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Many fans of West Ham United have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relayed the news that Mark Noble has signed a contract extension at the club.

According to a report by The Athletic, the West Ham captain has put pen to paper on a new one-year deal with the east London side, which will see the 33-year-old remain with the Irons until at least the summer of 2022.

The £4.05m-rated midfielder, who has made a total of 520 appearances for the Hammers, has found game-time hard to come by under David Moyes so far this season, starting just three Premier League matches.

After West Ham News relayed the report regarding Noble’s contract on Twitter, these fans of the club flocked to have their say on the matter, with many appearing furious at the prospect of the captain remaining in east London for a further year. One disparaging supporter pondered whether the announcement was a “joke”.

So, what exactly did these West Ham United fans have to say in reaction to Mark Noble’s contract news?

“Nothing personal about a great club servant but he’s now taking up a first-team squad place that could be much better used. Can’t accept it’s over. Find him a coaching role and move on.”

@aceofspies64

“People slag the board off for not making us a big club and delivering what they promised and then applaud signing Noble on a new contract. He wouldn’t get a look in at any other club challenging in the top half.”

@ellingford_paul

“Contract for what? As a player? Noooooo. Please, make him a coach. Give him a role. Groom him to be manager someday. But his EPL playing days are past.”

@pfmcdevitt

“Time for him to hang his boots up unfortunately and get a club role. If he had any sense he would have retired! Been a great servant but he’s too slow for the league now. Classic G&S wanting to keep him to save splashing the cash on a backup midfielder in summer!”

@michaelcoppert2

“Is this an April fools joke?”

@kirt1234567

“Waste of money really.”

@CharlieLevy92

“Ahh how exciting, waste of money that is!”

@JackPar78026231

“This is pointless.”

@wasntme23

“Shouldn’t be being sentimental if we want to push on as a club. Should have called it a day a while ago. Doesn’t improve the team/squad at all.”

@ostler_gavin

“I love Nobes but we can’t be that desperate to have a penalty taker.”

@francesellen_

In other news: Many West Ham fans responded to this club update, find out more here!

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…

Writing for football.london, Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Alasdair Gold has relayed news that defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott has suffered a fresh injury blow that his Dundee boss described as ‘severe’ – with the youngster’s loan north of the border now cut short.

Fagan-Walcott suffers injury blow

Fagan-Walcott, who made his senior debut for the Lilywhites during their Champions League second leg tie against RB Leipzig in 2020, was sent out on a temporary spell to Dundee in a bid to accumulate more game time.

However, as Gold relays this news, the Lilywhites man has now suffered a fresh injury blow after recovering from knee surgery before January – with the player now returning to north London as a result.

Dundee manager James McPake provided a bleak assessment when first confirming the scan, revealing that Fagan-Walcott’s injury was ‘pretty severe’ and it is in fact a tendon problem.

Transfer Tavern take

Time will tell exactly when Fagan-Walcott returns from this latest injury setback, but it certainly comes as another blow in his bid to become a regular Tottenham first teamer in future.

Having recovered from surgery to then pick up a serious tendon problem, the 19-year-old will be hoping his latest fitness issues don’t keep him off the field for too long in a detriment to his development.

In other news: Tottenham could lose this ‘top class’ player, find out more here.

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have waxed lyrical over young midfielder Aaron Ramsey on social media following his display in the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday evening.

The 18-year-old signed his first professional contract at Villa Park just last week and netted twice against Brighton & Hove Albion in a 3-0 win.

Ramsey, younger brother of first-team midfielder Jacob, was captaining the side and netted a brace after half time to ensure Villa booked their place in the fifth round.

Kaine Kesler-Hayden had opened the scoring with just under 20 minutes remaining, with Ramsey scoring twice in the space of six minutes to seal the win at Villa Park.

Villa fans react

Aston Villa provided live updates of the clash with the Seagulls on their official Twitter page on Wednesday evening.

This is what these Villa supporters had to say following Ramsey’s second of the game, with one describing the midfielder as ‘unbelievable’.

“What is happening”

Credit: @OcBen

“our future is so good omg”

Credit: @tiwari0216

“WOW!”

Credit: @Billiam40

“He’s unbelievable”

Credit: @AVFCsean_

“Get him in first team right now”

Credit: @camavfc__

“He’s motm by far tonight. Been class.”

Credit: @luckysalt

“He’s actually lit good lord”

Credit: @matty__jeff

In other news: Villa ready to listen to offers to 24y/o star, find out more here. 

Numerous fans of Manchester City have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relayed a claim revealing Pep Guardiola’s conversation with outbound City star Sergio Aguero.

On Monday evening, Aguero posted an emotional statement on Twitter, in which the 32-year-old confirmed that, after 10 years at Manchester City, he will be leaving the club at the end of the current campaign.

However, Mike Minay then claimed that, rather than Aguero deciding his future at City alongside the club, as had been suggested previously, Guardiola “told” the Argentine that the latter would be leaving the Etihad Stadium this summer “in a private meeting” between the two of them.

After City Xtra relayed Minay’s claim on Twitter, many fans of Manchester City flocked to have their say on the matter, with several venting their fury with the 50-year-old City manager as they seemed to believe that the Spaniard has treated the club legend in a “disrespectful” manner.

So, what did these Manchester City fans have to say in reaction to the news of Guardiola’s Aguero conversation?

“This is really disappointing from Pep. Aguero deserves more this season, especially with Jesus lacking goals. He could have proved himself then and would have earned an extension.”

@L_Sane_19

“Pep treating Aguero like this is really disrespectful. I have to hate Pep.”

@H_RICHARD5

“It may be better for Sergio to go before Pep ruins his career like he did Joe Hart’s.”

@kateylangridge

“What happened to it being Kun’s choice??”

@FloatedQuickley

“They fed us lies and we believed them.”

@brod_riguez

“Josep Guardiola better have a solid replacement otherwise Khaldoon Al Mubarak will be making another phone call real quick.”

@SheikhManCity08

“Big mistake and sad for those who think we will get Haaland, we will end up with Danny Ings or Lukaku.”

@Revanchist20

“Pep nooooooooo, not in front of no fans.”

@MoNasereldin

“So Pep is the reason?”

@iD7Mi1

In other news: These Man City fans were ecstatic as this transfer news emerged – find out more here!

Heading into the summer transfer window, there are reportedly a few candidates on Manchester United’s right-wing shortlist.

Amongst the inevitable links to Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho sits rumours surrounding Pedro Neto of Wolverhampton Wanderers and interestingly Leeds United’s Raphinha.

Of the Premier League duo, the Brazilian would be the better signing. However, a new name is in the offing with The Express suggesting that Ismaila Sarr is now on the Red Devils shortlist.

The Senegalese would certainly be a fantastic addition to the Man United squad.

Now in the Championship, the Watford man is enjoying an electric season for the Hornets. Rated at £18m, he already has nine goals and nine assists in all competitions.

No player in the entire Hornets’ squad has more goal contributions than the former Rennes man this season.

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It certainly seems that Sarr is proving club captain Troy Deeney right, with the striker predicting that the winger was going to be “big” for Watford following his exhilarating performance in the famous 3-0 win over Liverpool under Nigel Pearson.

Sarr’s fantastic form this season also comes off the back of an impressive debut season in the Premier League in which he netted six times and notched as many assists.

Whilst Raphinha is averaging better statistics according to WhoScored, Sarr should be the better option simply because of his age and affordability.

The 23-year-old is rated at just £18m, lower than Raphinha’s £22.5m.

Should Watford fail to get promoted come the end of the campaign, then that asking price could drop even further, meaning he could well be a bargain for the Red Devils.

So with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ed Woodward on the lookout for a right-winger and many names being talked-up, Sarr should certainly be right at the top of the club’s list.

AND in more news, take a look at which Red Devils’ defender has seen his transfer valuation take a nosedive…

Many Liverpool fans have been left to laud the display of Curtis Jones for the England U21s in their 2-1 win over Croatia on Wednesday evening.

The central midfield player put in a solid performance overall, managing to get himself on the scoresheet, although it was not enough for Aidy Boothroyd’s team who were sent crashing out at the group stages of the European Championships.

Jones managed to win three of his duels in the game, as well as completing one successful dribble, one clearance, two key passes, one accurate cross and one long ball, earning him a very decent 7.4 rating on Sofascore, the joint-highest out of any of his teammates to have set foot on the pitch.

The 20-year-old did get himself sent off after the final whistle after a tussle with a Croatian player, but that showed just how much it meant for him to play for his country.

Liverpool fans on Jones display

These members of the Anfield faithful lauded his performance on Twitter, with one Reds supporter even going as far as to call him an ‘absolute baller’:

“Great to see Curtis Jones playing well for the under 21s. I still think he’s a better midfielder than some in England’s first-team squad! #CROENG #LFC”

Credit: @MattGibbsOnAir

“Curtis Jones showing why he’s one of the best young English talents! #CROENG #U21EURO #LFC”

Credit: @BeingSpoken

“Great goal from Curtis Jones for the England U21s #lfc”

Credit: @davidc98

“Curtis Jones is an absolute baller #lfc #EuroU21 #ENGU21”

Credit: @tomalston_

“That’s a brilliant finish from Curtis Jones #CROENG”

Credit: @dbrindle_

“Curtis Jones!!! Get in lad what a hit. Class this is why you start him Aidy #CROENG #U21EURO”

Credit: @Haych_K

In other news, find out what news James Pearce has relayed on one LFC star has left Kopites fuming here!

David Moyes will be desperate for West Ham United’s medical team to confirm that Michail Antonio has not sustained a third serious hamstring injury of the season.

Antonio was forced off 36 minutes into the Hammers’ 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night after going to ground clutching his leg following a powerful advancing run.

The 31-year-old had toyed with Nuno Espirito Santo’s players alongside Jesse Lingard throughout his time on the pitch as the pair ran riot at Molineux, but had to watch on as the Black Country side strove to come back from three goals behind.

Lingard opened the scoring before strikes from Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen – who had only been on the pitch for three minutes after replacing Antonio – saw West Ham take a three-goal lead inside the first 38 minutes, and eventually see out the Irons’ 15th win of the Premier League season.

Moyes is now facing an anxious wait to see if the 31-year-old can feature on Sunday when West Ham host Leicester City with a chance to move to within a point of the third-placed Foxes.

The Scottish tactician hinted after the Wolves win that Antonio was not overly concerned by his hamstring injury, but any lengthy absence would be a huge blow to the London Stadium natives’ hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

“He [Antonio] felt his hamstring, but he doesn’t feel too bad now,” Moyes said, via quotes by football.london. “We are not sure yet, we will assess it tomorrow, we will check it tomorrow and see what it is.”

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Moyes had described Antonio’s performance in the early stages of Monday’s win as being “as well as he has [played] for a long while”, despite the striker failing to score for a fourth successive appearance.

However, Antonio earned his manager’s praise after working himself into the ground for the team with a string of superb runs on and off the ball, while he came close to ending his recent drought in the fourth minute when Rui Patricio clawed the £10.8m-rated striker’s effort onto the post.

Antonio had stormed past two Wolves defenders to create an opening to try and break the deadlock, while his run minutes later dragged Conor Coady out of position for Lingard to steer clear of Romain Saiss and lob Patricio for West Ham’s first goal of the night.

Saiss would have been glad to see Antonio leaving the action so early having been turned inside out by the seven-goal centre-forward, before West Ham’s sole recognised senior frontman smashed the side netting from a very tight angle.

Moyes will be loath to be without Antonio when West Ham host Leicester at the weekend, knowing that the match represents a strong chance for the east Londoners to stamp their claim to Champions League qualification and keep Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool behind them.

West Ham have already been without Antonio due to hamstring injuries on two occasions this season, with an issue sustained in October’s draw with Manchester City keeping him out of action for three games and a second unrelated issue sidelining the 31-year-old for a further five fixtures.

The Hammers won three of the eight Premier League games that Antonio missed, drawing twice and losing three, but have only dropped 15 of a possible 45 points since his return away to Southampton on December 29.

With Moyes also describing his half-hour showcase against Wolves as being among his best performances for a while, the Irons chief will be desperate for Antonio’s withheld concerns proving true in his eventual tests and scans.

AND in other news, West Ham trail a Premier League rival for a five-goal, seven-assist star once labelled an “exciting prospect”…

According to reports, Aston Villa transfer target Odsonne Edouard is attracting interest from both Arsenal and Leicester.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks and months have suggested the Celtic striker is someone Dean Smith’s side are looking at, but they now appear to face increasing competition in the race to sign him.

According to The Telegraph, both Arsenal and Leicester are also now fighting it out to sign the young Frenchman, seemingly leaving Villa with a lot of work to do to convince the striker to join them instead.

Lange must act now

With sides like Arsenal and Leicester both keen on Edouard too, it’s surely time for Johan Lange to step up and ensure Villa get their man this summer.

As well as being a lone centre-forward, the £13.5m-rated Frenchman could actually prove to be a perfect foil for Ollie Watkins in either a two-man strike force or with the latter coming in from out wide.

Recent seasons have seen Edouard partner alongside Leigh Griffths as Celtic have gone with two up top, so he’s had previous experience of working alongside another number nine.

His former Hoops boss, Neil Lennon, has previously raved about the qualities that Edouard brings to the table, and it’s a ringing endorsement of why Villa should be going after him.

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He said: “He’s hugely important (to us), he’s an outstanding footballer, talismanic almost, he’s so talented, so cool and he had two great finishes. He’s up there with some of the best we’ve had over the last 20 odd years.”

Having another prolific striker like Edouard in the ranks – he’s already scored 20 goals this season – would give Smith a much-needed goal-scoring threat, other than Watkins.

But, instead of replacing him in the starting line-up, the duo could represent an intriguing double act if given the opportunity to play in the same team together, much like Edouard has done with Griffiths at Celtic Park.

Meanwhile, Villa boss Dean Smith should unleash this academy starlet…

Mason Holgate delivered an error-strewn performance as he badly let Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti down by gifting Tottenham Hotspur a draw on Friday night.

Ancelotti opted to field Holgate as part of a three-man defence beside Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey for the visit of Jose Mourinho’s Spurs to Goodison Park, as the Italian sought to manage an adductor injury for Yerry Mina.

The Toffees were badly in need of a positive result against the north Londoners after a run of two defeats and two draws, but were forced to settle for a third straight stalemate after goals from Harry Kane either side of a brace from Gylfi Sigurdsson.

The result meant that Everton remained eighth in the Premier League table and a point behind Tottenham, who have played a game more, and they now trail the top four by six points ahead of West Ham visiting Newcastle on Saturday.

Everton will have felt that the win was there for taking having controlled every department of the pitch after Sigurdsson converted a penalty to equalise in the 31st minute, and they firmly deserved the lead when the Iceland international clinically volleyed home just after the hour mark.

However, defensive mistakes proved costly for the Toffees as a mix-up between Holgate and Keane gifted Kane an opening for his second of the night, which the England captain refused to waste by rifling an unstoppable effort past Jordan Pickford.

Kane had fortuitously opened the scoring midway through the first half after Keane failed to make purposeful contact with Tanguy Ndombele’s cross before Holgate’s slip left the 27-year-old unchallenged to lash home.

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Neither Keane nor Holgate will have been pleased with their efforts to prevent Kane from moving two clear at the top of the Premier League’s Golden Boot race with his 20th and 21st goals of the season.

Everton’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League are now in relative tatters and must rely on results going away from West Ham, Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs if they are to claim a spot for UEFA’s premier club competition.

Ancelotti will have been particularly disappointed by Holgate’s display, having seen the £16m-rated centre-back – who the Liverpool Echo’s Sam Carroll has previously dubbed as “Mr Dependable” – struggle more than Keane throughout.

Holgate could have done better to prevent both of Kane’s goals, having been in the perfect position to intercept Ndombele’s delivery despite Keane’s attempted clearance, only to slip at the crucial moment.

A communication breakdown later led to Kane bagging his brace despite Keane appearing to call for Holgate to leave Erik Lamela’s cross as he stooped to head clear the danger, only for the ball to ricochet into the forward’s path.

Kane’s double meant that Everton had to settle for a point, but the result could have slipped through the Toffees’ fingers were it not for Keane, who blocked two shots and made three clearances while Holgate ended the night with two clearances to his name, per SofaScore.

With Mina set to miss the next few weeks through injury, Ancelotti faces tough decisions over sticking with an unchanged backline or dropping one of his three centre-backs when Everton visit Arsenal next Friday.

AND in other news, a rarely-seen Everton outcast is wanted in a £10.5m summer transfer…