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London Evening Standard journalist Jack Rosser has revealed that West Ham United tried to sign Tammy Abraham from Chelsea but were ultimately put off by his wage demands.

The striker has sealed a move from the Blues to Italian club Roma, who are currently managed by Jose Mourinho.

West Ham, by comparison, have yet to sign a striker in this transfer window, with the deadline coming on Tuesday.

Rosser has confirmed that they were interested in bringing Abraham into the club but found a deal too financially challenging.

Indeed, he has claimed that the same went for Arsenal, who were also interested in a deal for the forward.

Abraham had fallen out of favour under manager Thomas Tuchel but had an impressive scoring record at Stamford Bridge.

In total, he scored 30 goals in 82 games for the club, and has already provided two assists at Roma, with both coming in the 3-1 win over Fiorentina.

Rosser said: “They liked Tammy Abraham, they tried for Tammy Abraham, but it proved too expensive for what they wanted to do.

“His wage demands, Kurt Zouma’s wage demands are big, Tammy Abraham’s are far bigger, and Roma were willing to meet that. Arsenal weren’t and West Ham weren’t so that’s why that one didn’t come off.”

Shane Long’s market value has plummeted in recent seasons, which suggests that Southampton should have sold him a long time ago.

The Irish forward joined Southampton from Hull City in deal worth around £12m back in 2014 and has gone on to make 227 appearances for the Saints, in which he has contributed a disappointing 35 goals and 26 assists.

His best return for Southampton in the Premier League came in the 2015/16 campaign when he managed 10 goals in the top-flight but since then his goalscoring return has been far from consistent.

In the five top-flight seasons he has featured in since then, he has managed just 12 goals, so it seems baffling that he is still at St Mary’s and it seems clear that the Saints should have sold him back when Transfermarkt valued him at £9m in 2017, as he is now valued at just £1.08m four years on.

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The 34-year-old was surprisingly handed a two-year contract extension in 2020 and after scoring no goals for Southampton since then, he now looks set to leave St Mary’s on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of this season.

It has been clear for some time now that Long is no longer good enough to be playing for Southampton in the Premier League, with the veteran forward spending the second half of last season on loan with Bournemouth in the Championship and managing just two goals.

Therefore, in retrospect, the club should have definitely looked at selling him back in 2017 when he was valued at a career-high £9m as it certainly hasn’t proven to be worthwhile keeping him at St Mary’s, especially considering he is one of the top earners in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s squad.

Although the 34-year-old may be a good player to have around the dressing room, he has been very disappointing in recent seasons and fans will surely be glad to see him leave at the end of this season.

And, in other news… Bye-bye Forster: Semmens should seal Saints swoop for “exceptional” beast

Kalvin Phillips wasn’t at his best in Leeds United’s 2-1 defeat at home to West Ham, with journalist Graham Smyth critical of him after the game.

The Lowdown: Leeds’ woes continue

The Whites were desperately searching for their first Premier League win of the season on Saturday afternoon, but they left Elland Road with nothing.

West Ham produced a second half comeback which stunned Marcelo Bielsa’s side, with Michail Antonio scoring a last-gasp winner for the visitors.

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The Latest: Phillips performance criticised

Phillips came up against fellow England midfielder Declan Rice, but it was the latter who came away with the bragging rights in the end.

The Leeds star wasn’t at his best, and writing in his player ratings after the match, The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Smyth gave an eight-word verdict which summed up the 25-year-old’s performance. He wrote that Phillips was “unable to get a grip on the game” and awarded him a modest rating of six.

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The Verdict: Allowed one bad game

Phillips has been an incredible performer for Leeds – Alan Shearer described him as ‘magnificent’ during Euro 2020 – and this was nothing more than a rare off-day for him.

In truth, the Englishman was still far from awful, but he lacked his usual influence, losing the ball on 10 occasions and winning only three of his eight duels while Rice and his Hammers teammates won the battle in the middle of the park.

There should be no great concern about Phillips’ form despite not yet hitting the heights of 2020/21, though, and it would be no surprise if he bounces back with a big performance at home to Watford next Saturday.

In other news, one player’s performance against West Ham was criticised by some Leeds fans. Find out who it is here.

Leeds United have suffered a major injury blow before their Premier League clash against Manchester United.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay confirmed that Diego Llorente is set to be missing from the trip to Old Trafford this afternoon, revealing that Whites manager Marcelo Bielsa believes the 27-year-old will be out for another one or two weeks.

The Spaniard arrived from La Liga club Real Sociedad for £18m last September, and BBC Sport journalist Adam Pope raved about the ability and quality the defender would bring to Elland Road.

He said: “Marcelo Bielsa loves versatility so Llorente’s ball-playing qualities and ability to do a job in front of the back four if required, like Brighton loanee Ben White did on occasion last season, will be a major plus.”

Llorente emerged as a cornerstone of Leeds’ defence in the final few weeks of last season, starting 13 of the last 14 games in the Premier League and coming up with some big performances – not least netting a late equaliser against Liverpool.

He earned a seasonal WhoScored rating of 6.90, marking him as the Whites’ second-best centre-back after Liam Cooper, who was also the only player at the club to win more headers per game than Llorente’s 2.2.

The Spaniard’s form even raised arguments he should be partnering Sergio Ramos at international level for Euro 2020 during the summer, and that’s a real testament to how much he has grown at Elland Road over the campaign.

To be without such a crucial figure in the back-line, in the first game of the season away at fierce rivals Manchester United – who will be buoyed by the signings of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane – is a bitter blow for Bielsa.

The Leeds manager must be gutted to be without Llorente today.

Meanwhile, Leeds could form an exciting partnership by signing this star…

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham fans have erupted over a transfer claim involving Italy international and Sassuolo forward Domenico Berardi.

The Hammers continue their hunt for new attacking signings following their stellar 2020/2021 campaign under manager David Moyes.

Indeed, as they gear up for a new season, where they will be competing in the Europa League group stages, GSB are on the look out for new forwards and have set their sights on bolstering Moyes’ options.

After Euro 2020, some new players have been linked with a move to West Ham following their impressive performances at the major tournament.

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Ukraine international Roman Yaremchuk is a prime example, with Sportitalia transfer journalist Alfredo Pedulla now claiming West Ham have set their sights on another forward who impressed at the Euros.

Indeed, as reported, the Hammers have made an inquiry to sign Berardi in recent weeks with both Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund also chasing the 26-year-old.

In reaction to this interest, there has been no shortage of Hammers opinions in reply to West Ham Central, who shared the news on Twitter.

Find all of their best ones down below.

West Ham fans erupt over Berardi claim

“Wow this would actually be incredible”

Credit: @stephenlott

“Rahhh what”

Credit: @joe_little03

“Yes please.”

Credit: @Hayds_

“Please have truth in this”

Credit: @WHUFC_VIEW

“If we sell Bowen (at least 45-50m) then I’d want to go for Berardi. He’d maybe even cost a bit less”

Credit: @WHUInfo

“A player of supreme quality, however something tells me he wouldn’t hit the ground running, which in the prem, and for big money, you simply must do (Look at Anderson and Yarmolenko)

Disastrous move for both parties. If he wants to leave Sass, why not a Napoli, Milan etc”

Credit: @tomholmesreed

In other news: ‘On my knees’, ‘What a day’…ExWHUemployee’s news has some West Ham fans talking, find out more here.

Newcastle United now face a battle with another club in the Premier League to sign Jens Cajuste before the summer transfer window ends.

The Lowdown: Cajuste interest

The St James’ Park outfit have reportedly shown a concrete interest in signing the 21-year-old and are prepared to make an offer to try and sign the Sweden international.

However, Ligue 1 side Rennes have already made a bid, and Wolves, Leeds United and Crystal Palace are also thought to be interested in his signature.

The Latest: Fee agreed

As per Sportbladet, Brentford have now agreed a fee to sign Cajuste, so the Magpies will now have to act fast if they are serious about signing him.

The defensive midfielder is reportedly ‘about to leave’ FC Midtjylland, but personal terms have not yet been agreed with the Bees.

The Verdict: Sign now!

If the Tyneside club wait any longer, Cajuste is likely to end up at one of their top-flight rivals.

Described as the ‘future of Swedish football’ and an ‘exciting’ prospect by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 21-year-old was hailed as ‘excellent’ following an impressive display against Brondby in a Danish Superliga clash back in April.

Steve Bruce needs to bolster his Newcastle squad ahead of the new 2021/22 season, and signing Cajuste would help to do just that, but only if the Magpies make some late shapes to hijack Brentford’s efforts.

In other news, find out which Champions League winner NUFC have been offered

Many Everton fans have been left buzzing as a transfer update emerged on Jesse Lingard.

As per a report from earlier on in the week from The Birmingham Mail, which has since been shared by Toffee TV on their Twitter page, the Goodison Park faithful have entered the race to try and sign the Manchester United ace, who could be on the move before the summer window shuts.

Lingard made a lasting impression while on loan at West Ham United in the 2020/21 season, scoring no fewer than nine goals and making a further five assists in 16 games in total in the Premier League (Transfermarkt).

He would certainly help ease the burden off of the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison in terms of goals and assists, and being English, would also help fill the homegrown quota.

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Everton fans on Lingard transfer update

These supporters of the Merseyside club buzzed as the transfer update was shared on Twitter, with one Toffee even going as far as to claim that Lingard is a ‘dangerous’ player:

“If we can fit this within the PLS rules then would be a good addition. Pace and knows where the goal is. Proved at West Ham he’s still dangerous.”

Credit: @BramleyToffee

“I’d have him for the right price, will add pace and goals something we need”

Credit: @PhilRoberts222

“All day!”

Credit: @glennryanefc

“I’m all for this”

Credit: @smythy2

“I would be up for that”

Credit: @JackBrokenshir2

“Take him”

Credit: @jackn2307

In other news, find out what transfer update has Blues talking here!

Odsonne Edouard is certain to leave Celtic before the transfer window closes, according to The Celtic Way reporter Anthony Heggarty.

Following an impressive season-long loan, Edouard joined the Scottish giants from Paris Saint-Germain for a club-record fee three years ago.

The striker has gone on to become a key figure for Celtic, with him scoring 83 goals in 168 appearances.

However, it appears Edouard is agitating for a move away from Celtic Park this summer and there are a number of interested clubs south of the border in the Premier League.

While Leicester City and Arsenal have previously been linked, Brighton & Hove Albion now appears to be his most likely destination as reports suggest Graham Potter’s side are lining up a bid.

Although new Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou would prefer to keep a goalscorer of Edouard’s calibre at the club, Heggarty cannot see a way for the frontman to remain at the Scottish club.

Speaking to The Transfer Tavern, Heggarty said: “I think Edouard is a certainty to leave the club.

“There are three players who have seemingly agitated for a move. The finger was pointed at Kristoffer Ajer, Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard. The three of them have been accused of downing tools. I don’t believe that a professional footballer would do that.

“There’s been no bids but I still expect Edouard to leave because he wants to leave the club. If you’ve got a player that wants to leave, it’s best for all concerned if they move him on.”

Glasgow Rangers have confirmed they have sold all of their season tickets for the sixth successive season.

The Lowdown: Next season remains uncertain

This past term was a magnificent one for the Gers as they won the Premiership for the first time in 10 years without losing a single game in the competition (thefishy.co.uk).

However, their fans were unable to enjoy it at the stadium due to the coronavirus pandemic, and it remains unclear as to whether grounds will return to full capacity next term.

The Latest: Gers sell out

Even despite the uncertainty, though, the Gers have confirmed they have sold out their ticket allocation for this coming term – that amounts to 45,000 tickets (rangers.co.uk).

Michael Beale, one of the Gers coaches, said the news was “incredible”.

The Verdict: Huge support

This is another example of exactly how ferociously loyal the Rangers fanbase is. Yes, they won the league last season and are therefore in a good place, but to pay hundreds of pounds without knowing whether they will even be able to attend is astounding.

And throughout the last six years, there has not been too much success to enjoy, either – the Rangers supporters are present come rain or shine.

From a financial point of view, this will come as a huge boost to the Gers. The cheapest season ticket at Ibrox costs £372 (statista.com), meaning the club will receive a minimum £16.4m – it is likely to be a fair bit more. As the Gers prepare for a potential Champions League run next term, this windfall could come in very handy.

In other news, Rangers are set for a 40% discount as they chase this 21-year-old.

The transfer window has only been open for a matter of weeks but it’s already shaping up to be a busy one for Celtic.

The Hoops face potential exits of Kristoffer Ajer and Odsonne Edouard but they have already welcomed two new faces to the club in Liaw Shaw and Osaze Urhoghide.

What’s the word

Ange Postecoglou has been keen to strengthen his squad at the earliest available opportunity and they could now be on the verge of their third major signing of the summer.

That’s according to reports in Croatia, which hint that Mario Vuskovic is on his way to Glasgow.

Celtic opened talks with Hajduk Split over his services a few weeks ago and it would appear as though a deal is in the closing stages.

That’s because Vuskovic was left out of his club’s squad for a friendly match on Sunday because he is “preparing for the transfer to Celtic.”

The 19-year-old defender is thought to be valued at around £5m.

Fans must be buzzing

If there was one area that Celtic desperately needed to improve this summer, it was in defence.

They shipped 19 goals in the Europa League last term and also let in 16 more strikes than fierce rivals, Rangers.

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Consequently, the arrival of someone with as much potential as Vuskovic should delight fans. Add the fear of Ajer leaving into the equation and it will almost provoke a sense of relief among supporters at Parkhead.

Vuskovic may only be a teenager but he seems to be a centre-back wise beyond his years.

“Exceptional” in the build-up play according to Croatian reporter Aleksandar Holiga, he plays in a very similar way to Celtic’s Norwegian colossus.

The youngster is composed in possession of the ball and at 6 foot 2, is handy in the air.

He wins 63% of his aerial duels which should be incredibly beneficial for a side that lacked defensive expertise in 2020/21.

With another defender in Urhoghide already through the door, it shows that Celtic are targeting the right areas and taking the correct measures in order to achieve parity with their biggest rivals again.

The Croat is young and inexperienced but that was no barrier to Ajer at Celtic when he was coming through the ranks. If he can have a similar sort of impact then he’ll surely be a hit with fans.

AND in other news, Alan Nixon delivers three-word Celtic transfer update, fans must be excited…