All posts by z3u9t.icu

Former Norwich City star Jon Newsome has told The Transfer Tavern that it would take an astronomical fee for a club to buy Emiliano Buendia this summer.

The Canaries star has been instrumental in helping Daniel Farke’s side win the Championship title at a canter this season.

In total, the Argentine has scored 14 goals and registered 17 assists in all competitions, with every strike coming in 38 league outings this term.

A tricky, jinking right winger, Buendia has been linked with a number of clubs ahead of the transfer window.

Aston Villa are chief amongst them, with Buendia potentially identified as a replacement for Jack Grealish who has been linked with Manchester City.

Newsome, though, doubts that there will be a situation where Villa are on the lookout for a replacement for the England international, purely due to the huge fees likely to be involved.

Grealish could cost, per one report, as much as £100m.

And Newsome told TT: “They’re talking about him maybe being a replacement for Jack Grealish so what’s it going to take to get Jack Grealish out of Aston Villa? It’s going to be a monumental sum.

“So then that maybe gets passed down but if you’re the owner or Stuart Webber at Norwich, to entice you to let Buendia leave the football club, again, would have to be a monumental sum.”

Aston Villa have made an enquiry regarding Graham Potter’s availability.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Express & Star, who claim that Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens (NSWE) have made an informal approach for the Brighton & Hove Albion manager in the club’s bid to appoint Dean Smith’s successor at Villa Park.

However, the report goes on to state that the possibility of Aston Villa being able to prise the 46-year-old away from the South Coast club is not believed to be overly strong.

He’d be perfect for Villa

While recent reports would appear to suggest that Steven Gerrard is very much the front runner for the vacant managerial post at Villa Park, it would be a difficult argument to make that the Rangers boss would be a better appointment than Potter.

In the space of seven years, he’s led Ostersunds FK from the third tier of Swedish football to a fifth-place finish in the top flight, has won the Swedish Cup and defeated Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates in the knockout stages of the Europa League – although losing the tie 4-2 on aggregate. Thus, it has been clear for a while that Potter is an extremely talented coach.

Indeed, these accomplishments convinced Swansea City to take a chance on the 46-year-old, where Potter would spend one season, securing a 10th place Championship finish with the Swans, before continuing his remarkable rise with a move to Premier League side Brighton.

And, after two identical campaigns of nine wins, 14 draws and 15 losses in his first two seasons on the South Coast, things look as if they have really started to click for the 41-year-old this term, with Brighton having picked up an impressive 17 points over their opening 11 fixtures of the season – leaving the Seagulls flying high in seventh place.

Aside from his track record of results, Potter has also drawn praise for his progressive and attacking style of play, with Jurgen Klopp stating his belief that the Solihull-born manager’s Brighton team “mirrors his ability,” as well as claiming that the coach “obviously a clear idea about football” and is “doing a brilliant job” at the American Express Community Stadium.

Furthermore, Pep Guardiola has also suggested that Potter is currently “the best English manager” in the game, something that it would be hard to disagree with.

As such, while Gerrard is undoubtedly a talented boss, when comparing the former Liverpool captain’s experience to that of Potter, there is a very clear winner – with the latter’s history of improving struggling sides and his desire to play attacking football looking to make the 41-year-old something of a perfect fit for Villa.

In other news: 73% win rate: NSWE could revive Villa with “remarkable” 51 y/o Gerrard alternative 

A worrying update has emerged for Newcastle ahead of the upcoming January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge has claimed that there are talks of Premier League teams being ready to refuse offers from the Magpies for their players in the January transfer window.

He told GIVEMESPORT:

“There’s a lot of talk going around with the Premier League board that they’re not going to entertain anything from Newcastle this January because they’re so against the Saudi takeover.

“We’ll have to wait and see on that. Let’s wait and see if that actually happens.”

Worry

This claim from Bridge will surely leave Newcastle fans worried about what it is to come in the next few months.

It is an early indication that they are going to face a significant pushback from fellow top-flight teams because of their takeover and that could cause tension between fanbases and clubs, which may impact transfer negotiations and potentially also the atmospheres at matches.

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Supporters may also be worried by this as it could mean the Magpies have to go out into the foreign market to pick up players instead. Consequently, they’d have to acquire players without Premier League experience and know-how, which is important as they attempt to stave off relegation back down to the Championship.

As Bridge says, though, it remains to be seen whether or not the clubs will stick to their plans when push comes to shove. In reality, will they reject big-money offers from Newcastle for a player they don’t want to keep if there are no other, similar, bids on the table? In a time when the pandemic is hitting clubs financially, it could be difficult for teams to turn down the big money that PIF has brought to the northeast.

With the January window roughly six weeks away, it could now be an anxious wait for Newcastle fans to find out whether or not the other 19 teams are willing to stick by their guns.

Until the situation is resolved, supporters can be excused for being concerned about what is to come as this claim could see them miss out on talented players For example, Manchester United’s Donny van de Beek is an example of someone who has been linked with a switch to St. James’ Park.

AND in other news, “My future…”: NUFC transfer target makes big statement that’ll leave fans gutted…

Celtic are thought to be closing in on a move for Yokohama F. Marinos forward Daizen Maeda, according to reports in Japan, as relayed by Daily Record.

The Lowdown: Maeda profiled

The 24-year-old is under contract with his current employers until 2024, as per Transfermarkt, and has just come off the back of his best goalscoring year.

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Capable of playing as a centre-forward, second striker or as a left winger, the Japan international netted 23 times and registered five assists in 36 J1 League appearances.

He has previously worked under Ange Postecoglou, and it seems as if he could reunite with the 56-year-old, as well as international teammate Kyogo Furuhashi, at Parkhead.

The Latest: ‘Final stages’

The Daily Record cited reports from Japan in a story on Tuesday afternoon, claiming that a move for the 24-year-old is in the ‘final stages’.

The report claimed that Maeda, labelled a ‘tireless worker’ by Kieran Devlin, could join on a permanent deal or a loan-to-buy move.

The Verdict: Ange not hanging around…

Postecoglou will know just what Maeda could bring to Celtic’s attacking ranks, and it seems as if a winter move to Scotland is edging ever closer for the 24-year-old.

Like Furuhashi, the forward will be able to occupy a central role or ply his trade from the left, and his energetic attributes should see him fit right in at Parkhead.

Giorgos Giakoumakis has struggled to get going in Glasgow, whereas Albian Ajeti could be on the way out, so adding another attacker seems to be a shrewd move.

It seems that the Hoops manager isn’t hanging around when it comes to January signings, and Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi could also be jetting over from Japan along with Maeda by the looks of it.

In other news: Sky Sports share more Celtic news with £20k-p/w colossus now ‘open’ to Parkhead exit

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League footballer Carlton Palmer has rejected the idea of Liverpool needing to replace Roberto Firmino to become title challengers again.

Firmino has come under scrutiny this season for his lack of goals, and some have now suggested that the Merseyside club need to sign a new No.9 if they are to enjoy more success in the future. Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland is one name that has popped up, with former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique urging his old side to go all out for the 20-year-old’s signature.

For Palmer, though, Liverpool’s main problem this season has been at the back following the long-term injury to Virgil van Dijk.

When asked whether he thinks the Premier League champions need to bring in a new No.9 to replace the £180,000-a-week ace this summer, the retired England international told FFC:

“No, I don’t. Listen, every club would always like players who score goals, but how you win leagues is by not conceding goals. As you’ve seen from Man City, that gives the confidence to your front players to go and score you a goal.

“They know it’s 0-0 and they’ve got the ability they have like Man City at the moment, that’s the basis of their resurgence, the fact that they’ve started keeping clean sheets. They were conceding too many goals. So, you know, that’s where Liverpool need to get back to now.”

Undoubtedly, defence is a huge concern for manager Jurgen Klopp right now. On top of losing Van Dijk, the German has also seen Joe Gomez and Joel Matip fall victim to season-ending injuries.

Bearing that in mind, trying to re-establish a solid and stable back four may be the solution for Klopp next term, rather than forking out on a new forward to replace Firmino.

Celtic’s season is done and dusted for another year and the higher-ups at Parkhead can begin preparing for next term.

It has been an arduous campaign for the Bhoys, one they won’t want to relive in a hurry. From Boli Bolingoli’s moment of madness with the pandemic at the start of the season to conceding a bucket load in Europe and protests outside the stadium, it has been a toxic environment.

Neil Lennon may well have now left his post, but it’s going to take quite something to turn this mess around.

On the chalkboard

Celtic should have romped to the title this year. Having won the nine previous SPFL crowns, many thought that there was always only going to be one winner. Though, as the campaign played out, it quickly became apparent that Rangers were the side who were going to win the league.

Indeed, that was confirmed on Sunday after the Hoops drew 0-0 with Dundee United. If there were any positives from that clash, it was that James Forrest was back in action.

The winger has been out injured since last September but is now finally back in action. Given how the season has panned out, it’s a welcome return for a man who offers so much to Celtic.

Forrest scored 16 times last term, racking up 22 assists in the process. Losing a player who offers those sorts of numbers is always going to be tough.

Though, they’ve also welcomed back another forward in recent months; Mikey Johnston. The 21-year-old missed the first half of the season with an MCL problem.

What does the future hold?

Forrest will undoubtedly be a major part of the Celtic rebuild but the future is less clear for Johnston. He has played just eight times this season but interim manager John Kennedy has teased the idea of him returning to the side.

Johnston hasn’t been in the matchday squad over the last four games but there are now hopes he could play a starring role in the not too distant future.

Kennedy commented last weekend: “We’ve certainly missed that [Forrest’s numbers]. There have been periods in games where you need someone who can unlock and have that bit of individual brilliance.

“So between him and Mikey Johnston, we’ve had guys like that missing, they’re your eliminators.

“As much as a team can set up in a structure to block you up, if you get James, guys like Mikey Johnston and your wingers in dangerous areas one on one versus full-backs then that can break any structure.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-manager-hunt-stories-wagner-marsch-martinez-lennon-news” title=”The last stories on Celtic’s hunt for a new manager!”]

Although Forrest will have leapfrogged Johnston in the pecking order, there is a case for Kennedy to unleash him before the season ends.

A vibrant youngster, Celtic are surely better off developing Johnston’s game than someone like Ryan Christie. He has only scored twice in his last 25 outings and has been linked with the exit door. Celtic pundits have even tipped the wide man to leave the club.

The £9k-per-week Johnston has never quite had what it takes to make the senior side on a regular basis but that should change if you heed the words of Kennedy.

Possessing the ability to beat a man – making four dribbles per game in the Europa League last term – he is a dazzling ball of energy. The winger needs to be a part of Celtic’s future just as much as Forrest.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Turnbull: Celtic must swoop for 35-goal star who’s “impossible to beat”…

Aston Villa can afford to part ways with left-back Matt Targett, currently on loan at Premier League rivals Newcastle United, with the Englishman looking to leave the West Midlands outfit permanently this summer

What’s the latest?

The 26-year-old recently spoke publicly of his desire to make his stay in the North East permanent, saying: “I’m sure and hope they can sort something out for me.

“For sure [decision time] is coming closer so, at the moment, I am really enjoying my time here and loving playing in front of the Geordie fans here.”

Toon boss Eddie Howe was made aware of those comments after Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Leicester City and reacted by stating: “If that’s what he said then it’s a lovely thing to hear from our perspective that he’s happy at the club and enjoying everything Newcastle has to offer.

“I’d be surprised if there was any other feeling from him because he’s looked so happy and settled in well.

“There are still games to play this season and opinions to be fully formed but I think he’s done very well. He’s fitted into the team and the group very well. He’s been very consistent with his performances.”

The Englishman made the move to Tyneside in January in an attempt to guarantee playing time after Villa’s £25m purchase of Lucas Digne from Everton.

Now, with the Frenchman undoubtedly Steven Gerrard’s first choice, it seems as though Targett will have to leave the West Midlands club permanently for regular game time in the top-flight.

Villa can afford to part ways with Targett

Despite a tricky start to life in claret and blue for Digne with numerous injury issues, the 28-year-old will start next season as Villa’s favoured left-back.

As a result, Targett has every right to seek a new challenge, particularly after an impressive three months as a Newcastle player.

Whether or not the North-East outfit’s expected heavy investment for high-profile talent this summer will shut the Englishman out of a permanent move is yet to be seen. However, from a Villa perspective, they can let Targett go with few consequences.

Granted, the Villans will have to seek a new backup left-back with 36-year-old Ashley Young’s contract set to expire this summer but this shouldn’t prove to be too tall a task.

The 26-year-old has proven to be a solid purchase for two-and-a-half seasons of service after his move from Southampton in 2019.

However, this campaign had since mixed displays from the left-back in claret and blue, with his opening day performance in the 3-2 defeat at Watford particularly alarming.

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans tweeted on the day: “Feeling a little bit for Matt Targett here. 14 mins in and Sarr is causing him all sorts of problems. Hard to watch.”

Even with injury issues, Digne has performed slightly better for Villa than the 26-year-old had prior to his move to St.James’ Park, according to SofaScore, with Targett’s average rating standing at 6.84 whilst Digne’s has been 6.9.

With Villa, like Newcastle, looking to make the next step up, the £59k-per-week Englishman may have to seek a completely different alternative when it comes to a permanent move. However, it won’t be a loss for Aston Villa.

AND in other news, Cost £0, now worth £19.8m: Villa struck gold on £15k-p/w gem who “demands attention”…

Carlo Ancelotti must boot Bernard out of Goodison Park in January amid claims of AS Roma eyeing a winter raid on Everton for the Brazilian midfielder.

What’s the word?

According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, via Sport Witness, the Giallorossi are monitoring Bernard’s situation ahead of the mid-season market as they look to acquire additional offensive weapons for head coach Paulo Fonseca.

Roma are presently pushing plans to sell Carles Perez in January before turning attentions to incomings, with Bernard, Stephan El Shaarawy and Roman Yaremchuk under consideration.

Everton are expected to demand €12m (£11m) to release Bernard next month, with the 28-year-old likely to look for a move away after starting just three fixtures across all competitions – including one of five Premier League appearances – thus far this season.

Fonseca was the coach of Shakhtar Donetsk during Bernard’s time at the Ukrainian side, and sought to secure a reunion in the summer with talks taking place on Deadline Day only for Ancelotti to insist the 14-cap international was wanted at Goodison Park.

El Shaarawy now appears as Roma’s favoured candidate but are yet to convince Shanghai Shenhua to sanction a loan deal, while Bernard is mentioned daily in discussions between Fonseca and Giallorossi staff.

Time to leave

Ancelotti may have insisted that Bernard had a role to play on Merseyside in the summer, but must accept that it is now time to boot the midfielder out of Goodison Park where he is the joint-highest earner on a £120,000-per-week contract.

Bernard and his agent were able to secure such a lucrative deal with the Brazilian joining on a free transfer in 2018, but has failed to prove value for money with fleeting appearances and a hand in just 14 goals (seven scored, seven assisted) over 74 outings across all competitions.

Ancelotti only awarded Bernard his sole Premier League start of the season so far as he sought to find a replacement for Richarlison whilst the winger was suspended, too, and immediately benched the Roma target despite finding the net against Manchester United.

Question marks have also stood over Bernard’s impact at Goodison Park for some time now, with Noel Whelan hinting just over a year ago that the 28-year-old is a luxury player.

“Can he do the defensive side as well? Every midfield player now, you can’t afford luxury players, everyone’s got to chip in on both sides of the game. Defensively, that’s the only area that I’d worry – can he get back in formation, can he get behind the ball, can he do it in 90 minutes?” Whelan told Football Insider.

Those concerns continue to remain, with Bernard offering one interception every 41.8 minutes of Premier League action this season, plus a successful tackle every 41.8 minutes, a clearance every 69.7 minutes and has registered one block every 104.5 minutes, per WhoScored.

Added to his tame offensive record with one shot every 69.7 minutes and an on-target effort every 209 minutes, plus a key pass every 41.8 minutes, it really is time for Ancelotti to show the Marco Silva signing the boot.

AND in other news, Everton have been dealt a huge blow, from which the long-term effects may hurt Carlo Ancelotti.

Manchester United might well have the opportunity to sign an excellent partner for captain Harry Maguire this summer.

The Red Devils have been linked with a move for Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenkovic, with reports from Calciomercato claiming that they are interested in the defender and could agree a deal worth approximately £26m with the Serie A outfit to bring him to Old Trafford.

Ed Woodward must certainly try and do that as United aim to bolster their defensive options heading into 2021/22.

Milenkovic has certainly harnessed his reputation as one of the most promising defenders in European football in recent seasons.

Rated at £25.2m by Transfermarkt, the 23-year has amassed 118 appearances in Serie A since a 2017 move from Partizan Belgrade. He has played a key role with the Florence club securing two top 10 Serie A finishes in his time at the club.

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Milenkovic has drawn lofty praise for his performances, too, with former Serbia head coach Mladen Krstajic labelling him as “a new Vidic” – a prospect which will certainly be tempting the Red Devils into making a move considering the 39-year-old’s achievements at Old Trafford in the past.

When comparing his statistics to his Manchester United counterparts, the current Fiorentina man comes out overwhelmingly on top.

According to WhoScored, he averages more tackles, interceptions, clearances and blocks per game in the league this season than Victor Lindelof. He also exceeds the Sweden defender for aerial duels won per match.

It all makes a convincing argument for Milenkovic to be Harry Maguire’s partner in Manchester. With the Red Devils linked with a move for the Serbian, they must convert that interest into a tangible offer to his current employers and do all they can to bring him to Old Trafford in the near future.

AND in more news, find out why last week’s Liverpool postponement is a disaster for the Red Devils…

Wolves’ win over Arsenal on Tuesday evening was crucial. Going into the game, the Molineux outfit hadn’t tasted victory in the Premier League this year so it was a welcome return to form.

That being said, it cannot paper over the cracks of what has been a dismal few months.

On the chalkboard

Since Raul Jimenez suffered a horrendous fractured skull, Wolves have been in diabolical shape. They have won just four times in all competitions following on from that, but alarm bells started to ring well before his injury in November.

The Old Gold have kept only a solitary clean sheet in the league since October and with Nuno tinkering between his formations, it has led to inconsistency.

That has clearly been the case in central midfield – an area you’d traditionally associate with class and vigour.

However, in Joao Moutinho, they have a player who is struggling this season. The Portuguese returned to form against Arsenal by scoring a thunderbolt from long-range but before that, the veteran had failed to score this term.

He is usually the man to set the tempo and pick the locks of Premier League defences. Yet, he has been way off the boil this season and has failed to register a single assist.

It’s led to Wolves reporter Tim Spiers claiming this could be the midfielder’s final campaign as a regular in Nuno’s starting XI. It certainly wouldn’t be a surprise if that conclusion was reached.

Unleash Otasowie

Moutinho’s passionate display against the Gunners can’t afford to gloss over what has been a timid and tired campaign for the 34-year-old.

You can hardly blame his weary legs due to the amount of football being played on a regular basis but that’s exactly why Owen Otasowie deserves more minutes.

The American has only appeared five times for the senior side and was handed a surprising Premier League debut against Chelsea. He started behind the striker on that occasion but usually, he plays in a more holding or box to box midfield role.

He has boundless amounts of energy and for Wolves’ central area that could be game-changing. It’s hard to suggest that Leander Dendoncker, Ruben Neves and Moutinho are too mobile so the 20-year-old may add something new.

Speaking about the £1.3m-rated talent earlier this year, Scott Sellars summed up his qualities perfectly: “He’s versatile. His physicality is his biggest strength. He’s really good at protecting the ball and at one-v-ones, with and without the ball. A lot of his development has been done in cages in London and you can see that with him. He’s got a lot going for him.”

His growth in the game has been very different from the more cultured progression of Moutinho. Though, his personality is no different. Like the Portugal international, he has an infectious persona and a positive outlook on football.

Sellars added: “He’s bright, he challenges the norm, which I like about him. He won’t just say, ‘Yeah, that’s OK, I’ll do what you say’. He’s got personality. I’ve had some interesting and very honest conversations with him about where he’s at, which he appreciates.”

We’re yet to see Otasowie truly burst onto the first-team scene but it surely won’t be long before we see him making a bigger impression.

After all, the way he gallops forward is unlike many others in the Wolves team. Nuno simply has to consider the youngster over the next few months.

AND in other news, Nuno must unleash rarely-seen Wolves flop next term, Jota called him a “good signing”…