All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Carles Alena is currently struggling at Barcelona and according to Mundo Deportivo, Tottenham Hotspur might be looking to take advantage of that fact and sign him on a permanent deal.

Barcelona simply can’t allow that to happen.

What’s the word, then?

Alena, who was once likened to Andres Iniesta, was supposed to be Barca’s next big thing coming from their famous La Masia academy. And for a while, it really did look like he could follow in the footsteps of Blaugrana’s greats.

After all, his successful stint at Barcelona B – during which he scored a total of 18 goals and assisted a further 14 in 89 games – warranted him a promotion to the senior team that was set into motion as the ongoing 2019/20 season started.

Watch Spanish Football Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

It really did seem like he was flying high as he was immediately given a place in the starting XI in Barcelona’s curtain-raiser against Athletic Bilbao – a game they ended up losing 1-0 – but along with that defeat, Alena also lost much more than just three points.

We’re now past matchday nine and there’s still no sign of the 21-year-old midfielder who has been completely frozen out of the team, still clinging to a single appearance in his breakthrough season.

And now, rumours are circulating of Tottenham’s interest in the La Masia talent.

New reports coming from Mundo Deportivo claim that Mauricio Pochettino is not eyeing a loan deal but rather a permanent transfer that would take Alena away from the Camp Nou for good.

Watch Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale answer the internet’s weirdest questions in the video below…

If true, that would be a huge loss for the Catalans, despite the midfielder’s far from ideal current situation at the club.

But there’s a way to flip the situation on its head.

Buyback clause crucial

Mundo Deportivo also mentions that Barcelona would be looking to add a buy-back option into his contract if Spurs were really adamant in securing his signature in a permanent deal. This would not be a bad thing.

Seeing how he has a €75m (£64.7m) release clause currently in his Barcelona contract, he is definitely highly rated but it’s also unlikely that Tottenham will end up paying that, considering it would represent their club-record fee for a 21-year-old youngster who’s not even a regular in his current squad.

While Barca will likely be loathed to lose him, they could make sure he has a way to safely return when and if the times comes.

So lowering their asking price enough for Spurs to remain interested and then inserting a favourable buy-back clause into his contract would suddenly turn this situation into a win-win scenario for the Catalans.

Not only would Alena theoretically get the minutes he so desperately needs but Barca would also have a way of recalling him in case they deem him good enough to don the Blaugrana once again.

Sometimes you just can’t win as a football manager.Watch Arsenal Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Unai Emery’s side had one of their best performances of the season on Thursday, as Gabriel Martinelli looked extremely impressive and Kieran Tierney grabbed an assist.

However, David Seaman seemingly wasn’t happy with the former PSG boss’ decision to bring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on in the 79th minute of their Europa League win.

The former goalkeeper was baffled by the manager’s switch, and you can kind of understand why.

The Gabonese striker is one of Arsenal’s most important players, so bringing him on for ten minutes when you’re already 4-0 up seems like a bit of an unnecessary injury risk.

Fortunately, the Gunners striker didn’t pick up a problem against Standard Liege, but he easily could have done, and if he had, Emery would have undoubtedly received even more criticism for making the substitution.

The Gunners now face a home clash against Bournemouth before the international break.

According to former Everton manager Sam Allardyce, Tottenham Hotspur overachieved under Mauricio Pochettino and are now essentially on a comedown from last season’s Champions League excursion.While “Big Sam†has a 100 per cent win rate as England manager and an equally impressive record chugging pints of wine, his punditry is somewhat wayward at times (and by that we mean almost always).Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

For starters, how exactly did a squad littered with talent like Tottenham’s last season break expectations? A Champions League final is impressive, but what happened to their domestic campaign? Beaten in the fourth round of the FA Cup by Crystal Palace, dumped out of the Carabao Cup in the semi-final by Chelsea, and then a narrow fourth-place finish in the Premier League despite being outside favourites for the title for a short period.

Allardyce’s proposed solution? Spend big…

Spurs broke their transfer record this summer on Tanguy Ndombele, and also bought Championship talents Ryan Sessegnon and Jack Clarke, while Giovani Lo Celso arrived on loan. Spending is clearly not the be-all and end-all.

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Speaking to Football Insider, Danny Mills has revealed he worries for Newcastle this season due to their lack of goals.

What did he say?

The Magpies currently find themselves in 14th in the Premier League table after picking up just one win from their opening four games of the season.

Now, Mills has suggested the Tyneside club’s lack of legitimate goal-scoring options could lead them to have a “tough” campaign.

Watch Newcastle United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

He said: “No, no. I worry for them, I worry for Newcastle. I look around and I know they had the good win but where are these performances going to come from week in, week out. Where are the goals going to come from? I think it’s going to be another long, hard, tough season for them.”

Cohesion

After a rough start to the campaign against Arsenal and Norwich, Steve Bruce’s side pulled off a shock victory away at Tottenham. The performance and result spoke of what Newcastle could potentially achieve this season if they fully applied themselves and stuck to a game-plan.

Club-record signing Joelinton has shown glimpses of what he has to offer with his strong hold-up play and sheer physical presence. Last season however, the Brazilian bagged himself 11 goals at Hoffenheim – not the numbers of a prolific striker.

But his nine assists across all competitions shows he also has a selfless side to his game, and that will only benefit the likes of Miguel Almiron and Christian Atsu.

Both Joelinton and Almiron only arrived this calendar year and it is difficult to expect them to be firing on all cylinders so soon into their Premier League careers. But, if they can form a partnership together, they can no doubt allay some of the concerns Mills has.

[ad_pod ]

In today’s Everton roundup, we look at the news doing the rounds surrounding the Toffees. The club are monitoring Jack Clarke, manager Marco Silva insists Theo Walcott is ‘unhappy’, and Sandro Ramirez is ‘calm’ despite his goal drought continuing away from Goodison Park.

Club keeping an eye on Clarke’s situation

Report: As reported by the Express, Tottenham Hotspur are considering bringing back Jack Clarke after a torrid time at Leeds United, with the club keen to loan him out to a different club. Everton are one of the few top-flight clubs keeping an eye on the 18-year-old with the Toffees are considering taking him on, should Spurs bring him back from the Yorkshire club.

Verdict: In Clarke’s debut season at Leeds, the teenager won the Young Player of the Year after netting two goals and providing four assists in his 22 Championship appearances. However, after returning to Elland Road this season as a permanent Spurs players, Clarke has yet to have been named in a squad for a Championship clash and has appeared in just two League Cup fixtures.

Everton are well equipped up top this season, but with Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Moise Kean preferred down the centre, Clarke could battle for a spot on the wings, especially considering Theo Walcott has played just 48 minutes all season, whilst both Bernard and Alex Iwobi have yet to cement regular starting spots.

Walcott ‘unhappy’, says Silva

Report: As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Everton boss Marco Silva states that ex-Arsenal man Walcott is unhappy at a lack of minutes at the club since his move from north London. Silva said: “I know the last few seasons at Arsenal were not the best, then he came to Everton and had four or five good months.

“Last season, even if in some games he was not in the starting XI, he was one of the players who played more minutes for me.”

“Theo is unhappy, he has to be unhappy, like Tom or whoever, Theo has to be unhappy but after that you have different ways to react.

Verdict: Walcott has found himself glued to the bench this season, playing just 48 minutes, and with the arrival of Iwobi, it is no surprise to see the 30-year-old so unhappy. Last season, Walcott did play in 37/38 games, but he only started 24 of them and bagged himself just five goals in all, subsequently forcing Silva to delve into the market for an alternative goalscoring winger.

The Englishman has found himself miles away from the national setup in the last four years, and after enduring a similar fate at Arsenal, Walcott could perhaps have to find another team if he wants to get the minutes he desires.

Ramirez ‘calm’ despite poor form

Report: Sandro Ramirez told El Desmarque recently that he is ‘calm’, despite not finding the back of the net in two years. The 24-year-old said: “For me, it’s a very important year. I’m very excited. When you’ve gone some time without scoring like I have, you need [confidence]. A striker lives for goals, but I don’t believe that feeling. I’m calm because I’ve always scored goals and I will continue scoring goals”.

Verdict: Ramirez has netted just one goal at four different clubs since signing for Everton back in 2017. This one goal came in a Europa League tie for the Toffees back in 2017, and the Spaniard has since endured disastrous loan spells at Sevilla, Real Sociedad and now at Real Vallodolid.

However, the Everton man has proved he can put the goals away, after bagging 14 times for Malaga back in 2016-17. After all, Ramirez is still only 24, and his best years are yet to come. Although, it is tough to see them at Goodison Park, with Richarlison, Kean and Calvert-Lewin all pushing for a spot as the central striker.

[ad_pod ]

Rangers’ chances of winning the Scottish Premiership title have surely increased following the news that Brendan Rodgers is set to leave Celtic to take up the vacant post at Leicester City, but it leaves Steven Gerrard with a vital job to carry out, and probably the most important of his tenure to date.

On the chalkboard

A loss against Kilmarnock after the winter break and a goalless draw at home to St Johnstone earlier this month looked to have fatally damaged the Glasgow giants’ hopes of winning the league this season, given how formidable the Bhoys appeared under their Northern Irish manager.

However, there is no doubt that his departure could easily affect the players and the club’s performances on the pitch even with Neil Lennon reportedly agreeing to succeed him, and their local neighbours will know that they potentially have a big opportunity to grasp in the coming weeks and months with the gap lying at eight points ahead of their Wednesday fixture against Dundee.

One thing that has cost them before could ultimately do so again in their renweed title bid though, and Gerrard needs to ensure that it doesn’t happen.

No more complacency

It is something that the 38-year-old has accused his team of already this term, and he certainly cannot afford to let it rear its ugly ahead again anytime soon.

Suddenly the pressure if off of his side and all on Celtic, but the Rangers players simply can’t get into a mindset where they feel that they can easily win every game they turn up to – because it doesn’t happen like that, as they have learned against Kilmarnock and St Johnstone already in 2019.

Gerrard has obviously failed to eradicate it previously, but now he has the most important job of his Rangers reign to date so it doesn’t happen again and so they can push their arch-enemies all the way.

[ad_pod ]

On Tuesday afternoon, Tottenham Hotspur’s official website provided an update on the injury situation surrounding Giovani Lo Celso.

There had been a lot of speculation in recent days after Lo Celso picked up a hip injury whilst representing Argentina in their international clash with Chile.

Spurs have now confirmed that the summer arrival has withdrawn from the Argentina squad and returned to the English club to begin treatment.

The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder will be unable to return to first-team training until the latter stages of October, which is a huge blow.

Indeed, the Tottenham fans had only recently said that they were delighted with what they had seen from Lo Celso in the early stages of the 2919/20 campaign.

The 23-year-old might well have had a big part to play against Crystal Palace in the Premier League this weekend.

However, that will no longer be the case, and it would be fair to say that the Spurs supporters have not taken the news very well – as seen by the tweets below:

[ad_pod ]

As per London World, a promising transfer update has come to light involving Tottenham Hotspur, Antonio Conte and Middlesborough defender Djed Spence.

The Lowdown: Spurs join race…

First reported by Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas, sharing news on his personal Twitter feed, Spurs and transfer chief Fabio Paratici have joined the race to sign Spence amid his impressive stint on loan at Nottingham Forest.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-updates-5/” title=”Spurs latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The 21-year-old has been turning heads at the City Ground under Steve Cooper, attracting the attention of major Premier League clubs as Conte seeks out new right-back options.

Any deal to sign Spence this window would result in the player remaining at Forest until the end of the season and then joining in the summer, but that hasn’t swayed Spurs as they take a firm interest.

The Latest: Spurs ‘edging closer’…

According to London World, Tottenham are ‘edging closer’ to their ‘first January signing’ as Conte personally eyes a move for the Englishman.

The Italian is said to be ‘unimpressed’ with current right-back options Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal as he takes to the market in search of alternatives.

Spence, as a result, could ‘answer Conte’s prayers’ with his pace and delivery on that side – but north London rivals Arsenal are also still in contention for the starlet as things stand.

The Verdict: Exciting player…

The Boro man’s form on loan at Forest this season has been terrific, leaving little wonder there are now major players in the hunt for his signature this month.

Defensively, according to WhoScored, he’s shown real solidarity – averaging the third-most interceptions per 90 out of Cooper’s side in the Championship this campaign (1.6).

Meanwhile, going forward, Spence has been a constant threat – completing more dribbles per 90 (1.8) than any Forest regular with more than two league starts (WhoScored).

His form has attracted real praise, with Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff saying he has been a ‘massive player’ for the English second tier side and could well continue to be in their hunt for a Championship play-off spot (Sky Sports EFL Podcast via Football League World).

According to journalist Ryan Taylor of The Daily Express, Spence could cost up to £15 million, but a player of his high ceiling may well be worth the investment,

In other news: Reliable journalist: ‘Perfect’ player once valued at £83m now wants to join Conte at Spurs, find out more here.

Newcastle are currently 18th in the Premier League table, and one of the biggest reasons behind their struggles has been their lack of quality in defence.

Only Norwich (45) have conceded more goals than the Magpies (43) in the top flight, which highlights how poor they have been at the back this season.

One of their defenders who has struggled on and off the pitch is Federico Fernandez. The £45k-per-week dud has only started five Premier League matches this term and has been unable to catch the eye when he has played, which is a far cry from where he was at the start of his career on Tyneside.

In December 2018, Transfermarkt valued him at £7.2m. This came after his final season for Swansea and the first half of his debut campaign at St. James’ Park, with the centre-back averaging a solid WhoScored rating of 6.76 in the top flight with the Welsh outfit.

He then averaged a score of 6.73 with Newcastle in the Premier League in the 2019/20 campaign as he proved to be a reliable performer during that time. However, his displays have taken a nosedive since then, averaging a score of 6.64 last term and a dismal 6.37 this season. This suggests that he has been regressing over time and is not the same player he was two or three years ago.

Fernandez has also had availability issues to go along with his lack of form. He has had six separate injury or illness absences for Newcastle, with the latest one having kept him out for eight matches so far.

He missed nine games last term and it remains to be seen when he will return during the current campaign. This shows that he is now an unreliable player for Howe, both in terms of his performances on the pitch and his fitness.

It could now be time for the ex-Bournemouth boss to brutally axe Fernandez from the squad by cashing in on him at the end of the campaign. This would allow the Magpies to replace the 32-year-old ahead of the start of the 2022/23 season, with Newcastle getting rid of a player at the back end of his career.

At the time of writing (05/02/22), Transfermarkt value the Argentine at £1.8m. This is a £5.4m plummet in the space of just over three years and shows that his career may be winding down as he heads towards his mid-30s.

He is currently under contract until 2023, with an option to extend it a further 12 months, but Howe must cash in on him in the summer instead of allowing him to leave on a free transfer the following year. The end of this season could be the club’s last chance to recoup some money for the defender and, for the aforementioned reasons, they should act upon that opportunity.

AND in other news, “I believe”: Luke Edwards delivers big Newcastle update which will leave Howe buzzing…

Patrick Bamford missed Leeds United’s FA Cup defeat to West Ham with a fresh hip problem, according to reliable journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Leeds dumped out of FA Cup

The Whites were beaten 2-0 away to the Hammers on Sunday afternoon, exiting the cup at the third round stage.

A weakened Leeds team never really got going at the London Stadium and their focus turns solely to Premier League commitments between now and May.

Bamford was one of numerous key players not present in east London, but it turns out that he was due to feature until a late setback emerged.

[freshpress-quiz id=“383507″]

The Latest: Fresh Bamford injury

Taking to Twitter after the game, Hay confirmed that the striker was in line to face West Ham after another injury absence, only to be ruled out with a hip problem. The severity of the injury remains unknown, so Bamford could be set for yet more time on the sidelines.

The journalist revealed: “Bamford was due to start today but had a problem around his hip. Bielsa still waiting to find out the full extent of it.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-30/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Potential big blow

Bamford has been an enormous loss for Leeds for much of this season, with the entire attack blunted without him leading the line and proving to be a reliable source of goals and assists, like he was last term.

The 28-year-old has been limited to just five starts in the current Premier League campaign and Marcelo Bielsa desperately needs him back as his side look to pull clear of the relegation zone.

Aside from Raphinha, the Whites have been rather short on reliable scorers this season, so if Bamford’s latest injury is a long-term one, Leeds must look to bring in a striker in the January transfer window. Otherwise, they risk getting themselves into real trouble in the league.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly eyeing up a move for a young British player. Find out who it is here.