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Former Sheffield United midfielder Keith Gillespie has exclusively told Football FanCast that the Blades have missed Sander Berge’s “quality”, but thinks his injury record could see him struggle for a future move away from Bramall Lane.

The Norwegian joined from Genk for a club-record fee last January, but whilst the midfielder featured in all 14 of United’s Premier League remaining 2019/20 games following his arrival, he’s been plagued with injuries this term and therefore hasn’t been able to help the club battle against relegation.

He appeared in Sheffield United’s opening 13 league matches this season, but hasn’t been available since having surgery on a tendon his leg following an injury sustained in the defeat to Manchester United before Christmas.

Berge still has more than three years remaining on his Blades contract, but with the club on the verge of relegation, is set to leave Bramall Lane this summer – with north London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal both interested in the 23-year-old.

Despite those links, Gillespie believes that Berge’s recent injuries could make a potential summer move difficult for him. He told Football FanCast:

“Berge was brought in for a lot of money and he has been injured for most of the season, so that can hinder you because you want somebody with that quality to come in and help the side.

“Berge, who’s going to come in for him? He hasn’t played that much. You don’t know how injury prone he can be, he’s missed a huge chunk of the season.

“I certainly think he would have improved Sheffield United this season.”

According to a report by Anfield Central, West Ham United have contacted Liverpool with an approach to sign midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – despite the fact he has been out for the majority of the season through injury.

The 27-year-old, who has no shortage of experience on the biggest stage, amassing 35 caps for England at international level, has barely been used by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp since recovering from a lengthy layoff.

West Ham make contact for Oxlade-Chamberlain

He missed 113 days for the Reds due to his injury, but Klopp has only called upon Oxlade-Chamberlain twice for a starting role and 10 times off the bench since his return.

Now, Anfield Central report that he is enticing West Ham, who may be looking to poach the midfielder.

Apparently, David Moyes and co are looking to capitalise on their fine form by strengthening with key players for the 2021/2022 season – especially considering they could be in Europe.

Transfer Tavern take

The Reds allegedly wish to keep hold of Oxlade-Chamberlain amid West Ham’s interest, but it will all come down to whether he is ready to settle for less playing time.

Klopp recently heralded him as an ‘outstanding player’ back when he was nearing a return from injury, but whether or not this is a deal the Irons should prioritise is debatable.

Currently on a reported £120,000-per-week at Liverpool, while he holds experience at the top level, GSB may wish for him to take a significant pay cut for this move to be possible.

In other news: Sky pundit blown away by player West Ham are reportedly targeting, find out more here.

Leicester City have been handed a big boost ahead of their clash with Manchester City after James Maddison returned to fitness.

The English midfielder has been missing for the last four Premier League games with a hip injury, and with Brendan Rodgers confirming the 24-year-old’s return to fitness, the Northern Irishman must bring him straight back into his starting line-up.

Maddison is currently embroiled in the most productive season of his Foxes’ career so far. Despite having missed 10 matches in all competitions, he has racked up 11 goals and 10 assists to his name.

No player in the entire squad at the King Power Stadium can better his total goal contributions, Jamie Vardy matching Maddison with 14 goals and seven assists of his own thus far.

It is form which has seen the former Norwich City man earn plenty of plaudits, with Rodgers in particular labelling his midfielder as “immense”.

That form has also been key this season considering that, in the 16 matches where Maddison has directly contributed to a goal, the Foxes have only lost once – a 3-1 reverse at the hands of Leeds United.

Coming up against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, it goes without saying that Leicester will certainly need their most creative players if they are to earn anything from the game – Maddison, now rated at £54m by Transfermarkt, being amongst them.

Ayoze Perez has been deputising in his absence but does not quite have the same threat, having only scored twice in the Premier League this season.

As a matter of fact, Maddison consistently betters the Spaniard on the pitch, so it would be nonsensical to leave him on the sidelines. According to WhoScored, he produces more key passes – 1.8 to 1.1 – and more shots – 2.3 to 1.4 – than Perez.

With the possibility of that output, Rodgers certainly has to consider including Maddison from the off against Manchester City this evening.

AND in more news, Leicester must hold onto Soyuncu amidst interest from Premier League rivals…

As per an official announcement from Tottenham Hotspur, barely-seen Lilywhites talent Alfie Whiteman has undergone surgery to his left knee after it emerged that the 22-year-old has torn his meniscus. 

Whiteman set for Spurs injury lay off

Having made just one senior appearance for Spurs in all competitions under manager Jose Mourinho, coming in the Europa League earlier this season, news has now surfaced that he is on the treatment table.

Indeed, Whiteman has undergone surgery on his knee following a meniscus tear and is expected to miss the entirety of April – with the club hopeful he will return to training in mid-May after a period of recovery and rehabilitation.

The goalkeeping prospect has made a number of appearances on the bench for Spurs in recent seasons whilst being a regular a youth level, which was enough to prompt the club to award him with a contract extension until 2022 back in December 2019 (official).

Transfer Tavern take

In reaction to his extended deal back then, former Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson lauded the news and lavished Whiteman with praise – explaining how he had been impressed with his performances for the Lilywhites Under-23s (Football Insider).

Having also played for England at nearly all youth levels from the U16s to U19s, it’s debatable that he is the most promising up-and-coming shot stopper at Hotspur Way.

News of his meniscus tear and surgery comes as a setback for his continued development, but Spurs’ optimistic recovery timeframe provides a silver lining.

In other news: Tottenham have been dealt a potential Harry Kane blow, find out more here.

Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that David De Gea’s days at Manchester United are numbered.

The Spaniard was regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world at one stage in his career, but his form has dipped over the previous few seasons, which has cost him his place on the international stage.

Despite mistakes cropping up, £375,000-a-week man De Gea has continued to remain as United’s first-choice goalkeeper, although his position at Old Trafford is currently under serious threat for the first time in his United career from youngster Dean Henderson.

De Gea has started all-but seven of Manchester United’s Premier League games this season, missing the Palace, City and West Ham games due to personal reasons, but returned to the squad for the wins over Brighton and Manchester United, although former Sheffield United loanee Henderson kept his place.

The experienced-shotstopper has more than two years remaining on his Old Trafford deal, but to couple with reports suggesting that he’s been offered to the likes of Real Madrid this summer, Windass expects him to leave the Red Devils.

“His time is up. It’s been on the lips for ages now. I don’t think De Gea is the answer, I agree with Roy Keane, he makes too many mistakes. He’s been a quality goalkeeper, but sometimes you get rid of the deadwood, and he’s like the deadwood.

“Henderson has done well, course he has, and I think De Gea’s days are over. He’s still linked with Real Madrid, and if De Gea wants to go, then I’d be happy to watch Henderson in goal.”

Former Premier League defender Alan Hutton has played down Leeds United signing Rangers star Glen Kamara this summer.

The Whites are preparing for their home clash with champions Liverpool on Monday evening, as Marcelo Bielsa’s side look for another impressive win.

There is still a chance that Leeds could finish in the European places, so there is everything to play for at Elland Road.

Away from the on-pitch action, Bielsa continues to be linked with snapping up a host of players, with Kamara one of those who has been tipped (via Daily Mail) as a target in recent times.

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Hutton casts doubt over Leeds signing Kamara

Speaking to Football Insider, however, Hutton admits he has doubts over the 25-year-old leaving in the summer, despite of obvious pull of moving to the Premier League:

“I think as a player you want to aim for the moon. You want to go to the best team possible, there’s no doubt about that. It shows you how well he’s played this season that we’re talking about Premier League clubs.

“I know we’re not talking about the top six or whatever but these are Premier League clubs. It’s arguably the best league in the world.

“So I think that’s only going to boost his confidence but that being said, Steven Gerrard is building something here. It could go on for X amount of years.

“He’s a main part of that with his performances this season and I’m pretty sure he would want to stay and be involved.

“As a player, you want to test yourself at the highest possible level, which he probably will at some stage. To just rush off after this one season? I don’t see him being that type of player.

“I think he would want to give his all for the next few seasons and see where it takes him. That would be a better route for him to really become a legend in his own right at Rangers before he moves on because it’s always a possibility.”

Transfer Tavern take

While staying put at Rangers and playing under a legendary figure in Steven Gerrard no doubt has lots of appeal – his manager is a big fan and even hailed him as ‘superb’ in the past – the lure of the Premier League can be too good to turn down for some footballers.

Should Leeds’ interest in Kamara be genuine, his head could be turned by a move to Elland Road, especially given Bielsa’s reputation in the game.

He has excelled in Rangers’ midfield in the Scottish Premiership this season, enjoying a 90.5 percent pass completion rate, suggesting he could thrive in Bielsa’s system.

In other news, a journalist has confirmed Leeds’ interest in one player, ahead of a possible summer move. Read more here.

Former Newcastle United star Keith Gillespie believes fans will be braced for the possibility of the club’s star players leaving this summer if they do suffer relegation, telling Football FanCast it is “virtually impossible” to keep them in that situation.

The Magpies were in trouble just a few weeks ago, but after taking seven points from a possible nine they are now in a more comfortable situation.

Still, Steve Bruce’s side face difficult run-in on paper that sees them Liverpool, Arsenal, Leicester City and Manchester City, which means there is no room for complacency. They end their season with games versus rock-bottom Sheffield United and, perhaps pivotally, Fulham.

Dropping through the trap door might encourage a firesale of assets this summer, with owner Mike Ashley looking to balance the books.

And Gillespie believes that supporters will expect that if the club do go down, with the big clubs swooping in to snaffle away a few bargains.

Newcastle were last relegated in the 2015/16 season and they subsequently saw Georginio Wijnaldum move to Liverpool, Moussa Sissoko to Tottenham Hotspur, and Andros Townsend to Crystal Palace, while Remy Cabella, Daryl Janmaat, Papiss Cisse, and Cheick Tiote also departed.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, Gillespie, who played for the club between 1995 and 1998, said: “I think fans are realistic that when a club does go down they’ve got to think, ‘well we’re going to lose our best players because all the clubs are going to want them.’

“When clubs do go down, it’s so difficult to hang on to your best players, it’s virtually impossible to hang on to them.

“You’ve got bids coming in, you’ve got to think about the money you’re losing from not being in the Premier League.

“They want to balance the books and if big offers come in for your players, you have to look at it and inevitably it does happen where the players do leave. As I say, fans are realistic, your best players are not going to be there if you’re not in the top division, that’s quite obvious.”

Marcus Bent has exclusively told Football FanCast that Crystal Palace should re-sign Ruben Loftus Cheek this summer.

The midfielder is currently on loan at Fulham, but with the Londoners on course to be relegated, Loftus Cheek will return to Chelsea at the end of the season.

But the England man has hardly featured for the Blues in recent seasons, and with Chelsea boasting a number of talented midfielders, Loftus Cheek isn’t likely to be given an opportunity under Thomas Tuchel.

And with reports suggesting that he’s not in Tuchel’s plans, Crystal Palace are interested in bringing him back, but this time permanently.

£60,000-a-week man Loftus Cheek enjoyed a productive stint across London three seasons ago, scoring twice, whilst laying on four assists in his 25 Premier League appearances, and Bent believes that a return to Selhurst Park would be a wise move.

He told Football FanCast:

“Good player, I like him. He’s experienced in a sense, he’s been around. He’s not an attacking midfielder, but has got the legs to move around.

“He wouldn’t be moving far from Chelsea, it just depends on his price tag. I’m not sure how much they would want for him but Villa and Palace are looking to get him.”

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Bundesliga expert Daniel Pinder believes Ibrahima Konate has more potential than his RB Leipzig team-mate Dayot Upamecano.

Konate is set to join Liverpool this summer in a £30.5m deal, according to reports, as Jurgen Klopp looks to add to his defence.

This comes after Bayern Munich confirmed that they have agreed a deal to sign Upamecano.

The 22-year-old France international has been one of the standout central defenders in Europe this season, with Jamie Carragher telling his old side last October that they needed a big signing like him following Virgil van Dijk’s injury.

However, it is his fellow Leipzig centre-back Konate Liverpool have seem to ended up with, and Pinder is convinced that is a good thing.

On the 21-year-old, the editor-in-chief at Get German Football News told FFC in an exclusive interview:

“I think Konate has the potential to be that next big star at centre-back. Personally, and I know a lot of people who watch German football have the same opinion, I think he has more potential than Upamecano, who’s obviously joining Bayern Munich in the summer. 

“And despite Konate’s injury record, I really think his potential is, his ceiling is just, you can’t predict where it’s going to be. I think it’s just that high.”

As well as in defence, Liverpool could also look to bolster their attack, with Football Insider reporting that the Reds are interested in Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

Aston Villa have changed their mind about potentially selling Anwar El Ghazi this summer.

That’s according to a report from Football Insider, who have been informed by a Villa source that Dean Smith made the decision regarding the winger.

The report suggests that the Villa hierarchy and Smith were ready to listen to offers for the 26-year-old, however, the Villa boss has now pulled the plug on a potential exit.

One of the main reasons for the U-turn is due to the serious injury sustained to fellow wide man Trezeguet.

He tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Liverpool last month and looks set to be out for a considerable period of time.

El Ghazi, on £38,000-a-week at Villa Park, has scored in the club’s last two Premier League fixtures, taking his tally for the season to nine.

Transfer Tavern take

To us, this is the right call by Smith. Recent reports have suggested that Villa are looking to sign two wide forwards this summer, but with Trezeguet set for an extended period on the sidelines, having strength in depth out wide could be crucial for the 2021/22 season.

Burnley’s Dwight McNeil has been a player linked with a move to Villa Park and bringing in two wide additions could then allow Jack Grealish, should he remain at the club, to take up a central role.

El Ghazi, who Alan Hutton described as ‘unstoppable’ earlier in the campaign during a run when he scored five in five, seems to be getting to grips with life in the Premier League and now has over 50 appearances under his belt in the top flight.

Bertrand Traore is also on the books in the Midlands, so having El Ghazi, Traore and two more wingers for the next campaign may well be more than enough going forward.

In other news: Villa plotting move for Premier League centre-back, find out who it is here.