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West Ham United fans are far from happy after it was revealed the Hammers made an offer of just £6m for goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

The Hammers are continuing their preparations for the new campaign after a wonderful last term – they managed a sixth-place finish in the Premier League, meaning they will be playing in the Europa League this coming term. However, despite now needing to compete on four fronts, the Irons are yet to make a splash in the transfer market.

A goalkeeper is believed to be on the cards, and West Ham have been linked with a move for Johnstone, who was relegated to the Championship last season with West Brom. According to Sky Sports, the Hammers made an offer of just £6m for Johnstone, which was clearly not enough for the Baggies.

The news was shared on Twitter by @WestHam_Central, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Johnstone news below

“HAHAHA ARE WE LIVING IN 2005 OR SOMETHING”

Credit: @JoshVernege

“Embarrassing”

Credit: @19Robert94

“Disgraceful”

Credit: @IanCulleyMorga2

“We tried FC”

Credit: @xHappyHammerx

“That’s Sullivan for you !!!!!”

Credit: @paulway6

“Yup that’s the GSB way”

Credit: @c_spicer

In other news, West Ham fans were livid at this Euro 2020 decision.

Liverpool have made a £30million offer for Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman but it falls short of the German champions’ valuation, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (via beIN Sports).

Bayern are said to want £42million for the 25-year-old Frenchman.

Why might Liverpool be after Coman?

Jurgen Klopp’s side may be on the hunt for another attacking option as they look to prepare for the absence of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane at the turn of the year.

Salah and Mane are set to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations, which runs from 9 January-6 February.

Coman made 23 Bundesliga starts last season, scoring five goals and setting up 12. Only three players – Thomas Muller, Filip Kostic and Daichi Kamada – recorded more assists.

His injury record is a concern, though. Since the start of the 2018/19 season, he’s missed 36 games with 11 different issues (via Transfermarkt).

Fan feed LFC Transfer Room relayed the Coman report, and here’s what supporters made of it.

Liverpool fans unimpressed by links to Coman

“Wrong French LW, FSG”

Credit: @FcNabyLad

“£42mil for a player that’s a season ending injury away from retiring? No thanks.”

Credit: @DatedWizard

“Great, another injury prone player”

Credit: @AK_LFC_

“He’s more injury prone than Naby Keita”

Credit: @Overvie49556639

“I don’t understand this club’s obsession with injury prone players”

Credit: @wizonce_LFC

“Don’t care, give me Raphinha”

Credit: @AJXR45

In other news, fans bemoaned this update on a midfield target. 

Fulham are interested in a deal to bring Allan Campbell to Craven Cottage this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claimed that the Cottagers, along with Millwall, Luton Town and Peterborough United, are considering a move for the Motherwell midfielder in the upcoming transfer window.

It is reported that the 22-year-old has decided to reject the Scottish Premiership club’s offer of a new contract, meaning he will become a free agent upon the expiry of his current deal at Fir Park in the coming weeks.

Fans will be buzzing

With Stefan Johansen looking likely to leave Craven Cottage this summer, with the 30-year-old reported to be in talks with Queens Park Rangers regarding a permanent switch to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, midfield would appear to be an area in which Fulham will look to strengthen ahead of their upcoming Championship campaign.

Considering the potential Campbell seems to possess, the Motherwell midfielder could well prove a very astute addition to the Cottagers’ squad this summer.

Indeed, the £1.08m-rated youngster impressed over his 34 Premiership fixtures for Graham Alexander’s side last season, scoring four goals and creating one big chance for his teammates, as well as averaging 1.4 interceptions and 1.8 tackles and winning 4.7 duels per game.

These metrics saw the £1,500-per-week Scotland under-21 international earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.82, ranking him as Motherwell’s joint ninth-best performer in the Scottish top flight. However, what makes his returns all the more impressive is the fact that Campbell is still just 22 years of age, meaning he has considerable scope to develop even further as a footballer.

The opinion surrounding the “highly-rated” midfielder – in the words of Alexander – would very much appear to be that he has a very bright future ahead of him in the game, with his manager stating that the Glaswegian is “everything that a professional footballer should be”, as well as dubbing him a “shining example” for others at the club.

As such, when adding in the fact that he will be available on a free transfer this summer, it would appear most advisable for the Cottagers to do all they can to get a deal over the line for Campbell this summer. Not only would his signing appear to be a fantastic piece of business for the club, but also one which has the potential to leave Fulham fans buzzing.

In other news: Fresh twist emerges on “exceptional” Fulham gem which will leave fans frustrated

Liverpool may choose to act on their reported interest in Inter striker Lautaro Martinez after the latest comments from his agent.

What’s the story?

The 23-year-old’s agent has recently confirmed that his client has rejected the offer of a new contract from the reigning Serie A champions.

In an interview with Spanish outlet Sport, Alejandro Camano claims his client has chosen not to renew his contract with Inter, leaving the door open to a summer exit.

Liverpool must swoop

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Martinez in recent weeks as Jurgen Klopp aims to bolster his options at the top end of the pitch over the coming months.

Underwhelming campaigns from Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have left the enigmatic German manager searching for attacking reinforcements, and this latest update may help him secure one of his top targets.

“Inter have offered us a new contract, but for now, we’re fine as we are,” Camano said, before flirting with the idea of moving Martinez to La Liga giants Barcelona.

“We are very calm, we have to resolve the Inter situation first, but, of course, he would like to join Barcelona. Who would not like to play for Barcelona? It is one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

Some reports have previously suggested that the Nerazzurri would demand £75 million for the prolific forward. However, his agent alleged that the true fee may be significantly lower.

“90 million euros (£75m) is exaggerated. Everyone has a price.”

Barca have been heavily linked with a move for the South American gem in the past, with compatriot Lionel Messi previously labeling Martinez “sensational.”

Therefore, Liverpool must swoop for the prolific forward before the Catalan giants financially recover enough to be able to afford the Inter man.

In just three years in Milan, Martinez has bagged 49 goals and provided 20 assists in 132 appearances, showcasing his top-class ability.

His arrival at Anfield could propel the Reds back to the summit of English football and director of football, Michael Edwards must do everything in his power to secure the diminutive star ahead of Liverpool’s continental rivals as he looks like the ideal player to potentially replace Firmino up front for Klopp’s side.

And, in other news…Liverpool and Spurs set to battle for “phenomenal” £25.8m ace, Reds must push for deal 

Aston Villa could strike gold this summer with a bargain swoop for Ipswich Town’s Liam Gibbs.

What’s the story?

According to reports in recent weeks, Villa have been one of the clubs named as keeping a track of Gibbs’ situation with the Tractor Boys, and it appears that the Midlands club now have the perfect chance to make their move.

The Suffolk News have revealed that the 18-year-old starlet is set to depart Ipswich this summer after contract talks between the two parties broke down.

The report added: “It means Gibbs is now a free agent from this morning and Ipswich are set to only get a nominal compensation fee for their part in training him.”

Forget Smith Rowe

While reports in recent days and weeks have linked Villa with a swoop for Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe, Dean Smith’s side may be better off abandoning on what at the moment looks to be a dead-end pursuit and instead target Gibbs.

Like Smith Rowe, the Ipswich teenager is predominantly a number ten, but has also shown some versatility by playing from the left, and he seems destined for a big future.

Portman Road academy chief Bryan Klug said: “He is a goalscorer and he is a goal creator. He has got a real talent and one thing now is this football club presents opportunities to people like that.

“He has got the talent, there is no doubt. He is one of the most talented people I have worked with. I would not rule out anything for Liam. I think he has got the potential to be a top player.”

Rather than potentially wasting time going after a player in Smith Rowe, who Arsenal are adamant will not be sold as they look to tie up a new contract for him, Gibbs could be the kind of young, exciting signing who could make a real impression at Villa Park.

Also, the fact that the 18-year-old is a free agent and that Ipswich would only be due a “nominal compensation fee” makes him a hugely enticing transfer prospect from a financial sense as well.

Johan Lange could hit the Villa jackpot with a bargain move for Gibbs this summer.

Meanwhile, Villa are closing in on this big-money signing…

Frank McAvennie believes Chris McKee could leave Glasgow Rangers after being sent off for using foul and abusive language while on loan at Brechin City.

The Lowdown: McKee accused of abuse

McKee moved on loan to Scottish League Two side Brechin in January, making 14 appearances in all competitions for the club (Transfermarkt).

Earlier this month, he started for Brechin in the play-off final against Kelty Hearts, who eventually prevailed. McKee, though, failed to last the whole 90 minutes, with him instead being sent off during the first half following an alleged homophobic outburst.

The Latest: McAvennie thinks he could depart

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie suggested it could be the end of the road for the 19-year-old at Ibrox. He said:

“A lot of people fling crap at Rangers.

“Nothing has been confirmed or reported yet. He’s not been charged by the SFA. 

“It could stick with him for his career. Mud sticks. It takes a while to shake something like that off. 

“He’s a young boy and if he’s guilty he needs to be educated. Things get said on the football pitch but some things just don’t belong on there. 

“Things are sometimes said in the heat of the moment, I’m not justifying what he may have said.

“We have to see what happens but if he’s guilty, they could terminate his deal. They face a really tough decision on keeping him.”

   The Verdict: Difficult decision

As McAvennie says, if McKee is found guilty, Rangers face a difficult decision in regards to whether they should keep him at the club. In recent months, there has been a significant desire to push back against all forms of abuse, and the Gers themselves have been involved in one unsavoury incident when Glen Kamara was racially abused by Slavia Prague’s Ondrej Kudela.

Whether McKee, who Noel Whelan previously said was “worth his weight in gold” (Football Insider), has a promising future ahead of him is irrelevant.

At just 19 years of age, McKee is still a boy – we must ask whether he should really be tarred for the rest of his career because of one very poor choice of words. Some kind of punishment must be given, of that there is no doubt, but losing his contract may feel extremely harsh.

In other news, Rangers fans are livid at this journalist’s tweets.

Leeds United hero Luke Ayling has achieved an incredible statistic that outlines the enormous influence he has had for the Whites this season.

The Lowdown: Ayling continues to shine

The 29-year-old has been a stalwart of the Marcelo Bielsa era, as well as prior to the Argentine arriving, making 188 appearances for the club in total.

Ayling has brought a consistent level of quality from right-back, combining dogged defensive work with attacking forays, proving to be a fans’ favourite in the process.

The Latest: Ayling beats Messi

The Englishman’s influence is appreciated by Leeds supporters, but other fans may also sit up and take notice after his latest achievement.

According to OptaJoe on Twitter, Ayling has progressed the ball up the pitch more distance than any player in Europe’s top five league this season – a total of 5,421 metres.

In second place is a certain Barcelona legend called Lionel Messi (5,244), with Ruben Dias (5,180), Theo Hernandez (5,111) and Jonathan Gradit (5,017) making up the top-five.

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The Verdict: Ayling’s influence highlighted

To pip Messi to anything on a football pitch takes some doing, so Ayling should feel immensely proud of his efforts, as he continues to show off his influence for Leeds.

He is such a forward-thinking player in everything he does, proving to be the perfect full-back for Bielsa, providing endless energy and quality, missing just 20 minutes of Premier League action this season.

Ayling’s lively personality also seems to rub off on those around him and it may only be when he slows up or leaves that he is fully appreciated on a wider scale.

In other news, one pundit is hugely excited about Leeds’ interest in an international player. Find out who it is here.

Kieran Maguire has reacted to the news that Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley claimed between £100,001 and £250,000 in February as part of the United Kingdom government’s furlough scheme.

The Lowdown: Ashley makes use of scheme

The global pandemic has wreaked havoc across Britian over the past year or so, with many being unable to work as result. As such, the UK government introduced a furlough scheme which allowed business owners to pay their staff via their funds.

However, Ashley decided to use the scheme even though he has the money to pay his employees himself. It has now been revealed he claimed between £100,001 and £250,000 during the month of February (www.gov.uk).

The Athletic reported that Newcastle have continued to receive state funding despite no public acknowledgement of their use of the furlough scheme.

The Latest: Maguire says it is “awkward”

Speaking to Football Insider, football finance expert Maguire has said that the news is “uncomfortable” for Ashley. He said:

“There is a case for saying that if football clubs are legally permitted to use furlough, what’s all the fuss about?

“The furlough scheme’s proper title is the ‘job retention scheme’. If in the long term this helps to retain jobs in Newcastle, you can see the benefit.

“From Mike Ashley’s point of view, he’s desperate to sell Newcastle. If this is a way of getting some more money into the club, why would he not do it?

“If he’s coped with all the criticism that’s come his way historically, this will be water off a duck’s back.

“It’s an awkward one, however. It looks uncomfortable.

“The sums involved are actually quite small. If it’s £100,000-a-month for a year, it works out as around 1.5 per cent of the total wage bill.

“For the clubs that have turned it down, they have probably benefitted in terms of their relationship with the fans.

“Ashley has no relationship with the Newcastle fans that can ever be resurrected. So he’s just said: ‘Sod you lot, I’ll do what’s best for my wallet’.”

The Verdict: Are we surprised?

It is hard to be too surprised by this latest news – it has long been known that Ashley puts profit above all else (The Mag). That is one of the many reasons why so many Newcastle fans are desperate for him to sell the club and leave St James’ Park (The Guardian), and who can blame them?

It must also be made clear that Ashley was not the only owner to take advantage of the scheme – both Daniel Levy at Tottenham (ITV) and John Henry at Liverpool (france24.com) went down the same path. The difference in both of those cases, though, is that they eventually changed their minds, whereas Ashley seemingly has no intention of doing that.

In other news, Newcastle are interested in signing this Premier League forward.

After nearly seven weeks, Tottenham Hotspur’s managerial search is almost over…

What’s the word?

According to The Guardian’s Dave Hytner, Spurs are closing in on the appointment of former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte after positive talks between the two parties.

It’s thought that there is confidence at the club that the 51-year-old will sign on the dotted line, meaning Daniel Levy is very close to sealing a landmark hire.

The Lilywhites also want to recruit a new sporting director in the shape of Fabio Paratici, who has previously worked with Conte during a very successful spell at Juventus, where they won three Serie A titles.

It’s almost over

It certainly seems like Spurs’ quest to find the best successor to Jose Mourinho is finally drawing to a close.

There have been many bumps along the way, with several mooted top targets being ruled out of the running, such as Julian Naglesmann opting for Bayern Munich or Brendan Rodgers choosing to remain at Leicester City.

It’s also believed that Spurs made a big play for former coach Mauricio Pochettino but there was no way Paris Saint-Germain were letting him leave.

After so many setbacks, the north London faithful can finally start to get excited about the prospects of a new era at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Levy nears the capture of Conte.

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The Athletic claimed that Mourinho “sucked the culture out of the club” whilst many supporters laid into the Portuguese throughout the campaign, with some calling him a “dinosaur” and “washed up.”

Conte helped end an 11-year wait for the title at Inter Milan this season and has won a total of nine major trophies throughout his managerial career, including a Premier League and FA Cup at Chelsea, where he cleaned up Mourinho’s mess.

The 58-year-old left before the Blues went on to record their worst top-flight finish since 1996 but the Italian came in and won the league the very next season.

Hytner also claimed that Conte wants to be backed in the transfer window, so you’d imagine there have been assurances by Levy, as otherwise the club wouldn’t be on the verge of sealing his services.

Therefore, the Spurs fanbase should be buzzing by this latest news as they seemingly prepare to embark on an exciting and fresh start with Conte.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Conte: Levy could seal dream Spurs duo by signing “fearless” £26m titan…

Charlton Athletic will be looking to bolster their promotion chances with a win over Ipswich Town at The Valley this lunchtime.

The Addicks are unbeaten under Nigel Adkins and could move into the play-offs with three points in this crucial encounter. However, if they taste defeat, then the Tractor Boys could leapfrog them to deal a massive blow to their hopes of returning to the Championship.

Last time out, the south-east Londoners recorded an impressive victory over Sunderland, so they should come into this one in a lot of confidence.

Here’s our predicted XI and the latest team and injury news ahead of kick-off…

Adkins is dealing with a few knocks and bruises and, as a result, he could be forced into a few changes.

The backline is expected to largely remain the same barring one alteration at right-back as veteran Chris Gunter comes back into the side, taking the place of 29-year-old Adam Matthews.

It means that skipper Jason Pearce and Ryan Inniss continue their impressive partnership in front of Ben Amos, with Ben Purrington occupying the other flank.

Match-winner Alex Gibey suffered a knock at the Stadium of Light so he may not be risked from the off, but he should be fit enough to come off the bench at the very least.

Andrew Shinnie, who started Adkins’ first game in charge, is the likely replacement as he plugs the gap in front of defensive midfield veteran Darren Pratley and the industrious Jake Forster-Caskey.

The third and final change could see Liverpool loanee Liam Millar return to the starting XI in the absence of Chelsea starlet Ian Maatsen, who has missed a lot of training this week with an injury issue.

He’ll be deployed on the left wing, with Diallang Jaiysemi keeping his spot but moving across to the right.

Conor Washington has been ruled out once again, and with further doubts over the fitness of Chuks Aneke, we should see Jayden Stockley lead the line on his own.

AND in other news, Charlton may have ideal Stockley successor in 21 y/o gem who has “energy and power”…