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Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Crystal Palace and West Ham are interested in signing Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah this summer.

And a number of Palace fans have been sharing their frustration at the links on social media.

Transfer expert Romano was replying to a post from @ZRAFC, where they relayed Romano’s claim on the 22-year-old’s future.

Nketiah still has 12 months left on his Emirates deal but is expected to leave the Gunners this summer. Palace, West Ham and Bayer Leverkusen are just three sides all keen on the forward, who has scored 16 goals in 17 England Under-21 appearances.

He started just four Premier League appearances last season under Mikel Arteta, netting six times in 30 appearances in all competitions.

New Palace boss Patrick Vieira has strong Arsenal connections, so should the Eagles firm up their interst, his Selhurst Park arrival could sway a move in Palace’s favour.

Palace fans react

Romano’s reply to @ZRAFC got the attention of numerous Palace fans, but not for the right reasons. This is what some had to say in reply, with one reacting to @CPFCtransfersHQ, blaming chairman Steve Parish.

“Steve Parish killing the club”Credit: @SellyMenace”If we are going to go for a striker at least go for someone good”Credit: @Mark_CPFC”Let West Ham win this one please”Credit: @Adam_Palace”Ew”Credit: @StatmanOli”Why”Credit: @bentekefan0″God forbid”Credit: @Sumo08112

In other news: Palace looking to land ‘influential’ coach who already knows Vieira as transfer budget emerges, find out more here. 

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has delivered an exciting Aston Villa update on Louie Barry.

What’s the story?

The 18-year-old came into the spotlight last season after scoring in the FA Cup defeat against Liverpool, a game which saw Villa’s youngsters having to step into the shoes of the senior side and take on Jurgen Klopp’s men.

That appearance was his sole outing for Dean Smith’s first-team, and now, Preece has confirmed that as well as seeing his contract extended, the Midlands club are expected to include him in plans for pre-season.

He said: “Aston Villa have extended Louie Barry’s contract by another year until 2024 with a cluster of fellow FA Youth Cup winners penning new deals.

“Villa paid £950,000 to bring Barry in from Barcelona more than 18 months ago and, this summer, the teenage striker is expected to feature in Dean Smith’s first-team plans over pre-season.”

Fans will be buzzing

Given the excitement with which Villa fans celebrated Barry’s goal against the Reds, and the big future that they have tipped him for, supporters will no doubt be buzzing with Preece’s latest update on the teenager.

With only Wesley and Keinan Davis providing real back-up for Ollie Watkins – and neither have really convinced with just 12 goals in 110 games for the club – there’s a real chance for Barry to stake his claim in the first-team next season in the Premier League.

Giving him the opportunity to impress with the rest of the senior players in pre-season will give Smith a first-hand opportunity to see what he’s like in a more pressure-filled environment than with the U23s, and have him get used to the speed and intensity with which they play.

So, news that Barry is expected to feature in Smith’s plans over pre-season is surely likely to have Villa fans buzzing as they see one of the club’s brightest young prospects rubbing shoulders with the senior side.

Meanwhile, Villa are set for an exciting boost…

Steve Howey exclusively told Football FanCast that Joe Willock returning to Newcastle on loan next season remains a possibility.

Willock spent the second half of the season on loan from Arsenal and enjoyed an inspired spell at St James’ Park – scoring eight times in 11 starts, and in doing so became the youngest player in Premier League history to score in seven consecutive matches.

Despite the Magpies faithful watching from afar for the majority of the 21-year-old’s loan spell, his form saw him quickly become a fans’ favourite.

And according to the Chronicle, Steve Bruce is trying desperately to re-sign Willock again next season, although Newcastle’s transfer budget might prevent a deal from materialising.

Willock still has several years remaining on his deal at Arsenal but was down the pecking order at the Emirates last term and thoroughly enjoyed his first taste of regular Premier League football with Newcastle.

And when speaking to Football FanCast, Howey refused to rule out the young midfielder being back at St James’ Park in 2021-2022:

“Other teams have been impressed by his performances for Newcastle. He loved it up here, he got on well with the rest of the lads, that is a possibility.

“But again, it’s what suits the clubs. Arteta might want to bring some money in, so it’s what suits all parties.”

Sky Sports journalist Alan Myers says Everton have yet to progress beyond ‘interest’ in the case of Burnley winger Dwight McNeil. 

The lowdown

Myers’ colleague Pete Graves reported on Monday that the Blues were targeting McNeil.

That’s in addition to recruiting two other wide players in the form of free agent Andros Townsend and Bayer Leverkusen’s Demarai Gray.

McNeil made 36 league appearances for Burnley last season, helping the Clarets comfortably stave off relegation.

He scored two goals, provided five assists and created the second-most chances per 90 (1.3) in the squad behind Ashley Westwood (1.4).

McNeil signed a new contract last October, which runs until 2024 with the option for a further year. He’s valued at £19.8million by Transfermarkt.

The latest

In a tweet, Myers explained that ‘it’s very much a case of just interest at this point’, with McNeil a ‘much sought-after’ player given his impressive performances at Turf Moor.

He also expresses doubt as to whether Burnley would even sell the 21-year-old Englishman.

The verdict

Everton’s business so far doesn’t make for inspiring reading. Yes, they’re simply filling out the squad, but Townsend, Gray and Asmir Begovic probably aren’t players you’d want to be relying on in the event of an injury to a recognised star player like Richarlison or Jordan Pickford.

McNeil, on the other hand, would be a hugely exciting addition given his age and potential, and the rumours raise the mouthwatering prospect of him aiming balls at the head of Dominic Calvert-Lewin from the flanks.

Burnley have probably accepted that he will move on at some point, but they have every right to hit Everton with some lofty demands. Can the Toffees afford to meet them?

In other news, Everton have been urged to pursue this centre-back. 

George Edmundson looks to be on the brink of a Rangers exit this summer, with his mistakes last season arguably costing him a career under Steven Gerrard at Ibrox.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Record, Ipswich Town are pushing ahead in their hopes of signing the 23-year-old defender this summer and have offered him a three-year contract at Portman Road.

Edmundson has slipped down the pecking order at Ibrox and was sent out on loan to Derby County in the Championship last season, where he would make 10 appearances under Wayne Rooney, averaging a less than impressive 6.62 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

The former Oldham Athletic man was one of the players to breach covid guidelines in November 2020 and was promptly sent out on loan in the winter transfer window, which suggests that Gerrard was clearly furious with the youngster’s actions.

Before the incident, Edmundson had featured 17 times for Rangers in all competitions, but has not played again since, and it seems as if his time at Ibrox will shortly come to an end.

Should Rangers sell Edmundson?

At 23-years-old, you could argue that Edmundson would still have a future at Rangers had he not broken those guidelines in November, but it now seems as if Gerrard will axe him for good as Ipswich close in on a deal for him.

The Gers conceded just 13 goals in the Scottish Premiership last season, so it was always going to be tough for Edmundson to reclaim a starting spot ahead of the likes of Connor Goldson, Filip Helander and Leon Balogun.

The January addition of Jack Simpson was also arguably the nail in the coffin for Edmundson, despite him impressing at times for Rangers in the past.

After his league debut in a 5-0 win against Hamilton in 2019, Gerrard was quick to sing the young defender’s praises, saying:

“Really strong, he’s been out a little while looking in. I wanted him to get used to how we play and have a look at our opposition.

“He’s looked in, been learning and working ever so hard for his opportunity. That came today and he took it, I thought he was faultless. Outstanding.”

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However, his actions last season, as well as the impressive performances of other defenders, have meant that Edmundson was always likely to be something of an outcast at Rangers on his return from Derby County, and it now seems as if he is set to leave Ibrox for good.

And, in other news… Rangers handed huge boost with “outstanding” 33-goal beast, Wilson must deliver

Evening Standard journalist Jack Rosser thinks multiple factors could stop Borussia Monchengladbach striker Breel Embolo from joining West Ham this summer.

According to 90min, West Ham have made an enquiry about the 24-year-old, who starred for Switzerland at the Euros, as they look to bolster their forward options.

Following Sebastien Haller’s move to Ajax back in January, the Hammers are light up front, with Michail Antonio the only recognised striker in their squad.

Bringing in a new No.9 in this transfer window, though, does not look like it is going to be easy. Moyes has already made it clear that West Ham cannot afford to pay the £40m Chelsea want for Tammy Abraham, and Rosser is expecting a similar theme with Embolo.

“He’s an impressive player,” Rosser said to TT. “I don’t know whether he’s someone that would want to come in and be a number two.

“I know Moyes would like, if he can get a striker, to give real competition for Antonio. I know he’d like another one to come in, but again, that’s where you sort of get budget issues cropping up.”

It is not just up front where West Ham are struggling to strengthen. The position just behind the striker is also proving to be a problem, with The Athletic recently claiming that the east London club cannot afford to bring Manchester United star Jesse Lingard back to the London Stadium.

Speaking on live TV (via Football Daily), broadcast giant Sky Sports have made a West Ham United transfer claim involving Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma.

The Lowdown: West Ham in centre-back race?

Former central defender Fabian Balbuena’s exit from east London has left manager David Moyes with fairly few options in that position.

The Scotsman has just Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson as senior first team options, and with the August transfer deadline looming, time is slowly running out to strengthen.

Signing a new centre-half had been tipped as one of Moyes’ top priorities at the start of this window and Sky Sports have now brought news on their hunt.

The Latest: Sky Sports make Zouma to West Ham claim…

Speaking live on air (via FD), the broadcaster has dropped some pretty big news involving Zouma and West Ham.

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Indeed, they claim that talks have now commenced over signing the 26-year-old from London rivals Chelsea.

“This involves West Ham, we’re told you’re in talks with Chelsea over the signing of defender Kurt Zouma,” Sky stated.

“West Ham, we’re told, are prepared to pay around £20 million for Zouma, now that would fall under Chelsea’s valuation.

“However, key to this is that Zouma is settled in London and, as it stands, would welcome that move over being part of a swap deal involving Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

If West Ham can secure a deal for Zouma, there is little doubt he would reinforce Moyes’ central defensive options.

The towering 6 foot 3 colossus has experience playing at the highest level of European football as well as the Premier League, and at 26-years-old, could still have many years ahead of him.

As well as this, the Frenchman averaged a cool 90.9% pass accuracy over 22 league starts for Chelsea last campaign (WhoScored) – perhaps indicating he could be the composed figurehead of West Ham’s backline.

Zouma also bagged five Premier League goals over 2020/2021, highlighting the fact he can also be a threat at the other end.

Given his credentials, there appear to be very few downsides to this possible move.

In other news: Offer made: West Ham table bid to sign ‘devastating’ attacker for Moyes, find out more here.

An update has emerged on Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey, regarding Newcastle’s interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to Goal, Newcastle have made an enquiry about Juventus central midfielder Aaron Ramsey, although talks remain informal at this stage.

The report claims that there are several clubs in the Premier League who are also interested in signing him, with his time in Italy seemingly coming to an end.

Upgrade on Almiron

Newcastle must push ahead and secure a deal for Ramsey as he could be a superb addition to the squad. Steve Bruce will surely want to improve his starting XI before the end of the window and this potential signing could do that.

Miguel Almiron started 16 Premier League games as either a central midfielder or attacking midfielder and managed two goals and zero assists whilst averaging a WhoScored rating of 6.61 in 12 of those starts in central midfield. This comes after he scored four and assisted two goals in his first 44 starts for the club in the league.

Ramsey, meanwhile, averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.87 in seven starts as a central midfielder and 7.00 as an attacking midfielder in four games for Juventus in the Serie A – scoring twice and assisting four goals in the league overall.

Whilst it is hard to compare the difference in quality between the Serie A and Premier League, Ramsey has also played in the latter. In his final two seasons for Arsenal, The Welshman provided 11 goals and 14 assists whilst averaging a WhoScored rating of 7.27 in 2017/18 and 6.70 in 2018/19 respectively.

Arsenal legend Martin Keown once lavished praise on the “outstanding technician” and highlighted his importance for the Gunners at the time. 

He said:

“Playing in a deeper role, as he did under Arsene Wenger – I think that’s the best role for him. If you want Ozil and him in the same team. He’s so important to everything they do. It’s the energy – the box-to-box energy. He’s become an outstanding technician.”

This, along with the aforementioned statistics, suggest that the £187k-per-week maestro could be a better option than Almiron if Bruce wants to persist with a three-man midfield. Ramsey has shown that he can perform consistently to a higher standard than Almiron.

Therefore, Mike Ashley should work hard to get this deal over the line. Ramsey’s late runs into the box to score goals could add another weapon to Bruce’s spide and increase the chances of Newcastle avoiding a relegation battle next season.

AND in other news, Imagine him and Wilson: NUFC could complete attack with deal for “real goalscorer”…

Derby County have been dealt a major blow regarding the fitness of Lee Buchanan ahead of their upcoming Carabao Cup tie.

What’s the latest?

Speaking in the build-up to the Rams’ EFL Cup fixture against Salford City on Tuesday evening, Wayne Rooney shed some light on the current state of his Derby County side.

One player the 35-year-old discussed was Buchanan, with the left-back having missed the club’s Championship opener against Huddersfield Town on Saturday due to a thigh injury.

And, it would appear as if the 20-year-old will once again be watching from the stands at Pride Park on Tuesday, with Rooney revealing that the England U21 international has not recovered in time for the cup clash, as well as claiming the defender could be a doubt for the trip to Peterborough United on Saturday.

As cited by Derbyshire Live, the manager said: “Lee won’t be involved, he is still recovering. He will be touch and go for next Saturday. We are hoping he is ready for Saturday but will have to wait and see what the next couple of days brings.”

Rooney will be gutted

Derby fans will not need reminding just how threadbare their first-team squad is at present, with Rooney having just 14 outfield players at his disposal, four of whom – Tom Lawrence, Jason Knight, Krystian Bielik and Buchanan – are currently carrying knocks.

As such, while the visit of Salford in the Carabao Cup will not exactly be high on the 35-year-old’s list of must-win games this season – as it would appear likely the Rams will be putting all of their energy into ensuring that they remain in the Championship come the end of the campaign – the fact that Buchanan has not been deemed fit enough to feature will nevertheless have left the manager gutted.

Indeed, the match would have provided the man Rooney dubbed a “top player” with a relatively pressure-free run out to help him ease back into his stride before returning to action in the league.

However, with it looking as if the left-back will remain sidelined for the visit of Salford, as well as potentially missing out on the trip to Peterborough this weekend, the Rams boss may well be forced to start Craig Forsyth in the position once again on Tuesday evening, although both Rooney and the 32-year-old will more than likely wish the defender could sit out the Salford game with the Championship fixtures already coming thick and fast.

In other news: Derby County plotting swoop for “outstanding” £25k-p/w beast, Rooney would love him

Former professional footballer Steve Howey was happy to see Luke O’Nien sign a new contract at the Stadium of Light.

The 26-year-old put pen-to-paper on a new three-year deal with Sunderland, which will run until the summer of 2024.

The versatile player has featured in over 140 matches for the Black Cats, scoring eleven goals and creating a further 13, and Howey has said he pleased to see him sign a new deal with the club, exclusively telling Football FanCast: “I think getting Luke O’Nien as well to sign his contract was a good one.”

League One Sunderland have made an excellent start to the League One season, winning their opening two matches against Wigan and Milton Keynes Dons and also getting through to the second round of the Carabao Cup after beating Port Vale 2-1.

The Black Cats have made five new additions to the first team this summer, with Corry Evans, Alex Pritchard, Callum Doyle, Frederick Alves and Dennis Cirkin all arriving at the Stadium of Light.