All posts by z3u9t.icu

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.

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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.

A number of Rangers supporters have flocked to an official club tweet to hail Scott Arfield following his goal in the 3-1 victory over Livingston.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst made a winning start to life in the Premiership since taking over as manager, adding to Thursday’s triumph against Sparta Prague in the Europa League.

The champions eased to a win at Livingston on Sunday, ensuring that they remain four points clear of the Celtic in the title race.

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It was Arfield who opened the scoring for the Gers, giving his side an early lead, with Joe Aribo and Fashion Sakala also finding the net.

After the game, Rangers’ official Twitter channel posted a photo of Arfield producing his trademark salute celebration after scoring, with the image going down a treat among many of the Ibrox fan base.

Rangers fans love Arfield photo

These Gers fans took to Twitter to show their appreciation for the “majestic” Canada international as the photo of his celebration was shared.

“Things you love to see”

Credit: @WATP72RFC

“Only word for this guy is majestic”

Credit: @ash93_x

“Saluting his way to another title”

Credit: @GKilpatrick1116

“This is the content we want to see Mr Rangers”

Credit: @craigmo05203773

“Top player”

Credit: @shorty7255

“Handsome”

Credit: @Millsy97_

In other news, some Rangers fans were unhappy with one player after Livingston’s goal. Find out who it is here.

An update has emerged on Olympiacos midfielder Aguibou Camara, regarding Newcastle United’s interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to The Sun, the Magpies are eyeing up a potential January deal for the ex-Lille man, who is valued at £20m by the Greek giants.

The report claims that Premier League sides Leicester and Liverpool have also made contact with his agent following his impressive form this season.

ASM 2.0

Eddie Howe could land Allan Saint-Maximin 2.0 with a deal for Camara in January as he could be a new wildcard option to utilise in midfield.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has four goals and one assist in eight league matches for Olympiacos this season. He has also averaged a superb SofaScore rating of 7.25 and made 3.8 tackles per game in the Europa League, showing that he has the quality to shine on the European stage.

French manager Christian Larièpe once claimed that he has a ‘form of recklessness’ to his game. He said:

“I had seen him in Guinea, he was the best hope in the country and we called him for our detection in Morocco in 2019. But it was Luis (Campos) who validated it, it is him. who set this whole process in place.

“Camara was fast, was technical, and besides he had a very interesting personality. He was very alert, very open with a certain form of recklessness. There was also a lot of clubs on him.”

These comments suggest that he could be a wildcard on and off the pitch, which means that he has the potential to provide the club with a spark – much like Saint-Maximin. The French attacker was once called a “wildcard” by Liverpool legend Graeme Souness, who also admitted that the forward gets fans “excited”.

Saint-Maximin has nine goals and 11 assists in the Premier League since his move to the club in 2019, showing that he has the ability to be a match-winner with his telling contributions in the final third.

Camara could come in and have a similar impact with his vibrant personality and ruthless streak, with his form for Olympiacos suggesting that he could also have the quality to make the step over to the Premier League.

It is now down to Howe and PIF to ensure that they can get a deal over the line for the Guinea international in the next transfer window, as they could land their next Saint-Maximin…

AND in other news, PIF ready to pay £67m to complete stunning NUFC deal that’ll surely have fans buzzing…

Aston Villa’s move for West Brom starlet Tim Iroegbunam has now been completed, and it’s exciting news for the club’s fans.

What’s the story?

According to recent reports from Football Insider, Dean Smith’s side had “agreed to pay a six-figure compensation fee to their rivals for Iroegbunam’s development costs”.

And now, writing on Twitter, The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece said: “Tim Iroegbunam – West Brom’s academy player of the year – has completed his move to Aston Villa. Mark Harrison said of the 18-year-old: ‘Tim is an athletic midfielder who is technically very good. Tim has a lot of potential.’ #AVFC”

Exciting news for fans

With Finn Azaz having just come through the door, and Louie Barry making the long way around from the Hawthorns via Barcelona, Iroegbunam becomes yet another former Baggies player to sign for Villa.

It’s a real statement of the kind of impressive work Villa are doing at academy level in helping to set up their future, and bring through the next Jack Grealish’s of the world.

A profile piece done by The Birmingham Mail said of Iroegbunam: “The 18-year-old, described as “combative and all-action” by Albion coaches, will look to link up with former teammate Louie Barry at Villa with the pair remaining close friends off the pitch. BirminghamLive has been told that Iroegbunam has turned down a new and improved contract at The Hawthorns in favour of moving to Villa Park.”

Villa fans have already seen first-hand the kind of promise and potential their academy side has, having watched them bravely fight against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the FA Cup third round earlier this calendar year.

That day saw Barry hit the headlines after finding the back of the net against the Reds, and the likes of Azaz and Iroegbunam will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of the teenage striker by making their own mark on the senior team at Villa Park.

Iroegbunam’s arrival is yet more exciting news for the club’s fans, who will no doubt be buzzing with the teenager’s arrival.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has made a major Aston Villa transfer claim…

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa is eyeing a move for Southampton goalkeeper Angus Gunn in the summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

The Leeds boss was reported to have wanted to sign the 25-year-old prior to his £13.5m move to the south coast in the summer of 2018 and appears to have kept tabs on his progress ever since.

Football Insider claim that despite newly-promoted Norwich having agreed a fee with the Saints, Bielsa’s side are looking to “hijack” the deal.

The report reveals that Leeds have registered their interest in the goalkeeper as they look to swoop in late, and that Gunn is seen as the perfect cover for Illan Meslier as they look to offload Kiko Casilla.

Perfect back-up for Meslier

Hailed as being “tremendous” by former Southampton boss Mark Hughes, and someone who could eventually be an England international, Gunn could finally arrive at Elland Road after a few years of Bielsa wanting him.

Gunn is on around £4ok-per-week at St Mary’s, which isn’t much of a financial gamble for Andrea Radrizzani to take, and in signing him, he would give Bielsa someone who’s Premier League experienced and capable of providing back-up to Meslier.

The Saints stopper has played top-flight football with the Saints, as well as enjoying Championship stints with the likes of Norwich and Stoke.

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And, at 25, he still has plenty of years to develop and he could give Leeds and Bielsa a number of seasons keeping Meslier on his toes.

The Leeds boss will surely be buzzing at the prospect of seeing the club potentially landing a man he first wanted back in 2018.

Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has dropped a major Leeds United transfer update…

Express and Star journalist Luke Hatfield thinks that Wolves could be busy in the January transfer window having endured a disappointing deadline day in which they failed to complete deals for Renato Sanches, Boubacar Kamara or Kieffer Moore.

Bruno Lage make six summer signings, with Hee Chan Hwang, Jose Sa, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Yerson Mosquera, Louie Moulden and Francisco Trincao all signing deals at Molineux.

Wolves have had a tough start to the new Premier League campaign as they have lost all three of their opening games by a single goal to nil. Whilst they haven’t registered a point on the board as of yet, the performances have been good and in their most recent match against Manchester United, they were unfortunate not to take at least a point against the Red Devils.

Whilst they were active in the summer window, Hatfield believes that Wolves could be busy in the January window also, telling Football FanCast: “January is always the hardest window to shop in. Clubs don’t want to let players go in the middle of the season, you’ve got to have players who are going to hit the ground running, so it’s a tricky window to operate in.

“Wolves could well be busy in it, but of course it depends on how their start to the season goes. If they have a fantastic start and they find themselves in the top half of the table, maybe challenging for the Europa League places, maybe they’ll think they’re happy with what they’ve got. But equally if they have a poor start to the season, it could spur them into action.”

Wolves manger Bruno Lage will be hoping that his side gels quickly and that they can improve on last season’s 13th place finish in the Premier League table under Nuno Santo.

Journalist Luke Hatfield has told Football FanCast that Aaron Ramsey’s wages would have prevented a move to Wolves during the summer transfer window if they really did want him.

Towards the end of last month, there were some whispers coming out of Italy about the Juventus midfielder potentially joining Wolves.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the two clubs discussed the possibility of a swap deal that would have seen Ruben Neves head the other way.

But with Ramsey on enormous wages, £400,000 a week, according to BBC Sport, Hatfield says it was a non-starter.

“He’s on big wages,” the Express & Star reporter said. “I think regardless of where he goes, he’s probably going to have to face a wage cut. But for Wolves, they probably looked at that and thought he’s a very talented player and he’d do a great job back in the Premier League, but the wages just make it a very, very hard one.”

In the end, it was not the most productive transfer window for Wolves, which may have disappointed some fans.

However, they were able to keep Adama Traore and Neves, who both looked to be heading out of the door at one stage, so it is not all doom and gloom. That could quickly change, though, if Bruno Lage’s men do not start picking up points after failing to take any from their first three Premier League fixtures.

Many Everton fans have been flocking to a transfer update on Tom Davies from Football Insider.

As per the news outlet, Southampton have reignited their interest in signing the midfielder after failing to land him last year.

A source from the Saints has claimed that they will make a move for him if they are given encouragement by the Goodison Park club to do so.

The 22-year-old did not score a single goal in 30 games in total over all competitions in the 2020/21 season and only recorded one assist (criticism from numerous Everton fans on occasion.

Carlo Ancelotti would surely have been expecting better numbers from a midfielder, and given his age and English nationality, the Merseyside club may be able to demand a sizeable transfer fee for him. Therefore, the Toffees should seriously consider selling him – even if it is to a rival Premier League club –  and recoup some cash to invest in other positions once the summer window opens.

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Everton fans on Davies transfer update

These Everton fans flocked to the transfer update as it was shared on Twitter, with one supporter even going as far as to claim that Davies is of ‘Championship’ standard:

“He’s not good enough, cash in. That first goal Aguero scored last week, it was cos he lost the ball, he does that about 3/4 times a game. He thinks he’s quicker and stronger than what he is. What Fernandinho done to him, the same happened v Burnley when Wood scored.”

Credit: @BlueMerseyside

“He’s been in the squad since 2016 and he’s still terrible.”

Credit: @TheYak_Creaney

“We are going nowhere with mediocre players like this. Great lad but Championship quality at best”

Credit: @SteveWardNature

“No goals, no shots, 1 assist in 24 matches, I will drive him to Southampton, lovely lad great personality but definitely not an Everton player imo”

Credit: @jeanettesimo72

“Snatch their hand off!!!!”

Credit: @dempster1969

“Bite their hand off.”

Credit: @jmacca1878

In other news, find out what transfer update has left these Toffees fans buzzing!

Finance expert Kieran Maguire has given his reaction to some news that he has now heard from Newcastle United involving their takeover.

The Lowdown: Takeover investigation

As per The Times, a law firm run by interim Premier League chair Peter McCormick conducted preliminary checks on the Saudi-backed takeover at St. James’ Park last year.

This has led to some teams in the top flight accusing the division’s decision-makers of having a vested interest, with implications of impartiality.

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According to The Times, the FA board is now set to investigate McCormick’s alleged conflict of interest.

This follows calls of potentially introducing an independent regulator for football by the government, after controversies surrounding the Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) takeover.

The Latest: Maguire reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, Maguire, a Sky Sports pundit and expert in football finances, has now given his reaction to the news of the investigation, claiming that while the North East club have ‘nothing to worry about’, it does look ’embarrassing’ for them after wrapping up the deal:

“There’s nothing to worry about for Newcastle because they have done nothing wrong.

“But it does look embarrassing if this investigation goes ahead. You can understand the optics of it in that respect.

“The club has, however, been completely vindicated in their eyes and indeed in their fans’ eyes with regards to the PIF takeover.”

The Verdict: Move on

The takeover is a done deal, and whatever disagreements and conflicts remain surrounding it, football simply has to move on.

The investigation can be launched, but as Maguire claims, they will likely find nothing that the Tyneside outfit have done wrong with regards to the takeover, and so it just seems a frustrating waste of time.

Nonetheless, introducing an independent regulator should remove all controversies for future takeovers of football clubs, but for now the Toon Army should be allowed to look forward to what lies ahead for them.

In other news, find out what the Magpies have now been ‘told’ about their ‘special’ transfer target here!