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Craig Hope has now revealed a new potential appointment at Newcastle United after the takeover was announced on Thursday evening.

The Lowdown: Takeover done

The St. James’ Park faithful have now officially announced the takeover of the North East club by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium on their official website.

It means that Mike Ashley has now finally left, as a new board comes in with a new direction which will hopefully align more with where the fans expect the club to go.

The Latest: McParland considered

As per Hope, former scout and academy chief at Liverpool, Frank McParland, is now among a number of names being considered for a role within the new set-up at the Toon.

The Daily Mail journalist also confirmed that McParland ‘was on Tyneside last night’ as NUFC fans gathered in their masses to celebrate in front of St. James’ Park.

The Verdict: No brainer

With a new direction for the club mapped out, Newcastle should look no further than hiring McParland, either in a recruiting role or as a director.

He is a vastly experienced specialist in recruitment, and has worked previously with Watford, Brentford, Burnley and Rangers, as well as Liverpool (i).

McParland worked as a director of football at both Brentford and Watford, and he spent six years as sporting director at Burnley (i), showing that he is more than capable of fulfilling any kind of major role that the new owners wish.

Nonetheless, his experience and versatility should make him one of the top candidates.

In other news, find out what big arbitration update has emerged here!

Andriy Shevchenko has been linked with a move to Celtic following Ange Postecoglou’s tricky start to life at Parkhead, The Sun have reported.

The Lowdown: Shevchenko at Ukraine

Shevchenko’s only experience as a manager has come at international level with his native Ukraine. The 45-year-old took over after a stint as assistant back in 2016 and took charge of 52 matches, the last of which came in a 4-0 defeat to England in the European Championship quarter-finals in July.

It now seems that he wants to try his hand as a club manager, with Celtic Park namechecked as a possible destination.

The Latest: Nixon’s late-night claim

Alan Nixon of The Sun shared a story late on Saturday night regarding Shevchenko. He claimed that the Ukrainian wants to make the move to Britain as a manager, which has put Celtic on alert.

Nixon added that Shevchenko’s availability has placed him on wish lists and that he could be a surprise choice for Celtic if things don’t work out with Postecoglou.

The Verdict: Nicholson looking at alternative targets?

Michael Nicholson was installed as the club’s interim CEO following Dominic McKay’s abrupt Parkhead exit, so he could be the man looking at Shevchenko.

Time should be on Postecoglou’s side, though, due to a number of incomings and outgoings over the summer and having to deal with numerous injuries in recent weeks.

However, it appears as if the Hoops could be exploring possible contingency plans, so results may need to improve soon if the 56-year-old is not to be jettisoned.

In other news: News Celtic and Ange could do without emerges regarding Kyogo Furuhashi

Ex-Manchester City defender Steve Howey believes a loan move to the Championship would benefit Liam Delap.

The 18-year-old was in scintillating form for Manchester City’s EDS squad last season, as he scored scoresheet.

After his incredible form last season, Delap has been linked with a temporary move away from the Etihad with the likes of West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City two clubs mentioned as to where he could play his football next season.

With examples of players in the past going to play Championship football and then return to the first team at their parent club, Howey believes a loan move would benefit Delap.

Howey told The Transfer Tavern: “You look at Mason Mount, you look at Kane, all these players have gone out on loan and I had times where you’re playing week in, week out. For me the Championship is a ridiculously hard league, it’s just relentless, constant games, tough opponents. 

“We’ve just been speaking about Freddie Woodman who’s gone out and done that and now is a possibility. I think it would be a great idea for him to go out because you cannot really see him get much game time, whereas if he goes to a Championship club, Pep can watch him closely, monitor everything, speak to them pretty much all the time and see his development.

“It would do him the power of good, but that’s just my opinion, it just depends on the player.”

Whether Delap stays at the Etihad Stadium after the transfer window closes or heads out on loan, he will be hoping for plenty of minutes and another brilliant season in front of goal, telling Sky Sports: “As a footballer you just want to play as much as you can and that’ll be my target this season, just to play as much as I can.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers ended West Ham’s run of fantastic form this afternoon and also managed to keep a clean sheet at Molineux for the first time this season.

Securing the three points today has put Wolves in a fantastic position in the Premier League, elevating them above Manchester United and Brighton into sixth, two points clear of the aforementioned duo.

Bruno Lage’s team dominated in almost every area of the game, with 53% possession and more completed passes and more shots on target compared to David Moyes’ side. Raul Jimenez championed this dominance with a second half strike which finally burst West Ham’s bubble, notching his third goal of the season to decide the match in Wolves’ favour.

Lage will be delighted with the result and performance from his team today, in particular his decision to put his faith in Portuguese forward Daniel Podence, who made his first start since the win at Southampton nearly two months ago.

The £52k-p/w winger played an important part in the win today, with three key passes, two shots on target and an assist for Jimenez’s goal, fully justifying his manager’s decision to start the 26-year-old over Adama Traore.

Podence has been challenging both the Spain international and Barcelona loanee Trincao for a place in the line-up but has given those players a pushback after such a fine attacking display this afternoon.

SofaScore rated Podence at 7.0/10 today as he put on an attacking masterclass against an impressive West Ham side, showing how much of a threat he can be in the final third.

Lage spoke after the match about the 26-year-old and how his ability to find space in a tight game, saying: “We needed to find different spaces and we found it. The way Saiss and Max found the spaces to Podence or Hwang, and how Ruben and Joao control the game with the ball… We controlled everything”.

Wolves will be hoping to continue their winning ways to push for European football next season, and more performances like this one from Podence should give them every chance of embarking on a continental tour in 2022/23.

In other news: Wolves have been dealt a big transfer setback

Mention Shane Duffy’s name around Celtic supporters and you’re likely to provoke stories of terror and torment.

The centre-back signed for the Hoops on loan 12 months ago and he looked like a solid pick up initially.

He had experience in the top-flight of English football and was proven in one of the best leagues in European football.

However, he eventually left Parkhead early following an injury-hit and calamitous stay in Glasgow.

Duffy was nothing short of a liability at Celtic last season, miscommunicating with Christopher Jullien in the Scottish Cup final back in December and producing a number of errors.

A short cameo against Rangers back in January said it all. He replaced Nir Bitton following the Israeli’s red card but the Irishman was fortunate not to be sent off himself for a reckless challenge on Ryan Kent.

What made this move worse was the fee Celtic parted ways with for a season. The Bhoys paid a £2m loan fee and were happy to give him a whopping salary of £30k-per-week.

That’s a mind-boggling amount considering the performances he put in.

However, it serves as a reminder of why Ange Postecoglou cannot overpay for George Baldock this summer.

Another proven Premier League defender, Celtic would be happy to pay £5m in order to lure the full-back to Paradise.

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However, they’re looking to find alternatives in the market after it became apparent that Sheffield United want something closer to £8m in order to let him leave.

The Hoops are desperate to find a right-back with Anthony Ralston the only senior option they have at their disposal in that third of the pitch.

Though, with the defender putting in an abject display against Midtjylland in the Champions League on Tuesday, there is an even greater need to invest in a right-sided defender.

Baldock was previously described as “superb” for a piece of play he produced for Sheffield United but if their Duffy situation told them anything, it’s that they cannot overplay for players simply because they’ve starred in the Premier League.

He is a capable defender and adept in forward areas but they’d find much better value for money pursuing someone like Brandon Soppy or Aurelio Buta.

With a high fee being touted, this is a move that the Hoops need to forget about.

AND in other news, Celtic could find their new Christie by signing 44-goal gem with the “style of Robben”…

Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Juventus defender Radu Dragusin ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport (print version via Tutto Mercato Web), the Eagles have made an offer for the highly-rated 19-year-old as they prepare for life after Roy Hodgson.

The report doesn’t state the exact sum that Palace are believed to have offered for Dragusin and claims that the Romania Under-21 international would be open to staying with the Turin giants if Merih Demiral is sold.

Parish must swoop

A new contract was signed by the former Regal Bucharest academy graduate as recently as April, appearing to end any chance of a summer exit for the youngster.

However, it appears as though Dragusin could still depart Juve over the coming months as Massimiliano Allegri plans an overhaul of the Serie A outfit.

It could present a perfect opportunity for Palace chairman Steve Parish to snap up one of Europe’s best teenage centre-backs, and he must swoop for prodigy before another interested party pounces.

Although Dragusin doesn’t have an abundance of first-team experience, making just four appearances for the Old Lady’s senior side, his arrival at Selhurst Park is much-needed.

The Eagles are in desperate need of young players over the imminent window in order to lower the average age of their squad, which was the oldest in the Premier League last season.

They also have real problems in the heart of defence. Mamadou Sakho, Gary Cahill and Scott Dann are all set to become free agents when their current contracts expire at the end of the month, meaning reinforcements will be desperately required.

After impressing in a 20-minute cameo against Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League group stage, former Juve manager Andrea Pirlo was quick to praise Dragusin’s development.

“He’s physically very strong. He’s very young and must develop on a technical level, but he will have time to do it, training every day with great champions,” said Pirlo in his post-match press conference.

Therefore, news of his potential arrival will surely have the Palace supporters buzzing as the club enters a treacherous transitional period. At long last, the club are beginning to target young players who they can build for the future or sell on for a greater fee.

That business method has eluded them in years gone by so this deal would be timely from Steve Parish, one that provokes a sense of relief from supporters at Selhurst Park.

And, in other news…Worse than Nuno: Palace must avoid potential Hodgson successor with 42.51% win record 

Queens Park Rangers look set to seal the arrival of Andre Gray at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Tuesday.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Watford Observer, who claim that, after it was reported that QPR had agreed to take the Watford centre-forward on a season-long loan, the 30-year-old has now passed his medical with Mark Warburton’s side, with his official arrival in west London set to be announced imminently.

The report added that, with just one year remaining on his current contract at Vicarage Road, it appears as if the striker’s move to QPR has brought an end to his time at the Premier League outfit.

Bhatia masterclass

Amit Bhatia has overseen a remarkable summer transfer window at QPR, with the chairman sanctioning the permanent signings of players such as Andre Dozzell, Stefan Johansen, Charlie Austin, Jordy de Wijs and Jimmy Dunne. Having also brought highly-rated Norwich City left-back Sam McCallum to the club on a season-long loan deal, the further addition of Gray would seem to be the cherry on the cake for Rs.

Indeed, while the £3.6m-rated striker failed to ever really cement a starting spot for the Hornets after his then club-record £18.5m move from Burnley back in 2017, the 30-year-old nevertheless impressed in spells during his time at Vicarage Road. He scored five goals and provided three assists over his 31 Premier League appearances back in 2017/18, as well as bagging seven goals and registering two assists over 29 top-flight fixtures in the following campaign.

However, the £70k-per-week forward’s previous form in the Championship is what will have interested QPR most, with the Rs undoubtedly hoping the man who Xisco Munoz dubbed a “brilliant” player can replicate his returns for Burnley back in 2015/16, when the Jamaica international scored a whopping 23 goals and provided eight assists over his 41 league appearances.

If he can, then Gray’s signing could well prove to be something of a masterclass by Bhatia, as it would seem that the striker boasts the ability to be the difference between promotion and yet another season in the Championship for QPR come next May.

In other news: Warburton drops hint on “unbelievable” £2.25m-rated machine, QPR fans will be buzzing

JustJoe Football Show presenter Joe Wainman believes Niall Huggins move to Sunderland from Leeds United is best for both parties. 

The 20-year-old penned at permanent deal at the Stadium of Light this summer, joining the Black Cats on a free transfer but with a sell-on fee has been included in the deal [BBC Sport].

Huggins featured mainly for Leeds United’s U23 side, playing 18 games for them in the 2020/2021 season, scoring two goals and providing one assist.

The full-back did feature for the first-team last season, as he came off the substitutes’ bench for the Whites against Arsenal in the Premier League.

Wainman believes the move suits all parties, telling Transfer Tavern: “They get to a stage where they just need game time and Bielsa’s pretty fair in that respect, you know.

“If he can’t give them what they need and they’ve been in the under-23s for a year and they’re not close to the first team, it’s time to move on. So, I think it’s best for both parties and I hope Niall Huggins does well.”

Huggins became Lee Johnson’s sixth summer signing, with Alex Pritchard, Corry Evans, Callum Doyle, Dennis Cirkin, Frederik Alves, Nathan Broadhead also joining Stadium of Light. The Black Cats have started in good form as they have won three of their opening four matches and currently sit fourth in the League One table.

According to The Daily Record, Southampton are interested in signing Farense midfielder Ryan Gauld this summer.

The Lowdown: Busy summer ahead

This season was a mixed one for the Saints. They started fantastically and even reached an FA Cup semi-final, but they ended up finishing in the bottom half and put in an awful display at Wembley.

As such, Ralph Hasenhuttl is likely to demand new arrivals at St. Mary’s Stadium this summer.

The Latest: Saints eye Gauld

One of the players linked to the south-coast outfit is Gauld, who currently plays in Portugal for the recently relegated outfit Farense.

Legia Warsaw, as well as teams from the MLS and the Championship, are said to be interested in signing the 25-year-old this summer but the report indicates that a move to Southampton appeals to him.

The Verdict: Plenty of ability

Gauld may be a name familiar to some, especially in Scotland. He started his career at Dundee United, and his showings there even earned him comparisons with Lionel Messi (via The Sun). He has mainly struggled to live up to the huge expectations on his shoulders, but this term, he has impressed.

Although Farense were relegated to the second tier, Gauld scored nine goals and provided a further seven assists (Transfermarkt). Last term, he scored nine in 21 in the division below, indicating this campaign’s form is no flash in the plan. Valued at just £4.5m (Transfermarkt), his contract runs out at the end of this term – on a free transfer, this could be an inspired move from the Saints.

In other news, Hasenhuttl reveals the Saints are in talks to sign this 87-goal man.

Despite the spirit shown by Everton in the Merseyside derby, they still ran out 2-0 losers away to Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Andy Robertson and Divock Origi came up with the goals which eventually broke the Toffees’ resistance in the second half, and The Transfer Tavern have used statistical experts SofaScore to analyse who the three worst performers (to have played at least 45 minutes) were for Everton on the day:

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Michael Keane (6.6)

Admittedly tied with both Demarai Gray and Anthony Gordon here in terms of rating (6.6), Keane ranks in third here given that the former did not complete the full 90 minutes and the latter showed some promise going forward.

Keane made just one tackle and failed to block any shots on the Everton goal, while his 31 touches were fewer than any outfield Liverpool starter managed. He was also guilty of giving the ball away 12 times, the fifth-most out of his teammates.

Jordan Pickford (6.4)

After conceding two goals, goalkeeper Pickford was given a 6.4 overall rating.

The England international gave away possession cheaply on no fewer than 15 separate occasions from his 26 touches, and he only made two saves in total.

Mason Holgate (6.3)

With a 6.3 rating given, Holgate ranked as the Toffees’ worst player on the day.

The defender lost out on two of his duels and failed to record any interceptions or tackles, also losing possession six times from his mere 16 touches of the ball.

In other news, find out which top-flight club are now eyeing this Blues defender