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Marcel Brands must avoid offering Kyle John a new contract and keeping him at Everton amid doubt in the defender’s long-term Goodison Park future.

What’s the word?

According to the Liverpool Echo, John is one of 13 first-team and Under 23 players who are currently due to be out of contract this summer.

Everton are unlikely to retain most of those facing uncertain futures, as Director of Football Brands is striving to continue his work lowering an inflated wage bill.

The Toffees are due to part with senior quartet Yannick Bolasie, Theo Walcott, Matthew Pennington and Muhamed Besic when their contracts expire in June, and will also allow a number of academy talents to depart to lower the average age of David Unsworth’s side.

John has been a regular for the Blues’ U23s this term with 11 Premier League 2 starts, but Everton are undecided on retaining the young right-back or teammates Joseph Anderson, Con Ouzounidis and Ryan Astley.

Josh Bowler, Nathan Broadhead and goalkeeper Nico Hansen are also expected to leave when their contracts lapse, along with Dennis Adeniran and Callum Connolly who sealed loan exits in January.

John joined Everton’s academy at the age of six and was awarded a two-and-a-half-year contract in March 2019 after stepping up to Unsworth’s U23s from the U18s at 17, which is now set to expire.

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Should Everton retain John?

While John has been at Everton for the past 14-years, this summer must represent the end of their journey together as the defender with dual English and Welsh citizenship will not be expected to make a first-team career for himself at Goodison Park.

The Toffees’ coaching staff were noted last year to see John as being in the mould of the modern-day full-back and having the athleticism needed in the role, but he has not kicked on and progressed into the senior game.

While the likes of Adeniran and Connolly sealed loan exits in January during the last year of their Blues contracts, John remained at Finch Farm and has earned nine of his 11 PL2 starts for the season after the turn of the year.

The 20-year-old John has never once played for a club outside of Everton’s academy, where the Chester-born prospect is described as a “class act”, and may be blocked from progressing on the same path as Jonjoe Kenny this summer.

Everton are widely reported to be in the market for a new right-back who can become Carlo Ancelotti’s long-term heir to Seamus Coleman, and face paying £30-35m for Max Aarons, £30m for Tariq Lamptey or £17m for Diogo Dalot.

If either join, John would have little expectations of becoming a first-team player at Everton over the next few years, even if Unsworth once noted “he’s got terrific pace” and was “a bundle of energy up and down the right”.

AND in other news, Everton have eyes on a “very good” £3.5m-rated forward available on a free transfer…

According to recent reports from Spain, West Ham United are interested in the possibility of signing Villarreal centre-forward Paco Alcacer this summer.

The report by Fichajes (via Sport Witness) claimed that David Moyes is closely monitoring Alcacer ahead of the summer transfer window, as the 57-year-old is keen to finally replace Sebastien Haller, who left to join Ajax in a £20.25m deal back in January.

It is then stated that Villarreal manager Unai Emery would not be best pleased to see the 27-year-old leave the club at the end of the season, with a €25m (£22m) figure being quoted as the sum the La Liga side would require to consider parting with the Spain international come the summer.

Transfer Tavern Take

As the report suggests, West Ham are in rather desperate need of attacking reinforcements in the upcoming window, as Moyes currently has only Michail Antonio as an out-and-out centre-forward in his first team squad.

With the 30-year-old suffering a number of hamstring injuries so far in his time at West Ham, and having picked up a potentially season-ending knock in the Hammers’ victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers last week, Antonio is not exactly a reliable option for the Scot.

As such, it is hardly surprising that West Ham are being linked with centre-forwards this summer, but considering that Alcacer has only found the back of the net five times over his 20 La Liga appearances so far this term, perhaps it could be argued the Hammers may be able spend their money a little more wisely than on the £43,000-per-week forward – especially for the £22m fee quoted.

In other news: West Ham make approach for £12.6m-rated ace; GSB could get him for nothing this summer – find out more here!

Former Southampton midfielder Carlton Palmer has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that he would not sign Theo Walcott if he had the opportunity to.

This comes after reports claimed that Walcott is set to sign for the Saints permanently after initially joining the club on loan from Everton last October.

The 32-year-old has had his problems with injury this season, but he has been able to make a bit of an impact when fit. Earlier in the campaign, he managed to grab a goal for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men against former side Arsenal and provide an assist in an exciting 3-3 draw with Chelsea.

Nevertheless, Palmer has been left feeling underwhelmed by talk of Walcott extending his stay at St. Mary’s.

“I’m not a fan of Theo Walcott. I’m not a fan of him,” the retired England international told FFC.

“I think Theo is one of those players that burst on the scene with enormous talent and he’s still in that mode now. He’s coming into his early 30s; he’s still in that same boat – don’t know whether he’s a winger or a centre-forward.

“You’ll get a good game out of him. You know, he’s got blistering pace and always had blistering pace, doesn’t really know how to play the wide game, hence why he left Arsenal, hence why he’s had to leave Everton under [Carlo] Ancelotti. For me, he’s a player I wouldn’t be signing.”

While Southampton look like they could be bringing in Walcott permanently, the Saints may have to watch Danny Ings leave this summer.

The English striker, whose contract expires at the end of next season, continues to be linked with a move away from St. Mary’s.

Former Tottenham Hotspur captain Graham Roberts has told The Transfer Tavern that he believes chairman Daniel Levy already has a new manager lined up after sacking Jose Mourinho.

The Spurs chairman made the decision to dispense with the Portuguese on Monday after a slide to seventh in the Premier League table.

Ryan Mason has been placed in interim charge of the team and he oversaw a win in his first game in charge, as Spurs came from behind to win 2-1.

Spurs have been linked with a number of potential appointments after Mourinho’s sacking, foremost among them RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann.

Roberts believes that the German is the favourite for the job, though he also believes that Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has a genuine chance of taking the role.

And he has little doubt that Levy is already engineering the next appointment behind the scenes.

Speaking exclusively to TT, he said: “I think that’s the way he works. You don’t just sack people for the sake of it.

“The Jose one, Pochettino went at 11 o’clock and Mourinho was in charge at one o’clock. Jose was out of a job but the two managers that I think are in pole positions are in jobs.”

Roberts does think that the appointment will likely come at the end of the season, especially if it is to be either Rodgers, who has guided Leicester to the FA Cup final, or Nagelsmann, who is currently second in the Bundesliga with Leipzig.

He added: “One of them (Rodgers) has got a cup final at the end of the season and Nagelsmann’s trying to get into the Champions League. I’m sure they’ve had conversations.”

Luke Edwards has dropped some interesting insight on arbitration and the potential takeover of Newcastle United.

As per a tweet from the Daily Telegraph journalist, the Premier League are ‘extremely confident’ that they will win the pending case against the Tyneisde club, which they believe is ‘watertight’.

He also claimed that it is a ‘hit and hope’ and a ‘long shot’ for Mike Ashley, adding that he has ‘never been confident’ himself that the Magpies can win the legal battle.

Newcastle takeover worry

If the Premier League are as confident as Edwards claims that they are, then it is certainly a worry for Newcastle going into the hearing.

A negative result for the Magpies in this case could well kill the hopes of a potential takeover by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group once and for all, but conversely a positive one may pave a pathway for the KSA’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to come back onto the table – if they are willing to do so.

Nonetheless, everything is all speculation up until this point, and Newcastle should now be focusing on making sure that they copper-fasten their Premier League status for next season.

In other news, find out what big claim on the potential takeover Ben Jacobs has been dropped!

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who is a Newcastle United Hall of Famer, believes that Freddie Woodman’s future on Tyneside depends on what Karl Darlow decides to do this summer.

Woodman has spent almost 18 months on loan at Swansea City in the Championship, with the 24-year old earning rave reviews, and the Swans might like to make the move permanent this summer if they are promoted to the Premier League.

Having been with Newcastle since 2013, Woodman and his father have both made it common knowledge the shot-stopper’s number one aim is to become first choice for the Magpies, however his current path to the first team is blocked.

Speaking on why Woodman’s future depends on Darlow’s own future and how Woodman must be happy to play back up to Dubravka, Lee told FFC:

“It will totally depend on what Karl Darlow does and whether he decides to go or stay and fight, but he’s obviously not going to be number one under Steve Bruce.

“Freddie Woodman has got to be happy being number two to Dubravka because he’s done very well since coming back into the team.”

With Darlow being pushed onto the bench in recent weeks, he has been linked with a move away from St James’ Park and Watford have been credited with an interest.

Dubravka is set to be Bruce’s number one going forward as the Slovakian keeper signed a new six-year deal in October 2019.

After Manchester City secured a crucial 2-1 victory in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie away to Paris-Saint Germain on Wednesday night, star midfielder Ilkay Gundogan sent a message to supporters alleviating injury fears.

A stunning second half performance from the Sky Blues gifted City a major advantage for the second leg in Manchester next week.

Marquinhos originally gave PSG a first half lead as the Ligue 1 giants caused Pep Guardiola’s side all sorts of problems.

However, over the next 45 minutes, City stamped their authority and dominated the play – with Kevin De Bruyne’s looping delivery finding it’s way past Keylor Navas for a deserved equaliser.

Riyad Mahrez then fired a free-kick through a leaky PSG wall to gift City a huge lead in Paris and two away goals.

After the full time whistle, some supporters were concerned for midfielder Gundogan after a poor tackle from opposition midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye.

The ex-Everton ace was sent off for a late challenge on Gundogan in what was a careless clattering into the back of his achilles.

Writing on Twitter, the German alleviated concerns of a serious injury by confirming he is in fact fine and ‘all good’ after the incident.

Reacting to this message, many Man City fans were rightfully overjoyed – find all of their verdicts down below.

Man City fans buzz over Gundogan news

“I love you”

Credit: @daraghreville

“So glad you’re ok Ilkay. You are a magnificent player and a magnificent human being, we’re so lucky to have you.”

Credit: @chrisbluemoon52

“YESSSSS”

Credit: @Priceless_Silva

“Great news. Top performance tonight from you and the team”

Credit: @1cornishblue

“LET’S GO SILKY ILKY”

Credit: @AarxnMCFC

“amazing news Gundo we love you, keep pushing and fighting to the finish”

Credit: @TendzzXO

“Thank goodness! Stay safe”

Credit: @MattMCFC3

“Big news Gundo can’t wait to see you play irl soon”

Credit: @Humaidshakir1

In other news: Man City fans raved over this ‘underrated’ ace after the win at PSG, find out more here.

A number of Liverpool fans have been reacting positively to an update on the Reds’ interest in Leeds United star Raphinha this summer.

Jurgen Klopp’s men have experienced a season to forget, with everything seemingly going wrong for them.

While plenty of focus has been on Liverpool’s centre-back issues, they have also struggled in the attacking third, barring the excellent Mohamed Salah.

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Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino has been particularly poor, not coming close to consistently matching their previous heights, scoring just 14 Premier League goals between them.

It could be that Klopp looks to bring in another attacking player in the summer transfer window, with Raphinha linked with a move to Anfield in the past.

The Brazilian has shone for the Whites this season, registering six goals and assists apiece, catching the eye with his silky dribbling out on the right wing.

According to Liverpool Echo‘s Ian Doyle, Liverpool ‘like’ Raphinha as a player, also hinting that a swap deal could see him potentially join the Reds.

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Liverpool fans want Reds to sign Raphinha

These supporters gave their thoughts on the matter on Twitter, after Doyle’s comments were shared by @AnfieldWatch.

“Pleaseeeeeeeeee”

Credit: @dhlfc_

“Drooling”

Credit: @centristynwa

“Wilson + money for Raphinha possibly?”

Credit: @LewYNWA

“Reckon Wilson + £25m should do the job”

Credit: @JoshuaOMahoney

“£20m + Shaqiri/Minamino”

Credit: @HS_10Ftbol

“Sounds good. We have a lot of players that I’m fine with leaving”

Credit: @LFCJxke

In other news, a World Cup-winning player has reportedly been offered to Liverpool. Find out who it is here.

Leeds United are interested in signing Hertha BSC starlet Matheus Cunha in the summer.

What’s the story?

With the future of Helder Costa at Elland Road uncertain, it seems as though Marcelo Bielsa has his sights set on signing a new star winger for his side ahead of next season in the Premier League.

According to German publication SportBILD (via Leeds Live), the Whites made an enquiry to sign the Brazilian back in the January transfer window, and are now ready to reignite that interest in the summer.

The report adds that interest in the 21-year-old is becoming more concrete, and Cunha is keen to explore new opportunities too.

Julian Nagelsmann rates him

The £35m-rated Cunha has enjoyed an impressive campaign with Hertha in the Bundesliga this season, netting seven goals and providing another six assists in just 27 games in the competition.

Prior to starring for Hertha however, Cunha was on the books at RB Leipzig, and worked under Julian Nagelsmann, and the German was quick to hail the kind of ability the Brazilian youngster has, and the progress he has made since leaving them.

He said: “Matheus Cunha is playing really well at the moment – he’s a huge talent and possesses so much skill.”

And, his former manager at Hertha, Bruno Labbadia, said that Cunha has got the kind of ability and talent to be a real game-changer, and can decide games on his own with a piece of magic.

He said: “Matheus has something special. He can always produce something with a moment of individual brilliance.”

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Described as having speed, skill and intelligence by Bundesliga.com, the 21-year-old seems exactly like the kind of exciting winger that could really set Elland Road on fire, and it’s no wonder Leeds are after him this summer.

Meanwhile, Leeds United handed a huge boost as major Elland Road news emerges…

Michael Stewart says Celtic could have held onto Scott Brown had they moved to replace Neil Lennon more quickly.

The former Scottish international was speaking on Sunday’s edition of Sportscene.

The lowdown

Celtic parted ways with Neil Lennon at the end of February but have yet to appoint a long-term successor.

Around a month after Lennon’s resignation, Brown announced that he would call time on his 14-year Celtic career.

He signed a pre-contract agreement with Aberdeen and will join in a player-coach role (via The Guardian) – the 35-year-old skipper played his last game in Celtic colours on Saturday, a goalless draw with Hibernian.

Brown won 10 Scottish league titles, six Scottish Cups and seven Scottish League Cups in Glasgow (via Transfermarkt).

Callum McGregor, set to don the armband going forward, insisted that the veteran ‘hasn’t lost a yard’, hailing Brown as ‘absolutely immense’ and a ‘first class’ player.

The latest

Stewart doesn’t think Brown’s departure should have been regarded as inevitable, saying the midfielder still has plenty to offer on the field.

“I can’t help but think that had Celtic been able to get this managerial situation sorted earlier, that Scott Brown could well have been hanging round there for longer.

“But what Celtic have lost is Aberdeen’s gain, forgetting the assistant manager’s role.”

The verdict

Brown must have been torn. On the one hand, Lennon’s departure and the breaking of Celtic’s stranglehold marked the natural end of an era, with a rebuild in the offing.

But on the other, he surely wanted to go out on a high rather than such a dismal low for the football club, and perhaps it would have been enjoyable to lead a new era as an experienced head, even if not a major part of the first-team action.

Ultimately, what matters now is that the likes of McGregor step up to fill the void and relish, rather than shirk, the extra responsibility. Given

In other news, there was a ‘confident’ update in Celtic’s pursuit of a manager.