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It may not be the completely convincing promotion bid many anticipated last summer, but Newcastle are well on course to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

The Magpies are still setting the pace in the Championship with just seven games remaining, currently one point ahead of second-place Brighton and a whopping ten clear of the playoff positions.

Although you can’t take anything for granted in English football, Newcastle are about as solid a bet as it gets in regards to the second-tier promotion race this season.

But what happens when the Magpies return to the top flight, having struggled so repeatedly during their final few years in the Premier League?

Whilst they already have some stars in place for their Premier League campaign, well proven at that level, others aren’t quite so convincing – and could well end up being the reason why Newcastle are back in the Championship in time for 2018/19.

Football FanCast’s Tom Skinner takes a look…

So, Newcastle fans, do you agree with Tom Skinner’s picks? Will they keep Newcastle up or push them back down? Do Rafa Benitez and Mike Ashley need to get rid this summer? Let us know by commenting below!

Liverpool face what could be a pivotal summer in their history. The Reds, if they get over the line and qualify for the Champions League, cannot afford to waste the added appeal and financial boost being at Europe’s top table brings (as they arguably did in 2014), while missing out will bring about a window in which bridging the gap is more vital than ever.

One area Jurgen Klopp may be particularly eager to bolster is his attacking line, with Sadio Mane’s winter Africa Cup of Nations exit exposing a lack of pace and penetration in the Reds’ XI. Reports have suggested that Inaki Williams of Athletic Bilbao is an option and La Liga expert Guillem Balague has lifted the lid on this interest:

“He was followed by Liverpool and has a €50m [£41.8m] buyout clause.

“I’m not sure any team would be willing to pay that right now because he has not proved that valuation.

“He is in no rush but he is certainly looking abroad should he move.”

And as his stats show, he could be a wise addition…

Williams may not have contributed a great deal in terms of raw numbers – six assists and four goals this term in league action – but at 22, that’s to be expected.

Were he does impress, though, is pure directness, with his 58 shots, 47 fouls suffered and 43 take-ons all evidence of his desire to run at opponents and commit them, which is really encouraging given that he’s a sizable player at 6ft. 1” and able to play in any attacking role.

Wales and Aston Villa defender Neil Taylor has been handed a two-match ban from international football for the challenge that broke Seamus Coleman’s leg in March.

The incident happened in the second half of the crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier between Wales and the Republic of Ireland in Dublin – which ended in a goalless draw – with the tackle from Taylor breaking Coleman’s leg in two places.

The left-back will now miss his nation’s qualifiers against Serbia and Austria later this year, while the Everton right-back will certainly miss the start of next season and possibly the rest of 2017 as he continues his rehabilitation.

Toffees supporters were quick to give their reaction to the punishment via social media, and they were understandably unhappy with the decision because if the same incident had happened in the Premier League, he would have likely been disciplined more severely.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Tottenham Hotspur are set to offer defender Kieran Trippier a new contract at the club, according to reports from ESPN.

What’s the word?

Well, despite largely playing a peripheral figure this season, Trippier was handed a starting berth in yesterday’s crunch win over bitter rivals Arsenal, a game in which he starred.

Though the former Burnley defender still has three years to run on his current deal, Spurs are reportedly eager to reward him for his progress, as well as secure his long-term future.

Despite starting just four Premier League games this season, the 26-year-old looks an ideal fit for those on Hotspur Way, able to switch his role between a wing-back and a right-back with relative ease.

The end for Walker?

The fact Kyle Walker – usually so important to Spurs’ cause – was dropped for the visit of Arsenal is certainly a telling one.

While the England international is undoubtedly one of the best in his position, persistent links with a move to Manchester City may well have played a part in Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to leave him out.

Indeed, former Chelsea hero Frank Lampard (working on Sky Sports for yesterday’s game) suggested the Argentine coach could be ‘looking to the future’ by dropping Walker in favour of Trippier.

‘I’m a big Kyle walker fan but to be fair to Trippier, his delivery is probably a better one.’

‘If Pochettino feels Walker is looking elsewhere he may be looking to the future.’

Though Walker would certainly take some replacing, Trippier does provide an interesting alternative.

With full-backs becoming so important to a number of top European sides, keeping Trippier in north London becomes perhaps a bigger priority than warding off potential big interest in Walker.

Should they receive a lucrative offer for the latter, the former is a wonderful replacement.

As reported by The Express, Arsenal have put Leicester City attacking midfielder Riyad Mahrez at the top of their summer transfer wishlist, in their efforts to build a squad worthy of a Premier League title challenge.

What’s the story?

After a tumultuous season, it appears as if Arsene Wenger will again be in the Emirates dugout come the start of the new season and he’s already busy building a list of talent he believes can help deliver major success next term.

The Express reckon one such player is Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez, a player who of course helped the Foxes to an unbelievable league title last season.

The paper say the Gunners are willing to spend up to £30m to get their man but face stiff competition from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain to secure his signature.

Is he the man that can help Wenger deliver the trophies supporters crave?

Good enough for the Gunners?

It’s fair to say that Riyad Mahrez and Leicester City haven’t hit the heights of their exploits last season this term in the English Premier League. Blighted by inconsistency, poor results and the departure of Claudio Ranieri, they struggled to live up to their billing as champions of England.

Perhaps it’s Mahrez’s form in the UEFA Champions League that highlights his true potential at Arsenal though. The right sided player was in exceptional form throughout the competition, scoring four goals and assisting two more in his nine appearances, helping the Foxes to an unlikely quarter final appearance.

If he can produce that kind of form at Arsenal and again do it on a regular basis in the English Premier League, he could provide the creative spark Wenger is looking for on the right wing.

Winger Hadi Sacko has hinted on social media that he is set to return to Leeds United following a season-long loan spell with the Championship outfit last season.The 23-year-old moved to Elland Road last summer from Sporting Lisbon and went on to become a key player for Garry Monk’s men, scoring two goals and providing a further four assists in 42 appearances in all competitions.Shortly after the season ended the Frenchman tweeted a goodbye message and thanked the fans, but despite the fact that the Yorkshire outfit are managerless following the resignation of Monk last week, he looks set to return on a permanent deal.Leeds supporters were quick to have their say on Sacko’s latest post via social media and while they are delighted that the wide man has returned, they have told him to practise squaring the ball over the summer break.Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

As is widely known, and also reported by The Scotsman, Celtic have vested interest in the future of Virgil van Dijk this summer due to a sell-on clause inserted into the deal that saw him move from the Hoops to Southampton in 2015.

With Van Dijk possibly moving for big money to another English Premier League club in the upcoming transfer window, the Hoops are reported to be in line for a transfer windfall of up to £5m.

That’s not an insignificant amount of money for the Hoops and for essentially unexpected revenue, it gives them an extra advantage in their efforts to bring real quality to the club this summer.

Brendan Rodgers has conquered Scottish football in style but in order to maintain that success and also push on in UEFA competition, he needs a few first team talents to come in and compete for places in key areas. For a lot of Celtic fans those areas are central midfield, central defence and on the wing.

Here are THREE such players we reckon could be within the Hoops’ reach with the extra Van Dijk cash…

Adnan Januzaj

Rated at around £6m by Transfermarkt, Adnan Januzaj would represent a significant outlay for Celtic this summer but thanks to the potential Virgil van Dijk money, could be a viable option.

Despite making over 60 appearances for Manchester United over the years, he’s never quite made the breakthrough at Old Trafford and after loans at Borussia Dortmund and Sunderland over the last 18 months, there’s little scope for him making an impact under Jose Mourinho.

At a crossroads in his career, a move to Celtic could be massive for the winger. Just look at the way Brendan Rodgers has turned Scott Sinclair’s football and profile around.

For the Hoops too he’d be a fine acquisition. There’s no doubting Januzaj has always had natural talent but now he needs a bit of belief and nurturing.

Still just 22, he has his whole future ahead of him and the Hoops should put the feelers out about making his first step away from Manchester United start in Glasgow.

Will Hughes

A key part of Derby’s season last term, Will Hughes made 42 appearances for The Rams in all competitions. Like Adnan Januzaj he is still just 22 and that makes him an attractive target for a club like Celtic who are often looking to sign young talent in order to sell them on at a profit in the future.

The Hoops would provide a massive platform for the England U21 international to impress. He is more than good enough to be effective in the Scottish Premiership but also an exciting prospect when it comes to stepping up to the Champions League too.

He has over 200 professional appearances to his name despite his young age and offers the kind of busy work ethic in the middle of the park that has become a hallmark of Brendan Rodgers’ team in Glasgow.

Also excellent in possession, he appears to fit the profile of a midfielder that would excel at Celtic and give them a bit of added quality, competing with the likes of Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong.

With the added spending power from the potential Virgil Van Dijk, a target that may have been out of their reach is suddenly right in their wheelhouse.

Jason Denayer

Obviously Belgian international Jason Denayer is well known to Celtic fans, having won Scotland’s Young Player of the Year award in his season long loan from Man City in 2014/15.

After signing a 5 year contract at Man City on his return that summer he went out on loan to Galatasaray for the season, notching up 25 appearances. Another season long loan has followed, this time at relegated Sunderland where he made 29 appearances.

However, with Pep Guardiola under pressure to deliver a title winning defence, we could see 21-year-old Denayer find himself frozen out of first team opportunities.

He would be more than welcome back at Celtic Park and with Rodgers’ proven track record of improving young players it could be the ideal destination for him.

As reported by Spanish outlet AS, Liverpool are interested in signing Santos left-back Zeca this summer.

What’s the story?

Left-back has been a problem position for Liverpool for a while now. Last season Jurgen Klopp had to rely on the likes of James Milner to deputise in the role and at times it cost them goals and points. Milner is an accomplished player but at the top level you really need players natural in their position to be playing.

To solve that, AS report that the Reds are interested in signing Brazilian defender Zeca from giants Santos. The report says that negotiations for his signature would likely start at around £11.4m.

Who is he?

Zeca has been a regular in the Santos side since the age of 19 and has racked up over 122 appearances in all competitions in just four years.

Winning two state championships with the Brazilian giants, as well as being named in the division Team Of The Year in 2016, it’s clear he’s an exciting talent that could make a splash in Europe.

Internationally he has excelled too, at least at underage levels. With Brazil’s U20s he won the World Cup in 2013 before winning the Olympic Games on home turf a year later in the U23s bracket.

His contract runs until 2020 but a move to Europe could prove tempting and if the price is right for Liverpool, he has a decent shot of finally resolving Jurgen Klopp’s left-back woes.

According to Sky Sports, West Ham United are in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a deal for striker Javier Hernandez, who has a £13m release clause in his contract.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Sky Sports says that Irons manager Slaven Bilic is planning to sign at least one striker – and probably more – this summer and Hernandez has the Premier League experience they are looking for following the disappointing signings of Simone Zaza and Jonathan Calleri last summer.

The fact that the Mexico international – who has enjoyed two impressive seasons in Germany with Leverkusen after leaving Manchester United in 2015 – could be available for just £13m will certainly make him an attractive proposition and an affordable option for the east London outfit as transfer prices look set to rocket this summer.

How did Hernandez do last season?

The 29-year-old has always had a keen eye for goal and often found himself in the right place at the right time because of his excellent movement and instinct, and it has shown during his time with Bayer Leverkusen.

The Mexican scored 13 goals and provided a further four assists in 36 appearances in all competitions last term, while he was struggling with injury towards the end of the campaign.

Would he be a good signing for West Ham?

With a record of 48 goals in 96 caps for his country and 59 goals in 159 appearances in all competitions for Manchester United prior to his move to Germany, the Irons know they would be getting guaranteed goals if they sign Hernandez.

The 29-year-old has proven that he can get goals in England too, and if he is given regular first team football – something he didn’t always get during his time at Old Trafford – and a decent supply line he could be the regular goalscorer they have been craving for many years.

Being available for just £13m makes the deal a bit of a no-brainer considering some of the price tags being thrown around this summer already.

What’s the verdict, then?

Well, there is no doubt that West Ham will want to bring in a new striker sooner rather than later as the summer rumbles on, and if they can get a £13m deal done for Hernandez and the Mexican is keen to join, then they must get the deal wrapped up before other clubs register their interest.

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According to ESPN, Tottenham are closing in on Argentine defender Juan Foyth, who will likely be their first signing of the summer.

What’s the Story?

Estudiantes President and former Chelsea and Manchester United star Juan Sebastian Veron has flown into London for discussions with former teammate Mauricio Pochettino over a move for 19-year-old Juan Foyth.

The young defender is set to become Spurs’ first signing of the summer, with the club set to pay the £15million fee demanded by Estudiantes.

How good was Foyth last season?

Despite playing just 7 games last season, Juan Foyth made a significant impact and helped Estudiantes to a third place finish in the Argentinian Primera Division.

The young star is a tall, athletic player with ability at his feet as well as with his head. He is a ready made top flight product but will need a number of years honing his skills before he is to become a regular at Tottenham.

Would Foyth be a good signing for Spurs?

Claiming a future star for a relatively reasonable price in today’s market is a hard thing to achieve. However, Spurs may have just done that in the impending signing of Foyth.

While he is far from the finished product, the 19-year-old has bags of potential and could be a mainstay in North London for a number of years to come. And who better to coax his talents out of him than Alderweireld, Vertonghen and most importantly Mauricio Pochettino, a man who knows what its like to be a promising Argentinian defender himself.

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