All posts by z3u9t.icu

Manchester United have seemingly leapfrogged Aston Villa in the race to sign Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara.

That’s according to Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, and, as to be expected, a number of United fans have been reacting to the update on social media.

Kamara appears to be a player in demand, with the holding midfielder’s contract set to expire at the end of the season.

The 22-year-old is on Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa wishlist, with United, Villa and Leeds all talking to the player’s agent ahead of a possible £10m transfer.

And now, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, United have overtaken all competitors when it comes to Kamara and are leading the race to secure his services.

United fans react

@utdreport relayed the update regarding Kamara on Twitter via GIFN (Get Italian Football News). This is what these United supporters had to say in reply, with many hoping to see a move materialise in the final days of the January window.

“We’re alive”

Credit: @BigTeezo

“Never heard of GIFN but let’s go”

Credit: @utd_victor_

“PLEASEEEE”

Credit: @hhhhmmmm_

“I hope this is true”

Credit: @I_am_lakes

“Definitely a better option defensively when compared to Zakaria.”

Credit: @TheUnitedLink

“SIGN HIM PLS IMMEDIATELY PLS”

Credit: @kurtbuckerfield

In other news: ‘Finished’ – Many MUFC fans react as Spurs make move for ‘amazing’ ace. 

As per Jornal de Notícias, via Sport Witness, some midweek transfer news has emerged involving Tottenham Hotspur and Sporting Lisbon star Matheus Nunes.

The Lowdown: Man in demand…

The 23-year-old midfield maestro, who has starred for Sporting in the Portuguese top flight this season, has also attracted Premier League attention for his performances.

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Indeed, alongside Spurs, the likes of Wolves and Everton also want to sign him as the English trio all hold a keen interest.

This comes after Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking after his side’s 5-0 Last 16 win over Sporting in the Champions League earlier this season, lavished Nunes with praise.

The Spaniard labelled him ‘one of the best players in the world today’, extremely lofty praise from one of the world’s most elite managers, and Tottenham’s interest has continued heading into the summer window.

The Latest: Spurs eye move…

According to Jornal de Notícias (via SW), the Lilywhites still want to sign Nunes alongside Everton and Wolves – coming as Sporting seem willing to negotiate a fee lower than his €60 million (£50m) release clause.

Indeed, according to the report, Nunes’ club could actually let him go to Spurs for around €40m (£33m) – £17m less than his clause.

The Verdict: Lodge an offer?

His numbers for Sporting this season perhaps highlight why Tottenham are taking such a keen interest.

According to WhoScored, no player in their squad has completed more successful take-ons per 90 this season (2.4) with Nunes also attracting the most fouls on average.

He’s consistently proved a tricky player to compete against in midfield and there is little wonder Tottenham are keen on a move.

In other news: ‘I know thanks to a source very close’ – Journalist claims big name is now set to leave Spurs, find out more here.

Liverpool are more likely to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham than Manchester City this summer, according to Bundesliga journalist Sebastien Kolsberger.

The Lowdown: Bellingham a special talent

The 18-year-old has emerged as one of the most prodigious players in the world, excelling for Dortmund and also winning 12 caps for England already, with Jordan Henderson drooling over his ability during the most recent international break.

Bellingham has caught the eye with his brilliance in the middle of the park, performing with a maturity beyond his years and being hailed as ‘fantastic’ by the Reds skipper.

The teenager has been linked with an exciting move to Liverpool in the past, and a fresh claim from the German press sounds positive in that respect.

The Latest: Journalist makes big claim

Speaking to Bernabeu Digital [via Sport Witness], Kolsberger claimed that the Reds are favourites to sign Bellingham over City, due to his personality fitting in better with Jurgen Klopp’s team:

“Jude is one of the future stars of the midfield, and all clubs want him. I think after a few years in Germany, he will return to England. Liverpool and Manchester City also want to sign him.

“But Jude is a very emotional player, which is why I think Liverpool have a better chance of signing him.”

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The Verdict: Perfect summer signing

In many ways, Bellingham should be the absolute number one transfer target for Liverpool this summer, should Dortmund make him available. He ticks every box when it comes to potentially excelling in this Reds side.

At 18, he has the world at his feet and would come in as a long-term acquisition and he is already good enough to play week in, week out, scoring three times and registering seven assists in the Bundesliga this season.

Midfield is also the key area that Liverpool could do with adding to in the summer and Bellingham’s ability to play as either a deep-lying player or more of a No.8 would enhance Klopp’s options, especially as some of his current crop are now in their 30s.

If Liverpool get a deal done, they could be signing a genuine game-changer – someone who could be a mainstay for club and country for the next ten to 15 years.

In other news, Fabrizio Romano has dropped a key Liverpool transfer claim. Read more here.

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Leeds United were set to sign Swansea winger Daniel James until the final minutes of deadline day, but attentions are now turning to Burnley’s Aaron Lennon per The Sun.

What’s the word?

James had been identified as Marcelo Bielsa’s top January target from an early stage, but negotiations between Leeds and Swansea proved difficult for much of the month.

It was not until last Thursday’s deadline day that an agreement seemed to be reached. The winger held his medical early in the day, only for the Welsh outfit to pull the plug on a £1.5million loan with an obligation to buy should United secure promotion to the Premier League.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

Rather than returning to the Swans star in the summer, though, The Sun are suggesting that Bielsa is looking to tempt Lennon into a homecoming.

Lennon began his career at Elland Road after emerging from United’s youth ranks, and is out of contract at Turf Moor at the end of next season. It would not have made sense to target the 31-year-old in January, as the former England international is currently sidelined with a potentially season-ending knee injury.

Who should Bielsa target?

Depending on James’ performances for the remainder of the season, Bielsa opting to favour the 31-year-old winger instead may prove to be the correct decision – although there is no explicit suggestion that Leeds won’t try to sign both.

The current roster at Elland Road does not boast a great deal of top-flight experience, whereas Lennon has been a regular feature in the Premier League for more than a decade and has recorded 67 appearances in the Champions League and Europa League combined.

The £4.5million rated winger has also shown that he still has a lot to offer any side in England’s top division since moving to Burnley.

James, on the other hand, has only managed 18 appearances in the Championship with the current campaign his breakthrough season.

Leeds United are keen on signing RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Previous interest

The Whites were linked with a move for Gvardiol following promotion back to the Premier League. However, the 20-year-old, who journalist Izak Ante Sucic told BBC Sport is “built like a tank”, snubbed a move to Elland Road to sign for RB Leipzig.

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Gvardiol made 18 appearances under Jesse Marsch at Leipzig, and with the American now in charge at Elland Road, it looks as if the Croatia international is wanted once again in Yorkshire.

The Latest: Source reveal

FI shared a story on Thursday morning regarding Leeds and Gvardiol after being informed by a Whites source.

They claimed that Leeds are stepping up their interest in the defender and Victor Orta has had scouts watching him at recent matches ahead of a potential summer move.

The Verdict: Club-record deal?

The report adds that Leipzig now value Gvardiol at £27m, so it looks as if Leeds will need to hit their club record to sign the centre-back this summer, matching or eclipsing the £27m they spent on Rodrigo.

A defensive overhaul is in the pipeline over the coming months, with Robin Koch a player who could be set to leave the club ahead of Marsch’s first full season in charge.

Gvardiol may well be the man to arrive as a marquee signing, so a move could once again be one to watch closely.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano reveals big transfer blow for Leeds as key 21 y/o target now set to move elsewhere

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira must finally unleash Eberechi Eze, who has lacked game-time this season.

The 23-year-old has failed to win back a starting place in Vieira’s side after sustaining an Achilles tendon injury at the end of last season, which has disrupted his momentum.

Before the injury, Eze had shown plenty of promise, having notched ten goal contributions (four goals and six assists) in his debut campaign in England’s top flight. However, it’s fair to say that 2021/22 has not gone to plan for the 37k-p/w star, who has made just seven appearances in the current Premier League campaign.

On the chalkboard

On Sunday, Crystal Palace make the trip to Wembley to face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals.

If the last four meetings between the teams are any barometer, Vieira’s side will be hard pressed to emerge triumphant, conceding 12 goals across their last four games against the Blues and scoring just one.

They will surely look to change that, and having registered three wins, a draw and a loss in their last five matches, they will look to add to that momentum and strike Chelsea whilst they are down, with the Blues having been eliminated from the Champions League in midweek in agonising fashion.

Eze, who has been described as “magic” by team-mate Christian Benteke, can help Vieira’s side to overcome their London rivals, and he may prove to be their secret weapon in a potential system change for the Eagles.

With the 23-year-old finding the net on 14 occasions throughout the 2019/20 season for QPR, fans may be disappointed with his lack of end product this season, even accounting for his long-term injury layoff.

However, it is worth noting that he has not been deployed in his favoured position under Vieira, and with a slight system change from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 during Palace’s last game against Leicester, Eze may well get his chance in an attacking midfield role – the position in which he was most potent during his time at QPR.

The Eagles boss may well have been testing the system out last weekend in order to iron out potential flaws ahead of the FA Cup semi-final.

Eze will surely be out to register his first attacking return of the season, and what better occasion to do just that than a cup semi-final at Wembley against a London rival?

In other news – Was worth £12.5m, now worth £50m: Palace had a nightmare on “incredible” £17k-p/w gem

An exciting Newcastle United claim has emerged regarding their plans for the upcoming transfer window…

What’s the talk?

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has hinted that PIF will be looking to spend more than £50m in the market this summer, whilst not going overboard with their dealings.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I think their plan is to run it like a business and I think their plan will be to keep costs as low as they can.

“I very much doubt they will manage to keep it to £50million, but I do think what they’ll try and do is bring money in, in terms of player sales as well.”

Supporters will be delighted

Newcastle supporters will surely be delighted with this claim.

Last summer, the only senior addition to the squad was the signing of Joe Willock from Arsenal for a reported £25m. He joined on a permanent basis after spending the second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan and was the only player brought in by Mike Ashley to bolster Steve Bruce’s squad.

The lack of investment in the team came back to bite the Sports Direct supremo as the Toon became just the fourth team in Premier League history to not win any of their first 14 matches in a top-flight season.

In the last 14 games in the top flight, however, Newcastle have picked up 31 points and are third in the form table behind Manchester City and Liverpool.

The difference between these two stretches of games? The appointment of Eddie Howe and the January transfer window. PIF came in to take over the club from Ashley and invested in the squad by bringing in Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Matt Targett, Bruno Guimaraes and Chris Wood in the winter market.

Their work in January gave Howe the ammunition he needed to fire Newcastle to safety and that is exactly what he has done, with the Magpies currently sitting 14 points clear of the bottom three. This suggests that the signings earlier this year gave the club a massive lift, and that is set to save them from relegation.

Therefore, supporters will be excited by the prospect of PIF dropping more than £50m on further signings, as it means that Howe will be backed again and given what he needs to take the Toon to the next level. He will not be hung out to dry like Bruce was by Ashley, which is why fans will be delighted with the owners’ plans.

They will also be buzzing with the claim that PIF still want to run the club like a business and are not going to risk the financial future of Newcastle. The consortium are not looking for instant success which could lead to irreversible financial damage further down the line, and this measured, thought-out approach will surely go down well with the fanbase as it shows ambition and clarity over what the owners want to do.

AND in other news, Journalist reveals two names on Newcastle’s transfer “list”, Eddie Howe will be excited…

According to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing yet another upgrade for their academy crop as news emerges on promising midfielder Leo Black.

The Lowdown: N17 youth prospering…

There has been no shortage of very exciting starlets coming through the ranks at N17 over past seasons, perhaps most notably and recently the likes of Oliver Skipp, Dane Scarlett and Troy Parrott.

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That being said, Tottenham are apparently always on the lookout for talents outside of Hotspur Way who they can then bring into the set up and nurture into future stars.

England youth internationals are allegedly in high-demand at Spurs, like winger Samuel Amo-Ameyaw for instance, who has also received a scholarship contract from the club amid comparisons to Jadon Sancho (Football Insider).

Now, as per FI, it appears Tottenham have set their sights on yet another rising star.

The Latest: Spurs submit Black offer…

According to the outlet, Spurs have now submitted a two-year scholarship contract offer for England Under-16 midfielder Black.

It is also believed that Tottenham want a deal done ‘in the coming weeks’ as they seek to add yet more top talents for their academy ahead of this summer.

The Verdict: Exciting times at youth level…

Given Spurs’ moves being made behind-the-scenes for some of England’s most promising emerging talents, Lilywhites supporters may want to keep an eye out for yet more prospects breaking through in the next couple of seasons.

It remains to be seen which name will follow in the footsteps of Scarlett, Skipp and Parrott, but it will certainly be one to keep an eye on as Spurs also plan for the future.

In other news: Conte now eyeing £25.2 million-rated ‘game-changer’ who Spurs once agreed personal terms for, find out more here.

Wolves extended their 100% start to 2022 in all competitions to four games as they beat Brentford 2-1 at the Brentford Community Stadium this afternoon.

Bizarrely, the game had been put on hold for 20 minutes as a drone was seen hovering over the stadium, before Joāo Moutinho gave the visitors the lead just after half-time.

The Bees salvaged an equaliser through Ivan Toney but Rúben Neves’ late winner secured victory for Bruno Lage’s men, who remain eighth in the table.

Star striker Raul Jiménez’s absence meant that Wanderers shifted formation slightly to a 3-5-2, with Daniel Podence and Fábio Silva getting the nod up front. However, neither forward was particularly convincing, not ideal for the latter given his limited opportunities this season.

The contest in west London was the 19-year-old’s first Premier League start of the campaign, having previously been limited to ten substitute cameos.

Having played a total of just 53 minutes in the top flight before today, this was a real opportunity for the youngster to impress his manager and boost his credentials as Jiménez’s back-up. Unfortunately for Silva, he made little impact.

Silva blew his big chance

According to SofaScore, the Portuguese striker only had 28 touches but still gave it away 14 times, losing the ball at a rate of once every two touches. Moreover, the striker recorded a mediocre 65% passing accuracy and did not contribute a single key pass, cross, long ball or shot on target, with two off-target efforts in his 75 minutes on the pitch.

Whilst being dribbled past twice, Silva failed to contribute anything of note defensively, recording no interceptions, tackles, clearances or blocks. Granted, that sort of gritty work isn’t necessarily expected from a striker, but that lightweight nature still wouldn’t have gone unnoticed by his manager.

Having joined Wolves for a record-breaking fee of £35.6m as an 18-year-old from Porto in September 2020, there was considerable expectation surrounding the teenage striker.

There was plenty of hype surrounding Silva, having been the youngest player to represent the Portuguese giants prior to his move to Molineux, but is still yet to spread his wings in the West Midlands.

In 50 appearances for Wolves, the £37k-p/w striker has scored just four goals and contributed six assists, a tally which arguably suggests promise but is also not enough to warrant a regular starting place in a Premier League team looking to secure European football.

Moreover, Silva’s fellow striker Jiménez has started to find form again after a terrifying head injury which kept the Mexican out for the majority of last season. The 30-year-old now has four goals and two assists in 19 league appearances this term as he slowly ebbs towards being the player he was prior to his injury.

Based on that form, Silva’s game-time is only going to be reduced, unless he improves significantly on his underwhelming performance in the capital today.

In other news: Sky Sports journalist drops Wolves transfer update live on air, Lage will be delighted

West Ham United will try and sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins this summer, according to insiders Claret and Hugh.

The Lowdown: Watkins under Gerrard

Watkins has been a regular under Steven Gerrard since he took over in November, missing just one Premier League game during that time.

He has netted six times under Gerrard, mainly turning out as a centre-forward after starting on the left wing in Gerrard’s first fixture in charge against Brighton.

The forward has been Villa’s best-rated forward this season, as per WhoScored, and it looks as if his displays have now caught the eye elsewhere.

The Latest: West Ham insider shares interest

Claret and Hugh shared a story regarding David Moyes’ interest in Watkins on Friday morning. They revealed that the West Ham boss is seriously tracking the Villa star, who is thought to be his number one target.

Villa are not interested in selling the England international ahead of Gerrard’s first full season in charge, however, a West Ham insider told the site ‘that won’t stop us trying’.

The Verdict: Villa in control

Watkins isn’t the first Villa player who has been linked with a move to the London Stadium this year. The Hammers were name-checked with an interest in Kortney Hause and Anwar El Ghazi, so Watkins is actually the third in 2022.

However, the forward is under contract until 2025, so Villa will be under no pressure to sell over the coming months. The club are also willing to make the 26-year-old one of their top earners with a fresh deal, so even though West Ham will try and lure Watkins to London, Villa chiefs appear to be in total control of the situation at this moment in time.

In other news: Source: Villa now open to selling 2022 star this summer despite Gerrard being a big fan.