All posts by z3u9t.icu

West Ham United are set to face plenty of competition for mooted summer target Tammy Abraham…

What’s the word?

According to 90min, Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund have entered the race to secure the 23-year-old striker from Chelsea, who have been left unimpressed by his demands for a big-money contract.

Premier League rivals Southampton, Crystal Palace and Brighton are also in the running for Abraham, but few can match his reported £82,000-a-week wages.

The Blues are also said to have set an asking price of around £40m for the forward but, according to the Daily Mail, David Moyes is only prepared to pay £25m.

Get it done, Sullivan

If it’s a case of merely stumping up an additional £15m, then David Sullivan and the Irons hierarchy would be fools to not pay it, especially after the predicament in which they left their manager earlier this year.

After sanctioning the departure of club-record flop Sebastian Haller to Ajax during the January transfer window, the club failed to find an alternative to bring in, leaving Moyes with only one senior striker in Michail Antonio, and even that’s a bit sketchy considering his injury record.

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Therefore, it’s hardly a surprise to see the Hammers targeting the addition of a new centre-forward this summer, and given Abraham’s experience in the Premier League, there cannot be many better candidates.

Unfortunately for the Irons, there is often a premium to pay for homegrown English talent, as seen by Harry Maguire (£80m) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£50m) in recent years. Arguably, they could both have been bought for cheaper fees, especially given that their replacements cost a snip of their exit fee.

Having worked his way into the side more regularly under Frank Lampard, Abraham has found the net 30 times throughout his Stamford Bridge career; and even despite a lack of game-time under new manager Thomas Tuchel, he still ranks among their top goalscorers for the season.

Once described as “unbelievable” by Jack Grealish, it is surely only a matter of time before the England international starts scoring even more regularly at the highest level if he is given a chance like he would surely be at the London Stadium.

Similarly, his style of play is an attractive one, having drawn serious comparisons to a Premier League great.

BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand waxed lyrical about Abraham last season following a starring role against Lille. He said (via Daily Express): “First half, one ball went up to him, Didier Drogba-esque, chests it down for someone, runs on for the next phase – I think he’s developing nicely. He’s scoring goals, he’s scoring different types of goals and I think he’s a threat.”

Also lauded as a “phenomenal player” by Alex McLeish to Football Insider, it’s clear that Abraham would be a perfectly viable option to provide cover for or even rival Antonio for the starting spot.

£40m is a lot of money but there won’t be many better candidates out there.

AND in other news, ExWHUemployee drops exciting West Ham transfer update…

Manchester City currently have the best defensive record in the Premier League with 21 goals conceded in 33 league games.

One figure, in particular, that has contributed a lot to that impressive feat is defender, Aymeric Laporte.

Signed from Athletic Bilbao back in the 2018 January transfer window, the centre-back has made 148 appearances in total for the Manchester club.

With 28 league appearances to his name in this campaign, only three other outfield players have racked up more minutes than the Spaniard.

In terms of what he’s delivered for the team, only Joao Cancelo (2363) has completed more passes in the entire league than Laporte (2355), showing just how much of the ball gets passed around through the centre-back.

From a defensive point of view, the 27-year-old has racked up 14 tackles, 125 pressures, 19 blocks, 29 interceptions and 64 clearances, highlighting how involved and capable he is when required to defend.

Even though Pep Guardiola’s side have some massive games left to play in the Premier League and Champions League before the summer transfer window opens, it seems the club could be in the mix to replicate the same sort of masterclass they made with Laporte.

According to reports in Spain, City have joined their rivals Manchester United in the race to sign Villarreal defender Pau Torres.

Labelled as having an “extraordinary talent to construct the play” by former Villarreal player and coach Javi Calleja, Torres has the second-highest number of passes at the club during this current La Liga campaign.

This shows the similarities between him and his fellow countryman Laporte in terms of being particularly useful when it comes to passing the ball out from the back.

Also, with 11 tackles, 168 pressures, 39 interceptions and 103 clearances under his belt in La Liga this season, the £45m-rated 25-year-old can also hold his own in terms of defending his goal.

Moving forward, should Guardiola feel the need to strengthen what is already a strong defence, adding Torres to their ranks could be the best option as someone that can fit the bill of how the game is played at the Etihad Stadium.

In other news: Contact made: Man City in talks for “sensational” £150m signing, Pep would love him

Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that Leigh Griffiths’ future at Parkhead could depend on who the manager is next season.

Griffiths slipped down the pecking order under Neil Lennon, starting just a handful of games in all competitions, and has been given just 39 minutes in John Kennedy’s five matches in the dugout.

The striker still has more than 12 months left on his current deal, but his lack of opportunities has led to speculation surrounding his future, with Aberdeen exploring the possibility of bringing Griffiths to Pittodrie this summer.

Griffiths’ last Premiership start came back in January, with the frontman restricted to mainly late substitute outings in recent weeks, one of which came in the Old Firm Scottish Cup exit at Rangers.

And McAvennie believes that not only have Celtic missed a trick in not playing Griffiths, but he should be involved for Scotland, too.

He told Football FanCast:

“That’s the link [to Aberdeen]. I think he’s the best finisher at the club. I don’t understand why nobody has got hold of Griff as he could have been leading us through this because he’s such a good finisher, but there might be stuff going on behind the scenes that we don’t know about.

“But it’s a shame that Griff isn’t the number one for Scotland because I think he’s that good.”

But does McAvennie believe that Griffiths will still be at Celtic next season?

“It depends who the manager is, it really depends who the manager is,” he added.

Odsonne Edouard is still working to leave Celtic this summer despite the collapse of his move to Leicester City [GIVEMESPORT].

The Lowdown: Ange Postecoglou begins to shape his new-look 2021/22 squad

Facing a transitional season at the Celtic Park helm, Ange Postecoglou will be desperate to get his ducks in a row in order to challenge for the Scottish Premiership title.

Identifying who wants to be a part of the equation will be a key priority for the Aussie, however cutting those loose who see their future elsewhere will also take equal precedence, with Kristoffer Ajer seemingly one of the first out the door.

Another player who is crafting a Parkhead exit is 23-year-old Edouard, owing to recent developments.

The Latest: Edouard still eyeing Celtic exit after Leicester City move collapse

According to sources close to the Frenchman at Give Me Sport, the talismanic striker is still keen on an exit this window and is working with his representatives to attempt to secure a transfer [GIVEMESPORT].

Previously, Edouard looked almost certain to end up at Leicester City, only for the deal to collapse at the last minute [Foxes of Leicester].

Brighton and Hove Albion have also been linked with the former France Under-21 international in recent times [Daily Record].

The Verdict: Right time for Celtic and Edouard to part ways this summer

With his contract expiring in less than 12 months-time, it makes sense for the Celts to try and move the 6ft 2in ace on, whilst trying to make a profit on the £9million fee they acquired him for in 2018 from PSG.

In 2020/21, Edouard was in sparkling form, registering 28 goal contributions in 40 games for the Glasgow giants; 22 goals and six assists [Transfermarkt].

Furthermore, he enhanced his reputation as the Hoops chief danger man in attack, managing to record an impressive average of 3.5 shots per game in the Scottish Premiership [WhoScored].

Once labelled as ‘magnificent’ by former manager Neil Lennon, it makes sense for the club and player to amicably part ways before the window closes [Glasgow Live].

In other news, Celtic face a crushing transfer blow in a reported pursuit.

An update has emerged on Celtic’s pursuit of Royal Antwerp’s Aurelio Buta.

What’s the talk?

The Athletic’s Celtic correspondent Kieran Devlin has claimed that the Hoops are closing in on the signing of the 24-year-old.

Devlin shared an article on how Buta could fit in at Celtic Park, with the tweet starting: “So it looks like Celtic are (finally) closing in on a right-back.”

Frimpong replacement

Celtic fans will be delighted with this news as he could be the perfect replacement for Jeremie Frimpong, albeit almost eight months on from the latter’s departure from the club. The former Manchester City man left for Bayer Leverkusen in January and has not been replaced with a permanent addition as of yet, with Jonjoe Kenny spending the second half of the campaign on loan at Parkhead.

The first obvious point of comparison is their respective heights. Frimpong and Buta are both 5 foot 7 and play at right-back, suggesting that they are very similar players in stature. They are small, nimble, and able to get up and down the pitch to provide Celtic with defensive and attacking value.

In Devlin’s article for The Athletic, he also compared the pair, stating: “We can use Jeremie Frimpong as a point of comparison, although opting for his breakthrough 2019-20 season rather than 2020-21 for comparison as he left midway through for Bayer Leverkusen. Frimpong is a full-back/wing-back hybrid in a similar mould if younger and more inexperienced.”

This shows that he could be an ideal replacement for Frimpong in style, whilst he could also have the quality to make an impact in the Scottish Premiership. The full-back was touted with a move to Wolves back in 2019 and journalist Aster Nzeyimana heaped praise on the “very gifted” defender, saying: “He’s one of the best full-backs in the Belgium league – that’s a widespread opinion.

“In the last two years he’s grown defensively, he has admitted that himself. He’s quite a small player but he’s technically very gifted. We have a history in Belgium of good attacking full-backs and he really fits right in. He’s instrumental to Antwerp.”

The 24-year-old has 19 assists in 108 games for Antwerp, which highlights the attacking quality he can provide from the right flank.

Celtic fans could enjoy watching him bomb down the wing on the overlap before whipping in a cross for a forward to finish, and it is now down to the club to get this deal over the line to bolster Ange Postcoglou’s squad.

AND in other news, Celtic in talks to sign £10k-p/w beast who is “incredibly fast”, Ange needs him…

A worrying update has emerged in Tottenham Hotspur’s search for their next manager…

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, Belgium boss Roberto Martinez is making a ‘huge play’ for the vacant Spurs role behind the scenes and is prepared to leave his post at the world’s number one international side, as a result.

It’s claimed that the 47-year-old is ready to quit the Red Devils after this summer’s European Championships to take the helm in North London.

A source has told the site that Martinez remains a strong contender at Hotspur Way and contact has already been made with him over potentially replacing Jose Mourinho. He is now thought to be a front-runner, as per the report.

Worrying development

This will come as hugely worrying news for many supporters as Martinez is far from an inspiring appointment.

In recent weeks, we have seen the Spurs faithful protest against the club’s ownership group, ENIC, as well as against Daniel Levy, after plans to form a breakaway European Super League collapsed several weeks ago.

But the reaction from the fanbase was merely a collection of pent-up frustration over the last decade, if not longer, due to the lack of ambition shown by the Lilywhites hierarchy.

Martinez would only give them more ammunition in their fight for a change at the top.

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The former Everton boss has an appalling overall record in English football. He did surprise many to win the FA Cup at Wigan Athletic in 2013 but it went downhill from there.

The Spaniard has won just 30.5% of matches in the Premier League and his reign ended on a sour note at Goodison Park. According to Jonathan Wilson, who was writing for Eurosport at the time, “the problems seem systemic: what went wrong at Wigan is going wrong at Everton and there’s no evidence Martinez is able to fix it.”

It’s also hard to judge his coaching ability for Belgium, seeing as he’s very rarely spending time with the squad and cannot really take much credit, if any, for their golden generation developing into one of the best teams in the world.

For example, Kevin De Bruyne’s game has been elevated to a new level thanks to Pep Guardiola, not Martinez. And likewise with Romelu Lukaku’s fine goalscoring record for Inter Milan. That’s down to Antonio Conte, not Martinez.

Furthermore, a manager with systemic problems certainly sounds like Spurs could quickly go down the same turbulent route as they did under Mourinho.

So this latest development that sees Martinez emerging as a front-runner for the role is certainly a worrying and dismal sign for Spurs’ immediate future.

He will only add to their ongoing nightmare.

AND in other news, Levy heading for grave Spurs disaster over 45 y/o boss he was once “desperate” to hire…

Many Everton fans have been left to fume as a manager update emerged on Rafa Benitez.

Writing in his latest piece for The Times, Paul Joyce has shared that the Spaniard has held further talks with the Goodison Park faithful’s hierarchy and remains in pole position to become their next boss, following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid.

Farhad Moshiri and his associates continue to see Benitez as the coach to take the Merseyside club forward, as he has now had four rounds of talks with the Toffees despite fan backlash.

It is understandable why so many supporters are against Benitez’s potential appointment, given his past connections with Liverpool, with whom he won the UEFA Champions League with in the 2004/05 term, while he previously called the Blues a ‘small club’ after a draw in the Merseyside derby back in February 2007.

Everton fans on Benitez manager update

These EFC supporters fumed as the manager update on Benitez was shared on Twitter:

“Wowwww all this time to end up with Rafa Benitez”

Credit: @jablett1

“Anger”

Credit: @RobertoBirquet

“Rafa hasn’t won anything for years, he’s a dinosaur like Carlo”

Credit: @ScarletzCaptain

“If he appoints him, he’s as ignorant as the Super League snakes”

Credit: @mikeb73

“This is the most distant I’ve ever felt from the club, getting Rafa will end in tears. I won’t be bothering no more if he is employed by the club. Fans say Dunc isn’t ready but give me a manager who we can all get behind. Them derby defeats will be a billion times worse under Rafa”

Credit: @PeterDickie94

“They obviously do not get us the club the fans anything”

Credit: @julie_everrs

In other news, find out which ‘outstanding’ Premier League ace Everton are eyeing here!

Leeds United winger Raphinha has been praised for his call to be substituted against West Ham United last weekend by injury expert Ben Dinnery.

The Lowdown: Injury setback

Raphinha has started the 2021/22 campaign in sizzling form with three Premier League goals in six games, half of the tally from his debut top-flight season in England already.

The Brazilian winger picked up a hip injury in the 1-1 draw at Newcastle United two weeks ago and was a doubt for the defeat to David Moyes’ side last Saturday, but he lasted 70 minutes and opened the scoring with a brilliant left-footed strike.

Following the game, Bielsa claimed that the 24-year-old made it known it was becoming difficult to continue and the Leeds manager duly replaced him with Tyler Roberts.

The Latest: Right call

Speaking to Football Insider, injury expert Dinnery has insisted that Raphinha made the right decision to alert the Leeds backroom staff that he wasn’t right to continue.

He said of the White winger: “It’s the right thing to do, absolutely. If you aren’t feeling 100 per cent, do you push on and risk potentially suffering a more serious setback?

“Or do you do the sensible thing and flag that to the medical team and ask to be removed.

“We know Raphinha had problems going into the Newcastle game. There were question marks about whether he would be involved at all.

“He had missed large parts of training due to what Marcelo Bielsa referred to as a ‘hip issue’.

“if he isn’t getting those sessions in on the training pitch, fatigue could be a factor.”

The Verdict: Important for Leeds

With Leeds in the relegation zone in the Premier League and one of five teams without a win in the top flight, having Raphinha fit will be vital for their upcoming games against Watford, Southampton and Wolves.

Last season, the winger created 12 big chances and completed 21.1 passes (72%) and 1.9 dribbles per game in his first season in England (Sofascore), highlighting the importance of his contribution and availability to Bielsa.

If Leeds are to exit their current rut, they will need Raphinha to keep hitting the heights that he has done so far at Elland Road. Dinnery is right to praise the 24-year-old for admitting that he had to come off last week, as playing on could have further aggravated the injury and possibly being ruled out for a lengthy spell.

In other news: Dinnery made a less than encouraging claim about one of Raphinha’s Elland Road team-mates

According to reliable reporter Sam Lee of The Athletic, West Ham have been keeping tabs on Manchester City attacker James McAtee.

The Lowdown: West Ham look to future…

As Rob Newman comes in as the club’s new recruitment chief, his West Ham transfer mission may stretch far beyond simply signing first team stars for the present.

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The Athletic relayed manager David Moyes’ personal desire to bring in promising, young players with re-sale value to the club in a bid to plan for West Ham’s future.

As such, news has now come to light involving the Hammers and interest in a very exciting talent.

The Latest: West Ham now eyeing McAtee…

As per Lee of The Athletic, West Ham are now keeping tabs on the dazzling 18-year-old who recently made his senior debut for The Sky Blues in a 6-1 Carabao Cup victory over Wycombe Wanderers last month.

As well as the Irons, Crystal Palace and Brighton are interested with the latter club even having an £8 million bid rejected for his services.

The teenage talent is apparently ‘not for sale at any price’ with City believing he has a real future at Eastlands.

The Verdict: Difficult move…

McAtee’s potential is vast enough to even draw comparisons with Premier League and City legend David Silva (Goal).

Pep Guardiola lauded the attacking midfielder as one of the ‘special’ crop of youngsters coming through at Eastlands after he featured against Wycombe and it’s clear he may be one to watch for the future.

However, with all these tags, it is clear to see why City won’t sell at any price – so this may be a difficult move for West Ham to pull off.

In other news: Newman gifted boost in race to sign ‘outstanding’ star who is ‘very keen’ to join West Ham, find out more here.

The talk of the town at Everton right now is all on new signings. Will Rafa Benitez splash £55m on Ben White or bring a former rival to the club in the shape of Philippe Coutinho? Time will tell.However, we’ve now received an intriguing update on a player who could leave the Toffees.What’s the word?One of the biggest departures from Goodison Park this summer could be James Rodriguez who has attracted the interest of AC Milan.Though, to continue the Italian theme, Moise Kean could actually be set to stay in Merseyside.The Italy international spent last season on loan at PSG and they were keen on bringing him back next term.They’d made a loan proposal but in a fresh twist to the tale, Alan Myers provided a short 11-word update on his future.Taking to Twitter, he said: “Everton are not interested in a loan deal for Moise Kean.”With that in mind, it may take a permanent price of £40m to move him away from Everton.Supporters must be buzzingWhen it first became apparent that PSG were hoping to sign the forward on temporary terms again, fans were particularly aggrieved with the Everton hierarchy.[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/check-out-the-latest-everton-news-benitez-kamara-romero-dumfries” title= “Read the latest Everton transfer news!”]They thought that they were being given the run-around by one of the game’s elite clubs, being made to look like fools in the transfer market.It was difficult to argue with that assessment. With Kean’s value so high, cashing in on him now could have funded some much-needed recruitment on the transfer front.Considering how oil-rich the Parisians are, they shouldn’t have had any troubles negotiating a price for the youngster’s services.Consequently, the decision from Benitez and co to cut short the potential of another loan spell should make supporters pleased. Indeed, the immediate reaction on social media supplements that viewpoint.One Everton fan claimed it was “excellent” while another said it was the best news they’d heard out of Finch Farm in a long time. A further supporter suggested they should keep him at the club, evidently rating the Italian’s abilities.A loan deal would have been particularly foolish and if a tempting bid doesn’t come in, Benitez may as well keep him.After all, this is a player with immense potential and someone who starred at the highest level last season.Kean found the net against Barcelona in the Champions League last term on his way to scoring 19 times in all competitions.To loan somebody with those numbers out would be a baffling situation. Everton are taking the right steps.AND in other news, Imagine him & DCL: Rafa may get Everton rocking again by buying “sensational” £50m gem…