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Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Newcastle United midfielder Rob Lee feels his old club will be sold on the quiet in the near future.

In recent years, Mike Ashley’s attempts to sell the Premier League outfit have often been played out in the media, including last summer when Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund tried to strike a takeover deal.

Ultimately, a lot of noise has been made in the past with nothing to follow. Bearing that in mind, Lee is now expecting the opposite, optimistic any potential takeover of Newcastle will be similar to that of Manchester City’s in regards to how business is conducted.

Discussing the future of Newcastle in an exclusive interview with FFC, Lee said:

“I think Newcastle will be sold on the quiet, and I hope it is. I hope we have somebody who comes in, right, then all of a sudden they’re on the verge of buying it rather than all this furore that goes on in the papers and Twitter and, you know, they’re going to buy this, they’re going to spend this money. When the guys went in at Leicester, Man City, there wasn’t a big furore about them going in at the time. They just said they bought the club.”

It remains to be seen what happens with Newcastle going forward but, with nothing to suggest that Ashley’s stance on selling the club has changed, getting relegated this season would be a disaster. Naturally, as a Premier League outfit, the Magpies are a more precious commodity, so avoiding the drop could prove significant in more ways than one.

Former Sheffield United star Keith Gillespie insists that the club need a British manager to replace Chris Wilder, in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

The former Blades boss left the club earlier this month, with relegation almost certain.

Sheffield United are currently rock-bottom of the league table, taking 14 points from 29 games.

They are 14 points off safety with nine games of the season remaining, and they have won just one of their last five games.

The club have yet to replace Wilder but Sky Sports News have revealed that former Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic is one of the club’s top choices to replace Wilder.

But Gillespie believes that a British manager should be the target for the club, as they look to appease the club’s supporters.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “When you have managers that do have experience, you’ve certainly got to sit up and take notice. I’m a believer that a British manager would probably be best in a club like that because they know the club.

“I might be completely wrong, I’d probably say that most Sheffield United fans would probably want a British manager to come in there.

“But if a name becomes available and it’s somebody the board think is viable and will hopefully make things work, then you have to look at it.”

Sheffield United have never had a foreign manager, with their last five bosses being English, with the club also having five Scottish managers, a Welshman, and a Northern Irishman since their founding.

West Bromwich Albion fans have been reacting to their U23 side losing 5-0 against Leeds United.

The Baggies are currently struggling at the bottom of the Premier League. As it stands, they are 19th in the table and have picked up just 18 points from their first 29 games in the competition (Sky Sports). They are 10 points from safety with just nine matches left to play – it looks increasingly unlikely they will survive amongst the elite.

It seems their development squad is not fairing much better. They were in action against the Whites on Monday, and they were hammered 5-0. They are now bottom of their section with just 17 points from as many matches (flashscore.com). Not only that, the 5-0 scoreline was the same one the senior side were on the end of against the same opponents in December.

West Brom’s official Twitter account shared the result, and it attracted plenty of attention from the Baggies supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the West Brom fans had to say about the result below

“I’m no expert on the academy scene, but surely such consistently poor results is having no great influence on our youngsters. Don’t blame the coaches though, all down (to) Dowling.”

Credit: @joekapalo

“Not again”

Credit: @joshiecole2003

“When is it gonna end robbie”

Credit: @bruno_prest1

“Somethings clearly not right in our youth setup, I know Dowling has done some restructuring and coaches have moved on. I’d like to see more senior pros who are not getting a game time play in there, would be good experience for the U23’s too.”

Credit: @PallettJack

“I guess some things never change”

Credit:@BigAjayi

“well…at least Barca won’t rip us off anymore.”

Credit: @RobertsWBA23

In other news, West Brom fans were delighted with this club update.

Premier League side Leeds are reportedly interested in signing Feyenoord youngster Orkun Kokcu after Marcelo Bielsa and co tried to sign him in the winter transfer window.

Some weeks ago, it was reported that Kokcu has opened the door for a move to Elland Road, as his current club Feyenoord managed to fend off interest in January. Now though, it seems Leeds are once again eyeing the youngster.

Leeds have Kokcu in their sights

Spanish outlet Sport have recently reported about Kokcu’s situation, mentioning interest from Sevilla (via Sport Witness) and Leeds’ failed January pursuit.

The report goes on to talk about interest from the Whites, saying that Bielsa’s men have Kokcu on their agenda and it suggests that Leeds also have the ‘necessary cash’ to rope him in.

It stated that Feyenoord would demand a fee of around €20 million (£17 million) for Kokcu and while Sevilla can pay that amount, Leeds will provide them with competition for the 20-year-old midfielder.

Kokcu has previously been linked with a move to Arsenal, while reports had linked Chelsea with a move for him too. The youngster has previously been compared to former Arsenal and Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil.

Kokcu could be a handy signing for Leeds

In the current campaign for Feyenoord, Kokcu has made 23 appearances in all competitions for the side. He has scored twice, picking up just as many assists as well. He can play in central midfield and in attacking midfield as well.

With Adam Forshaw forever injured, Leeds don’t have many out and out central midfielders, with most of the options in that position either more defensively minded like Kalvin Phillips or attacking players Mateusz Klich and Tyler Roberts.

Kokcu can add depth in the middle of the park, and he’s still young so can continue to develop long in the future under Bielsa. Signing him for roughly £17 million could be handy business for the Whites, and the fact that the manager wanted him in January suggests he has an immediate plan to utilise him in the first team.

In other news, Leeds United have been given a boost in their chase for Rodrigo de Paul – read more here.

According to a report by club insiders Claret & Hugh, GSB will ‘move heaven and earth’ to seal the permanent signing of Jesse Lingard for West Ham United this summer – with the Irons keen to do a deal after his loan expiry.

West Ham set to prioritise Lingard permanent deal

Indeed, as per C&H, West Ham are very eager to make a permanent move happen at the end of the season – with manager David Moyes even listing it as a major priority in the summer window.

The 28-year-old, who has bagged four goals and one assist in six Premier League starts already since joining on a temporary deal in January (WhoScored), is at the centre of heavy interest over a permanent move according to this report.

It is said that GSB will even ‘move heaven and earth’ to make it happen, even despite his alleged £20 million price tag and £107k-per-week wages.

Transfer Tavern take

The Englishman will have little sell-on value compared to that £20m price tag, but the club and GSB are still eager to do a deal with Moyes listing it as a major priority alongside potentially two new striker signings.

Receiving no shortage of plaudits since his rejuvenation at the London Stadium, pundit Alan Shearer hailed Lingard as a ‘magnificent signing’ for West Ham.

Judging by this update, it appears the east Londoners are very keen to secure Lingard permanently – but time will tell what comes of the inside claim.

In other news: West Ham fans flocked to this club announcement, find out more here.

The last few weeks have been a triumphant affair for Sunderland. Lee Johnson’s team are now fourth in the League One table and are unbeaten in their last eight matches, winning seven in that time frame.

It would seem that promotion could finally be on the cards for the Black Cats this season.

Before they prepare for the run-in, however, they face Tranmere in the Papa John’s Trophy final. The Mackems travel to the capital and Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon to face the League Two opposition in what should be a comfortable win on paper.

That being said, all form goes out the window when you play in a final. Sunderland have been at this stage before but tasted defeat to Portsmouth in 2019; they know they cannot afford any slip-ups.

With such a crucial match ahead, Johnson will have plenty of dilemmas to mull over in terms of his team selection. Here’s the XI we’re predicting him to pick.

Life at the Stadium of Light is never simple and that has been evident this week.

Sunderland defeated Portsmouth but, as the week drew to a close, it became apparent that injuries were going to bite them once again.

They are already missing a number of players including Denver Hume and Bailey Wright, but Jordan Jones is now a major doubt to play after suffering a minor injury. Both he and Aiden O’Brien are set to face late fitness tests but Johnson claims O’Brien is far more likely than Jones to play.

That being said, we suggest both could miss out. Consequently, Sunderland may make as many as four changes from the Pompey clash. Chris Maguire comes into the side for O’Brien while Conor McLaughlin, fit again after hernia surgery, is in for Jones.

He shifts into a central area in defence, with Max Power preferred at right wing-back in a five-man backline.

Wright is set to miss out while Dion Sanderson is cup-tied, having already played for Wolves under-21s in this competition. Fortunately, they have Tom Flanagan back, who can take the place of Sanderson.

The final replacement is in the middle of the park, where Carl Winchester has to sit out. The midfielder has already played for Forest Green in this year’s competition so, like Sanderson, he is cup-tied.

Johnson revealed that Grant Leadbitter is set to return from a dislocated shoulder, so he slots in for Winchester.

AND in other news, Dreyfus may be on the verge of repeating one of Donald’s biggest SAFC mistakes already…

Celtic are currently linked with a number of names to potentially come in and replace the recently departed Neil Lennon. The Irishman left the club amid talks of his sacking after the Hoops have suffered a lacklustre season in both the Premiership and Europa League.

One name that has been heavily flirted with the idea of stepping in is Rafael Benitez. Before Lennon left the club, The Mirror reported that he was heavily in the picture to take over as head coach following his decision to leave his position in China. Whilst talks may have gone a little quiet since, bookmakers are still including him in the running to take the job.

Benitez himself has since come out with a rather interesting statement about his next career move. Speaking to the Daily Record, the Spaniard admitted he has had “so many offers” since he became available again “from South America to the Emirates”, however he isn’t looking to pursue any of these options.

“I want to stay in Europe and I want to do so to be competitive at a high level,” Benitez continued. “I’m looking for a project that will allow me to be competitive and with time and space to grow.”

This is definitely something to prick up the ears of fans and professionals alike. Due to their disappointing 2020/21 season, Celtic are very much in need of a squad revamp and a new set of managerial tactics. Benitez found success with Liverpool and boasts a Champions League trophy and FA Cup. He also won the Europa League with Chelsea and the Club World Cup with Inter Milan, just to name a few of his accolades.

He managed to drive Newcastle to their promotion from the Championship back in 2016 too, showing he has what it takes to challenge in both league and cup competitions.

His pedigree speaks for itself and his desire to stay in Europa and take on a project that needs some TLC is very telling. Perhaps the Celtic job has been earmarked by the Spaniard as the season in Scotland rounds off.

In other news, Appointing Benitez could hugely improve Stephen Welsh at Celtic…

Manchester City return to FA Cup action on Wednesday night as they take on Championship side Swansea City away from home.

Pep Guardiola’s side have now won 14 games on the bounce following their 4-1 win against Liverpool at Anfield at the weekend, and will be full of confidence ahead of the trip to the Liberty Stadium.

However, the Swans are also in strong form, as they sit third in the Championship table and also thrashed Nottingham Forest 5-1 to seal their place in the fifth round.

Guardiola rotated heavily for the game against League Two Cheltenham Town in the last round and was nearly caught out, so may go with a stronger side for the game against Steve Cooper’s side.

The Citizens do face Spurs in their next Premier League fixture, however, so changes seem likely with that in mind.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Guardiola to set his side up for the game against Swansea, with six changes from the team that started at Anfield…

Zack Steffen reclaims his place in goal after impressing in Ederson’s absence earlier in the season.

There are two changes in defence, as Benjamin Mendy and Aymeric Laporte come in for Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ruben Dias, who are both rested.

Fernandinho will provide an experienced head in midfield, as he replaces Rodri, with Phil Foden and Ilkay Gundogan keeping their place after impressive displays against Liverpool.

Riyad Mahrez starts on the right but can interchange with Ferran Torres throughout the game, whilst Gabriel Jesus starts up front, leaving Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva on the bench.

And, in other news… Man City can sign “exciting talent” who only scores screamers

Manchester United play host to Everton in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Saturday night, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side set to play their first league game since they humiliated Southampton at home.

The Red Devils ran riot over Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, putting nine goals past the nine-man Saints, with Anthony Martial ending his eight-game goal drought after the Frenchman bagged a brace in the second half.

Unfortunately for Solskjaer, it wasn’t all rosy, as both Edinson Cavani and Luke Shaw were substituted at half-time having struggled with injuries, with Eric Bailly a doubt ahead of the game against the Toffees.

With that in mind, Football FanCast has predicted how United may line up for tonight’s action, which sees Solskjaer make three changes to the team that thrashed the Saints.

Solskjaer’s side are currently second in the table, just three points behind Manchester City, who have built up a tremendous head of steam.

In defence, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka should start as usual, with Victor Lindelof and Alex Telles making up the rest of the numbers.

This game may come too soon for Shaw after he appeared to suffer a knock against his former club, so it’s likely Telles will slot into place alongside the club captain instead.

Paul Pogba is likely going to return to the midfield, which means Scott McTominay will be forced to settle for a spot on the bench.

After a goal drought stretching to 12-and-a-half hours, Anthony Martial ended it with a double against the Saints, and his return to form was warmly welcomed by manager Solskjaer.

As such, Solskjaer will have to decide whether to opt for experience and go with the £49.5m-rated Martial and Marcus Rashford out wide or the fresher, younger option in Mason Greenwood on the right wing.

With Cavani expected to be fit to face the Toffees given Solskjaer’s pre-match press conference, the United boss could start the Uruguayan, drop Martial and have Greenwood to his right and Rashford on the left.

It would certainly be a bold call to move Martial to the bench given his double against the Saints, but that was against a side who ended up going down to 9-men.

Solskjaer will recognise that an Everton side who beat Leeds away from home last time out will surely prove a sterner test of their title credentials, and will need his most reliable and consistent players on the pitch, and Cavani has delivered him for whenever he’s played – the Uruguayan has bagged five goals and provided two assists in just 663 minutes of Premier League football.

Predicted XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Telles; Pogba, Fred; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Cavani.

AND in other news, Man Utd can find perfect Harry Maguire partner in Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane…

West Ham’s transfer policy in recent years has been incredibly peculiar. They have focused all of their efforts on the forward line, only to end up with a leaky backline.

The Hammers were nearly relegated last term but have bounced back tremendously this season. That being said, their bizarre recruitment policy was summed up when they sold Sebastien Haller last week.

The Frenchman was signed for a fee of £45m but then sold him for a mere £20.25m to Ajax.

Yet, there have been rare gems amongst the crowd. One of them was Dimitri Payet – another Frenchman – but his qualities vastly surpassed that of Haller’s.

The tricky attacking midfielder was a magician in East London, tearing teams apart on a regular basis and sinking some truly ridiculous free-kicks.

He was full of special moments, scoring 15 goals and registering 23 assists during the two years he was there. Everything good the Hammers did came through him, but since he left for Marseille, not a single player in the West Ham squad has been capable of producing similar moments.

However, that could be about to change. The Mirror reported over the weekend that the Irons are interested in signing Red Bull Salzburg forward Patson Daka – a man valued at around £25m.

The Zambian has an enormous degree of potential and would surely be a dream replacement for Haller. When it comes to Daka, he scores goals and he’s also lightning quick. The 22-year-old is capable of utterly embarrassing defenders with his running and ability to find the net.

Herve Renard summed him up perfectly: “He is a modern centre-forward, quick, capable of working hard and making the difference because he is skilful and has good movement.”

Haller was the definition of sluggish at the London Stadium, but in the Salzburg striker, they’d have an explosive individual capable of turning a game in an instant. Although players like Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma are capable of doing the same, their records in the Premier League to date are pretty inconsistent.

Daka, on the other hand, has been breathtaking this season. Taking on the mantle left by Erling Haaland in Austria, he’s netted 15 times in just 17 outings this term, adding to the 27 strikes he scored in 2019/20.

Although he plays in a different position to Payet, in terms of replicating the exquisite individual moments, Daka could be their best acquisition since the Frenchman.

This isn’t a player to rest on his laurels. He is a fighter who would surely take the Premier League by storm. He is too dangerous a striker to flop. David Sullivan would seal a big coup here.

AND in other news, Antonio 2.0: Sullivan must sign “rapid” £63k-p/w star who’ll “only get better” for WHU…