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Burnley boss Sean Dyche will start looking around for a new club like Crystal Palace, says former Premier League manager Lawrie Sanchez.

Dyche is in fact being strongly linked with the job in the Selhurst Park dugout, with Football Insider reporting that Palace have made contact with Burnley to find out the exact cost to get the 49-year-old out of Turf Moor.

Frank Lampard is one manager who was thought to be one of the leading candidates to replace Roy Hodgson, so this development may come as a surprise to some.

Sanchez, though, would not be shocked to see Dyche land the job and fully expects the Englishman to at least consider the opportunity.

“I think Sean Dyche will be looking around now,” the former Fulham manager exclusively told FFC.

“[He’ll be] thinking well if he’s not going to have great money to spend despite the new people taking over and he’s just got to keep it going for them so they can earn the Premier League money that can be paid over to them to pay the debt, I think he’ll probably be thinking, ‘Where’s a better opportunity?’

“I think Palace would be a great opportunity for him. It’s obviously a little bit further up the pecking order, despite the league position, than Burnley in regards to wages and suchlike. He’s obviously worked in London before at Watford, so I wouldn’t be surprised.”

It is common knowledge that Burnley operate on one of the lowest budgets in the Premier League, really putting into perspective the job Dyche has done there.

However, you would have to imagine that there will come a point where the ex-Watford boss may want to work with better resources, perhaps at a club such as Palace.

Tottenham Hotspur are plotting an ‘ambitious’ bid to sign Serge Gnabry, according to reports…

What’s the word?

The Daily Star claim Spurs are keen on landing the Bayern Munich contract rebel as he enters the final year of his current contract at the Allianz Arena, where he is thought to be holding out for a salary of around £13m-per-year.

The Bundesliga champions won’t be held ransom by his demands, so that has alerted many teams around Europe, including the Lilywhites and Real Madrid, though it remains to be seen how much the German side would sell him for – if at all, given their track-record in letting players leave for nothing.

CIES Football Observatory currently value him in the region of £60m.

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Major coup

Whilst an ex-Arsenal player, Gnabry would be something of a coup for Spurs, should they manage to secure his signature in the coming months.

The German international struggled to make much of an impact during his time in England, eventually being sold to Werder Bremen for just £5m in 2016 but he has since emerged as one of the best wingers in Europe.

Across 168 appearances for the Bavarian giants, Gnabry has provided 63 goals and 40 assists, averaging a direct contribution once every 104 minutes, via Transfermarkt.

Spurs know too well of his ability after he absolutely tore Mauricio Pochettino’s side apart with four goals in Bayern’s 7-2 win in the Champions League back in October 2019.

His form has led to quite the praise indeed, including a particularly glowing endorsement from BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand, who claimed last season:

“His stats are phenomenal. He’s sitting in the top-level, world-class. He’s come to Germany and set the place on fire, he was absolutely stunning tonight. His decision making has been extraordinary.

“I’ll go as far as to say he’s one of the most improved players in football at the moment. I don’t think anyone’s upwards trajectory is as sharp as his.”

Also lauded as a “real weapon” by his former manager Niko Kovac to Bundesliga.com, Gnabry would certainly add a new dimension to Conte’s attack and given his links to the Gunners and exploits for Bayern, he’d be quite the stunning signing for the north Londoners.

If sporting director Fabio Paratici can pull this off, it would certainly be another one of his masterclass-like swoops.

AND in other news, Contact made: Spurs in talks for “phenomenal” £33m signing, he’s better than Bremer…

Tottenham Hotspur sensationally sacked Jose Mourinho earlier in the week and their pursuit for a new manager will rumble on until the summer, with 29-year-old former Spurs midfielder Ryan Mason in interim control.

Several names have already emerged as candidates for Mourinho’s successor, but it appears that RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann is Daniel Levy’s top target, as revealed by The Telegraph.

Further developments have since surfaced suggesting that the Spurs chairman is considering a vast shake-up off the pitch, with him mulling over the prospect of bringing in a sporting director.

Spurs have not had someone in that role since Franco Baldini left in 2015 as the bulk of the key decisions behind the scenes have been left to Levy and chief scout Steve Hitchen. This move would see the north London outfit look to replicate the typically ‘German’ model – a significant structural change but one which could suit any move for Nagelsmann.

Interestingly, The Athletic listed RB Leipzig’s former sporting director Ralf Rangnick as a man in contention to take over from Mourinho, but what if he were considered for the aforementioned role on top of clinching the 33-year-old manager?

It’s a role he most recently held in north-east Germany.

Rangnick is best known for a successful spell in management in Germany during the 2000s but he has played an integral part in Leipzig’s astronomical rise from nothing. It’s because of him that Nagelsmann has been able to get them challenging Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga crown.

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He’s widely considered to be one of the pioneers of the ‘gegenpress’ system, something we’ve seen Jurgen Klopp and now Thomas Tuchel bring to the Premier League, whilst Pep Guardiola’s tiki-taka mantra doesn’t fall too far from the same tactical tree.

Nicknamed the “football professor,” Rangnick championed the ‘eight-second rule’ whereby it is thought that most goals are scored in that time frame after winning possession back – also known as a counterattack.

Even more interestingly, during his stint at Leipzig, he made sure the club did not sign anyone under the age of 23, and that’s how he unearthed the likes of Naby Keita, Timo Werner, Marcel Sabitzer, Dayot Upamecano and many, many more.

When talking about the success of RB Leipzig, Guido Schafer, chief reporter at the Leipziger Volkszeitung, heaped praise on the 62-year-old talent-spotter. He told BBC: “Rangnick is the architect. He is a great man, he did all of this.”

Nagelsmann is one of Rangnick’s proteges, so a lot of his emergence has to be attributed to him too, and you can expect a lot more of that high-press, high-intensity football if he were to arrive at Spurs.

Levy could genuinely transform the club if he ensures that the pair come together – it worked at Leipzig, the very side who walloped Spurs out of the Champions League last season. It would be a bold double swoop, but one which would be a landmark for everyone in N17.

The protege and the professor. It’s a match made in heaven.

AND in other news, Spurs given fresh boost in Julian Nagelsmann pursuit

Tottenham Hotspur could seal their best signing since Heung-min Son following an exciting claim from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

The north London outfit are in desperate need of fresh additions this month, certainly if Antonio Conte is to stand a chance at reviving this sinking ship.

Given his tactical system – primarily deploying three-at-the-back – he needs further reinforcements to his backline, where left-back Ben Davies has been plugging a gap and the likes of Davinson Sanchez and Japhet Tanganga have had to be trusted.

One player that Spurs appear keen on is Villarreal defender Pau Torres, who rejected a move to the club during the summer window but back then, it was the underwhelming Nuno Santo in charge – rather than the trophy-laden Italian.

And Romano believes their interest is something to keep an eye on heading into deadline day in a little under two weeks time.

“Let’s see what happens with a centre-back. Tottenham want to sign a new centre-back in January. Pau Torres has always been on their list since last summer, but Villarreal have no intention to let him leave in January,” he told the ‘Here We Go’ podcast last week.

Torres’ desire may well hinge on any sort of Champions League involvement but Spurs are firmly in the race for a top-four finish and that could well be achieved with the Spaniard’s arrival.

He played an integral role for former Arsenal boss Unai Emery at the Yellow Submarines as they defeated Manchester United to clinch the Europa League title last season.

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Meanwhile, domestically, the 25-year-old colossus ranked as their fourth-best player (6.76) in La Liga last season. Across 33 starts, he proved to be an excellent ball-playing option by averaging an 87.8% passing accuracy and 0.8 dribbles per game, as per WhoScored.

“When he was small you could see he had an extraordinary talent to construct the play, I even played him for a few games in midfield, but he told me he was more comfortable at the back. Bit by bit he picked up more intensity, more strength, becoming more physical and he kept developing,” once claimed his former youth coach, ex-Villarreal midfielder Javi Calleja.

His profile is exactly the sort of one that Conte would love in his backline – an aggressive but astute on-the-ball beast to pair alongside summer signing Cristian Romero and Eric Dier.

As such, any move for Torres would surely excite the manager and fanbase alike. He’d be such a necessary addition that it could well equal the arrival of Son, who has quickly become one of Tottenham’s most reliable players over the years.

Fabio Paratici and co must seal a move for the £45m-rated Villarreal star at all costs this month.

AND in other news, “I understand..”: Sky Sports reporter drops transfer claim that’ll anger Spurs fans…

Chelsea’s Ross Barkley could ‘reignite his career’ with a move to Newcastle United, Noel Whelan says.

The former Leeds United, Coventry City and Middlesbrough striker was speaking to Football Insider.

The lowdown

The Athletic’s Chris Waugh reported at the weekend that Newcastle held an interest in Barkley, and ‘not solely as a back-up’ option amid their pursuit of Joe Willock.

Barkley spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Aston Villa and got off to a strong start, scoring on his full debut against Liverpool and then netting a late winner away to Leicester City the following week.

But he would only score or assist two more goals before the end of the campaign, and failed to break back into the England squad as Dean Smith had envisioned.

At parent club Chelsea, Barkley has started only 28 Premier League matches since his £15million move from Everton back in 2017.

The latest

Whelan says Barkley suffered from the injury-enforced absence of Jack Grealish last season but feels it it is now or never for the 27-year-old.

“His next move could be his last shot at a Premier League club,” he said. “It didn’t work out at Everton, Chelsea or Villa so if Newcastle give him an opportunity he has got to make it work.

“Does he want to be a squad player for the rest of his career? Newcastle could be the place where he re-ignites his career but he has to be ready to take his chance.

“He looked lost at Villa when Jack Grealish wan’t playing last season.”

The verdict

Steve Bruce is working within a ‘meagre’ budget this summer, so if Newcastle want to build on their positive finish to last season and avoid being dragged into another relegation battle, they ought to take few risks on incomings.

They need known quantities like Willock, who was a perfect fit and performed week in week out.

Barkley showed promising early glimpses at Villa but Newcastle certainly couldn’t bank on sustained periods of good form based on what we’ve seen in recent years.

As a 33-times capped England international, he probably won’t be short of avenues to first-team football, but he shouldn’t be near the top of the Magpies’ shortlist.

In other news, Chris Waugh delivers the latest on Willock. 

Marcus Bent has exclusively told Football FanCast that he would welcome the signing of Ivan Toney at Everton.

With the likes of Josh King and Cenk Tosun expected to leave, Carlo Ancelotti would be left with just one senior recognised striker in Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Richarlison has previously played down the middle, but is predominantly a winger, meaning the Italian could need another centre-forward this summer, especially with the prospect of European football next term.

Reports in January suggested that Everton were keeping a close eye on the Brentford frontman, who’s caught the eye of several Premier League clubs this season, with the 25-year-old being looked at as a potential addition to the Toffees squad.

Toney has enjoyed a phenomenal first season at Championship level, scoring 30 goals and 10 assists in 44 appearances to help Brentford secure a top-six place.

And Bent told Football FanCast that he would back the decision to sign Toney:

“That’s quite a big one – he’s been quality in the Championship and showed that he’s got the talent.

“You don’t need to start in the Premier League to progress your career, so I think that’s a good one for Everton. Will he start? He’ll have to earn his place.

“But I think he could go up there, but him going to Everton he’s going to be away from his family again, but that’s football and I’m sure he can cope with that. “

According to sportklub.rs, Tottenham are leading the race to sign Dusan Vlahovic from Fiorentina this summer.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye striker

Harry Kane dropped a bombshell on Spurs when he revealed he wants to leave the club during this transfer window (Sky Sports).

Daniel Levy remains keen on keeping him, but Spurs must prepare for the possibility of needing to replace him should he leave. Even if he stays, Tottenham need a striker to provide competition and adequate support for him.

The Latest: Spurs lead Vlahovic race

Now, it is being reported that Spurs are leading the race to sign 21-year-old Vlahovic.

As per the report from his homeland, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid are also interested in the Serbian striker, who is said to be valued at €60m (£51.5m) by Fiorentina.

However, out of those clubs, only Spurs can afford to pay that fee.

The Verdict: Long-term forward

Vlahovic would be a long-term choice for Spurs if they could capture his services. He had a fantastic season with Fiorentina last time out, scoring 21 goals in 37 league games for the club – he has 32 goals throughout his young club career (Transfermarkt).

Fiorentina legend Steven Jovetic has even said he will be the leading striker in football in the next few years along with Erling Haaland (Tuttosport via Football Italia).

It is surprising to hear Tottenham are the only club of those now in pursuit who can afford to sign the Serbia international – they are not known for their big spending. However, an easier deal could be fantastic news for Levy as he prepares the squad for a campaign potentially without their talisman.

In other news, Tottenham want this Euro 2020 star.

Leeds United picked up their first Premier League win and clean sheet of the season last weekend as they beat Watford 1-0 at Elland Road.

Whites centre-back Liam Cooper played an important role in the result, with an excellent WhoScored rating of 7.27 for his performance. He made one tackle, one interception, two clearances and two blocks, whilst also winning two aerial battles.

The Scotland international has had a solid start to the Premier League campaign and has started all seven of the club’s matches so far, proving himself to be a key member of Marcelo Bielsa’s squad.

Would anyone have predicted this after the 2017/18 season at Elland Road? Cooper played 30 times in the Championship and averaged a rating of 6.83, as Leeds finished 13th in the table and had little in the way of promotion expectations for the future.

In September 2018, Transfermarkt valued the centre-back at a measly £900k. That summer, however, everything changed for Leeds and Cooper as Marcelo Bielsa was appointed as the head coach on an initial two-year deal.

The Argentine manager has since gone on to lead Leeds to third and first in the Championship, winning promotion with the latter, and then ninth in the Premier League last season. He has been able to take the club from midtable mediocrity in the second tier to competing at the top level whilst pulling off a coaching masterclass with some of the players, one of them being Cooper.

In the 2019/20 promotion season, Cooper averaged a sensational WhoScored rating of 7.29 in 38 Championship starts for the Whites. This was a marked improvement from the 6.83 he managed in his last season before Bielsa came through the door, with the Yorkshire-born Scotsman being named in the PFA Team of the Year.

The Leeds warrior was then able to make the step up to the Premier League and thrive under Bielsa’s management last season. He averaged a score of 7.11 as he captained the side to a top-half finish, making an impressive 3.2 tackles and interceptions per game.

At the time of writing (10/10 /21), Cooper is valued at £6.30m by Transfermarkt. This is a 600% increase from his value at the time of Bielsa’s appointment and shows how the Argentine has pulled off a masterclass in coaching with the defender.

Bielsa has been able to turn Cooper into a player capable of producing excellent, consistent, performances in top-flight, having been a solid, albeit uninspiring, player in the second-tier beforehand. This shows the 66-year-old’s coaching ability and why he has been an inspired appointment at Elland Road.

AND in other news, Bielsa could save Leeds millions by unleashing “multi-faceted” 18 y/o “metronome”…

According to a report by Marca, as translated by Sport Witness, West Ham United have lodged an offer to sign Sevilla star Youssef En-Nesyri with his summer transfer decision already made.

The Lowdown: West Ham in striker search…

West Ham have been on the hunt for a new forward since the January transfer window, where manager David Moyes even confirmed a bid to sign En-Nesyri in particular (BBC).

The Moroccan comes as just one of a plethora of strikers to be linked with a move to east London, with club insider ExWHUemployee detailing a few more names since then. Tammy Abraham, Adam Armstrong, Ivan Toney and En-Nesyri have all been watched by West Ham in recent months, according to the reliable source (Patreon).

The Irons have also had their sights set on new targets like Genk forward Paul Onuachu and Ukraine international Roman Yaremchuk.

The Latest: West Ham lodge En-Nesyri offer…

As per Marca, GSB and West Ham have now ‘returned to charge with an offer’ to sign En-Nesyri from Sevilla this summer. It is claimed that Julen Lopetegui’s side have plans to strengthen in the transfer market but their limited funds mean that they simply have to ‘make a big sale’ first.

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Star players En-Nesyri and Jules Kounde could help very much in this regard, with the Hammers now lodging an offer to sign the former. However, the player himself has already made his transfer decision and does not want to sign for West Ham despite their interest.

This is allegedly due to him believing they are a ‘second row club’, with En-Nesyri not keen on leaving the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium in general.

The Verdict: Big loss…

Missing out on the 24-year-old comes as a big loss for West Ham and Moyes as they scour the market for capable striking additions.

There is absolutely no doubting his ability and proficiency in front of goal, with the La Liga hitman managing 24 goals in all competitions over 2020/21 (Transfermarkt).

He comes as one of West Ham’s more proven targets at the very top level and has been described as ‘excellent’ by Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague (Premier Sports).

Amid this claim, it seems that the Irons are unlikely to snap him up this summer.

In other news: ‘Superstar’, ‘What a player’…Many West Ham fans rave as ‘good news’ emerges, find out more here.

Newcastle United are now reportedly ‘close’ to signing Santiago Munoz before the summer transfer window ends.

The Lowdown: Agreement reached

According to ESPN, Munoz is one step away from signing for the St. James’ Park faithful, who have reached an agreement with his club Santos Laguna.

However, with the deadline just a few days away, they need to act fast if they are serious about bringing the striker in.

The Latest: Deal ‘close’

Writing in his latest piece for The Chronicle, Mark Douglas has said that a deal to bring Munoz to the North East is now ‘close’, as he was withdrawn from the Mexican league’s all-star match to hold talks with the Tyneside club.

However, the journalist has warned that a move will depend on whether the Premier League will give the club a permit, which is currently in the balance at the moment given the new Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) rules.

The Verdict: Sign

The Magpies are in desperate need of some more bodies to add to Steve Bruce’s squad, and while Munoz may not get into the set-up straight away given that he is just 19 years of age, he would at least offer another option.

The Mexican starlet has shown that he can score goals for both for club and country already, scoring eight goals in 16 matches for the Mexico U17’s as well as netting three strikes in 19 games for Santos (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, he is a player for the future who can certainly develop with the Toon, perhaps offering the club a chance to make a hefty profit in the future.

In other news, find out who NUFC are ‘in talks’ to sign here!