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Former Tottenham Hotspur ace Paul Stewart believes that Mauricio Pochettino is still in love with the club amid links with a sensational return.

Spurs are in the market for a new manager as they look to replace the sacked Jose Mourinho, who left the club before the Carabao Cup final.

Ryan Mason was placed in interim charge but his reign is now over and links with Pochettino have only intensified.

The Athletic have reported that chairman Daniel Levy has opened talks with the PSG manager over a return to the club he was sacked by 18 months ago.

Pochettino is said to be open to the prospect of a return to the club, despite only joining PSG six months ago.

Goal reported on Sunday that Pochettino has asked PSG to allow him to leave the club, with Real Madrid also interested in appointing him as their new manager after Zinedine Zidane left the club.

Stewart believes that the Argentine still holds a real affection for Spurs, and believes that could well play into any decision he has to make in the coming days.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “We know that he loves Tottenham, we know that for a fact, and he’s openly admitted that in the media.”

Former top flight goalkeeper Paddy Kenny believes Sadio Mane will sign a new Liverpool deal this summer after what he’s seen in recent weeks.

The Lowdown: Mane’s future up in the air

The Senegalese has returned to top form recently, scoring crucial goals against the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United, not to mention taking his tally for the season to 19 overall.

There is some concern surrounding Mane’s future at Liverpool, however, with his current deal expiring next year and a new contract not yet signed.

There appears to have been positive progress made in recent times, though, and the hope is that the situation is sorted in the near future.

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The Latest: Pundit confident of new deal

Speaking to Football Insider, Kenny, 43, dropped his verdict after seeing Mane’s red-hot recent form:

“He’s frighteningly good, isn’t he?”

“There is no way he’s leaving. Liverpool have one of the best attacks in the world and they don’t want to weaken that. He has proved how good he is over the last few weeks, not that we needed anymore proof.

“He’s one of the ones who is out of contract next summer so you would think Liverpool will want to tie him down with some of the goals he’s been scoring.

“I think that will get sorted. They want to keep Salah and Mane, those kinds of world-class players.”

The Verdict: No-brainer for Liverpool

There have been times when Mane has dropped below his absolute peak level, but his recent form is proof that he still has a huge amount to offer.

While 30 used to be seen as ‘old’ for a footballer, the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema are proof that players can go well into their 30s now at the very highest level.

For that reason, giving Mane a new deal is a no-brainer for Liverpool, with the African superstar capable of being a force for three or four more years, at least.

In other news, another Premier League side could sign a Liverpool target. Find out who it is here.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who made 343 appearances for Newcastle United, is still confident that the proposed takeover of his former club will go through, despite some damning reports emerging this month.

There have been several reports in national titles about Newcastle’s takeover, which did not go through over 12 months ago, including one that stated Prince Mohamed bin Salaman asked Boris Johnson to intervene with the Premier League to approve the deal.

Newcastle United and the Premier League are set for an arbitration case later this year, which could help establish whether or not the league was being fair to the new potential owners during their owners and director’s tests.

Speaking on why he is staying positive on a potential takeover but also why he questions who is feeding the journalists this sort of information, Lee told FFC:

“Where are these people getting this information? I mean, Mike doesn’t tell anyone anything and certainly the people he does tell stuff to, they won’t be telling other people. So that worries me a little bit.

“I’m still hopeful that something happens and I hope something’s going on behind the scenes that we don’t know about, and that they’re trying to keep it quiet because of what happened last time.”

It has been reported that the government and Premier League were in conversation regarding the takeover and at one point it was thought a decision to pass the deal through was merely hours away.

Mike Ashley will be hoping his decision to stick by Steve Bruce is the right one as relegation would wipe off a significant amount off his valuation of the club.

A new loan ruling that is set to be implemented next season could have a big impact on Wolves, according to reliable journalist Tim Spiers.

The Lowdown: New loan ruling

According to The Athletic, clubs will be limited on the number of international players they can have out on loan in the future.

From next season, teams will only be allowed to have eight players on temporary moves elsewhere and that number will drop to six by 2024.

Wolves currently have ten players out on loan, highlighting how clubs will be affected by the new venture moving forward.

The Latest: Spiers reacts to claim

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Spiers gave his thoughts on the news, discussing how it will impact on Wanderers’ business:

“New loan rules coming in next season which will impact Wolves, who had 10 players on loan overseas in the first half of the season (max of 8 next year then max 6 from 2024) and four at Grasshoppers (max 3 at one club).”

The Verdict: Good decision

In truth, it is healthy to see this ruling introduced, with the report correctly stating that it is a good way of preventing clubs from ‘stockpiling talent’.

It is good to see that players aged 21 and under won’t be affected, however, as loan moves can be healthy for their development, such as Wolves forward Theo Corbeanu, who is currently at MK Dons.

It will make teams think more about recruitment in general and potentially ensure they get the most out the players already in their ranks, rather than stockpiling players for purely financial reasons.

In other news, some Wolves fans have reacted to an exit rumour regarding one player. Find out who it is here.

Michael Ball has alleged Everton may have already agreed personal terms with Kalidou Koulibaly ahead of a potential huge move to Goodison Park.

Rafa Benitez is keen to be reunited with Koulibaly having managed the Senegal international central defender during his time in charge of Napoli.

While Benitez left the Italian club six years ago, Koulibaly is still on Napoli’s books and made 37 appearances last season.

Benitez, who has already bolstered his squad by signing Andros Townsend, Asmir Begovic and Demarai Gray, could be frustrated in his efforts to sign Koulibaly as Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti has insisted Koulibaly is not for sale.

But, according to Calciomercato, that has not stopped Everton in their tracks. The report suggests Everton made an opening bid for the 30-year-old which has been rejected.

Former Toffees left-back Ball believes there is a deal to be done and would not be surprised if the Merseyside club have already had conversations with Koulibaly.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “Everton are in talks and they know what they need to pay.

“They probably know the wages and it has probably been verbally agreed. It’s just whether they can actually finance the move and get it over the line.”

Israeli side Hapoel Be’er Sheva will make an approach for Celtic man Nir Bitton this summer.  

The Lowdown: Previous Bitton exit link

It’s not the first time Bitton has been linked with a summer exit this year. Back in February, reports claimed that Maccabi Tel Aviv were weighing up a move for the versatile Hoops man at the end of the season.

Bitton, who has made 233 appearances for Celtic, has been in and out of the Hoops side this season, making just 11 league starts, all of which have come as a centre-back.

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The Latest: Celtic set to receive Bitton approach

According to one outlet from Israel, cited by The Scotsman, Bitton is a target for Hapoel Be’er Sheva, who look set to make a move for the player Colin Watt described as ‘Mr Reliable’.

It seems as if Hapoel Be’er Sheva have a summer rebuild of their own to deal with over the coming months and Bitton is thought to be on their transfer wishlist.

The Verdict: Celtic have a decision to make

Should Celtic receive a bid for Bitton, new CEO Dominic McKay and the rest of the Hoops hierarchy may have a big decision to make.

Bitton, on £14,000-a-week at Parkhead, can play as a defensive midfielder and a centre-back, so his versatility could be handy for the Hoops going forward.

He still has over two years remaining on his Celtic deal, so we feel the club should be under no pressure to part ways with the player this summer.

It could be extremely important for a new director of football and manager to be through the door before the summer window opens, for them to then have a major say on Bitton’s future – buying or selling players before a new boss arrives feels like a recipe for disaster.

In other news: Odsonne Edouard Olympics update comes to light, find out more here. 

Paddy Kenny has made an enticing Newcastle United claim involving former manager Rafa Benitez.

The Lowdown: Benitez to Everton?

As per The Times, Benitez has held further talks with Everton over the vacant manager’s job left by Carlo Ancelotti, and remains in pole position to become their next coach.

However, Liam Kennedy, who has been following the Magpies takeover saga closely, has also claimed that Benitez is wanted by the potential owners-in-waiting to return to St. James’ Park, as he helped bring them to the table in the first place.

The Latest: Kenny on Benitez

Speaking to Football Insider, Kenny, who is now a pundit after a fine career in English football as a goalkeeper, has claimed that Benitez should be holding out for a job in the North East instead of the Toffees, assuming that the proposed takeover deal between Mike Ashley and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group can be pushed through:

“It wouldn’t be the right choice at all, for me.

“It makes more sense to hold out and go to Newcastle over Everton.

“If they do get a takeover, that club will go places because it’s a massive club with passionate fans.

“I’m sure he’d do well at Newcastle again and there wouldn’t be all this hoo-ha about the fans protesting.

“Why have that cloud over you when you’ve got the chance to go to somewhere like Newcastle?”

The Verdict: Hire Benitez

If the takeover bid does eventually go through, then there would be no better man to hire on Tyneside than Benitez.

Many members of the Toon Army have previously called for the Spaniard to come back, and so he would certainly be a popular appointment, and a man that they can rally and get behind.

Benitez also has a vast amount of experience in managing in the Premier League, with both Liverpool and Chelsea in addition to NUFC, and so he should have no problems in handling a likely dramatically increased transfer budget if the takeover was successful.

Nonetheless, if a deal with Everton does fall through, then the 61-year-old will still be available for Newcastle to hire.

In other news, find out what transfer boost Newcastle have been given in pursuit of this Premier League target here!

A number of Liverpool supporters have been left stunned by a brilliant piece of skill by Naby Keita while on international duty with Guinea.

The Reds drew 2-2 at home to Manchester City last Sunday, before the international break got underway.

Jurgen Klopp’s men aren’t back in action until October 16th when they make a trip to Vicarage Road to take on newly-promoted Watford.

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One player who could feature in that game is Keita, with the 26-year-old falling out of favour a little lately, not coming on at all against City.

Jordan Henderson is struggling for form, however, and the Guinean could be seen as a good option to come in.

On Thursday, an eye-catching clip of Keita producing a superb piece of skill emerged on Twitter [via Lewis Bower], with the midfielder nutmegging his opponent with a cheeky back-heel along the sideline.

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Liverpool fans laud Keita

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to hail Keita.

“The content I wanna see during the int’l break”

Credit: @Trentsque

“Nabyyyyy laa”

Credit: @Nabysback

“Filthy”

Credit: @LewYNWA

“Yes lad!”

Credit: @LeonUncle_

“Ridiculous technician”

Credit: @Bk8iP3

“YESSSSSSSSS LADDD”

Credit: @irishred306

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting to an update on Mohamed Salah’s future. Read more here.

Nottingham Forest are eyeing up a swoop for Norwich City striker Jordan Hugill as their search for attacking options continues, as reported by Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Nottingham Forest build towards 2021/22

Moving into 2021/22, Reds manager Chris Hughton will be desperate to acquire the players he feels are necessary to improve on their 17th-placed finish last term.

Despite not venturing into the transfer market as of yet, the Nottinghamshire giants have been linked with a switch for Watford defender Zian Fleming [Veronica Inside].

Could they now be poised to edge closer to a first summer signing following recent reports?

The Latest: Forest line up proven Championship scorer Hugill

The Championship outfit have been linked with a move for 29-year-old forward Hugill following a Forest source’s reveal to Football Insider.

Nottingham Forest are ready to test the water with a bid for the striker, whilst they have placed stock in his proven goalscoring record in the Football League [Football Insider].

The Verdict: Hugill would add firepower to Forest’s attack

Hugill could conceivably add some firepower to the Reds’ attack as they seek improvement in 2021/22. Across his career, he has registered 82 goal contributions from 278 career appearances, with 71 goals and 11 assists [Transfermarkt].

Most recently, he helped his current employers Norwich to Championship promotion in 2020/21, making five goal contributions in 34 appearances, four goals and one assist [Transfermarkt].

His work can often go unnoticed , something which has been highlighted by his manager Daniel Farke, who stated that Hugill “thinks about the team more than he thinks about himself” in an interview in January 2021 [The PinkUn].

Farke has also described Hugill as a “role model” in recent times, something which is bound to please the City Ground faithful [The PinkUn].

Looking ahead to 2021/22, Nottingham Forest should look to seal the deal for the Canaries attacker before other clubs take an interest and swoop for him.

In other news, this Nottingham Forest legend is linked with a shock behind-the-scenes role at the City Ground.

Carlton Palmer has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that Everton would allow Ainsley Maitland-Niles to get out and play regular first-team football.

The 24-year-old has played just 48 minutes for Arsenal this season and doesn’t appear likely to get many opportunities in a competitive right-back spot.

Maitland Niles has previously showed his versatility by playing at left wing-back in the Gunners’ FA Cup triumph two years ago, and also in midfield, but David Ornstein believes that he wants to remain at full-back.

According to The Athletic, Everton were in talks with the Arsenal man over a loan move to Goodison Park, but his boyhood have since rejected an approach.

Seemingly frustrated with Arsenal, Maitland-Niles has since expressed his frustration on Instagram by posting on his story that he simply wants to play and be wanted.

With Hector Bellerin, Cedric and Calum Chambers all battling it out for the right-back spot under Mikel Arteta, Maitland-Niles could still move away from Arsenal before the window closes.

And Palmer told The Transfer Tavern that he would be on board with a switch to the blue half of Merseyside:

“He needs to get out and play. Benitez is a very good manager; he knows what he’s doing. If he can get games in the Premier League, that’s what he needs to do to improve as a footballer.”