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A major update has emerged on £65k-p/w Southampton transfer target Brandon Williams, it could lead to Martin Semmens needing to act swiftly.

What’s the talk?

According to The Athletic, Norwich are pursuing a deal for Manchester United fullback Williams ahead of next season. The report claims that there have been encouraging signs that Norwich can conclude a loan swoop for the English defender.

Last month, MEN reported that Williams would like to leave Old Trafford on loan next season to gain regular first-team minutes and they named Southampton as one of the teams who are interested in signing him. Ralph Hasenhuttl is said to want competition in the fullback areas and has identified Williams as a potential signing to bolster his first-team squad.

Back in 2020, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised the “outstanding” defender for his performance against Chelsea in an FA Cup semi-final clash. He told United’s official website:

“You saw Brandon and the character he showed. He played a square pass into Mount [which led to their second goal] and he probably felt a bit responsible, but for the rest of the half he was absolutely outstanding.

“The kid has been out for a while and not played, and had the eye injury, but his character and personality out there was great, he kept going and kept going.”

Semmens must act now

Southampton CEO Martin Semmens must act now to secure a deal for Williams. If Semmens does not react quickly to this update then it could lead to the Saints missing out on his signature. Norwich are seemingly edging ahead of the Saints in the race to sign the fullback and it could be a big blow to Hasenhuttl’s plans if they watch Williams put pen to paper on a deal at Carrow Road.

The Saints are desperately lacking options in the fullback positions as it stands. Kyle Walker-Peters is currently the only senior, natural fullback who is set to be at the club beyond the end of the month, with Ryan Bertrand expected to leave upon the expiry of his contract. Le10 Sport has reported that Southampton are close to a deal to sign Brest left-back Romain Perraud, but that would still leave Hasenhuttl threadbare in the fullback positions and that is why a deal for Williams could be key.

Not only is Williams a natural full-back but he can also play on either side of the pitch. The £65k-per-week beast can play at right-back and left-back, having played both roles for Manchester United in the Premier League since the start of the 2019/20 campaign. Williams has started 13 Premier League games since 2019 for United, which shows that Solskjaer trusted him to perform when needed.

Therefore, fans would love it if the club could secure a deal for Williams. He has proven that he can play at Premier League level with Manchester United, as shown by Solskjaer’s faith in him, and has the versatility to cover two important positions for the Saints. This is why Semmens must act swiftly to avoid missing out on him to Norwich in the coming weeks.

And in other news, Semmens masterstroke: Southampton could land bargain with “matured” £25k-p/w dynamo – opinion

Former Scotland and Premier League manager Alex McLeish has talked up the idea of Jack Harrison joining Leeds United on a permanent deal this summer, claiming a deal may even be done already behind the scenes.

The Lowdown: Key figure for Leeds

The 24-year-old is coming to the end of a three-year loan spell at Elland Road, with newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester City still his official employers.

Harrison has shone at times for Leeds, scoring 18 goals in 127 appearances and playing his part in a glorious period under Marcelo Bielsa.

With the forward’s loan spell coming to an end, the Whites now need to make a decision over his future, with an option to sign him for £10million this summer expected to be taken, via Phil Hay.

The Latest: Harrison tipped to sign permanently

Speaking to Football Insider, McLeish believes it makes complete sense to do just that, with Harrison worth double that amount now:

“There’ll probably be a deadline on that clause.

“With the season that he’s had, Man City will be possibly thinking when does it expire? Because he’s now looking like a £20million player. In the current climate, £10million is something Leeds could easily do business-wise.

“Therefore, they’ll probably just be waiting for some kind of deadline and then doing it immediately before that. For all we know, talks are really amicable and it’s kind of almost a done deal.

“Three loan years and he’s grown every step of the way with Leeds’ progress. He’s like an integral part of the family now.”

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The Verdict: No-brainer for Leeds

Harrison has become such a key player that it is surely a no-brainer to retain his services, in a decision that would suit Leeds, City and the player himself.

He is the Whites’ joint-second top scorer in the league this season with eight goals, but he has also chipped in with the same number of assists, highlighting his important to a team who need proven end product to make their rip-roaring attacking style effective.

For Leeds to snap up Harrison for just £10million would be a steal, especially as his prime could still be a few years away.

In other news, a Leeds player has officially started talks over a move away from Elland Road. Find out who it is here.

West Ham United are set to face competition over one of their reported transfer targets…

What’s the word?

According to French outlet Foot Mercato, the Irons will battle Premier League rivals Aston Villa for the signature of West Brom sensation Matheus Pereira this summer.

They aren’t the only two clubs who are keen on him either, with unnamed Ligue 1, Serie A and Bundesliga sides also mentioned.

The 25-year-old playmaker is under contract at The Hawthorns until 2024, having signed to £30,000-per-week terms in the summer, and he is thought to be valued by the Baggies at around €25m (£22.5m).

Best since Payet?

Having been lauded as a “genius” with previously unseen technical ability by his former Nurnberg coach Nate Weiss, the Brazilian attacking midfielder was one of the few shining lights in West Brom’s dismal season.

Indeed, the Baggies relied heavily on his creative exploits, as he provided 48.5% of all their goals scored (11 goals, six assists) in the Premier League this term. Only Spurs were as reliant on Harry Kane, by comparison.

After one particularly encouraging display earlier in the season, Match of the Day pundit Jermaine Jenas waxed lyrical about his qualities, saying: “He’s been a top player for them. He had a slow start in the Premier League – I think that’s been a big part of the reason why West Brom all of a sudden look like they can score goals.

“He’s just silky. When he’s on it, he’s just got that lovely left-foot, [he tucked] his penalty away, the delivery into the box for set-pieces was brilliant, and he wanted to showcase his skills.”

The Hammers have had plenty of fantastic midfielders over the years, their current first-choice duo of Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice featuring among that list, but for a while they have lacked the sort of engima who has fans on the edge of their seats – perhaps since Dimitri Payet left.

The Frenchman could spark something out of nothing and is arguably the most talented player the east London club have had, at least in the modern era. As wonderful as Soucek is, he’s just not that type of sensation.

In just 48 appearances, Payet delivered 11 goals and 18 assists, and it probably could’ve been so much more. Even after his exit, no West Ham player could match his chances created since the 2015 season, which speaks volumes.

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Pereira is cut from the same cloth, having averaged 1.8 key passes per game this season, to build on a return of 2.8 key passes per game in the Championship last term, via WhoScored.

Valued at £18m by CIES Football Observatory, GSB could certainly excite the Irons faithful on their return to the London Stadium next season if they were to land the Baggies maestro this summer.

He could be a fine addition to build on what has been a fantastic season for West Ham.

AND in other news, West Ham insider delivers MAJOR David Moyes update that’ll delight fans…

Paul Robinson has urged Glasgow Rangers to make a move for Middlesbrough’s Djed Spence this summer.

The Lowdown: Gers linked with Spence

The Gers have been linked with a move for Spence, with Boro believed to be looking for a fee of at least £5m for the right back (ESPN).

The Ibrox outfit have already made their first summer signing by bringing in Fashion Sakala on a free transfer from Oostende (rangers.co.uk).

The Latest: Robinson urges move

Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson believes that Spence would be a great signing for Steven Gerrard’s Scottish champions. The former England goalkeeper said:

“Spence has done well this season.

“It’s always great to have versatile players in your squad and Spence is certainly one of those.

“He’s a great age and has a lot of experience already for someone so young. I think he’d be a great signing for Rangers.

“I’m sure he’d be interested if offered the chance to work with Steven Gerrard. They’re building something special up there.”

The Verdict: Not really needed

With 38 appearances in the Championship to his name this season spread across four positions (Transfermarkt), Spence has been a reliable presence for Middlesbrough and, at the age of 20, he still has plenty of years left ahead of him in football. However, right-back is one of the positions where Rangers are strongest.

First-choice James Tavernier is club captain and has provided more goals and assists than any of his team-mates this season. Nathan Patterson, meanwhile, has managed two goals himself and, at just 19 years of age, has a very bright future ahead of him.

Quite frankly, it would be a waste for Rangers to part with more than £5m for a player in Spence who they do not really need, despite Robinson’s endorsement.

In other news, this ex-Rangers man expresses his delighted after leaving Ibrox.

Celtic stalwart Scott Brown has dropped an enticing transfer revelation involving Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Brown a servant to British football

Brown has certainly been a great servant to British football, with well over 600 games played for both the Hoops and Hibernian combined, as well as earning 55 caps for the senior Scotland national team (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, it is interesting to wonder whether his footballing career could have panned out differently as he makes the move to Aberdeen in the summer.

The Latest: Brown could have joined Newcastle

Speaking to Sky Sports (via The Chronicle), Brown revealed that he could have signed for the St James’ Park club back in the 2009/10 season, when he also had interest from Tottenham Hotspur. He explained:

“Then Neil [Lennon] was the manager at the time and I had the opportunity to go to Newcastle.

“I was going to be out of contract but Lenny said: ‘I want to keep you as captain, I want to build the team around you and I feel we can push on’.”

The Verdict: Brown could have been a good signing

Given that Newcastle found themselves relegated from the Premier League in 2008/09, and were also relegated again seven years later (Transfermarkt), Brown could have been a good signing given the know-how and experience he would have possessed at the time, which could have had a big impact at St James’ Park.

The midfielder has gone on to win multiple trophies at Parkhead, and his winning mentality could well have been a valuable asset to have in the dressing room on Tyneside.

It is not just off of the pitch that he could have made a real impact, as he has continued to perform strongly despite being 35 years of age now, as his teammate Callum McGregor highlighted back in October of last year by describing him as an ‘immense’ player.

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Nonetheless, it would have no doubt been interesting to see how Brown would have fared for the Magpies had he made the move back in 2009.

In other news, find out whose display against Manchester City has been criticised by Liam Kennedy.

Steven Gerrard has received a huge boost at Rangers this week after it was revealed that James Tavernier has committed his future to Ibrox by signing a new two-year deal.

It was reported recently by the Daily Record that Rangers were confident that the captain would commit to a new deal at Ibrox, with both Gerrard and Ross Wilson extremely keen to keep the 29-year-old at the club. That has proven true, as it was announced by the club on Tuesday that he had signed the contract, which is due to keep him at the club until 2024.

The former Newcastle United defender, who reportedly earns £13,500 per week at Rangers, has been in phenomenal form so far this season, contributing 11 goals and nine assists in just 29 Premiership appearances, resulting in a superb 7.76 WhoScored average rating – which comfortably ranks him as the best performer in the Scottish top flight so far this season.

The likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Everton were linked with a move for the right-back earlier in the campaign, and with his previous contract set to expire at the end of next season, there were perhaps concerns that the Englishman could have departed for a relatively low fee in the near future.

However, Tavernier was clearly keen to stay at Ibrox after the title success this season, having undoubtedly enjoyed the best spell of his career in Scotland.

Since joining from Wigan in 2015, the defender has made 284 appearances for the Light Blues, contributing an impressive 63 goals and 89 assists, so it is no surprise that he is keen to stay and perhaps finish his career at Ibrox.

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Gerrard has already seen Allan McGregor and Steven Davis sign new deals with the club recently, but ensuring that his captain is here next season is arguably the biggest piece of business Rangers will do this summer, as he is a pivotal part of the Ibrox squad.

Earlier this season, the former Liverpool captain was full of praise for Tavernier, saying: “I think he is really close to being at his best.

“Tav is a huge player. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves I don’t think from our own supporters or the credit he deserves from outside.”

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Therefore, it seems clear that Gerrard loves having Tavernier as the captain of his side, and it is undoubtedly a huge boost for Rangers ahead of next season that the 29-year-old has signed a new deal.

In other news… Forget Assombalonga: Wilson should seal Rangers swoop for “phenomenal” beast this summer

Rangers have been heavily linked with Morecambe star Carlos Mendes Gomes in recent weeks but it appears as if Steven Gerrard’s hopes of bringing him to Ibrox this summer have taken a significant blow.

According to the Scottish Sun, Rangers are very interested in signing the winger this summer and it had appeared as if they would be able to bring him to Ibrox on a free transfer, due to his contract with The Shrimps being set to expire at the end of the season.

However, Morecambe manager Derek Adams has now delivered a crucial update on the 22-year-old, suggesting that he was ‘comfortable’ with Rangers’ interest in him, as the club have an option in his current contract to extend his deal by another year, something which they will be taking up in the coming weeks.

This means that if Rangers want to bring the Spanish forward to Ibrox this summer, they will have to pay a fee, which could prove to be a significant one, given his impressive performances in League Two this season.

In 40 appearances, the former Atletico Madrid youngster has contributed 15 goals and four assists, which has earned him a solid 6.99 average rating.

His goals have helped Morecambe enjoy a superb season in England’s fourth tier, as after their 4-3 win against Oldham Athletic at the weekend, they currently sit in fourth position, just one point outside the automatic promotion spots.

If the Lancashire side were to achieve promotion, then it would likely only increase Mendes Gomes’ asking price further, so it may prove difficult for Ross Wilson to sign him this summer.

After an impressive performance against Scunthorpe recently, Adams was full of praise for his top scorer, saying:

“Carlos is a fantastic boy, you can tell that by his work ethic in training and in games.”

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Therefore, it is disappointing news from Rangers’ perspective that he won’t be available on a free transfer this summer, as he could have been an excellent addition to Gerrard’s side, and this update suggests that the Light Blues may well end up waiting until next summer before making their move for Mendes Gomes.

And, in other news… Gerrard has a huge decision to make over “terrific” Rangers ace after rampant Old Firm display

Fans of West Ham United have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which the Hammers’ relayed footage of Jesse Lingard in action for the club.

Since making his loan move to West Ham from Manchester United back in January, Lingard has proven something of a revelation for David Moyes’ side, with the 28-year-old scoring five goals and providing two assists over his seven Premier League appearances for the Hammers, as well as averaging a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.34 – ranking him as the club’s best performer in the top flight.

In recognition of his fine form for the side, West Ham posted footage of the England international’s highlights for the club thus far on Twitter, accompanied by the attacking midfielder’s impressive statistics.

And, in reaction to the footage, fans of West Ham flocked to have their say on the matter, with many begging the club’s board to make Lingard’s loan deal a permanent move in the upcoming summer transfer window.

So, what exactly did these West Ham United fans have to say in reaction to the footage of Jesse Lingard?

“Been involved in 8 goals in 7 games! Mad!”

@Josephsimon007

“Sign him permanently lads.”

@WestHamViews_

“Class, class and more class as a player and as a man in how he treats others.”

@IronessWest

“Sign him permanently.”

@whulucas_

“Jesse please please please pleeease sign da ting.”

@WHUBanter

“Incredible.”

@_ghzst

In other news: This pundit dropped a claim on GSB’s £82k-p/w West Ham summer target – find out more here!

Charlton Athletic return to League One action this afternoon, looking to build on their quest for promotion with a win over fellow challengers, Doncaster Rovers.

Nigel Adkins’ side make the trip to Yorkshire for the early kickoff and he has plenty to ponder in terms of team selection following a 2-2 draw with AFC Wimbledon last time out.

The Addicks currently sit outside the playoff zone, two points adrift in tenth place, though a victory could rocket them as high as fifth going into the 3pm kickoffs.

So, here is our predicted XI, as well as the latest team and injury news from south-east London.

Adkins could make as many as three changes from the Dons draw, one of which will be enforced.

11-goal striker Conor Washington had to be taken off just five minutes into that match with a hamstring injury, and the recently-appointed Addicks boss revealed in his pre-game press conference that he would not make the trip to the Keepmoat.

“Conor is not going to be available for selection,” Adkins said to LondonNewsOnline. “We’ll miss the Easter programme but he is responding as well as he can. It will be a big miss.”

So, top goalscorer Chuks Aneke is in line for a recall alongside Jayden Stockley in the attack.

Another change could happen in defence, and at left-back, with Ben Purrington getting an opportunity to impress his new boss.

The 24-year-old hasn’t been involved since being withdrawn at half-time against Blackpool six games ago but as he’s under contract next term – unlike Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen – Adkins will surely want to take a look at his credentials before the summer.

Washington’s replacement before the international break, Diallang Jaiyesimi made an almost instant impact – 15 minutes after coming off the bench, he scored, so he may have earned a place over Albie Morgan on the right flank.

The rest of the line-up should remain much the same, meaning it’s Ben Amos between the sticks behind skipper Jason Pearce, Akin Famewo and Chris Gunter, with Jake Forster-Caskey and Andrew Shinnie continuing in the engine room whilst Liam Millar keeps his place on the left.

AND in other news, Adkins could find his next Lambert in £810k-rated CAFC beast who “can hold up a house”…

Steve Madeley has revealed that questions have been raised at West Bromwich Albion over Sam Allardyce’s suitability to lead the team in the Championship.

Allardyce future questioned

As it stands, the Baggies look as though they will playing in the second tier next term. With just 10 games left to play, they are eight points adrift from safety (Sky Sports).

Writing for The Athletic, Madeley has revealed there have been “privately raised questions” at The Hawthorns as some people are not sure whether Allardyce can do the job required in the Championship.

Backwards

Allardyce does have a track record of getting promoted to the top tier – he achieved the feat with both Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United. However, both of those successes came a considerable while ago – they now seem to be nothing but a distant memory.

The Championship has changed in recent times. Leeds United have played fantastic football this term after earning promotion last year, while Scott Parker’s Fulham have given themselves a shot at survival thanks to an attractive style. With all due respect to Allardyce, his pragmatic philosophy is somewhat outdated, and at 66 he is unlikely to change now. There are likely better options for the Baggies to pursue if they want to return to the elite as quickly as possible.

In other news, some West Brom fans slammed this man against Newcastle.