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According to a report by ESPN, Tottenham Hotspur lead the race and are in pole position to sign 6 foot 3 goalkeeping colossus Sam Johnstone – with the in form shot stopper now a man in demand ahead of next season. 

Indeed, the 28-year-old is apparently emerging as a top target for Spurs with club mainstay Hugo Lloris continuously linked with an exit from north London this summer.

ESPN provide the latest, and they claim that the Lilywhites are not only interested in Johnstone, but are in pole position ahead of both West Ham and Leeds United.

Recently earning the England nod – his first ever international call up – the West Bromwich Albion shot stopper has been one of the few success stories of the Baggies’ relegation-battling campaign.

Transfer Tavern take

He has earned plaudits galore, with Kevin Campbell recently explaining how ‘amazing’ he is when speaking to Football Insider amid his links to Spurs.

Johnstone has also attracted praise from Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle, who dubbed him ‘outstanding’ in a column for the Evening Standard recently.

This report suggests he could even leave for just £10 million this summer due to his contract situation at the Hawthorns, coming as Spurs look for a capable pair of hands to potentially succeed Lloris.

Chairman Daniel Levy will also not be looking to break the bank, either, meaning this deal could tick all the boxes for Tottenham.

In other news: Tottenham gifted Sabitzer transfer boost, find out more here.

Celtic defender Stephen Welsh has said that interim boss John Kennedy is doing a ‘great job’ and hopes he is given the reins permanently.

Kennedy took charge of the Hoops in late February following Neil Lennon’s resignation. He oversaw victory in his first match in charge against Aberdeen before a goalless draw at Dundee United.

On Sunday, in what he hopes will be the first of many Old Firm assignments, he held champions Rangers to a 1-1 draw.

Centre-back Welsh forced his way into the team in the final matches of Lennon’s tenure and has played every minute so far under Kennedy (via Transfermarkt).

Kennedy ‘makes it easy’ for Welsh

Speaking to BBC Sportsound after the clash with Rangers, the 21-year-old expressed his gratitude towards Kennedy.

“I think Kendo’s doing a great job at the moment,” he said.

“I’ve worked with him for four or five years and he makes it easy for me to go and play. He trusts me to go and play in these games.

“So, yes, definitely I’d like him to get the job.”

Welsh is by no means the first person connected with the club to tout Kennedy’s credentials. Last week, former Hoops manager Brendan Rodgers hailed him as an ‘outstanding coach’ who was destined for a future in first-team management, whether at Celtic or elsewhere (via Sky Sports).

Transfer Tavern verdict

It is still early days. Kennedy has only overseen three matches, so observers should reserve judgement.

His goal must be to leave Dermot Desmond and the Celtic hierarchy in no doubt. If he can demonstrate that the dressing room is behind him and, crucially, lead the club to silverware, they would certainly think twice about asking him to make way for a new manager.

Celtic play the winner of Arbroath and Falkirk in the third round of the rescheduled Scottish Cup at the start of next month. Avoid an upset in that tie and they will be only three wins away from a place in the 22 May showpiece, and a chance to win the competition for the fifth year in succession.

In other news, Celtic have been tipped to revisit their interest in this defender.

Liverpool will be aiming to earn back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time in over a month when they host Chelsea on Thursday.

The Reds managed to edge past Sheffield United last time out at Bramall Lane courtesy of a strike from youngster Curtis Jones and an own-goal from Blades’ defender Kean Bryan.

How could Klopp line up his team for the visit of the Londoners?

We are expecting three changes to the Liverpool starting XI on Thursday, with the Reds welcoming back a few key injury returnees.

One of the most glaring changes will be in goal where Alisson will come back in to replace Adrian.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson and Ozan Kabak are all expected to line-up in defence once again.

However, one change in the back-line could be the inclusion of the fit-again Fabinho after the Brazilian returned to training. He is likely to be reintroduced in the place of Nat Phillips.

One final change could be seen in midfield. Curtis Jones is almost sure to start again after netting at Bramall Lane, whilst Georginio Wijnaldum is also likely to play from the off.

However, Klopp could consider dropping summer signing Thiago to the bench. The Spaniard has started the last ten Premier League games, failing to register a goal or an assist.

He might be replaced by fellow midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who deserves a chance to prove himself once again.

Moving into attack and the familiar trio of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are all set to start once again, despite Diogo Jota’s return to training.

AND in other news, Mo Salah signing for Real Madrid makes a lot of sense for Liverpool…

Luton captain Tom Lockyer has opened up on the terrifying moment he suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch against Bournemouth.

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• Lockyer collapsed at Vitality Stadium
• Game was abandoned
• Luton star unsure if he'll ever play again

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Lockyer collapsed in the 59th minute of Luton's game against Bournemouth on December 16, with medics subsequently rushing on to the pitch to treat him. The match was abandoned due to the incident and Lockyer was rushed to hospital after his heart stopped for two minutes and 40 seconds. Doctors resuscitated the 29-year-old and he was declared to be in a stable condition later that evening.

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  WHAT LOCKYER SAID

  Lockyer spent a total of five days in hospital, and was fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), but it is not yet clear whether he will be able to resume his career as a footballer. Looking back on the harrowing ordeal, Lockyer told : "It was just a normal day, and that was the most worrying thing because I felt completely fine. I have been looking for answers since but I have not been able to find any because it was just another day at the office. I was running towards the halfway line and I went really light headed. I thought I’d be ok in a second but I wasn’t. I woke up and the paramedics were there. I knew instantly it was different to my collapse in May. Last time it felt like I woke up from a dream, and this time I woke up from nothingness. I could see there was more panic and I was a bit disorientated. I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t move. I was trying to work out what was happening, and I remember thinking, ‘I could be dying here’. It was a surreal thought to to have, not being able to respond, and you can see the panic going on. I could feel them put the drip in my arm and it was a hard mix of emotions. Eventually I came round and I was able to speak and to respond. When I felt ok, it was then a relief I was alive."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Lockyer, who also suffered a collapse during Luton's Championship play-off final victory over Coventry back in May, went on to discuss how his family were affected by his second major health scare in a matter of months. “Following what happened in May, I have a recording device in my chest, and I was out for two minutes and 40 (seconds)," he said. "It was hardest on my family having to watch that. They had it worse than me. My old man was there (at the match) and my girlfriend was seven months pregnant at the time. My mum was at home listening on the radio. She went off to make a cup of tea after Bournemouth scored, and when she came back my brother had turned the radio off. She asked ‘why’, and he had to say to her that Tom has gone down off the ball again. This is the bigger picture that people don’t see and that is the hardest part to deal with. I am not going to lie, it has been a tough couple of months. I don’t know if I have processed what happened. I don’t know if it will come back and bite me on the bum, but I have not had any emotions since what happened. I literally died but I have been numb to the whole thing since.”

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  WHAT NEXT

  Lockyer returned to Luton's training ground for the first time since the Bournemouth incident last month, and is still hopeful he can play at the top level again, but will have to undergo a few more tests before being given a clear picture for his future. "If I am not allowed to play again then I can say I captained Luton in the Premier League and I have scored a Premier League goal," he said. "I am very fortunate that I have had high moments in my career and scoring a Premier League goal is something you dream of as a kid. I am incredibly grateful to be alive. I have the device fitted now, and I almost feel invincible.”

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has responded to Jurgen Klopp's claim that Liverpool are not favourites for the Carabao Cup final.

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• Klopp played down Reds Wembley chances
• Poch says comments were 'clever'
• Blues meeting Liverpool for third time in League Cup final

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Premier League table would seem to suggest differently, with the high-flying Reds currently 25 points clear of Pochettino's side – who are all the way down in 10th. However, with Liverpool in the midst of an injury crisis Klopp recently said: "Will we be big favourites? Definitely not. Since we played them (Chelsea) they have improved a lot and it will be tricky."

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• WHAT POCHETTINO SAID

  Pochettino has now responded to Klopp's comments at his pre-final press conference, hinting that the German might be playing mind games ahead of their Wembley showdown.

  "Because he's one of the best, with Pep, coaches in the world. He's clever enough," he began. "He knows that when you play a final, circumstances can happen. If they are not favourites, we are not favourites [laughs]. They have experience to compete like a team, be involved in different finals. For some of us, it's maybe their first final. He is clever enough."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Reds will definitely be without the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota for the final, though Klopp retains hope that Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai – who all missed Wednesday's victory over Luton Town – may still be involved in some capacity. Thiago Silva is a doubt for Chelsea, though Pochettino neglected to definitively rule the Brazilian out for Sunday's blockbuster clash.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  This is the third time that Liverpool and Chelsea have met in the League Cup final. Chelsea triumphed after extra time back in 2005, in what was Jose Mourinho's first-ever trophy at Stamford Bridge. Then, in 2022, Liverpool were the victors, with stand-in goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher scoring the winning penalty in a shoot out that went down to the wire.

Virgil van Dijk fired a short message to his critics after his winner in extra-time secured the Carabao Cup for Liverpool.

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• Van Dijk sends message
• Defender scored winner against Chelsea
• Secures yet another trophy in his cabinet

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Van Dijk was crucial yet again as he marshalled the Liverpool defence throughout the 120 minutes to see off plenty of sustained Chelsea pressure. Partnered by Ibrahima Konate, the Dutchman led by example and scored the winner in the 118th minute. Winning his first trophy as Liverpool captain, Van Dijk is only looking onwards and upwards.

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• WATCH THE CLIP

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  If anyone had been beginning to question whether Van Dijk was getting old or was 'finished', then the defender rightly silenced his critics. While he has not been at his imperious best at times this season, including a recent mistake against Arsenal, Van Dijk is still considered the benchmark for defenders. Few can argue against his place at the top of world football.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR VAN DIJK?

  Having lifted his first piece of silverware as captain, Van Dijk will be desperate to add more trophies to his already extensive collection. He may not be finished just yet, as the Reds could win a further three in the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup.

Roy Keane is reportedly open to becoming Neil Lennon’s successor as permanent Celtic manager.

That’s according to The Scottish Sun, who claimed that the 49-year-old – who reportedly rejected the job to replace Lennon back in 2014 – would now consider a move to Parkhead.

Keane’s managerial absence

Well-known for his punditry roles in recent years, Keane last managed back in 2010/11 with Ipswich Town.

Since then, the Irishman – who finished his playing career with Celtic – has been an assistant at Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and for his native Republic of Ireland.

However, it seems as if he’s keen to return to the dugout, and his love for Celtic has seen him become keen on the vacant Parkhead position, according to The Scottish Sun.

Transfer Tavern take

Keane was left unimpressed with Peter Lawwell seven years ago as to how negotiations materialised, but he won’t have to worry about the chief executive this time around due to the latter’s impending retirement.

To us, a move for Keane would be a huge gamble. He has taken charge of just 181 games as a manager, with those coming between 2008 and 2011. Also, some players under his watch have gone public about the 49-year-old’s abrasive demeanour in previous coaching roles.

His long absence away from the hot seat could therefore prove to be a risky move by the Hoops board, but it seems as if the former midfielder is keen to head back to Glasgow.

In other news: Celtic impressed by Director of Football target following talks, find out more here. 

A source from Tottenham Hotspur has dropped a big update on their pursuit of Antonio Conte.

The Lowdown: Tottenham eye new manager

Following the departure of Jose Mourinho just before the 1-0 Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City, Spurs have been looking for a new permanent manager to take them forward into next season.

Ryan Mason was only in interim charge in North London until the end of the 2020/21 term, and so now the manager search continues into the summer.

The Latest: Conte to Tottenham update

As per Football Insider, the Lilywhites are growing increasingly confident that they will appoint Antonio Conte as their next manager after some late-night discussions.

A THFC source has allegedly told the news outlet that the former Chelsea and Inter Milan coach is now the clear frontrunner for the job, and there is even hope that he could be unveiled in the next few days.

He has been offered a long-term deal and talked about personal terms for a contract worth more than £10m-a-year, in addition to a potential transfer kitty.

The Verdict: Nobody better available

There is no better manager available to Tottenham right now than Conte, and so they should be looking to take on the opportunity to hire him while it is still there.

There is no doubt that if other high-profile jobs become available, the Italian would be high on many club’s shortlists given that he is currently out of the job and boasts a very impressive CV.

Conte has just come from a Serie A title win with Inter, thus ending the domestic dominance of Juventus in the league, and has also won league titles with both the Old Lady and Chelsea (Transfermarkt).

The 51-year-old also has that added experience of managing in the Premier League, and with no attachment to any other clubs at the moment, Spurs may not get a better chance to hire a manager of his quality.

In other news, find out which ‘absolutely sensational’ ace THFC are in talks to sign here!

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Tom Heaton, according to the Daily Mail.

The Lowdown: Heaton closing in on Man United

Recent reports from Football Insider have claimed that the 35-year-old has rejected a new Villa Park deal and has verbally agreed on a move to Manchester United.

Heaton will be available to leave for nothing over the coming weeks when his contract expires, and he looks set to return to Old Trafford, where he will take up a partial coaching role as well as providing cover to Dean Henderson and David de Gea.

The Latest: Goalkeeper offered to Liverpool

Despite Heaton reportedly closing in on a move to Manchester, it seems as if Liverpool were also offered the shot-stopper’s services. According to the Daily Mail, the Reds are assessing their goalkeeping options ahead of a possible backup addition.

Heaton has reportedly been offered to Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp’s side preferring a free transfer for any potential arrival in between the sticks.

The news comes as a surprise, with the likes of Alisson, Adrian, Caoimhin Kelleher and Loris Karius all under contract at Anfield at this moment in time.

The Verdict: What will Smith do?

With Heaton looking likely to leave Villa Park, it’ll be interesting to see what Dean Smith decides to do in terms of recruiting a new goalkeeper.

He will have Emiliano Martinez and Jed Steer as senior options, but as Smith knows all too well, one long-term injury – similar to Heaton’s last year – could spell trouble.

Bringing in an experienced ‘keeper for nothing ahead of the 2021/22 season might be the best idea, with the likes of Wayne Hennessey and John Ruddy just two names who are out of contract this summer.

In other news: Villa interested in £15m-rated defedner along with Tottenham, find out who it is here. 

A journalist has shared some promising insight on arbitration from the Newcastle United takeover consortium.

The Lowdown: Newcastle know arbitration date

A date has now been set for the pending arbitration hearing between the North East club and the Premier League over the failed deal between Mike Ashley and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium.

The case has been set for July on an expedited basis, with the EPL being granted an extension to respond to the St. James’ Park faithful’s separate anti-competition lawsuit that has been launched against them.

The Latest: Journalist shares consortium insight

Writing in his latest piece for The Independent, Tony Evans has shared that the KSA’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) remain keen on investing in the Tyneside club, and that those around the consortium have insisted that the deal will eventually be completed.

They are confident that the arbitration process will result in the potential takeover being given the green light.

The Verdict: Confidence is promising

The confidence that the proposed bid will eventually go through is certainly promising for members of the Toon Army, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done first of all.

There is an uncertainty over how long the arbitration hearing will take, and whether the separate anti-competition case will follow straight after or whether a decision on the takeover would be taken without that in consideration.

Steve Bruce’s team will be going into the summer transfer window not really knowing what calibre of player to buy, as there is a chance that the takeover could be revived after it ends.

Nonetheless, it will no doubt be interesting to see whether the confidence of the consortium translates into the results of the arbitration case.

In other news, find out whose display was slammed versus Sheffield United here!