EXCLUSIVE! Gordon boards flight ahead of 69.3m Barcelona move!
Watch Your Site News exclusive footage of Anthony Gordon departing from Newcastle to complete his medical at Barcelona, alongside his representative Adam Dugdale.
Will Wharton, Kamada & Lerma stay at Palace? Parish provides transfer update!
Has Hayden Hackney played his last game for Middlesbrough?
Following Middlesbrough's defeat in the Championship play-off final, the Your Site Essential EFL podcast panel have been discussing whether Hayden Hackney has played his last game for the club.
Hackney, 23, has been at Boro all his life and is current club captain. But it seems as though he is set for a move to the Premier League this summer.
"I'd be surprised if Hayden Hackney is still at Middlesbrough by September," said Your Site' Gary Weaver.
"Brentford like him a lot. Everton like him. Forest and Ipswich both made bids last season. I think Middlesbrough are resigned to the fact he will probably go.
"He's been a fantastic Championship player this season. Even in that brief cameo in the final you saw how opposition teams react to him."
While Andy Hinchcliffe says that linking up with former boss Michael Carrick at Man Utd could even be a possibility for Hackney.
"The first time I saw Hackney play I noticed he was a ball carrier who keeps his head up. That's a Premier League trait. He understands what's going on around him.
"I've even heard Manchester United mentioned. That might sound ambitious but they are looking at younger talented players and Hackney fits the bill. Training with elite midfielders can elevate a player massively.
"If the offers are from mid-table Premier League clubs he may think long and hard because he clearly cares about Middlesbrough. But it feels like only a matter of time before he moves to the Premier League."
Listen to the full episode of the latest Your Site Essential EFL podcast below
Why Rashford could still re-join Barca despite Gordon deal - but Alvarez a factor too
Barcelona remain interested in another deal for Marcus Rashford regardless of the imminent signing of Anthony Gordon - but the Spanish club are targeting Julian Alvarez next.
There has been widespread speculation that Gordon's 69.3m deal is instead of signing Rashford - but Your Site News understands that is not the case and every option is still on the table.
Barcelona have until June 15 to activate their 26m (30m) option to buy Rashford, although Your Site News has reported before that the Spanish club have an interest in another loan arrangement.
However, Your Site News expects Barcelona to make a big-money move for Atletico Madrid striker Alvarez once they seal the signing of Gordon this week, pending a medical.
Barcelona have more money this summer after winning LaLiga - and their priority for that pot is to sign a winger, striker and centre-back. An official, money-only bid is anticipated soon for Alvarez so - while signing Gordon changes nothing for Rashford - what a successful Alvarez mission means for him remains to be seen.
Uncertainty over Iraola next move with AC Milan and Palace options
AC Milans interest in Andoni Iraola does not appear to be progressing and he seems no more likely to join Crystal Palace either despite their Conference League triumph.
The soon-to-be-ex-Bournemouth boss held talks with Milan earlier this week. However, Iraola is understood to have reservations and conversations have gone no further for now.
Milan are in the midst of a complete executive and coaching overhaul, with a new chief executive, sporting director and head coach all needing to be hired.
Iraola has been top of Crystal Palaces list to replace Oliver Glasner for some time and they have been holding out hope that the Spaniard would run out of options elsewhere.
But it is still thought to be unlikely that he ends up at Selhurst Park despite Palace now joining Bournemouth in qualifying for the Europa League.
Several sources have told Your Site News that, although Iraola has been open about his next move to all those interested, including Palace, he is expected to join a bigger club.
According to Sky in Italy, the other clubs Iraola is open to are Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool.
But there is no vacancy at Anfield and Your Site News has already reported that Arne Slot is expected to continue in charge next season, while Leverkusen are currently talking to Felipe Luis about being their next head coach, according to Sky Germany.
It therefore remains uncertain where the increasingly enigmatic Iraola ends up as he leaves Bournemouth and is replaced by Marco Rose.
Also on Crystal Palaces list are the likes of Pierre Sage, Frank Lampard and Kieran McKenna, although none have progressed any further than that so far.
Bournemouth targeting centre-back and striker this summer
Latest from Your Site News' Mark McAdam:
As the summer window approaches, Bournemouth will probably be one of the quieter sides in the market. Their focus is signing a left-sided centre-back and a striker. They need to replace the departing Marcos Senesi, and they want to add extra firepower up top.
They also are reviewing their goalkeeping options and want to cement a strong group of three top goalkeepers that can all compete to be number one.
There will be departures, but more than likely among the fringe players who have not seen much game time this season.
Bournemouth are also optimistic they will meet the financial challenges that come with playing European football - most notably ensuring they fall within the 70% squad-cost ratio set by UEFA.
Bournemouth aim to resist Rayan, Scott and Kroupi Jnr interest
Latest from Your Site News' Mark McAdam:
Bournemouth stars Rayan, Alex Scott and Kroupi Junior are all on the radar of the top clubs in world football but are considered not for sale this summer.
The Cherries are bracing themselves for another summer of interest in their best players but are determined to keep them, especially having sold 200m-worth of talent last summer.
Financially, the club are in a strong position and, with European football on the horizon, they believe these players have no desire to want to move on this summer either, knowing that continuing their development at Bournemouth can be key to their future success.
Rayan, who joined the club in January and has been called up by Brazil for the World Cup, made an instant impact with five goals and two assists and he has an 86.6m (100m) release clause, which does not kick in until the summer of 2027.
Kroupi who scored the most debut-season goals of any teenager in Premier League history is being monitored by Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint Germain and a number of Premier League sides including Manchester City and Arsenal, but he does not have a release clause.
Bournemouth believe Kroupi spending more time on the south-coast will only enhance his ability to get a big-club move further down the line. Their philosophy is to buy players and develop them over time, not just move them on quickly.
In that vein, Bournemouth are also in talks with Alex Scott over extending his contract. He still has two years remaining on his current deal but the club are aware he needs to be rewarded financially after his stellar season and that he is on the target list at clubs like Manchester United.
The hierarchy at Bournemouth are also disappointed on Scotts behalf that he did not make Thomas Tuchels England squad,Your Site Newshas been told. Scott is due to train with England in Miami in Englands warm-up camp but he will not be playing in the tournament.
Bournemouth believe he should have been in there, as he was a key reason they finished the season unbeaten in 18 games, which saw him pick up a number of awards from various sections of the club and fanbase.
Gordon set for Barca medical
Latest from Your Site News' Keith Downie and Lyall Thomas:
Anthony Gordon is due to fly to Barcelona today and begin a medical early this afternoon.
That medical is likely to continue into the evening and maybe tomorrow.
All being well, a Barcelona announcement could come on Friday or at the weekend.
Gordon is then due to join up with Englands pre-World Cup training camp in Florida.
Barcelona agreed a 69.3m deal with Newcastle to sign the forward yesterday following intensive talks.
They have seen off rival interest from Bayern Munich.
Parish on Palace's summer transfer plans
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish to Your Site:
"Hopefully not too busy. We need to add. I don't think it's a great thing if you change too much of the squad. We've got a really good squad, we spent big in January. But there are definitely positions where we need to strengthen.
"We're going on a pre-season tour where all the young lads that have been playing in the Championship will get their chance because we have 12 players going to the World Cup, which is incredible. So there will be some gaps in pre-season and time for people to show what they can do."
Palace hoping to convince Wharton & Kamada to stay
Latest from Your Site News' James Savundra:
Crystal Palace want to try and convince Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada to stay with the club following their Conference League triumph.
Wharton is their star midfielder and on the target lists of most big clubs in the Premier League and he still has a contract until 2029.
He is expected to attract significant interest this summer but Palace hope he will stay at least one more season and compete with them in the Europa League next term.
Kamada is out of contract and looked destined to leave Selhurst Park, but he is understood to be keen to remain in London and the club hope they can agree a new contract.
Your Site News has also learned this morning that Palace have triggered an option in Jefferson Lermas contract to keep him for one more season so he also looks more likely to remain at the club.
