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Sunderland confirmed on Thursday evening that teenager Dan Neil has put pen to paper on a long-term contract.

And, as to be expected, a number of Black Cats supporters were quick to share their thoughts to the update on social media.

Neil, who made his senior debut back in 2018, has been a regular in Lee Johnson’s side this season, making 17 appearances in all competitions.

The 19-year-old, whose previous deal was set to expire in 2023, has netted twice and registered five assists this season and has now penned fresh terms until 2025 at the Stadium of Light.

He’s followed in the footsteps of Elliot Embleton in extending his stay in the north east, admitting it’s a ‘dream come true’ to be playing for the club.

Sunderland fans react

Sunderland posted the news on their official Twitter page on Thursday. This is what these fans had to say in reply, with many delighted and one labelling it as ‘excellent news’.

“This has just made my day”

Credit: @COLINDLYNCH

“I’ve got my club back”

Credit: @Rye_Moran

“Excellent news”

Credit: @titch471

“What a statement that is actually keeping our best young players, would’ve been sold for pennies under previous regime”

Credit: @gabenoble12

“We won’t make a bigger signing in the next 4/5 years. Superb this”

Credit: @mickysafc20

“Class news this absolutely buzzing with it”

Credit: @leanne_w_

In other news: ‘No idea’ – Many Sunderland fans react as ‘odd’ news is now confirmed.

Fabrizio Romano has provided a major Newcastle managerial update regarding Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca.

What’s the talk?

The Italian journalist has claimed that the ex-Roma head coach is prepared to accept the Magpies job after talks with the new owners at St James Park. However, they are keeping their options open and have not yet decided whether or not they will go with Fonseca to lead the club forward.

Romano told the ¡Que Golazo! podcast, via Shields Gazette: “As we mentioned last week, they were beginning talks with Fonseca and going in with optimism around these negotiations because Paulo Fonseca is prepared to accept the proposal from Newcastle.

“It’s now up to Newcastle. They have everything set with Fonseca but they need to decide if they want to go with him or do something different, talk with other managers and consider other opportunities.

“So Newcastle have not one-hundred percent decided yet, but Fonseca is the front-runner, everything is ready for him, he would be prepared to accept. They’re discussing about money and final things but I’m sure that Fonseca is the front-runner now.

“Let’s see if they want to do something surprising because these [talks] are going on but they’re not signing his contract or not completing his agreement so this is why they are maybe thinking of someone else or something surprising.” Excitement

These claims from Romano will surely leave Newcastle fans feeling excited for several reasons. For starters, Fonseca being prepared to accept an offer from the club is a major boost, as it means that no matter what happens with their other targets, they know that an impressive manager is ready to join at any point.

Fonseca has 320 games as a manager under his belt, averaging 1.94 points per game across five separate leagues. Steve Bruce, who recently left the club, has managed 477 Premier League matches in his career and averaged 1.11 points per game. This suggests that the Portuguese coach would be a significant upgrade on Bruce, which is why the fans would be happy to see him at the helm.

However, Magpies supporters could also be excited by Romano’s last quote. He suggests that PIF may be stalling on Fonseca as they plot a surprise appointment, and that could get fans on the edge of their seats as they ponder who else could arrive to take charge of the club. If Newcastle believe that they can bring in a manager with a better record than Fonseca, whose aforementioned career has been impressive so far, that is a very exciting thought for the fans.

It will be quite interesting to see where PIF go with this. As Romano has explained, a deal for Fonseca appears to be close and they could sign off on that and bring him to Tyneside, or else they may go left-field and appoint another head coach…

AND in other news, “Comfortably spend…”: Chris Waugh drops big Newcastle claim which should delight fans…

Dean Windass reckons Jesse Lingard is destined to seal a permanent return to West Ham United as he would want to repay the faith shown in him by David Moyes.

Manchester United creative midfielder Lingard spent the second half of last season on loan with the Hammers and rediscovered his best form, scoring nine goals and adding five assists in 16 appearances.

Lingard has returned to Old Trafford following the temporary switch and was involved for the first time this term when he emerged as a late substitute in United’s draw with Southampton at the weekend.

West Ham boss Moyes confirmed last week that he is still keen to make a late swoop for the 28-year-old, who is thought to be on £75,000 a week at United, before the transfer window slams shut next week.

The Hammers’ continued interest comes despite the east Londoners making an impressive start to the new Premier League campaign, with them currently sitting at the top of the standings.

Former Premier League striker Windass believes Lingard would be happy to return to London Stadium.

He exclusively told The Transfer Tavern: “I was quite loyal and I’d want to go back if there was a situation where Moyes has brought me in and helped to revive my career.

“Lingard would play week in, week out and he would go to West Ham. David Moyes has come out and said we would love him to come back and there have been rumours about it.

“Michail Antonio would be saying ‘I need Jesse Lingard back’ because that’s the selfish attitude of a centre forward. He gave the football club a lift and, with the supporters back, Lingard would grow as a player. I think that could happen.”

Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier could potentially join La Liga giants Barcelona next summer, according to a fresh rumour which has emerged.

The Lowdown: Meslier shines for Leeds

The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the standout figures of the Marcelo Bielsa era at Elland Road, excelling between the sticks. He has now made 65 appearances for Leeds, proving to be a model of consistency and becoming the youngest goalkeeper in Premier League history to play 50 times in the division.

He has kept 23 clean sheets during his time in Yorkshire, which works out at approximately one every three matches, a very respectable return.

The Frenchman looks set to have a huge future in the game, and although his current Whites deal doesn’t expire until 2026, there appears to be some interest in him ahead of forthcoming transfer windows.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375277″]

The Latest: Barca linked with Meslier

According to pundit Gerard Moreno [via Planeta Barca and Sport Witness], who specialises in Barcelona news, Meslier is wanted by the La Liga giants due to the poor form of Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

A summer move is mentioned rather than a January switch, although no official approach appears to have been made. Andre Onana, Koen Casteels and Bartlomiej Dragowski were also identified by Moreno as potential replacements for the £49.5m-rated Germany goalkeeper, who boasts 14 trophies to his name during his time at Camp Nou.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-27/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Potentially huge loss

Much like a number of Leeds players who are highly sought-after, it is perhaps wishful thinking to expect Meslier to remain at Elland Road for many years to come.

That would be an ideal scenario, of course, but considering that he is arguably one of Europe’s best young goalkeepers – he has been hailed as ‘excellent’ by BBC pundit Micah Richards – it is easy to envisage him joining a top European club.

If Meslier does choose to move on, it is vital that Leeds receive a decent fee for his services in order to replace him with a similarly talented player and bring in other reinforcements. He is valued at £18m by Transfermarkt, so prospective suitors should not expect to get away with paying anything less.

In other news, David Ornstein has provided a key update on one Leeds player. Find out who it is here.

Angus Kinnear has dropped a major update on Marcelo Bielsa’s new contract at Leeds United, and it’s one that will have fans buzzing.

What’s the story?

Speaking on The Square Ball podcast, he said: “I think, bar the contract, we’re in great shape (heading into the 2021/22 season).

“It’ll be signed this week and announced to great excitement. It’s not even been discussed. The discussions are all around preparations, it really is a formality.

“We had a handshake probably six months ago and it really is just the details. Every day he’s talking to Victor (Orta), Andrea (Radrizzani) and myself but it’s all about preparations.”

Fans will be excited

With the Premier League season now inching ever closer to its beginning, the fact there hasn’t been any confirmation just yet about Bielsa putting pen to paper on a new deal at Elland Road might have raised some worry among fans.

The kind of affinity and love Leeds fans have for Bielsa is unquestionable, with the Argentine a firm favourite in Yorkshire for the way he has embraced the city and brought the Whites back to the big time of the Premier League.

Leeds enjoyed a superb first season back in the top-flight last term, finishing in the top ten and picking up some notable scalps along the way, not least a fantastic victory over Premier League champions Manchester City at the Etihad.

It’s exactly why Kinnear’s latest update that everything is virtually done and dusted, and a formal announcement is being readied, should have fans very much excited.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has dropped an update on Leeds’ chase for Adama Traore…

Crystal Palace will allegedly meet with Lucien Favre in France to attempt to persuade the Swiss head-coach to take the reigns at Selhurst Park, according to COPA 90 journalist Harvey Wheddon on Twitter.

The Eagles have been embroiled in a mire of uncertainty heading into 2021/22, as they are still without a manager following the departure of Roy Hodgson from Selhurst Park last month [Independent].

Former Borussia Dortmund boss Favre looked certain to enter the vacant managerial position in South-East London, however the deal looked to have collapsed in spectacular fashion following a breakdown in discussions [Guardian].

Now, in another stunning turn of events, Wheddon has indicated that the Palace hierarchy have once again gone all out to get their favoured option on Twitter, stating:

“My understanding is, Lucien Favre declined us before because of our small transfer budget. That’s why the Americans have flown to France with Parish to meet him.Parish really wants Favre and is doing everything in his power to get him.Big props to Steve. #CPFC #Favre”

There is no doubt that yet another turn in this deal would come as a shock to onlookers of all persuasions given how the initial move faltered, and it’s no wonder loads of Crystal Palace diehards took to Twitter to voice their opinions on recent developments.

Crystal Palace fans react:

Replying to the post on Twitter, here is how some Eagles fans summed up their feelings on the latest twist in the Favre saga:

“My god, we can’t blow this please”

Credit: @liamb0117″Reading these comments make me excited and nervous”Credit: @foursixzer0″Favre also wouldn’t meet us, if he didn’t think he could turn this around too.”Credit: @RomfordRoger”God PLEASE”Credit: @escobond_”Favre back to favourite on SkyBet once again. My head’s gone”Credit: @jonnylatimer_”Actually happy with that tbf. It’s a lot easier to convince him with that than trying to convince him to not take a break.”Credit: @Callum_CPFC_In other news, Crystal Palace have received a boost in a transfer pursuit.

Liverpool have suffered a double selection setback ahead of their third-round Carabao Cup tie against Norwich City after right-backs Neco Williams and Trent Alexander-Arnold were both ruled out of the game.

What’s the word?

The Reds are already without key midfielders Harvey Elliott and Thiago due to injury issues, and now the club’s only two natural right-backs will also the sidelines for the League Cup game at Carrow Road

After Alexander-Arnold was unexpectedly absent for the weekend’s clash with Crystal Palace due to illness, assistant manager Pep Lijnders confirmed he will once again be unavailable for the trip to Carrow Road.

“He wanted to play, but we took the decision to leave him out. He’s still not feeling 100%. He will not be in the squad for tomorrow. But hopefully ready for the weekend,” Lijnders confirmed in Tuesday’s press conference.

He then also revealed that Williams is “progressing well” but not ready for Norwich, meaning the versatile James Milner is expected to deputise in their absence once again.

Jurgen Klopp will be gutted

Although Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has often preferred to rotate his squad in the domestic cup competitions, he will still surely be gutted to be without both of his senior right-backs as he’ll either have to ask Milner to play there again for the second time in less four days – hardly ideal for a 35-year-old – or use a youngster from the U23s set up.

Their hosts this evening are currently pointless in the Premier League, but thrashed second-tier Bournemouth 6-0 in the previous round of the cup, potentially giving them hope of pulling off a shock result.

The Carabao Cup is one of the trophies to have eluded Klopp since he arrived at Anfield back in 2015, and the German tactician will be hoping to keep his teams chances in this competition alive when they take on a struggling Norwich.

However, he’ll have to do that with his third or fourth choice right-back option playing, which is far from ideal.

And, in other news…Signed for £34m, now worth £90m: Edwards struck gold with “exceptional” Liverpool gem 

Liverpool have been linked with a swap deal for AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, a transfer which would see Thiago move in the opposite direction.

What’s the story?

Kessie has entered the final year of his current contract in Milan, and according to Italian outlet Tuttosport, the 24-year-old has rejected the club’s latest offer worth €6.5m (£5.55m) per year.

As a result, the Rossoneri could be forced into a January sale or else risk losing the Ivory Coast international for nothing next summer, leading to several clubs being credited with an interest in the box-to-box dynamo’s services.

A report from Il Milanista claims that Liverpool are among those keeping a close eye on Kessie’s situation, suggesting that a possible part-exchange involving Thiago could be on the cards.

Liverpool fans may be concerned

Kessie has established himself as one of Serie A’s most dominant midfielders since arriving at San Siro back in 2017 and would be a welcome addition in Liverpool following the departure of Gini Wijnaldum over the summer.

A total of 30 goals and 15 assists in 184 appearances for Milan is testament to the quality of the Ivorian dynamo, and his outstanding passing range and work rate would make him an ideal fit for Klopp’s gegenpressing system.

However, Liverpool fans may be concerned at the prospect of losing Thiago. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich maestro has enjoyed a fabulous career at the highest level, winning 23 major trophies to date.

Although a serious knee injury limited the Spaniard to just 20 Premier League starts in his maiden campaign on English shores, his quality in a struggling Liverpool side was there for all to see.

As per SofaScore, Thiago averaged 1.3 key passes per league game and achieved a passing accuracy of 90% while also making a significant defensive contribution, averaging 2.5 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per match.

His outstanding displays caught the eye of several impressed onlookers, including teammate Nat Philips, who heaped praise on Thiago for his technical and tactical ability.

“(Thiago is) unbelievable. His technical ability and knowledge of the game. His head is always on a pivot,” he told the Blood Red Podcast (as relayed by Rousing the Kop).

“You haven’t seen anything yet. There were some moments he’d produce in matches later on that he had produced in training.

“In those moments, you know this guy is a serious player, so yeah, just to have shared a pitch with him is something I can look back on and be proud of because he is an unbelievable footballer.”

Therefore, while signing Kessie would be a big positive for Liverpool, losing Thiago at the same time could be disastrous, and as such, Klopp should steer clear of any potential swap deal which would see the Spaniard sacrificed.

In other news… Huge blow: Liverpool suffer setback ahead of Leeds clash, Klopp will be fuming 

Steve Cooper has emerged as an ‘ideal candidate’ for the manager’s role at Crystal Palace, according to Wales Online.

Cooper has ‘long been fancied’ for the position after it was announced in the final week of the 2020/21 season that Roy Hodgson’s time at Selhurst Park would come to an end.

Palace are now keen to ‘go in a different direction’, a feature of which will be a greater emphasis on youth.

And Cooper has an impressive track record when it comes to overseeing talent, having led England to the Under-17 World Cup four years ago.

The Welshman has led Swansea City to the Championship play-offs in back-to-back seasons.

They were beaten by Brentford on both occasions, first in the 2019/20 semifinals and most recently in the Wembley showpiece.

Palace had been on the verge of appointing former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Nuno Espirito Santo before the deal broke down over Nuno’s backroom staff demands.

Twitter fan feed CPFC Transfers HQ relayed the Cooper report, and here’s how fans reacted.

Crystal Palace fans urge club not to appoint Steve Cooper

“Really hope not, just as I’ve renewed my season ticket, typical”

Credit: @dalboy12

“How uninspiring an appointment that would be. He looks as old as Roy and didn’t exactly set the championship alight with Swansea.”

Credit: @7superstar

“Send us down with him, cheap option”

Credit: @MarkDre44138040

“Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse…”

Credit: @420Burnard

“No, don’t want him”

Credit: @DeanHil29635442

“Why are we such a boring club?”

Credit: @cpfcjj89

In other news, fans reacted to this pre-season announcement. 

Liverpool defender Joel Matip was the standout player in a heated Merseyside derby that saw his side claim a 2-0 victory over rivals Everton.

Whilst he might not grab the headlines due to a great impact from Divock Origi and a goal from Andy Robertson, he really was their stand out player defensively today.

The victory keeps Liverpool within a point of title rivals Manchester City, and on a winning run that stretches to four wins from their last five in the league.

On the other hand, it leaves Everton in the relegation zone as they face a battle to stay in the Premier League. It could be the last derby on Merseyside for a while, and it wasn’t as easy as Liverpool might have thought with Everton holding them to 0-0 in the first half.

Despite the Toffees’ best efforts, Matip remained resilient at the heart of the Reds’ backline, winning 80% of his duels including every single one of his six on the ground.

The £140k-per-week star was SofaScore’s highest-rated player out of anyone on the pitch scoring 8.2 with Robertson second with 7.8.

The 30-yeard-old has been a key part of Liverpool’s on the field success this campaign and has been Jurgen Klopp’s chosen partner to Virgil van Dijk, beating off competition from new signing Ibrahima Konate as well as Joe Gomez.

He played the full 90 minutes and also had a pass accuracy percentage of 89% which was third only to fellow defender van Dijk and midfielder Thiago. His quality is massively appreciated by Liverpool fans but less so by those outside the club.

Former Premier League player Jermaine Jenas has described Matip as “under-rated”, and we agree that he probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves.

Unsurprisingly when it comes to the amount of goals conceded this season, Liverpool are second only to City, having let in just 21 all campaign and a huge part of that is because of the ability of Matip.

The Reds have already won the Carabao Cup and are still in with a chance of winning every other competition. Matip has consistently proved to be a reliable player and showed again in a tough derby game just why it’s so hard to score against Liverpool’s defence.

IN other news: Sources: Liverpool agree terms to sign “special” £36m-rated ace, Klopp surely buzzing…