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As per the club’s official website, Premier League outfit Crystal Palace sealed a last-gasp move for Michy Batshuayi late on in the January transfer window. The 25-year-old had been playing his football at Spanish club Valencia on loan from Premier League giants Chelsea in the first half of the season, only for struggles in front of goal at the Mestalla to call into question his future at the club as the winter window progressed.

And it was Roy Hodgson’s Palace who officially sealed a Deadline Day move for the striker as they sought the reinforcements they desperately needed in the final third of the pitch, with the arrival of the Belgium international potentially going some way to securing the Eagles another season of Premier League football.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, while one look at the Palace squad suggests a side full of talent and one that shouldn’t be in relegation trouble, their evident struggle for goals means that the Londoners are indeed embroiled in a battle near the bottom, what with Hodgson’s men currently sat 15th in the table and just four points clear of safety.

And their meagre tally of 24 goals from their 24 matches is without doubt a key factor in their struggles to put daylight between themselves and danger this term – after all, their top-scoring striker this season is on-loan man Jordan Ayew with a paltry two goals to his name.

But with supremely talented attackers in Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend, the Eagles are always likely to create ample goal-scoring opportunities just waiting to be converted by the predatory and lethal striker the club have been crying out for – and they may finally have that man in Batshuayi.

Yes, the 25-year-old has endured a tricky time in Spain recently with only one La Liga goal to show for his endeavours in Valencia, but one only need look at his goal-scoring record at Chelsea, Marseille, and Borussia Dortmund to suggest that Palace appear to have pulled off something of a masterstroke.

The Belgian ace has netted 19 times in just 53 appearances for Chelsea following his move from Marseille back in 2016, which given his lowly number of starts at Stamford Bridge equates to a goal every 93 minutes of action – that is a staggering return.

And with 33 goals in only 78 appearances in France for Marseille, and then nine goals in 14 games for Dortmund last season, it’s pretty clear that his time at Valencia was a one-off – on the whole, the 25-year-old will more often than not have an impact when on the field.

And that ability to get into the right place at the right time in the penalty area, and thus get on the end of goal-scoring opportunities, is exactly what Palace need to start moving up the Premier League table – it’s difficult to see where the goals were coming from were they not to sign the striker.

As it happens, the 25-year-old made the Deadline Day move to Selhurst Park, in turn equipping Hodgson with the goal-scoring forward the Eagles so desperately need to move clear of danger – thus, his arrival might well have just saved their season.

Crystal Palace fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Charlton Athletic fell out of the playoff zone as they recorded their first defeat in 11 matches on Saturday afternoon.

Nigel Adkins’ side were beaten by fellow promotion hopefuls Peterborough United at The Valley but they will be left reeling in disappointment that they didn’t come away with at least a point.

The division’s top goalscorer, Jonson Clarke-Harris, fired Posh into an early lead in the ninth minute and right before the break, the Addicks had the perfect opportunity to square things up when Alex Gilbey was fouled inside the box.

Jayden Stockley confidently stepped up but saw his penalty saved by the goalkeeper and despite going on to dominate the second half with 68% possession, Charlton just couldn’t find a way back into the match.

Some could blame the Preston loanee for costing his side dearly but there were far more wasteful teammates that should take the brunt of the criticism first.

None more so than Liam Millar, who struggled to make the same sort of impact we saw in midweek.

After a goal and an assist against Plymouth Argyle, the Liverpool gem starved Stockley of decent service throughout the 90 minutes the pair were on the pitch.

As per SofaScore, the 21-year-old Canadian failed to deliver a single accurate cross from four attempts, leaving his target man striker to feed off scraps inside the box.

Furthermore, Millar could only pull off one successful dribble against the Posh’s right flank of Joe Ward and Nathan Thompson.

His struggle to combat the opposition was further seen by the fact that he made four fouls despite only recording one successful tackle. The 5 foot 11 dynamo even lost 14 of his 20 duels (70%) and was seen losing the ball 23 times – the most of anyone on the pitch, comfortably.

It meant the young winger handed possession back to Peterborough once every 3.9 minutes – or once every three touches – so for all his involvement, he was certainly rather disappointing in terms of end product and on the above evidence, was rather weak and ineffective.

Speaking after the match, Adkins claimed Millar was still “learning his way” but that’s not something they can afford to risk with so much on the line heading into May.

The Addicks are now two points adrift of the playoffs and will need to win that game in hand to rise back into contention this week.

AND in other news,  Adkins must resolve key Bowyer problem to bolster promotion hopes…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who made 267 appearances for Newcastle United in the Premier League, admits he feels sorry for Steve Bruce because he’s just like the fans.

Many journalists, players and fans expected and thought Bruce would be relieved of his duties as Newcastle manager after their 3-0 defeat against Brighton last month, but instead he received the full backing and support of both Lee Charnley and Mike Ashley, bouncing back with four points from two games.

Bruce has experienced a turbulent season on Tyneside as they gave Sheffield United their first win of the season, required penalties to get past Newport County in the Carabao Cup before subsequently being knocked out by Championship side Brentford with ease.

Speaking on why he has sympathy for Steve Bruce at Newcastle and what fans must realise, Lee told FFC:

“He’s a Geordie and surely Newcastle fans realise that. I’m not a Geordie but I think I’m an honorary one and If you can’t play football anymore, then surely that’s your ultimate goal to manage Newcastle.

“It’s his dream job. So, regardless of what the fans say, he does have the club’s best interests at heart but like I’ve said on TV, he should have done better.”

Newcastle face a tough run of fixtures now which includes games against the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Leicester City.

The Magpies face Sheffield United and Fulham in their last two games of the seasons which could be where their fate is sealed.

Former Hibernian man and now pundit Tam McManus has admitted he’d ‘be very surprised’ if Celtic didn’t try to bring goalkeeper Ofir Marciano to Parkhead this summer.

The Lowdown: Celtic’s interest

Celtic have been linked with the 31-year-old in recent months. Reports back in March suggested that the Hoops were monitoring the Israel international following their goalkeeping woes this season.

The Hoops have used summer signing Vasilis Barkas, Scott Bain and youngster Conor Hazard during the current campaign, with none of the three exactly establishing themselves as first-choice at Parkhead.

Marciano, who has been with Hibs since 2017, is out of contract in a matter of months and it looks as if the shot-stopper is a man in demand ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

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The Latest: Marciano ‘has offers in Scotland’

Edinburgh Evening News were informed from a source close to the player that the goalkeeper ‘has offers in Scotland’, with Marciano already reportedly rejecting a return to his native country with Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

McManus gave his thoughts to the news on Twitter, saying:

“I’d be very surprised if Celtic didn’t try and get Marciano on a free. Can count on one hand the mistakes he has made at Hibs in 4-5 years. He is a better goalkeeper than any currently at Celtic IMO.”

The Verdict: One must go

Should Celtic firm up their recent interest in Marciano with a view to signing him on a free transfer, we feel as if one of Barkas, Bain or Hazard would need to make way.

Having four senior shot-stoppers to pick from could be too much for the new Hoops manager. Barkas only signed last year in a deal worth £4.5m and Hazard recently signed a new Celtic deal.

On that basis, should the Hoops want to stick with the big-money signing and young prospect, perhaps Bain could be the man to leave.

Celtic may not even be on the search for a new goalkeeper, but McManus would be very surprised if they didn’t make their move for Marciano, so it could be a move worth keeping an eye on.

In other news: ‘We hear’ – 62 y/o drops unconfirmed ‘done deal’ claim at Celtic, find out more here. 

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, Rob Lee, who made 343 appearances for Newcastle United, has claimed that Arsenal will be looking to receive £25 million for Joe Willock, who is currently on loan with the Magpies.

Willock has impressed during his short spell on Tyneside which has led to reports suggesting Newcastle will be looking to bring him back next season, either on loan or on a permanent basis.

The on-loan midfielder has been the subject of reports suggesting that his parent club will be looking for £20 million if Newcastle want to sign him, with the Gunners needing to raise funds if they are to sign Martin Odegaard in the summer.

Speaking on how much Arsenal will want for Joe Willock and what Newcastle have to be careful of during negotiations, Lee told The Transfer Tavern:

“They’ll probably ask for £25 million and that’s the problem these days.

“You look at some players and think, ‘is he worth it?’ There has to be some sort of range where clubs aren’t willing to go past to sign a certain player.”

Willock had been a mainstay since joining from Arsenal, even scoring on his debut, however Steve Bruce has dropped the 21-year old for their last three games.

This is the £20,000 per week midfielder’s first time spent away from Arsenal having come through their academy, and he has already made 78 appearances for the Gunners.

Barry Fry has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that Peterborough United will be forced to sell Rangers target Jonson Clarke-Harris this summer.

The 26-year-old is already a man in demand having scored 31 goals last season to help Posh end their long wait to bring Championship football back to London Road.

Clarke-Harris, who notched 33 goals in all competitions, has interest from several second-tier sides, although Scottish Premiership champions Rangers are also keen on the ex-Bristol Rovers frontman.

Steven Gerrard reportedly sent scouts to London Road to watch the striker play against Accrington Stanley in March, and he impressed by scoring a hat-trick in their 7-0 victory.

Peterborough sold Ivan Toney this time 12 months ago, with Clarke-Harris likely to join a long list of goalscorers that Posh have lost to bigger clubs in recent seasons.

And despite scoring the goals which saw the club promoted, Director of Football Fry told The Transfer Tavern that whilst he would love to keep Clarke-Harris, they’re resigned to losing him in the coming months:

“How can you stand in their way, because it not only affects their life, it affects their families, their parents and grandparents. It is life-changing and we must do it.

“Obviously, we would like to keep all our players – Dwight Gayle, Britt Assombalonga, Ivan Toney, Jack Marriott – what a team we would have had. We would have had 10 centre-forwards and no defenders!”

Celtic are thought to be looking at former Borussia Dortmund manager Lucien Favre as an alternative to Eddie Howe.

That’s according to an exclusive report from Football Insider, who have been informed by a Hoops source that the 63-year-old is a real contender for the vacant post, should Howe snub a Parkhead move.

Celtic’s Howe fear

There are fears Howe is having second thoughts over becoming Neil Lennon’s long-term successor, resulting in the Hoops drawing up an alternative shortlist.

Favre has been out of work since December and has held eight managerial positions over the last 30 years.

Transfer Tavern take

Favre averaged over two points per game during his time in charge of Dortmund and boasts a wealth of experience across Europe. He’s also managed in France and Switzerland, however, in regards to the long-term, we think Howe is the smarter option.

Financially, Favre picked up €4.5 million a year with Dortmund, whereas Howe was thought to be closing in on a deal worth £2 million a year at Parkhead. Howe is also 20 years Favre’s junior, so his outlook could be beneficial in the long run.

It remains to be seen how strong Celtic’s interest in Favre is, but it seems as if their eggs aren’t all in Howe’s basket just yet.

In other news: Premier League side set to bid for Celtic midfielder, find out more here. 

Eddie Howe appears to be closing in on a move to Celtic.

The former Bournemouth manager held face-to-face talks with the club’s major shareholder Dermot Desmond in London this week and is reportedly ready to commit to the Hoops.

Two Howe details emerge

However, the reliable Alan Nixon has since shared two details which still need to be sorted before any deal can be announced.

Nixon, who writes for The Sun, replied to a Celtic fan on Twitter late on Thursday evening, revealing that Howe’s wages and length of the contract still need to be agreed.

Should a deal get over the line, Celtic would be Howe’s third club after stints at Burnley and Bournemouth. The 43-year-old has more than 500 games of senior managerial experience in England, averaging just under four years in each position he has held.

Transfer Tavern take

It seems as if discussions in London went well between Howe and Desmond, with the former ready to agree should the Hoops hierarchy guarantee specific structural changes.

However, as Nixon mentions, wages and the length of the contract still need to be agreed upon before putting pen to paper.

It’s an exciting time, but Celtic fans shouldn’t get ahead of themselves until a deal is formally announced.

In other news: Hoops keen on international defender, find out more here. 

According to a report from the Evening Standard, Chelsea will want in the region of £40 million for striker Tammy Abraham – coming after ExWHUemployee’s recent big claim that he is now West Ham United’s number one forward target.

Indeed, West Ham are still keen on Abraham and especially if manager David Moyes does the previously unthinkable and guides his side to a Champions League place.

GSB told asking price for Abraham

However, the report also suggests that the Irons will face competition from Serie A giants AC Milan for Abraham’s signature – dealing a possible blow in their hopes of landing the Englishman.

As well as this, Chelsea will demand a £40 million asking price due to the fact manager Thomas Tuchel wants to bring in ‘at least’ one top class striker this summer.

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Romelu Lukaku, Sergio Aguero and Erling Haaland are on the west London side’s shortlist of targets but the club will aim for a financial bolster with the £40m sale of Abraham.

Transfer Tavern take

Given his age, the fact he is homegrown and his goal record over the past two seasons – we believe it is no surprise he is West Ham’s priority striking target, per the reliable ExWHUemployee.

In the Premier League alone, he has bagged a consistent 21 goals in 37 starts since the beginning of 2019/2020 (WhoScored) – as well as being dubbed a ‘phenomenal player’ recently by former Scotland manager Alex McLeish (Football Insider).

However, as GSB are told it will take £40m to sign the forward, West Ham may need to invest heavily as they also aim to clinch a permanent deal for star loanee Jesse Lingard.

With Lingard’s price only going upwards thanks to his incredible form, we feel it will be difficult for Moyes to convince GSB to part with two big transfer fees for the English pair.

In other news: GSB are also ‘dreaming’ of a return for this star, find out more here.

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been reacting to the club’s official Twitter post regarding Premier League dates for next season.

The Premier League have announced that the 2021/22 campaign will start on the 14th August 2021, and end on the 22nd May 2022.

It seems extremely likely that the Eagles will be taking part in the top-flight once again next season, with Roy Hodgson’s side 11 points clear of the drop zone with nine games still to go.

Hodgson will turn 74 days before the new season kicks off though, with his Selhurst Park future up in the air and time on his contract ticking down.

Reports last month suggested the Englishman was ‘undecided’ over his future at the club, with his current deal due to expire at the end of the season.

Palace fans react

Palace posted the dates regarding next season on their official Twitter page on Thursday afternoon.

This is what these Eagles fans had to say, with some poking fun at Hodgson’s expense.

“Hopefully the start of a new and better era!”

Credit: @CPFCAlfie

“Just don’t tell Roy”

Credit: @Ukhilal1957

“Can’t wait to be back”

Credit: @cpfc_sean

“Sack Roy”

Credit: @DonnyToIiver

“Will we have a squad”

Credit: @rickyj555

“Announce Hodgson octogenarian contract”

Credit: @JA9GOAT

In other news: Palace eye Championship centre-back valued at just £450k, find out more here.