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Signing Kristoffer Ajer would have been a risk for Newcastle United, says the club’s former defender, Steve Howey.

Ajer was thought to be Steve Bruce’s top defensive target this summer, but the Newcastle boss will now have to look elsewhere following Brentford’s £13.5m deal with Celtic for the central defender (per The Northern Echo).

Last season, the Magpies had one of the worst defensive records in the Premier League. In their 38 games, they conceded 62 goals, one less than bottom-placed side Sheffield United (via WhoScored).

Bearing that in mind, losing out on a defensive target like Ajer will come as a huge blow to Bruce.

From Howey’s perspective, though, with the Norway international coming from the Scottish Premiership, he would have been a huge risk for Newcastle.

“He’s a big, strong boy, but will he be able to cope with the Premier League?” Howey said in an exclusive interview with TT. “I don’t know. It’s kind of a risk.

“Could Newcastle afford to pay that for somebody who’s not tested in the Premier League? He might be a signing where he comes down and he’s absolutely amazing and it’s just like wow, unbelievable money spent. 

“But again, they can’t afford to have somebody that maybe starts the season and all of a sudden needs a transitional period. You can’t allow players to bed in, certainly Newcastle can’t. They can’t carry that.”

With the Scottish Premiership obviously not being the strongest division in European football, it is easy to see why some would have their doubts about recruiting from there, though Bruce did seem to be convinced by Ajer.

Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is ‘willing to talk’ to Everton about the vacant managerial post at Goodison Park, according to Patrick Boyland and Greg O’Keeffe.

The lowdown

Everton are looking to secure a new manager ahead of the summer transfer window after Carlo Ancelotti left to return to Real Madrid last week.

Benitez has been out of work since January after leaving Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang. The Spaniard led Liverpool to the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup in 2005, as well as the FA Cup a year later.

Benitez is a decorated coach, having also won a pair of La Liga titles at Valencia early in the millennium and a Europa League crown with Chelsea, with the 61-year-old having 12 trophies to his name during his career in management.

The latest

It seems as if Benitez would entertain interest from Everton despite his association with Liverpool. However, Boyland and O’Keeffe noted for The Athletic that those links with the Anfield club continue to ‘make him a tough sell’ to some members of the board.

Meanwhile, there is said to be a willingness to bring back current Belgium boss Roberto Martinez in some quarters. Another former manager in David Moyes has also been considered, but there are ‘question marks’ over whether he would consider leaving Europa League-bound West Ham United and returning to Everton.

The Scot was ‘swiftly un-offered’ the job in 2019 when the club were presented with the opportunity to hire Ancelotti instead.

The verdict

Benitez is one of the most successful managers of his generation but you’d never want a manager to take a job under an immediate cloud, as Everton fans would probably be very quick to turn on him during a tricky run of form given his previous alliances with Liverpool.

It’s a good sign that a figure of his calibre is open to negotiations, but the Toffees hierarchy should look for a separate project given how fragile this one could be.

In other news, Eddie Howe’s chances of taking the job have also been rated. 

Newcastle United are reportedly eyeing up a move to sign Ross Barkley in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: No guarantees over Willock

While Steve Bruce would love to bring Joe Willock back to St. James’ Park after his successful loan spell in the North East from Arsenal, there is no guarantee that they would be able to sign him on a permanent deal.

Thus, the Tyneside club need to start looking at pursuing other targets in that area of the pitch, with Barkley being named as a potential new arrival.

The Latest: Newcastle eye Barkley

As per The Athletic, the Magpies would be interested in signing Barkley from Chelsea if he were to become available once the market opens.

However, the news outlet has also reported that their budget is very low, and so any potential deal for the central midfield player, currently rated at £18m by Transfermarkt, would have to be a loan.

The Verdict: Newcastle should consider Barkley

Barkley admittedly did not have the best of seasons while on loan at Aston Villa, scoring a mere three goals and making just one assist in 24 games in total in the Premier League, however, it was also a campaign that was disrupted by injury (Transfermarkt).

If he can put his injury problems aside, Barkley still has a lot that he can offer, with his ability to drive with the ball similar to that of Willock’s, which benefitted the Toon so much at the latter end of the 2020/21 term.

Callum Wilson has also hailed the 27-year-old as someone he would like to play with, having dubbed him as an ‘unbelievable’ player on The Super 6 podcast (via HITC) back in February.

Nonetheless, Barkley is certainly someone that NUFC should not be turning their noses up at.

In other news, find out which ‘outstanding’ player Newcastle have stepped up their bid to sign here!

Manchester United have suffered a major blow in their pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish.

What’s the story?

The 25-year-old would reportedly prefer to join Premier League champions Manchester City this summer over United after being linked with a move away from his boyhood club, according to The Athletic.

Grealish was the subject of intense interest from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side 12 months ago, but recent claims have suggested that the Norwegian is targeting Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho in the upcoming transfer window.

Fans will be gutted

Although the potential arrival of Sancho would significantly soften the blow of Grealish’s apparent preferences, his desire to move to the Etihad Stadium over Old Trafford will undoubtedly leave many Red Devils supporters gutted.

Grealish has continually impressed for the Villans in recent seasons and just produced the best campaign of his career, bagging six goals and providing 12 assists in just 26 Premier League appearances for Dean Smith’s side.

His impressive performances earned the 25-year-old his first senior England call-up last autumn, where he caught the eye of the Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate.

“Today was a great game for us to see him in. I couldn’t speak highly enough of his performance,” Southgate said after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Belgium in November.

“I thought Jack Grealish had an absolutely outstanding game. Losing Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford, we lose a lot of speed. But I can’t fault the attacking play until the last chance.

“I saw what I knew I would see from Jack, someone with the bravery to play. He took the ball in tight areas, his technique was good, we knew he would buy a lot of free-kicks. I thought he was outstanding – he should be delighted.”

Grealish signed a five-year contract with Villa after his final day strike against West Ham secured the Midlands’ outfit’s safety last season, meaning that any move for the £58.5m-rated attacker would be an expensive one.

Nevertheless, this latest revelation will come as a blow to United as they aim to build a side capable of challenging for football’s major honours.

In other news…Huge Manchester United transfer update emerges, fans will surely be buzzing 

It’s fair to say that Scotland fans were absolutely buzzing ahead of Euro 2020 and yesterday’s 2-0 defeat against the Czech Republic would have put a bit of a dampener on things. The tournament marks the long awaited return of fans in stadiums cheering on their home nation and former Scotland international and icon Ally McCoist sat down with Joe Cole, James Collins and Instagram sensation Munya Chawawa for Just Eat’s Home Advantage video series.

Just Eat’s Home Advantage  looks to bring the best of food and football together, as Munya orders a takeaway with some of the UK’s favourites footballers each week throughout the tournament.

The significance of Scotland’s participation is certainly not lost on former Rangers man, McCoist. Before the tournament McCoist did however voice some concern over the attacking output of the team. “Our lack of goals might be a problem. And I wouldn’t see us playing two up front in many games.”

When asked who we might expect to see some top performances from, McCoist praised Chelsea and Aston Villa youngsters, Billy Gilmore and John McGin. “I would like to see Billy Gilmore get a run. Hopefully John McGinn will be key for us and has a great campaign. If he does, we will be alright.“

Regardless of what happens, McCoist knows how special the tournament can be, recalling some of his favourite moments, the former Scotland international remarked, “As a wee boy, I can remember the original Penenka penalty. I remember him scoring it against Sepp Maier of West Germany. It was unbelievable. And I can also remember Van Basten’s volley against Russia, which was just an absolutely incredible goal. “

It certainly was and we’re sure Ally will be hoping for more of the same. Catch each week’s full episode of Just Eat’s Home Advantage below…

According to a report by Football Insider, former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is keen on the Tottenham Hotspur managerial role with chairman Daniel Levy now weighing a swoop.

The Lowdown: Spurs manager hunt looms on…

As the Tottenham manager hunt lingers on, more and more names become linked with the vacant post and there have been no shortage of them.

Whispers of Julian Nagelsmann, who was favourite before taking the job at Bayern Munich, were quickly followed up by claims involving Brendan Rodgers and Erik Ten Hag. 

Many other coaches have also been linked, but it remains to be seen when Tottenham will decide on their man after Jose Mourinho’s dismissal last month.

The Latest: Benitez keen on Spurs job

In a development, Football Insider share that Champions League-winning boss Benitez is now keen on the Tottenham job with Levy weighing up a swoop for the out of work 61-year-old.

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It is said that experience and proven top level management is becoming desirable to Spurs chiefs and candidates like Benitez would provide much more security than the likes of Scott Parker.

Benitez left his last job at Chinese Super League outfit Dalian Professional back in January, making him a potentially cheap appointment with no attachment fees involved.

The Spaniard also dropped a Premier League hint when speaking to Sky Sports recently, saying that his ‘priority’ is to make a return to England.

The Verdict: The safe option

His glowing CV and the fact Benitez is a free agent do come as huge incentives to make a move, especially in this climate, but can he really promote the Spurs way long term?

Tottenham are said to want a boss in the mould of former favourite Mauricio Pochettino and Benitez’s man management style is far more akin to Mourinho.

He was accused of being a ‘control freak’ at the Bernabeu, not to mention he doesn’t fit into Steve Hitchen’s criteria of a ‘young’ and ‘dynamic’ boss who promotes attacking football (Daily Mail).

Therefore, while he could provide stability for a time, we believe he isn’t the best solution for Spurs to really build for the future.

In other news: Tottenham now set to interview ‘top coach’, find out more here.

Former Manchester United man Keith Gillespie has exclusively told Football FanCast he believes Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Yves Bissouma would go into the Red Devils’ side straight away if he moved to the club.

talkSPORT pundit Adrian Durham has claimed that the 24-year-old would be “exactly” the player that United need to sign this summer.

The club have a number of midfielders in their squad but the defensive midfield position is something of a weak spot.

Nemanja Matic is 32 and turns 33 in August, while Fred is more of a box-to-box midfielder than an anchor man.

Bissouma has impressed throughout his time at Brighton this season.

The Mali international has made 34 appearances in all competitions and statistically, he is one of the finest defensive midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues.

Per FBRef, he averages 3.37 tackles per game 1.52 interceptions, and 1.96 blocks, placing him in the top 25% of midfielders in Europe.

He is also seen as a similar player to West Ham United’s Declan Rice, per the website, and Gillespie believes he would be a great acquisition.

He told FFC: “How much would it cost to all of a sudden get him out of Brighton? For me, he could go into United’s side.”

Daniel Pinder, the editor-in-chief of Get German Football News, has exclusively told Football FanCast that Erling Haaland would be the perfect Sergio Aguero replacement for Manchester City this summer.

The Argentine has already announced that he’ll be leaving the Etihad at the end of the season, with the Borussia Dortmund striker reportedly top of Pep Guardiola’s wish list.

Haaland has already proved himself as one of Europe’s most feared frontmen by scoring 53 times in 56 appearances for the Bundesliga giants following his move from Salzburg last January, whilst laying on 16 assists for his teammates.

City face competition from rivals Manchester United for Haaland’s signature, whilst Guardiola has previously said it’s impossible for the Premier League champions-elect to sign another striker this window due to financial difficulties.

Despite those comments, Pinder believes that should the Norwegian swap the Bundesliga for the Premier League, he’d be a great addition for City to continue their domination of English football.

He told Football FanCast:

“I think if Man City were to go after him then he would be the man to replace Sergio Aguero – leading the line, being that threat in the box.

“He’s obviously shown he can play at the highest level and Man City, they challenge on all fronts, Premier League, Champions League and all the cups, it will be a big task to replace Aguero, but I think Haaland would be that player.”

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie believes Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael is the kind of manager who would bring aggressiveness and energy to Crystal Palace.

Ismael is currently being linked with the Palace job, with Football Insider claiming that the south London club’s director of football Dougie Freedman is pushing to bring him in ahead of Frank Lampard – Steve Parish’s preferred choice.

This, of course, comes after Palace confirmed that Roy Hodgson would be stepping down as manager after four years at Selhurst Park.

And for Hendrie, Ismael could be a good candidate to replace the Englishman. The Sky Sports pundit told FFC in an exclusive interview:

“He wants that aggressive style. He’s got a very good, young squad at Barnsley and done absolutely brilliant this season with what he’s had at Barnsley. I’ve got to say that, for sure.

“I say he likes that aggressive style, but he likes that energy and he plays football in the right way.”

Certainly, Ismael has done a fantastic job in the Oakwell dugout this term, taking Barnsley to the Championship play-offs.

The Tykes also enjoyed a good FA Cup run under the former Palace player, giving finalists Chelsea a real game in their 1-0 defeat in the fifth round of the competition.

Rumoured to be becoming Neil Lennon’s successor at Celtic, Eddie Howe has reportedly made his demands clear if he is to take the job.

According to The Sun, the former Bournemouth manager wants complete control over his backroom staff, including the installation of technical director Richard Hughes at Celtic Park.

As well as this, the 43-year-old has also reportedly requested considerable backing in the transfer market to rejuvenate the squad amid the club’s disastrous 2020/21 campaign which has seen Rangers end their hopes of ten league titles in a row.

These demands could see a dramatic shake up at Parkhead. With Howe intending on bringing in his own backroom team, this could see the respective futures of John Kennedy, Gavin Strachan and Stevie Woods called into question.

Having been at Celtic Park for a combined 36 years in various capacities, it would certainly be a brave call from the incoming Howe to make those judgements straight off the bat.

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On a related note, the arrival of Hughes from Bournemouth might also see the future of current Head of Football Operations Nick Hammond called into question. With the latter having only been in the position since October 2019, it would again be quite the call from Howe to make that kind of impact upon his arrival.

Meanwhile, the request for funds in the upcoming transfer market could potentially disrupt the current crop of players at the club should the 43-year-old look to replace them.

Already having as many as 27 players in the current squad at Paradise, it would certainly be natural to assume that a number of those, including a couple of club stalwarts, could be jettisoned in order to make room for new arrivals.

It goes to show that Howe’s demands upon his increasingly probable arrival in Glasgow could have a huge impact throughout the club and indeed ruffle a few feathers.

AND in more news, have a look at which midfielder should finally be let loose…