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Charlton must swoop for Norwich centre-back Akin Famewo after Norwich’s loan manager, Neil Adams, admitted that the defender is likely to go back out on loan next season.

What’s the talk?

Adams has opened the door to the “strong” defender Famewo leaving Carrow Road on a temporary basis again next season. The former Luton man spent the 2020/21 campaign on loan to Charlton in League One.

Adams has said that the ultimate goal for Famewo is to be part of their first-team squad, but that it will not happen right away and he needs to have a pathway to reach his target.

He told Norwich’s official website:

“It is different, because when you are sending players on loan what is the ultimate, what is the target, what is the goal? As I said before, it is to come back and play for us but sometimes that needs to be done in stages.

“The goal for Akin was to go and get games under his belt, to go and prove himself at League One level and impress at a good club, a really big club, in Charlton Athletic. He has had a fantastic loan there. He was excellent. He kept six clean sheets in the first seven games, and six clean sheets on the spin, which is pretty much unheard of at any level.

“He was part of that back four and the goalkeeper who did that, along with the team to give Charlton credit. We have seen all his games and he has done really well. He has shown his attributes, that we know he has got. He is strong, he is quick, he can defend, and he can play on the ball.

“He was hampered by one or two injuries, which was a bit of a shame, because it disrupted his flow and frustrated him, but I think overall he went and showed what a good defender he is and, obviously, he has ticked that box and now it is on to next season and what decision and what pathway he has now.”

Fans would love it

Famewo made an instant impact upon his arrival at Charlton at the start of the season, helping to keep six clean sheets in his first seven starts. Charlton kept shutouts against Sunderland, Portsmouth and Oxford during that run of games, with the 22-year-old playing all bar 16 minutes of the six matches. In total, Charlton kept clean sheets in 10 of the 20 League One game Famewo started, whilst Nigel Adkins’ side only kept seven clean sheets in the 26 games Famewo either missed or began on the bench.

Of all the Charlton defenders to start 15 or more League One games, Famewo averaged the highest WhoScored rating in the squad. Famewo averaged a score of 6.96 in 22 games, 7.04 in 20 starts, with Jake Forster-Caskey and Jayden Stockley the only players – out of every position – to manage better than that over the course of the season. Famewo was a dominant defender for Charlton, winning four aerial battles and making one block per game in League One to go along with his 4.5 clearances per game.

Famewo did struggle with injuries during his spell with Adkins’ team. The Norwich defender suffered a hamstring injury in November before missing two months of the campaign with an ankle injury during the festive period. This caused Famewo’s season to stutter and the defender was unable to play the majority of Charlton’s league matches because of it.

Bringing him back to the club for a second season could give him the chance to stay fit for the entire year and play the regular matches that Adams admits Norwich want for him.

Furthermore, Charlton fans should be happy if the club can get a deal done as not only will their team be getting a quality player, but supporters will be given the opportunity to enjoy his impressive defending in person with crowds permitted at matches next season.

AND in other news, Les Reed is delighted to see this key man thriving at Charlton…

Liverpool reportedly have a first agreement to sign Benfica’s Uruguayan striker, Darwin Nunez.

What’s the word?

According to the latest report from Journalist Brahian Kuchman: “There would be a first agreement for Darwin Nunez to be a new English Liverpool player.”

Taking to his Twitter page, Kuchman also stated: “Jurgen Klopp has grown tired of praising the Uruguayan to such an extent that he will end up hiring him.”

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Klopp’s final straw

If the latest reports are anything to go by, Klopp will most certainly have the 22-year-old goal machine at his disposal next season.

Described as a “proper talent” by freelance football writer Amos Murphy on Twitter and as a “diamond” by Steve McManaman, Nunez is having the season of his life in Liga Portugal this year.

His both legs of their Champions League showdown earlier this month.

Of course, Klopp will have subtle confidence about picking up players from Liga Portugal, with his recent coup of former Porto star Luis Diaz demonstrating the amount of value that is scattered all over Portugal.

25-year-old Diaz has transitioned seamlessly into English football, with his five goal returns from nine appearances serving as great evidence of that.

The 54-year-old Liverpool boss Klopp will also be aware of the potential partnership that could blossom between Diaz and Nunez. With the trio of Mane, Salah and Firmino all in the final year of their contracts, Liverpool may be thinking about the future.

Those at Anfield will be urging the club to sign the out-and-out striker who possesses limitless potential at just 22-years-old, though it will not be cheap.

Whilst the Anfield side may reportedly have a “first agreement” to sign the 6 foot 2 goal-machine, he is valued at a mighty £83m by some sources.

In other news: “I get the sense”: Exciting behind-scenes Liverpool claim will leave fans buzzing…

Plenty of Arsenal fans have been reacting to an injury update on Kieran Tierney on social media.

Mikel Arteta revealed earlier this month that the left-back, who suffered knee ligament damage against Liverpool, would probably miss the rest of the season.

However, in a recent injury update on the club’s official website, it appears as if Tierney could be back sooner than expected.

The Gunners provided an update on a number of sidelined players ahead of Friday’s clash with Everton on Wednesday.

On Tierney, the club said he is making ‘positive progress and is hoping to be back in training within two to three weeks’.

Tierney, who suffered a knee injury earlier in the campaign, has made 33 appearances in all competitions this season, showing he is a crucial part of the manager’s plans.

Arsenal fans react

@ltarsenal shared Tierney’s positive progress and training return timeframe on Twitter on Wednesday evening.

This is what these Gunners had to say in reply, with one describing the update as ‘huge news’, perhaps casting an eye towards a potential Europa League final, which would take place on May 26.

“Huge news #KroenkeOut”

Credit: @_SakaSZN_

“No way”

Credit: @goonerjames

“love to see it”

Credit: @leeah3x

“The miracle worker Mazziotti at work!”

Credit: @sunnysathvik

“At least some positive news”

Credit: @Sam27542817

“Things we love to see #KroenkeOut”

Credit: @DennisAFC

In other news: Many Arsenal fans buzz at news of Stan Kroenke protests, find out more here. 

Crystal Palace reporter Matt Woosnam has revealed the Eagles are not interested in signing Michy Batshuayi on a permanent basis.

The Chelsea striker has enjoyed two loan spells at Selhurst Park and scored eight goals in 33 appearances.

Although the Belgium international has returned to Stamford Bridge ahead of the new season, he is among those boss Thomas Tuchel is keen to sell in order to boost his transfer kitty.

Chelsea are looking to offload a string of high-earning fringe players as they set their sights on signing big-name targets like Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland.

Batshuayi has failed to nail down a regular starting berth at Chelsea following a reported £33million transfer from Marseille in 2016.

The 27-year-old has also spent time at Borussia Dortmund and Valencia since his move to west London but new Palace manager Patrick Vieira, who was appointed earlier this month, will not be dipping into his transfer budget to secure Batshuayi’s services permanently.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, The Athletic journalist Woosnam said: “I think that’s almost certainly not going to happen. It’s out of the question.

“Palace are looking at revitalising their squad and it’s very clear they’re looking at younger players.

“That does not mean completely avoiding slightly older players but Batshuayi is slightly old in that respect.”

Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Angers midfielder Angelo Fulgini as the club’s new era under Patrick Vieira starts to take shape.

What’s the story?

The Eagles have already secured the signatures of Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi and Michael Olise this summer, with Chelsea youngster Conor Gallagher arriving at Selhurst Park on a season-long loan deal.

According to the Daily Mail, the highly-rated Fulgini could be the next fresh face to arrive in south London.

The report states that the French outfit are set to demand £12m for their prized asset, although the Palace hierarchy may have to move quickly in order to secure their target as Monaco and Newcastle United are also credited with an interest.

Vieira would love him

Fulgini caught the eye with a string of impressive performances for Angers last season, firing Les Noirs et Blancs to top-flight safety. In 36 appearances in all competitions, the former France Under-21 international bagged 10 goals, laying on a further four assists for his teammates.

However, his underlying statistics were arguably just as impressive, highlighting the technically gifted magician’s importance to his current club.

As per WhoScored, Fulgini recorded two shots, 1.7 key passes and 2.5 dribbles per league game throughout 2020/21, seeing him outperform all of his teammates who played more than three games in each metric.

The 6 ft maestro established himself Angers’ star player last term and cultivated a reputation as an extremely talented dribbler, completing 81 successful take-ons in Ligue 1, far more than any Palace player.

His age, ability and price tag make him an ideal signing for Palace, and Vieira would surely love to have him at the capital club. It’s clear that the Eagles are targeting young, exciting players with bags of potential this summer, and 24-year-old Fulgini would certainly fit that profile.

Therefore, Palace chairman Steve Parish must swoop for the midfielder before any other potential suitors make their move, adding another astute acquisition to Vieira’s ranks.

In other news… Sky Sports drop exciting Crystal Palace transfer update that’ll have fans excited

Xisco Munoz’s Watford side are considering allowing Ben Wilmot to leave Vicarage Road this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Athletic, who claim that the Hornets are yet to decide whether or not to extend the 21-year-old’s contract, which is set to expire at the end of next season.

It is reported, however, that the club have the option to extend the centre-back’s stay until 2023 due to a clause in his current deal.

As a result of Watford’s apparent indecision regarding the £2.7 million-rated man, The Athletic claim that Swansea City are keeping a close eye on the England U21 international ahead of a potential move this summer.

Wilmot must stay

Despite his tender age, Wilmot nevertheless played an important role in helping Watford achieve automatic promotion to the Premier League last season, with the centre-back making 25 Championship appearances for Xisco’s side, over which he helped to keep six clean sheets as well as averaging a respectable SofaScore match rating of 6.76.

However, it is not exactly the defender’s performances in the season just past that are the reason why Watford should look to keep the youngster on their books, but rather those that are to come in the future.

Having progressed through the England youth setup, while currently playing for the U21 side, it is clear that, from a national perspective, the perception is that Wilmot’s game bears a great deal of promise.

Indeed, this was an opinion shared by his former centre-back partner, Jack King, during his time at Stevenage, who stated his belief that Wilmot has a “bright future ahead of him.”

As such, while the argument could be made that the defender may not be ready for Premier League football just yet, it would be highly advisable for Cristiano Giaretta to avoid cashing in on the 21-year-old this summer, as, after gaining more experience at Championship level – perhaps on a loan deal – we would not bet against Wilmot flourishing into an extremely good option for the Hornets at some point in the not so distant future, as well as one who has the potential to become a lot more valuable financially.

In other news: Watford suffer huge blow in pursuit of “talented” £25k-p/w gem, Giaretta will be livid – opinion

Peterborough United Director of Football Barry Fry has revealed that the club want to sign six new players this summer.

Posh are preparing for a season in the Championship after winning promotion from League One by finishing second behind Hull City.

The club have not been in the second-tier since 2012/13, when they finished 22nd under the management of Darren Ferguson, who is now in his third spell at the club.

They are looking to compete in the Championship this time around, though, and are planning for a busy summer that could see a number of players come through the door at London Road.

Peterborough have already announced a clutch of new contracts, tying down the likes of Ricky Jade-Jones and centre-back Ronnie Edwards among others.

And Fry has now confirmed that the club are in search of some experienced talent to bolster Ferguson’s squad ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Fry said: “We tied six of our players who were already under contract with us to new three-year contracts because they got us there, and the spirit of everybody got us there, and we had the nucleus of a good side, so we want to keep that together.

“It is important in the Championship that we add to that and we would like to sign another six players to strengthen the squad, to go with the already very good, very hungry, very young squad.

“Apart from Beevers, all of our players are really young and you need one or two experienced players in your side that’s played in the Championship before to help the other lads. The other lads, some of the younger lads, have come on leaps and bounds.”

Lots of Glasgow Rangers fans have been left buzzing over some news from the club’s youth ranks.

As shared by the official Twitter page of Rangers B & Academy, the B team defeated Berwick Rangers 6-1 away from home with six different scorers in what was described as a ‘great performance’ with ‘brilliant team play’.

Robbie Fraser, Leon King, Alex Lowry, Ross McCausland, Kyle McClelland and Tony Weston all managed to get themselves on the scoresheet as Rangers B followed up their 3-0 win at home to Hammarby on Tuesday night.

The young Bears are in a very good place at this moment in time, and some of their performances should certainly catch the eye of Steven Gerrard, who may now think about giving one or two of them a chance in the first team.

Rangers fans on B-team’s result

These Ibrox supporters were delighted as the result was shared on Twitter, with one Gers fan saying that it was ‘excellent’ from the youngsters:

“Brilliant result”

Credit: @Tracey49876558

“FT: Berwick Rangers – 1 Rangers B – 6. Great win lads”

Credit: @BobSteele55

“Fantastic result”

Credit: @Papa_291

“What a future for a club if handled correctly”

Credit: @RFCGW

“Excellent again by the youngsters”

Credit: @4ladshadadream

“Nice one young Gers”

Credit: @Rabg1872

In other news, some fans criticised this first-teamer’s performance against Hibernian

A number of Wolves supporters are happy for Morgan Gibbs-White to stay at Sheffield United all season, or even see the club sell him in January.

Bruno Lage’s side have picked up some much-needed form in the Premier League, following a below-par start to the campaign initially.

Victory away to Southampton was followed up by last weekend’s win at home to Newcastle United, suggesting Wolves have turned a corner.

One individual who is playing no part for Lage’s side in 2021/22 is Gibbs-White, who was sent out on loan to the Blades during the summer.

According to The Star [via Talking Wolves on Twitter], United want Wolves to keep them informed of whether or not they could recall the 21-year-old in January.

Wolves fans don’t want Gibbs-White return

It appears as though the youngster isn’t wanted back at Molineux any time soon, though, with these fans taking to Twitter to provide their thoughts on the situation.

“Was surprised they let him go once no more midfielders were coming in but think he needs a full season of regular 90 minutes so let him stay”

Credit: @markwwfc1

“Sell him in January for £10million then put that towards so much better. He’s a good Championship player & no better”

Credit: @WWFC09

“Leave the lad where he is for the entire season. Let him play games and get experience until he’s able to contribute regularly for the wolves. It doesn’t benefit anyone him playing 10 minutes every other league game and in the cup”

Credit: @kufoolch

“Let him stay at Sheffield United. Then let’s see what he can do next season after playing regularly for a season. He’s stagnated at Wolves because he hasn’t started enough games to develop”

Credit: @C_at3y77

“100% stay there. Not good enough to play Premier league every week and the odd few minutes here or there isn’t going to help”

Credit: @drawlings27

“Just don’t get all the hype over this guy he’s not even that young anymore been hanging around Wolves for years. Just because he came through the Wolves academy, time to sell him”

Credit: @satsomboon

In other news, some Wolves fans have hailed one player’s performance at international level. Find out who it is here.

West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Josh Griffiths is set to leave The Hawthorns this summer to head out on loan.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, who passed on the transfer news on via a post on Twitter, reporting that the 19-year-old shot-stopper looks set to join Lincoln City on a season-long loan deal in the coming days.

Crook also claimed that the England U21 international has signed a new four-year deal with Valerien Ismael’s side, ensuring the ‘keeper will remain contracted at the club until the summer of 2025.

Good news for West Brom

Having highly impressed while out on loan at Cheltenham Town last season, the fact that Griffiths looks set to make a step up in division next term, especially with a team such as Michael Appleton’s Lincoln City, is extremely good news for West Brom.

Indeed, over his 44 League Two appearances for Michael Duff’s side last time out, Griffiths helped his team keep a whopping 21 clean sheets and conceded just 37 goals, as well as making an average of two saves and 0.4 successful runs out per game.

These returns saw the £450k-rated man earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.87, ranking him as the Robins’ ninth-best performer in the fourth tier of English football, playing a key role in the club’s title-winning campaign.

As such, if the man Andy Wilcox claimed has a “big future” in the game can continue this level of performance while at Lincoln next season, it would appear to bode extremely well for the gaolkeepers’ chances of coming back to West Brom next summer and fighting for a place in Ismael’s first team.

And, with Sam Johnstone being heavily linked with a move away from The Hawthorns this summer, the club could well be in need of a new long term shot-stopper sooner rather than later, with Griffiths representing a young, home-grown and cost-effective option for the role.

In other news: West Brom handed transfer boost on “talented” £3k-p/w machine, Ismael will be buzzing