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In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Howey, who made 193 Premier League appearances during his career, believes it may be the right time for Crystal Palace to sell Wilfried Zaha.

The 28-year old only has one Community Shield in his trophy cabinet and after numerous transfer windows of being linked with a move away from Selhurst Park it may be the time has come for Zaha to try himself at a bigger club again.

He’s made 383 appearances in all competitions for Crystal Palace and except for a miserable season at Manchester United which included a loan spell at Cardiff City, Zaha has been a mainstay at Palace after coming through their academy.

Zaha is the catalyst at Selhurst Park and without the Ivory Coast international, Palace have lost 18 out of 23 games. What is more worrying though, is when Zaha has been absent Palace have failed to score in 16 of those 18 defeats.

His contract isn’t set to expire until 2023 so, the Eagles hold all the cards but this summer could be the window they maximise Zaha’s market value which currently stands at £45 million.

Speaking on Zaha’s apparent desire to leave Crystal Palace most transfer windows and his attitude which can go either way, Howey spoke exclusively to FFC:

“It’s like every other week, he seems to put in a transfer request or wanting to be away.

“He’s got that attitude about him, sometimes it’s a good attitude and other times I think it’s not.

“Would he suit Arsenal? Yes. We’ll have to see what happens in the summer. You’d have thought that Palace might want to cash in on him so they can get a couple of players in and don’t miss him as much.”

This is currently Zaha’s second-best season in-front of goal with nine goals, just one short of his best total during the 2018/19 season. He’s adding goals to his games alongside his pace, strength and skills which could make him a perfect player for a top-six club.

To be considered a great player, Zaha may have to prove himself at a bigger club than Crystal Palace and win some silverware.

Carlo Ancelotti reportedly wants Everton to sign both Isco and Lucas Vazquez when the summer transfer window comes along, according to Defensa Central.

As per the outlet, both players are wanted by the Italian boss in order to try and convince James Rodriguez to stay with the Goodison Park faithful beyond the 2020/21 term.

The Colombia international has apparently not quite fully adapted to life in England yet and is having doubts about staying at the Merseyside club.

He allegedly wants to return to Spain and has not ruled out that possibility, as the Toffees are working to try and keep hold of the 29-year-old.

Both Isco and Vazquez are thought to be players that Ancelotti would like to sign in order to try and convince Rodriguez to stay, given that they all used to be teammates at Real Madrid.

Signing Isco and Vazquez could be smart business by Everton

Signing both Isco and Vazquez could turn out to be smart business by the Blues, especially if it means that Rodriguez is more likely to stay.

Isco was dubbed as an ‘outstanding talent’ by pundit Danny Mills back in November when EFC were linked with a January move for him, and has vast amounts of experience playing at the highest level, including in the UEFA Champions League, where Everton will surely be setting their sights in the longer term given their strong position in the Premier League at the moment.

Vazquez could also be another handy option to have and can fill in at right-back as well as playing on the wing if needed.

Isco is currently valued at £18m by Transfermarkt, and Vazquez at £13.5m, totalling £31.5m for the duo, which may be a decent price in today’s market.

In other news, find out what recent Ancelotti comments have been lauded here!

Whilst Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City was a blow to Leicester City, they were also dealt gutting news on the fitness of Caglar Soyuncu following the game.

Having seen his defender leave for international duty with Turkey during the break, Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers revealed that the 24-year-old had tested positive for coronavirus.

The news will of course be concerning in regard to his health but will also be bad news for Rodgers’ squad as they aim to navigate a few key fixtures on two fronts.

With those testing positive instructed to self-isolate for a minimum of ten days, this would keep Soyuncu out of next weekend’s vital meeting with West Ham United – a game that could see Leicester strengthen their hold on a top-four position.

Meanwhile, the Foxes then have an FA Cup semi-final meeting with Southampton to consider and depending on how Soyuncu recovers, should he be showing symptoms, he may also miss that game too.

Whilst Leicester have a solid defensive partnership in Wesley Fofana and Jonny Evans to call upon, with Daniel Amartey being a reserve, Soyuncu’s influence on Leicester cannot be understated.

It comes as another devastating blow as the central defensive colossus missed nearly two months of the campaign with an abductor problem back in October.

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With the Turk in the side, Leicester have managed to accumulate an impressive 62% win percentage this season. However, in matches where he has been unavailable throughout what has been a frustrating personal campaign on the injury front, that drops to just 50%.

He had played every minute in each of the Foxes’ last eight league games, sustaining just one defeat in that time – a 3-1 reverse at the hands of Arsenal.

This impact alone then could potentially see Leicester’s claim for a top-four position come the end of the campaign falter once again.

Hailed as “fantastic” by Rodgers for his performances since he arrived at the club, the Northern Irishman will certainly be feeling the blow of Soyuncu being ruled out for at least the next few weeks.

AND in more news, remind yourself of the sale of Ahmed Musa – a transfer that saw Leicester hit the jackpot…

Mark Clattenburg, the former Premier League referee, has been appointed in a rare 'analyst' role by Nottingham Forest.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Forest want better understanding of officiating
• Clattenburg signed to guide them
• Former official has vast experience

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Clattenburg, who recently featured as the lead referee in the TV show Gladiators, has taken up this pivotal role at Forest, aiming to enhance the club's understanding of officiating and relationships with match officials, according to a report in . The 48-year-old was seen at the City Ground during Forest's home game against West Ham, accompanied by the club's owner, Evangelos Marinakis, and Tony Scholes, the Premier League's chief football officer.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Clattenburg had officiated for around 13 years in the Premier League before leaving his role in 2017. Subsequently, he had been Saudi Arabia’s head of refereeing and was appointed president of the Egyptian Referees Committee in August 2022.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Forest's decision to appoint Clattenburg comes amid frustrations over officiating decisions and VAR interventions this season. The club has lodged multiple complaints to the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited), highlighting instances of perceived errors and inconsistencies in refereeing.

  These complaints include incidents involving Stuart Attwell and other officials in matches against Manchester United and Bournemouth. Wily Boly was given the marching orders in their 3-2 defeat against the Cherries and after a thorough review referees’ chief Howard Webb issued an apology. They also filed a complaint against Brentford forward Ivan Toney after the player was accused of allegedly moving the foam before taking a free-kick.

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• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Clattenburg's arrival is expected to bring valuable insights and expertise to Forest, as they seek to address officiating issues and foster better relationships with match officials. They will next be in action against Aston Villa on February 24 in the Premier League.

Leeds United will be looking to sign around five players during the summer transfer window, according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay.

The Whites have enjoyed an impressive first season back in the Premier League, rarely looking relegation-threatened at any point.

While some from outside the club may have tipped Marcelo Bielsa’s side to return to the Championship, they now sit 11th in the table and are fresh off the back of a 2-1 win away to Fulham.

Despite this, Leeds will know they have to keep strengthening in order to maintain their momentum with Bielsa at the helm.

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Hay tips Leeds to make numerous additions

Speaking in a Q&A for The Athletic after Friday’s victory at Fulham [via Leeds Live], the reliable Hay gave his verdict on the Whites’ transfer business, responding to a question from a fan:

“I’m told they’ll look at signing around five players in the summer.

“The numbers can’t be wild because a) good players at this level are expensive and b) if Bielsa stays on, he doesn’t like massive overhauls. But I think we can all see what needs to be done.”

Transfer Tavern take

As mentioned, it is vital that Leeds don’t rest on their laurels, continuing to make key signings and ensuring competition for places is greater than ever.

The worst thing they could do is sit still and not build on their current success, suddenly finding themselves in a relegation battle next season. They only need to look at the decline of fellow Yorkshire side Sheffield United as an example of ‘second season syndrome’ back at Premier League level.

In other news, Leeds have allegedly confirmed their interest in one player this summer – read about who it is here.

Celtic may have only played two games throughout the month of March but it gave us a fantastic glimpse of what life could be like under John Kennedy at Parkhead.

Unfortunately for the Hoops, it was very Neil Lennon-like. His substitutions have been questionable while his tactics and team selection in Glasgow have left plenty to be desired.

On a day where the Bhoys needed to beat Dundee United in order to stop Rangers from winning the SPFL crown a week early, they drew 0-0, lacking conviction in front of goal.

A 1-1 draw with the Gers in their next game certainly wasn’t disastrous but it was their chance to stop Steven Gerrard’s men from going unbeaten.

Moi Elyounoussi scored the all-important opener last Sunday after tremendous work from Odsonne Edouard down the left. The latter showed quick feet and then provided a tantalising ball into the box but neither of them deserves Celtic’s Player of the Month.

Instead, that honour should go to someone who was rather bizarrely lumped off after 62 minutes against Dundee United; David Turnbull.

The attacking midfielder took a while to really make an impression at Parkhead but he will come out of this season as one of a few players in green and white to shine.

This has been a torrid campaign for Celtic but Turnbull deserves enormous credit. He didn’t score or assist during the month of March but he was at his effervescent best in the final third.

During just over an hour on the field at Tannadice, the Scotsman managed two shots, five key passes and three dribbles. The fact he was taken off with the score level, therefore, was baffling.

He was again a ray of confidence in the Old Firm derby last weekend. Turnbull completed 90% of his passes which was made all the more impressive but how often he was trying to force the issue.

The 21-year-old played five key passes again but unfortunately, those opportunities to score from were squandered.

Turnbull has very quickly become the shining light of this Celtic side, something Owen Coyle agrees with.

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Speaking to The Scottish Mail on Sunday (14/03), he commented: “His physical attributes are there. He’s got an unbelievable engine, he goes box-to-box, covers the ground. He’s a team player who works his socks off. I think he’s a manager’s dream.”

The youngster has managed eight goals and six assists this season, an eye-catching tally for someone who remarkably can’t get in the Scotland side.

He has been ignored by Steve Clarke for the latest round of internationals, putting his place in the Euro 2020 squad at risk.

As his form in March dictated, he should be one of the first names in the squad. All Turnbull can do is continue to improve, something he’s been doing throughout the campaign.

AND in other news, Major “investment” claim emerges at Celtic, supporters should be buzzing…

Aston Villa don’t rate West Brom star Matheus Pereira as highly as other targets, according to The Athletic’s Villa correspondent Gregg Evans.

And, as to be expected, the latest update has had plenty of Villa fans talking on social media.

Villa have been linked with a move for Pereira recently, however, it seems as if sporting director Johan Lange has two other players higher up on his summer wishlist.

According to Evans, Villa have already laid extensive groundwork over deals for Burnley’s Dwight McNeil and Norwich City’s Emiliano Buendia.

Evans adds that Pereira could still come into the reckoning regarding a Midlands switch, however, at this moment in time, the Brazilian isn’t rated as highly as McNeil or Buendia.

Villa reportedly want two or three signings ahead of the 2021/22 season, but it seems as if Pereira may not be one of those going off the latest update.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared Evans’ claims on Pereira on social media on Friday morning. This is what these fans had to say in reply, with many not exactly thrilled and one describing the call as ‘stupid’.

“Can you imagine what Jack Grealish must think of this? Dwight McNeil ahead of Matheus Pereira? It’s an absolute joke. And with our business supposedly limited to 2/3 ‘smart’ signings it’s hardly surprising he’s linked to a City move this morning. No ambition whatsoever.”

Credit: @_porsalin

“Madness. Absolute madness. Seriously Smith doesn’t know a good winger”

Credit: @Harry34740948

“We are so stupid if that’s true”

Credit: @jackavfc1

“McNeil over Pereira??? Really???”

Credit: @willjonesavfc1

“Pereira should be our main priority after Buendia”

Credit: @OllyAVFC_

“I really don’t understand this but I’ve got faith in Lange”

Credit: @compsavfc_

In other news: Many AVFC fans react to Tom Heaton update, find out more here. 

Daniel Farke’s Norwich City right-back Max Aarons is attracting an increasing amount of interest ahead of the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, who, speaking on a recent episode of his Here We Go podcast (via Football League World), claimed that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have now joined the race for the 21-year-old.

The City star is also reported to be attracting interest from Manchester United, Bayern Munich, West Ham United and Everton this summer – with Norwich believed to be demanding a fee of around £30m to part with the England U21 international.

Fans will be gutted

While the sheer amount of interest in Aarons would appear to indicate that the right-back looks set to depart Carrow Road in the upcoming transfer window, the report of yet another side who intend to pinch the youngster away from the Canaries is nonetheless likely to come as gutting news for fans of the club.

Indeed, the £18m-rated defender has been influential to Norwich gaining promotion back to the Premier League in the season just past, with the 21-year-old scoring two goals, providing two assists and creating five big chances over his 45 Championship appearances, as well helping his side keep a whopping 17 clean sheets.

In addition, the right-back also made an average of 0.9 interceptions, 0.7 tackles and 1.4 key passes per game last term, culminating in an average SofaScore match rating of 6.97 – ranking him as Farke’s 12th-best performer in the second tier.

As such, if Aarons – who has been dubbed by Aidy Boothroyd as an “outstanding” player – is to move on to pastures new this summer, it would not appear to bode well for Norwich’s chances of retaining their status as a top-flight team come the end of next season, unless Stuart Webber can somehow find an apt replacement for the extremely talented 21-year-old.

In other news: Webber must seal NCFC deal for “unbelievable” £4.3k-p/w gem after major update emerges – opinion

Rangers looked to have missed out on a gem when Bright Osayi-Samuel joined Fenerbahce in January but his performances since suggest that Steven Gerrard’s side dodged a bullet in failing to bring him to Ibrox.

Rangers were heavily linked with the winger in January, due to his contract with QPR being set to expire at the end of the season, but he would instead join Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahce.

The 23-year-old has caught the eye with a series of fine performances with QPR, contributing 13 goals and 13 assists in 115 appearances for the Loftus Road outfit, with his electric displays leading manager Mark Warburton to suggest that he was destined to play in the Premier League but should stay with QPR.

His performance in a 2-1 defeat against Bristol City led opposition manager Dean Holden to sing his praises, saying:

“Bright was outstanding.

“I’ve watched him for a number of years now and he is a top player in this division.

“Bright was getting the ball a bit easily and he’s a very good player when he gets the ball to his feet, it was about stopping the supply to him and we did that more in the second half.”

After it was made clear that he wouldn’t sign a new deal with the London club, he made the somewhat surprising decisoin to move to Turkey, which looked to be a big blow to Gerrard’s side at the time.

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However, his performances since then have suggested that Rangers may have actually dodged a bullet in failing to sign him, as he has managed just one goal and one assist in his first 19 appearances for Fenerbahce.

After losing out on the title on the final day by just one goal, Fenerbahce manager Emre Belözoğlu will perhaps rue Osayi-Samuel’s disappointing contribution in his time at the club thus far.

The Nigerian, who is currently valued at £3.15m by Transfermarkt, is contracted with Fenerbahce until 2025, so will need to improve his performances in upcoming seasons if he wants to see out his contract in Turkey.

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For now, though, Rangers fans should perhaps be relieved that Osayi-Samuel didn’t make the move to Ibrox, as on current form, both Ianis Hagi and Scott Wright would get in ahead of him on the right-hand side.

And, in other news… Gerrard could be set for significant Rangers boost after pundit’s huge claim on “fantastic” goal machine

Leeds are eyeing a move for Ajax starlet Noa Lang, who is currently on loan at Belgian outfit Club Brugge for the season.

What’s the story?

Marcelo Bielsa’s side have enjoyed an impressive first year back in the Premier League and attention will already be turning towards how best to strengthen the squad ahead of the new campaign.

According to The Telegraph, the Whites have been been watching the 21-year-old, although they are set to face intense competition to try and land him in the summer transfer window.

The report added that Lang is being viewed as someone who can provide competition for the likes of Jack Harrison and Raphinha out wide.

Shades of Raphinha

Dubbed a “phenomenon” by Belgian sports journalist Peter Vandenbempt, Lang made history when he became the first player in 60 years to mark his debut with a hat-trick for Ajax, prompting Erik ten Hag to wax lyrical about him.

The Amsterdam club’s manager said: “He showed (his talent) today and I am very happy with that. Noa shows (his ability) it during training and during the reserve matches. And today he has also clearly shown it at the highest level too.”

Able to play anywhere across the frontline, Lang has shown he has a real eye for goal in his loan spell at Brugge this season, scoring 16 goals and providing a further ten assists in just 34 games, including netting in the Champions League.

Just like Raphinha, the £18m-rated Lang is a prolific dribbler, averaging 1.5 dribbles per game in the Belgian top flight, a figure which just ranks him outside the top ten in the entire division.

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With his end product too, the young Dutchman has all the tools in his locker to become even more of a star if he pitches up at Elland Road, and it’s no surprise that Bielsa is eyeing a move for him this summer.

Meanwhile, Bielsa is playing a masterclass over this ace…