now scored no fewer than five goals and made a further three assists in nine games in total over all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt), and will be hoping for more rockets like the one against the Clarets to come.

Everton fans on Townsend news

These Toffees supporters were left rejoicing as the news was shared on Twitter, with one Blues fan going as far as to claim that the 30 year-old is a ‘baller’:

“Well deserved”

Credit: @Bigblueattack

“What a goal that was”

Credit: @steefcGT4

“So humble, a player who gets Everton”

Credit: @HarryJ_94

“Was a great goal to witness live in the flesh”

Credit: @LilMermEFC

“Well in Andros”

Credit: @Addo1878

“Baller!”

Credit: @trevor_p_malco

In other news, find out what Bramley-Moore Dock footage has Evertonians gushing here!

With West Bromwich Albion heading into Friday night’s Championship clash off the back of a highly impressive 4-0 win at Cardiff in midweek, a result which shot the Baggies to the top of the table, the Frenchman will certainly be hoping for yet another dominant display against Stoke City this evening.

However, with Michael O’Neill’s Potters side having also started their 2021/22 campaign in fine form, picking up 18 points from their opening 10 fixtures of the season and sitting fifth in the table, a win at the bet365 Stadium is by no means guaranteed for Ismael’s men.

Indeed, the 45-year-old will need to ensure that he selects the strongest possible starting XI for the fixture, something which has been considerably boosted by the early return of Matt Clarke, with the centre-back set to once again be available after missing the club’s last six Championship fixtures due to a hamstring injury.

Forget Bryan

While Kean Bryan was brought in to help cover the absence of centre-back duo Clarke and Dara O’Shea, the return of Clarke should see the Brighton loanee jump ahead of the former Sheffield United man in the centre-back pecking order. The 24-year-old has struggled to get up to match fitness since joining the club, having played just one minute of Championship football this season.

Indeed, over his three Championship appearances for the Baggies this term, the £2.7m-rated Clarke has averaged 2.3 interceptions, one tackle and 2.7 clearances and has won a highly impressive 7.3 duels per game.

These returns have seen the defender who Graham Potter dubbed a “quality” talent earn an average SofaScore match rating of 7.03, ranking him as Albion’s ninth-best performer in the second tier.

As such, with a tricky – and potentially very physical – game against Stoke coming up for Ismael and his side, it would seem advisable for the Frenchman to throw Clarke back into his starting line-up against the Potters. The £21k-per-week loanee has already proven with his statistics during his time at The Hawthorns that he can be something of a game-changer in the Baggies’ back three.

In other news: Sources reveal West Brom development on “committed” £28k-p/w ace, Ismael surely gutted

Express & Star reporter Luke Hatfield has called for Wolverhampton Wanderers to sign Goncalo Guedes even if Adama Traore fails to seal his exit.

Wolves appear poised to make a big-money bid for Valencia winger Guedes ahead of the transfer window closing next week.

Bruno Lage, who was appointed as Wolves’ new head coach in June, worked with the 24-year-old during his time in Benfica’s youth system.

Guedes has started both of Valencia’s La Liga fixtures so far this season, although both of those outings have come in the centre forward role.

The interest comes while rumours of Adama Traore heading to Tottenham Hotspur continue to rumble on, with reports suggesting ex-Wolves chief Nuno Espirito Santo is looking to reunite with the Spain international by striking a loan deal with the view to a permanent £40million transfer.

But Hatfield has urged Lage to push through the move for Guedes regardless of whether Traore remains at the club.

He told The Transfer Tavern: “He has shown quality abroad and I think he’d be a good signing regardless of whether Traore was to leave Molineux.

“He fits the bill in terms of being an exciting, attacking player. The football Wolves have played at the start of the season has certainly given fans hope of a bit more excitement.

“I think he would be a fantastic signing for Wolves even if Traore doesn’t go.”

ExWHUemployee has delivered a fresh West Ham United transfer update this week…

What’s the word?

“An interesting development on Instagram is that a definite target of ours (as reported a number of times on the podcast) has started following West Ham, as well as Seb Haller,” he revealed to The West Ham Way’s Patreon site.

“Wout Weghorst is a 6 foot 6 Dutch international forward currently playing in Germany for Wolfsburg. He has a great scoring record in the Dutch and German league.

“Whilst you cannot read too much into this at this stage it is an interesting move for a player that we have had a definite interest in before.”

Sign him up, Newman!

This latest claim from one of the most reliable sources when it comes to all things around the London Stadium is sure to leave much of the Irons’ faithful absolutely buzzing with excitement.

It’s no secret that the Hammers are in desperate need of a striker this winter, having gone two years without replacing Sebastien Haller. Such a decision has left manager David Moyes with only one senior centre-forward in an injury-prone Michail Antonio, 31, who has been out of sorts as of late.

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With a new head of recruitment in Rob Newman in place at the club, they would be foolish to not find an alternative option who could provide the perfect foil to the West Ham star, who has scored just once in his last eight games across all competitions.

Weghorst is a proven goalscorer in Europe, and at 6 foot 6, he would present a new type of threat in Moyes’ squad.

The £27m-rated forward scored 25 goals in 41 appearances last season and has since added a further five goals this term, taking his tally for the Bundesliga outfit to 68 in just 135 matches, as per Tranfermarkt.

“Whether it’s because he’s Dutch or not, he’s got similar attributes to Van Nistelrooy,” once claimed Get German Football News editor-in-chief Daniel Pinder. “He’s tall, strong, even though he’s really tall, possesses a great touch – his movement is underappreciated in the Bundesliga. His threat inside the area, his work ethic in pressing the opposition defence.”

Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Bundesliga expert Raphael Honigstein dubbed him “Holland’s taller, chunkier answer to Jamie Vardy.”

If the Irons want to continue their impressive progression on the pitch, then they must find Moyes a new frontman in January, and they ought to look no further than Weghorst, who would be quite a coup.

Newman and his staff could excite the London Stadium faithful with a move for the 29-year-old talisman.

AND in other news, West Ham “monster” who had 99% passing accuracy hands Moyes one big headache yet again…

An update has emerged regarding Everton’s pursuit of Burnley winger Dwight McNeil.

What’s the talk?

According to the Liverpool Echo, the Toffees remain interested in a deal for the 21-year-old and could battle it out with Aston Villa for his signature this summer.

The report claims that Burnley do not want to sell the winger but realise that he will leave to join a bigger club in the near future. Earlier in the window, a fee of £25m was touted for the England under-21 international.

Bernard’s replacement?

Everton are in the market for a left winger with Bernard leaving the club earlier this month, and McNeil could be the perfect addition to the squad. He is proven in the Premier League and still has plenty of scope to develop further, whilst he would also suit the style of play Benitez wants to employ.

Earlier this summer, the Spaniard outlined his aim for the transfer window by pointing out that Dominic Calvert-Lewin – a scorer of seven headed goals last season – requires quality crosses from out wide. The manager said: “We have to be ambitious and we have to manage the situation. It is very easy to see that we have a great centre-forward. He’s very good in the air, he can score goals. But we have to provide him with good crosses, good passes.

“So the objective is to add the players to improve. We can improve in these areas and, from the wide areas, the crosses will come. When we can do that, the team will be better.”

Farhad Moshiri could therefore land a coup for the Toffees if he is able to secure a deal for McNeil, who is adept at crossing. WhoScored lists it as his biggest strength and he has provided 16 Premier League assists in the past three seasons for Sean Dyche’s side. This means that he could be able to routinely put balls into the box like Benitez wants, which is why he could be a terrific signing for the Blues.

His current Burnley teammate Ashley Westwood hailed him as a special talent and highlighted his progression since coming into the first team. He said: “He’s really mature. I think the world of him; he’s a special talent. It’s been good to see him grow up because when he first came training with us, he was really quiet.

“He’s already racked up more than 50 games in the Premier League now, which at his age is phenomenal. He’s producing as well, so if he keeps doing that and we all keep doing what we’re doing then there will be teams circulating.”

Therefore, he could be a superb addition to Everton’s squad and he might be exactly what Benitez needs to fulfil his ambitions of providing Calvert-Lewin with the service he requires to keep scoring goals in the Premier League. It is now down to Moshiri to get on the phone to Burnley in order to reach an agreement for the 21-year-old.

AND in other news, Imagine him and Godfrey: Benitez must seal dream Everton deal for £124k-p/w “monster”…

Wolves will want a bidding war for Ruben Neves this summer, journalist Luke Hatfield has told The Transfer Tavern.

According to The Athletic, Wolves will have to sell an asset like Neves this transfer window if they want to spend big and Arsenal is a possible destination.

The north London club face serious competition, though, with talkSPORT claiming Manchester United are also interested in signing the 24-year-old midfielder.

In fact, talkSPORT’s Alex Crook claims United are actually leading the race for Neves’ signature in a blow to Arsenal but boost to Wolves, who will be hoping to spark a bidding war, according to Hatfield.

“They will want a bidding war,” the Express & Star reporter said. “You always want a couple of interested parties because you can drive up that price tag.

“I think for Wolves, they’re probably very calm about the whole subject. It’s not an issue of we need to get the guy out I don’t think. It’s very much an issue of if the right money comes in, then it’s one we’ll seriously consider because we can reinvest that money elsewhere.”

While Arsenal did look to be frontrunners to sign Neves, the Portugal international has been linked with United in the past, so it would not be a surprise if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did try to sign him before the transfer window closes.

A major update has emerged on Paul Cook’s transfer plans this summer, regarding defensive midfielder Flynn Downes.

What’s the talk?

According to Football Insider, Championship side Barnsley are interested in a deal to sign Ipswich midfielder Flynn Downes this summer. Barnsley are said to be preparing an offer for the Englishman after being impressed with his displays for the Blues in League One.

The report claims that Ipswich manager Paul Cook is willing to cash in on Downes and would not stand in his way if a reasonable bid came in for his services. Downes is heading into the final year of his contract at Portman Road and Barnsley are looking to pounce on the 22-year-old.

Back in 2019, former Ipswich midfielder Matt Holland hailed the “outstanding” midfielder for his performances for the club under Paul Lambert. He told Ipswich’s website, as relayed by the EADT:

“Flynn is a player I’ve known for quite a long time because my son did a bit of training with the academy and I did a bit of coaching here as well.

“Straight away he was one who caught my eye and he was only 10 or 11 years old. I thought he had the temperament and character to go a long way, as well as the ability and talent of course.

“He’s proving that again this season and I think he’s been absolutely outstanding – a key player for Paul Lambert.”

Fans will be livid

Ipswich fans will be livid at this news for several reasons.

Downes is a long-time servant to Ipswich and has been at the club since he was seven, joining the academy in 2006 and making his first-team debut in 2017 against Birmingham in the Championship. T

his means that Cook could be about to let one of the club’s academy products go, which could anger fans who are attached to local players more than those who come in from other clubs in England or from abroad.

Downes has also been a shining light on the pitch for Ipswich. The 22-year-old averaged an excellent WhoScored rating of 6.98 in 10 starts as a defensive midfielder in League One. He averaged 2.8 tackles and interceptions per game for Ipswich, which is skewed by seven substitute appearances lowering his numbers.

That shows that he is adept at winning the ball back for his side. Therefore, he is a quality defensive midfield option at this level and could be a key player for Cook next season if he remains in Suffolk.

The £2.3k-per-week beast has plenty of room to improve at such a young age. Downes turned 22 in January and could be a player with more scope for development, but Ipswich fans will not be able to watch that happen at Portman Road if Cook sells him this summer.

They could miss out on potentially watching him flourish as a player and that could leave Ipswich fans livid at this sale if it goes through as reported, which is why Cook is headed for a disaster with this decision.

AND in other news, Ashton facing disaster with “flourishing” £1.9k-p/w ace, Ipswich fans will be gutted…

Crystal Palace enjoyed a stellar summer transfer window, successfully overhauling their ageing first-team squad with a raft of exciting youngsters.

The last-minute arrival of Odsonne Edouard in a £14 million deal from Celtic added to the likes of Marc Guehi, Connor Gallagher and Joachim Andersen, putting the gloss on an extremely productive few months for the Eagles.

And now new manager Patrick Vieira has a selection headache that every football boss craves. The strength in depth at Selhurst Park will leave the Frenchman with some big decisions to make over the international period, with many stars pushing for a place in his best starting XI.

With that in mind, this is how Football FanCast expect the 45-year-old to line up his best XI following the conclusion of the summer transfer window…

The ever-reliable Vicente Guaita will keep his spot in goal after continuing to put in some impressive performances at the start of the new campaign.

In defence, the new centre-back partnership of Guehi and Andersen are set to be flanked by 22-year-old Tyrick Mitchell and the experienced Joel Ward, who will be tasked with bringing some Premier League knowhow to a young backline.

A new-look central midfield partnership of Gallagher and Will Hughes should provide the excitement, goals and energy that’s been missing from the Palace engine room in recent years, while Luka Milivojevic’s presence ensures it remains a solid and stable force.

Ahead of them is set to be an entertaining and skillful attacking trident of Wilfried Zaha, Michael Olise and Edouard, relegating the £8.1m-rated Christian Benteke to the bench as he’s been a liability in recent years due to a lack of goalscoring prowess.

Eberechi Eze’s return to fitness following an Achilles injury will give Vieira even more food for thought, although the former England Under-21 international is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

And, in other news…Palace suffer major blow in pursuit of “explosive” 19-y/o prodigy, Vieira will be gutted 

Celtic are believed to be closing in on a deal for Yokohama F. Marinos manager Ange Postecoglou, according to reliable reporter John Percy.

The Lowdown: Howe deal collapses

The Hoops had been linked with a move for Eddie Howe to take over from Neil Lennon for a number of weeks, but that proposed deal collapsed on Friday afternoon.

Stephen McGowan was the first to break the news of a deal falling through after a breakdown in talks, with the Daily Mail reporter adding that the club were in ‘advanced talks’ with another candidate.

It seems as if that man is Postecoglou, with the 55-year-old close to swapping Japan for Scotland.

The Latest: Percy’s late-night claim

Percy shared the news late on Friday evening on social media, saying:

“Celtic in advanced talks with Ange Postecoglou and are tonight close to appointing him as manager. Postecoglou, 55, has been working in Japan with Yokohama F. Marinos”

Postecoglou has held roles in Japan, Greece and his native Australia, taking charge of 349 games as a manager. He led the Socceroos at the 2014 World Cup and won the Asian Cup with his homeland the following year.

He has averaged just over three years in each role and prefers a 4-3-3 system, according to Transfermarkt.

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The Verdict: Harkin already making moves?

In our opinion, we think Fergal Harkin may have had a major say on a proposed move for Postecoglou. The Irishman is thought to be edging closer to a move to Celtic Park, with the ‘massive’ Hoops fan set to land the newly-created Director of Football (DoF) role.

Currently Manchester City’s football partnerships manager, he may know all about Postecoglou already, as Yokohama are part of the City Football Group.

On that basis, we feel that Harkin, who looks set for a move to Celtic, may have pushed for a move for the Australian following the huge twist in their pursuit of Howe. If that is the case, it seems as if the impending DoF is already making moves at Parkhead.

In other news: Hoops still hold an interest in Scottish Premiership ace, find out who it is here. 

New Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wants to be in charge of incoming and outgoing transfers at the club, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: New era at Old Trafford

The 52-year-old will head to Old Trafford at the end of the season, looking to bring the glory days back to United after a dismal few years for the Red Devils.

Ten Hag enjoyed great success during his time with Ajax, winning two Eredivisie titles, along with reaching the Champions League semi-finals back in 2018/19.

It is now nine years since United won a Premier League title and it is imperative that the rot stops sooner rather than later, with the 52-year-old hopefully the man to fix the club’s issues.

The Latest: Ten Hag makes key demand

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke claimed that Ten Hag wants to have a big say in which players leave and which individuals arrive this summer. The journalist outlined:

“He wants to be involved in the incomings and outgoings at Old Trafford, alongside Richard Arnold.

“If Ralf Rangnick is still there in an advisory capacity as well, I’m sure they’ll all be working together to see if they can get the best players to Manchester United because it’s going to take a bit of a rebuild at Old Trafford this summer.”

The Verdict: Makes complete sense

Part of United’s failure in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era is that it doesn’t always feel as though managers have had the final say over new signings.

That is something which simply has to change now, with Manchester City and Liverpool both perfect examples of allowing their managers to have a big say on transfer dealings. Painful as it is to admit for United, those two clubs are proof of that setup working.

It makes complete sense for Ten Hag to have exactly the players that he wants to work with, which could leave quite a few current Old Trafford individuals sweating going into the summer, given this season’s ineptitude.

In other news, United are expected to make an offer for a La Liga star. Find out who it is here.