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In what could be a huge statement of intent going into next season, Manchester United are set to prioritise a move for Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho over Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane this summer.

What’s the story?

According to The Mirror, United are planning to sacrifice any chance they had of securing Kane’s signature over the coming months as they concentrate on a deal for Sancho instead.

The report claims that Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s side can only afford one marquee signing in the upcoming transfer window due to the financial impact of the ongoing pandemic, meaning big decisions have had to be made by the club’s hierarchy.

Fans will be buzzing

Although in an ideal world, United fans would surely have loved to see both stars arrive at Old Trafford this summer, in reality, the vast majority will accept the fact that the funds simply aren’t available for that to happen.

Sancho has been a long-term target for the Red Devils, with a lengthy pursuit 12 months ago ending in disappointment as Ed Woodward baulked at the Bundesliga outfit’s £108 million asking price.

However, it is widely believed that the 21-year-old is available for a significantly reduced fee of just £75m this time around after Dortmund’s sporting director Michael Zorc came to an agreement with the England international.

“We already had a gentlemen’s agreement with Jadon last year that he can switch under certain conditions,’ Zorc told German publication ARD (via Goal).

“He’s been with us for a couple of years. However, this agreement does not exist with Erling [Haaland].”

After a slow start to the 2020/21 campaign, Sancho rediscovered his best form at the Signal Iduna Park, bagging 16 goals and providing an incredible 20 assists in 38 appearances for BVB.

Therefore, news that he is United’s priority in the transfer window will surely have United fans buzzing, even if his potential arrive comes at the expense of Kane.

The Spurs hitman had another sensational season in north London, picking up the Premier League’s Golden Boot and Playmaker awards after topping the charts for both goals and assists.

After another trophyless campaign with Tottenham, though, rumours of an imminent exit have gathered pace in recent weeks, but a £150m price tag means his proposed departure is far from certain.

At double the price of Sancho and six years his senior, it’s easy to see why Kane is a less attractive option for United despite his world-class quality, and it seems as though the 20-time English champions are making the sensible, logical decision on this occasion, and that’s reason for United fans to get excited.

And, in other news…Romano update could signal mass change at Man Utd, £19.8m-rated ace needs to watch out 

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.

Sunderland had one task that stood tall above the others during the winter transfer market; find a left-back.

It was Kristjaan Speakman’s biggest priority as he embarked on his first window in charge of their recruitment.

Unfortunately, it didn’t really pay off. The Mackems were linked with a number of left-backs, including Wimbledon defender Paul Osew.

They ultimately ended up with Jake Vokins, landing the young full-back on a loan deal from Southampton.

On paper this looked like a wise move. Vokins had played against Arsenal in the Premier League just a matter of days before penning terms in the north-east.

Things haven’t worked out for the Saints defender since signing though, enduring a horrendous debut that was described as one of the worst in the club’s history. His game time has since been halted by the ongoing pandemic and a worrying heart problem.

Though, on the field of play, it’s Callum McFadzean who has been left to take the majority of criticism.

He has been the mainstay at left-back while Denver Hume recovers from injury and it’s safe to say he’s been well below par.

The 27-year-old has been caught out on a number of occasions this term and has been left stranded by a whole host of wingers and flying full-backs.

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McFadzean was given the run around by Otis Khan in the EFL Trophy final as the Tranmere defender completed four dribbles.

The Mackems full-back was led a “merry dance” by Olamide Shodipo against Oxford United and was again terrorised by Mallik Wilks in the draw with Hull City this week.

Wilks beat him on countless occasions, providing two assists for the Tigers’ goals. With that in mind, a left-back should be near the top of Sunderland’s agenda again this summer.

Back in January, the Black Cats were touted with a switch for young Hibernian talent Josh Doig.

The defender is just 18 but has caught the eye of not only the lower leagues but also the likes of Leeds and Manchester City.

Luring him to the Stadium of Light, therefore, would be quite the accomplishment but it’s something they have to do.

Doig is very adept going forward and has contributed to four goals in the Scottish Premiership this season. Crucial, though, are his defensive attributes.

The teenager is very strong in the tackle and has won 1.7 challenges per match. That tally significantly betters McFadzean who has made just one successful tackle a game in League One.

It might not mean much to Sunderland supporters but Doig comes with a glowing recommendation from a certain Jack Ross too: “He has been brilliant this season for a young man who has just turned 18,” the Hibs boss said.

With a high ceiling and plenty of potential, the Scottish defender definitely seems like a better option than McFadzean. The Black Cats must try their best to prise him away.

AND in other news, Forget Jones: SAFC gem with 36 key passes now stealing the show, he’s very “dangerous”…

Blackburn Rovers are set to beat Celtic in the race to sign Tottenham Hotspur’s Dilan Markanday. 

The lowdown

The Evening Standard reported in December that Celtic were among the clubs chasing Markanday ahead of the January transfer window.

Arch-rivals Rangers were also said to be in the frame, along with ‘a number of the Championship’s leading clubs’.

And it seems that Blackburn, currently third in England’s second tier, have seen off the competition to sign the 20-year-old, whose contract was due to expire at the end of the season.

The latest

According to The Evening Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick, Blackburn are now ‘close to agreeing’ a permanent deal for Markanday.

Rovers will pay £500,000 up front but the fee could rise beyond the £1million mark if add-ons are triggered, while Spurs have also insisted upon a ‘significant’ sell-on clause.

The ‘deal could be announced next week’, he says.

The verdict

Losing out on Markanday is a blow for Celtic. He’s only made one senior appearance for Spurs, featuring in a Europa Conference League group game against Vitesse, but he boasts an exceptional record at youth level.

In 14 Premier League 2 appearances this season, he’s been directly involved in 17 goals (scoring 12 and assisting five more).

European football journalist Alex Barker has also raved about his ‘really clever footwork and dribbling ability’.

All this points to a very bright future indeed, and Blackburn have only paid half a million for a potential star in the making.

In other news, Alan Hutton has dropped this intriguing claim on Stephen Welsh. 

Former England striker Kevin Phillips believes Patrick Bamford’s recent struggles are down to fatigue, with reinforcements needed this summer.

The Lowdown: Bamford experiences dip

Leeds United have had numerous star performers this season, but Bamford has undoubtedly been one of the key men, scoring 14 goals and registering seven assists in the Premier League.

The 27-year-old has suffered a noticeable dip of late, however, not finding the net in his last five appearances – his last goal came at Fulham on March 19th – and lacking his usual all-round influence.

The Latest: Phillips blames fatigue

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips claimed a long season has caught up with Bamford, saying it is why Marcelo Bielsa needs to sign another striker this summer:

“Bamford has played an awful lot of football this season and I think fatigue is setting in. He looks a bit tired to me. He has worked his socks off this season so there is no way I am going to criticise him because he has had a fantastic season.

“As a striker, you need to just keep believing. He will be watching videos and putting extra work in on the training ground.

“It is hard because he was on a hell of a run but the goals can dry up. He needs to keep putting himself in good positions and if he does that the goals will come.

“He has played a lot of football though so I think tiredness and fatigues is kicking in. They need to sign somebody in the summer who can share the burden.”

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The Verdict: No worries over Bamford

It is only natural that Bamford has dropped off a little recently, considering the relentless nature of this season and Bielsa’s physical demands of his players.

The Englishman has started all 34 league games, highlighting how much football he has played and why he may now be running on empty, even with Phillips suggesting he may actually be doing extra work on top of all that at Thorp Arch.

Bringing in an extra striker ahead of next season would ease the burden on Bamford, as Phillips alludes to, allowing him more of a breather and keeping him fresh for a whole campaign.

In other news, one Leeds-related transfer deal has reportedly been agreed – find out who the player in question is here.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek was a player of real promise a few years ago but like many players, injuries have slightly derailed his career and after a loan move to Fulham failed to reignite his career. However, Wolves legend Steve Bull has admitted that he would be an ideal player for the Midlands side.

The 25-year-old is a midfielder that can do everything on paper – he’s capable of playing as a holding midfielder but his main strength is his close control and ability to bully defenders off the ball, which is something Wolves have been lacking with their double pivot of Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves.

The £150,000-a-week England international has failed to establish himself at Chelsea, nor have Crystal Palace or Fulham opted to sign him permanently following loan spells, but he does have over 100 Premier League appearances in his locker which makes him a ready-made player to slot into any team.

Wolves may be desperate to add a bit more bite and aggression into their side as doing the dirty side of the game is not natural game to either Moutinho or Neves, but despite Loftus-Cheek enjoying the technical side of the game, his height and physicality would certainly help Wolves and Bull raved about the midfielder exclusively to Football FanCast:

“He’d be ideal, I’ve watched him quite a few times and he’s big, sturdy, not afraid to put his foot in or put his head where it hurts. If they were to bring him in I’d take him all day long.”

Thomas Tuchel appears set on his most trusted midfielders and they are Jorginho, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic who all performed excellently in the new system that Tuchel brought to Stamford Bridge.

That means that Loftus-Cheek is likely to be shunned to the side once again and after two loan spells in the last few seasons, it seems that few clubs are willing to take the risk on a midfielder who injured his ACL two seasons ago and hasn’t looked the same player since.

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has made a major claim about Carney Chukwuemeka and his future at Aston Villa.

What’s the story?

The 17-year-old was a revelation for Villa’s youth side last season, scoring seven goals and providing two assists in just six FA Youth Cup games as the club’s young guns went on to lift the trophy.

Preece has now revealed that Chukwuemeka will not be going out on loan and instead is likely to be eased into first team action like Dean Smith has done with Jacob Ramsey.

The journalist reported: “Smith has said himself he’ll have a cluster of academy players in with the first-team this pre-season. I’m expecting Kesler, Chukwuemeka, Philogene-Bidace, A.Ramsey, Louie Barry and others to step up and to be involved in first-team pre-season games. Then, when season begins, Smith will make a call on those players. Chukwuemeka, though, will be around the first team.

“Carney’s not going out on loan. He’s going to be eased in but what’s stopping him from looking really good this season? He’s still a bit of an unknown as he hasn’t been tested at the highest level. He could well be a superstar but Smith will ease him in like he did with Jacob last season.”

Villa fans will love it

At 17, there’s no doubting that Chukwuemeka is one of the brightest young talents at Villa, if not the brightest. The teenager netted a hat-trick in Villa’s 6-1 win over Newcastle to reach the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup last season; a performance which had Preece absolutely raving.

Writing in his post-match player ratings for the Birmingham Mail, he said: “This was a Carney Chukwuemeka masterclass. It was a clinic in how to play an advanced midfield role with the 17-year-old oozing confidence and swagger. The hype’s real surrounding this kid who, as supporters know, has been around Dean Smith’s first team for a long time now. Villa’s No.10 started almost every attack and looked to hurt Newcastle at every opportunity.

“European clubs are hovering looking to take Chukwuemeka and Villa could do with reassuring him that his future’s at Villa Park. He’s ready for some Premier League minutes. A scary talent who assisted Reddin as well. Unreal. He’s got everything.”

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The teenager made his first team debut for Smith’s side in the closing weeks of the Premier League season, coming on as a late substitute away at Spurs, before getting a more prolonged runout on the final day against Chelsea (Transfermarkt).

Given the superb displays he has produced at youth team level, it would only be natural for Villa fans to be rightfully excited about what Chukwuemeka could do if given the opportunity in the first team.

It’s exactly why Preece’s update will surely have Villa fans grinning from ear to ear.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has dropped a Villa transfer update…

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!

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.

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.”