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Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Torino midfielder Sasa Lukic as chairman Steve Parish plans a summer overhaul of the first team squad at Selhurst Park.

What’s the story?

According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the Eagles are interested in acquiring the 24-year-old’s signature over the coming months but will have to see off competition from Russian outfit Spartak Moscow if they want to secure his services.

The reporter claims that Lukic is intrigued by the chance to play in the Premier League, which suggests that a move to Selhurst Park could be on the cards.

Parish must avoid

With James McCarthy set to become a free agent at the end of the month, signing a ready-made replacements for the Irish midfielder will be essential. Several names have been linked, such as Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher and Osasuna’s Jon Moncayola, but a new candidate in Lukic has now emerged.

The Serbia international made 34 appearances in all competitions for Torino last season as they finished in a rather disappointing 17th position. Twenty-four of those came from the off in Serie A as the combative midfielder bagged three goals and laid on one assist for his team-mates.

While Lukic’s output in 2020/21 was quite underwhelming, his underlying numbers paint a dismal picture.

The Partizan Belgrade academy graduate received a lowly WhoScored rating of just 6.48 after recording a passing accuracy of just 81%, the 17th lowest average compared to his teammates, and just 0.7 key passes per game, the seventh-lowest in the Torino squad.

Lukic didn’t make an outstanding contribution in a defensive sense either, managing just 0.5 interceptions per game, the joint-15th lowest tally, and one tackle per game, the joint-ninth lowest figure.

Therefore, it seems as though Parish is heading for a huge transfer mistake if he decides to pursue a deal for the £4.5m-rated Serbian.

Palace are entering an era of uncertainty following Hodgson’s departure, and signing players with Premier League experience, or a proven track record abroad, will likely be essential for the south London outfit’s success next season.

Now is not the time to be taking risks in the transfer market, no matter how cheaply they may be available, and Lukic seems like a gamble worth avoiding.

In other news… Major Crystal Palace managerial update emerges, Parish will surely be gutted 

Steven Gerrard has revealed that Borna Barisic is unlikely to be available for Glasgow Rangers’ final game of the season against Aberdeen on Saturday.

The Lowdown: Gers chase history

Although the Premiership title has long been won, Rangers are still chasing a notable piece of history. If they avoid defeat against the Dons, they will have gone the whole league campaign unbeaten (BBC), the first time they will have done so in more than 120 years of existence.

At Ibrox, the Rangers players will also lift the trophy today, with fans expected to gather across Glasgow to celebrate the achievement.

The Latest: Barisic potentially unavailable

Unfortunately, it seems that left-back Barisic will be unable to feature. Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Gerrard said:

“Arfield is training this morning, an outside chance for Saturday. Barisic is unlikely to feature. Other than that the team news is the same as the other day.”

The Verdict: Crying shame

While this match is of little importance in the grand scheme of things, it is a shame that Barisic will be unable to play on a day of joy for the 55-time Scottish champions. During what has been a fantastic campaign, the Croatia international has been a reliable option on the left side of the back four, while he has contributed going forward by scoring five goals and providing 14 assists (Transfermarkt).

With Calvin Bassey unable to play as he continues to serve his ban for breaking lockdown regulations earlier this year, it is unclear who will feature in place of £4.95m-valued Barisic (Transfermarkt). It would have been a far easier decision for Gerrard had the Croatian been available.

In other news, many Rangers fans are livid over this journalist’s comments.

Southampton have been linked with Santiago Moreno recently, and if he were to join Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side this summer, it could spell bad news for Moussa Djenepo.

According to The Telegraph, the Saints, Leeds United and Rangers are all keen on signing the 21-year-old from Deportivo de Cali this summer. The report suggests that his style of play has been compared to former Saints winger Sadio Mane, whilst he is expected to be able to adapt to the demands of Premier League football.

During his time with the Liga Dimayor side, the young winger has contributed 10 goals and seven assists in just 49 appearances, which suggests that he can add a goalscoring threat in Hasenhuttl’s team next season should Martin Semmens bring him to St Mary’s this summer.

This could spell trouble for Djenepo, who has struggled to perform consistently since his move from Standard Liege in the summer of 2019, with just four goals and two assists to his name in 51 appearances for Southampton.

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This season has been particularly disappointing for the Mali international, as he has managed just one goal and no assists in 27 Premier League appearances, earning a less than impressive 6.37 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

This ranks him as the 17th-best performer in Hasenhuttl’s side this season, which suggests that the 22-year-old could soon find himself surplus to requirements should another winger arrive at St Mary’s this summer.

Considering that Nathan Tella has perhaps already moved ahead of Djenepo in the pecking order at Southampton, whilst Theo Walcott’s loan move has been made permanent, it seems likely that the Malian will struggle for game time with the Saints next season unless his performances drastically improve.

Therefore, the addition of a young exciting winger such as Moreno, who seems to have much more of an eye for goal than Djenepo, could spell serious trouble for the latter’s future in Hasenhuttl’s side.

In other news… Semmens can end Hasenhuttl headache with Saints swoop for “explosive” beast

Daniel Pinder, the editor-in-chief of Get German Football News, has exclusively told Football FanCast that Lucien Favre would be a better fit for Celtic than Jesse Marsch, who will replace Julian Nagelsmann at Leipzig following his move to Bayern Munich.

The Hoops are approaching the three-month mark since they sacked Neil Lennon, although they don’t appear any closer to naming a replacement.

Eddie Howe remains Celtic’s number one target, but ex-Borussia Dortmund manager Favre and Salzburg boss Marsch were both in the running, before the latter’s latest move was confirmed.

The former has been out of management since his departure in December, with Dortmund sitting fifth in the Bundesliga, whilst Marsch is on the verge of leading Salzburg to their second consecutive Austrian league title.

Despite the sorry end to his spell at the Westfalenstadion, Pinder believes that Favre is going to be a man in demand this summer, and would fit the bill at Parkhead.

He told Football FanCast:

“I actually think he’d be more suited to Celtic than Marsch would. But I do think there will be a lot of teams after him in the summer despite his performances for Borussia Dortmund towards the end of his sacking.

“He started his tenure at Dortmund very well but towards the end he was criticised for not knowing what his best XI was and best formation – whether it was 3-5-2 or 4-2-3-1, there wasn’t really any thought behind it.

“Speaking to fans, there wasn’t really any style of play, there wasn’t any plan B.”

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Everton defender Michael Ball believes supporters at his old club would welcome the signing of Gareth Bale.

The Welsh forward is currently on loan at Tottenham from Real Madrid and is set for a return to Spain in the summer. However, with only a year remaining on his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, his future could be away from the Champions League semi-finalists.

If that does turn out to be the case, according to El Chiringuito (via TEAMtalk), Everton could be his new home, with former manager Carlo Ancelotti keen on a reunion.

For Ball, this is a transfer that he cannot see Toffees supporters being against. On the rumours, he told FFC:

“I think the Everton fans would like to see that happening. I think Carlo would like to see that happening. Carlo wants players to make an impact straight away, he wants players to push for Europe, challenge that top four and start making a bit of a noise.

“Carlo wants instant success; Gareth has obviously got that in abundance. If he comes to the football club, he will raise the levels of the players around him.”

Bale has really come to life of late, recently scoring a brilliant hat-trick against Sheffield United. He is also a player Ancelotti obviously knows well from their time at Real Madrid, so a move to Goodison Park does not sound like the craziest idea.

Former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that he doesn’t see ex-Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey would fit at the Hammers.

A report from CalcioMercato this week suggested that West Ham are in pole position to bring the Welsh international back to England following a difficult spell in Serie A with Juventus.

Ramsey left Arsenal in 2019, but has scored just six times in more than 50 appearances for the Old Lady, although he has added both the Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italiana to his medal collection.

But the midfielder has been in and out the team under Andrea Pirlo this campaign, with a number of muscular injuries working against him, although he’s never been first-choice under the former Juventus ace.

And whilst McAvennie recognises Ramsey’s quality, with Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek in the form of their respective careers, he thinks the Welshman would struggle for regular football should he to move to the London Stadium.

Former Hammers striker McAvennie told Football FanCast:

“I think he would be a good signing for them, but I don’t know where they would play him. I think Soucek and Rice have got the midfield tied up.”

But could Ramsey potentially further forward in a more attacking midfield role ahead of Soucek and Rice?

McAvennie added:

“But what would you do with Benrahma? That’s where he plays and he’s been playing really well.

“I know Ramsey is a good player. Would he want to come, because they’re not going to drop Soucek or Rice, so he’s going to be fighting with Benrahma. I don’t know if it’s a good one for West Ham. Talented boy, Arsenal through and through from what I gather, so would he want to come and fight for West Ham? I don’t know.

“Would he leave Juventus to come and leave West Ham, I think other teams will come in for him because I wouldn’t drop Soucek and Rice and Benrahma is starting to become a player that David Moyes can rely on and trust.”

Ramsey is heading to the stage in his career where his next move could be his last, and with West Ham’s midfield looking more complete than ever, the London Stadium wouldn’t appear the right fit for the Welsh international.

Writing for Sky Sports, journalist Kaveh Solhekol has shared that West Ham will still do ‘whatever it takes’ to sign Jesse Lingard this summer on a permanent deal, despite the worrying rumours of a possible price hike.

Lingard, who has been a revelation for the Irons since signing on loan with the club in January, has been at the centre of much speculation linking him with a permanent move to east London.

Sky journalist shares promising Jesse Lingard update

His latest dazzling display came away to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday evening, with Lingard playing a major role as the Hammers cemented another victory in the quest to qualify for European football.

The 28-year-old scored a wonderful solo goal and was central in the build up to West Ham’s next two strikes on the night.

In the latest update on a permanent deal for Lingard, Sky journalist Solhekol has shared a promising update that West Ham United ‘will do whatever it takes’ to sign him this summer.

Transfer Tavern take

News that the Hammers are willing to go above and beyond to make this happen is certainly a promising update for supporters.

Reports have indicated that Man United could hike the price for Lingard due to his sensational run of form, but both Irons fans and GSB will be hoping he is still within their reach.

Pundit Ian Wright, speaking to Premier League productions recently (via C&H and HITC), labelled the attacker ‘devastating’ – leaving little wonder why West Ham are keen to tie him down in east London.

In other news: West Ham want this 6 foot 4 powerhouse, find out more here.

According to a report by Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã, via Sport Witness, Tottenham Hotspur, and by extension chairman Daniel Levy, ‘admit’ they’re signing Carlos Vinicius on a permanent deal at the end of the season – but they are ‘far’ from paying his €45 million (£41 million) loan-to-buy clause.

Tottenham ‘admit’ Vinicius desire

Vinicius, who Spurs reportedly see as the ‘ideal’ partner to Harry Kane going forward according to this report, is now at the centre of a desire from Levy and co to make his move permanent, but only for a cut price.

Backed by manager Jose Mourinho, who reportedly said the club are ‘doing well’ by going for a ‘realistic’ purchase amount, Tottenham wish to sign Vinicius as a permanent Lilywhites player but only if parent club Benfica accept a lower fee – with Levy reportedly eyeing a cut price move.

Despite originally agreeing to a £41m loan-to-buy clause last summer, Tottenham ‘admit’ their desire for Vinicius but a deal will not happen at that valuation.

Transfer Tavern take

Tottenham chiefs ‘responsible’ for this stance apparently now see the 26-year-old as Kane’s ‘ideal partner’ – backing up a recent opinion by pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor who called Vinicius the ‘perfect player that Spurs need’ for that role (Football Insider).

Time will tell whether Benfica are willing to negotiate a much lower asking price for Vinicius, but Spurs reportedly wish for that to happen as this transfer admission emerges.

In other news: Tottenham could lose this ace, find out more here.

Celtic are intent on signing AC Milan’s Diego Laxalt permanently at the end of the season, according to a report from Italian outlet Tutto Mercato.

Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph reported when the loan deal for the £57,000-a-week defender was struck back in October that Milan wanted a fee of around £9m to let him go for good.

Tutto Mercato claim that Celtic have been convinced by the Uruguayan’s performances and may now enter negotiations to drive down that price tag. A £9m deal would almost equal the club’s record outlay – they paid £9.27m to sign Odsonne Edouard from PSG in the summer of 2018 (via Transfermarkt).

How has Laxalt fared at Celtic?

Versatile left-back Laxalt has made 24 appearances this season and started all six of Celtic’s Europa League matches.

He has only scored one goal, but his numbers going forward are still reasonably good. He has averaged 1.1 shots, 0.6 key passes and 1.1 dribbles per game; while going the other way, he boasts 1.7 tackles, 1.1 interceptions and 1.4 clearances per 90 minutes (via WhoScored).

Although ex-Hoops striker Chris Sutton said Laxalt hadn’t done enough over the season as a whole to ‘warrant a big fee’, the Uruguayan’s former manager Neil Lennon raved about his performances at Parkhead.

As per Daily Record, the ex-Celtic boss said of the 28-year-old: “Diego has been an excellent addition, a superb asset to the squad…He’s aggressive in his play and in his passing. I’ve been absolutely delighted with him.”

Transfer Tavern verdict

Laxalt has been decent at Celtic, but unless they can convince Milan to significantly lower their asking price, they shouldn’t pursue this deal.

It would be reckless to nudge transfer records for a 28-year-old left-back in this market, particularly when they’ll have to come through three qualifying rounds just to secure Champions League group stage revenue.

In other news, Frank McAvennie is worried about this planned move.

Steve Bruce must recall Federico Fernandez for the game away to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday after the Newcastle United defender returned to full first-team training.

That’s according to The Shields Gazette, who note that the Argentine took a full part in all sessions carried out on Wednesday as the Magpies prepare to visit their relegation-rivals.

Fernandez has not featured for a single minute since sustaining a calf injury in defeat to Sheffield United on January 12, in what was his sixth Premier League outing since recovering from coronavirus.

Fernandez’s potential return away to West Brom will come as a huge boost for Bruce, who has lost star forwards Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin until April due to injuries sustained in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The pair join top-scorer Callum Wilson in the treatment room, although Elliot Anderson is expected to be fit to travel to the Hawthorns after an ankle injury as one of a handful of potential options to replace Almiron.

Javier Manquillo is also back in light training as he looks to continue his recover from an ankle injury sustained against Southampton, while Emil Krafth is due to return to training and contend for a place against the Baggies after developing a shin issue last Saturday.

Fernandez had returned to training ahead of last month’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester United but was deemed unfit to feature at Old Trafford or against Wolves, to see that the 32-year-old has missed Newcastle’s last 10 games across all competitions.

The £4m-rated titan, who is a free agent in the summer, has been one of Bruce’s more favoured options this season, with Fernandez starting all 16 available Premier League games and captaining the side on four occasions.

Bruce must recall Fernandez to the starting line-up at West Brom should the £47,000-per-week defender go through training unscathed ahead of Sunday’s relegation six-pointer, with the 32-cap international a key presence when on the field.

Fernandez has averaged the highest number of tackles per game by a United player who has been fielded at centre-back more than four times in the Premier League this season, with 1.5 successful challenges from 1.8 attempts, per WhoScored.

Ciaran Clark (1.1/1.4) and Jamaal Lascelles (0.9/1) have been Bruce’s most utilised options in recent weeks after losing Fabian Schar to knee ligament surgery, with both offering fewer average clearances that Fernandez (5.6) with 4.1 and 4.5, respectively.

Only West Brom’s Kyle Bartley (5.9) records a greater number of clearances per game than Fernandez, among all Premier League players who have featured at centre-half five or more times this term.

United will need Fernandez’s leadership and no-nonsense approach at the Hawthorns as they strive to secure a first win in four top-flight games, having conceded six goals in their past three and 10 since last they last kept a clean sheet.

AND in other news, an “absolutely awesome” titan has been tipped to quit Newcastle this summer…