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According to reports in the Daily Mirror, Everton are said to be the latest Premier League club who are interested in signing young Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Steve Walsh, who is Everton’s Director of Football, was reportedly at the Cottagers’ win against Preston North End on Saturday to watch the 16-year-old left-back.

Would he have been impressed?

Yes, certainly.

Sessegnon has made 15 Championship appearances for the west London outfit this term and the one against North End was the latest in a long line of impressive showings.

The youngster continues to get rave reviews and it seems only a matter of time before he moves to the Premier League.

Are Everton likely to make a move in the summer?

They could well do.

The Merseyside outfit have already shown that they aren’t scared to sign players from the lower leagues following the arrival of Ademola Lookman from League One outfit Charlton Athletic during the January transfer window, and they could now be ready to raid Fulham.

Where would he fit in if he did move to Goodison?

With the influential Leighton Baines getting no younger, Ronald Koeman may be looking to find a long-term replacement for the 32-year-old this summer.

Brendan Galloway impressed in appearances for the Toffees last term but has struggled to get into the West Brom side in a season-long loan spell this, meaning Koeman could choose to bring in a player instead.

As well as his defensive capabilities, Sessegnon has also shown his threat at the other end of the pitch by scoring two goals and picking up two assists.

Would the player be keen on the move?

The 16-year-old will want to be playing regular football if he does leave Craven Cottage, and he will certainly be impressed by the fact that Lookman has made a number of appearances for the first team since his move in January.

The chance to play every week could swing the balance in Everton’s favour as opposed to the top teams in the Premier League.

Speaking exclusively to The Herald, former Celtic manager Ronny Deila has opened up about his spell in Glasgow, feeling that his time at the club was not the failure some people characterise it as.

What’s the story?

Deila is now back in Norway managing Valarenga but took time out of his busy schedule to sit down with The Herald and talk through the last few years of his career.

By the end of his reign at Celtic he was a divisive figure in the support, many feeling that the job had become too big for him and others feeling that in delivering two titles in a row that he deserved another season.

Deila himself reckons that his time at the club was a success and is proud of achieving what he did as a Norwegian coming into British football.

As quoted by The Herald, the ex-Celtic boss said:

I know what British football is about now. I know the culture and I would be much more comfortable if I went into a similar situation. In my eyes, I wasn’t a failure. And also, if you look at the Scandinavian people, only one man has lasted more than two years in British football and that was Sven Goran Eriksson.

It’s an interesting take on his time in Scotland and although he never took Celtic to great heights in Europe or delivered the kind of consistency we’re seeing at the club under Brendan Rodgers, his two title wins have been absolutely vital in Celtic’s quest for the hallowed ’10-in-a-row’.

Failure?

Deila won two league trophies and league cup at Celtic, also guiding them to the Round of 32 in the UEFA Europa League in his first season, the only time in the last four seasons they have seen European football after Christmas.

His failure to reach the group stage of the UEFA Champions League is a mark against his record and ultimately may have been what cost him his job. A devastating defeat to Rangers in last year’s Scottish Cup semi-final also played a huge part.

If Celtic do go on to win ten consecutive titles in a row then Deila’s place in Celtic history will be secure and any manager that wins back-to-back league titles can’t be considered a failure.

Still, it was the right time for him to depart and we’ve seen this season just how big an impact a manager of real quality and experience can make at Celtic Park.

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According to reports from the Mirror, Chelsea believe that they will win the race to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk for £50m this summer.

The Dutchman, who may have played his last game for the south coast outfit having almost certainly been ruled out for the rest of the campaign because of a foot injury he picked up against Leicester in January, looks set to become the latest star to leave St Mary’s Stadium, it seems.

The news will come as a blow for Saints manager Claude Puel, who would have hoped that he could keep hold of his captain – who only signed a new six-year deal with the club last May – for at least another season.

Having already lost Jose Fonte to West Ham during the January transfer window, the latest rumours mean that signing a centre-back will be Puel’s priority this summer.

Here are FOUR potential Van Dijk replacements the Frenchman could target…

Malang Sarr

Having moved to St Mary’s after leaving Nice last summer, there is no doubt that Claude Puel will have been keeping a close eye on how his former side are doing this season.

The French outfit currently sit in third position in the Ligue 1 table, and Puel would certainly have been impressed by the performances of Sarr at the heart of the defence.

The 18-year-old has made over 20 league appearances for the club and while there are still aspects of his game that need to be improved, he has shown that he has the potential to go to the very top.

Harry Maguire

While Hull City have spent the majority of the Premier League season battling at the wrong end of the table, it hasn’t stopped Maguire putting in a number of eye-catching performances at the heart of the defence, where he has made, impressively, over 100 clearances in Premier League action.

Similarly to Van Dijk, the 24-year-old has an aerial dominance and ability to bring the ball out, and Saints scouts will surely have been watching the centre-back closely should their captain depart for Stamford Bridge this summer.

Ruben Semedo

In terms of stature, Semedo is probably the most similar to Van Dijk on this list, and the 6ft. 3” centre-back certainly has all of the attributes to be as strong in the air as the Dutchman is.

The 22-year-old has ability with the ball on the floor, too, though – he has a passing accuracy of 90% in Primeira Liga action for Sporting CP this term – and his age and potential mean that he fits perfectly into the club’s transfer philosophy.

One worry might be that he picked up two red cards this season, but the Saints don’t often sign the finished article and they would look to improve the defender if he moved to St Mary’s.

Nathan Ake

The 22-year-old impressed during a loan spell with Bournemouth in the first half of this season – where he made 12 appearances in all competitions and scored three goals – and he would have hoped that he could stake his claim for a spot in the first-team under Antonio Conte on his return to Stamford Bridge.

However, Ake has made just two outings since his return to the capital – both in the FA Cup – and looks certain to leave the Blues this summer, especially if Van Dijk signs.

Having put in some dominant displays for the Cherries, he could be the man the Saints target to replace their influential captain.

Tottenham Hotspur picked up their seventh consecutive victory in all competitions with a thumping 4-0 win at home to Watford on Saturday.In a dominant performance that delighted the Spurs faithful, Mauricio Pochettino’s side had the game won by half-time, heading into the interval 3-0 up thanks to goals from Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Son Heung-Min.The Korean striker completed a brace shortly after half-time to put the cherry on top of the home support’s day and give them real belief they can push Chelsea all the way in the title race.At the heart of it all again was Dele Alli, whose opener happened to be his sixth goal in his last eight matches for the club, part of an incredible nineteen goal total for his side this season. Also contributing six assists so far this term, it’s clear that he is one of the hottest midfielders in the entire Premier League right now.In fact, as this stat from Opta shows, he’s one of the most talented English midfielders for his age in decades.

That’s some illustrious talent he’s outpacing. It would be one thing if he was in the same ballpark at those three legends, but he’s outstripping their goal contributions at a ridiculous rate, even when you take into his account his more advanced position in the Spurs set-up.

With the goals and assists likely to flow for years to come, Tottenham fans must be rubbing their hands together at the though of where he can lead them.

Liverpool’s win over West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on Sunday was not one for the neutrals. Roberto Firmino’s winner after 46 minutes was the only goal of the afternoon and just one of four shots on target as Jurgen Klopp’s side pulled themselves over the line in a cagey affair.

But there’s no need for Liverpool fans to focus on the negatives. The Reds are now third in the table after chalking up another three points and although it was hardly a stellar display from them in the Midlands, the eighth-placed Baggies have undoubtedly been the best of the rest in the Premier League this season – nowhere near the top seven yet head and shoulders above the rest of the mid-tablers.

It was a tense and unspectacular display from Liverpool but there were still some heroes of the hour, not least including goalscorer Firmino and centre-back signing Joel Matip, who helped the Reds to an uncharacteristic clean sheet away from home.

So, which of those two deserves the Man of the Match award, or should it go to another Liverpool star? Let us know by voting below!

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho opted against scolding his midfielder Maroune Fellaini after he was sent off in Thursday night’s derby, but instead turned the spotlight on Sergio Aguero.

Fellaini, who is no stranger to controversy, was shown a straight red card for appearing to headbutt the Manchester City striker just seconds after fouling him.

It was the main talking point of a match which ended in a goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium.

While speaking to reporters after the game, Mourinho claimed that Fellaini would not have been given his marching orders if Aguero had not hit the floor.

Sky Sports  quotes the United boss as saying:

“So, I am not so sure. I think if Sergio doesn’t go to the floor, for sure it is not a red card. But if Marouane gave him the chance to do that… I don’t know.

“I didn’t watch but probably I can guess it’s a bit of a red card and that it’s a bit of a very experienced, smart Argentinian player.”

Mourinho seems to suggest that Aguero deliberately confronted his opponent in the hope of provoking a reaction.

Fans had their say on the Portuguese coach’s claims, with some frustrated with the manager’s constant backing of Fellaini, whom many United supporters want to leave the club.

Leeds United supporters expressed their worry on Twitter after Swansea City boss Paul Clement claimed that he wants Kyle Bartley to return to the club this summer.

The 25-year-old defender joined the Whites on a season-long loan, reuniting with his former Swansea boss Garry Monk.

Bartley swiftly became a fan favourite, playing in all but one of Leeds’ Championship games and even contributed with six goals and two assists.

The West Yorkshire-based club failed to make the playoffs, despite occupying a place in the top six for a significant period of time.

The disappointment could extend to the transfer window this summer following Clement’s claims that Bartley will return to the Liberty Stadium once his loan expires.

The Swansea head coach told reporters:

“It’s unusual loan players captaining the side, he’s done well, but from our point of view I’m looking forward him coming back and working with him. As far as I’m concerned he’s a Swansea player and he’s staying. He’s coming back here.”

As expected, the Leeds fans are not happy with his comments, but some are optimistic that Bartley will want to stay at Elland Road.

It has been suggested by some supporters that Garry Monk’s future at the club could determine whether Bartley stays or goes.

The manager’s current contract expires this summer.

According to reports in The Mirror, Everton have accepted that midfielder Ross Barkley won’t sign the new deal that he has been offered and that there is now no going back.

With his current contract set to run out next summer, the Toffees had offered the 23-year-old new terms that would see him earn £100,000-a-week, but he is understood to have rejected it.

Ronald Koeman had recently told the player that if he didn’t commit his future to the Merseyside club at the end of the campaign, then he would be sold this summer to ensure they avoid losing him for nothing.

That now appears to be what will happen with the Toffees ready to demand £50m for the England international from any interested parties.

Everton supporters were quick to have their say on the rumour via social media, and they are distraught that the youth product could leave the club and believe that he has been badly advised by his agent.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

It does appear that Wayne Rooney will be leaving Manchester United in this summer’s transfer window, but there are no suggestions that the 31-year-old is ready to hang up his boots.

It would be fair to say that the England captain struggled for the Red Devils last season, although he hit some form in the latter stages of the campaign when head coach Jose Mourinho rung the changes.

A record of 253 goals makes him Man United’s all-time leading scorer, and there is no doubting that the forward has enjoyed a sensational career at Old Trafford following a 2004 move to Everton.

As expected, Rooney represented Man United’s 2008 team in Michael Carrick’s testimonial on Sunday afternoon, and an entertaining clash at Old Trafford finished 2-2.

Rooney started and finished the fixture against a team managed by Harry Redknapp, but the Premier League striker struggled to make his mark against an outfit largely made up of former professionals.

It was not just Man United’s supporters that took to Twitter to criticise Rooney, with a number of football fans quick to jump on the 31-year-old’s less-than-impressive performance.

According to reports in The Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur are set to battle Premier League rivals Liverpool and Everton, as well as Juventus, for the £30m signing of Lazio forward Keita Balde Diao.

The 22-year-old is refusing to sign a new contract with the Serie A giants following an impressive campaign with performances that have alerted a number of clubs, both in Italy and in England.

It is believed that the Senegal international is holding out for a move to last season’s Champions League finalists Juventus, but if a transfer to the Old Lady fails to materialise he could come to the English top flight.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is keen to strengthen his squad this summer to ensure that they are contenders to win the Premier League title again next season, and bringing the attacker to north London would certainly help that cause.

Here are three reasons Tottenham must win the race to sign Keita Balde Diao…

Performance

The forward showed just how good he can be by scoring 16 goals and providing a further five assists in 31 Serie A appearances last season, and those are statistics that certainly will have caught the eye of Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentine boss will be looking for attacking players that can have more of an impact than Moussa Sissoko and Georges-Kevin N’Koudou had after joining the club last summer, and he could get it in the form of the impressive 22-year-old.

Pace

While the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen are certainly no slouches, they aren’t lightning-quick either and the arrival of Keita Balde would certainly add another attacking dimension to the Spurs frontline.

The Senegal international has bags of pace and as well as being a menace for opposition defenders, he would also be hugely effective on the counter-attack – something that might be particularly useful in the Champions League and on the big Wembley pitch next season.

Potential

Having already shown how good he can be at a big club like Lazio despite being just 22 years of age, the sky seems to be the limit for the Senegal international.

The forward has plenty of time to improve his game and when you see how Dele Alli and Harry Kane have brought on their respective games under Mauricio Pochettino, there is no reason why Keita Balde can’t do the same.

While £30m may seem like a sizeable fee, it could prove to be a bargain in the long-term if the attacker can play a pivotal part in helping Spurs win their first Premier League title.

Do you agree, Spurs fans? Let us know below.