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A number of West Ham fans have been showering Ben Johnson with praise after his performance against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

The Hammers picked up a sweet win against Spurs at the London Stadium, prevailing 1-0. Michail Antonio was on the scoresheet, and the Irons have now moved up to fourth place in the Premier League table. David Moyes and co will surely be confident of improving on their sixth-place finish last season after this result.

Johnson was included in the starting line-up for his third league outing of the campaign (Transfermarkt) as he continued to deputise for the injured Vladimir Coufal. Once again, the 21-year-old helped the Irons keep a clean sheet as he kept the likes of Heung-Min Son and Sergio Reguilon quiet down his right flank, and lots of fans were absolutely delighted with what the youngster had to offer.

West Ham have not conceded a goal whenever he has been on the pitch this season (Transfermarkt), with Johnson starring as he won all seven of his duels and made five tackles in a tremendous defensive display (Sofascore).

These Hammers fans took to social media platform Twitter in their droves to share their thoughts on Johnson’s “class” performance.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about Johnson

“Ben Johnson has been wonderful this season. 5 games he has started in he has kept a clean sheet in every single one of them. Still a few things to work on going forward but he kept Son quiet expertly today, his awareness and urgency is superb.”

Credit: @AzamWHUFC

“Ben Johnson was immense today.”

Credit: @aldredtj

“Ben Johnson ain’t put a foot wrong defensively yet, been class”

Credit: @DraigCawson

“Remember when we were all fuming when we let Ngakia go? Moyes got it spot on once again. Ben Johnson unreal talent”

Credit: @antonymmartin84

“How amazing has Ben Johnson been by since he has come into the side the way!? I thought he was so good yesterday. Never thought I’d say this but Coufal might not even get back in straight away”

Credit: @W_Bellow

“Ben Johnson was superb – but can’t underestimate how the arrival of Zouma has improved confidence and skill of whole back line”

Credit: @Tony_McNulty

In other news, many West Ham United fans loved this Jesse Lingard news

A number of Liverpool supporters are happy after journalist Neil Jones claimed James Milner would leave the Reds in the summer.

The 36-year-old has proved to be a fantastic servant for Liverpool since arriving on a free transfer from Manchester City back in the summer of 2015.

Milner has made a total of 272 appearances for the Reds, using his experience to great use and winning both the Premier League and the Champions League.

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The midfielder’s current deal expires this summer, however, and it may be that his time at Anfield comes to an end at that point.

That certainly seems to be the opinion of Goal‘s Jones [via Anfield Watch on Twitter], who claims that Milner is ‘expected to leave’ once the season reaches its conclusion.

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Liverpool fans react to Milner claim

It’s fair to say the versatile veteran hasn’t been at his best this season, and these Liverpool fans reacted to the news positively on Twitter, claiming it is the right time for him to move on.

“Great news”

Credit: @2kelo_tuks

“Thank you Lord”

Credit: @charmokwana

“This is the best news of the year so far. Strip #7 off of him and give it to Harvey or Diaz”

Credit: @Sabista_

“Good”

Credit: @Smartooski

“Milner off to Leeds where he’ll be a player-coach”

Credit: @yemoisakop

“Give Diaz no.7 then I beg”

Credit: @BSSLFC

In other news, Liverpool have reportedly made an ‘official proposal’ for one player. Find out who it is here.

Leeds have been boosted by the news that Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico could be available for £13m in the summer transfer window.

The Whites look set to have a busy next few months as Marcelo Bielsa likely aims to strengthen his squad ahead of next season.

Leeds have taken five points off Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United in their last three games, and while that shows the levels they can now reach, they could still go up another gear.

With Ezgjan Alioski looking likely to leave at the end of the campaign, a new left-back looks set to be a transfer priority for Bielsa in the summer.

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Fresh update on Tagliafico emerges

Tagliafico has been linked with a move to Leeds in the recent past and the Daily Mail has now claimed that they could sign the Argentine for £13m.

Both Manchester City and Inter Milan are also mentioned as potential suitors for the 28-year-old, who has won 27 caps at international level for Argentina and was recently lauded as a “top-quality player” by Kevin Campbell, who was addressing this very transfer rumour in an interview with Football Insider.

Transfer Tavern take

Considering the experience and quality Tagliafico possesses, he could be an excellent replacement for Alioski. He is still young enough to have a few more years left in him at the top, but has also been around long enough to be a safe pair of hands, chipping in with one goal and three assists this season.

If Leeds are to go up a level, they may need players who know how to win trophies and Tagliafico is one of those, clinching the Eredivisie title in 2018/19. His experience of 331 club career games, along with his defensive prowess (two tackles and 2.1 headers won per game this season), also suggests that he could be a tremendous addition if Bielsa can attract him to Yorkshire.

In other news, Leeds are expecting one player to leave the club this summer. Find out who it is here.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Bundesliga expert Daniel Pinder believes Leon Bailey could be a good alternative to Jadon Sancho for Manchester United.

Last summer, United spent most of the transfer window chasing Sancho, only for Borussia Dortmund to stand firm and reject an offer they deemed as unsatisfactory.

Since then, the Red Devils have been linked with a move for Bailey, with one report claiming that negotiations over a potential transfer are already underway with Bayer Leverkusen.

If United do end up managing to get a deal for Bailey over the line, Pinder is convinced the 23-year-old can make a big impact at Old Trafford.

When asked whether Bailey would have the same level of influence as Sancho, Pinder told FFC:

“I think he’d still make a really good impact. He can play either side of the striker, left wing, right wing, he’s two-footed, he can take on players, he’s got pace, he can shoot from distance and has added goals inside the box now.

“So, as a winger and still at a young age, I think for a club like Manchester United, they could really help develop his game. Champions League football, Manchester United, it would be a good fit.”

As well as out wide, United could also look to strengthen up front this summer. Edinson Cavani’s future is uncertain, while the club continues to be linked with a big-money move for Tottenham talisman Harry Kane.

Tottenham Hotspur officials have travelled to Portugal this week as the club, and by extension manager Antonio Conte, allegedly eye one of the division’s top players.

The Lowdown: Lilywhites eye Nunes move?

Sporting Lisbon midfielder and star man Matheus Nunes, as per a plethora of reports, is a transfer target for Tottenham as Conte plots a major summer rebuild.

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The Telegraph claim that Spurs’ head coach wants as many as six major signings, including two new midfielders, with many Portuguese sources claiming Nunes is a man firmly on their radar.

O Jogo (via Sport Witness), back in March, stated that the Lilywhites have already made contact with Sporting over the 23-year-old pre-summer.

Meanwhile, Jornal de Notícias (via Sport Witness), more recently relayed that Nunes is still attracting real interest from Spurs managing director Fabio Paratici and Conte.

The Latest: Tottenham officials dispatched…

Now, another Portuguese newspaper in A Bola (via Sport Witness) spotted that Tottenham officials were at the Estadio do Dragão on Thursday for Sporting’s big cup clash with FC Porto.

While this report doesn’t state who Spurs employees were there to run the rule over, this midweek mission comes amid heavy links to Nunes with Conte allegedly eyeing the midfield ace.

The Verdict: Make a move?

With the rising star likely to still be on Tottenham’s radar, we believe he would seriously upgrade Conte’s options in the middle and Paratici should spare no expense in bringing him to the Premier League.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola, after his Sky Blues side thrashed Sporting in the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie earlier this season, branded Nunes ‘one of the best players in the world’ – serious praise from such an elite coach.

His numbers back up this theory, as WhoScored reveal, with the starlet ranking as one of manager Ruben Amorim’s top five performers in the league going by average match rating (7.07).

He also completes more successful take-ons per 90 (2.4) than any Sporting star, attracting the joint-most fouls and proving to be a real nightmare to play against (WhoScored).

Valued at around €40 million (£33m) by the Portuguese giants and called ‘unbelievable’ by former teammate Goncalo Santos, he certainly stands at as a realistic and quality target from a Spurs perspective.

In other news: Paratici advancing: Tottenham line up fresh bid money bid after personal Conte request! Find out more here.

Peterborough Director of Football Barry Fry has exclusively told Football FanCast that Gareth Bale only returned to Tottenham to build his fitness in time for this summer’s European Championships.

Having fallen out of favour at Real Madrid following his toxic relationship with Zinedine Zidane, the Welshman made a sensational return to Spurs last summer on a season-long loan.

But Bale’s opening few months back at Tottenham were frustrating, with the majority of his appearances coming in the Europa League and domestic cup competitions.

However, the attacker found some form during the Europa League tie against Wolfsberger last month, which allowed him to force his way into Jose Mourinho’s Premier League side.

During a six-game period recently, Bale contributed to nine goals, six of which were goals, although Fry believes that his sole reason for coming back to north London was with Wales in mind.

Fry exclusively told Football FanCast:

“I think Gareth jumped at the chance to join Tottenham because he loves it and he felt that he could get game time, where he wouldn’t at Real Madrid.

“He would have expected to play more, but the object of the exercise in Gareth Bale coming to Tottenham was to get fit for Wales. That’s all he came for, believe you and me – game-time, getting fit for the World Cup qualifiers and getting into the Euros.

“It was always going to be each of them using each other for their own means, which is still good for Tottenham fans if they see Bale how he played two or three times. He’s not going to be the player he was with the injuries and loss of game-time. But he can still contribute a lot, but I thought he would have played more than he has.”

Bale’s return to Tottenham hasn’t gone how some would have hoped, but with 10 goals and three assists, and at least 10 games remaining, it’s turned out to be a decent season for the Welshman.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has given the Hoops the green light over a deal for Hadjuk Split defender Mario Vuskovic, according to The Scottish Sun.

The Lowdown: Postecoglou needs signings

Postecoglou admitted in his first press conference that there is some urgency regarding additions to a couple of positions, and you’d think one of those would be at centre-back.

Kristoffer Ajer has made it clear that he wants to leave the club and Christopher Jullien is currently out injured, possibly leaving Postecoglou with just Stephen Welsh as the club’s only available natural centre-back.

Celtic have less than a month before their Champions League qualifier against FC Midtjylland, and it appears as if a move for Vuskovic is starting to gather pace.

The Latest: Vuskovic latest

The Scottish Sun believe that Celtic have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of the 19-year-old. They claimed that the Hoops have blown Serie A club Torino out of the water when to comes to contract proposals.

Celtic are ready to offer Vuskovic a four-year deal worth £12,000 per week, wages which would see him pocket £2.5m through to 2025.

Postecoglou has given Dominic McKay the green light to proceed with a deal for the youngster, so it seems as if the centre-back could be the 55-year-old’s first major signing as Hoops manager.

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The Verdict: A significant first addition

Should Vuskovic end up becoming Postecoglou’s first Parkhead addition, it could well turn out to be a brilliant one in the long run. He is highly regarded after being included in The Guardian’s 60 next-generation talents three years ago.

Vuskovic’s market value has also rocketed by £5m in the space of 12 months, and it appears as if Celtic are desperate to get him in as soon as possible with the lure of a bigger pay packet than both David Turnbull and Ryan Christie.

Postecoglou could well end up solving Celtic’s centre-back issues with Vuskovic, who you’d expect will only get better during the duration of his potential four-year deal with the Hoops.

In other news: Report claims ‘unbelievable’ Celtic ace ‘will not return’ under Postecoglou as news emerges, find out more here. 

Former Leeds United midfielder David Norris has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that he has no concerns over his old side’s ability to attract players.

The Yorkshire club have missed out on long-term target Rodrigo De Paul, with journalist Fabrizio Romano reporting that the 27-year-old will join Atletico Madrid this summer after the La Liga champions agreed a €35m (£30m) deal with Udinese.

Brighton’s Ben White, who spent the 2019/20 season on loan at Elland Road and was the subject of three bids from Leeds last summer, is also another player who looks to have got away.

The Whites are said to be interested in White, but The Athletic claims that the central defender is close to signing for Arsenal.

Such developments are not a concern for Norris, though, who has confidence in his former club to attract players.

“I think it’s a massive club,” the ex-Leeds star exclusively told FFC. “Outside that top five or six, will definitely be in that next group of clubs for attracting the top players, so I don’t think that’ll be a problem now.”

Wolves’ Adama Traore is another player Leeds are thought to be targeting, though that does not look like it will be an easy deal to complete either, with Eurosport hinting at his price tag potentially being a problem.

Former Manchester United man Keith Gillespie believes that Jack Grealish will eventually leave Aston Villa amid links with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, telling Football FanCast that he will have ambitions of playing in the Champions League.

The attacking midfielder has developed into one of the best attacking midfielders in the country this season.

Dean Smith’s side have enjoyed an excellent season and are currently in the top half of the Premier League table, having avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth last season.

They have already surpassed the 40-point mark that is often said to guarantee survival and much of that has been down to the form of Grealish, who has scored six goals and laid on 12 assists this season.

It has been a phenomenal return from the 25-year-old, who is valued at £54m by Transfermarkt, and one has to imagine it would be higher if he had not picked up an injury that has ruled him out of Villa’s last seven games. It is telling that they have won just two of those.

And Gillespie believes that he will eventually want to move to a Champions League club as he looks to enhance his international reputation, amid debate over his possible selection for England at the European Championships.

He told FFC: “Somebody like Jack Grealish will want to be playing Champions League football. There’s no doubt about that, that’ll help him with England as well. It’s the old thing that happens, when you go to that bigger club, more recognition comes in terms of playing for your country, so I would imagine there will be a period where he does move on, whether it’s next season or the season after.”

Gillespie also believes that Grealish will move to either Manchester City or Manchester United when he does decide his time at Villa is over.

He added: “I’d imagine it being one of those two (Man City or Man United) because somebody of Grealish’s quality wants to be playing on the highest stage in club football and that’s obviously the Champions League.”

Nottingham Forest have been handed a double injury boost ahead of their upcoming Championship fixture.

What’s the latest?

According to a report by Nottinghamshire Live, both Loic Mbe Soh and Jordi Osei-Tutu could be in contention for the visit of Cardiff City this Saturday, as both defenders have made good progress in their respective recoveries from injury.

Mbe Soh has been out of action since he picked up a groin injury in Forest’s season-opening defeat against Coventry City, while Arsenal loanee Osei-Tutu has missed the club’s last three fixtures due to a hamstring injury sustained against Blackburn Rovers.

However, the report by Nottinghamshire Live claims that Osei-Tutu’s targeted return date is Wednesday, while Mbe Soh’s is Saturday.

Hughton will be buzzing

While Chris Hughton did secure the signings of defenders Max Lowe, Mohamed Drager, Djed Spence and Rodrigo Ely in recent weeks in order to prove him with greater depth across the various positions at the back, the return of both Mbe Soh and Osei-Tutu will nevertheless have left the 62-year-old manager buzzing.

Indeed, while Mbe Soh only managed 45 minutes on the pitch against Coventry prior to his injury, the 20-year-old centre-back highly impressed for Forest, playing the ball to Brennan Johnson to create the Reds’ opening goal, as well as making one tackle, one interception and two clearances.

Meanwhile, the return of the 22-year-old versatile full-back Osei-Tutu provides Hughton with another option on either the left or right-hand side of his defence, something that will not only be extremely useful for the Forest manager in the Cardiff clash but also over the course of the club’s Championship campaign.

As such, with it looking as if the 62-year-old could have a full squad to chose from for the fixture at the City Ground on Saturday, Hughton will certainly be hoping that his side can finally pick up their first win of the Championship season against the Bluebirds.

In other news: Reliable journo sheds light on Forest’s deadline day disaster, Murphy will be gutted