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Manchester City are reportedly still keen on West Ham United’s Declan Rice and the Englishman could be the ideal replacement for Fernandinho in Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad.

What’s the word?

According to The Times, Manchester City are still keen on the England international although West Ham are likely to demand £100m for their talismanic midfielder.

Whilst Fernandinho emphasised just how good he still is towards the end of the season, the 36-year-old only committed to a new one-year deal after the season had ended and it seems likely that he will either leave City or retire at the end of the current campaign.

Even if the veteran Brazilian remains after that he cannot be expected to control City’s midfield for the long-term future and therefore it seems clear that a replacement is needed.

Whilst Rodri was brought in as the natural successor to the former Shakhtar Donetsk man in midfield, he has disappointed at times during his spell at the Etihad and lost his regular spot in the starting eleven in key fixtures last season, with Fernandinho notably dropping a masterclass in both legs against PSG in the Champions League semi-final.

Would Rice be a good signing for City?

Therefore, it is no surprise that they are being linked with Rice, who has established himself as a key player for club and country despite being just 22-years-old.

The midfielder has already made 147 appearances for the senior side at West Ham, in which he has contributed five goals and seven assists, and he was a driving force in David Moyes’ side last season as they qualified for the Europa League.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-manchester-city-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Manchester City transfer rumours and news!”]

The former Chelsea youngster would make 32 appearances in the top-flight, contributing two goals and one assist and averaging a solid 7.02 rating for his performances from WhoScored, whilst he has also started this season in impressive fashion for the Hammers.

Moyes was full of praise for Rice last season, saying: “He is such an improved player. I really think he is doing a great job as a player and we are building up hope that he will be an outstanding captain.

“The role, his responsibility he takes on the pitch because of his young age, his leadership qualities will build. He has learned from Harry Kane and Mark Noble.”

[freshpress-quiz id=“577936”]

Therefore, the Englishman clearly has potential as a captain and would therefore be the dream replacement for Fernandinho, as the Brazilian’s impact both on and off the pitch will surely be missed when he eventually leaves Manchester City.

And, in other news… Txiki heading for Man City transfer disaster with “world-class” beast

Tottenham are not interested in a move for reported Aston Villa target Weston McKennie, according to Fabrizio Romano.

And the update from the transfer expert had plenty of Villa fans talking on social media.

McKennie emerged as a Villa target on Tuesday, with Sportmediaset, cited by GIFN, suggesting links regarding a potential Villa Park switch were new.

The 22-year-old is reportedly up for sale, and Romano provided some more details on the USA international on Twitter.

Romano admitted that Spurs and Juventus are not in talks over a transfer, ruling out a possible swap move involving Moussa Sissoko.

He then claimed that the Italian giants would only part ways with the central midfielder if they receive an ‘important bid’ of more than €25/30m.

Villa fans react

Romano’s Twitter post on Tuesday lunchtime led to these Villa fans giving their thoughts.

Many urged Villa to make their move late in the window, with McKennie potentially becoming the club’s fourth big-money addition of the summer.

“Wow @AVFCOfficial pay imo”

Credit: @DG_Avfc

“come on villa”

Credit: @jordstrangeAVFC

“Guess that only leaves Villa interested”

Credit: @OllyAVFC_

“Pay it villa”

Credit: @LeoAVFC82

“Notice how he didn’t say villa aren’t interested”

Credit: @ViIlaI_

“Villa might be able to pull this off!!!”

Credit: @BOOMBEEF

In other news: £25.6m price tag: Jose Mourinho now keen on late swoop for ‘fantastic’ Villa star. 

Arsenal star Vivianne Miedema will be out for 'several weeks' because of 'minor knee surgery', days after starting for the Netherlands against Spain.

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• Miedema started for Netherlands vs Spain last week
• Now requires 'minor knee surgery'
• Arsenal boss says she would've needed it anyway

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Miedema returned from a long spell on the sidelines with a ruptured ACL in October and her minutes have been managed since, with knee irritation also keeping her out of some recent games. She was back for Arsenal's win over Manchester United before the international break and then started for the Netherlands in their Nations League semi-final against Spain, but Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall has now revealed that the forward needs surgery after returning from the Dutch camp early.

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• WHAT EIDEVALL SAID

  Speaking to reporters on Friday, Eidevall said: "She requires a minor knee surgery and that is going to have her off the pitch for several weeks. We will have an update on that after the surgery and when we see how she is progressing."

  Asked about the communication with the Netherlands team and about Miedema's start against Spain in midweek, he added: "We have good communication with all the national teams that we work with but we also have to have a lot of respect for the autonomy in the decision making. The Netherlands were playing some really, really important games for them, both for a Nations League trophy and maybe more importantly for Olympic qualification. They also need to take the decisions that are best for them.

  "What is important in all these conversations is that I always think that we put the player at the forefront and we're trying to find solutions that are the best for the player, and we need to cooperate. She doesn't need a surgery because of those 45 minutes she played against Spain. She would have needed the surgery anyway. It was nothing that the Dutch team did that complicated this here or made the situation worse. It was a situation that needed to be fixed anyway."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Miedema's absence is a big blow for an Arsenal team that recently reasserted themselves in the Women's Super League title race, with the Gunners now only three points behind Chelsea and Manchester City. With three players currently at the CONCACAF W Gold Cup, Eidevall doesn't have an abundance of options available to him right now.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Miedema is the all-time top goal-scorer in WSL history, having netted 79 times in 101 appearances for Arsenal since signing from Bayern Munich in 2017.

Phil Parkinson has rejected suggestions that Wrexham receive "preferential treatment" from referees after MK Dons were denied a goal on Tuesday.

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• Wrexham get away with controversial goal-line incident
• MK Dons coach Williamson hit out at refereeing decision
• Parkinson rubbished Williamson's "one-sided view"

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  MK Dons boss Mike Williamson suggested that Wrexham have benefited from a series of contentious decisions during their matches. Williamson's frustration stemmed from an incident where Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo looked to fumble a shot from Joe Tomlinson over the line, which he believed should have been awarded as a goal. Expressing his exasperation, Williamson commented, "I don't know where to start with that, I don't think I've ever seen anything like it."

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• WHAT PARKINSON SAID

  Parkinson vehemently refuted such claims and stated: "I really don't think we get any preferential treatment, I don't see that at all. I've been constantly this season going through clips of decisions we could have got, penalties or red cards which were harsh against us, but over the course of the season you've got to accept it and it balances itself out."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While acknowledging the potential fortune in the Okonkwo incident, Parkinson went on to highlight several key decisions that he felt went against his team during the match. "First of all as managers, we all look at things in a one-sided view," he said. "Obviously that [Okonkwo] incident it looks as it's gone against them. But equally when you review the game back, Dean Lewington stamped on Andy Cannon.

  "On another day that for me is a red card, and also [there was] the one where Ryan Barnett wriggled through on the right-hand side and crossed it and the lad just hauled Ollie Palmer down when he was going to put the ball in the back of the net. So for me that's a definite penalty and the more you look at that the more you can't see how the referee hasn't given it."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The debate over refereeing decisions and perceived bias will continue to rage on as managers continue to hold differing opinions on specific contentious incidents. However, the Red Dragons must put aside the controversy and focus on their upcoming fixture against Gillingham on Saturday as they continue to push for a second successive promotion. They are currently third in League Two, three points off leaders Stockport.

Premier League champions Manchester City have been linked with a shock summer move for rumoured Sheffield Wednesday transfer target Kyle Hudlin.

The Lowdown: Owls linked with Hudlin move

The Owls have had a busy summer in the transfer window, bringing in 13 new players in order to aid their League One promotion bid.

One player who hasn’t joined yet but has been linked with a move to Hillsborough in recent months is Hudlin, who is a remarkable 6 foot 9 tall and has scored 10 goals in 36 appearances for National League side Solihull Moors.

The Latest: City emerge as shock suitors

A surprise update has now emerged, with The Athletic claiming that Manchester City are considering signing the striker, who has been reported as ‘the tallest outfield professional player in Britain’.

The Premier League giants have sent representatives to watch Hudlin in action, with Middlesbrough and Cardiff City also mentioned as possible suitors.

The Verdict: Surely not?

It remains to be seen whether Wednesday’s prior interest in Hudlin remains strong, but it would be a huge shock if he went to Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola’s side are known for their huge spending and are keen on signing Harry Kane from Tottenham, who as England captain and a renowned Premier League goalscorer is a few levels above Hudlin, with the greatest of respect to the Solihull Moors marksman.

At 21, he does represent an exciting young prospect, though, and he could be a very useful option for Wednesday, given his extraordinary height and proven scoring ability. Perhaps the Owls remain more realistic candidates than Man City despite the Premier League champions’ apparent interest.

In other news, some Sheff Wed fans have criticised an Owls player despite their win over Doncaster Rovers. Read more here.

Benjamin Mendy is making a multi-million pound claim against former club Manchester City for unpaid wages, according to a lawyer acting on his behalf.

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• Mendy launches legal claim against Man City
• Defender claiming up to £10m in unpaid wages
• Frenchman was cleared of all charges against him

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The French defender was suspended by City in September 2021 after being charged with rape. He faced a lengthy trial and in January of this year he was cleared of six counts of rape and one of sexual assault. On July 14, he was found not guilty of one count of rape and one of attempted rape. Shortly after being cleared, Mendy joined Lorient as a free agent. He has made three appearances for the Ligue 1 side.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mendy is suing City for between £9 million and £10 million ($11-12m), according to journalist Jack Gaughan. Mendy was barred from entering Greater Manchester due to the conditions of his bail, which prevented him from training or playing for City. The club told Mendy they would not pay him after the trial concluded.

• WHAT MENDY'S LAWYER SAID

  A statement from Nick De Marco KC read: “Nick De Marco KC (instructed by Laffer Abogados Madrid) is acting for the former Manchester City player Benjamin Mendy in a multi-million pound claim for unauthorised deductions from wages.

  “Manchester City FC failed to pay Mr Mendy any wages at all from September 2021, following Mr Mendy being charged with various offences all of which he was subsequently acquitted of, until the end of his contract in June 2023."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MENDY AND MAN CITY?

  City, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment from GOAL, are set to be taken to an employment trial by Mendy in the coming weeks.

Ryan Reynolds made a hilarious sex joke after ex-Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster claimed to be behind the huge spike in the city's birth rates.

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• Foster claims responsibility for birth rate rise
• Wrexham's January births up 24%
• Reynolds make funny sex joke remark

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Retired goalkeeper Foster, who helped Wrexham get promoted to League Two last year after a short stint in his second spell with the club, posted a video about how there had been 205 January births at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, up 40 from the same time last year. Club co-owner Reynolds leapt at the chance to comment on this, referencing the 'pull the goalie' phrase – which is when a couple stop taking birth control and have unprotected sex to make babies.

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• WATCH THE CLIP

  Hollywood star Reynolds tweeted about Foster's video and wrote: "Normally this happens when you pull the goalie, not the other way around. Trust me."

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  WHAT BEN FOSTER SAID

  In a Fozcast video, Foster said: "It's come to the attention of the club [Wrexham] that in January the birth rate in Wrexham jumped nearly 25 per cent from this time last year – and I feel kind of responsible."

  After promoting his new partnership with VistaPrint, he added: "So to all you Wrexham-loving parents, congratulations! Here is hoping to more babies next January. Welcome to the world, fellow Bens!"

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  In different ways, both Reynolds and Foster have played a huge role in progressing the club of late. The Welsh side ended their 15-year stay in the National League by coming first in the division last season and now they are fighting to get promoted to League One, with the Red Dragons just outside the automatic promotion spots. While Foster retired for a second time at the start of this campaign, he will go down as a club hero and Reynolds is, arguably, approaching legendary territory since taking over the club three years ago with fellow actor Rob McElhenney.

Phil Parkinson has revealed the touching text message he received from Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney following a 5-0 thrashing against Stockport.

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• Dragons secured promotion last season
• Hollywood stars boast big ambition
• Full support of playing & coaching staff

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Dragons suffered a humbling reversal away at fellow League Two promotion hopefuls on September 23, with that contest seeing them concede five goals for the third time in the 2023-24 campaign. There was to be no emotional reaction to that drubbing, though, with the Welsh outfit retaining full confidence in their playing and coaching staff.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Wrexham have gone nine games unbeaten since that painful setback, winning six across all competitions, and remain among the fourth tier frontrunners following their record-breaking promotion back into the Football League last season.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  McElhenney, along with fellow co-chairman Ryan Reynolds, continues to deliver financial and emotional support to Parkinson and his players, with the Wrexham boss saying at the FWA Northern Writers Awards: “Every promotion or title or cup you win as a manager is hard. It's really, really, really tough. There are tight dividing lines all the time and you need really good people alongside you. And with the glitz and the glamour of the Hollywood owners, that's great. But Rob and Ryan are really genuine people and have been so supportive to me and Steve. Not just financially, if we need to get a player in, but moral support, every time they come over or if we have a bad result. We got beat 5-0 at Stockport a few months ago, the first text was from McElhenney – ‘Phil we're right behind you, we're right with you’ and that means a much as being supported financially.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Wrexham have moved into the second round of the FA Cup this season, are set to progress from their group in the Football League Trophy, and sit third in the League Two table after 16 games – five points back on leaders Stockport.

Former Wrexham striker Jake Hyde admits to having embarrassed himself during a first meeting with club co-owner Ryan Reynolds.

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• Hollywood stars calling the shots
• Made an impact on and off the field
• Impressed everybody in North Wales

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 33-year-old joined the Dragons in 2021 – shortly before Paul Mullin's arrival – and was thrust straight under the spotlight at a club that sees their every move documented in the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ television series.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Hyde has no problem with being in front of the camera, but concedes that he lost his cool when crossing paths with Reynolds for the first time. He quickly became comfortable around the Deadpool actor and his fellow co-chairman Rob McElhenney, but did start out in fanboy mode.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Hyde has told the of the famous owners in North Wales: “It was so mad. I knew loads about Ryan, I’ve watched loads of his films. Stupidly, and probably the least cool thing I’ve ever done in my life, I told him straight away that one of my favourite comedies was The Change Up. That’s straight off the bat, I didn’t even introduce myself, just ‘hi, I really like Change Up’ – it was terrible! The person he is, I can’t speak highly enough of him – just as a general man, as a polite bloke. Across the whole of my career – I’ve played for 10 different clubs – never had a chairman text you on your birthday. He’s just, as a bloke, unbelievable. The fact that he is so well known, how well he has done and all the success, for him to still be that man and character is says bundles about him. He’s a really, really top bloke.

  “And I would say the same about Rob. Rob I spoke to a little less, I didn’t see him quite as much but again, as a bloke, when he was there he was finding out about us, asking about us, how’s the family etc. He knew so much about us. One thing I remember thinking about Rob is – because I think when they first took over they were still learning on the job, how a football club is run, even how football is run, just how football is – he knew so much. Rob was hooked from the start. I’m sure Ryan was as well, but Rob would surprise me with the things he knew. He would tell me something that happened to me a year ago and I was like ‘how does he even…’ So it was obvious that he was super invested and had done all his research for ages. People always say don’t meet your heroes because you’ll be disappointed, but those two exceeded my expectations 10 fold. You expect someone that well known and high calibre of a person to get a bit fed up and be like ‘I’ve had enough of that and want to be on my own’, but they weren’t. They were so excited to be around us, to talk to us and they always made such an effort. That went a long way with the boys.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Reynolds and McElhenney helped to bankroll Wrexham’s return to the Football League in 2022-23, while they have also made an important contribution to the local community – with the pair showing that a hands-on approach to club ownership can be beneficial to all concerned.

Everton are interested in a deal to bring Marvelous Nakamba to Goodison Park this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Daily Mail, who claim that Rafael Benitez is looking to bolster his options in the middle of the park in the summer transfer window, with the Aston Villa midfielder believed to be high on his list of targets.

The report goes on to state that Dean Smith would be reluctant to lose the services of the 27-year-old ahead of next season, although it is believed that the Toffees, along with Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace, are ready to test Villa’s resolve regarding the Zimbabwe international with an offer in the coming weeks.

Nakamba could finally replace Gueye

With defensive midfield having been something of an issue for Everton since the departure of Idrissa Gueye back in 2019, as the club’s replacement for the 31-year-old, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, has made just three appearances for the Toffees, it is easy to see why Benitez is keen to strengthen in the position this summer.

And, considering the impressive performance of Nakamba for Villa last season, should Marcel Brands be able to get a deal over the line for the midfielder this summer, he could have finally found Gueye’s heir in the position.

Indeed, despite featuring sparingly for Smith’s side last time out, the £6.3m-rated man nevertheless shone over his 13 Premier League appearances, making an average of 1.3 interceptions, 1.7 tackles, 0.6 clearances and winning 3.2 duels per game.

These metrics saw the man Smith dubbed an “excellent” player earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.91, ranking him as Villa’s 13th-best performer in the top flight of English football.

Furthermore, although Gbamin now appears to be injury-free ahead of Everton’s upcoming Premier League campaign, whether or not the Ivory Coast international is the same player he was for Mainz – having spent two years on the sidelines due to three very serious injuries – is anyone’s guess.

Either way, it would seem as if, with the 25-year-old being Benitez’s only option in the position, the Spaniard simply cannot rely on the fitness of Gbamin over 38 Premier League games, meaning that a move for a defensive midfielder, and the £34k-per-week Nakamba in particular, should be Brands’ priority this summer.

In other news: Bye-bye Rodriguez: Benitez must seal Everton swoop for “exceptional” 33-goal wizard