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Celtic have seen numerous players wave goodbye to the Parkhead club since the end of their previous season.

Figures such as Tom Rogic, Nir Bitton, Ismaila Soro, Karamoko Dembele and Luca Connell, among others, have waved goodbye to the Hoops.

Another name that could be on their way out before the summer transfer window ends is Christopher Jullien.

The defender, who joined the Bhoys for a fee of £7m back in 2019, was linked with a move to Schalke, before the potential deal collapsed, leaving him still at Celtic for the time being.

With Ange Postecoglou recently claiming that some more players could leave the club before the transfer window closes, it’d be safe to suggest that Jullien is a prime candidate for a potential Hoops exit in the coming days and weeks.

Bearing in mind how one of his previous performances in a Hoops shirt was described as being a “shocker” by pundit Tam McManus, it’s understandable why Ange Postecoglou may have his doubts about him.

One aspect that could lead to the Frenchman’s potential exit is the presence of Stephen Welsh.

The Hoops boss chose the Scotsman to play in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Aberdeen in the SPFL ahead of Jullien, who wasn’t even included in the matchday squad, showing how far down the pecking order the 29-year-old currently is.

Welsh’s performance in the game would not have helped the £4.05m-rated centre-back’s chances of getting in the team either, as the 22-year-old not only scored the first goal of the game but he also managed to win 75% of his duels as well as make two tackles, two clearances and one block.

This display ultimately earned Welsh, who has been hailed as “phenomenal” in the past by Celtic youth coach Martin Miller, an overall match rating of 8.2/10 from SofaScore, making him the joint-highest rated Hoops player on the day.

With this in mind, it could be in Postecoglou’s best interest to finally get rid of Jullien and keep the £10.5k-per-week youngster in the squad as a regular first-team figure.

However, with the SPFL title to try and reclaim as well as the Champions League to play in, adding another defensive figure to the squad should the Frenchman end up leaving could be a smart move for the Bhoys.

AND in other news: “There will be..”: Ange drops transfer update that’ll have Celtic supporters buzzing

Manchester United are interested in a move for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Leandro Paredes.

The Lowdown: Paredes profiled

The 28-year-old is primarily a defensive midfielder but can play in central or attacking roles and has been with PSG since 2019.

The 44-cap Argentina international has made 113 appearances for the French champions, winning an impressive eight trophies at the Parc des Princes.

Described as a player with ‘perfect’ tempo by former PSG midfielder Fabrice Pancrate, Paredes is valued at £15.3m by Transfermarkt, and it looks as if he is on United’s radar as they seek midfield reinforcements.

The Latest: United interested in Paredes

According to Sky Sports journalist Angelo Mangiante, United are ‘interested’ in a move for Paredes, with talks ongoing between the parties involved.

Recent reports elsewhere have claimed that the Red Devils have made an enquiry for the midfielder, although a £30m asking price has made a move complicated.

The Verdict: Good option?

If United can lower that reported £30m asking price, a move for Paredes could be a shrewd one.

He has plenty of experience at the highest level in four different countries and has played Champions League football over the past four seasons alongside some of the best players in the world.

Erik ten Hag has limited defensive and central midfield options ahead of the new season at this moment in time, so Paredes would bolster both areas and could be a smart squad depth signing if the price is right alongside a potential marquee addition in Frenkie de Jong.

West Brom have been heavily linked with signing Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury recently and the Englishman could be the Baggies’ next Youssouf Mulumbu in Steve Bruce’s side.

Reports have suggested that the 24-year-old is a loan target for the former Newcastle United boss this summer, although he will have to play a waiting game before signing him, as it will depend on Leicester City’s own transfer business this summer.

Brendan Rodgers isn’t currently short of midfield options at the King Power Stadium although both Youri Tielemans and Boubakary Soumare could leave ahead of next season, which might encourage the former Liverpool boss to keep Choudhury at the club as a back-up.

The Leicester academy graduate has never been able to establish himself as a regular in the Foxes’ first team, making just 83 appearances for the senior side in his career thus far.

Last season saw the midfielder manage just six appearances in the Premier League so it seems unlikely that he will be able to establish himself as a regular with the Foxes next season, and West Brom could be the beneficiaries by signing him on loan.

His contract with Leicester is also set to expire at the end of the season, so the loan could also be with the view to bringing him in on a permanent deal, which could potentially be excellent business for the Baggies.

WhoScored suggests that Choudhury’s main strengths are his interceptions and ability to block the ball, which may remind West Brom fans of fellow defensive-midfielder Mulumbu, who starred for the Baggies between 2009 and 2015.

The DR Congo international would make 211 appearances, contributing 14 goals and 11 assists, in what was undoubtedly the best spell of his career.

Rodgers was full of praise for Choudhury last season after his performance in a FA Cup win against Watford, saying:

“I thought he was sensational in the game. Sometimes it happens like that for a midfield player stepping back. He was defensively quick, making interceptions and blocks, his recovery speed was incredible and that’s why you always have quick players, especially how we play, squeezing the pitch. His passing was excellent in the main as well, so I’m delighted for him.”

If Choudhury can produce performances like that on a regular basis for West Brom next season, then he would surely be a quality addition to Bruce’s side, and he may even be regarded in the same ilk as Mulumbu by Baggies fans.

And, in other news… Bruce can land Matheus Pereira 2.0 as West Brom plot bid for “massive” £12m wizard

According to a report from West Ham insiders Claret and Hugh in the last 48 hours, Jarrod Bowen will not be leaving the club this summer.

The Lowdown: Interest in Bowen

The 25-year-old first made the switch to the Premier League in a £20m move from Hull City back in 2020, where he’s since gone on to become a fan favourite, making 104 appearances in just two years.

Even though his current contract with the Irons isn’t set to expire until 2025, the forward’s impressive performances this season appear to have caught the eye. It was reported last weekend that Arsenal are interested, while Liverpool have also been linked.

The Latest: Bowen staying at West Ham

In a new article published by Claret and Hugh, it’s claimed that Bowen will ‘absolutely not’ be joining Arsenal, with a West Ham source confirming to the website that the Leominster-born talent ‘won’t be leaving’ in the coming weeks.

It’s further stated that the winger was indeed attracting additional attention from the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool, but the insider yet again reiterated that there is ‘no chance’ and he would cost £100m to shift this summer.

The Verdict: Huge boost for Moyes

The news that Bowen won’t be departing will come as a huge boost to David Moyes, who will know just how much of an influence the starlet has in his starting XI, especially given his scintillating form this campaign.

The £80k-per-week gem found the back of the net 18 times and registered 11 assists across all competitions, making him the club’s top goalscorer and ranking joint-first with Michail Antonio for the latter, via BBC Sport.

Bowen’s achievements on the pitch have also been recognised by Gareth Southgate of late, having recently made his England debut, and if he continues to progress, he will become just as important of a player for the Three Lions as he is for the Hammers in years to come.

In other news… a reliable journalist has backed West Ham to make a summer move for a Premier League midfielder.

Celtic will be looking to replicate this season’s Premiership success once the 2022/23 campaign gets underway at the end of July.

In addition, Ange Postecoglou will undoubtedly want to see his team win the domestic cups and go as far in Europe as they can.

Before the new season kicks off, the Bhoys will have the chance to improve their squad during the upcoming summer transfer window to put themselves in the best shape for domestic and European success.

As things stand, it seems as though the Parkhead club have one transfer in their sights which would surely have the Celtic fans jumping for joy.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from A Bola (via Sport Witness) Celtic’s on-loan winger Jota is likely to sign a permanent deal with the Hoops in the coming weeks.

During his season on loan in Scotland from Portuguese club Benfica, the winger made 40 appearances for the Hoops across all competitions, scoring 13 goals and delivering 14 assists in the process.

With 10 of those goals and 11 of those assists coming in his 29 league appearances, it’s safe to say that he played a big part in Celtic’s title-winning campaign.

To further highlight his attacking talent, only Liel Abada (81) at Parkhead ended the season with more shots than the 23-year-old (76).

His overall performances earned him a season rating of 7.53/10, making him the second-highest rated player currently in Celtic’s squad behind David Turnbull according to WhoScored.

Labelled a “striker’s dream” by BBC Scotland pundit Marvin Bartley, Jota has shown how much of a dangerous attacking threat he can be for the Hoops and why it would be such a great deal for them to sign him on a permanent basis.

Having also had his performances for the Hoops described as “unbelievable” by Postecoglou, it’s safe to say that the 56-year-old would be over the moon to have the winger in his squad for the foreseeable future.

If Celtic can announce a permanent transfer for the £18.5k-per-week star as their first completed deal for the summer, this will surely get Hoops supporters buzzing and put the club in a good place to move on to other deals that they may want to get done.

In other news – Signed for £4.5m, now worth 70% less: Celtic had a huge howler on £9k-p/w “disaster”

Tim Spiers bemoaned the decline of Willy Boly in Wolves’ 1-1 draw at home to Norwich City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

The Lowdown: Wolves taking on Norwich

Bruno Lage’s men hosted the already-relegated Canaries at Molineux in what was their final home game of what has ultimately been a positive season overall.

Wolves were disappointing on the day, though, falling behind to Teemu Pukki’s first-half strike before equalising through Rayan Ait-Nouri after the interval.

Their hopes of sealing European football are now over for another year, with the season ultimately fizzling out a little.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/all-the-latest-from-wolves-6/” title=”All the latest from Wolves!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

The Latest: Spiers bemoans Boly decline

Taking to Twitter during the match, Spiers rued Boly’s drop-off in pace and performance levels, with the centre-back not looking like the same player after a litany of injury woe.

The journalist tweeted: “Sad seeing Boly turned and beaten so easily. Was similar against Brighton too. Lost half a yard since his succession of injuries probably? Been a really tough couple of years for him.”

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The Verdict: Time to move on?

Sad as it may be to accept, Boly is not the force he once was; and with his current deal expiring in 2023, he could be available on a Bosman over the coming months unless a new deal is negotiated.

He has only managed eight league appearances this season, compared to 21 and 22 in the two previous campaigns respectively, with injuries affecting him badly. Also, as per WhoScored, his performance levels this term illustrate his decline, with a 6.53 rating in the current campaign compared to 6.75 last season and 7.19 in 2019/20.

If they allow his contract to run down, he will then be able to eventually leave on a free transfer, so the Old Gold Wanderers run the risk of blowing the opportunity to receive a fee for him.

Boly should always be remembered as a great servant, though, having racked up almost 150 appearances for the club, scoring nine goals for good measure.

In other news, a new Wolves transfer target has reportedly emerged. Find out who it is here.

Some have asked if they should be in the semi-finals at all. Others have written them off. New Zealand are happy to be in this position, with all the expectation on their opponents

Melinda Farrell at Old Trafford07-Jul-2019Nice guys finish last. We all know that, yeah? It’s an incontrovertible truth, in life and in sport.Another incontrovertible truth is that New Zealand are a team of nice guys. It’s become a cliche, a truism that extends to those around them. All of the people around the team are nice. Even the Kiwi journalists on tour are super, irresistibly… nice.It’s such a dismissive, if genuinely affectionate, word. Australia famously – or infamously – used it as a put-down during the last World Cup, the one in which the nice guys came last in the final. And, if you’ve listened to former players, commentators and fans who support any other team in this World Cup, as the final pieces of the semi-final jigsaw fell unexpectedly into place on the final day of the group stage, almost everyone agreed that the easiest route to Lord’s was via New Zealand at Old Trafford. As the final Australian wicket fell against South Africa you could almost hear the knowing pronouncements of a : so who will India meet in the final? Amirite?Even Sachin Tendulkar chimed in with some subtle (or not) trolling, wishing MS Dhoni a happy birthday and his best wishes for the next two matches.

Wish you a happy birthday @msdhoni! Have a great year.
All the very best for the next two games pic.twitter.com/d8STlRh9e9

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 7, 2019

When told of Tendulkar’s tweet, Gary Stead gave a wry chuckle.”I’m sure he would do that,” the New Zealand coach said. “I didn’t know that but hopefully we have a “birthday” coming up and he wishes one of our guys it too.”Stead and his players are quite happy so many people have written them off. After a couple of days’ rest the squad has regrouped, refreshed, in Manchester, and the glare of expectation is all on the opposition.Martin Guptill’s corner in the dressing room•IDI via Getty Images”I hope everyone thinks that,” Stead said, speaking after the team’s arrival at Old Trafford. “Look, I mean you get to this stage of the tournament because we’ve been here for a month and a half playing cricket.”I’m not spending a lot of time worrying about what other people are thinking, whether we should be here or not.”Ah, yes. He hears you, Pakistan fans. The heated hoo-ha over the fairness, or lack thereof, involved with using NRR, and the arguments that New Zealand lost against two of their fellow semi-finalists and didn’t play the third because of a “fortunate” washout have been bandied about loudly. And, of course, New Zealand do come into this match as the lowest-placed qualifier, something Lockie Ferguson, fully recovered from the hamstring tightness that kept him out of the loss to England, acknowledges.”It’s an interesting one,” Ferguson said. “I guess in World Cups, obviously big games get pumped up, and where we stand is the fourth going into the semi-finals so naturally I guess they back India. But as New Zealanders we are often the underdogs and I guess that’s a position we like to be in and it’s knockout cricket now, so it’s all on Tuesday and the better team will go through.”There it is again – if New Zealand were ever a headline act at Glastonbury, you feel they’d offer to play in a small side tent, to give everyone else a go. But both Stead and Ferguson gave an insight into how they view themselves and how they want to be perceived by those who matter.”As a team we definitely want to be the scrappers and guys that scrap for wins and not always do we win pretty,” Ferguson said. “We kind of pride ourselves on coming back from tough situations and scrap our way out of it and give ourselves an opportunity to win.”I think throughout this comp we’ve proven that many a time and sometimes it’s not gone our way, which is part of tournament cricket and part of the World Cup, but Tuesday, definitely, that’s going to be our attitude and I think having been with the team a few years now, we look forward to opportunities where we can fight, I guess, and show a bit of scrap and I’m sure Tuesday will be no different.”Lockie Ferguson looks on in the field•PA ImagesStead hoped the lack of attention on his players would allow them to play with freedom.”There’s no second chances now, are there?” he said. “People aren’t expecting us to win, and from my point of view I think that’s a good place to be in.”If that’s the case we can go out there and hopefully play with some real freedom. Maybe the level of expectation is more on India than what it is on New Zealand.”Hopefully you’ll see what Kiwis are made of out there as well, that “no die” attitude, and I guess stand up when we need to.”The next two days is about that balance, being ready and not overdoing it. We want to be fresh and come out and fire some shots against India.”Everything else about New Zealand’s preparation seems calm and lowkey. Stead admitted that, yes, their batting has sometimes let them down (“we’ve struggled a wee bit”) and deftly dealt with questions about Martin Guptill’s form (“He might have a hundred in him the next game.”) while hosing down speculation of a reshuffle (“I don’t think we’ll be doing anything drastic.”)There was only a handful of journalists on hand to witness all this; India had a travel day and so didn’t train or front up to the media. That will change on what they call Match Day Minus One. Because the real stars of this show will have rolled into town with the enormous entourage that follows them everywhere; this is just one more dance on the way to the big finale. Amirite?Oh. Just one more question, Lockie. Can you prove that nice guys can finish first?Ferguson laughs. “Yes! For sure.”

Fielding errors at crucial times were one of the major reasons Sri Lanka failed to make the knockout stage of the 2017 Champions Trophy

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jun-2017Seekkuge Prasanna drops Sarfraz Ahmed off Lasith Malinga
Pakistan needing 39 to win with three wickets in hand in a knockout game
Malinga to Sarfraz Ahmed, 1 run, dropped! Again! Sri Lanka are getting half-chances at the moment, and they’re getting easy ones, but they’re not holding on to any of them. This is a slower bouncer. Sarfraz is early on the pull and top edges this to deep square. The fielder runs in some 10 yards and dives forward, but he can’t hold on.
Cost: Sarfraz guides Pakistan home.Thisara Perera puts down a clanger
Pakistan needing 43 runs to win with three wickets in hand
Malinga to Sarfraz Ahmed, no run, dropped! Someone call the contractors, Perera needs a hole at mid-on! Oh no, he won’t forget this ever. A nice, floated slower ball, full at middle stump. Sarfraz is outfoxed. Chips this straight – dead straight – into Perera’s chest at mid-on. Hard hands from the allrounder. Can’t even recover. Unbelievable.
Cost: Sarfraz survives a chance two overs later and wins it for Pakistan.Danushka Gunathilaka misses an early chance
First over of Pakistan’s chase of 237
Malinga to Azhar Ali, no run, dropped! Gunathilaka is usually a top class fielder. But he’s put down a simple one first up. This was slightly short and there was more room than the last one. Went for the cut, hit it in the air and found the fielder at point who can’t hold on.
Cost: Azhar Ali, then on zero, scores 34.Lasith Malinga’s drop cost Sri Lanka 67 runs against South Africa•Getty ImagesRohit Sharma slips through Asela Gunaratne’s fingertips
India 94 for 0 in 19.1 overs
NLTC Perera to Sharma, SIX, almost… almost…. and it’s tipped over. Rohit has fifty, India has hundred, Sri Lanka has… bad luck. This is ferociously hit. It’s meant to go over the deep square leg fielder, and Gunaratne does well, steadying himself on the rope, leaping back, getting both hands to it. But it spills through.
Cost: Rohit, on 45 at the time, got 78 as India reach 321.Lasith Malinga loses his footing
South Africa 59 for 1 in 16.1 overs
Pradeep to du Plessis, 2 runs, dropped, oh what have you done, Lasith? Sees him stepping out early and bangs it in short, just outside off. Goes for the pull, only manages a top-edge, and Malinga, stepping backwards at the long leg boundary, steps on the boundary cushions, and loses a bit of balance while having to move forward again. Dives forward and the ball slips through his fingers. Didn’t get his palms under it.
Cost: Du Plessis, on eight at the time of the drop, scores 75 as South Africa amass a winning total.

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Feb-2016The Basin Reserve track had eased and Khawaja capitalised, bringing up his fourth Test century, his first overseas•Getty ImagesVoges got himself in, driving and cutting with ease, as the pair added 168 for the fourth wicket•Getty ImagesTrent Boult sent back Khawaja and Mitchell Marsh in the same over, the latter falling to a stunning return catch by the bowler.•Getty ImagesVoges brought up his fifth Test century. It was also his third hundred in as many innings•Getty ImagesPeter Nevill provided Voges with support and their 96-run stand for the sixth wicket consolidated Australia’s lead•Getty ImagesCorey Anderson prised out Peter Nevill but New Zealand had little respite•Associated PressVoges carried on, adding 68 runs for the seventh wicket with Peter Siddle•Getty ImagesAt stumps, Australia were 463 for 6, 280 runs ahead, with Voges unbeaten on 176•Getty Images

Graham Onions picks the best beard in cricket, talks about his nine-for, and tells us who county cricket’s biggest softie is

Interview by Jack Wilson08-Jan-2015Do you feel you’ve been desperately unlucky to have only played 13 times for England?
I do feel a bit unlucky. At times I was compared to Jimmy Anderson, one of the best bowlers England have ever had and one of the best in the world. It was going to be hard to push him out the side, but for a period of time, Andy Flower and the captains didn’t feel I was what they wanted. I suppose I do feel a bit harshly done by.How do you feel those 13 games went?
My one-day international career was short-lived. I felt I didn’t get a great deal of opportunity. To be honest, I don’t think I was ready to play ODI cricket. Playing Test cricket was the pinnacle of my career, and I feel very, very lucky to have played in the games I did.Do you still harbour hopes of playing for England again?
Without a doubt. The flame is still burning. At the beginning of last year I had a good chance but it didn’t happen. Now I’m probably further down that pecking order but if I start the season well and take wickets in the first six weeks, anything can happen.You twice helped save Test matches for England with the bat. How seriously do you take your batting?
It’s an area that, if you’re a good professional, you need to work on. I’d class myself as a bit more than a tailender, but my shot selection at times has let me down.Tell us about your 9 for 67. Did you think about not running out Luke Fletcher?
I didn’t mean to. I’m such a bad fielder that I tried to miss the stumps and I accidentally hit.What is the plan for when you finish playing cricket?
During 2010 I did my Level 3 coaching qualification, as I didn’t know if I’d play again with my injury. I had back surgery before Christmas and now I’m doing my Level 4, just in case. I want to stay in the game and pass on what I know to others.You used to be a handy badminton player. What happened?
I had to stop and concentrate on playing cricket. I had a few injuries and in the end I had to make the choice. I love playing team sport.Who is the man you would least like to fight in county cricket?
James Taylor. He’s the perfect height to hit me in the goolies.And who is the biggest softie?
I don’t know, help me.Ben Stokes?
I can’t say that. He might go after me. I’ll go with Mitch Claydon. He’s a big lad but a big softie.Who is the laziest trainer at Durham?
Michael Richardson. He’s not really lazy, or a bad trainer, he’s just so laidback.Who is the most naturally gifted player you have played with?
Steve Harmison could naturally bowl so quickly. Nicky Peng was a class act too, and people couldn’t believe he didn’t push on. I’ll go with Ben Stokes. He can bowl 85mph and hit the ball out the park.What is the worst headline you have seen using your name?
I saw one which read: Onions makes someone cry. What’s that all about? That’s just bad headline-writing.Who has the best beard in cricket?
Mo Ali’s is good but I’ll go with Mark Stoneman. If we are on the road for two weeks he’ll let it grow and he’ll look like a caveman. Then, as soon as he gets home, his missus tells him to cut it. He’s proper under the thumb.What is your favourite type of vegetable?
Onions, obviously.Would you rather have legs as long as your fingers or fingers as long as your legs?
I’d be tiny if I had legs as long as my fingers. I’ll go fingers as long as my legs.You are a Newcastle United fan: where are your boys going to finish in the Premier League?
We’ve got a chairman who isn’t ambitious – for whatever reason. It’s a pretty bog-standard answer really: we’ll be just below mid-table.Which cricketer at Durham is the best footballer?
Scott Borthwick likes to think it’s him but he’s not. We play two-touch but he has at least three, he’s so greedy. Mark Wood quietly goes about his business but he’s got skills.What are your superstitions?
I lick the tip of my finger just before I bowl to get a good grip on the ball.