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Fulham look to have failed in their attempts to bring Ike Ugbo to Craven Cottage this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Fabrizio Romano, who revealed in a post on Twitter that the Chelsea centre-forward has now agreed terms with Belgian side KRC Genk ahead of a summer switch.

The journalist goes on to state that the 22-year-old wants to join the Jupiler Pro League as quickly as possible, with the deal expected to be completed in the coming days.

Previous reports had claimed that Fulham, as well as Premier League side West Ham United, were also keen on a move for the former England U20 international this summer, however, it now appears as if the London duo have missed out on the striker’s signing.

Opportunity missed

While Chelsea themselves rarely benefit directly from their own relentless production line, the Blues academy often presents opportunities for so-called smaller sides to reap the rewards of the champions of Europe’s youth setup, with Ugbo being the latest example of this.

Having joined the Blues at the age of eight, the centre-forward failed to make a single senior appearance during his 14-year spell at Chelsea, despite having highly impressed during a number of loan spells away from the club.

Indeed, over his 32 Jupiler Pro League appearances for Cercle Brugge last season, the £4.05m-rated man scored 16 goals, as well as taking an average of 1.8 shots and making 0.5 key passes per game.

These returns saw the man the Belgian media dubbed a “decisive” player earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.79, ranking him as Yves Vanderhaeghe’s eighth-best performer in the Belgian top flight.

The £38k-per-week striker also impressed for Roda JC Kerkrade in the season before last, bagging 13 goals and registering three assists over his 28 appearances in the second tier of Dutch football.

So, while Chelsea clearly believe that Ugbo is not of the standard required to feature on a regular basis for their first team, it is evident that the Blues have nevertheless produced an extremely capable goalscorer.

And, with the 22-year-old reported to be available to purchase for a fee between €3 and €5m (£2.5m and £4.3m), there very much appeared to be the opportunity for Fulham to land an extremely talented player who has spent 14 years developing at one of the most prestigious clubs in the world for next to nothing this summer.

However, with Genk looking as if they have beaten the Cottagers to the signing of the youngster, this opportunity is one that now seems to have passed the club by – and we would not bet against the west London side coming to regret not pushing harder to land the striker at some point in the not too distant future.

In other news: Fulham handed transfer boost over “exceptional” £27k-p/w machine, Silva surely buzzing

Nottingham Forest have been dealt a blow in their bid to seal Lyle Taylor’s departure from The City Ground this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Stoke on Trent Live, who claim that Michael O’Neill’s Stoke City side are not believed to be considering a move for the 31-year-old Forest centre-forward in the current transfer window.

It was reported earlier this month that Chris Hughton is more than happy for Taylor to leave the club this summer, with the 62-year-old looking to bring in a striker of his own in a bid to provide Lewis Grabban with competition for his starting spot ahead of next season.

Hughton will be fuming

Things have not exactly gone swimmingly for Taylor since arriving at The City Ground on a free transfer last summer, with the manager who signed him, Sabri Lamouchi, being sacked after just four games of the season, and his successor, Chris Hughton, clearly not holding a great deal of faith in the striker’s ability.

Indeed, despite playing a total of 39 Championship games for Forest last term, only 15 of these appearances came as starts, with the £900k-rated forward going on to score just four goals, register no assists and create one big chance for his teammates, in addition to hitting the target an average of 0.4 times and making of 0.4 key passes per game.

These returns saw the £5k-per-week man earn a disappointing seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.64, ranking him as the Garibaldi’s joint ninth-worst performer in the second tier last season.

As such, it is unsurprising that Hughton is willing to allow the man whom Neal Ardley dubbed an “outstanding” player to move onto pastures new this summer, and also why O’Neill clearly believes that there could be better options to improve his attacking arsenal at Stoke City ahead of next season.

However, the fact that the Potters do not appear likely to make a move for Taylor at present will undoubtedly leave the Forest boss fuming, as he will now have to find another potential suitor who is willing to take the forward on this summer.

In other news: Forest handed boost over “fantastic” £2.52m-rated gem who won’t cost Hughton a penny

Leeds United are still reportedly keen on signing Cagliari midfielder Nahitan Nandez this summer, as Marcelo Bielsa eyes up fresh reinforcements.

The Lowdown: Key summer at Elland Road

The Whites enjoyed an exceptional first season back in the Premier League, finishing ninth and playing a rich brand of attacking football.

Bielsa now has to ensure that his team go again in 2021/22, hopefully going up a further gear and looking to finish in the European places.

Midfield is an area Leeds could do with strengthening in and Nandez is a player who has already been linked with coming in this summer.

The Latest: Nandez interest continues

A fresh report from Calciomercato [via Sport Witness] claims that the Whites have ‘set their eyes’ on the 25-year-old, with Andrea Radrizzani’s relationship with Cagliari owner Tommaso Giulini described as ‘optimal’.

Nandez has a release clause of €36million (£31.1m), although the Serie A club may be willing to complete a deal for less.

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The Verdict: Great option for Leeds

Nandez is a midfielder who possesses genuine pedigree, already winning 35 caps for Argentina and making 31 league starts for Cagliari this season.

He is an all-round footballer who can shine both going forward and defensively, enjoying an average of one key pass and 1.2 dribbles per game in 2020/21, but also making 1.8 tackles per match.

That versatility could help Leeds in the middle of the park, providing competition for Kalvin Phillips or even starting alongside the Englishman, so snapping him up makes perfect sense.

In other news, a pundit believes Leeds could upgrade on one player this summer – find out who it is here.

According to a report by club insider Claret & Hugh, via West Ham News and Views, 2020/2021 loan sensation Jesse Lingard has made up his mind and wants to join the Hammers this summer. 

Lingard, who bagged an incredible nine goals and four assists in just 16 Premier League starts for West Ham last season (WhoScored), impressed during a half-season temporary spell at the club.

This has allegedly prompted real intent from West Ham in getting a deal done for him this summer and C&H now state that the 28-year-old is reciprocating that interest.

He is keen to work under manager David Moyes permanently again, as they did at Manchester United, and waiting for Scotsman to sign his new three-year deal – then he will instruct his agents to commence talks.

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Flocking to this development, it’s safe to say many supporters are ecstatic, with one calling it ‘the news we have been waiting for’.

Given his performances last season, it’s hardly surprising – find a flavour of their best verdicts down below.

West Ham fans rave over Lingard development

“This is the news we have been waiting for. COYI go Jesse go”

Credit: @lyttle_lesley

“Yes yes can’t wait for him to put pen to paper up the irons”

Credit: @PaulMas01296853

“PRAYING”

Credit: @Shaneo_300

“What a beautiful man”

Credit: @whucharlieee

“siuuuuuuu”

Credit: @BennnWHU

“MY BRUDDAH @JesseLingard”

Credit: @ovo_forbes

“West Ham get it done before the Euro and sign up so we have 3 West Ham boys in the England squad, we will have a chance of winning it”

Credit: @happy_hammers

In other news: West Ham player now really wants to leave, Cottee dubbed him their ‘best footballer’…find out more here.

Football Insider pundit Kevin Campbell has been reacting to Celtic’s planned move for Sunderland striker Charlie Wyke.

The Lowdown: Hoops plan long-term offer

According to Football Insider, who have been informed by a Hoops source, Celtic will step up their pursuit of the Black Cats forward this week.

He is out of contract in two weeks’ time and Celtic are reportedly planning to offer Wyke a long-term offer.

The 28-year-old, who scored 30 goals last season, is thought to be ‘very keen’ to move to Parkhead.

Wyke stands at 6 foot 1 and it seems as if he fits the bill for the Hoops due to his availability, age and pedigree.

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The Latest: Campbell reacts

Campbell was talking to Football Insider following that transfer update.

The 51-year-old believes Wyke would score goals at Celtic Park and labelled him ‘exceptional’ in the air.

“Wyke is no Edouard but at the end of the day there is different ways to skin a cat.

“You do not always have to follow the same plan.

“I just think a good player in Wyke could go up there and play with better players and show another level of performance. I think he could have a real impact up there, I do.

“It is a case of watch this space. He has not played at that level but he has shown this season that he is a very good player.

“I think he will score goals, especially if you give him the right kind of service. He’s exceptional in the air.”

The Verdict: Edouard and Wyke compared

Odsonne Edouard looks set to leave Parkhead after telling friends he will be joining Leicester City.

Edouard and Wyke appear to be different types of strikers, so the Hoops may have to alter their attacking style, should the latter replace the Frenchman.

As per WhoScored, Wyke averaged 4.8 aerial duels won in League One last season, compared to Edouard’s one per match in the Scottish Premiership.

Edouard completed more successful dribbles 1.6, to Wyke’s 0.3, so Celtic may have to take a more direct approach when it comes to getting the best out of Wyke, should he move to Scotland.

If Leigh Griffiths fails to earn a new Hoops deal, Celtic may have to look at another attacking addition, but it seems as if right now, their focus is on signing Wyke.

In other news: Trophy-laden club captain wanted by Ange Postecoglou; he is a big fan of Celtic coach, find out more here. 

Former Southampton midfielder Carlton Palmer expects Ralph Hasenhuttl to be at the club next season but he has told Football FanCast that he could still face the sack if results go sour next term.

Saints are safe this season although they have endured something of an underwhelming campaign at times.

They are currently 14th in the Premier League table but they were beaten 9-0 by Manchester United earlier this season, a result that came in a run of just three wins in 15 games.

Hasenhuttl had actually overseen a promising start to the campaign, as they went seven games unbeaten at the start of the season, but an alarming drop-off has seen his stock somewhat fall. His contract expires in three years, and he has vowed to see that out.

Palmer does not expect him to leave Southampton this summer, either for another job or as a result of a firing, but he has reminded the Austrian that football is a results-based business and nothing more after his contract comments.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, Palmer, who played for the club between 1997 and 1999, said: “Well, you can’t say any manager can last three seasons at a football club. It’s a results-based industry. As simple as it is.

“I mean, if he doesn’t get results over there… I think he’ll be in charge of Southampton next season. I think expectations got high at Southampton because of where they were so early on in the season.

“So you’ve got to be realistic about where you see Southampton. Where do you see them in the league? Where do you see him taking them? I see him being in charge next season but beyond that, you can’t say because it will be based on results.”

Newcastle United are reportedly pressing to sign Kristoffer Ajer from Celtic, according to the Daily Mail.

As per the news outlet, there is also interest from Norwich City for his signature, but a move to St. James’ Park in the summer transfer window appeals to him.

Ajer is currently valued at around £25m by the Hoops, but he could leave for free next summer and sign a pre-contract agreement with another club in the January window, as he only has one year left on his deal at Parkhead.

With that in mind, Steve Bruce’s team want to take him to the North East at the end of the 2020/21 term and will offer the Celts around £8m for his services.

AC Milan have also expressed an interest in signing the Norway international, but he thinks that playing more regular football at the Tyneside club would be an ideal next step in his footballing career.

Newcastle should sign Ajer

The Magpies should definitely look at trying to secure a potentially cut-price deal for Ajer in the summer, given that he only has one year left on his contract with the Bhoys.

Standing at a mammoth six-feet-six-inches tall, the central defender is a giant, and so he should have no problems whatsoever in adapting to the physical demands of the Premier League, assuming that the Toon avoid being relegated down to the Championship come the end of the season of course.

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Former NUFC ace Lee Clark, who managed Ajer during a loan spell at Kilmarnock, branded him as an ‘outstanding’ player back in March, which is very high praise, and the last centre-back to arrive in the Premier League from Celtic didn’t exactly do too badly – just ask Liverpool fans.

Nonetheless, Newcastle should do all that they can to sign the 23-year-old in the summer if a cut-price deal is a possibility due to his contract situation.

In other news, find out what promising insight Lee Ryder has dropped on the takeover consortium here!

A reliable journalist has named as many as ten players that Newcastle United may target in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Newcastle may have to work on tight budget

Due to the financial impact that the global pandemic has had on clubs like the St. James’ Park faithful, the Magpies may have to work in the summer on a tight budget.

With the uncertainty over the potential takeover in the North East from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium as well, free agents, loans and low-budget transfers may be the way to go for the Tyneside club, and a journalist has picked out ten players who could fit that bill.

The Latest: Ten players Newcastle may target

Sean McCormick has picked out ten players that the Toon could potentially target that may not cost them much money coming from inferior leagues.

Writing in his latest piece for The Chronicle, the journalist has picked out Andre Ramalho, Krystian Bielik, Fabiano Parisi, Kristoffer Ajer, Gernot Trauner, Steven Caulker and Attila Szalai as potential defensive signings.

NUFC fans should be familiar with both Bielik and Caulker given their time in English football, while Ajer has been recently linked with a move to Newcastle from Celtic.

Josh DaSilva and Selim Amallah have been named as potential midfield options, with the former tearing the Magpies apart for Brentford with a goal and a man-of-the-match display in the Carabao Cup earlier on in the season.

Abdallah Sima has been named as a potential attacking signing to ease the goal scoring burden on Callum Wilson’s shoulders up top.

The Verdict: Newcastle must bolster squad

The Toon will need to bolster up their squad come the start of the next campaign so that everyone can stay as fit and injury-free as possible, as Steve Bruce would then get a chance to rotate, something he has only be able to do when forced to for most of this campaign.

Perhaps one of the names above in each position would help in this case, and they may all be available for a relatively cheap price if McCormick is to be believed.

In other news, find out what enticing transfer claim one Magpie has dropped here!

According to Calciomercato, West Ham United are interested in signing Wout Weghorst from Wolfsburg this summer.

The Lowdown: West Ham need a striker

David Moyes has led the Irons through a wonderful campaign – they ended up finishing in sixth place in the Premier League, which secured them a spot in next term’s Europa League.

If they want to be competitive both in Europe and domestically next year, though, they will need to bring in a new striker – they only have Michail Antonio available as a natural number nine option at the moment.

The Latest: Hammers eye Weghorst

Now, it is being reported the Irons are interested in Wolfsburg forward Weghorst.

Serie A outfit AS Roma are also believed to be in pursuit, via the Italian outlet.

The Verdict: Good option

Weghorst has been in magnificent form with German outfit Wolfsburg, who secured Champions League football via the Bundesliga this campaign. He netted 25 goals in all competitions for the club, taking his career tally at the Volkswagen Arena to 63 strikes in 120 (Transfermarkt). Add in the 45 in 86 he managed at previous employers AZ Alkmaar, and he has 108 goals in his last 206 matches.

He is currently valued at £27m, and given his form, he could cost even more than that. Some West Ham fans will be hesitant to capture the 28-year-old given the experience they had with Sebastien Haller, a similar kind of player who lasted just 18 months at the London side before moving to Ajax. However, Weghorst has shown enough on a long-term basis now to indicate he would be more dangerous than the former Eintracht Frankfurt forward.

In other news, David Ornstein makes this Harry Kane claim.

Southampton have been linked with a move for Manchester City midfielder Yangel Herrera recently and if he were to make the move to St Mary’s this summer, it could prove to be a repeat of the deal that saw Oriol Romeu join the Saints in 2015.

According to El Universal, both West Ham and Southampton are interested in signing the Venezuelan midfielder following his impressive loan spell at Granada.

Despite this, his future at City remains uncertain, and Pep Guardiola’s side could cash in on the 23-year-old for as little as £13m ahead of next season.

Herrera joined Man City from Atletico Venezuela in 2017 but work permit issues have meant that he has spent all of the last four seasons out on loan, with New York City FC, SD Huesca and Granada for the past two seasons.

He has been impressive for the Nazaríes so far this season, averaging a solid 6.89 rating across 26 appearances in La Liga, where he has contributed three goals and one assist.

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The Venezuelan international has also been a huge part of Granada’s excellent run in the Europa League, with two goals and one assist to his name in nine appearances, which has helped him average a superb 7.06 rating.

If he were to join Southampton, there would be a lot of similarities with the deal that saw Romeu join from Chelsea in 2015.

The Spanish midfielder struggled for game time at Stamford Bridge, making just 33 appearances, and spent time out on loan at Valencia and VFB Stuggart before his move to the South Coast.

He has since gone on to make 211 appearances for Southampton and was one of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s top performers earlier in the campaign before his season-ending injury.

WhoScored suggests that some of Herrera’s main strengths include his defensive contribution, aerial threat, tackling and interceptions, so there certainly seems to be similarities between him and Romeu.

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Therefore, the 23-year-old, who was recently described as “outstanding” by La Liga expert Terry Gibson, could prove to be an excellent signing for Southampton this summer if Martin Semmens can bring him to St Mary’s.

And, in other news… Imagine him and JWP: Saints should swoop for “amazing” £19.8m-rated gem