All posts by z3u9t.icu

Manchester City are set to rival Manchester United in the race to sign West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice this summer.

The Lowdown: Transfer interest in Rice

A recent report from The Guardian has claimed that the 23-year-old has rejected a third contract offer with the east London club and is therefore ‘open’ to a move away in the summer.

However, Irons manager David Moyes has previously put a staggering £150m price tag on his vice-captain, following reports claiming that the Hammers would let him leave for £100m. This comes as Manchester United have frequently been linked with a move for the England international.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-developments-4/” title=”West Ham latest developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Latest: Man City join the race for Rice

According to a fresh report by the Daily Mail, Manchester City are also ready to launch themselves into the race to sign Rice in the summer.

The Premier League champions have asked the Hammers to keep them informed on the 23-year-old’s future as he evaluates his options, although it is claimed that the Irons’ demands could prove to be problematic for Pep Guardiola’s side.

The Verdict: Huge blow for West Ham

Rice’s refusal to sign a third contract offer will come as a huge blow an anxious sign of things to come for Moyes and everyone at the London Stadium.

With the likes of Manchester City joining the race to secure his signature, the midfielder’s pursuit of silverware could become far more attainable.

Therefore, West Ham must do anything they can to keep hold of their “outstanding” star man – in the words of Gareth Southgate – for as long as possible as they look to cement themselves as part of the top six. If even three contract offers can’t persuade Rice, it looks increasingly as if the Irons could lose their grip on the 23-year-old.

In other news: West Ham are in the race to sign this Championship gem

Crystal Palace are monitoring Tom Davies’ situation at Everton, according to Football Insider. 

The lowdown

Both of Davies’ starts under Rafael Benitez have come in the Carabao Cup, with the 23-year-old restricted to a mere 16 minutes across two substitute appearances in the Premier League.

The midfielder’s £25,000-per-week contract is up in less than two years’ time and there’s apparently been ‘no progress’ towards an extension.

Davies had enjoyed something of a resurgence under Rafael Benitez’s predecessor Carlo Ancelotti. Indeed, Sky Sports journalist Alan Myers said back in March he’d ‘increased performance-wise incredibly’.

The latest

Everton have already lost one academy graduate to a league rival this year, as Thierry Small departed for Southampton.

Now, a Crystal Palace source has told Football Insider that Davies is ‘on their radar’ for 2022.

They’re keeping a close eye on a situation that they feel they may be able to exploit.

The verdict

The change of manager has certainly come at the wrong time for Davies, whose career may now stall.

If he was to take what would surely be a difficult decision to leave Everton – he’s a locally-born academy graduate – then how could they replace him?

Well, one option is Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff. It’s recently been reported that the Blues are still looking to reunite with him Rafael Benitez, having first explored the possibility of a deal over the summer.

In other news, could this be the answer to Everton’s right-back problem?

Speaking live on Sky Sports (via Football Daily), reporter Dharmesh Sheth has made a West Ham United transfer claim involving long-time target Jesse Lingard.

The Lowdown: Lingard on the radar…

Ever since his phenomenal second-half season loan spell in east London, where he bagged nine goals and four assists in 16 Premier League starts (WhoScored), Lingard has been linked with a permanent West Ham stay.

He had been tipped as one of manager David Moyes’ priority targets for the summer, as Claret & Hugh stated, but a move seemingly looked off when Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted he was in his plans for 2021/2022.

Sky Sports also revealed West Ham’s belief that they only had a ’10 per cent’ chance of signing him this summer, but ExWHUemployee’s recent update provided a bit of hope.

The club insider claimed that Lingard is now far more open to a return given his United game time situation and an Irons offer is likely (Patreon).

The Latest: Sky journalist makes on air Lingard claim…

Speaking live on Sky, Sheth has now backed Ex’s previous report that a bid is indeed expected for the 28-year-old.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-news-3/” title=”West Ham latest news…” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

“With Lingard, we are still expecting West Ham United to come in with an offer to take him from Manchester United,” explained the journalist.

“Their coach, Stuart Pearce, has already said ‘the ball is in Manchester United’s court, but of course, we would love him back given when he did last season’.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

There is just under a fortnight of this transfer window remaining and West Ham cannot afford to dilly-dally much longer.

Moyes is in bad need of attacking reinforcements, more so for a star striker to partner Michail Antonio, but signing Lingard could also provide that extra dimension going forward.

Lauded as ‘sensational’ for his spell at West Ham on loan by ex-Arsenal man Nigel Winterburn (The Sun), snapping up the Red Devils ace would indeed be quite a coup.

In other news: ExWHUemployee drops behind-scenes update involving 86-goal forward, find out more here.

In the modern era, it’s often the big-money purchases which make the headlines; after all, it’s only natural that a record signing garners more attention and excitement than others.

However, at Liverpool there is one particular acquisition who consistently flies under the radar, partly because of his relatively small transfer fee.

Andy Robertson joined the Reds from relegated Hull City for an initial £8m back in 2017 and has arguably become the club’s greatest value-for-money signing over the last four years.

In 179 appearances for Liverpool, the 27-year-old left-back has bagged five goals and provided an incredible 37 assists for his teammates, playing a pivotal part in the club’s maiden Premier League triumph and sixth European Cup success.

The Scotland international has formed one half of perhaps the most celebrated full-back combination in English football history alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold as the duo continue to defy expectations.

Jurgen Klopp’s system at Anfield relies upon both Robertson and Alexander-Arnold being capable of bombing forward with alarming regularity, providing the width and threat from out wide as his wingers become inside forwards and attack from more central areas.

However, they are also expected to defend, a task Robertson with which is equally as comfortable as getting forward. Last season, he averaged 1.2 tackles and 1.8 clearances per league game, while also only being dribbled past 0.8 times per match.

His value at both ends of the field for Klopp’s charges can’t be underestimated, and it’s no surprise that his market value has skyrocketed to £58.5m during his time on Merseyside.

After putting pen to paper on fresh terms over the summer, extending his current contract until 2026, Liverpool fans can look forward to seeing their first-choice left-back maraud down Anfield’s flanks for many more seasons to come.

In other news… Sold for £25.38m, now worth £5.4m: Edwards sealed his biggest LFC masterclass by flogging this dud 

Lots of Everton fans have been left reacting to some news involving Rafa Benitez.

As per Football Insider, the soon-to-be new owners at the St. James’ Park faithful are now plotting a move to bring the Spaniard back to the North East once the proposed takeover by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium goes through.

He was given a three-year deal by the Merseyside club this summer after replacing Carlo Ancelotti, who went on to manage Real Madrid.

Of course, even though the new owners may have the financial muscle, it does seem very unrealistic that Benitez would leave the Toffees after such a short spell in charge, especially given the fact that they are currently sitting in a healthy fifth spot in the table in the Premier League at the moment.

Everton fans on Benitez news

These Blues rubbished the news as it was shared on Twitter, with one EFC supporter even going as far as to claim that it was ‘laughable’:

“Hahahahahaha! Not happening”

Credit: @D_Hart11

“In addition to the fact he’s at a much bigger club, they will still be under the same PL restrictions as we are and Usmanov will be pumping millions into EFC when he can anyway. File under not happening”

Credit: @EFCTweeter1878

“Honestly, this is getting boring now. A club with little or no history suddenly hits the big time with a mega bucks and all of a sudden, they’re going to poach our manager. Some of the names I’ve seen linked today by deluded ‘journalists’ are laughable. Money ruining the game.”

Credit: @chumble9

“Not going to happen.”

Credit: @SheepFlavour

“The ‘mega transfer kitty’ talk is being insanely overstated. The Elite pulled up the ladder several years ago. They barely tolerate Man City. FFP is king these days, to stop another City/Chelsea happening instantly as in the past, as Everton’s situation has shown.”

Credit: @UpperGwladysBlu

“The takeover will put Newcastle in the race for 5th to 10th. FFP will limit their ability to buy top players, who in all likelihood won’t move to Newcastle in any case….the top 4 ship has sailed…it’s funny watching them talk about it though…..”

Credit: @saus1878

In other news, find out what club news has Evertonians buzzing here!

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans have erupted over a fresh update on transfer target Jesse Lingard’s situation at Manchester United.

The Red Devils ace, who enjoyed a stellar second half of 2020/2021 on loan at West Ham, has been targeted by the Hammers over a permanent deal for quite some time according to reports.

Club insider Claret & Hugh said all the way back in March that Lingard was a main priority target for manager David Moyes alongside the signing of a new centre-half and striker.

BBC Sport reporter Simon Stone believes that the England international is still a target for West Ham but Lingard himself would prefer to see out the final year of his deal at Old Trafford.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-gossip/” title=”West Ham latest gossip…” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Now, bringing a fresh update, Manchester Evening News correspondent Samuel Luckhurst has claimed that United are now open to selling the 28-year-old before August 31 after all.

This is despite manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expecting Lingard in his plans for the start of 2021/2022, with the Premier League giants seemingly pulling a U-turn on their stance.

Flocking to this update, it’s safe to say many Irons supporters have erupted on social media – find all of their best reactions, in response to West Ham Fan Zone and West Ham News & Views, down below.

West Ham fans erupt over Lingard update…

“Get him back. Was amazing at us. would be great with full season.”

Credit: @thedaddy222

“Stop putting me through this I beg”

Credit: @olliedennis97

“come home x”

Credit: @alfie55032768

“Bring him home”

Credit: @andertony95

“Come on West Ham do something”

Credit: @WESTHAM_AWAY

“GET HIM IN”

Credit: @raphtweetr

“get him back”

Credit: @lucashello

“Don’t give me false hopes please”

Credit: @BasmatiBusquets

In other news: West Ham now weighing swoop to sign ‘world class’ striker, club prepared to sell…find out more here.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left fuming over some early team news that has emerged ahead of their game away at Hearts at Sunday lunchtime.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match in the Scottish Premiership, Giovanni van Bronckhorst has revealed that Kemar Roofe is now a ‘doubt’.

The Jamaica international has struggled at times with injury problems throughout his career at Ibrox, and has not always been available throughout this season so far.

It is a shame, because he has come up with 10 goals in 20 games so far this term (Transfermarkt), but injuries seem to be holding him back.

Nonetheless, it seems as if a lot of Light Blues supporters are losing patience with him as he struggles to keep himself fit for a sustained period of time.

Rangers fans on team news

These Teddy Bears were left fuming as the early team news involving Roofe was shared on Twitter:

“Roofe’s injuries becoming an issue again”

Credit: @BIBRSCShawlands

“Time to sell Roofe.”

Credit: @mendrinkmilk

“Convinced Roofe is made of glass.”

Credit: @jaayfc

“Roofe again”

Credit: @AyeReady87

“Don’t see where Roofe fits into a 4231 and he’s very injury prone… need to start looking at alternatives”

Credit: @Rfc1872I

“Roofe, Helander and Jack all important players for us but all seem to struggle injury wise. It’s gutting.”

Credit: @Stuart1872Rfc

In other news, find out whose display against Lyon was slammed here!

It wasn’t long ago that Tom Rogic’s Celtic career looked in significant doubt.

The attacking midfielder was only a bit-part player at Parkhead during various points of Neil Lennon’s tenure and was linked with a regular exit from the Hoops.

Yet, step forward Ange Postecoglou, who has revived his fellow countryman’s career in Glasgow, with the Australian playing 44 times this term and contributing to 16 goals in the process.

Rogic is now a key player again and in the words of The Athletic’s Kieran Devlin, he is becoming a “Celtic great.”

It’s hard to argue against that considering his 266 outings in the green and white but he does have competition from David Turnbull, someone who has spent plenty of time on the sidelines this term.

He will also have to look further behind him in Matt O’Riley, who has very quickly become a fan favourite at Celtic Park.

The Denmark U21 international signed from MK Dons for a bargain fee of £1.5m in January and he has been a revelation since penning terms.

The 21-year-old already has three goals and three assists in Celtic colours and that tally will surely rapidly improve.

His performance off the bench in the 7-0 drubbing of St Johnstone was one of his best performances yet, with the £405k-rated attack-minded player finding the net twice.

Capable of playing in central areas or on the flanks, the youngster is starting to show shades of a certain Stuart Armstrong, someone who stood out in a similar position before being snapped up by Southampton.

Armstrong scored 28 times and supplied another 25 for his teammates in Glasgow and the more intricate stats suggest how alike they are.

In 2021/22 so far, the Scotland international has recorded 1.7 shots per, 1.1 key passes and 1.2 dribbles per match in the Premier League.

O’Riley on the other hand has registered 1.4 shots, 2.5 key passes and 0.6 dribbles per match, although that final statistic was better at 1.3 while he was still playing in England’s third tier.

With those stats in mind, they both appear to glide past players with ease, while they’re also extremely dangerous in front of goal.

Celtic’s new recruit does appear to be more creative but it’s clear to see why this comparison is being made.

Described as “silky” and “classy” after yesterday’s win by pundit Michael Stewart, the future is a hugely exciting one for O’Riley in Glasgow.

AND in other news, Forget Jota: Ange must clinch huge Celtic signing in 54-goal gem who is “like Mbappe”…

A source from Newcastle United has revealed that there are now talks taking place with Eddie Howe ahead of potentially making him their next manager.

The Lowdown: Second choice?

The Athletic reported just yesterday that Howe was the alternative option to Unai Emery to take charge at St. James’ Park, with the latter originally looking likely to be the next permanent manager.

However, Emery has recently released a statement claiming that he is now going to stay at Villarreal, meaning that they have to look at other candidates, as the new owners scramble to get someone in before the weekend.

Nonetheless, it looks as if Howe is now the favourite to take over from Graeme Jones.

The Latest: Howe talks

Speaking to Football Insider, a Tyneside club source has now revealed that terms are being negotiated with Howe over his potential appointment, and that Amanda Staveley is ‘confident’ that they will get their man.

The Magpies have turned ‘quickly’ to Howe, after Emery had doubts over the club’s strategy.

Should both parties reach a full agreement, then Howe should be appointed in time for their weekend clash against Brighton and Hove Albion.

The former AFC Bournemouth boss is ‘willing’ to work alongside Jones, and this is believed to be a ‘critical factor’.

The Verdict: Good fit

Howe is certainly a good fit for the Magpies for the predicament that they find themselves in at the moment.

Even though he did bring the Cherries back down to the Championship after five straight seasons in the Premier League (Transfermarkt), he at least has experience of fighting relegation battles, and his route of getting them up to the top flight in the first place should certainly not go unnoticed – the South coast outfit had a fraction of the resources as the Magpies now will.

Former Premier League boss Harry Redknapp lauded the ‘incredible’ job that he did at Bournemouth, while even the great Sir Alex Ferguson rates him as well, praising him during the summer amidst links to Celtic.

Howe certainly has his admirers, and given that he is out of work, should be far more attainable for the consortium.

In other news, find out which ‘world class’ manager is now being ‘pushed’ by Jones for NUFC here!

Liverpool are plotting a move for highly rated Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, and he could be the perfect replacement for Mohamed Salah if he leaves.

What’s the story?

According to reports in Italy,  Liverpool are plotting a move for Moussa Diaby as a potential replacement for Salah should the Egyptian fail to sign a new contract.

Diaby currently players in the Bundesliga for Leverkusen and has a great record for a 22-year old, and is rated at £49.5m.

The Reds are one of several Premier League clubs interested in the player with reports saying that West Ham United also want to sign the youngster.

He could be the perfect replacement for Salah

Liverpool have still failed to reach an agreement on a new contract with their star man Mohamed Salah. Negotiations broke down last month but have since restarted, however there are no guarantees that he will decide to stay which has led to Liverpool planning for life without him.

Diaby could be the ideal replacement and with the Frenchman so young it would be a worthy investment. He may not be at the levels of Salah just yet, but Klopp is known for developing good players into world class players so there’s no reason he couldn’t do the same here.

He has made 28 appearances in the league this season and been directly involved in 21 goals. He’s also shone in Europe with his performances in the Europa League earlier this campaign described as “special”.

It’s not a surprise he’s attracting a lot of interest as he is one of the best players in the Bundesliga, ranking in the top 3% for expected non-penalty goals.

When it comes to goals and assists combined for his club this season nobody beats him, he’s been key to the clubs battle for a Champions League place.

It’s hard to directly compare him with Salah given the age and experience difference, it’s more his potential that raises eyebrows. If you compare their stats when they were both 22, they’re remarkably similar.

Their goals per shots on target were the same at 0.46, with Diaby’s number of assists per 90 minutes being more than Salah’s at the time.

If he continues on the same trajectory then he could turn into one of the world’s best. Even if Salah decides to stay put an Anfield, this is a transfer race Liverpool need to be winning.

IN other news: Liverpool in talks over Karim Adeyemi…