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Sheffield United are facing something of a transfer dilemma in their bid to bring Ronaldo Vieira to Bramall Lane this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Sheffield Star, who claim that Slavisa Jokanovic may not finalise a move for the Sampdoria midfielder until the future of Sander Berge has become apparent.

The report goes on to state that, despite the fact the 23-year-old is incredibly keen to link up with the Blades prior to the closure of the summer transfer window, as well as it being reported that terms have been agreed between the two sides regarding a deal for the former England U21 international, there is a very real chance United will not be able to both keep Berge and afford Vieira.

Fans will be gutted

While the eventuality that Berge remains a Sheffield United player beyond transfer deadline day will undoubtedly be something of a dream for fans of the club, the fact that it also appears as if retaining the Norway international could prevent any further incoming transfer business for the Blades this summer is sure to have left the Bramall Lane faithful gutted.

Indeed, Vieira demonstrated during his time with Leeds United that he would make a fantastic addition to the Sheffield United squad this summer.

The defensive midfielder particularly impressed in the Whites’ 2016/17 campaign, when, over his 34 Championship appearances, the £4.5m-rated man made an average of one interception, 2.1 tackles, 1.2 clearances and won 4.4 duels per game.

These returns saw the man Ian Holloway dubbed a “class” player earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.78, ranking him as the club’s joint 11th-best player in the second tier of English football that season.

As such, while keeping Berge would indeed be fantastic for the club, with Jokanovic being rather short of bodies in the middle of the park, a move for the £22k-per-week Vieira would appear to have brought with it a real boost to United’s promotion hopes this season.

In other news: Jokanovic could be heading for grave Sheff Utd error over “fantastic” £900k-rated gem

Liverpool could still make an attacking signing if certain players leave in the summer transfer window, according to The Athletic’s James Pearce.

The Lowdown: Quiet summer at Liverpool

While the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United have spent big this summer, the Reds have had a low-key window.

Ibrahima Konate remains Liverpool’s only new signing, while Gini Wijnaldum is yet to be replaced after his move to Paris Saint-Germain.

It remains to be seen whether any news faces will be brought in, but Pearce has given an update on the current situation.

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The Latest: Pearce provides key update

Speaking in a Q&A for The Athletic after Liverpool’s 3-0 win away to Norwich on Saturday, the journalist said that Xherdan Shaqiri or Divock Origi leaving could lead to some transfer activity, particularly if the latter moves on. He outlined:

“As I’ve written a few times it all depends what happens with outgoings. If Shaqiri and Origi both leave then I’d expect LFC to bring in an attacker. I asked Klopp about the midfield yesterday and he’s adamant he has enough cover.

“With AFCON on the horizon, I do think the squad needs another Jota type signing. My info is that if as expected Shaqiri goes he’s unlikely to be directly replaced as they see Elliott having his minutes. If Origi left too then I think LFC would be active in the market.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-copy-4/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: One more addition needed

Liverpool’s squad looks strong, as shown by them beating Norwich comfortably without Andy Robertson, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Thiago and Roberto Firmino starting, but a new signing would still be welcome.

Greater attacking depth would help ease the workload of the current players, giving Jurgen Klopp extra options in the final third throughout the season.

It is slightly frustrating that Wijnaldum seemingly won’t be replaced, but if Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain stay fit, that issue will be somewhat alleviated.

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been critical of some recent Jurgen Klopp comments. Read more here.

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has confirmed a major blow ahead of his side’s Premier League clash against Watford on Saturday afternoon.

The Midlands club get their campaign underway when they make the trip to Vicarage Road to take on a newly-promoted Hornets side.

However, speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Villa manager confirmed a significant blow to his squad, revealing that Douglas Luiz will not be available for selection following his involvement in Brazil’s Olympic Games triumph last weekend.

Smith said: “Douglas will be coming back in on Monday, hopefully with his gold medal around his neck and he’ll get a good welcome from everybody. I’ve been really pleased with what he’s done at the Olympics and I’m proud of him.”

The 23-year-old has pretty much been a permanent fixture in Smith’s side since making the switch to Villa Park in 2019, already making 76 appearances for the first-team and playing 33 out of their 38 Premier League games last season.

His form even earned him international honours, picking up his first senior caps for Brazil, so it’s been no surprise then that his market value has sky-rocketed, now standing at £31.5m according to Transfermarkt compared to the £9m upon his arrival at the club two years ago.

Speaking last summer, The Athletic journalist Gregg Evans said of Luiz: “He’s an absolute joy to watch now and I never thought I would be saying that. Villa have got a fantastic player in Douglas Luiz now, he looks like an absolute star, he could have played in that Man United team.

“He was better than (Paul) Pogba, I thought. I thought he was brilliant, hardly did anything wrong, hardly put a foot wrong. He won so many interceptions and made so many important blocks. When he gets the ball, he passes it nicely. He’s the best player in that Villa team at the moment because it’s just not working for John McGinn.”

The fact that Luiz was a virtual ever-present for Smith last season shows the kind of importance he has to this side, and it’s exactly why the Villa boss will be gutted to be without the Brazilian for today’s clash against Watford – especially as Pau Torres, who played for Spain in the Olympic final, was involved for Villarreal in the UEFA Super Cup against Chelsea on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, this Villa star could now leave…

An update has emerged on Everton target Sean Longstaff, regarding how much Newcastle want for the midfielder.

What’s the talk?

According to The Daily Mail, Newcastle are demanding a £10m fee for Everton transfer target Sean Longstaff as they attempt to cash in on the midfielder before he departs on a free transfer next summer.

The report claims that Everton and Southampton are both showing an interest in his services, with Rafa Benitez keen on a reunion with the 23-year-old.

Goodison nightmare

Marcel Brands must avoid a Goodison Park nightmare following this update. The Toffees chief would risk making the Everton faithful red with rage if he decided to splash £10m on Longstaff before the end of the transfer window this month.

For starters, paying £10m to a Premier League rival for a player who is in the final year of his contract does not seem financially prudent. The report states that he is not in talks to sign an extension at St. James’ Park, which means that Everton could wait until next summer and sign him for nothing, saving themselves from having to spend £10m.

However, it may not be a good deal for Everton even if they can land him on a free transfer. The 23-year-old has been abysmal for Newcastle over the past two seasons, averaging WhoScored ratings of 6.37 and 6.36 in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 campaigns respectively. In those two years, he started 29 games combined and scored once from midfield.

This means that he was not a regular starter for the Magpies and struggled on the pitch when given the opportunity to show what he can do. So, why should Everton sign a player who was not a consistent starter for a club they finished 14 points higher than last season? It would leave the Toffees fans red with rage if Brands and Benitez sanctioned a £10m deal for a player who appears to be a poor option at Premier League level on paper.

Tom Davies, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan and Andre Gomes all averaged WhoScored ratings of 6.46 or higher in the Premier League. Given they are all playing in the same competition, this suggests that Longstaff would not be an upgrade on any of Everton’s existing midfield options, which is another reason why the supporters would be absolutely livid with the club if they bring him to Goodison.

AND in other news, Coleman 2.0: Everton must seal dream swoop for 28 y/o beast, Rafa would love him…

Serge Aurier appears set to leave Tottenham Hotspur before next week’s deadline, according to reports…

What’s the word?

Speaking on his YouTube channel earlier this week, football.london’s ever-reliable Alasdair Gold provided an update on the future of the 28-year-old, who is yet to feature under Nuno Santo this season.

“There seems to be a belief from Aurier, and I’m told his agent as well that they have something ready for him,” he claimed. “I just hope it’s not going to be a last minute, here’s my bid for Aurier, you’ve got to take it now otherwise you’ll have nothing.”

Back in May, the Ivory Coast international revealed to French outlet L’Equipe of his intentions to depart the north London outfit, four years after a £23m move from Paris Saint-Germain, who have been one team linked to his signature in recent months.

“Everyone knows that if I wanted to extend my contract at Tottenham, I’d have already done so,” said the Spurs right-back. “I’m not going to do that in six months’ time. I’ve experienced the Premier League and a Champions League final. I’ve reached the end of a cycle and it’s time to look elsewhere.”

He now has less than seven days to seal that move.

Bye-bye liability

This latest update from Gold should have much of the Lilywhites fanbase absolutely buzzing – you’d imagine a fair few supporters will be thinking ‘good riddance’ over this one.

Aurier has always been a polarising figure since his arrival from Ligue 1 several seasons ago and much of his time in north London has been marred by controversy off the pitch and major inconsistencies on it.

For example, the £18m-rated defender was fined three times last year for breaching the country’s lockdown regulations. Meanwhile, the word “liability” is often used to describe his performances.

Over two years ago, former Spurs striker Darren Bent pondered to Sky Sports whether ex-manager Mauricio Pochettino rued the departure of Kieran Trippier due to Aurier’s calamitous ways, whilst after the Carabao Cup final defeat, Jamie Carragher dubbed him “one of the biggest liabilities in Premier League football” and one that would “put you off management with the amount of crazy decision he makes.”

And it’s not just pundits and media that have reacted in this manner, the fans have too, which only further shows why they’d be delighted by the prospect of the right-back leaving this week.

In fact, when Aurier has been linked with an exit in recent weeks, some were claiming that it was ‘music to their ears’, even pleading for him to go, as relayed by This is Futbol.

But unlike what Gold says, Nuno does have options in the role – Japhet Tanganga has been preferred thus far and he also has his former Wolves star Matt Doherty at his disposal.

Whether he actually finds that move in time remains to be seen, though his continued absence since the return of the Premier League speaks volumes.

Evidently, there’s no future for him at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Alli: Spurs must secure £22.5m-rated prodigy who’s “like a young Pogba”…

Former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey doesn’t want Sean Longstaff to leave St James’ Park this summer.

The Mail Online reported that Longstaff has an asking price of £10million and that Everton are interested in his signature.

The 23-year-old has featured under Everton manager Rafa Benitez previously when he was the manager of Newcastle, playing 13 games in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing a further two assists.

His St. James’ Park contract expires next June, but former Newcastle player Steve Howey doesn’t want him to leave, exclusively telling Transfer Tavern: “I wouldn’t want him to go in all fairness, because he’s a young lad that’s come through the ranks, he’s from Newcastle, he’s a local lad.”

Longstaff has featured for Newcastle United at both youth and first-team level. The midfielder made 46 appearances for the U23s, where he scored nine goals and created nine assists.

Since then, Longstaff has featured 71 times for the Newcastle first-team, scoring four goals and adding four assists.

The 23-year-old has managed just 49 minutes of Premier League football so far this season but did complete the full 90 as the Magpies were beaten on penalties by Burnley in the Carabao Cup 2nd round.

Speaking to Football Insider, BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Alan Hutton has been left in awe of West Ham United’s signing of Croatia international Nikola Vlasic.

The Lowdown: West Ham finally land attacker…

From the beginning right through to the very end of the summer transfer window, West Ham were linked with bolstering manager David Moyes’ attacking options ahead of a long season.

The striking position was a hot topic among Irons supporters, as was as the possible signing of an attacking midfield player, with Moyes managing to bag one at the very last gasp.

West Ham allegedly turned their attention away from Jesse Lingard after learning of his £30 million asking price, going on to target former Everton man Vlasic.

As a result, the club secured a £25.7 million deal plus £7.7 million in add-ons for the attacker on deadline day (The Athletic).

The Latest: Hutton in awe of move…

Speaking to FI, the ex-Tottenham Hotspur defender waxed lyrical over this swoop and believes Vlasic could come good in the east end.

Hutton says that the 23-year-old comes as a sound alternative to Lingard.

“When you look at age and stuff comes into it. If you’re paying £30 million for someone that’s touching 30, yes he’s proven in the Premier League and had a great season last year,” the Scotsman explained when asked about Lingard vs Vlasic.

“But Vlasic, anybody that’s in the Croatian national team, you know they’re technically gifted. They prove this all the time.

“He’s got that experience, he’s young, he’s going to get better. Playing at a higher level, as in the Premier League, we’ll hopefully see the best of him.

“If you look at Moyes’ transfers that he’s made over recent seasons, it’s been unbelievable. He’s yet to miss if we’re totally honest.

“This is one I’m looking forward to seeing. The little bits I have seen of him have been very good. I’m looking forward to seeing how he does in a high-flying West Ham team.”

The Verdict: Moyes masterclass?

Going by the numbers, Vlasic certainly looks like a real bargain on paper.

For an initial £25.7m fee, West Ham may have just landed one of the coups of the window given he notched a prolific 11 goals and five assists in 26 Russian Premier League starts (WhoScored).

As well as this, Vlasic sensationally averaged 4 shots on goal per 90 in that time and 2.8 key passes – far eclipsing the numbers of every West Ham player in the Premier League last year (WhoScored).

While you could make the argument that his fine form came in an inferior division, his threat is there for all to see as he did impress at Euro 2020.

In other news: ‘Yayyyy’, ‘Oooooo’, ‘Actually mental’…West Ham fans raving over ‘fantastic news’, find out more here.

The agent of Donny van de Beek has revealed that he was in talks with Everton in regards to a move during the transfer window, but a switch was vetoed by Manchester United.

The Lowdown: Business done on final day

On the final day of the transfer window, the Toffees completed the signing of Salomon Rondon from Dalian Professional.

However, it seems that they also were interested in capturing the services of the £27m-valued Netherlands international (Transfermarkt) from the Red Devils.

The Latest: Van de Beek speaks to Toffees

Speaking to Ziggo Sport (via The Daily Express), Van de Beek’s representative Guido Albers revealed talks with the Merseyside club. He said:

“We took the initiative to find a club and our search ended up at Everton. We opened talks with Marcel Brands and Farhad Moshiri.

“On Monday night [before deadline day] we received a call from Solskjær and the club who told us that a transfer was out of the question and that he had to report himself to training the next morning.

“The perspective now is that we stated that Donny is not a Carabao Cup player, or FA Cup player, or to play only in European games.”

The Verdict: Crying shame

Although he made the move to Old Trafford from Ajax in September 2020 for a fee of £35m (BBC), Van de Beek has had to make do with a bit-part role at the club. He managed just 36 appearances in all competitions last season, the majority of which came from the bench, and he has yet to feature for a single minute in the current campaign (Transfermarkt).

He has often impressed whenever he has featured, though, with Owen Hargreaves calling him “close to perfect” after a match in the Champions League against Istanbul Basaksehir last autumn.

At Everton, you would have thought he would be close to a guaranteed starter under Rafael Benitez. While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may eventually be ready to incorporate the midfielder into his plans, it feels like a transfer would have been the 24-year-old’s best chances of playing regularly, and he would have brought plenty of quality to Goodison Park judging by Hargreaves’ glowing praise.

In other news, Everton also wanted to sign this England international during the transfer window.

Flocking to Twitter, many Liverpool fans have erupted over news involving Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio, with FSG already preparing a January bid.

By way of transfers, incomings were among the quietest in the Premier League at Anfield this summer, with only Ibrahima Konate arriving on a permanent deal from RB Leipzig.

Aside from that addition along with some exits, Jurgen Klopp’s side are unchanged from last season, with most of the focus having been on tying down their first team. Indeed, Liverpool wrapped up new deals for Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson, Nat Phillips, Adrian and Jordan Henderson in recent months.

Now that many players’ futures are secure, perhaps the Reds can turn more of their attention to potential new signings in the winter transfer window, with Spanish outlet Fichajes sharing news.

They claimed that FSG and Liverpool are already preparing a €35m (£30m) bid to sign Asensio in January, and it’s safe to say there has been no shortage of Reds fans with opinions on the link with a forward who has scored 37 goals for Real Madrid and won two Champions League crowns.

Check out some of the best replies in response to Anfield Edition below, with one fan believing that the fee quoted would be a “steal” for the 25-year-old.

Liverpool fans erupt as FSG prepare bid…

“Ooo”

Credit: @RedArmy42904059

“steal at 30 million”

Credit: @Maltby77

“please”

Credit: @lfcdanny21

“I’d love him ngl”

Credit: @kloppboy23

“No way”

Credit: @___nurzhan

“What”

Credit: @LiverpoolDan654

“Quality player if possible would be a fantastic addition”

Credit: @ian76274972

In other news: ‘Praying’, ‘We are serious?’…Liverpool fans flock to £85.9m claim, find out more here.

Manchester City will be hoping to kick off their Champions League campaign with a win as they face off against RB Leipzig on Wednesday night.

Pep Guardiola’s side failed at the final hurdle against Chelsea in May and their ambition will be to go one better this time around. To do that they will need to, first, progress out of the group and Leipzig represent their first challenge.

City come into the game off the back of a 1-0 win over Leicester away from home in the Premier League. Bernardo Silva scored the only goal of the match in the second half, taking them to three wins out of four domestically.

Will Pep make any changes to the team? Here is our predicted XI for the match…

We are predicting that Manchester City will make four changes to the team that beat Leicester, with Kevin de Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and John Stones coming in.

Starting in the defence, we believe that Guardiola will rotate his centre-back options by bringing Stones into the mix for Aymeric Laporte. The England international is yet to start a competitive game for City this season after playing a starring role for his country at the European Championships, whilst Laporte has started the last three league matches.

Therefore, it could be Stones’ chance to come in and show what he is capable of doing. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year last season and he will be hoping to prove that he can produce a similar level of performance again, starting against Leipzig in the Champions League.

We have published an article detailing why de Bruyne could be named in the starting XI, due to his quality and lack of minutes thus far in the campaign. However, we also think that Guardiola will change out his two wide players on either side of Ferran Torres.

Gabriel Jesus and Jack Grealish both started against Leicester and we are predicting that Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling will be handed a chance to impress the head coach ahead of a return to Premier League action at the weekend.

Mahrez, the £120k-per-week gem, managed four goals and two assists in 12 Champions League appearances last season and has one goal and one assist from only one Premier League start this campaign. His lack of starts this term suggest that he is in need of minutes and Guardiola could give Jesus, who played at Leicester after featuring for Brazil, a rest to give the Algerian an opportunity.

The same goes for Sterling, who has also only started once in the league. Grealish has started all four of Man City’s Premier League games, scoring one and assisting one, and it could be time for him to drop out of the XI for a match to give Sterling the chance to fight for his spot in the team.

We are predicting the rest of the team to stay the same, with Ederson, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Ilkay Gundogan, Rodri and Torres filling out the side.

AND in other news, Pep must unleash Man City’s “complete footballer” against Leipzig, he’s a match-winner…