It’s Australia time at Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur have put £20million on the table for Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey. The idea is that Giovani Lo Celso would go the other way. Villa need to sell players to remain within the financial rules. Villa turned down the offer because they rate the 23-year-old midfielder at £45million and he has three years left […]

Tottenham Hotspur have put £20million on the table for Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey. The idea is that Giovani Lo Celso would go the other way. Villa need to sell players to remain within the financial rules. Villa turned down the offer because they rate the 23-year-old midfielder at £45million and he has three years left on his current contract. Lo Celso has a year left on his contract and Tottenham want to offload him and Emerson Royale, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Bryan Gil, Sergio Reguilon and possibly Richarlison.

We will soon be hearing even more Australian accents around the London Stadium if Tottenham Hotspur coach Ange Postecoglou completes his aim to bring two more assistants to the club.

Nick Montgomery is known as the Socceroos King. He won the Australian championship and formerly was the boss at Central Coast Mariners. He has been swamped with offers since leaving Scottish Premier club Hibernian where the board failed to meet his ambitious programme to bring in quality players. He would be joined by his number two Sergio Raimundo if Spurs can cement a contract with Montegomery. Postecoglou has already brought in Socceroos legend Mile Jedinak and he is fondly regarded in Australia for promoting the careers of several players and coaches on the world stage. Montgomery will replace Postecoglou’s number two Chris Davies who has taken over as coach at Birmingham City.

Rashford working hard during the summer break

The three high profile players left behind by England and not selected for the Euros include Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish and James Maddison. The three would arguably walk into any side in the world such is their class. Marcus Rashford has acknowledged he has not been at his best for most of last season and blames himself that he is watching the Euros on TV. Instead of taking a break this summer and sunning himself on a beach the forward has been hard at work in the gym and is determined to hit the ground running in August. Following England’s two lacklustre performances in the Euros his brother and agent Dwaine Maynard said, “It’s hard to sit and watch when you honestly believe your man could make the difference.”

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Van Nistelrooy will coach the Ferguson way if he joins United

Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy was in the frame to take over the vacancy as Burnley coach. This week it has emerged that he is also talking to Erik Ten Hag and Manchester United and has praised the Dutchman as a “great coach” and ranks him alongside the very best in football, Johan Cruyff, Louis Van Gaal and Rinus Michels. Van Nistlerooy spent five years at United scoring 150 goals in 219 matches. He learnt much from Sir Alex Ferguson and follows his philosophy. He said, “Sir Alex was always pushing us forward. Look forward, play forward, get crosses in, shoot on target. As a player, I loved the way that made me feel. I wanted to play like that and I want to transmit that same feeling to my teams, to my players.” Ruud has been attending Holland’s Euro matches with his friend Clarence Seedorf.

Slotting in nicely at Anfield

Arne Slot will meet the Kop fans when Liverpool host Spanish side Sevilla in a friendly on Sunday August 11th with a local kick off time of 3pm. The clubs are old rivals and met in the 2017/18 season and drew twice during the Champions League group stage. Sevilla beat Liverpool in the Europa League Cup final in 2016.

Liverpool have already arranged three friendlies on their tour of the United States in July. They play Spanish side Real Betis in Pittsburgh on July 27th, take on Arsenal in Philadelphia on August 1st and Manchester United in Columbia on August 4th. Liverpool meet newly promoted Ipswich Town away on August 17th when the new Premkier League season kicks off and then entertain a home crowd at Anfield against Brentford the following weekend.

Transfer news…

**Pep Guardiola has been an admirer of Germany’s Joshua Kimmich ever since he gave the 20 year-old his chance at Bayern Munich in 2015. Now, nine years later Kimmich’s contract is entering the final 12 months. Manchester City are interested in bringing him to the Etihad Stadium but Arsenal, Liverpool. Barcelona and Real Madrid are also monitoring developments. Guardiola has previously said, “He’s got absolutely everything. He can do everything and he gives everything. Guardiola played Kimmich at centre back at Bayern who have to sell him now, offer him a new contract or risk losing him for nothing next summer.

**Everton are getting ready for another Manchester United bid for Jarrad Branthwaite and they have also approached French club Lille regarding Leny Yoro who is only 18 years-of-age.

**Chelsea have confirmed the £28 million signing of another Willian…this time it is Willian Estevao from Palmeiras for £28 million. They are also finalising a £19million deal for Aston Villa midfielder Omari Kellyman with Chelsea left back Ian Maatsen having a medical prior to a £37.5million move to Villa.

**Villa’s Douglas Luiz is in talks with Juventus for a move said to be £17million.

Newcastle are continuing to talk with Burnley about signing goalkeeper James Trafford for £17million.

**Manchester United are working hard over the summer in a bid to sign Holland’s Joshua Zirkzee with Arsenal and AC Milan in hot pursuit. United management have put a solid case to his employers, Italian club Bologna, and are prepared to meet the 23-year-old’s £34million release clause. Zirkzee, playing in the Euros, is keenly watching the unfolding scenario and says he will wait until the end of July before making a decision about where his career will take him next.

Holiday and work for Villa’s Unai Emery

Aston Villa coach Unai Emery has brought a new belief to the midlands club and after another successful season he is taking time off to holiday with family and friends, walking, swimming and watching the Euros in a relaxed way although he mainly focuses on his own players John McGuinn, Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa and Youri Tielemans. His holiday however has included daily phone calls to the Villa management and there are likely to be players moving out and being replaced in the next few weeks as Emery builds his new strategy for next season and inclusion in the Champions League.

If Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen signs for Villa their former claret and blue striker Dwight Yorke reckons it is a decision the Blues will come to regret. Villa have been searching ways to strengthen their defence and full back Maatsen fits the bill perfectly.

I have also been told Villa are interested in signing Hofenheim forward Maximillian Beier as Emery is keen to give the club several different options up front.

Sessegnon considers return to Craven Cottage

Fulham are in the queue to sign free agent Ryan Sessegnon after selling him five years ago for £25 million. The 24 year-old winger earned his reputation coming through the academy ranks at Craven Cottage and won a first team place at the age of 16. At Tottenham last season Ryan was at an all-time low when he played only eight minutes because of injuries and he was shown the exit door. Crystal Palace and West Ham have also shown interest and Ryan is proclaimed to be fit to start the new season. My sources tell me that Ryan is favouring a return to Fulham.