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A major update has emerged about Sunderland’s Aiden McGeady, regarding his contract situation at the Stadium of Light.

What’s the talk?

According to the Sunderland Echo, Irish winger Aiden McGeady is expected to put pen to paper on a contract extension with the club this month. McGeady’s current deal expires at the end of June and he is due to leave on a free transfer as it stands.

The report claims that all parties are hopeful that McGeady will extend his stay at the Stadium of Light, with the winger happy living in Sunderland and content with playing in League One next season.

Speaking after a game in 2019, former Sunderland boss Jack Ross hailed the “special quality” of McGeady. He told the Chronicle Live: 

“I thought he was bright today. He is the type of player who responds well to other players coming into the club and the challenge of proving the quality he has. In the first half I thought we were too short and too narrow in terms of how we made the pitch, so in the second half we widened and lengthened it a bit and that’s where the goal comes from. You had the execution of the pass from Grant [Leadbitter], but then you need that bit of special quality and Aiden has done that a lot for us this season.”

Fans will be ecstatic

Sunderland fans will be ecstatic with this news as one of the club’s top performers now looks set to stay at the club next season.

Kristjaan Speakman is seemingly headed for success with McGeady and fans should be delighted with the Sunderland sporting director if he is able to get this deal over the line. McGeady has proven his worth to Lee Johnson’s side in League One and he could be a key player yet again next season.

In 81 League One appearances for Sunderland, McGeady has provided an impressive 19 goals and 23 assists. This shows that he is valuable both in terms of his goal scoring and his creativity, with 16 assists in League One during the 2020/21 campaign for Sunderland.

Sunderland may not get many more years out of McGeady, at 35, but his experience could be vital in the development of the younger players at the club. McGeady has 92 caps for Ireland and has played in the Europa League and the Champions League during his career. He could use what he has learned throughout his time across Europe, with Spartak Moscow, Everton, Celtic and Sunderland, to give advice to the talented prospects coming through and potentially progress into becoming a member of the coaching staff at the club.

If McGeady does put pen to paper on a new deal, fans of the Black Cats will rightly be thrilled.

AND in other news, Speakman must reluctantly axe “strong” £6.4k-p/w Sunderland beast after major update…

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been reacting to an update regarding striker Christian Benteke on social media.

Benteke is just one of a number of Palace players who are out of contract in a matter of weeks, however, it seems as if the Eagles are making a late attempt to keep hold of the forward.

According to Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws, cited by Sports Witness, Palace have offered the 30-year-old a new two-year deal.

The report claims that the ball is now in the Belgian’s court over whether he will stay at Selhurst Park.

Benteke, who Roy Hodgson described as ‘fantastic’ during his tenure as manager, ended the season in fine form. He scored seven times in his final 13 Premier League games of the 2020/21 season, and those displays seem to have done enough to persuade Palace to offer him a new deal.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the news regarding Benteke on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon.

This is what these supporters had to say in reply, with many excited at the news of a new deal being tabled.

“OMG YES”Credit: @CPFCH10″Tears in my eyes”Credit: @WlLFRIEDZAHA”Never heard of Het Laatste Nieuws but I beg”Credit: @palace_tommy”Please, PLEASE let this be true!!”Credit: @JulieOs28364111″Het laatste nieuws have my children”Credit: @CpfcDan_”STAY KING”Credit: @liamb0117

In other news: Many Palace fans can’t believe what’s happened to one Eagles defender now, find out more here. 

Everton star James Rodriguez was ‘on course to be fully fit’ for the start of the Copa America in June. 

That’s according to Danny Donachie, the club’s Director of Medical.

The Colombian Football Federation announced at the weekend that James is to be omitted from the squad given that he was ‘not at the optimum level of competition’.

But Donachie described the injury that ruled James out of Everton’s last two Premier League matches as ‘very small’.

And he said the club had ‘no issues’ with him jetting off for the tournament, which is scheduled to begin on 13 June.

The ‘only discussion’ they had with the Colombian FA was whether the pre-tournament World Cup qualifiers would come too soon for the 29-year-old.

Everton’s advice was to allow James to miss those games to prepare himself fully for the group stages.

Intriguingly, Donachie also revealed that he had seen the tests Colombia carried out and insisted that there was ‘nothing in them’ to cast doubt on James’ availability.

The Toffees expected him to be in ‘top condition’ by the time his country got their campaign underway against Ecuador, and loads of fans have been reacting to these claims after they were confirmed by the Toffees on Twitter.

Everton fans react to Medical Director’s James revelations

“The plot thickens”

Credit: @MainManMina

“Why are we briefing against our own player? Be thankful he’s getting a full summer without footy and get him ready for next year. Why add fuel to da fire? This club man.”

Credit: @AbelSouthall

“This is hysterical”

Credit: @ellieq

“Just have him fit for the start of next season”

Credit: @JayMagee6

“I’m glad he’s not playing for Colombia honestly. He really needs rest and a vacation.”

Credit: @djfsnow

“OK, Great. Is this the same person who manages Mina, Bola’s, Gbamin’s recovery!!!!”

Credit: @Tw1ttr1

“Don’t see the point in this article to be honest only gets people against our best player”

Credit: @shaungt

In other news, read fans’ reaction to links between this star player and a European heavyweight. 

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey believes Arsenal could be forced to sell Alexandre Lacazette in the upcoming transfer window.

Following their elimination in the semi-finals of the Europa League at the hands of Unai Emery’s Villarreal, the Gunners now no longer have a route to securing European football for next season.

It is a development that will affect the club’s finances, which could impact Mikel Arteta’s transfer plans for the summer.

Taking that into consideration, Howey thinks the Spaniard may need to sell a player like Lacazette in order to raise the funds needed to bolster his squad.

The retired Premier League footballer told TT in an exclusive interview:

“This is the first time I think in 25 years that they haven’t made Europe in some way or other. Of course they’ll have to sell players to boost the funds up. 

“I remember ages ago Newcastle were interested in Lacazette. I’ve always been quite puzzled why he hasn’t [always] played, but I’m pretty sure Arsenal fans will be able to tell us a reason why, because I thought he was a good player.

“But that wouldn’t surprise me if Arteta’s looked at certain players and thought, ‘well, these are the players that I can sell and get decent money for.’ “

Lacazette’s contract expires next summer, while he has been heavily linked with a move to La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid in recent months.

So, taking everything into account, perhaps the £182,000-per-week striker could be on the move before the start of next season.

Celtic have been handed a Champions League qualifying boost, as reported by The Scottish Sun.

The Lowdown: Celtic’s CL woes

The Hoops have struggled in Europe’s elite club competition in recent years.

They have failed to reach the group stages in the past three seasons, losing to AEK Athens, CFR Cluj and Ferencvaros at the qualifying stages.

Celtic’s loss to Ferencvaros last year was their earliest Champions League exit in 15 years, but despite finishing second in the Scottish Premiership this season, it seems as if they’ve been handed a boost in regards to qualifying this time around.

The Latest: Who Celtic could face?

Celtic will be seeded in the second and third qualifying rounds, with The Scottish Sun describing it as a massive boost.

Should they progress, the Hoops will dodge Shakhtar Donetsk, the third-placed French side – either Monaco or Lyon, and Portuguese giants Benfica.

They could still be paired with the likes of Genk, PSV Eindhoven or Spartak Moscow, but on paper, it seems an easier draw.

The Verdict: Good news for McKay and Howe?

You could argue that the likes of Genk, PSV Eindhoven and Spartak Moscow are much better sides than AEK Athens, CFR Cluj and Ferencvaros, who Celtic have failed to beat in previous years, but to us, this update should be good news for CEO Dominic McKay and possible new manager, Eddie Howe.

Howe has reportedly (talkSPORT) agreed to take over at Parkhead for the 2021/22 season and could well get his first taste of European action, should Celtic progress under his guidance.

If Celtic advance to the group stages, it would be worth around £14m, and each win in the group stage would also see them pocket £2.4m.

That could come in extremely handy when it comes to a Parkhead rebuild, and it seems as if the Hoops now have an easier route of qualifying over the coming months.

In other news: Celtic set for battle to keep ‘incredible’ ace as PL side plot bid over 4 times his market value, find out more here. 

Are the pieces finally beginning to fall into place for Celtic? Time will tell what happens with the Bhoys’ hunt for a new manager but they have finally received a boost.

What’s the word?

According to journalist Duncan Castles, a pretty major twist is beginning to unravel in Celtic’s Eddie Howe saga.

The 43-year-old was in advanced talks with the Hoops but he has now also spoken to Crystal Palace about the vacancy. That being said, Castles had fresh news for supporters regarding what the Premier League side were trying to achieve.

Speaking on the Transfer Window Podcast, he said: “It’s my understanding that they’ve (Crystal Palace) been in contact with Frank Lampard, which I think is not a great surprise given that he is available after being dismissed by Chelsea.

“Obviously, a Londoner, based in London, you can see the kind of appeal of bringing Lampard to Crystal Palace, what that would have for the ownership there.”

Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Howe was on a three-man shortlist for the role at Selhurst Park; a list that clearly also includes Lampard.

Major boost

Earlier this year it looked as though Lampard had emerged as a contender to take over at Celtic.

The thought of a rivalry ensuing with Steven Gerrard was incredibly mouthwatering. That being said, it’s now Howe that’s in the box seat to become the new manager at Parkhead.

Talks have taken place, the former Bournemouth boss has performed due diligence on behind-the-scenes matters and he also has some backroom staff he wants to bring with him.

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News that Crystal Palace were trying to lure him away from Paradise, therefore, was not good news for Celtic.

However, if the London outfit are now talking to Lampard instead, it can only be a good thing for Dermot Desmond’s pursuit of Howe.

The Englishman isn’t willing to return to management until the summer but this news will limit where he could end up in the summer.

A number of issues remain to be ironed out but a resolution could finally be on the cards.

After the saga that’s played out over the last few weeks with Howe, supporters should be buzzing that the pathway for his potential arrival at Celtic is becoming clearer.

AND in other news, Celtic may be on the verge of repeating Deila’s costly blunder, fans should be fuming…

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be handed a huge relief with Manchester United reportedly set to avoid UEFA sanctions for their involvement in the creation of a European Super League.

The Red Devils were one of six Premier League clubs involved in the creation of the league, eventually pulling out and seeing the project collapse.

However, there are still appeals for those aforementioned clubs to be punished, specifically from Brighton and Hove Albion Chief Executive Paul Barber, who has called on the FA and the Premier League to “take appropriate action”.

Whilst that could come to fruition, there might well be a lack of European punishment with an article in L’Equipe, cited by Sport Witness, suggesting that the Red Devils’ current Executive Vice Chairman Ed Woodward, not the club, is set to be sanctioned by UEFA, which could be a huge boost.

With UEFA not targeting Manchester United going forwards, this could potentially see them continue their challenge for European titles.

Solskjaer’s troops are currently in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals, where they are set to face AS Roma, and they will have themselves down as one of the favourites to win the competition.

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Meanwhile, the Red Devils are comfortably sitting in the current Premier League top four and look set to return to the UEFA Champions League next season.

This should allow Solskjaer to attract higher-profile signings to Old Trafford with the club firmly back at the top table of European football.

It would also see the club’s revenue remain as high as possible with just an appearance in the group stage worth approximately €15.25m in prize money alone.

Those aspects would simply not have been possible with the Red Devils potentially hit by any UEFA sanctions.

Nevertheless, with the imminently-departing Woodward seemingly set to be punished instead of the club, Solskjaer can be relieved to know that Manchester United’s work to return to the UEFA Champions League this season might well not be in vain after all.

AND in more news, find out why the Red Devils must sign Wesley Fofana instead of Raphael Varane…

Tottenham Hotspur could land themselves a major midfield upgrade this summer.

According to football.london reporter Alasdair Gold, Spurs have concrete interest in signing RB Leipzig skipper Marcel Sabitzer ahead of next season.

It is thought that Daniel Levy and co will make their move for the 27-year-old talisman this summer as he enters the final 12 months of his current contract at the Red Bull Arena.

Sport Bild have fueled the fire in recent weeks too, claiming that there is a “75% chance” Sabitzer ends up in north London despite interest from Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool. RB Leipzig are said to want €42m (£36m) for his signature.

Jose Mourinho isn’t short on midfield options, however, so any arrival in the role would surely spell the end for someone already at the club. As explained by Football FanCast earlier this week, Moussa Sissoko has started to regress at an alarming rate, which is hardly a surprise given that he’s now on the wrong side of 30.

Sabitzer would be a massive increase in quality, by comparison.

Indeed, Sissoko isn’t really offering much at either end of the pitch – as per WhoScored, the 31-year-old Frenchman is averaging one tackle and one interception per game defensively, whilst in attack he’s only managing 0.8 dribbles and 0.2 key passes per game, and has failed to contribute towards a goal. All of these numbers are a decrease on his 2019/20 figures.

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The RB Leipzig sensation is a far better box-to-box option in the middle. Aside from bagging 23 goals and providing 19 assists over the past 18 months, Sabitzer is doing an industrious job in winning the ball back, averaging 1.1 tackles and. 1.4 interceptions per match, via WhoScored.

Clearly, the £36m-rated gem knows what to do in the final third, as evident by his impressive returns and the fact that he’s been dubbed a “goal threat” by his manager Julian Nagelsmann. It’s easy to see why he’s having such an impact, having averaged two shots and one key pass per Bundesliga match this term.

Spurs know just how dangerous he can be, as he absolutely tormented Eric Dier and the rest of the squad last season, knocking the north Londoners out of the Champions League at the last 16 stage.

Winning 3-0 in the second leg, Sabitzer bagged a brace and also ran the show with 67 touches (the third-most for the German outfit), three interceptions and one tackle. His subsequent 7.7 rating, as per SofaScore, far exceeded that of Dier (6.6) as the England international endured a torrid night.

The Evening Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick gave the Spurs man a 5/10 on the night, writing: ‘No match for Leipzig’s speedy front three and nearly guilty of an awful mistake when he fired a clearance straight into Schick, forcing Lloris into a save.’

Sabitzer would also bring leadership qualities to N17. “He has clearly changed for the better and has become a leader. The way he has developed his personality is remarkable. I’ve only rarely experienced something similar,” explained his former coach Ralf Rangnick to Kicker (via Bulinews).

Levy must wave goodbye to Sissoko and clinch Sabitzer this summer.

AND in other news, Spurs could kill two birds with one stone by signing £22.5m-rated “absolute monster”…

With Liverpool seemingly on the lookout for a new central midfielder following links to Barcelona’s Pedri and Ryan Gravenberch of Ajax, the Reds will reflect on selling one of Europe’s most creative players in 2016 as a huge error.

Having been at Lazio since 2016, Luis Alberto has developed into a hugely impressive midfielder, showing an ability that would simply not have seemed possible after he was jettisoned from Anfield for a paltry fee of just £4.3m.

Having made just 12 appearances in his Liverpool career, he is certainly a player that the Reds could do with now.

In 167 appearances for the Serie A giants, the 28-year-old has scored 34 goals and provided another 46 assists – an excellent rate of output.

Whilst he has not been as creative throughout the 2020/21 campaign, he has still managed to find the back of the net on eight occasions in the league.

It is form that has seen Alberto draw plenty of praise, specifically from legendary Italy manager Marcello Lippi, who labelled the Spaniard as “extraordinary”.

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For comparison, current Reds’ midfielder Thiago could only rack up 22 goals and 23 assists with Bayern Munich in the same time period that Alberto has been in Italy. It could be suggested then that Liverpool brought the wrong Spaniard to Anfield.

Despite that, the cost of Alberto’s departure will be the main aspect that will wrangle with the Liverpool hierarchy.

Having departed for his paltry fee, the former Barcelona B midfielder is now rated at £45m and despite it being reported that the Reds would be owed 30% of any potential transfer fee should Alberto leave the Stadio Olimpico, it is not quite the huge windfall that they would otherwise be entitled to.

In all respects then, the sale of the Spaniard in 2016 looks like a huge transfer blunder by Liverpool.

AND in more news, take a look at which Premier League star Liverpool must swoop for…

Carlo Ancelotti has dropped a big injury boost for Everton as he has said that Yerry Mina is ‘fit 100%’ and ‘available to play’ Manchester City in the FA Cup.

The former FC Barcelona man was named on the bench in the 2-1 loss to Burnley at Goodison Park in the Merseyside club’s most recent game in the Premier League, and had missed the previous four matches in the top flight with a calf injury (Transfermarkt).

However, it looks as if the Toffees will be able to call upon the Colombia international against Pep Guardiola’s men in what will surely strengthen their chances of going through into the semi-final stage of the prestigious competition.

Everton boosted by Mina return

There is no doubt whatsoever that the Blues will be boosted by the return of Mina if he is brought straight back into the starting line up.

Standing at a massive six-foot-three-inches tall, the central defender could be a very valuable asset for EFC in both boxes, as set pieces could be key in beating a free-flowing MCFC side.

The 26-year-old has won no fewer than 4.7 of his duels per game in the Premier League so far in the 2020/21 term, and has also averaged 4.5 clearances, 1.1 interceptions and one tackle per match (Sofascore).

Ancelotti may not have to think twice about throwing Mina straight back into the team.

In other news, find out what potential position change against City has been lauded by Everton fans here!