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Lots of Everton fans have welcomed an update from the club on Jean-Philippe Gbamin.

The Toffees’ official Twitter page announced that the former Mainz ace is back in training with the first team squad after a lengthy spell out with injury.

Gbamin has not been able to play for the Toffees since August 2019, and so it has come as a much welcome relief to all associated with Everton that he is back in training and may well play a part for Carlo Ancelotti’s team for the rest of the season.

The midfielder will also be a relieved man himself, as he may have been questioning whether he would ever be able to play football again following such a long spell out of action

Everton fans on Gbamin update

These Everton supporters hailed the update on Twitter, with one fan claiming that they were ‘delighted’ while others went as far as to call it ‘amazing’ and a bigger boost to the club than the recently-approved new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock:

“Amazing to see JPG back with the @Everton squad, hard work and determination will get deserved rewards and here’s hoping we can see him grace the Goodison pitch sooner rather than later, can’t wait to see what he can achieve under Ancelotti #EFC”

Credit: @efcbigdunc

“Such wholesome content, let’s go JPG”

Credit: @SmoothieJD

“Gbamin do his leg stretches leaning against the imaginary wall! Brilliant to see him training he gets some games in the run up to summer then ready and raring for next season show us what he can do! Been such a hard time for him! Made up for him!”

Credit: @toptoffeegirl

“Absolutely delighted for him”

Credit: @Richlloyd1984

“Bigger than Bramley Moore this”

Credit: @Vicaz22

“Absolutely buzzing for this lad, hope he kicks on now and stays injury free. Could be a big player for us in the run in.”

Credit: @ItsOnlyJk

In other news, find out what Alisher Usmanov news has been lauded by numerous Everton fans!

Having been allowed to leave Aston Villa on loan in the January transfer window, it’s fair to say Conor Hourihane is doing his best to remind those at his parent club why he should have been kept.

The Republic of Ireland international had struggled to get much game-time at Villa Park in the first half of the season in the Premier League, playing just 228 minutes of top-flight football before his departure for Swansea.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of a game against West Ham earlier this season, Villa manager Dean Smith was quick to acknowledge that it was difficult for Hourihane. He said: “Conversations can be difficult but if you’re just speaking to the players with honesty then you usually find a way through that.

“We’d played two, won two and Conor had come off in both games. We signed Ross and I felt we needed to go a different way against Liverpool given who we were playing against. I explained that to Conor and, yes, he was disappointed because he had been involved in the first two games but we felt we’d brought in a real, high-calibre, different type of player.”

Now on loan at the Liberty Stadium, Hourihane is underlining just what a talented player he is on his day, already racking up five goals in just 12 games in the Championship.

It’s no surprise that Steve Cooper, his manager at Swansea, has raved about the Irishman, saying: “He’s been so impressive from the day he’s come through the door, which wasn’t that long ago. I thought his composure and quality on the ball is what we want it to be. If that’s the start of things to come then happy days.”

Last summer, Villa journalist Dan Bardell waxed lyrical about the midfielder’s ability following an impressive performance in a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace towards the end of the 2019/20 season.

He said: “Whether you rate Conor (Hourihane) or whether you don’t, and obviously we’re two people that rate him highly, you can’t deny that when he’s on the pitch, we’ve looked better this season. And he’s a weapon from set pieces.

“The way he looks after the ball is very underrated as well. I think a lot of people take that for granted.”

Given how well he has performed for Swansea in the short time he has been there, and the troubles which Villa themselves have faced in recent weeks (they’ve managed just three goals in their past five games), Smith must surely be ruing letting the 1.81m-tall (5 foot 11) Hourihane leave in January.

Meanwhile, Villa are making a big mistake over signing this midfielder…

David Moyes should urge West Ham United to sign Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier as the London Stadium natives line up potential Lukasz Fabianski replacements.

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, Irons scouts are keeping tabs on Meslier’s situation at Elland Road with a view to launching a summer swoop for the 21-year-old shot-stopper.

Fabianski, who turns 36 in April, is currently due to become a free agent at the end of the season, with his current £65,000-per-week terms set to expire in June.

The Poland international has held talks with the east London outfit over a new deal, but is yet to reach an agreement to extend his time in claret and blue into a fourth campaign, per Football Insider.

West Ham are confident of retaining Fabianski beyond the current term due to a one-year option included in the deal struck upon his £7m arrival from Swansea City in 2018, but are keen to carry out due diligence by weighing up potential replacements.

Meslier has been identified as a top talent who can develop into an ‘outstanding’ option between the sticks, having impressed the Hammers’ talent spotters with his efforts for Leeds since turning an initial season-long loan into a permanent move for £5m last summer.

The Lorient product has started 25 of Leeds’ 26 Premier League games since the west Yorkshire outfit were promoted to the top flight last year, keeping eight clean sheets – including against Everton during the Whites’ 1-0 win at Goodison Park in November.

West Ham have also been linked with Manchester United’s Dean Henderson, Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale and Bologna FC 1909’s Lukasz Skorupski as potential options to replace Fabianski should he leave the London Stadium.

Should West Ham sign Meslier?

West Ham moving to sign Meslier from Leeds could see Moyes and David Sullivan acquire a long-term number one for the Irons, as the France under-21 international has shown a great deal of promise during his first year in the Premier League.

Only West Bromwich Albion’s Sam Johnstone has made more saves (107) than Meslier (99) in the top flight this term, while the Leeds star’s performances have been at such a level that the £10.8m-rated ace boasts SofaScore’s fifth-best average rating for a goalkeeper at 7.04.

Fabianski, who has made 69 saves – the 16th-most, has averaged a 6.85 rating and has made one-third of the number of successful runs out (3) as Meslier (9) has to date, per SofaScore.

Despite being labelled as a “raw” shot-stopper by former England goalkeeper David James on Sky Sports’ The Football Show (8/1) earlier this season, via Yorkshire Evening Post, Meslier has also been lauded by Ben Foster for his performances behind a Leeds backline which ensures he stays busy.

“I’ve watched a few games of him this season and he doesn’t strike you as a big strong kind of goalie, does he?” Foster said on Sky Sports (13/2, 09:35, via HITC). “He looks sort of skinny and sort of fragile. But honestly, he is flying, some of the saves he’s been making. World-class saves, proper world-class saves.

“His first season in the Premier League as well, he’s been on fire. Leeds, as well with their style of play, he’s going to have stuff to do and he’s going to be busy. He’s pulled out the saves and he’s kept a few clean sheets as well.”

Meslier’s stock will only be expected to continue to rise all the while he excels at Elland Road, so if Moyes wants the £20,000-a-week colossus at the London Stadium, West Ham will have to swoop for his services this summer regardless of Fabianski’s immediate future.

AND in other news, West Ham eye the man responsible for “unbelievable” signings that deliver millions in profit…

Lucien Favre is the latest name to be linked with the vacant manager’s role at Celtic.

The Daily Mail reported on Monday night that the 63-year-old was interested in taking up the position at Parkhead.

Favre was sacked by Borussia Dortmund in December in the wake of a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Stuttgart, the team’s third loss in five matches (via BBC Sport).

He has been ‘heavily linked’ with a move to Lyon to replace outbound coach Rudi Garcia, according to the Daily Mail, but may now have fallen down the pecking order of the French club’s favoured options.

Dortmund problems may crop up again at Celtic

Reacting to the rumour, Bundesliga journalist Stefan Bienkowski said that Favre had the CV but perhaps not the character for the Celtic job.

“Lucien Favre would be an interesting appointment for Celtic,” he wrote on Twitter.

“Undoubtedly a good coach – he’s proved that at a number of clubs – but I do wonder if his quiet, reserved demeanour would be a poor fit for Celtic, as it was at Dortmund.

“Having said that, he’s 100x better than Roy Keane.”

Derek Rae, ESPN’s lead commentator for the German top flight, added that Favre’s personality “seemed not to match the emotional nature of the club”.

According to the Daily Mail, Eddie Howe, Enzo Maresca, Roy Keane, Chris Wilder, Steve Clarke and current interim boss John Kennedy were already under consideration before Favre expressed an interest.

Transfer Tavern verdict

Celtic have given themselves plenty of time to mull over this appointment. It’s been over a month now since Neil Lennon resigned, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the decision didn’t come for another while yet.

There are no excuses for not finding the right fit. CVs are important, but they matter little if there is a clash in identity. Equally, having the right temperament only gets you so far.

These are factors which Celtic must consider before deciding whether to pursue or ignore Favre, or Keane for that matter.

In other news, Celtic are reportedly keen to secure one man’s Parkhead future.

New Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe plans to reduce the club's wage bill by introducing a bonus-led payment structure, per a new report.

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• Ratcliffe's takeover has been ratified
• United owner plans to bring ballooning costs down
• Club continuing to underperform on the pitch

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per the Daily Mirror, Ratcliffe has set new CEO Omar Berrada the challenge of bringing United's wage bill under control. Their most recent annual accounts show that the club are paying £330m ($418m) to their playing squad, but Ratcliffe is keen to impose a limit of £300,000-per-week for any new signings. They broke through that barrier for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba in recent years.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Manchester City pay significantly more to their squad – their wage bill is in excess of £400m ($507m) – but their treble success last season also triggered immense bonuses for several key stars. United plan to implement a similar strategy, although it may take years for the changes to take full effect, as the club are obliged to keep paying their current stars.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  United are attempting to restructure their backroom team and have been heavily linked with a move to appoint Dan Ashworth, who has been placed on gardening leave by Newcastle. They are also interested in hiring former Liverpool director of football Julian Ward, as well as Southampton director of football Jason Wilcox.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  United are next in action against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup this week, before a huge Premier League clash with bitter rivals City next weekend. Having lost 2-1 at home to Fulham on Saturday, they will be desperate to bounce back.

Former West Brom midfielder Carlton Palmer has identified Chris Wilder as a potential successor to Sam Allardyce at the Midlands club, in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

With West Brom facing relegation, Allardyce’s long-term future at the Hawthorns is uncertain. The 66-year-old is reported to have a break-clause in his contract that becomes active at the end of the season if the Baggies fail to avoid the drop, casting much doubt.

If Allardyce does end up departing, Wilder is one name that the West Brom board could consider following his recent exit from Sheffield United, and Palmer believes it is an opportunity that could interest the ex-Blades boss.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, the retired England international said:

“I mean, they’ve got a good squad of players now that Sam has got together. I think Chris will go back into football, for sure. He’s a footballing man, he loves football.

“Wherever he goes to work, he will want control of footballing matters, so I would say West Brom may interest him. Obviously you want to stay in the Premier League if you can, but there’s only so many jobs in the Premier League. So the next thing is in the Championship, can you take over a club and get promoted? He’s proven he can do that.”

Given Allardyce has experience managing in the Championship, winning promotion with West Ham back in the 2011/12 season, it may be worth sticking with the former England manager.

However, if action is taken and West Brom do find themselves on the lookout for a new coach, then Wilder is surely one name that they would have to consider. While things certainly did not go to plan for the 53-year-old in the current campaign, he did a great job overall at Bramall Lane, taking Sheffield United all the way from League 1 to the Premier League.

Erling Haaland says he hopes to get back to fitness as soon as possible after an ankle injury ruled him out of Norway's clash against Scotland.

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• Striker suffered ankle injury
• Will miss Norway clash against Scotland
• Man City take on Liverpool on November 25

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Norway will meet Scotland in Euro 2024 qualifying on Sunday but will be without their star forward after he sustained an ankle injury during the recent match against Faroe Islands. Team doctor Ola Sand reassured that Haaland's injury is "not serious" but admitted the striker is in "so much pain" that he cannot feature against Steve Clarke's men.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Norway have already failed to qualify for Euro 2024 as they sit third in qualifying Group A, behind Spain and Scotland. Haaland, who has scored 27 times in 29 caps for Norway, will have to sit out their final qualifying match and will now face a race against time to be fit for Manchester City's crucial meeting with Liverpool in the Premier League on November 25.

• WHAT HAALAND SAID

  "Unfortunately, I am missing tomorrow’s game against Scotland. Wishing the boys all the best," he wrote on social media. "Now treatment and trying to get back asap."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR HAALAND?

  The 23-year-old will begin his recovery from the injury with an eye on making the squad for City's match against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium. He hasn't yet posted an update regarding his travel plans, although it seems likely that he'll immediately head back to City now, rather than stay with the Norway squad to watch Sunday's clash with Scotland, to undergo treatment.

The Derby County takeover bid lodged by Erik Alonso is no longer being considered by the club, while Mel Morris has entered into new talks regarding the sale of the Rams.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to a statement posted on the Derby County website, in which the club’s CEO Stephen Pearce confirmed that the board are no longer considering the takeover bid of No Limits Sports Limited.

However, Pearce added that Mel Morris is actively discussing the sale of the club with a number of interested and credible parties.

He said: “An announcement was made in April that a deal was agreed between Mel Morris and No Limits Sports Limited, but subsequent developments mean the deal is no longer an option.

“However, Mel Morris is in touch with a number of credible parties in respect to purchasing both the football club and Pride Park Stadium.”

Fans must be buzzing

Considering just how much Derby fans have had to endure this season – with their team narrowly avoiding relegation from the Championship, the frustration of two takeover attempts ending in failure and knowing their side face a points deduction for breaking Financial Fair Play rules – Pearce’s clarification on the current situation regarding the sale of the club is likely to leave the Pride Park faithful buzzing.

Indeed, with a number of concerning issues coming to light regarding Alonso’s bid for the club, it could easily be argued that Derby may well be better off without the Spanish businessman becoming their new owner.

Furthermore, with Pearce confirming that there are a “number of credible parties” interested in purchasing Derby, the prospect of the club being sold appears to have some potential ahead of next season.

As such, if the sale of the club is completed this summer, this would allow Derby and their fans to start looking forward to the future with a new owner who could back Rooney in the transfer market in the 35-year-old’s bid to build a team capable of pushing for promotion and duly putting this year’s disappointments firmly in the past.

In other news: Derby dealt big transfer blow over “fantastic” £1.35m-rated gem, Rooney will be gutted – opinion

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer believes Tony Pulis has been silent following his sacking from the Yorkshire club likely because of some sort of financial agreement.

Pulis was appointed as Wednesday manager last November, brought in as a replacement for Garry Monk, but was dismissed just 10 games later as the Owls continued to struggle in the Championship.

Following his Hillsborough exit, the 63-year-old has not said too much despite all of the drama that went on during his time at the club, which included the threat of a transfer embargo.

And Palmer has suggested that the above is probably due to an agreement he made with owner Dejphon Chansiri. On Pulis’ silence, the ex-Wednesday player told FFC in an exclusive interview:

“It’s interesting that Tony’s never come out and said anything. And I’m assuming that’s due to the money that they paid him, that he’s not allowed to say anything.

“But it’d be interesting to know what he agreed with the chairman, why he went in there and why he left so quickly.”

In contrast, Monk has been very outspoken since his axing from the Hillsborough dugout, telling The Athletic (via The Star) that it was a “mistake” to join Wednesday and that he knew it was a club that had a lot of problems.

West Ham United have been dealt a fresh blow in their pursuit to sign Tammy Abraham this summer…

What’s the word?

According to the Evening Standard, Italian giants AC Milan are set to offer the 23-year-old striker a way out of Chelsea at the end of the season, dealing a setback towards the Hammers’ chances of securing him.

It is widely believed that the England international is David Moyes’ top target to fill that attacking void ahead of next season, as per the ever-reliable ExWHUemployee.

However, the Irons face a likely transfer tussle to secure him as Milan are not the only team keen on signing him. Aston Villa and Newcastle United have also been mooted with interest over the weekend, via ESPN.

Moyes won’t be happy

This latest development won’t come as good news to Moyes, especially if the £36m-rated forward is genuinely his top transfer target this summer.

It does seem that Abraham will be leaving Stamford Bridge in the near future, as the Evening Standard reports that Thomas Tuchel is eyeing a new striker of which Romelu Lukaku and Erling Haaland feature as targets.

That makes Abraham a very appealing target, given he’s done no wrong to warrant his recent omission from the Blues’ starting line-up.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-latest-west-ham-transfer-rumours-gossip-latest-moyes-gsb-london-stadium” title= “Read the latest West Ham news, transfer rumours, gossip and more!”]

The 6 foot 3 beast, who earns around £57k-per-week in west London, remains their joint top-goalscorer in the Premier League on six goals, whilst he has delivered 12 goals across all competitions this term, three more than any West Ham star.

Despite a lack of game time, he’s still built on his impressive 2019/20 exploits, where he found the net 18 times across 42 top-flight and Champions League appearances under Frank Lampard.

Alex McLeish even recently dubbed him a “phenomenal player” in an interview with Football Insider, so it really is a surprise to see him struggle for minutes.

It’s no secret that the Hammers desperately need attacking options, as they cannot rely on the injury-prone Michail Antonio to lead the line by himself in what is likely to be a huge season next year.

After selling Sebastien Haller in January, Moyes was left with only one senior striker and he’s only been able to feature 21 times in the Premier League this term, missing their last three games through injury.

Abraham’s experience and proven goalscoring record in England very much does make him a viable target, and quite rightly, he sits high on Moyes’ priorities.

But interest from teams of Milan’s calibre are hugely worrying. The 58-year-old Scot won’t be happy if he misses out on the 23-year-old this summer.

AND in other news, Moyes heading for West Ham transfer mistake over £9m-rated flop he once dubbed “unplayable”…