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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.

Aston Villa are interested in a move to bring Sander Berge to Villa Park this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Birmingham Live, who claim that Dean Smith is keen to strengthen in central midfield during the summer transfer window, with the 23-year-old Sheffield United star thought to be a target of the 50-year-old.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for the Norway international, although the Gunners are believed to have been put off by the Blades’ £35m asking price for the midfielder, something that could open the door for the Villains.

Villa are also thought to be keen on Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse, although Hampshire Live report that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have no intention of selling the 26-year-old this summer.

Lange must move

While Berge was sidelined due to injury for a large portion of Sheffield United’s campaign last term, a season in which the Blades suffered relegation back to the Championship, the £16.2m-rated man proved in his debut season at Bramall Lane that he is an exceptionally talented player.

Indeed, over his 14 Premier League appearances back in 2019/20, Berge scored one goal, registered one assist and created one big chance for his teammates, in addition to making an average of 0.7 interceptions, 1.6 tackles and winning 5.5 duels per game.

These returns saw the £38k-per-week midfielder earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.90, ranking him as Chris Wilder’s seventh-best performer in the top flight of English football.

As such, if a move for James Ward-Prowse does not materialise, it would appear highly advisable for Johan Lange to make a move for the Sheffield United man this summer – even if they are a different type of midfielder.

Berge, dubbed a “complete midfielder” by Wilder last season, would be yet another excellent addition to Smith’s side in the current transfer window, as the 50-year-old looks to build a side capable of improving on Villa’s impressive 2020/21 campaign next time around.

In other news: Bye-bye Engels: Aston Villa eyeing 6 ft 3 titan who makes more tackles than Konsa

According to Italian outlet Club Doria 46 (via Sport Witness), West Ham United are eyeing a move for Sampdoria powerhouse Omar Colley – and the fact he signed a new deal in January comes as no ‘guarantee of permanence’. 

As stated by this report, David Moyes is keen on the 6 foot 3 colossus alongside a plethora of Premier League sides – with Leeds United, Newcastle United and Fulham also touted with interest.

West Ham eyeing Colley

Sampdoria, despite tabling a new contract for Olley, are open to selling him this summer if they can ‘make a rich capital gain’ and will tell suitors to pay €10 million-15 million (£8.5m-£12.7m) for his services.

The Gambia defender has been a mainstay under former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri this season and key player, starting 19 Serie A matches and thoroughly impressing since mid-December.

As a result, West Ham have entered the fray and are eyeing a possible summer move for the 28-year-old who ‘could really leave’ according to Club Doria 46.

The Irons were also linked last year (via Sport Witness), with Colley’s past performance against a certain Cristiano Ronaldo attracting media praise.

Transfer Tavern take

Colley’s efforts to thwart Ronaldo and deny him a hat-trick against Sampdoria in a past encounter were well noticed by Massimiliano Allegri, who lavished the defender with praise after he blocked the Portuguese superstar’s goal-bound header (Foroyaa).

Whether or not West Ham end up signing Colley ahead of their numerous competition remains to be seen, but they have now emerged as possible suitors.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano dropped a huge Jesse Lingard update, find out more here.

Football Insider pundit Noel Whelan has been giving his thoughts to Celtic’s reported interest in Hibernian striker Kevin Nisbet.  

The Lowdown: Nisbet presented to Howe

According to The Scottish Sun, the Hoops are considering summer moves for Nisbet and left-back Aaron Hickey. The report claims that both players have been presented to Eddie Howe, who looks set to replace Neil Lennon in the Parkhead dugout.

Nisbet, who is on just £1,000 per week in Edinburgh, is rated at £3m and has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season. He is under contract at Easter Road until 2024.

Should a move go through for the 24-year-old, he could come in for Odsonne Edouard at Parkhead, who appears to be closing in on a move to Leicester City.

The Latest: Whelan reacts

Talking to Football Insider regarding the transfer update, Whelan seemed to back a proposed Parkhead move, labelling Nisbet a ‘proven’ forward. The 46-year-old said:

“At £3million, you’re not really going to be taking too much of a risk.

“He’s proven he can do it at Hibs, they’ve had a good season, in a cup final as well. He’s done it against the Old Firm, so they know that he can work the best backlines in the Scottish Premiership.

“So 24-years-of-age, he’s a good age as well, coming to the best years of his football. If you can do it at Hibs and can score goals in the Scottish Premiership, then you know that he’s going to score goals in the Scottish Premiership when you’re at Celtic.”

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The Verdict: A shrewd move, but the Hoops may need more

Celtic fans should know all about Nisbet. The 24-year-old scored twice and provided an assist against the Hoops this season and was the joint-second highest scorer in the Premiership behind Edouard.

On that basis, providing Howe likes what he sees in him, Nisbet could be a handy signing in Glasgow if Celtic snap him up. He knows what it takes to score at this level, and as Whelan has said, if he can do it for Hibs, you’d expect him to flourish for the Hoops.

However, with Edouard’s expected exit, Mohamed Elyounoussi returning to Southampton and Leigh Griffiths’ future up in the air, it could be a smart move to bring in another attacking talent alongside Nisbet.

It looks set to be a summer of change both on and off the pitch at Celtic, and Nisbet could become one of the club’s first major signings under new management.

In other news: ‘Something happened’ – Frank McAvennie shares inside Celtic claim as news emerges on ace who wants out, find out more here. 

West Ham United are just one point away from sealing a place in the Europa League next season.

It has been one phenomenal turnaround in fortunes for the east Londoners under David Moyes. After steering them clear of relegation with one game to spare last campaign, the Irons have soared into the top half of the table and were largely in the running for a top four berth until recently.

Injuries seriously hampered their chances of beating some big names to fourth place, but the Scotsman still deserves plenty of credit.

The 58-year-old’s shrewd business in the transfer market has played a major role, and there isn’t a better case in point than Tomas Soucek, who has quickly established himself as one of the most commanding box-to-box midfielders in the Premier League.

David Sullivan, David Gold and the rest of the Hammers hierarchy have really struck gold with the 26-year-old sensation.

In January 2020, Moyes made the decision to sign the relatively unknown Czech Republic international on an initial six-month loan deal, which contained a €21m (£18m) option to buy. That was duly triggered and West Ham have never looked back since.

Upon Soucek’s arrival at the London Stadium, Moyes waxed lyrical about his credentials, telling the club’s official website: “I think that he gives us a lot of different qualities, but most importantly he fits the profile of the player we want to bring to the Club. He is young and hungry but with an established pedigree and proven talent.

“He was captain of Slavia Prague, he’s played as a defensive midfielder but he’s scored a lot of goals as an attacking midfielder as well. At the moment he ticks a lot of boxes.”

Indeed, Moyes has not been wrong as Soucek’s transfer value has already soared to £36m, as per Transfermarkt, which is double what West Ham paid for him. This has come down to his impressive and consistent performances on the pitch.

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Speaking about the midfielder’s first full season in the English top flight, former Hammers striker Marlon Harewood handed Soucek a glowing endorsement. During an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, he said: “Yeah, best signing of the season by far and he’s got everything. His stats say everything really when you compare them to anyone else in the league.”

It is hard to disagree with such claims, and that only further reinforces how the Irons have struck a dream deal with the 33-time international.

As per Transfermarkt, Soucek has delivered 13 goals in 53 appearances, despite often playing in a deeper midfield role alongside Declan Rice. His 6 foot 4 frame has seen him top the charts this season for aerial duels won per game (6.1) and he’s not too far behind for tackles (2.1 per game) and interceptions (1.6 per game), via WhoScored.

He is the only Irons player to feature from start to finish in every league game (barring a token minute after he was sent off in stoppage time against Fulham, a red card which was later rescinded), while he ranks first for duels contested and second for blocks by a midfielder in the league.

Soucek’s recent outings have led former Everton winger Yannick Bolasie to question why he isn’t being named in many pundits’ ‘Team of the Season’, as he tweeted: “How I’m not seeing Soucek in any teams of the season is a madness….the guy’s been unplayable.”

Such form has led to inevitable interest from some of the European giants, including current Champions League holders Bayern Munich, according to TEAMtalk.

Either way, the Irons are either going to keep hold of his lucrative talents for the next few seasons, or they will make mega profit on his signature. It’s a win-win, and everyone at the club deserves credit.

What a signing he has been.

AND in other news, Moyes must land 6 ft 4 forward who’s “out of this world”, it won’t cost GSB a penny…

Speaking to AS, Villarreal defender Pau Torres has made a summer transfer admission involving Tottenham Hotspur – revealing why he swiftly rejected a move to N17.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye Torres…

Near the end of the summer window, Tottenham became heavily interested in a move for the Spain international and some sources even suggested a €45 million (£38.5m) offer, plus an extra €5 million (£4.2m) in add-ons, was accepted by his club (Pedro Sepulveda).

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The Lilywhites were in the market for another defender even after putting pen to paper on a deal for Serie A MVP award-winner Cristian Romero, with the likes of Takehiro Tomiyasu also linked at the time. 

Now, Torres has come out with an admission involving Spurs.

The Latest: Torres reveals Spurs rejection…

Speaking candidly to AS, the centre-back has revealed why he swiftly rejected a potential move to north London in the summer window.

The 24-year-old, who was described as ‘one of the stars of Spain’s run to the semi-finals of Euro 2020’, was apparently ‘informed’ of Tottenham’s summer interest but opted to stay at his current club – admitting it was a ‘quick decision’.

“I was informed of Tottenham’s interest, but I have always been clear that I wanted to stay at Villarreal,” he explained to AS, as translated by Sport Witness.

“My idea was to have an exciting season, I was very clear about what I wanted, and that was to stay at home and at Villarreal. That’s why it was a quick decision.

“All decisions are respectable; I wanted to stay. I’m happy with the decision I made, my idea was to stay at home and I’m happy about that.”

The Verdict: Missed out?

Time will tell whether Romero is enough to plug Tottenham’s gaping holes at the back, but the current form of both Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez has certainly helped in that regard.

Torres would have been a brilliant capture for Nuno Espirito Santo going by his age, performances at the Euros and physical presence (6 foot 3).

Called ‘sensational’ by Levante head coach Paco Lopez (The Athletic), we believe Spurs certainly missed out on a transformative defensive signing.

In other news: ‘Finished article’…Sky pundit in awe of Spurs starlet who’s an ‘improved version of Ndombele’, find out more here.