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An update has emerged on Espanyol striker Mateo Joseph, regarding Leeds’ interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to La Grada Online, Leeds United are lining up a move for the 17-year-old Espanyol striker as Victor Orta attempts to bolster the club’s youth ranks.

The report claims that the Whites have already agreed personal terms with the player, who was coveted by Barcelona in the summer, and must now pay his £850k (€1m) release clause in order to land him.

Bielsa magic

Orta must act now and agree to pay the £850k fee to bring Joseph to the club in the January transfer window. The report names Barcelona as one of the teams previously interested in him, whilst Premier League giants Manchester City were reportedly looking at him as a long-term Sergio Aguero replacement.

Pep Guardiola was said to be keen on the dynamo as he has strong physical and technical attributes, highlighting the youngster’s potential as a player, although City were unable to get a deal over the line for him. This, along with Barcelona’s indecision, has opened the door for Leeds to swoop in and make their move in the coming months.

Joseph, who is eligible to play for Spain or England at international level, could be a long-term project that Bielsa can work on at Elland Road. The Argentine coach has proven that he has the coaching ability to improve young players, with Illan Meslier a prime example of what he can achieve on the training pitch. We published an article explaining why Bielsa has produced a masterclass in management with the Frenchman over the last 12 months.

Bielsa could now work his magic on Jospeh if Orta is able to get a deal over the line and turn him into Patrick Bamford 2.0. The former Middlesbrough striker scored nine goals in his first season for the Whites under the ex-Marseille man, but soon found his feet and was able to develop into a player who suited Bielsa’s style of play and that allowed him to flourish.

Bamford scored 17 goals and provided eight assists in the Premier League for Leeds last term, having scored 16 goals in the second-tier in the 2019/20 campaign as the club achieved promotion to the top-flight. This shows how Bielsa was able to turn the forward into a lethal striker in the space of 12 months, transforming him from a player who failed to hit double figures in the Championship to a regular goalscorer in the Premier League.

Mateo Joseph could be the next centre-forward in line for this treatment from the 66-year-old. At the age of 17, he has plenty of time left ahead of him to develop while his physical and technical attributes remind us a lot of Bamford. With a bit of help from Bielsa, hopefully he’ll turn into the attacker’s long-term replacement over the course of the next few years.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Phillips: Orta must complete Leeds swoop for “exciting” 6ft4 colossus…

Dominic McKay’s departure from Celtic could be a ‘catalyst’ for ‘significant boardroom change’, Alison McConnell reports. 

The lowdown

McKay had been Chief Executive for less than three months when his exit was announced on Friday.

He officially left his post for ‘personal reasons’, but it’s been suggested that he made an ‘inauspicious impression’ in the early weeks of his role.

Club officials apparently came to view him as an ‘imperfect fit’ and decided that a parting of ways would be ‘best for all parties’.

McKay oversaw the addition of 12 new players during the summer transfer window, with Celtic spending a total of £20.05million.

They still managed to turn a healthy profit, having sold Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer to Premier League sides Crystal Palace and Brentford respectively.

The latest

The expectation is that McKay’s exit will ‘spark [a] boardroom revolution’ at the club, according to a tweet shared by McConnell.

Now that the transfer window is shut, further hierarchical changes are thought to be ‘inevitable’.

The verdict

The worry for Celtic fans will be that all this change off the field will inevitably affect results on it.

Ange Postecoglou has made a promising start at Parkhead, but there are few clubs who thrive without stability – just look at Newcastle’s performances in the Premier League after their takeover fell through.

Clearly, it’s crucial that Celtic recruit a replacement who not only has the aptitude, but also the temperament for the role, working well with Postecoglou while not upsetting the apple cart in the boardroom.

In other news, Celtic have been linked with this Championship ace. 

Sheffield United are interested in a deal to bring Michael Cooper to Bramall Lane this winter.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football League World, who claimed that the Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper is attracting the interest of numerous clubs ahead of the January transfer window, including the likes of the Blades, Aston Villa, Southampton, Brentford and a host of Championship sides.

While there is no mention of whether or not the League One outfit would be willing to sanction the sale of the 21-year-old this winter, it is claimed that a number of the interested parties, including Sheffield United, appear very keen on the shot-stopper and have sent scouts to watch the youngster in action.

Ramsdale 2.0

Considering just how impressive Cooper has been for Plymouth so far this season, in addition to Sheffield United recently selling their first-choice goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to Arsenal, it is not difficult to see why Slavisa Jokanovic is reported to be interested in the 21-year-old.

Indeed, over his eight League One appearances this term, the £900-per-week man has kept four clean sheets, saved one penalty and made an average of 2.6 stops per game.

These returns have seen the goalkeeper earn a remarkable average SofaScore match rating of 7.20, ranking him as Argyle’s fourth-best performer in the third tier of English football and helping them to get their 2021/22 campaign off to a fantastic start, with the Pilgrims currently sitting fourth in League One.

As such, considering his tender age and obvious potential, it would seem advisable for Jokanovic to do all he can to land the man who Argyle boss Ryan Lowe dubbed a “monster” in January. While AS Roma loanee Robin Olsen is a fine short-term option for the Blades this season, the 21-year-old could well prove to be Sheffield United’s next Ramsdale in the long-term.

In other news: Signed for £20m, now worth £9m: Sheffield United had a nightmare on £24k-p/w flop

Former Glasgow Rangers man Matt Crooks has revealed his biggest regret is not being able to take advantage of his time at Ibrox.

The Lowdown: Crooks’ spell at Rangers

Crooks made the move to Rangers from Accrington Stanley on a free transfer (Transfermarkt) during the 2016 summer transfer window.

However, he made just three appearances in all competitions for the club before making the switch to Scunthorpe on loan and then completing a permanent move to Northampton Town.

The Latest: Crooks admits regret

Speaking to Radio Tees (via HITC), Crooks admitted his regret at not taking advantage of his time at Ibrox. He said:

“It’s Middlesbrough. I think you probably have one opportunity to come to a club of this size. In my career, I did have the chance to go to Rangers and I’ve always said that’s probably my biggest regret not taking advantage of that.

“As soon as I heard Middlesbrough coming in for me, I felt like it was a redemption period coming in for me.  

“I want to prove I can do it at a big club like this and perform in front of big crowds and the big fanbase they’ve got so it’s got a massive appeal for me and I’m really looking forward to it.”

The Verdict: Shame

While Crooks failed to make the grade at Ibrox, he has done rather well since leaving Rangers. He netted 21 goals in 97 appearances for Rotherham, and Middlesbrough are a solid Championship club with the chance of playing in the Premier League. In two games for the club, he has already managed one goal, taking his career tally to 43.

Unfortunately, his time at Rangers just didn’t work out – perhaps it came too early on in his career, and it was at a time when the Gers were still recovering from their demotion to League Two. However, at just 27, perhaps the Gers may have a look at him once more if he continues to shine?

In other news, Rangers fans are livid at these club struggles.

The feeling in Greece is that VVV-Venlo striker Georgios Giakoumakis is heading to Celtic, according to journalist Konstantinos Lianos.

The Lowdown: Giakoumakis links

The Hoops were first linked with Giakoumakis last week, with reports suggesting Ange Postecoglou was playing a central role in a possible transfer.

Postecoglou called Giakoumakis over a Parkhead switch, with the Greece international impressed with the approach.

However, Bundesliga side Werder Bremen emerged as rivals to Celtic for the 26-year-old’s services.

Bremen are now looking at alternative targets after struggling to finance a deal, and it seems as if a move to Glasgow could well be on the cards.

The Latest: Lianos post

Freelance journalist Lianos took to Twitter on Monday morning to share what he knows about Giakoumakis’ situation.

He admitted that the striker is keen to depart the Dutch side and despite holding face-to-face talks with Bremen, the ‘feeling in Greece is he’s going to Celtic’ – a huge update in the Hoops’ pursuit of the striker.

“What I know about Giorgos Giakoumakis:

-He is keen to leave Venlo

-He met with Werder Bremen face-to-face

-He spoke to Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou

-Werder struggle to meet his price and hinted they’re looking elsewhere

-Feeling in Greece is he’s going to Celtic”

The Verdict: Edouard to depart?

Should Celtic secure Giakoumakis’ services over the coming days, it could give Dominic McKay the chance to cash in on Odsonne Edouard.

The French forward has been working on a Parkhead exit after his move to Leicester City fell through.

Giakoumakis has just come off the back of his best campaign in front of goal, netting every 99 minutes in the Eredivisie last season.

He appears to be the calibre of forward Celtic would need to replace Edouard, so the Hoops could grant the 23-year-old his Scotland departure if they land Giakoumakis.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano is talking Celtic transfers again, find out what it’s about here.

David Norris believes Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has missed a trick by splashing out on another inexperienced goalkeeper rather than targeting Joe Hart.

Bielsa has added competition for first-choice shot-stopper Illan Meslier by signing Kristoffer Klaesson from Norwegian side Valerenga.

The move came after Kiko Casilla, who was previously 21-year-old Meslier’s understudy, completed a season-long loan switch to Spanish outfit Elche last month.

However, with Klaesson being a year younger than Meslier, former Leeds midfielder Norris feels the Yorkshire side should have plumped for a more experienced goalkeeper who was available.

Hart, who boasts 75 England caps, was deemed surplus to requirements at Tottenham Hotspur after the loan arrival of Atalanta’s Pierluigi Gollini.

While Leeds headed to Norway to secure Klaesson’s services, Scottish Premiership giants Celtic pounced on Hart’s situation and confirmed the ex-Manchester City goalkeeper’s acquisition earlier this week.

Norris thinks Bielsa missed a glorious opportunity to add a Premier League champion to his ranks.

He exclusively told Football FanCast: “I think that he would have been perfect. He’s a good goalkeeper and had a great career.

“He wouldn’t have been desperate to play because he probably knows he’s on the way down but he has so much experience, is in good shape and is a good pro. I think that would have been a great signing.”

Aston Villa have made their move to sign Northampton Town starlet Caleb Chukwuemeka ahead of Premier League rivals Tottenham.

What’s the story?

Having enjoyed an impressive summer transfer window in terms of new signings – Dean Smith’s side have already seen the likes of Emi Buendia, Ashley Young, Leon Bailey, Danny Ings and Axel Tuanzebe arrive through the door – it appears that Villa aren’t done just yet.

According to Football Insider, the Midlands club have made a late attempt to snatch Chukwuemeka from right under the noses of Spurs – the 19-year-old is the older brother of Carney, who has already begun to make an impression at Villa.

Fans will love it

As well as the obvious link and desire to reunite Chukwuemeka with his brother at Villa Park, there’s no doubting the potential he has on the pitch either.

Former Northampton manager Keith Curle was full of praise for the 19-year-old last year, saying: “Caleb has got an unpredictability about him and he can be unorthodox at times. What we’re trying to do is get the fundamentals in place in his play without taking away that excitement and that freedom in his play.”

The sheer fact that Villa have come in at the 11th hour and made an approach to lure a target away from a club competing in European football for the past several years is a real testament to the work and ambition the club have put in under NSWE to establish themselves as a rising force.

If Johan Lange can pull off this heist from under Spurs’ noses, it would be yet another deal to strengthen the sporting director’s superb work in this summer’s transfer window.

Villa fans will be buzzing with the prospect of landing another target supposedly wanted by one of the Premier League’s big boys, having already signed Buendia ahead of Arsenal earlier this summer.

In other news: “Would be a fantastic signing” – Exclusive: Pundit drops AVFC transfer verdict amid £50m claim

Leicester City are set to step up their efforts to tie star midfielder Youri Tielemans down to a new contract over the coming days.

What’s the story?

The 24-year-old is expected to return from his holiday later this month, and convincing him to put pen to paper on fresh terms is a top priority for the Foxes’ hierarchy, according to Daily Mail journalist Tom Collomosse.

Tielemans’ current £33k-per-week contract expires in the summer of 2023, and a new deal would see him join Jamie Vardy and Kasper Schmeichel as the club’s top earners.

Rodgers will be delighted

Since arriving on English shores back in January 2019, Tielemans has established himself as one of Leicester’s key players, bagging 17 goals and providing a further 19 assists in 108 appearances for the Midlands outfit.

His best moment in a Leicester shirt – and arguably his career – came at the end of last season when struck a thunderbolt into the top corner of Kepa Arrizabalaga’s net at Wembley Stadium, securing the club’s maiden FA Cup crown.

After a string of impressive performances in recent years, Tielemans is believed to have caught the eye of some of the continent’s biggest clubs, with Liverpool heavily linked a move for the midfield maestro in recent weeks.

Several reports suggested he was set to seek pastures new this summer in order to play Champions League football, but Leicester are under no pressure to sell, and with no club’s making a formal offer, he could commit his future to Brendan Rodgers’ charges.

News that the club’s hierarchy are set to offer Tielemans a new contract imminently will leave Brendan Rodgers feeling delighted.

The Northern Irish tactician has guided the Foxes to consecutive fifth-place finishes in the Premier League standings during his two full seasons in charge, and he’ll be determined to go one better next term.

Securing the services of new signings Patson Daka, Boubakary Soumare and Ryan Bertrand represent some fantastic transfers business by Leicester, but their most important deal could be convincing Tielemans to commit his future to the club.

Breaking into the top four will be Rodgers’ aim for 2020/21, and doing so would be almost impossible if the former Monaco midfielder departs the King Power Stadium this summer.

And, in other news…Journalist delivers exciting transfer update that’ll leave Leicester fans buzzing 

Evening Standard journalist Jack Rosser has revealed West Ham United could be priced out of a move for central defensive targets Clement Lenglet and Nikola Milenkovic.

Hammers boss David Moyes is looking to bolster his squad with new arrivals after a club record Premier League points tally ensured the east Londoners will feature in the Europa League next season.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Barcelona’s Lenglet is being tracked by West Ham and Everton.

While a loan move has been touted, Barcelona would prefer to sell the 26-year-old France international due to exceeding La Liga’s wage limit.

Italian media outlet Calcio Mercato have reported that West Ham have identified Fiorentina’s Milenkovic as a potential signing this summer.

The 23-year-old Serbia international made 37 appearances last season and also showed his attacking threat from set pieces by notching three goals.

However, Rosser believes Moyes may seek cheaper alternatives before the transfer window slams shut next month.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “They would be fairly expensive signings, which isn’t the market that Moyes has been shopping in at West Ham.”

Nuno Espirito Santo could move for Wolves captain Conor Coady if he decides to play a 3-4-3 at Tottenham, says Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield.

Some reports have suggested that Nuno and Tottenham are indeed interested in signing Coady this summer.

The 28-year-old was such an important player for the Portuguese manager during his time at Molineux, playing close to 200 games under him.

Ultimately, for Hatfield, a reunion would make sense, especially if Nuno plans to use a back three at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this upcoming season.

“He’s certainly a player Nuno likes,” Hatfield told FFC. “He was vital for Nuno at Wolves and if he wants to play the 3-4-3 we saw at Wolves so often, particularly in his first couple of years in charge, then there are few better than Conor Coady in that position in that central role.

“I suppose Nuno will maybe look around and look at the players he’s currently got on his hands at Spurs, will anyone fit the mould for him in that respect. And if not, maybe he does look around for players that he’s worked with previously.”

According to The Athletic, Tottenham are looking to strengthen at the back, with two new central defenders possibly coming in.

Given his Premier League experience and knowledge of Nuno’s system, perhaps Coady really could be one option the north London club are considering ahead of the new campaign.

Whatever the case, there does look like there will be changes at the back for Tottenham. The same Athletic report claims that Toby Alderweireld could be on his way out of the Premier League outfit after expressing his desire to leave.