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Manchester United’s dominant display against Bournemouth showcased the wealth of attacking talents Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has at his disposal. 

United romped to a 5-2 victory over Bournemouth at Old Trafford which has kept them in fifth place in the Premier League, only two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, with only five games remaining.

However, Solskjaer still isn’t satisfied, and has made it clear he wants to sign a new striker and right winger in the summer.

The Red Devils had been in the middle of planning for a long-term rebuild before the nationwide lockdown was imposed in response to the pandemic.

United have been chasing Jadon Sancho for more than three years now and are seemingly no further forward.

Solskjaer considers Sancho central to his plans for the future but has already started drafting up a list of possible replacements in the event he cannot bring the Englishman back to the Premier League.

According to David Ornstein, as per @utdreport, the Red Devils have now entered the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Leon Bailey.

The Norwegian has indicated the right flank is an area that urgently needs addressing, as Daniel James has struggled for consistency this season, and scouts have also been monitoring Argentine winger Thiago Almada and Welsh youngsters David Brooks and Rabbi Matondo.

Bailey, who is currently valued at £40m by Leverkusen, would be significantly cheaper than Sancho. Indeed, Dortmund are demanding £108m for the club’s top scorer.

The 22-year-old, who can play on the left or right of the midfield, played 22 games in the Bundesliga this season, scoring five goals, supplying three assists, taking 1.3 shots per game, averaging 1 key pass, and completing 1.6 dribbles on average (via WhoScored).

However, it is worth noting he has received a lower WhoScored rating than Sancho.

While his versatility could prove useful, Ornstein adds Bailey is not a first-choice target for United or their rivals Manchester City.

Failing to sign Sancho would be a bitter blow for Solskjaer, who has been pursuing the England international for several months now, as he missed out on his teammate Erling Braut Haaland last year.

Despite his insistence Sancho remains his top priority, the fact the board are considering other options shows they are unwilling to take any risk.

United fans, do you think the board should sign Leon Bailey instead of Jadon Sancho? Let us know in the comments below!

M’baye Niang has reportedly rejected Tottenham Hotspur in favour of a big money move to Qatar. 

Jose Mourinho is desperate to make additions to his attacking options in the summer, as Spurs talisman Harry Kane has only recently recovered from a hamstring injury. In Kane’s absence, the Lilywhites only won three games in the Premier League while he sat on the sidelines.

According to L’Equipe, Niang is highly coveted by an unnamed Qatari club, who are prepared to make a substantial offer to the Rennes striker.

Spurs have been linked with the Senegalese in the past, but finding a forward who is capable of replacing Kane is proving to be more and more difficult.

Despite the interest from Daniel Levy, Niang ended up moving to AC Milan instead, although he struggled for game time at the San Siro, and spent spells on loan at various European clubs, including the likes of Montpellier and Watford, before he was finally sold to Torino.

The Hornets did not make a bid for the Senegal international as they were left unimpressed by his loan spell at Vicarage Road.

Following another loan, he eventually joined Stade Rennais, and his performances have improved over time, as he has scored 10 goals in 26 games in Ligue 1, taking 2.5 shots on average via WhoScored.

Shockingly, Niang has failed to provide a single assist all year, and has averaged a mere 0.4 key passes and 0.6 dribbles per game in the French top flight at the time of writing (WhoScored).

Nevertheless, Mourinho has made it clear he wants to sign the forward in the summer as a backup for Kane.

While Niang clearly knows how to find the back of the next, there are holes in his playing style that he still needs to work on, as he must make improvements to his passing accuracy and link-up play.

The former Watford loanee didn’t live up to his full potential at Vicarage Road, as he only managed 2 goals in 16 appearances. He has also attracted interest from Marseille but it is likely his head will be turned by Qatar.

However, this could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the club in the long-term. As previously mentioned, the 25-year-old doesn’t have a great track record in the Premier League, and Mourinho may have dodged an expensive bullet.

He could instead turn his attention to Troy Parrott and other promising academy graduates to give them a chance.

Levy previously splashed the cash for infamous Spurs flop Roberto Soldado and he will surely be looking to avoid making a similar mistake in the future.

Tottenham fans, have you seen enough of M’baye Niang to convince you? Let us know down below!

Many Celtic fans clearly remember former winger Scott Sinclair fondly as they have been reacting to a question asked about the player by Celtic1967.com on Twitter.

He recently moved on to Championship side Preston after struggling for game time in his last season in Scotland, but you can tell fans definitely enjoyed his spell at the club after they left very positive answers to Celtic 1967.com’s question, ‘How will @Scotty_Sinclair be remembered at Celtic?’

The attacker signed from English club Aston Villa for £3.69 million in the summer transfer window of 2016, per Transfermarkt, and looked like a good prospect for the Hoops, but no one could have pictured how much he would set the Scottish league alight.

The Englishman managed to score 21 goals and pick up 10 assists in 35 appearances in the division in his first campaign, helping the side win the domestic treble along the way. Even though this was his best goal scoring season ever at the club, the winger continued to pick up a lot of goals whilst playing for the Hoops, as he managed 62 strikes and 37 assists in his 167 games in all competitions for the club, per Transfermarkt.

Here is what fans said following the tweet:

Celtic fans, how good was Sinclair at the club? Comment below!

Many Aston Villa fans have wished former striker Dion Dublin happy birthday by responding to a tweet with some quotes from television programme Homes Under the Hammer.

Dublin joined Villa in 1998 after spending time with Coventry City and Manchester United earlier in his career, and it was at Villa Park that the Leicester born striker enjoyed some of his best form.

The former England international netted an impressive 51 goals in 182 games with the Claret and Blue, whilst also playing centre back on the odd occasion.

Leaving Villa in 2004 for boyhood club Leicester, Dublin would eventually move to Celtic and then finish his playing career with Norwich City.

Following his professional career, the former striker worked as a pundit, whilst he is also a host on television programme Homes Under the Hammer, working alongside Lucy Alexander and Martin Roberts.

Known on the TV series for the phrase ‘And here we have the stairs going up to the bedroom’, Villa fans chose to reference the quote in their celebration of his birthday.

Reacting to Villa’s tweet, fans issued a positive response and below are just some of those:

Missing football!? There’s still plenty of Villa discussion going on in the Vital Villa Forum! Click here to get involved!

Having taken over from Manuel Pellegrini mid-way through the Premier League season, David Moyes will enter his first summer transfer window as West Ham boss.

Reports in recent weeks have claimed that Moyes is intent on bringing in some more British talent to the club, and now The Daily Star (back page, 12/04 edition) suggest the Hammers are eyeing a potential swoop for Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier.

The Greatest Bargains in Premier League history – How much did they cost?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

The England international has been in and out of the Spurs side this season, making just 25 appearances across all competitions, with only 14 of them coming in the Premier League.

After hearing about their links to the £18m-rated ace, West Ham fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on their latest transfer target.

A couple of Hammers fans even went to the lengths of saying they would rather have Carlos Sanchez in their team than Dier.

With Declan Rice’s future still in question, it’s no surprise the Hammers are targeting Dier as a potential option for this summer.

But judging by the reaction of many West Ham fans, it appears the Englishman isn’t the kind of signing they are looking for.

But with his ability to play as a holding midfielder and as a centre-back, if Moyes can get him on the cheap, then he could certainly prove himself to be a useful addition to the squad.

Newcastle United fans have been reacting to the latest takeover news on social media as the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope provided a fresh update.

He claims that the Premier League is set to revamp their directors and owners test in light of the moral, political and legal difficulties presented by the Saudi-backed proposed takeover of the Magpies.

The Greatest Bargains in Premier League history – How much did they cost?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

However, Hope also suggests that a decision could extend into next week but the deal is still likely to be approved due to current limitations over the test.

It’s been over a month since reports first emerged and the longer it takes to complete, the more some supporters are beginning to doubt it even happening.

Saudi Arabia’s involvement has come with controversy and opposition, but many at St James’ Park are merely desperate to see someone else in charge of the club – they can only dream of Mike Ashley leaving after a torrid 13 years at the helm.

Newcastle have suffered mediocrity for far too long and this prospective deal could bring them a new lease of life.

Here’s how fans have been reacting to the latest update…

AND in other news, Newcastle fans react to Mark Douglas tweet…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

Newcastle don’t look as though they’ll be too active in January.

Steve Bruce has recognised the difficulty of signing players in the winter window while it’s been claimed that loan additions are the order of the day, rather than permanent captures.

That being said, one man they’re still tracking is Benoit Badiashile. The £16.2m-rated Monaco defender has been linked with the top six in the past so this would be a statement buy if they could land him.

Over the summer, he was the subject of interest from Manchester United while murmurs of a move to Chelsea have also cropped up in recent months.

But what he could bring to the northeast side if they signed him instead?

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On the chalkboard

The teenager has had a bit of a mixed spell in Ligue 1 this term, being dragged off against Bordeaux at the weekend on 75 minutes after failing to make a tackle.

But for the most part, he’s been a consistent figure, someone that’s improving all the time at the tender age of just 18.

Strong in the air, winning 3.3 aerial duels per game, he’s also demonstrated fantastic ball-playing abilities and a sense of composure that is arguably lacking from Newcastle’s backline.

Boasting a pass accuracy of 84.9%, that puts him above both Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar. In fact, it would put him above all of the Magpies’ current defenders.

But it’s not just that aspect of his game that would improve Newcastle, it’s his ability to slot into a back three – the current system being operated by Steve Bruce.

On that evidence, he’d be perfect and should have no problems fitting into Newcastle’s style.

Monaco are currently playing with a three-man defence in Ligue 1 and at times, Badiashile has starred while playing as the left centre-half.

He won five aerial duels in a recent encounter against Dijon, making three interceptions and four clearances at the same time, via WhoScored. His level of concentration is something that could benefit a Newcastle team that usually have to defend for large periods of the game.

Sitting in 14th, they rarely dominate the play and have had just 38.3% of the possession on average each match.

Standing at 6 foot 4, he is a colossal frame who could certainly help Bruce’s side keep possession more effectively.

In other news, check out what Newcastle’s stance on a potential £20m signing is…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

After enjoying a rapid rise over the course of this past year, Mason Greenwood finds himself in the England U21s squad for their games against Albania and the Netherlands. The Manchester United starlet was a part of the team that shocked PSG in the Champions League last season, and enjoyed a fine pre-season too, scoring against both Inter and Leeds.

In the limited game-time he has been offered by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season, the 18-year-old hasn’t disappointed either, notching in full starts against FC Astana, Partizan Belgrade and Rochdale. Whilst he has impressed, one key concern surrounding the teenager is where his best position may lay. In his time with both the academy and the senior set-ups in the current campaign, Greenwood has played in four different positions: centre-forward, second striker, right-winger and right-midfield.

As per Transfermarkt, in his nine Premier League appearances, the United academy product has played as a right-winger on five occasions. This despite Solskjaer exclaiming that he is the most natural finisher the club has got on its books at the moment.

“Natural finisher? Well, they’ve (Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford) still got a way to go, because Mason’s more of a natural finisher than those two.”

So when England U21s boss Aidy Boothroyd calls upon Greenwood over this international break, it will provide an intriguing insight to Solskjaer over where a fellow manager believes the prodigy can be best used. In the pressures of club games and needing to pick up wins at any cost, players’ natural strengths may be sacrificed in order for the team’s gain.

But in a far more relaxed environment, Boothroyd’s use of Greenwood could open the United boss’ eyes to where his best position may be in the future. The likes of Martial and Rashford have proven throughout their careers that they are more than capable of playing on the flanks (they have played on the left-wing 111 and 58 times respectively). That could allow the Red Devils’ academy prospect the chance to stake his claim as an out-and-out number nine.

Whilst Solskjaer may cast a keen eye over Rashford’s performances with England’s senior set-up, he would do well to take notes from Boothroyd’s handling of Greenwood over these next couple of U21 games.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

West Bromwich Albion will enter the festive period as the side topping the Championship table as they currently sit two points clear of the chasing pack during the final international break of the calendar year.

Slaven Bilic has guided the Baggies to just one defeat all season, and if they continue at this rate, promotion will be written the stars as a total of 92 points has been enough in four of the last four second-tier campaigns which they are well on course to achieving.

Watch West Bromwich Albion Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

Their squad depth will fully be put to the test when they welcome Sheffield Wednesday to the Hawthorns in over a week as they’ll be without both skipper Jake Livermore and midfield partner Romaine Sawyers.

It is probably the only area in which Bilic’s side are weak in numbers, which is why centre-back Dara O’Shea should be looking to force a loan move away from the club in January.

Currently, Semi Ajayi and Kyle Bartley have formed a stern partnership at the back, even if they have only kept four clean sheets together in 16 appearances – it’s clearly not affected their league standing.

The fact that Ahmed Hegazi, who played 40 times last term, can’t get in the side speaks volumes, and it means the Irishman is probably the fourth-choice centre-back at the club.

On Thursday afternoon, O’Shea featured for the Ireland U21 squad in Armenia, which only goes to show his potential – even if he was sent off in the match as he’s competing on the international stage but not for the Baggies’ first-team.

The 20-year-old played 33 games for League Two Exeter City last season but wasn’t sent out on loan again this time around.

This has been a potentially damaging move as the youngster needs game time to continue to progress, so he should soon knock on Bilic’s door and ask to go out and prove his worth to the Croatian.

The only way he may break into the side is if there’s a significant injury crisis, but by performing to a high-standard elsewhere, he can catch his manager’s eye.

If Sam Field and Jonathan Leko can clinch Championship moves, then so can he, which will only help his cause tenfold. Albion’s manager must make a simple call.

Leeds United fans on Twitter have been left a little bit bemused after Phil Hay and Graham Smyth both provided updates on the ongoing Kiko Casilla case.

The Spaniard has been granted an extension until the 27th November to make a case to plead his innocence after being accused of racially abusing Jonathan Leko.

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This delay will allow Casilla to continue appearing for the Whites during this period, which will certainly help the Yorkshire club’s chances of continuing their assault on the top two.

However, some fans were seemingly quite baffled as to why the former Real Madrid man needed more time to make his case as this issue has been going on for more than a month now.

With the conclusion of this case being just two weeks away, many supporters will be waiting with bated breath to see the outcome of this one, but for now, there are seemingly more questions than answers.

Here’s what the Elland Road faithful have been saying on Twitter…