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Crystal Palace posted footage of Eberechi Eze joining in with first team training on Saturday.

As to be expected, it didn’t take long until a number of Eagles fans went wild at the official club update on social media.

The attacking midfielder has been sidelined since May following a freak Achilles injury in training but he appears to be edging closer to a Palace return.

Reports back in August suggested that Eze was well ahead of schedule with his recovery, and it appears as if he could return before the year is out.

He is yet to feature under Patrick Vieira, but after posting an individual drill on his personal Twitter profile last week, he has now joined in with group training.

The 23-year-old was all smiles and participated in a passing drill, which was shared on Palace’s official Twitter channel.

Palace fans react

Here is what these Eagles supporters had to say in reply, with many sharing their excitement over the footage.

“Best day of my life icl”

Credit: @CPFCMax9

“Tears in my eyes”

Credit: @BludOnTheLeaves

“oh my days”

Credit: @MATTT046

“Oh myyyyy”

Credit: @Phillyconcarne

“Can’t even begin to describe how happy this makes me.”

Credit: @pnm1979

“Oh man I can’t wait for this young man to be back balling.”

Credit: @Scrivum

In other news: Palace keen on midfield prodigy with 35 goals and 24 assists at youth level. 

Manchester United are reportedly monitoring the situation of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen after identifying him as a possible alternative to Erling Haaland.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport (as relayed by Sport Witness), the Red Devils are amongst a host of club’s interested in securing the 22-year-old’s services next summer.

The report claims that fellow Premier League sides Chelsea and Manchester City are also keen on Osimhen’s signature, while Spanish giants Real Madrid are also listed as potential suitors.

It’s stated that Napoli would demand no less than £100 million for their prized asset given they stumped up a fee which could rise to £70m to prize him away from Lille back in 2020.

With the Nigeria international’s current contract at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium next expiring until 2025, owner Aurelio De Laurentiis is under no pressure to sell, meaning this could be a tricky deal to complete.

Solskjaer would love him

Several of European football’s heavyweights have been linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund striker Haaland thanks to his £65 million release clause coming into play in 12 months’ time.

However, only one side will be able to snap up the outstanding Norway international, possibly leaving the likes of United searching for alternative options.

And it’s easy to see why the club’s recruitment department are believed to have identified Osimhen as a potential future star given his recent exploits for Napoli, both in the Europa League and Serie A.

After injuries limited the 6ft 1 beast to just 10 goals in 24 league starts last term, the former Wolfsburg ace has started the current campaign in emphatic fashion.

Osimhen has bagged six goals and provided one assist in just six outings in all competitions in the opening weeks of 2021/22, earning praise from Cagliari coach Walter Mazzarri.

“Osimhen is phenomenal because he runs alone at five players and gets through,” Mazzarri told DAZN (as quoted by Football Italia). “If you look at genuine scoring opportunities, compared to the number Napoli created lately, I didn’t see that many.

“We intentionally kept a deep defensive line, because if we pushed higher like the other teams, we’d concede four or five like they did with Osimhen able to run into space.

“Obviously, Napoli had more possession and attacked more, but this was an intentional approach.”

Osimhen’s effort helped the Azzurri to a 2-0 victory over Mazzarri’s charges on Sunday in another display of his incredible finishing ability, power and pace.

The youngster’s room for improvement makes him an extremely exciting and tempting target for football’s top teams, meaning United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would surely love to have him at his disposal.

Therefore, football director John Murtough must sanction a swoop for the Osimhen if the Red Devils miss out on Haaland, providing Solskjaer with a long-term successor to the ageing pair of Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani.

And, in other news…Imagine him and Pogba: Man Utd must complete swoop for £60m beast, he’s a big upgrade 

According to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur youngster Dennis Cirkin has already arrived at Sunderland to complete his north London exit after an agreement was reached over the weekend – with the Lilywhites accepting a six-figure bid.

The Lowdown: Cirkin on the move…

Reliable reports indicate that the promising starlet is indeed on his way out of Tottenham this summer.

Journalist Charlie Eccleshare of the Athletic backed Football Insider’s first claim that a Sunderland move was on the horizon, taking to Twitter last week and saying that the exit is ‘expected to go through’.

Alasdair Gold also believes that the 19-year-old is on his way out, as explained on his YouTube channel, with the journalist stating that Cirkin ‘looks like he’s going to move on permanently’.

The Latest: Cirkin exit imminent…

As per FI, bringing an update, they claim that the defender has arrived on Wearside to complete his move from Spurs to Sunderland.

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Indeed, they say Cirkin is now joining the Black Cats after Tottenham accepted a six-figure bid for his services – with talks having progressed and an agreement reached over the weekend.

Personal terms have also been agreed on a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light with a Sunderland source explaining that Cirkin was even there yesterday for a medical and to put the finishing touches on his move – coming after he rejected the offer of a new deal at Spurs.

The Verdict: Real shame…

Spurs may be about to lose an exciting prodigy in the left-back area and one who was garnered real praise in the past.

Former Lilywhites boss Jose Mourinho described Cirkin as a player with ‘a lot of quality’ almost immediately after his arrival at Tottenham to succeed Mauricio Pochettino (The Metro).

As he prepares to seal his move away from north London, supporters could be somewhat dejected at this transfer, but it is arguably understandable given the amount of competition in Cirkin’s position.

Sergio Reguilon, Ryan Sessegnon, Ben Davies and Japhet Tanganga can all play at left-back, leaving Cirkin’s first team chances under new boss Nuno Espirito Santo slightly limited.

In other news: ‘Yes yes yes’, ‘Buzzing’, ‘Game changer’…Many Tottenham fans erupt as ‘beautiful’ news confirmed, find out more here.

Neco Williams will be available for Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Porto this week after recovering from injury, according to journalist James Pearce.

The Lowdown: Williams misses Arsenal win

The Reds were in irresistible form on Saturday evening, winning 4-0 at home to Arsenal to keep within four points of Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Among numerous other players, Williams was unavailable for Liverpool, with the Welshman picking up an injury in the week leading up to the game. However, it appears as though the right-back’s absence was only a short-term one.

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The Latest: Pearce gives positive update

Speaking in a Q&A for The Athletic after Saturday’s game, Pearce confirmed that he expects Williams to be available for the Champions League clash with Porto on Wednesday night.

In addressing the fitness of various players for the Arsenal game and forthcoming matches, the journalist revealed: “Neco Williams out due to muscle tightness and expected to be back for midweek.”

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The Verdict: Chance to shine

With Liverpool already through to the last 16 of the Champions League as group winners, Wednesday’s match at Anfield will be an ideal opportunity for Jurgen Klopp to rotate his squad and give fringe players a chance to shine.

Williams will almost certainly be one of those, coming in for Trent Alexander-Arnold and looking to take his impressive recent international form to the club stage.

He was hailed as ‘fearless’ by journalist Henry Winter earlier in the week, and assuming he is fit enough to feature, a big performance against Porto could suggest that Liverpool don’t need to consider looking at bringing in a new backup option for Alexander-Arnold in forthcoming transfer windows.

In other news, one pundit has made a key claim regarding Liverpool’s transfer business next summer. Read more here.

Manchester United have now officially added Jadon Sancho to their squad, and Carlton Palmer believes meaning that the extra competition for places along the front line will be healthy for the likes of Anthony Martial.

One player who hasn’t hit his best form in the red of United recently is the Frenchman, but Palmer believes he doesn’t need to fear the competition for his place in the team.

Martial missed the last ten games of the Premier League season and the Red Devils Europa League final with Villarreal, with a ruptured knee ligament injury.

When on the pitch, Martial only manged seven goals in all competitions, some way short of his best seasons tally of 23 goals in 2019/2020, as he continues to largely flatter to deceive at Old Trafford.

Despite a dip in form and new players arriving, Palmer had some words of encouragement for Martial, telling FFC: “It’s not for you to be fearful of it, you should be delighted and happy, because this might be something that gets him to kick on to the next level.”

Palmer also praised Martial, recognising he’s a talent, saying “He has got great ability and you want to be a part of a side that’s going to challenge, that’s only good for you as a player.”

After missing the end of last season and Euro 2020 through injury, Martial will be hoping to return to Old Trafford and hit the ground running early on for what could be a huge season personally for him.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League striker Dean Windass believes Steve Bruce will be getting on Mike Ashley’s back over new signings for Newcastle United.

While Newcastle were able to finish 12th in the end, far from the relegation zone, they did have some really bleak moments during the 2020/21 season.

The Magpies really struggled during the December to March period in particular, causing fears of relegation at the time.

Bearing that in mind, Bruce could do with some reinforcements, something Windass thinks he will be asking for. And, according to The Sun, he could be about to get just that, with the outlet reporting that Ashley will hand him a £50m transfer budget.

On the matter, the ex-Hull City forward told FFC:

“Newcastle, it’s always been a car crash on and off the field. Steve is a proud man and he’ll be saying to Mike Ashley, ‘Listen, if this is going to work next year, I need backing, I need players to come in.’ ”

The same Sun report states Arsenal’s Joe Willock is likely to be a target. If the club can get that deal done, then Bruce will no doubt be pleased.

The 21-year-old was in fantastic goalscoring form during his loan spell at St. James’ Park and looks capable of elevating this Newcastle side.

Dean Windass feels Callum Hudson-Odoi will pay the price after failing to secure a deadline day switch to Leicester City.

The Foxes enquired about the availability of the Chelsea winger as Brendan Rodgers looked to strengthen his squad hours before the transfer window closed.

German giants Borussia Dortmund were also hoping to complete a loan deal, with Hudson-Odoi open to going elsewhere in search of regular minutes, but he has remained at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea were unwilling to sanction a switch.

It comes despite the 20-year-old failing to make a single Premier League appearance so far this season.

Hudson-Odoi’s only involvement this term has come in the form of starting the UEFA Super Cup clash with Spanish side Villarreal, which the Blues won following a nail-biting penalty shoot-out last month.

With Hudson-Odoi’s first-team opportunities seemingly limited, former Premier League striker Windass believes Leicester would have been the ideal destination for the exciting winger to rediscover his best form.

He exclusively told Football FanCast: “He needs to play and, as a young boy, he can’t just sit on the Chelsea bench. He isn’t going to play or get minutes.

“He needed to go out and play and Brendan would have looked after him.

“He would have played for a top club in Europe and been a great signing for Leicester. I like him and think he is a strong boy.”

An update has emerged about Sunderland target Daniel Jebbison, regarding interest from the Premier League.

What’s the talk?

According to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, Everton are one of three Premier League clubs eyeing up a permanent deal for Sunderland transfer target Daniel Jebbison, who Sheffield United value at over £5m.

The Black Cats are reportedly keen on signing the teenager striker on loan to bolster their squad before the transfer window closes next week but it appears that there is serious interest in the forward from top-flight teams.

Fans will be gutted

This is a worrying update for any Sunderland fans hoping to see Jebbison arrive at the Stadium of Light in the next six days. Sunderland will not be able to compete financially with any Premier League clubs in terms of securing a permanent deal for the centre-forward, hence their loan interest, which means that they could now be out of the race entirely if this report is accurate.

Sunderland, if they are in the market for a new striker, will need to move on to other targets and assess their options as a Premier League move may be more appealing to Jebbison. Instead of going out on loan to the third tier, he could sign for Everton and get minutes in the Premier League whilst training alongside the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and James Rodriguez.

Ex-Manchester City full-back Micah Richards called him the shining light of Sheffield United’s Premier League last term. He told Sky Sports (via Yorkshire Live): “I really like the look of him. He just gets in the right areas, and they needed that with all the negativity that’s gone on at the club.

“You want to bounce back straight away, and you want to go to the end of the season with positivity. They’re playing for pride, and he’s the shining light.”

This suggests that he does have the potential to play in the top-flight, which is why some Sunderland fans may want him to join the club in League One. He has already scored a goal in the Premier League and could, therefore, thrive in the third tier as it is two divisions lower and offers less of a challenge in terms of the quality of opposition.

Therefore, Black Cats fans will be gutted that they are now unlikely to get the chance to see what Jebbison could do in League One as the Premier League interest could end any hope the club had of signing him.

AND in other news, “Desperate”: Alan Nixon drops Sunderland transfer update which will leave fans excited…

Celtic are thought to be interested in signing Barcelona youngster Mika Marmol, according to reports from Spain.

The Lowdown: Marmol profiled

Marmol appears to be a rising star for the Catalan giants. The 19-year-old, primarily a left-back, can also play as a central defender.

He has five caps for Spain at Under-20 level and was a regular for Barcelona’s B side in the 2020/21 campaign.

The teenager has a total of 27 appearances under his belt for Barcelona B, with 14 at left-back and 11 as a centre-back this season.

It seems Marmol, who has over two years left on his Barca deal, has caught the eye of the Hoops, but they aren’t the only side interested.

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The Latest: Hoops make approach

According to Mundo Deportivo, cited by the Daily Record, Celtic have made an approach for Marmol.

It is unclear if the Hoops have enquired over a loan or permanent deal, however, Spanish sides Getafe and newly-promoted Mallorca are also interested in Marmol’s services.

The Verdict: Down to recent Laxalt U-turn?

Marmol is highly thought of at the Nou Camp, so a possible deal for the defender could be a shrewd one by new CEO Dominic McKay.

In our opinion, Celtic may have looked at the youngster after making a U-turn regarding loanee Diego Laxalt.

The Hoops reportedly ‘abruptly changed their mind’ regarding a permanent deal for Laxalt at the end of the campaign.

Bringing in a young player like Marmol to rival Greg Taylor instead of signing Laxalt, who is on £57,000-a-week, could be smart.

Of course, there’s plenty of work to be done over any potential deal yet, but it’s good to see the Hoops taking a proactive approach when it comes to summer acquisitions.

In other news: Celtic win race for versatile teenager, find out more here. 

New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will have a £200m budget this summer and has already got to work to create a four-man transfer shortlist.

The Lowdown: Ten Hag announced

The Red Devils finally announced the Dutchman as their new manager on Thursday morning.

Ten Hag was confirmed as Ralf Rangnick’s replacement from the end of this season, signing a deal through to June 2025 with an option of a further year.

The 52-year-old previously demanded to be 100% involved when it comes to new signings, and he has wasted no time by already having four possible marquee additions in mind.

The Latest: Four mega targets

The Mirror shared a story regarding Ten Hag and Manchester United shortly after the announcement, claiming the Red Devils will give their new manager £200m to spend ahead of his first season in charge.

Up to 12 players could leave the club, with Ten Hag placing Harry Kane, Declan Rice, Darwin Nunez and Ruben Neves at the top of his wishlist.

The Verdict: Rebuild begins

Plenty of change is needed at Old Trafford ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, but getting Ten Hag confirmed prior to the summer window is a good first step.

He’ll have a huge job on his hands in what looks set to be an extremely busy summer off the pitch and it looks as if a new midfielder and forward is crucial as he gets to work already.

Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani look set to be two players who will leave as free agents, so one of Kane or Nunez and Rice or Neves could be shrewd moves to replace the two outgoing big earners.

In other news: ‘Source has told Sky Sports’ – Big live TV update on another Man Utd exit.