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Everton midfielder Anthony Gordon must step up for Carlo Ancelotti as Bernard reportedly nears a move to UAE outfit Al Nasr.

What’s the word?

According to the Liverpool Echo, Toffees chiefs are in official negotiations with Al Nasr over a deal for Bernard.

The Brazilian has entered into the final 18-months of his £120,000-per-week contract and has fallen out of favour under Carlo Ancelotti, with the Italian only starting him twice in the Premier League this season.

Everton are hoping to see a deal for Bernard finalised before Monday night’s deadline in order to clear his lucrative terms from the club’s wage bill, and may even allow the 28-year-old to secure a free transfer just two-and-a-half years on from joining the Blues.

Bernard was omitted from Ancelotti’s matchday squad as Everton lost 2-0 at home to Newcastle United on Saturday after being an unused substitute in the prior 1-1 draw with Leicester City, the 12th time this season that he had failed to enter a top-flight fixture from the bench.

Previous reports had suggested that Al Nasr had agreed to sign Bernard on loan with a €5m (£4.5m) obligation to turn the deal permanent at the end of the season, despite claims of Everton wanting £9m amid interest from AS Roma.

Everton parting with Bernard before Monday night’s 23:00 shut off is likely to have implications on Gordon’s future at Goodison Park, with the winger unlikely to be allowed to leave on loan following interest from Championship and Bundesliga clubs.

Time for Gordon to step up

Everton retaining Gordon, if Bernard’s deal to join Al Nasr goes through, will leave Ancelotti needing the youth product to step up, after a handful of underwhelming outings from the youngster in recent weeks and months.

David Unsworth has previously backed Gordon to find a home for himself on the wing, for he boasts “unbelievable pace” and a growing eye for the final pass, but the forward let Everton and Ancelotti down when fielded in the FA Cup against Rotherham United earlier this month.

Gordon was criticised for his poor body language during the third-round tie having shrieked into the shadows after a promising start, going from turning defenders inside out and carving the backline apart to rarely completing a pass and offering no end product.

That performance also came in only the 19-year-old’s third start of the season across all senior competitions, while playing a mere 87 minutes of Premier League action thanks partly to being hauled off just 10 minutes into the second-half at Sheffield United.

Gordon failed to create many one-vs-one opportunities at Bramall Lane and Ancelotti will need to see the England U20 do more if he is to offer the threat from the left that £13.5m-rated flop Bernard could not offer Everton.

It was also those performances that have helped to see Lucas Digne emerge ahead of Gordon, as well as Bernard, in Ancelotti’s pecking order for wide-left options, after the French full-back opened the Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester games in midfield.

If Gordon is to stay at Goodison Park and not leave on loan in line with Bernard’s exit, it has to be time for the Liverpool-born prospect to step up and make the position his.

AND in other news, a £70k-p/w gem let Carlo Ancelotti down as Everton lost to Newcastle…

Liverpool lost their second home game in a row with their 1-0 defeat to Brighton on Wednesday night.

Steven Alzate scored the only goal of the game for the visitors in what was a shock win, but very much deserved, as the Reds suffered another hit in the Premier League title race.

There has been plenty of talk about the Reds’ injuries, but The Athletic’s James Pearce had a bone to pick with Jurgen Klopp regarding his decisions from who was available for the game.

Pearce gives honest verdict

The German tactician opted to go for a midfield three that consisted of Thiago Alcantara, James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum, leaving out Curtis Jones, who had put in a fine showing against West Ham United.

Replying to a fan during a Q&A session, Pearce could not understand why Jones didn’t start the game.

He said: “Not sure about [Ben] Davies as he’s only just in the door but Jones should have started. It was so flat and I’m sure fatigue played a part in that.”

Transfer Tavern Verdict

It’s a fair point to raise from Pearce, considering how Jones changed the game almost immediately at the London Stadium.

But Klopp did highlight fatigue as one of the factors of the defeat – which could also be an indication why the Melwood graduate didn’t feature in the initial eleven.

Even after Jones came on – he could not make an impact due to how well Graham Potter had set up his Brighton side. Whether he will get an opportunity from the start against Manchester City remains to be seen.

In other news, Star defender gutted to miss out dream Liverpool move on Deadline Day.

Reports by Le 10 Sport earlier this week claimed Stade de Reims are almost guaranteed to sell Boulaye Dia in the summer, but the striker’s efforts in Ligue 1 are starting to prove that West Ham were right to snub a January transfer.

Reims are unlikely to retain Dia beyond the current campaign as they are loath to lose the 24-year-old for free next year, when his £3k-per-week contract is due to expire.

With Dia also attracting interest from clubs around Europe, the Stade Auguste-Delaune natives feel they could recover at least €15m (£13m) for the Senegal international, despite the Irons refusing to match that valuation during the recently closed winter market.

Weekly magazine France Football claimed in January that David Moyes’ Irons felt the fee needed to acquire Dia in the middle of the campaign was too high for a player of his status, with the three-cap forward only in his third season of top-flight football.

Dia is also enjoying his best campaign in front of the net with 12 goals in 23 Ligue 1 appearances, though is yet to add to his tally since striking a brace at home to AS Saint-Etienne in early January.

Nonetheless, it was already proposed by France Football that the Plastics Vallee product was also on the radars of SSC Napoli, AC Milan and Torino, while Le 10 Sport now add Ligue 1 giants Olympique de Marseille and Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt to his list of suitors.

The German outfit seem particularly keen to elbow their way to the front of the queue, as well, with Adi Hutter’s Deutsche Bank Park natives planning to submit an offer at the end of the term.

Milan and Napoli have previously spoken with the attacker’s representatives over a move to Italy, while Telefoot Chaine, via GFFN, suggested the Irons were willing to pay €10m (£8.5m) in January.

But no matter the interest emerging around Europe, Dia’s efforts in Ligue 1 right now are proving Moyes and West Ham were right to ere on the side of caution and not swoop for the French-born striker.

Dia is six Ligue 1 appearances without a goal since scoring against Saint-Etienne, and it has not been through a lack of attempts with the 24-year-old taking 10 shots over those outings, per WhoScored.

He was also dispossessed five times – more than in any other league game this term – and took six unsuccessful touches – the second-highest amount in single-game – against RC Lens last time out, only against FC Nantes in December has he taken more (8).

Additionally, Dia registered a lowly 5.93 match rating against Angers SCO at the start of the month, to contribute to an average 6.2 over his last three appearances, far below his seasonal score of 6.92 or the personal best 9.62 achieved against Montpellier HSC in October.

The 5 ft 10 striker may have hit a brace in defeat to second-tier Valenciennes FC in the Coupe de France to take his tally to 14 in all competitions this season, and he would have offered another body in West Ham’s attack after Sebastien Haller joined AFC Ajax.

But Dia’s Ligue 1 efforts are only proving Moyes made the right call in refusing to match Reim’s asking price, and it will surely take a sizable turnaround for the Irons to swoop this summer.

It appears that the east Londoners dodged a sizeable bullet this January, even in their need for a proper striker replacement.

AND in other news, West Ham weigh up free-agent deal for 28-y/o who flopped after a £16m Premier League move…

Blackburn Rovers will strive to get back to winning ways at home to Watford on Wednesday night, but boss Tony Mowbray is facing a selection dilemma at Ewood Park.

The Lancashire outfit are without a point from their last four Championship fixtures and any hopes of a Play-Off berth are fading fast with a 10-point deficit now in play, while the Hornets travel north on the back of three-straight wins.

Rovers lost 3-1 on their visit to Vicarage Road back in October and will hope to avoid Watford doing the double, having delivered an impressive response to their recent plight during last Saturday’s narrow defeat at Nottingham Forest.

But with injuries on the rise and Under 23s players having to be drafted in to the senior fold, Mowbray will have his work cut out. And, with that in mind, here’s a potential line-up Blackburn could name…

Blackburn lost Ryan Nyambe due to a hamstring injury against Nottingham Forest to join Darragh Lenihan, Lewis Holtby and Tom Trybull in the treatment room, and Mowbray is unsure whether or not the right-back will be passed fit to face Watford.

Being without the 23-year-old could see Dan Pike brought in for what would be his senior debut, after the teenage prospect – who has featured on the bench twice across all competitions this term – was confirmed as being a part of the Rovers’ first-team squad.

Pike and fellow academy talent Connor McBride have been called up to the senior fold with Sam Gallagher also absent, after the striker suffered bruising on the lung and was taken to hospital at half-time during Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Forest.

Changes may also be afoot at left-back with Barry Douglas returning to the starting line-up after being rested at the weekend, for what would be the former Scotland international’s 18th Championship appearance of the season.

Gallagher’s absence is not expected to return a first-team appearance for McBride, with Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliott instead moving out to the wing in search of his 10th assist of the second-tier campaign.

Elliott’s altered role for the midweek affair would see Mowbray change his system from the 4-2-3-1 used in recent weeks, with a return to the 4-3-3 last seen against Queens Park Rangers at the start of Blackburn’s current winless run.

Jacob Davenport would be expected to take up the defensive role in the engine room with Lewis Travis occupying a box-to-box role alongside the returning Joe Rothwell.

Rothwell is one of Blackburn’s most influential players this season with three assists and three goals in 25 Championship appearances – only Elliott has created (9) more while also scoring (4) more alongside top-scorer Adam Armstrong (19) and Gallagher (4).

However the £4,000-per-week midfielder has played just 10 minutes over Rovers’ last two league games after earning his 19th and most recent start on the left-flank at home to Preston North End on February 12.

Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley is not having the best of times at the club recently and Jamie Redknapp has expressed his concerns over the player.

Redknapp discusses Barkley

Speaking on Sky Sports [via HITC], he said: “The fact that Grealish isn’t playing and he’s not still playing, it’s a worry for him. He’s got ability but when you go out on loan to a club it’s a big opportunity to show what you got. Showcase, this is what Chelsea will be missing. He’s obviously not doing enough. Now, he’s sitting on the bench and he’s waiting for his chance.”

The Englishman needs to step up

Villa manager Dean Smith has spoken highly of the player, calling him a ‘marquee signing’. Some may have expected Barkley would have come straight into the side when Jack Grealish picked up an injury, but Smith has favoured other options, including emerging academy star Jacob Ramsey. Barkley has had to be content with a substitute’s role in his last two games.

The Chelsea loanee has posed an attacking threat, managing 1.9 shots and 1.8 key passes per game (WhoScored). However he has only managed three goals and one assist, so it is understandable to see why Smith is looking at other options in his squad.

When he is next given a chance, the 27-year-old will have to be at his best if he wants to have a future either at Villa or at Chelsea. Redknapp is right to fear for Barkley, whose ineffectiveness has cost him his place in the side.

In other news, many Villa fans fumed at this ace in their match against Wolves!

Diego Laxalt is unlikely to extend his temporary stay with Celtic in the summer.

That’s according to the latest reports from Argentina, cited by Sempre Milan who have linked the 28-year-old with a move to Boca Juniors.

Laxalt a big Celtic earner

Laxalt joined the Hoops from AC Milan back in October and has made 23 appearances in all competitions since then.

The left-back has been battling with Greg Taylor for a starting spot in green and white, with the South American featuring from the off in just two of the club’s last 11 Scottish Premiership fixtures.

Celtic are thought to be paying £22,250 of the Uruguayan’s weekly wage but, despite rumours of a permanent Parkhead move, it now seems as if his days left in Glasgow are numbered.

Transfer Tavern take

The £3.6m-rated ace hasn’t exactly nailed down the left-back spot since the New Year, so, even though a permanent Parkhead switch is unlikely, it may not be a huge transfer blow.

A rebuild both on and off the pitch at Celtic Park looks likely to get the go ahead this summer, so the club could bring in a new left-back to rival Greg Taylor.

Boli Bolingoli could also return to Glasgow from his loan spell with Istanbul Basaksehir, although the Turkish side do have the option to sign the 25-year-old on a permanent basis.

West Ham United have landed a dream opportunity to sign SS Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha and seal their long-term heir to Lukasz Fabianski.

What’s the word?

According to La Lazio Siamo Noi, Strakosha faces an uncertain future at the Stadio Olimpico after losing his place in Simone Inzaghi’s side to veteran shot-stopper Pepe Reina.

Strakosha is currently due to be out of contract in 2022 but talks over a new deal were put on hold due to the events of the season, after discussions were opened almost a year ago.

The Albanian goalie, for his part, would like to see his future resolved and understand to what degree Lazio still believe in him, otherwise, he will hand in a transfer request this summer.

Strakosha has told Sky Italia, via Cittaceleste, of his willingness to leave the side where he made a name for himself, too, with Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund a potential destination.

“I am open to new challenges. Rome is like a second home for me, but the Bundesliga is a very interesting league. It could be a great step in my career. Borussia Dortmund? It is a great club with great ambitions. I’d be lying if I said I’m not interested,” he said.

West Ham have also been credited with an interest in Strakosha previously, with reports by Calciomercato claiming the Irons approached Lazio to discuss a deal during in the recent winter window.

Strakosha had lost the number one jersey earlier in the campaign, after testing positive for coronavirus and was later sidelined after developing a knee injury. Reina performed well as the stand-in for many games, but has suffered a recent drop off in form.

Inzaghi is now expected to make a change in goal for Friday night’s clash with FC Crotone after a string of impressive performances in training from Strakosha, in what will be a crucial period for the 25-year-old’s future at the Serie A side.

Should West Ham sign Strakosha?

West Ham have been linked with a myriad of potential goalkeepers of late, with Manchester United’s Dean Henderson, Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale and Leeds United’s Illan Meslier among those touted amid uncertainty about Fabianski’s future at the London Stadium.

That speculation may now end with the Irons announcing on Wednesday that Fabianski has signed a one-year contract extension to stay at the club until the summer of 2022, yet his new deal should not stop David Moyes from securing a long-term heir to the Poland international.

Fabianski’s long-term future remains a doubt with the shot-stopper turning 36 next month and with his new terms lasting only for a further 12-months, West Ham will be in the same boat next year.

That is unless they look to land his replacement this summer when Strakosha may be available, in a potential dream scenario for the Irons given Lazio valued the Albanian as highly as €40m (£34m) back in 2019 amid widespread interest.

It was thought the 25-year-old was being lined up as Hugo Lloris’ replacement at Tottenham Hotspur, and Spurs again showed an interest last summer alongside Leicester City. He also snubbed a €30m (£25.5m) move to Liverpool the year before when Jurgen Klopp eventually brought in Allison Becker for £67m.

Lazio’s current valuation would be expected to be significantly lower given Strakosha’s often understudy status when fit, with just six Serie A appearances to his name this term. And Moyes should still explore a deal, despite Fabianski’s new contract.

AND in other news, David Moyes has confirmed his intent for West Ham to sign a £42k-p/w brute this summer…

Leicester City produced a five-star performance on Sunday afternoon, dismissing a Chris Wilder-less Sheffield United 5-0 at the King Power Stadium.

It was a stunning performance from the entire Brendan Rodgers’ side, however, the main man really was Kelechi Iheanacho, with the Nigerian blasting home his first-ever Foxes hat-trick.

The former Manchester City forward suitably impressed, with WhoScored handing him a perfect rating of 10.0, and his performance certainly justified that evaluation.

His three finishes to secure the match-ball were of the highest quality. He twice combined with Jamie Vardy either side of the half-time break, before then completing his treble with a stunning drive from range.

Away from the goals, Iheanacho was a constant threat to the Blades throughout the 90 minutes. He could have added to his afternoon, having six shots, with four on target. As is somewhat expected, nobody had more efforts at goal than the 24-year-old.

Even when the visitors did attempt to get close to Iheanacho, they did not manage to take the ball off of him, with the striker completing a match-high six dribbles.

Iheanacho might have felt somewhat unfortunate to have not managed to also add an assist to his afternoon’s work. His perfect through-ball, amongst his three key passes, put Vardy through in the second-half, with the forward just failing to beat Aaron Ramsdale in the Sheffield United goal.

Iheanacho’s contributions did not end in the attacking side of the game, however. His tireless running and hassling also ensured that the Blades were blunted as they tried to get out. The Nigerian provided a further two tackles to round off an extremely impressive personal performance amongst a seamless Leicester display.

With Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers recently saying that Iheanacho “has everything”, he will be hopeful of the Nigerian continuing his rich vein of form for the remainder of the campaign.

AND in more news, read why it’s crucial for Leicester City to secure a long-term midfield target this summer…

Celtic legend Scott Brown is expected to leave the Hoops this summer, according to reports.

The Daily Record claim that the 35-year-old, who was offered a one-year extension at Parkhead, has decided to move to Pittodrie alongside his former Hibernian teammate Stephen Glass.

Glass was confirmed as Aberdeen’s new manager on Tuesday afternoon.

Brown’s agreement following Rangers draw

The report claims that Brown verbally agreed to join The Dons after talks with chairman Dave Cormack following Celtic’s 1-1 draw with Rangers on Sunday.

Brown, who has made over 600 appearances for the Hoops, played 88 minutes of the Glasgow Derby at Celtic Park.

A summer move is expected to be confirmed by Wednesday evening, with the Daily Record giving a 48-hour window when the story was released on Monday night.

Transfer Tavern take

The no-nonsense midfielder has been in and out of the side this season under former manager Neil Lennon, starting just 20 Scottish Premiership fixtures.

Brown has been an ever-present figure in green and white since joining in 2007, though, so his exit, to us, is a huge development at Celtic Park.

He’ll need replacing in the summer window, as his exit will leave the Hoops with Callum McGregor, Ismaila Soro and Nir Bitton as the club’s only senior defensive midfield options.

Brown’s exit could also have a major impact on the dressing room, and you’d expect vice-captain McGregor to take the armband on a full-time basis next season.

In other news: Celtic tipped to re-visit interest in 2020 target this summer, find out more here. 

Life has arguably never been busier for Dermot Desmond at Celtic. The club’s majority shareholder is frantically trying to right the wrongs of this season and he’s even appeared in front of the media.

At the top of Desmond’s agenda is finding a new manager. Neil Lennon left his role around three weeks ago but we are still no closer to discovering his successor.

The 70-year-old admitted this week that a process was in place but they wouldn’t reveal what sort of boss they were looking for.

The businessman has also been busy revamping the club’s hierarchy. Celtic are set to welcome Dominic McKay as the new CEO this summer when Peter Lawwell retires.

He could also be followed out the door by not only a number of the playing staff, but also Nick Hammond, the man in charge of the Hoops’ recruitment.

That’s because a brand new director of football role has been opened up by Celtic. It has been a meticulous process to find one but according to Football Insider, a deal to bring Manchester City’s Fergal Harkin to Paradise is 90% done.

Indeed, he could be unveiled in the not too distant future if you believe the words of Hoops podcaster Paul John Dykes. Speaking this week, he said: “Fergal Harkin seems to be a shoo-in. He seems to be the guy that’s in as director of football. And we would expect a director of football to be announced first.”

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Dykes added: “So, we’ve got the new CEO; we know that he’s going to be in place – Dominic McKay. I would expect pretty soon the announcement that Fergal Harkin is going to be the director of football.”

This should be music to the ears of Desmond, a man that’s had plenty on his plate. Only this week he was questioned over his status at the club.

A quick-fire answer was provided; he wouldn’t be selling his shares. That response should have been obvious considering the empire he’s currently building at Parkhead.

With a new director of football through the door, it will give the hierarchy at Celtic a greater opportunity to focus on finding their new manager. It could even lead to Harkin himself having a large say in who walks through the door.

After a season where the Bhoys relinquished their grasp on the SPFL, having more eyes on proceedings is certainly no bad idea.

To get one appointment finally sorted will come as a big relief to Desmond.

AND in other news, Celtic star could leave after worrying phone calls emerge, Desmond must be scared…