According to The Sun, explosive winger Wilfried Zaha has told Crystal Palace he wants to leave the club this summer. And while Eagles fans will be desperate for their talismanic attacker to stay, there’s no doubt Zaha’s wish has been a long time coming. He kept them up last season pretty much single-handed, and rightly feels he deserves another shot at the big time.

Palace reportedly value their star man at a staggering £70million. So what would actually happen if another club met the Eagles’ valuation, paid up and prised Zaha away from Selhurst Park? We take a look at the potential consequences – some positive, some negative – of such a transfer deal taking place this summer…

Michail Antonio arrives and Yannick Bolasie returns

The Eagles will want to move quickly to fill Zaha’s void and considering how almighty that void will be, it could well require bringing in two talented replacements. Palace have been strongly linked with Michail Antonio, who now seems to be a bit of a spare part at West Ham following the arrivals of Andriy Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson, and selling Zaha would leave the south Londoners with more than enough money to agree a deal with the Hammers.

But there’s also talk of Zaha moving to Everton with former Eagles charge Yannick Bolasie moving the other way. He’s never quite been the same calibre as the Palace product and is still getting back to his best after a horrendous injury at the start of his Goodison career. But the Congo winger would be a decent replacement and could in fact be the perfect signing to keep the fans on board – a friendly face who is known to have genuine passion for the club can go a very long way, especially when you’ve just lost your most important player.

Should Palace’s valuation be met, there’s no reason the Eagles can’t pull off deals for both widemen and have something left over.

Roy Hodgson gets the funds to replace Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Of course, Zaha isn’t the only huge talent leaving Selhurst Park this summer. Ruben Loftus-Cheek was one of the stars of last season in south London, his surging runs forward from midfield creating excitement amongst supporters and plenty of scoring opportunities for the likes of Zaha, Andros Townsend and Christian Benteke.

Palace have some good quality in midfield. Although Yohan Cabaye has just left for the Middle East, Luka Milivojevic has been one of the most underrated engine room enforcers in the Premier League over the last 18 months, James McArthur’s proved a decent source of goals and Jason Puncheon will be back in action next season too.

But none are offensive driving forces in quite the same way, and Hodgson will be keen to bring someone in who can replicate that kind of service. Selling Zaha will give him the funds to do so on a permanent basis rather than another loan deal.

Palace endure woeful start to the season

Palace were only caught up in a relegation battle last season because they endured such an abysmal start to the campaign, but selling Zaha could unfortunately see history repeat itself. It’s no secret that Palace failed to win a single point without their star man last season and while that doesn’t mean the Eagles will go an entire campaign without earning one should the Ivory Coast forward leave this summer, the statistic does inevitably highlight Zaha’s intrinsic role in this side.

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When you have a talisman like that, it often takes time for another player to truly step up and fill the void, to take it upon themselves to rise to the big moments. Eventually, that will happen – especially if Hodgson brings in new blood this summer that isn’t accustomed to relying on Zaha in the same way. But it’s really a question of how long, and what position Palace are in before someone truly takes up Zaha’s mantle. If it doesn’t happen in the first few weeks of the season, the Selhurst Park outfit could quickly find themselves in another relegation battle – even if they’re more than capable of getting out of it once again.

Would you sell Zaha for £70million, Palace fans? Let us know by voting below…

Jose Mourinho has admitted his team have been struggling during the course of pre-season, something that doesn’t leave the team in good shape with the season just a few weeks away.

Man United have been reasonably quiet compared to usual in the transfer market but that can all swiftly change. Fred, Dalot and Lee Grant are the only additions Jose Mourinho has made to his team thus far but if they’re serious about contending for the Premier League title, more quality will need to be brought in, like someone in the form of German World Cup winner Jerome Boateng – who is valued at £40.5 million on Transfermarkt.

Bayern Munich are reportedly ready to let Boateng leave as he searches for a new challenge in a new league. Manchester United have struggled at the heart of defence for a number of seasons now should they move for the 29-year-old, Boateng will not let them down based on his quality performances in the Bundesliga over the last 7 seasons.

Boateng was limited to just 19 Bundesliga starts last season but obviously, Bayern are a better side with him as the German international kept 11 clean-sheets during those appearances.

Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof are great defenders in their own right but injuries have prohibited each and every one of them from making a real name for themselves at Old Trafford. Should their injury woes be forgotten, Jerome Boateng would prove to be the perfect partner for any of them, providing speed, strength and a winning mentality, having previously lifted a World Cup, 6 Bundesliga titles, the Champions League and even the FA cup during his short time with rivals Man City.

Thoughts… Let us know!

Tottenham haven’t signed a single player yet this window, which could work out against Spurs’ top four hopes seeing as their rivals have strengthened. 

Despite Spurs having a very strong starting 11, their problem is squad depth, something of which they don’t have a lot of. To become a trophy-winning team, a big squad would be vital, seeing as Tottenham will be playing in the Premier League, Champions League and both the EFL cup and the FA cup. One player who is really becoming accustomed to life in the top flight and has the potential to be a star for Tottenham is Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook, who is valued at £18 million on Transfermarkt, and so perhaps the Lilywhites should consider moving for him in search of further depth.

The 21-year-old has recently thoroughly asserted himself as a key member of the Cherries’ midfield, as well as the past season becoming the one where he broke into the England set-up. That is solely down to his wonderful footballing ability and Gareth Southgate is surely not the only top manager to have realised his talent.

Cook started 25 Premier League matches last season, switching between a box-to-box role and a defensive midfield role. Either allows Cook to play in his own way, controlling possession and spraying balls around to set his team up on the attack. Tottenham don’t have a midfielder, apart from Christian Eriksen, who can do that so despite his young age, signing Lewis Cook would be a very smart move from Spurs.

No players have yet arrived or departed but with just over a week till the window shuts and the season starts, along with having a handful of players missing from the first team after the World Cup still, reinforcements could be crucial and Lewis Cook is a player who really has the potential to shine on a global stage with Tottenham.

Would Lewis Cook be a shrewd signing for Tottenham… Let us know!

Leeds United could do with bringing in another midfielder despite having drafted in a number of players over the course of the summer, with the loan window still open.

The Whites managed to secure all three points on the opening day of the Championship campaign against Stoke City, but improvements are still required. One player who has already shone in the Championship and has the potential to succeed once again is Kieran Dowell, who is currently valued at £2.7 million by Transfermarkt, and so perhaps the Whites should consider adding an attack-minded midfielder to their ranks.

The 20-year-old spent last season at the City Ground, making 43 appearances and scoring 10 goals. It was Dowell’s first real taste of competitive football, having previously featured only a handful of times for the Toffees, and his first stint away from his parent club. And, the midfielder will probably be setting his sights on a first-team place in the near future, but for now, another loan spell seems appropriate to help him progress some more.

Interestingly, the youngster has the ability to play as a holding midfielder or he can operate in the final third as a more attack-minded player, with goals and assists ever-present in his game. The Whites currently have Samuel Saiz and Pablo Hernandez who can operate in the attacking midfield role, but if either player makes a rash decision or suffers an injury then it could be curtains for Leeds United’s season.

Leeds have already drafted in a number of players and the summer transfer window has officially shut, but the Yorkshire club are still able to secure the signature of possible loan players up until the deadline on the 31st, so moving for a proven midfielder that has previous experience in the Championship is a no-brainer.

Would Kieran Dowell be a shrewd signing for Leeds United… Let us know!

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has apologised to fans for the delays with the new stadium, according to The Guardian.

In the press conference, the Argentine insisted he would try and reward the fans with wins and spoke of his disappointment at not being able to move into the new White Hart Lane.

Uncertainty has been growing around the date Spurs could move into their new stadium, and it was announced that upcoming games against Liverpool and Cardiff City, which were due to take place at the new ground, have had to be moved to Wembley due to the delays.

Pochettino clearly shares the fans’ frustrations but hopes performances on the pitch can help allay their fears over the club’s new home.

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Tottenham supporters have been reacting to Pochettino’s comments on social media, and it’s clear to see they sympathise with their manager and his predicament, believing Daniel Levy should be taking the flak instead.

Everton fans are praying Marcel Brands can continue his impressive start to life at Everton, looking to offload three first-team players before the Football League loan deadline.

The transfer window has of course closed for Premier League teams, but EFL teams can still bring in temporary signings from the top tier until the end of August.

Everton fans are hoping to use this to advantage, looking to dump all three of Cuco Martina, Mo Besic and Yannick Bolasie to the Championship.

Martina has been linked with a switch to Stoke City, who have already taken Ashley Williams off the Toffees’ hands.

The flying full back was thrown in at the deep end last season playing in an unnatural left back position, but the reinforcements in defence and returns to fitness for Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman have made him surplus to requirements.

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Bolasie and Besic have both been linked with moves to the Championship as well, as the tricky winger looks set to move to Middlesbrough and the tough-tackling Besic has been linked with several loan moves.

Brands and Marco Silva had a lot of work to do clearing out the “dead wood” when they arrived at Goodison, and fans are tipping this to be the best summer in years if they can offload the struggling first teamers.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

According to reports in the printed version of The Daily Star on Tuesday, Championship strugglers Queens Park Rangers want to sign out-of-favour Burnley striker Nahki Wells on loan, and their league rivals Sheffield United must hijack any deal.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Daily Star report that QPR boss Steve McClaren wants to bring the 28-year-old to Loftus Road to boost his lowly side, whose 3-0 home defeat by Bristol City on Tuesday night consigned them to their third successive defeat at the beginning of the 2018/19 campaign.

Meanwhile, the Blades have had a pretty successful summer in the transfer market with things certainly improving in recent weeks in terms of incomings, but they still look to need an extra option up top to compete with new boy David McGoldrick, as well as Billy Sharp and Leon Clarke.

The latter duo got the nod ahead of McGoldrick for the 2-1 win against Norwich City at Bramall Lane on Saturday, with Sharp scoring the winner in injury time.

However, they are getting no younger and Chris Wilder will want to bring in a player that is potentially different to what they have already.

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Why should Sheffield United hijack QPR’s move?

While Wells has struggled to make an impact for Burnley and currently find himself behind the likes of Chris Wood, Sam Vokes and Ashley Barnes in the pecking order, he also hasn’t really been given an opportunity to impress seeing as he only made nine Premier League appearances last term.

However, he proved that he could get goals at Championship level with Huddersfield Town previously – he netted 45 goals in 144 games in England’s second tier for the Terriers – and he would arrive at Bramall Lane with a point to prove if Wilder, who must also make a cheeky loan bid for a Stoke City attacker, pushed through a deal.

There is no doubt that his speed and 5ft 7in frame mean that he could form a successful little-and-large strike partnership with Clarke.

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On Thursday afternoon, Championship strugglers Queens Park Rangers announced the signing of Nahki Wells on a season-long loan from Burnley.

It has been a tough few weeks for QPR, with four straight Championship defeats leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table with a goal difference of minus 11.

The club’s supporters have been extremely frustrated with life in the early stages of the 2018-19 campaign, but things are certainly looking up.

Indeed, Tomer Hemed has arrived at the club on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, and his signature was followed by Wells.

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The 28-year-old managed 45 Championship goals during his time at Huddersfield Town, but has struggled for action since moving to Burnley in 2017.

Having been deemed surplus to requirements at Turf Moor, Wells has moved to QPR, and the news has gone down very well with the R’s supporters.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Liverpool reached last season’s Champions League final and after a summer transfer window in which the depth of the squad was greatly enhanced, Jurgen Klopp will be desperate to go one better this time around to lift Europe’s most prestigious footballing honour.

The draw for the group stages was made on Thursday evening and it wasn’t particularly kind to Liverpool – in fact Group C might well be this season’s Group of Death with PSG, Napoli and Red Star Belgrade also involved.

With that in mind, we asked Football FanCast’s expert writers to give their verdicts on one simple question – where will the Reds finish in their Champions League group?

Josh Challies – Third

“After two decades without a league title, Liverpool must go for broke in the Premier League this season and could take advantage of Manchester City who will be desperate to improve their displays in Europe. In a tough group with Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli, form at Anfield will be crucial but it may not be enough to see them advance – however it could work out in Klopp’s favour domestically.”

James Beavis – Top

“Liverpool have shown with their impressive start to the season just how good they are going to be over the next few months, and that form will definitely translate into the Champions League as well. Brilliant at home and stronger as a unit defensively than they were last term, they also have the attacking players to hurt teams when they are playing away, and they won’t – and needn’t – fear teams like PSG and Napoli.”

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Ben Goodwin – Runners Up

“Liverpool have the quality to beat every team in their group comfortably, but the amount of incredibly intense games after the international break might just take its toll. The Reds will face Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea twice, which will make the first couple of group games incredibly hard. They should have enough to go through, but they will almost certainly be rotating players to focus on the league, particularly for the matches against Red Star Belgrade, so second is a realistic expectation.”

Danielle Joynson – Runners Up

“Many believe that Liverpool will prioritise the Premier League this season as they have their best chance to go all the way, but Klopp has enough strength in depth this time around to fight on all fronts. The manager’s style of play suits a competition like the Champions League and when they come up against free-flowing sides, it will work in Liverpool’s favour. It is certainly a difficult group to navigate through, but if Klopp rotates his team accordingly during a busy period of fixtures, there is no reason why they cannot make it through, but runners-up seems the most likely outcome.”

Will Jones – Runners Up

“Klopp’s side will give PSG a good run for top spot, but a tough away tie in Naples could be their undoing. Whilst Liverpool have undoubtedly improved defensively since this time last year, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani and co. will certainly provide a stern test for the Reds’ back line.

“Last year’s beaten finalists have been dealt a tough draw, but should have enough firepower to see them into the next round. There are no pushovers in this group though, and Klopp will have to guard against complacency against Red Star Belgrade.”

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Loads of Celtic fans have been reacting to a rather bizarre piece of transfer news, as Gabby Agbonlahor has hinted that he would love the Hoops to sign him.

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Celtic are in desperate need of more depth at the striker position, but fans aren’t too impressed by Agbonlahor’s “come-and-get-me” plea.

The veteran striker took part in the charity match at Celtic Park this weekend, and he clearly loved wearing the hoops.

“At the moment I’m a free agent and considering my options. I want to do what is best for me and my family,” the 31 year-old said.

“I’ll discuss things with my agent and we’ll decide what happens next. Every player if they had the chance to play for Celtic would take it.”

Moussa Dembele left the club on deadline day, and one injury to either Odsonne Edouard or Leigh Griffiths could devastating.

The majority of fans are against bringing Agbonlahor in on a free signing though, perhaps hoping to pursue a long-term solution to the Dembele void in January.

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Agbonlahor scored 75 times in 341 league appearances for Aston Villa, but has been unable to find a new club this summer.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, look away now Gabby…