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Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham looks set to return to Parkhead in the summer following his loan spell with Marseille, the Daily Record report.

That’s because the Ligue 1 side, who have the option to make Ntcham’s move permanent for £4.5m at the end of the season, are looking at midfield alternatives.

Reports from Turkey and France, cited by the Daily Record, claim that Marseille are looking at Gedson Fernandes and Angelo Fulgini, with both players possible replacements for the 25-year-old.

Ntcham, on £14,000-a-week in Glasgow, has made just five appearances back in his native country in recent months, failing to score or assist in those matches.

Transfer Tavern take

With Eddie Howe looking likely to become the new Hoops boss, Ntcham could be of interest to the 43-year-old. That’s because Bournemouth wanted to sign the player back in 2016 when he was with Genoa.

However, Ntcham has recently made it clear he wants to seal a permanent summer exit from Glasgow, regardless of what Marseille decide to do.

He’ll have 12 months remaining on his Celtic deal in the summer, so it doesn’t look likely he’ll be turning out in green and white next season, regardless of who is in the Parkhead dugout, so it’ll be interesting to see how much the club recieve for his services in the market, or indeed if Howe really pushes to keep him at the club.

In other news: Celtic source shares twist in Howe deal, find out more here.

Charlton Athletic may have extended their unbeaten run to nine matches over the weekend but the truth is, they never looked like scoring against fellow playoff hopefuls Ipswich Town.

Nigel Adkins also kept his record since arriving last month intact but he’ll need to solve the issue if the Addicks are to bolster their promotion ambitions.

Tonight, they head to Plymouth Argyle knowing a victory could see them rise into sixth place above Oxford United, with one game still in hand on them.

The 56-year-old has been without his two top goalscorers Chuks Aneke (12) and Conor Washington (11) in recent outings, and whilst the pair returned to training this week, it’s unlikely we’ll see them in action – or at least starting from the off at Home Park.

With Jayden Stockley misfiring against the Tractor Boys, it could be time to see forgotten January arrival Ronnie Schwartz given a run-out.

He arrived as the Danish Superliga’s top scorer for 2019/20 and signed a two-and-a-half-year deal but has been restricted to only three starts and 390 minutes, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking after clinching his man, Lee Bowyer waxed lyrical about his goalscoring ability to the club’s official website:

“His finishing is very good, I witnessed it first hand in training today. To see him finishing the way he does and know that he is going to improve is a big plus,” claimed the former Addicks boss. “Strikers tend to win you games, once we create chances he is a fox in the box. His work rate is good, his movement is good and he’s very clever. He’s got all the experience, so it’s a great signing.”

Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard also lauded the 31-year-old talisman, claiming that “Ronnie is a proven goalscorer, with a great goalscoring record.”

On Saturday afternoon, Adkins’ men fired 14 attempts at the visitor’s goal, with 50% of those being on target. Stockley, who played the full 90, accounted for three of these but just could not make a successful impact.

Perhaps it’s time for a change to spark life back into the Addicks’ attack; you could even pair Schwartz with Stockley, as the latter is winning a whopping 9.9 aerials won per game and a natural goalscorer like the Dane could thrive playing off him.

Having played just 11 minutes since Bowyer’s departure, Adkins must give the rarely-seen Schwartz an opportunity tonight.

AND in other news, 19x possession lost: THIS wasteful Addicks star let Adkins down massively at the weekend…

Leeds United could clinch a bargain deal for Liverpool striker Divock Origi amid Noel Whelan’s transfer claim.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days have suggested that the Belgian’s long-term future at Anfield is up in the air following a disappointing campaign, and that with the forward’s valuation plummeting, “a bid of as little as £12m could be enough to persuade Liverpool to sell”.

And now, former Leeds man Whelan has claimed Marcelo Bielsa’s side should be all over a potential deal for the 25-year-old this summer.

Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “I think we’ve got to keep our options open. Divock Origi for £12-15m, would you turn your nose up at that? No, you wouldn’t.

“He can play a number of roles, left side, right side, through the middle. You’ve got to look at these things seriously. It’s not a lot of money. It’s so cheap. You could maybe go out and get two strikers if he’s available at that price. We need options, especially attacking ones. We know Bielsa likes players who can be versatile and we know Origi is that.

“Like a potential Harrison deal, it’s not much of a risk. You’re not breaking the bank and you know what you’re getting. He knows the Premier League. He’s a good age and we play a style of football that will suit him because it’s similar to Liverpool’s.”

Orta’s perfect chance

Dubbed as someone who “always comes up with massive goals”, and who’s “got a taste for the big games”, Origi has built himself into folklore at Anfield with his match-winning moments – you’ve only got to look at his last-minute winner in the Merseyside derby against Everton, or his goal-scoring display in that famous Champions League comeback over Barcelona.

The £75k-a-week ace just needs more of a regular opportunity to shine, rather than knowing he will always play second fiddle to the likes of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

The Belgian probably knows that even a stellar display is unlikely to convince Jurgen Klopp to move out one of his much-vaunted front three to accommodate him, and that surely does nothing for a player’s confidence.

Bielsa will be confident that he could be the man to really kick-start Origi’s career again, and given the price being touted, it’s got all the makings of being a bargain for Leeds.

Meanwhile, Leeds should reignite their interest in this Raphinha-esque star…

Queens Park Rangers will be looking to bounce back from their first defeat in six matches when they welcome Barnsley to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium this evening.

Hoops boss Mark Warburton rung the changes for their trip to Birmingham City and ultimately, it cost them as they were beaten 2-1 on their travels.

Though, the west London side have the chance to make it four straight home wins for the first time since September 2017 with three points tonight.

The Tykes are flying high in eighth place and could do with a result to bolster their surprise playoff chances, so what sort of QPR side could we see?

Here’s our predicted XI…

There could be as many as four changes from the weekend.

After being rested for the trip to the Midlands, West London Sport are expecting Ilias Chair and Lee Wallace to come straight back into the lineup – the former had to settle for a place on the bench, while the latter did not even travel.

It means Chris Willock and 23-year-old Niko Hamalainen are axed.

Aside from the alteration at left wing-back, the rest of the defence remains the same with the trio of Yohann Barbet, Geoff Cameron and Rob Dickie continuing in front of Seny Dieng, with Todd Kane remaining on the other flank.

In midfield, we’re expecting Dom Ball to keep his place, though he could be joined by West Brom loanee Sam Field for what would be his first start since joining in January, this move would see Fulham man Stefan Johansen earn a rest.

The fourth and final change is likely to be upfront with Lyndon Dykes coming back in for Macauley Bonne, both have struggled for goals lately, but it is the Scotsman who has often been given the nod under Warburton.

Dykes has scored five goals in 26 starts, via Transfermarkt, but has not found the net since a defeat to Brentford at the end of November, while the 25-year-old former Charlton talisman has bagged three times, though has only started eight matches.

Charlie Austin should continue his role upfront.

AND in other news, This player badly let QPR down against Preston…

Fabinho returned to Liverpool’s midfield when he came on as a substitute in the loss to Fulham on Sunday.

Even though the Reds could not find an equaliser to stave off a sixth consecutive home defeat, the 27-year-old was able to offer them a glimpse of what they had been missing in the middle of the park.

The Brazilian came up with three ball recoveries in the space of 15 minutes and helped sustain his team’s pressure on the Fulham goal (via WhoScored).

Jurgen Klopp’s Fabinho headache

Jurgen Klopp must now decide whether to keep him there for the Champions League round of 16 second leg against RB Leipzig on Wednesday or move him back into defence.

Using Fabinho as a holding midfielder would mean placing trust in the inexperienced duo of Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak to clean up at centre-back if Leipzig bypass the midfield. It would be Phillips’ European debut after he was left out of the Reds’ initial Champions League squad.

Kabak, incidentally, was missing through injury at the weekend but the expectation is that he will return for the trip to Budapest (via The Athletic).

The hope is that playing central defenders in central defence and defensive midfielders in defensive midfield restores structure and balance to this pale imitation of a Liverpool team.

Here are the verdicts from some Kopites on the dilemma in response to a tweet from news feed LFC Transfer Room, with one wanting the Brazilian back in midfield “ASAP”.

These Reds fans want Fabinho shielding Kabak and Phillips

“This is probably the CB pairing we should try to have fit for the rest of the season. Fabinho in midfield asap.”

Credit: @DHardayal

“Yes please but it won’t happen. If Fab is fit, he’ll be back there. The fact that he dominated playing the 6 when he subbed in on Sunday won’t change the mind of the gaffer.”

Credit: @DaBigDaddyRen

“Watch Klopp play Fab at CB. Time to take some risks now.”

Credit: @SMiTLA

“It’s Phillips +1 now, he’s earned it”

Credit: @martyn1200

“It’s all about extra protections around the centre halves. And no high line plz”

Credit: @GusandSaM

“ABSOLUTELY YES, BRING BACK THAT INTENSITY”

Credit: @Mang_Tebal

“Perfect. Not sure why anyone would want Fabinho in CB”

Credit: @BaileyYNWA

“Fab must be back to mid, if not same result”

Credit: @mav8381

In other news, Kabak is not the only likely returnee for the Leipzig clash.

2021 has so far been a year to forget for everyone associated with Celtic. The Bhoys have relinquished their grasp on the title and as a result, a host of faces are losing their jobs.

Neil Lennon has already stepped down as the team’s manager while Peter Lawwell is going to retire at the end of the campaign to be replaced by Dominic McKay.

With Lennon’s departure, there will be a new manager in the dugout for the 2021/22 season. Their goal will be clear; usurp Rangers and make Celtic great again.

That may sound a little like a mantra right out of the Donald Trump book but hopefully, the Hoops boardroom will avoid controversy, something the former US president never shied away from.

Celtic’s number one target in recent days, however, has been a rather contentious point of debate among supporters. Roy Keane had emerged as the favourite for the job last week with Football Insider revealing an interview had taken place.

Though, fresh reports over the weekend specify that a move is now less likely to occur.

A Celtic source has since helped to clear up the Keane rumours. Speaking on Sunday’s A Celtic State of Mind podcast, co-host Kevin Graham revealed:

“We are getting played, us a fan channel, and other fan outlets with the rumours that are being kicked about and certain leaks to the press. It’s extremely clear to me that there’s a split in the boardroom on who they want as the next Celtic manager.”

Graham added: “There’s a side for Keane and a side for anybody but Keane. For me, looking and knowing where the rumour of where Harkin, Keane and Butt came from, I think it is quite clear that person doesn’t want Roy Keane anywhere near Celtic Football Club, and that’s why it was put out there.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-roy-keane-nicky-butt-jesse-marsch-scott-brown” title=”Latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

Reliable voice Paul John Dykes responded: “I think the important thing is to say that at A Celtic State of Mind, you appreciate that someone is actually giving you information with an ulterior motive. And that’s why it’s sometimes so difficult to manage that.

“So I remember days before I mentioned on the podcast, sending it out (The Roy Keane rumour), and you came back to me and said, ‘Well somebody in our boardroom wants to test the water or wants Roy Keane blown out the water‘, which basically did happen.”

Dykes concluded: “I mean if you were to do it in terms of a popularity vote,  the vast majority of Celtic fans that I seen on the back of the podcast and on the back of the tweet where like ‘No chance I don’t want to go near it.”

If the Celtic boardroom is indeed split on who the next manager should be, it doesn’t particularly bode well.

That being said, the theory that leaks are coming from Celtic in a bid to generate the general feeling among supporters can be seen as a good thing.

Dykes admitted last week that the idea of Keane becoming the new manager had gone down like a led balloon among supporters. It can’t be a coincidence, therefore, that just days later he’s moved down the pecking order and become less likely to join.

Those on the board who did want Keane have evidently been dealt a huge blow. However, for supporters, it’s excellent news that they’re being consulted.

It’s being done in a sly way but if Celtic are to come back from this disastrous season, they will need to avoid yet more toxic energy. Hiring the right manager would put the smiles back on supporter’s faces and avoid a repeat of 2020/21.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Edouard: Celtic must swoop for 28-goal “sensation” who’ll “go to the very top”…

After getting their first win of 2021 at the weekend, Aston Villa slipped to a hugely disappointing 3-2 defeat to Burnley on Wednesday night.

Dean Smith’s side took the lead on two occasions in the Premier League encounter at Turf Moor, but the Clarets produced a stunning comeback in the final 15 minutes to claim all three points.

It was the first time since November that Villa had conceded three or more goals in a top-flight game, and defensively they were all over the place, with right-back Matty Cash the main culprit.

The summer signing from Nottingham Forest endured a nightmare game coming up against skilful Burnley winger Dwight McNeil, with the Clarets ace terrorising him all night and scoring his side’s second equaliser on the night.

Cash lost possession 24 times over the course of the game, which was the most of any player on the pitch, and far above his season average – as per Sofascore, the full-back concedes the ball 14.2 times per match.

The 23-year-old’s wastefulness with the ball was arguably the least shocking thing about his display, with his defending and positioning sense having gone haywire.

He lost six of his nine total duels as he got physically outmuscled by Burnley’s players, whilst he made no tackles, and just one interception and clearance apiece – in terms of defensive contributions, Cash had the lowest amount among all of Villa’s back-line. The full-back just didn’t get out quick enough to stop the Clarets from crossing the ball, and there was an intensity missing in his game in wanting to put his foot in and stay touch tight.

It was a rare howler from the former Forest ace – his average Whoscored match rating in the Premier League is 7.07 and ranks him fifth among all his teammates – but one that let his manager down in a game that Villa really needed to win as they look to claim a surprise European place this season.

Whoscored gave him a match rating of 6.1 for his performance on Wednesday night, and it’s something a couple of Villa fans spotted.

Dropping points to sides like Burnley, even away from home, just won’t cut it in the race for the top six, and Cash’s performance was a let down.

Meanwhile, Villa could land a Barkley upgrade in this Brazilian…

The transfer window is now just weeks away and for Wolves, there is one area they need to strengthen.

That’s in a central striker position where they will be desperate to replace the injured Raul Jimenez.

What’s the word?

Wolves may have signed Fabio Silva for a club-record fee of £35.6m in the summer but they are still in the mood for attacking recruits.

The likes of Hulk and Divock Origi have been linked, but funnily enough, it’s a deal for a defender that could be done first.

Wolves have a long-standing interest in Manchester City full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko and once again, there is another rumour revealing the club’s appeal in the Ukrainian.

This time the report comes courtesy of 90min who suggest that Man City are willing to listen to offers for the 23-year-old. It does state, however, that they won’t look to force Zinchenko out.

It’s thought that Wolves – who had a bid turned down in the summer – are chasing the player alongside other Premier League suitors in Southampton, Leicester and West Ham.

The new Saiss

This would be an eye-catching piece of business, especially because he’s learned his trade under Pep Guardiola – someone who once described him as “incredible.”

The £18m-rated Zinchenko has been capped 35 times by his country and would suit Nuno Santo perfectly – primarily because of his versatility.

We all know Nuno likes players who can operate all over the pitch and in the Ukraine international, they could find their next Romain Saiss.

Saiss has the ability to play as a holding midfield player but so far this season, we’ve seen him operate at centre-back and at left-wing back too.

We didn’t realise the Moroccan had the ability to play out wide but his versatility is exceptional and he has proven us all wrong. Zinchenko has a similar story.

A central midfielder by trade, he has been moved into a left-back role at Man City and has found game time hard to come by further forward in attack.

Zinchenko, however, would fit perfectly into a wing-back role at Wolves, mainly because of how good he is in forward areas.

Unfortunately, though, it would probably be the final nail in the coffin for Ruben Vinagre. Bringing Zinchenko in would mean the club have four left backs on their books including Rayan Ait-Nouri and Marcal.

That being said, he would not be a bad signing. Jeff Shi would do well here.

AND in other news, Wolves can unearth PERFECT Moutinho heir in colossal titan who models himself on Kroos…

Many Manchester United fans have been talking about Donny van de Beek’s situation as a claim about the midfielder has emerged from the Netherlands.

De Telegraaf columnist Valentijn Driessen has recently written about Van de Beek in an article for the newspaper (via Sport Witness). He urged the Man Utd midfielder to ‘pack his bags straightaway’ if the Dutchman doesn’t start for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men in the upcoming League Cup semi-final against Manchester City.

The article also said that if Solskjaer continues to not use Van de Beek, then the midfielder’s spot in the Dutch national team for the rearranged Euro 2020 could become uncertain. It also talked about how other former Ajax stars are struggling in other teams in Europe.

Van de Beek joined United from the Amsterdam-based giants in the summer of 2020 for a fee of £35 million, plus £5m in add-ons. Since arriving, the 23-year-old has made 19 appearances in all competitions for United, scoring once in the Premier League. He also has one assist in the League Cup (as per Transfermarkt).

His last start for United came back in early December in the club’s 3-1 win over David Moyes’ West Ham. He last played the full 90 minutes in the club’s 3-2 comeback win over Southampton in November.

The claim about the midfielder from the Dutch newspaper was tweeted out by Mirror Football and it caught the attention of many Man Utd fans, who began talking about Van de Beek, and they were not too happy with the story.

What did Man Utd fans make of these claims about Van de Beek?

“The way Fred and Mctominay are playing .. can you blame Ole? VDB time’s will come longer term as a replacement for Pogba. He’s a part of the future.”

Credit: @athar0908

“Hope he doesn’t listen to them. Great player needs more game time.”

Credit: @MICHAELondoner

“Classic using Utd for clicks. Don’t fancy talking about the Pool loss then? Dead journalism.”

Credit: @KyleGodfrey1997″Utter nonsense.”Credit: @LawrenceRajesh”Sick of this poor Donny van de Beek carry on. Since joining he’s contributed 1 goal and 1 assist in 19 appearances for the club. Every other midfielder has contributed more than him. He’s been given chances to prove himself and hasn’t delivered so get over it.”Credit: @andrewglennn”Lol. He ain’t going nowhere. Once Pogba leaves, the team is his.”Credit: @Robert4KGeorgeIn other news, some Man Utd fans have been talking about a defender’s move away from the club – read more here.

Liverpool have been amazed by the performances of Leeds United midfielder Raphinha, according to reports.

Raphinha catches Liverpool’s eye

The 24-year-old made the switch to Elland Road from Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais in October for £16.7m and has won the plaudits of many, especially Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson, who believes he possesses “that little fine edge” (cited by LeedsLive).

Raphinha, who is earning a salary of £21k-per-week with the Whites according to Wtfoot, has scored six goals and provided six assists in 24 outings, and is a key part of Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Football Insider revealed that Anfield scouts have been “blown away” by the winger’s development under the Argentinian tactician.

The report added that the Reds are taking a strong interest in the Brazilian and will not be the only Premier League side that will be interested in his services.

Transfer Tavern Verdict

Raphinha has certainly been turning heads this season and has been a brilliant signing for Marcelo Bielsa.

At the age of 24, he could be a player that steps into the shoes of someone like Mohamed Salah when he eventually decides to move on and could be a long-term option for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Valued at £16.2m by TransferMarkt, we expect the North Yorkshire side to demand a lot more than that if Liverpool are to take him off their hands.

In other news, Liverpool loanee given high praise by senior teammate.