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Aston Villa must avoid selling Ollie Watkins amid Lee Hendrie’s transfer claim that rival clubs could look to sign him.

What’s the story?

Dean Smith’s side signed the £75,000-per-week star last summer from Brentford and he has since been a revelation for Villa, bagging an impressive 14 goals in 33 games across all competitions.

Hendrie has now suggested that, were someone like Jack Grealish to leave, it could spark an exodus from Villa Park, with Watkins one of the players he fears would consider a move away.

The 43-year-old told Football Transfer Tavern: “There’s been a lot of interest for certain players. I think when you look at the bigger picture of it, you know, if someone like Jack Grealish left, I think that’s when it does maybe happen where it might be that Ollie Watkins thinks, ‘well, there’s no ambition here. We’re going to have to move on; we’re going to have to go to a different football club’.

“When they’re playing well, there’s always going to be interest for players. So, yes, there’s elements that you do want to keep your best players because I feel that if Villa are going to go and push on and be a European side and possibly get into the Champions League at some stage, they’re going to have to build around these key players that they’ve got – Ollie Watkins is one of them.

“I still feel there’s more to come from him, but I do worry (about interest from top-six sides).”

Dean Smith would be fuming

Speaking earlier this season, The Athletic’s Gregg Evans waxed lyrical about the kind of transformation Villa have had thanks to Watkins’ arrival.

He said: “I really think he’s making a big difference actually, to Villa, I think that he’s given them a new dimension and his hold up play is great, he creates space for others and that’s helping the midfielders flourish.”

After the 25-year-old helped Villa to a superb 3-0 victory against Crystal Palace in December after being down to ten men, Smith raved: “I said to them at half-time in the dressing room, ‘There’s nobody I could choose out of the Premier League to lead the line with 10 men’ with Ollie Watkins. I thought he was outstanding today and the only thing missing was his goal.

“Listen, the numbers he produces in terms of his high-speed running and sprinting distances is incredible. The lads really appreciate the work he puts in.”

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Watkins’ rise to becoming a bona fide Premier League star began with his performances at Brentford, with the Bees’ programme editor Chris Deacon telling The Athletic: “Ollie transformed himself into a physical specimen. We’d call him a machine because it looked like he would set himself into third gear and then cruise along at the front while everyone else was blowing.”

While transfer interest in him would be an indication of just how well the striker has done, Villa would be making an unforgivable mistake by looking to cash in on him and/or just letting him walk.

Smith’s side have improved dramatically since last season thanks to key signings like the 25-year-old, and that they’re still within a shout of European football is a testament to that.

The Villa boss would be absolutely fuming if the club decided to take the money on Watkins when they really should be strengthening the team around him.

Meanwhile, Villa should unleash this starlet amid reported transfer interest…

According to Football Insider, Southampton are keeping tabs on midfielder Harry Winks ahead of the summer transfer window.

Southampton eye Winks

Winks, who currently plays for Tottenham, has made just 10 Premier League appearances so far this campaign (Transfermarkt), and therefore appears to no longer be a part of Jose Mourinho’s plans.

As such, the Saints are said to interested in taking him to the south coast, with Ralph Hasenhuttl seemingly on the hunt for reinforcements in the middle of the park considering they are also said to be eyeing Yangel Herrera.

Top target

Hasenhuttl and co should make Winks one of their top targets for the summer. While he has not played too much this campaign, he has managed 167 appearances for Spurs throughout his career, has considerable Champions League and Europa League experience, and also has 10 caps for England to his name.

Former Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino is a huge fan of the 25-year-old, previously comparing him to Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez (Goal.com), while former Spurs coach Russell Small said he plays like Zinedine Zidane – high praise indeed. Those comparisons may be over-the-top, but they illustrate the talent Winks possesses.

At Southampton, under the tutelage of Hasenhuttl and with a bigger role in the team, the central midfielder could go some way to fulfilling his potential. For the potential fee of between £15m and £20m, which is what Tottenham are said to be looking for, it could be an absolute bargain (The Daily Mirror).

In other news, Rangers fans are livid at this journalist’s comments.

Speaking exclusively to the Transfer Tavern, former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie has warned owners David Gold and David Sullivan to splash the cash this summer.

West Ham are enjoying an impressive campaign under David Moyes and despite squandering a three-goal lead in their last Premier League match against Arsenal, they remain in with a shout of achieving their joint-best ever Premier League finish of fifth.

That draw left David Moyes team fifth, just two points behind fourth-place Chelsea having emerged as surprise top four contenders, and could still get into the Champions League for the first time in their history with a strong end to the season.

But it’s not just off the pitch where things are on track for West Ham.

Since Moyes returned to east London, the Hammers’ recruitment has improved dramatically – with Tomas Soucek, Jarrod Bowen, Vladimir Coufal and Craig Dawson just some of the few success stories at the London Stadium in previous months.

There’s also been the inspired loan signing of Jesse Lingard, whose been a revelation since joining from Manchester United in January, whilst the failed likes of Felipe Anderson and Sebastien Haller have been moved on.

But despite being on the verge of qualifying for Europe for the first time in five seasons, McAvennie knows the importance of West Ham investing heavily in their squad this summer, especially with the prospect of extra games Europe.

He told the Transfer Tavern:

“I think they have got to compete. What they have got this year is what they were promised, the fans were promised this and this is the first year that this has happened.

“It’s the first year that they’ve competed for Europe in the new stadium. Every year we have been competing for relegation. This year has been a big difference, but you’ve got to build on it, I think the owners will know that.

“They’ve still got the season tickets, so they’ve still got that kind of money, but it’s been hard, the merchandise will be down, but every club is in the same boat.

“But I don’t think there’s a problem with the money, but I would imagine the owners will give money for two or three players. I think they need Lingard, a striker and another, that would do for me, as long as they keep everyone.”

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Howey, who made 278 appearances during his career, has claimed that Roy Keane could be a good appointment for Celtic if they want someone who takes no prisoners.

With Eddie Howe continuing to stall over accepting the Celtic job, something his representatives have said he won’t do until at least the summer, Keane reportedly held more talks with Celtic over the role last month.

Keane has not been a manager since he was sacked by Ipswich Town in 2011 but before that, he managed to get Sunderland promoted from the Championship to the Premier League.

Speaking on how Keane could be a different option for Celtic and what he would be like as a manager, Howey exclusively told FFC:

“He obviously played there at the back end of his career so he’s already got a bond with Celtic fans, but it all depends on what the board want. Do they want somebody like Keane, who won’t take any prisoners whatsoever and will upset players because he doesn’t care?

“I think sometimes that’s the right way to go about it but you can’t really do that all the time anymore, but who am I to question Keane? For a manager to go to Celtic, it will be a huge job for them.”

Whoever is appointed as Celtic’s new manager will have a big job on their hands as they look to regain the SPFL title from Steven Gerrard’s Rangers.

Howe has reportedly held talks with Premier League clubs Crystal Palace and Newcastle United with the future of their respective managers uncertain.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Leicester City winger Keith Gillespie believes that Kelechi Iheanacho’s recent goalscoring form has potentially saved his Foxes career.

Prior to his recent resurgence, the former Manchester City frontman had been mainly restricted to starts in the Europa League, and had to wait until early-February for his first Premier League goal of the season, which came against Fulham.

Since netting at Craven Cottage, Iheanacho has started seven games in all competitions, scoring eight times, including his first Premier League hat-trick against Sheffield United earlier this month, before firing the Foxes into their first FA Cup semi-finals for 39 years against Manchester United last Sunday.

And Gillespie has been impressed with Iheanacho’s revival in the absence of James Maddison, and admitted that Brendan Rodgers has a selection headache on his hands once the England midfielder returns from his recent his injury.

He told Football FanCast:

“He’s one that’s been lost a little bit. Big-money transfer to Leicester, but hasn’t really provided the performances. But he’s stepped up when they’ve really needed him to. 

“He’s had to stand up and produce performances, he scored a hat-trick against Sheffield United and is in a really rich vein of form, but he’s still very young.

“With him having this chance with Maddison out, I feel like if he didn’t produce those performances, Leicester were probably thinking about cutting-ties and bringing someone else in, because he’s been there a few seasons.

“But he has given Brendan a headache. When Maddison gets fit again, he’s got a headache because who does he play? It would be unfortunate for Iheanacho to be left out after the performances he’s put in.”

Iheanacho’s return to form has really come at an ideal time for Leicester. Their Premier League form was just starting to dip, but three victories on the bounce in all competitions means they look good value for a top-four place, and have every chance of adding the FA Cup to their trophy cabinet.

A report from The Times has explored the extent of financial damage relegation can cause for Newcastle United.

The Magpies find themselves 16th in the Premier League and only a single point ahead of 18th-placed Fulham, who have played a game more. They are also one point ahead of Brighton and find themselves in the middle of a relegation scrap, but failure to avoid the drop could have disastrous financial consequences.

NUFC players don’t have relegation clauses

A report from Martin Hardy in The Times has talked about the finances which can be affected by Newcastle’s potential relegation. It stated that the Magpies could witness ‘devastating’ financial consequences, as the club’s players don’t have relegation clauses in their contracts.

The Tynesiders have previously done that to avoid signings from being deterred from joining and, as a result of this clause, the club would have to take their Premier League wage bill to the Championship. The report added that their wage bill stood at £96.8m in June 2019, but since then they have roped in Joelinton, Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Jamal Lewis.

Clubs use relegation clauses to ensure that they manage the revenue drop in the absence of Premier League money, but the Magpies don’t have that in place.

Relegation could be disastarous for NUFC

While financial issues would likely crop up in case of relegation, it has been stated by journalist Liam Kennedy that dropping out of the Premier League could dramatically reduce chances of a potential takeover for the Magpies.

This clearly shows that they can’t afford to get relegated and could have severely damaging consequences, so Steve Bruce’s side need to turn their form around soon to avoid this unenviable scenario.

In other news, one Newcastle man could be set to return to the first team soon – read more here.

Celtic interim boss John Kennedy is under consideration to succeed former manager Neil Lennon on a full-time basis.

That’s according to a report from Give Me Sport, who have had information revealed to them regarding the Hoops’ hunt for a new boss.

Kennedy in with a chance of Celtic job

They claim that the 37-year-old is in with a chance of landing the position permanently with Celtic looking at a ‘traditional approach’.

Celtic’s ‘traditional approach’ is thought to be based on individuals who understand the Parkhead role, with Kennedy a possible cheap option.

Kennedy has taken charge of three games as interim boss, picking up five points from a possible nine.

Transfer Tavern take

With Kennedy having no senior managerial experience prior to his role as Celtic caretaker, we feel that it would be a huge risk appointing him on a full-time basis.

It’s not as if the Hoops have become a different side under his guidance. They’ve scored twice in 270 minutes of football and failed to beat eighth-placed Dundee United.

To us, we think they need to steer clear of Kennedy when it comes to the long run.

In other news: Reliable journalist claims 43-year-old is ‘a serious candidate’ for Hoops job, find out more here. 

According to a recent report, Tottenham Hotspur have identified three potential summer replacements for Spurs goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris.

The report by The Sun claims that Daniel Levy and his Tottenham transfer team have all three of Dean Henderson, Nick Pope and Sam Johnstone on their shortlist as Hugo Lloris replacements, should the £100,000-per-week 35-year-old leave north London in the summer transfer window.

Indeed, Lloris has been heavily linked with a reunion with the former Spurs manager, Mauricio Pochettino, at Paris Saint-Germain, with The Sun claiming that the Frenchman would be open to the possibility of a return to Ligue 1 at the end of the season.

Transfer Tavern Take

With it being reported that Henderson would be keen to leave Manchester United this summer unless he is installed as the first choice ‘keeper at the club, should this not come to pass, it would indeed appear as if Tottenham could be presented with an opportunity to land the 24-year-old, for whom Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are thought to be demanding around £40 million to part with.

Meanwhile, with both Pope and Johnstone facing the possibility of relegation from the Premier League with their respective clubs this season, should either Burnley or West Bromwich Albion ultimately drop down the Championship, Tottenham could again have a clear path to signing one of the ‘keepers.

However, it should be pointed out that, while Lloris remains at the club, all of these links would seem to be purely theoretical, for now.

In other news: Sources have revealed that Daniel Levy will be “all over” one club targeting multiple Spurs transfers this summer – find out more here!

Celtic’s interim boss John Kennedy has been urged to join Ross County if he leaves Parkhead.

Former County goalkeeper Michael Fraser told The Press and Journal that the 37-year-old would be well-suited to the managerial position at the Global Energy Stadium.

The lowdown

Kennedy took over from Neil Lennon when he resigned at the end of February, with Celtic’s title hopes having unravelled. Predominantly using a 4-4-2 diamond formation, he oversaw four victories, four draws and two defeats in total.

Celtic were 18 points adrift of Rangers when Kennedy took over and ended up 25 points behind their Glasgow rivals at the season’s end. The Gers also knocked them out of the Scottish Cup in the fourth round.

According to the Daily Record, Eddie Howe will be announced as Lennon’s long-term successor this week. He is also poised to bring backroom staff from Bournemouth with him, so it’s unclear whether there’ll be any place for Kennedy under the 43-year-old’s regime.

Ross County finished third from bottom in the Premiership this season. John Hughes kept them in the division but has not been offered a permanent deal.

The latest

If Kennedy is looking to move into management permanently rather than return to a behind-the-scenes role, Fraser says that County would be an ideal destination for him, telling The Press and Journal:

“Personally I think, John Kennedy, should he leave Celtic, would be a really good shout. He is highly thought of and it would be a good job for him to start off with.

“I am pretty sure a guy like John would like this job. He’s just a name that leapt out at me.

“Roy [Macgregor, chairman] might be looking at a more experienced manager, but going left-field John would be a good pick.

“He is highly-rated by ex-players and maybe he will want to come in and get his hands dirty by coaching them to play in the way he wants them to play.

“It’s maybe the best of the smaller clubs to achieve that because you will get support.”

The verdict

Howe may well deem Kennedy surplus to requirements at Celtic, partly as a symbolic ‘out with the old, in with the new’ move.

While Kennedy didn’t do enough in his time at the helm at Parkhead to suggest that he had credentials to be the permanent boss, he faced an unenviable task in trying to salvage the wreckage of the Hoops’ season.

Centre-back Kristoffer Ajer was also full of praise for his ‘fantastic’ coaching methods, and a club further down the Premiership would certainly be wise to give him a chance to prove his worth.

In other news, there’s an update on the future of Oliver Ntcham. 

Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a breakthrough over one of their mooted summer transfer targets…

What’s the word?

Earlier this month, the North London giants were linked with interest in Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Yves Bissouma following another impressive season on the south coast.

The Times’ Duncan Castles now claims that the 24-year-old star has asked to leave the Amex Stadium at the end of the season, with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City all inquiring about his availability.

It’s thought that the Seagulls are open to a sale as his contract is set to expire in two years time but only if their £30m evaluation is met.

Bissouma cost them only €18m (£16.5m) in the summer of 2018 but he has emerged as one of the most dynamic box-to-box midfielders in the English top-flight.

Levy’s licking his lips

If Spurs are truly interested in the Mali international, as was reported earlier in the month, then this latest development will surely have Lilywhites chairman Daniel Levy brimming with excitement.

There are some similarities to be had with this situation and that of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at Southampton, prior to his move to Spurs.

The former Saints captain was slapped with a £35m price tag amid interest from several Premier League sides around this time last year. It was thought at the time that the 25-year-old wanted to leave to play at a higher level.

Levy, being the tough negotiating hard bargain man he is, managed to wriggle down that price to just £15m.

It’s even more impressive that they managed to ship outcast defender Kyle Walker-Peters in the other direction for £12m, meaning the total cash outlay on their new first-choice midfielder was only £3m.

An absolute steal.

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Now that Bissouma is available, Levy will surely be licking his lips over the prospects of trying to clinch him on another cut-price deal.

And so he should, as he’s one of the best midfielders outside the top six right now.

Ex-Brighton boss Chris Hughton once hailed the 6-foot monster a “wonderful talent” whilst BT Sport presenter Gary Lineker took to Twitter to wax lyrical about his ability, calling him an “exceptional footballer,” via The Athletic.

Bissouma has been compared to Yaya Toure due to his natural playing style and whilst he has some way to go to match the Ivorian’s impressive numbers in England, you can see some similarities.

As per WhoScored, the Seagulls sensation is averaging 2.8 tackles, 1.7 interceptions and 1.5 dribbles per game.

This is very much akin to Mousa Dembele. A brute force that could read the game perfectly, and one that liked to travel with the ball up the pitch. Bissouma even chips in with 1.2 shots per game, so perhaps he’s unlucky to not have added more than one goal to his tally this term.

Whether he’s the next Toure or the next Dembele, he’ll only have to be half the player of either to be a hit in N17. Now that he’s willing to force an exit, Levy should be ready to win this transfer tussle with his negotiating skills.

AND in other news, Spurs must put £26m-rated “calamity” out of his misery, he’s holding them back…