Transfer insider Dean Jones believes a Manchester United takeover could make a summer move for Jude Bellingham ‘more possible’.

What’s Jones had to say on Man United and Bellingham?

The Red Devils are set for a busy few months both on and off the pitch, with Erik ten Hag’s side pushing for a top-four finish and more silverware in the FA Cup and Europa League after lifting the Carabao Cup earlier in the season.

An Old Trafford takeover also appears to be a possibility, with Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe submitting revised offers last month to take control from the Glazers. Jassim previously wanted 'things done quickly' so he could help Ten Hag in the transfer market, with reports last month suggesting he is a ‘huge fan’ of Bellingham and is plotting a stunning United move.

Talking to GiveMeSport, Jones feels that a takeover at Old Trafford could help them in a potential move for Bellingham, however, he also cited the time Bellingham turned down a move to Manchester in favour of heading to Germany.

"I think a takeover would make it more possible and they could come back into the Bellingham conversation a bit stronger. But the fact is Bellingham already had the chance to join Man United once, and he didn't take it? Maybe he feels more ready for that now, certainly could be that.”

Do Man United have a chance to sign Bellingham?

Fabrizio Romano stated last month that United's current board weren’t actively working on signing Bellingham this summer, so a takeover may have to go through relatively quickly in order for the Red Devils to have a chance of a potential deal.

That’s because there is plenty of competition for the 19-year-old’s services, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid all feeling they have put compelling cases forward for Bellingham to join them. Dortmund will also reportedly only consider selling for a club-record fee in excess of €144m (£126m), which would smash the current transfer record at Old Trafford.

Bellingham has been hailed as a "superstar" by former United captain Roy Keane, and with Ten Hag after a midfielder and forward this summer, securing a move for Bellingham would surely make Jassim a popular man in Manchester straightaway. A lot needs to happen, though, but it appears as if there may be a chance to sign the England international, providing Jassim manages to strike a deal with the Glazers over the coming months.

Watson’s IPL and PSL experience makes him the key against Pakistan and India, and if Australia are dreaming of giving him a fairytale ending, Watson himself will have a big part to play

Sidharth Monga24-Mar-2016At around 3.15pm, with Australia’s pre-match press conference over, Shane Watson called his team-mates into a huddle. Not the kind they have with their arms around each other just before going out to field. A more relaxed one, just to have a relaxed conversation with mates. Steven Smith and Darren Lehmann already knew. Perhaps, a few of the players close to him knew, too. Now, he told the rest that this World T20 was going to be his last international tournament for Australia, that he was retiring from all international and first-class cricket. Smith spoke after that. Then, Lehmann did. And then, strength and conditioning coach Damian Mednis seemed to suggest, “Let’s not get too soppy. Watto’s still around. Let’s go train.”There were handshakes after that. There were pats on the back. Glenn Maxwell put his arm around Watson, patted him on his head and then let him go. They know there is not much of Watson left. Two games if they don’t play well. Three or four if they hit their stride. An absolute fairytale ending would be to win all four matches. For that, they will rely on the best of Watson. Not just on the field, but also tactically, because he has the most experience of both the PSL and IPL. Their next two opponents are Pakistan and India.”We had a team meeting yesterday,” Steven Smith said. “He had a fair bit of intel, insights about some of their players. It was nice to hear his thoughts. We certainly listened, and they are going to be a tough opponent, we have to be at our best if we have to beat them tomorrow.”Watson as a player holds a big key, with his cutters on the slow pitches, and his batting. He has the experience of batting both in the top and middle orders in the IPL. So far, Australia have used him at the top, presumably to get a left-right combination going with Usman Khawaja, who simply can’t be ignored. That has pushed David Warner down to the middle order. The experiment hasn’t really worked, with Warner scoring 6 off 11 and 17 off 9 in the two matches. It is not set in stone now that Watson opens and Warner bats in the middle.”It’s not too late,” Smith said. “I think it could change. I think it depends on the kind of wickets, what we think at the time is going to be best against certain attacks and it might change in this game, it might change against India as well, so guys are pretty flexible. Everyone, Davey has played quite well in the middle, but we know how destructive he is at the top as well. You’ve got Aaron Finch as well who is sitting in the wings and he’s very destructive at the top.”Having said that, the two starts we’ve had have been good. Hasn’t been in the first game, it wasn’t the openers’ fault that we lost that match. It was our middle order. And our middle order again didn’t do the job to polish off the performance the other night. We’ve got a few options, it’s just about summing up what we think is best for that certain day, those conditions and against that opposition.”Smith said it helps that Watson is adaptable. “I think Watto can [adapt], I think he’s got a bit of extra power,” Smith said. “I’ve seen him bat in one-day cricket at No. 5 and No. 6, he’s batted in the middle order in IPL over here as well, and he’s done quite well. He certainly can. Usman, I think, is suited to the top of the order. He plays just good cricket shots and scores at a pretty good rate without taking many risks.”It depends what we want on that given day. If we want a bit of extra power and get off to an absolute flyer, you’ve got options of Finch and Warner and Watson, and if you want just good cricket strokeplay and then leave it for the middle overs and the back end, I think Usman is suited to bat for a longer period.”Australia certainly have the options with the bat, but they haven’t yet been able to nail them. It has left them needing practically four wins out of four if they are to win a maiden World T20. How they bat against spin and slow bowling will determine how they go. Watson has won 50-over World Cups, he has been the Man of the Match in a Champions Trophy final win, he has been part of dominating Test sides, but to get this final missing piece before he goes, he will have a big contribution to make with bat, ball and tactics on these slow pitches.

Australia need only a draw to become the world’ No. 1 ranked Test team, but they must contend with overseas inconsistency, a green pitch, and a Brendon McCullum farewell

The Preview by Daniel Brettig19-Feb-2016Match factsFebruary 20-24, 2016
Start time 10.30 local (21.30 GMT)5:58

‘New Zealand need to put external pressures behind them’

Big PictureAustralia need only a draw to become the world’s No. 1 Test team. Easier said than done, for a few reasons. First, it has been an awful long time since Australia have been consistent away from home. Australia won consecutive Tests in the Caribbean against the woeful West Indies in early 2015, but the previous time they managed that was in New Zealand as far back as 2010. Plenty of times – think England 2009, Pakistan (in England) 2010, South Africa 2014, England 2015 – an Australian touring team have followed resounding victory with abject defeat. Well as Steven Smith’s team played in Wellington, they have this mental hurdle to negotiate over the next five days.Secondly, it is an essential part of this Australian team’s DNA to play for a win. Thoughts of absorbing New Zealand’s efforts to force a win through self-preserving tactical decisions are unlikely to enter the minds of Smith and the coach Darren Lehmann. Instead they will be going for victory and a 2-0 margin, on a pitch likely to favour the seam bowlers for even longer than the Basin Reserve did. New Zealand’s coach Mike Hesson made no secret of his desire to see the Hagley Oval surface prepared to be as lively as possible, so the ball seams around for more than the first morning. Such an outcome may lessen the importance of the toss, but it should also cut the draw out of the equation, making Australia’s chance of a successful series closer to 50/50 than 66/33.Lastly, this is of course Brendon McCullum’s final match for New Zealand, an occasion weighty with emotion for every player in the home side and every spectator expected to turn up at a sold out Hagley Oval. The Australians know from personal experience that retirements don’t always inspire great Test match performances, but there remains the chance of an exceptionally steely New Zealand display not only for McCullum, but to try to keep intact the team’s proud record of not having lost a series at home since 2012. In replacing the injured Doug Bracewell with Matt Henry, they also have the added benefit of including a bowler who was critical to the ODI series win – his duel with Smith will be particularly bracing.Form guideNew Zealand: LWWLD (last five completed matches, most recent first)

Australia: WDWWW
In the spotlightIn Australia last year, Kane Williamson was close to impassable. This time around, Smith’s team have found him somewhat less difficult to dislodge, as disciplined plans to keep Williamson pinned down around the off stump have been rewarded consistently. Equally, Williamson’s eagerness to get off to a firm start by capitalising on full deliveries down the ground was penalised by the early seaming conditions at the Basin Reserve. In the final match before he likely takes over the mantle of all-format leadership from McCullum, Williamson will be hoping to set the batting example for his team – substance is required, and he is the best man to deliver it.Amid the batting feast in Wellington, David Warner sat and watched, doubtless wondering what might have been without his early slash at a Tim Southee delivery angled across him. Such dismissals have seldom been glimpsed when Warner has batted at home over the past three seasons, but they have become increasingly prevalent abroad. Not since Pakistan in October 2014 has he made an overseas Test hundred – in Australia over that period he’s made two at the SCG alone. As vice-captain, Warner’s enormous ability needs to be melded with responsibility, and to make a century in Christchurch, thus helping Australia to global supremacy, would be a strong step in that direction.Team newsDoug Bracewell’s injury absence will open up a chance for Matt Henry, while the hosts are still mulling over the possible inclusion of Neil Wagner in place of Mark Craig.New Zealand (possible) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Tom Latham, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Henry Nicholls, 5 Brendon McCullum (capt), 6 Corey Anderson, 7 BJ Watling (wk), 8 Mark Craig/Neil Wagner, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Trent BoultJames Pattinson will come into the Australian side in place of the injured Peter Siddle.Australia 1 David Warner, 2 Joe Burns, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Steven Smith (capt), 5 Adam Voges, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Peter Nevill (wk), 8 James Pattinson, 9 Josh Hazlewood, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Jackson BirdPitch and conditionsHagley Oval’s pitch looks similarly green to that of Basin Reserve, and both teams are curious as to how it will play. “I think it actually looks pretty similar to the last wicket the day before the game,” Smith said. “It’s quite hard to tell how it’s going to play until you get out there on the morning of the game when they’ve given it a roll and you see it for the last time.”Stats and trivia Australia will become the world’s No. 1 ranked Test team with a win or draw in Christchurch New Zealand have twice come back from 1-0 down to tie a Test series with Australia, at home in 1993 and away in 2011 New Zealand won the only previous Test played at Hagley Oval, against Sri Lanka in December 2014Quotes”The goal of this team is to be No. 1 in all formats of the game, and if we win this week, we tick off two of those formats. But for me it is about making sure we are improving and being better.”

Crystal Palace have held talks with former Borussia Monchengladbach manager Adi Hutter over a potential summer move to Selhurst Park.

The Lowdown: Hodgson in

As we know, the club decided to part ways with Patrick Vieira prior to the international break and confirmed on Tuesday that the man who Vieira replaced, Roy Hodgson, has returned on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

The 75-year-old is already at work with the Palace squad who aren’t representing their countries, with Ray Lewington also returning as first-team coach.

The pair are hoping that three wins from the club’s last 11 Premier League games will be enough to avoid relegation, with their first game against fellow relegation rivals Leicester City at Selhurst Park next Saturday.

The Latest: Hutter update

The Eagles were linked with a move for Hutter prior to appointing Hodgson, and it looks as if he is still of interest to Steve Parish and co.

Sports Witness relayed an update from Krone regarding Palace and Hutter in the last 48 hours, suggesting he is ‘attracted’ to the idea of moving to Selhurst Park in the summer.

Hutter is ‘hungry’ to return to management but looks set to remain out of work until the summer. First talks between the Eagles and Hutter’s management ‘have already taken place’, with the Austrian likely to travel to England over the coming weeks for further discussions, depending on how Hodgson’s side are faring.

The Verdict: One to watch

It appears as if Parish is already on the search for a long-term replacement at the club, with Steve Cooper and Paulo Fonseca also rumoured as possible targets in the coming months.

However, the pair are currently in work with Nottingham Forest and Lille respectively, whereas Hutter is available right now so could prove to be an easier option, should the club want to finalise their next manager prior to the summer.

The 53-year-old likes to play a 3-4-2-1 system and has experience of managing sides in the Europa League and in the qualifying stages of the Champions League.

Hutter has taken charge of 365 games as manager of Monchengladbach, Eintracht Frankfurt, BSC Young Boys and Red Bull Salzburg, winning the double with Salzburg during the 2014/15 season and the league title with BSC Young Boys in 2017/18.

Monchengladbach midfielder Lars Stindl previously called Hutter a ‘good communicator and an open guy’, so he may have come across well during initial talks with Palace, and it seems as if a move could be one to keep an eye on following this update.

Match facts

Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Start time 1800 local (1600GMT)1:47

‘My goal to have a century in each format’ – De Kock

Big picture

For the second time this summer, a limited-overs series enters the final match with the sides locked all-square. This one will cap off a blockbuster season of international cricket that has captured the imagination of the country’s cricket-lovers. Australia’s visit follows England’s and while some might think hosting two of the big three in the same season may serve to remind South Africa if their status in the small seven, in shorter formats it has done quite the opposite.South Africa built confidence with five successive wins over England and kept on that roll in the first match against Australia. Now, as CSA posted on their Twitter account, “it all comes down to 1.”Victory for South Africa in the final T20 will give them a boost ahead of the World T20. Defeat will have the reverse effect and highlight the few lingering issues, especially around the middle-order and how JP Duminy and Farhaan Behardien fit in. A delicate issue was resolved for them, at least in the short-term, when Aaron Phangiso’s action was clear on the eve of the game but it has been decided that he will sit out this T20 and spend further time fine-tuning his action ahead of the World T20.Whereas South Africa’s has steadily built with recent results – notwithstanding the defeat in Johannesburg – Australia are still trying to formulate their T20 gameplan having had precious few games in the format over the last two years. The success of David Warner in the middle order suggests they are finding one solution – alongside Glenn Maxwell it backs for a dynamic pairing – but they will want a more all-round performance before they head to India.

Form guide

(last five completed games most recent first)
South AfricaLWWWW
Australia WLLLL

In the spotlight

South Africa’s highest T20 run-scorer JP Duminy is under pressure to prove his worth despite his numbers because of his recent, unremarkable form. Duminy has not scored an international fifty since October last year – 20 innings ago – and has miscued to midwicket twice in this series. Despite strong support from the coach, Russell Domingo, the pressure is growing on Duminy to deliver especially as his bowling is playing far less of a role.In a similar position is Shane Watson who was not tasked with bowling during the second match in an Australian attack with plenty of options. Watson’s job is to push one of Usman Khawaja or Aaron Finch out of the XI by getting Australia off to a quick start. Watson has only just recovered from an abdominal injury which ruled him out of the PSL but he was in fine touch before that, with the second highest score in T20I history, and will want to get back into that form ahead of the World T20.

Team news

South Africa have opted not to draft in Phangiso for a game ahead of the World T20 after his action was clearedm but they may tweak the top order to give Hashim Amla a game. Dale Steyn could continue to keep Kyle Abbott out unless Kagiso Rabada is rested.South Africa: (probable) 1 Hashim Amla, 2 AB de Villiers (wk), 3 Faf du Plessis (capt), 4 JP Duminy, 5 David Miller, 6 Farhaan Behardien, 7 Chris Morris, 8 David Wiese, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Imran TahirAustralia found a winning combination in the last match which vindicated their decision to keep David Warner out of the opening berth. Having already tried the Usman Khawaya/Aaron Finch and Shane Watson/Aaron Finch combination the only one left for them to try is Khawaja/Watson, which could see Finch sit out. Nathan Coulter-Nile could find his way back into the XI and Adam Zampa may be preferred over Ashton Agar in the spin department.Australia: (probable) 1 Shane Watson, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 David Warner, 4 Steve Smith, 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 James Faulkner, 8 Peter Nevill (wk), 9 Josh Hazlewood, 10 John Hastings/Nathan Coulter-Nile 11, Adam Zampa

Pitch and conditions

After the thin air on the Highveld, the teams return to the coast where, as was the case during the England series last month, scores are expected to be lower. The Newlands pitch will be more subcontinental in nature and may even take some turn will which aid in preparation for the World T20. The weather, though, will be entirely different. It is expected to be mild and breezy with evening temperatures touching 20 degrees.

Stats and Trivia

• Faf du Plessis needs nine more runs to become the third South African after JP Duminy and AB de Villiers to reach 1,000 T20I runs.
• Australia have won the last two T20 series against South Africa, which has included the only three-match rubber between the two sides. Then, in November 2014, South Africa went one up but squandered the lead.

Quotes

“There is a bit of importance. But if we were playing the series in India it would be more important; the fact that it’s here in SA means the wickets are different. We know series wins against Australia don’t come easily. But there’s a bigger picture. When we get to India and we play against them in different conditions there, we’ll see what happens.”

Sky Sports commentator Alan Smith claimed Danny Ings looked angry to be substituted in West Ham's 1-0 at home to Southampton on Sunday afternoon.

What happened in West Ham vs. Southampton?

The Hammers faced an enormous Premier League clash at the London Stadium, as they hosted a Saints team similarly threatened by relegation. It looks set to be a thrilling but nervy end to the season for so many teams, especially when they come up against each other.

David Moyes' men took the lead in the first half, with Nayef Aguerd's header eventually awarded after a long and painful VAR check – his first-ever Premier League goal. Thankfully, West Ham held on in the end, despite their narrow advantage and the woodwork being hit, as they picked up a massive three points in the process.

The win lifts the Hammers to 14th place in the table and one point clear of safety – come May, it is an afternoon could feel so pivotal, even though the game was far from a classic, in terms of entertainment value.

What did Ings do?

Ings was replaced by Michail Antonio midway through the second half, as Moyes made changes to his personnel, but the striker didn't exactly looked enamoured to be taken off.

Speaking on Sky Sports' live coverage of the game, Smith reacted to the moment, revealing Ings' clear disappointment at his manager's decision:

"Ings doesn't look pleased but Antonio can give them some added energy up front."

In truth, it is never a bad thing to see a player show passion at being substituted because it proves they care about affecting the game they are involved in. Of course, showing too much dissent can be a step too far, but that wasn't the case with Ings on Sunday and he may simply have been frustrated at what was a quiet performance overall.

The 30-year-old didn't manage a single shot on or off target during his 65 minutes on the pitch, according to Sofascore, as he failed to add to his two Premier League goals for West Ham. He also completed just 47% of his passes, which is a fairly pitiful return, while he lost possession 11 times and played no key passes.

Better displays are suddenly required of Ings between now and the end of the season, with his vast experience and match-winning ability potentially so important in some tight upcoming matches in the relegation fight.

Arsenal's signing of Ben White was widely criticised back in 2021 after the centre-back struggled in his first few performances, but his displays this season in the Gunners' title challenge have seen him prove everyone wrong.

How much is Ben White worth now?

Mikel Arteta's side announced the signing of White from Brighton in July 2021, with the former Leeds United loanee joining in a deal worth £50m.

He was criticised by Sky Sports pundits, notably Gary Neville, after a difficult debut for the defender in the 2-0 defeat against newly-promoted Brentford in the opening game of the Premier League's 2021/22 campaign, but he is now a hugely important player in this extremely impressive Arsenal side.

Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor was another who was less than impressed with White's performances last season, despite the 25-year-old averaging a solid 6.78 rating from WhoScored across his 32 appearances in the top flight.

He told Football Insider: “Arsenal’s defence is nowhere near good enough to get top-four. For me, Ben White is very overrated, I watched him against Newcastle towards the end of the season and he was absolutely dreadful.

“He lacks pace, he lacks aggression. Yes, he’s good on the ball but he’s not a defensive midfielder, he’s a centre-half."

While the pundit was wrong about White's overall ability and Arsenal's defensive capabilities, given they sit top of the Premier League with just 26 goals conceded, he was right to an extent about the England international not being a centre-back, as he has starred at right-back in Arteta's side this season following the emergence of William Saliba alongside Gabriel.

This season has seen White earn an impressive 6.85 rating from WhoScored across his 28 top-flight appearances, with one goal and three assists to his name, with a title win certainly on the cards for the young defender, so early into his Arsenal career.

Unsurprisingly, the 25-year-old's emergence as a key player in a side top of the Premier League has seen his market value shoot up during his one-and-a-half-year spell at the Emirates.

When White joined, he was valued at just €28m (£24.7m) by Transfermarkt, but the same website now values him at €50m (£44.1m), which represents a significant 78% increase.

With Arsenal favourites for the title and certain to be playing in the Champions League next season, White's transfer value is only likely to increase further, as he continues to prove those who doubted him wrong.

Chelsea are reportedly lining up a move for Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and the electric winger could prove to be the next Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge.

Could Chelsea sign Khvicha Kvaratskhelia?

According to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, the Serie A leaders are prepared to double the wages of the man they signed only last summer when he penned a five-year deal after joining from Georgian outfit Dinamo Batumi, in order to keep him at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium amid interest from the Blues and elsewhere.

Chelsea could look to increase their £550m spending spree under Todd Boehly and improve the attacking options available to Graham Potter at Stamford Bridge, as the Blues continue to struggle in the final third, with just 29 goals in 27 top-flight fixtures so far this campaign.

Kvaratskhelia certainly won't come cheap, with the Azzurri expected to demand as much as €100m (£88m) for one of their most coveted assets, with the 22-year-old instrumental in Luciano Spalletti's side's likely Scudetto triumph this season.

In 23 Serie A appearances, the Chelsea-linked star has contributed a phenomenal 12 goals and 10 assists, earning a hugely impressive 7.64 rating from WhoScored for his performances. This has spilled over into all competitions too, where he boasts 14 goals and 16 assists.

Not only is this a higher rating than anyone in Chelsea's squad, but his average of 2.9 shots, 1.7 key passes and 1.8 dribbles also cannot be matched by anyone who has made more than 10 Premier League appearances for the Blues so far this campaign.

Journalist Mina Rzouki was full of praise for the Georgia international just a month into his career with Napoli, writing:

"Ok, Kvaratskhelia is a phenomenon. This kid is so special. I know it’s just Napoli’s second game, but he is bossing everything."

Could Kvaratskhelia be Chelsea's next Hazard?

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry also lauded the 22-year-old on CBS Sports earlier in the season and likened the Georgian wide man to Real Madrid winger Hazard, who was previously a star at Stamford Bridge.

He said:

"[He is] very Eden Hazard-like. He is brilliant. He can do anything. Press. Dribble and assist. The balance, composure and vision."

During his time in England, the Belgium international would make a remarkable 352 appearances, contributing 110 goals and 92 assists in that time, firmly establishing himself as a fan favourite and Premier League great. His fall from grace has been stark though, with just one goal and one assist in seven appearances across all competitions.

Chelsea have lacked a winger of Hazard's immense quality since his 2019 exit, with the likes of Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech failing to take up his mantle at Stamford Bridge, so Kvaratskhelia could be exactly what Potter needs as he looks to mould a squad capable of challenging at the top next season.

Everton have found themselves yet again struggling to retain their Premier League status this season and Sean Dyche has been tasked with the challenge of damage control at Goodison Park by securing survival over the remaining fixtures.

The Toffees are currently teetering on the edge of the relegation zone as only goal difference is saving them from being in the bottom three and with just eight games left to play, there is no room for error going forward until the end of the season.

Indeed, if the former Burnley boss can save the Merseysiders this season, there is no doubt that he will be keen to make his own mark on the squad to prompt improvement and resolve the disastrous decisions of those who preceded him.

One player who has been sparking media attention for all the wrong reasons yet again this week is Frank Lampard's signing Dele Alli, with the player banished from his loan club Besiktas this season and now suffering an injury that has left him unavailable to play for the remainder of the campaign.

Will Everton cut ties with Dele Alli?

Despite paying no transfer fee to sign him, there is no doubt that Alli has been one of the worst signings secured on the blue side of Merseyside in a while which is some achievement considering the club is renowned for their transfer disasters over the years.

The former Tottenham Hotspur playmaker made the move to Goodison Park on the same day that Lampard became the new permanent manager, back in January 2022.

After tallying up just 13 appearances over six months and averaging just 27 minutes per game with only three yellow cards to show for it, talkSPORT's Simon Jordan blasted Everton for signing Alli last summer:

"An awful transfer! This was how it was always going to end," he began. “Dele Alli’s career is going one way and I don’t think he can get it back.”

At first, a season-long loan move to Turkey for the troubled £100k-per-week talent looked promising with three goals scored in 17 appearances, however, it wasn't long before the Besiktas boss Senol Gunes became the latest manager to grow frustrated with him and delivered a scathing assessment on the player:

"Dele Alli has had a good career. But he doesn't deserve to play at the moment. The current situation has not met our expectations as a team,

"We expect him to contribute to the team, but we think he cannot contribute at the moment. We will evaluate it with him and the club."

Since then, the England international has seemingly not returned to Turkey after coming back to the UK with a knee injury and it has been reported in the last few days that Everton are considering their options to cut ties with the player once and for all.

With that being said, considering Everton's financial concerns, it would be wise for them to finally end Lampard's transfer disaster by letting go of the 27-year-old as soon as possible, in order to eliminate one of their many problems heading into the summer.

Manchester United playing in next season's Champions League is vital for summer spending – with or without the Glazers – according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Will the Glazers sell Man Utd?

The ownership of the Red Devils is one of the biggest talking points in football at the moment, with the saga continuing to rumble on. Bids for the club have been tabled by Qatar's Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS Group, but the Glazers have rejected the first batch of offers.

Many United fans are desperate for the current owners to move on after an up-and-down era at Old Trafford, with many believing new owners could herald a new era, not least Gary Neville, who has spoken negatively about the Glazers, criticising their inability to redevelop Old Trafford, for example.

Tottenham's 1-1 draw away to Everton on Monday night has suddenly left United fifth in the Premier League, and while they are level with the north Londoners with two games in hand, there are now doubts over a top-four finish.

Will Red Devils secure a top-four finish?

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jacobs admitted that securing Champions League football is imperative in terms of summer spending, regardless of who the club's owners are moving forward:

"I think the most important thing for Manchester United is qualifying for the Champions League, regardless of who any new owner may be, because that will impact the budget.

"If the Glazers stay, it will be because they've decided to be invested in the football club. Although that won't be popular with the fan base, if Manchester United qualify for the Champions League, and they [the Glazers] remain, they will need to spend.

"If they depart, the Champions League will still impact the budget come summer."

There is no doubt over the importance of Champions League qualification, as despite United showing their capability of signing good players regardless of their situation in the past, they risk falling behind their rivals if they are able to offer an immediate pathway to that competition.

Thankfully, they have two routes to reach it, with Europa League glory also guaranteeing them a spot, but they should still be expected to finish fourth at worst in the league given their aforementioned games in hand on Spurs.

There may be worries that United are running out of steam a little following a long season, but there is clearly enough quality for the Carabao Cup winners to get over the line, and victory at home to Brentford on Wednesday evening would help get back on track.