All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Newcastle United face the unenviable task of playing against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Premier League today in the club’s last match before Christmas.

The Magpies are 19th in the table as it stands, on 10 points, whilst the Citizens are flying high at the summit with 41 points to their name.

Eddie Howe’s men come into the game off the back of a 3-1 defeat away to Liverpool in midweek, losing to Jurgen Klopp’s side after taking the lead early on through Jonjo Shelvey.

Unleash him

One change to the team from that loss could be the reintroduction of Callum Wilson after he was left on the bench at Anfield. The former Bournemouth striker must be unleashed against Man City and placed back in the starting XI after he was given a rest against the Reds.

He has had his chance to sit and watch on from the sidelines for the majority of the game to catch his breath back after a busy schedule of late. This, hopefully, means that he will now be fresh and 100% ready to take on City in tip-top shape.

Wilson has scored six goals in 12 Premier League starts this season and is the biggest goal threat in the Newcastle squad. Allan Saint-Maximin’s tally of three is the next highest, whilst the ex-Cherries attacker’s return of 12 league strikes last term also topped the goalscoring charts for the club.

Howe previously said of the 29-year-old: “He is an outstanding player with unique attributes for us. He has that ability to run in behind and he’s got the work ethic off the ball and, of course, he knows where the goal is.”

The Magpies head coach, who once dubbed Wilson’s passing as “hugely impressive”, must now unleash him from the start against Man City.

Wilson could provide a focal point at the top end of the pitch whilst harbouring the potential to be the match-winner for the club. The £92k-per-week dynamo’s goalscoring record for Newcastle shows that he has the quality to find the back of the net at this level

That is why he should be starting as the number nine today, whether that comes in place of Allan Saint-Maximin – after his injury against Liverpool – or anyone else. He has proven himself to be the most effective goalscorer at St. James’ Park and that is why he is deserving of a place in the XI.

AND in other news, Journo drops transfer news that’ll leave NUFC fans buzzing, he can be the next Shearer…

talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook has delivered a promising update on Southampton’s interest in Stade Brest defender Romain Perraud, which will surely leave Saints fans excited.

The South Coast club have regularly been linked with the French defender in recent weeks and now it seems as if a deal is close to completion, as Crook confirmed on Twitter that a deal is now close to reaching a successful conclusion for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, who have seemingly seen off interest from Leeds United and Newcastle United to sign the 23-year-old.

Perraud enjoyed an excellent campaign with Brest in Ligue 1 last season, making 36 appearances in the French top-flight, in which he contributed three goals and seven assists, earning a solid 6.84 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Hasenhuttl is in desperate need of a left-back ahead of next season, after it was confirmed that Ryan Bertrand would leave the club following the expiry of his contract, whilst Jake Vokins’ lack of appearances on loan at Sunderland in League One emphasised that he is not ready for a starting role in the Premier League.

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Therefore, it is great news for the Austrian that Southampton are close to confirming their first signing of the summer transfer window, and if Perraud can replicate his performances with Brest in the Premier League next season, then he will surely prove to be a shrewd acquisition.

We may well see a change in shape in order to accommodate Perraud next season, as last season saw Kyle Walker-Peters regularly bomb forward down the right-hand side from right-back, whereas Bertrand would play a much more conservative role and effectively become part of a back three.

However, Perraud very much seems to be an attacking full-back, so it seems unlikely that he will be utilised in a similar role, which could prove to be a good thing for the Saints when you consider their lack of attacking impetus in a number of games towards the end of the season.

Considering the dire need for defensive reinforcements, particularly at full-back, Southampton fans will surely be absolutely delighted with this update from Crook, and hopefully, Perraud’s signing will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

And, in other news… Southampton handed huge boost with “explosive” star, Semmens must deliver

Swansea City are interested in a summer move for Carlos Mendes Gomes this summer, according to reports…

What’s the word?

That’s the word according to Football League World, who claim that Steve Cooper’s side have joined the likes of Hull City, Peterborough United, Sunderland, Barnsley, Cardiff City, Luton Town and Huddersfield Town in the race for the Morecambe forward.

Andre Ayew replacement

With Swansea star Andre Ayew – who has scored 16 goals and registered four assists over his 42 Championship appearances so far this season –  potentially on his way out of the Liberty Stadium at the end of his contract this summer if the club do not achieve promotion to the Premier League – the Swans could be in need of finding a suitable replacement for the 31-year-old in the summer market.

However, even if Swansea do manage to keep hold of Ayew this summer, it could easily be argued that Cooper is in need of greater depth in his attacking arsenal, as, at present, aside from the Ghana international, the 41-year-old only has the option of Liam Cullen as an out and out centre-forward.

This is where Mendes Gomes comes in, with the former Atletico Madrid youth player having highly impressed over his 42 League Two appearances for Morecambe this season, bagging 15 goals and providing two assists for Derek Adams’ side – with the manager dubbing the starlet as a “fantastic” talent.

And, while the forward may not be enough alone to provide Cooper with sufficient attacking depth should the Welsh side indeed go on to achieve promotion via the Championship play-offs, he would certainly be a fine additional option for the Swans.

Furthermore, while the Spaniard is still just 22-years-old, he has plenty of time left to develop as a footballer, and, with the amount of potential his returns for Morecambe this season are evidence of, he could well go on to prove Ayew’s eventual successor as Swansea’s main attacking threat.

Leeds United will target a new centre-back this summer, according to fresh claims…

What’s the word?

The Yorkshire giants appear to have narrowly avoided the drop this campaign after they replaced the iconic Marcelo Bielsa with Jesse Marsch back in February but their defensive problems still remain as one of the Premier League’s leakiest backlines.

However, come the off-season, it appears that a new central option will sit high on the agenda, as per journalist Pete O’Rourke, who told GIVEMESPORT:

“It’s definitely a position Leeds will be looking to strengthen this summer. We all know how many goals they’ve conceded this season, it’s been way too many.

“That’s not just down to injuries, they’ve been way too open as well, so they’ll be looking to bolster their defensive options in the summer transfer window.”

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Good news for Marsch

Indeed, the Whites’ struggles defensively this campaign have been no secret.

With four games left to play, Leeds sit five points clear of the relegation zone and prior to the weekend’s games, no team had conceded more goals (68) than Marsch’s side.

Even rock-bottom Norwich City had kept out more goals before their defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.

Things have started to improve recently, coinciding with the return of club captain Liam Cooper, who had missed the bulk of their matches from November through to March.

Diego Llorente’s form has also somewhat transformed in recent outings, whilst the American’s only other options in the role are Pascal Struijk and Robin Koch – the latter has been something of a sicknote ever since his arrival.

At times, their injury list has been so severe that vice-skipper Luke Ayling has gone into the middle to help out the team.

Therefore, it is certainly great news to see the Yorkshire side mooted with a move for a new option as Marsch is certainly going to need further quality in the area heading into next season, where they absolutely cannot flirt with the drop once again.

Leeds have already been linked with some interesting names, including the manager’s former Leipzig star Josko Gvardiol and fellow Bundesliga colossus Timo Hubers.

It’s a sign of encouragement heading into what should be a busy summer of business for Victor Orta and co.

AND in other news, Orta must launch Leeds bid for “complete” £72k-p/w gem, he could be their Luis Suarez…

What forms a recipe for a transfer at Molineux? Well, first of all, you have to be a fine cheese, a player capable of maturing over time and developing as each year passes by.

Secondly, you quite often have to hail from Iberia. Add a light sprinkling of Gestifute, Jorge Mendes’ agency, into the equation and you have a classic culmination.

Of course, Wolves do explore other areas but they have no fewer than eight of their players on the books of the so-called super agent. It’s hard to forget that Nuno Santo is also a client of Mendes.

Close ties to an agent as powerful as him leads to a lot of transfer rumours and one of the freshest to emerge regards Goncalo Guedes.

Football Insider revealed earlier this month that Wolves were trying to beat West Ham to the attacking midfielder’s signature. Again, he is a player with all the ingredients Jeff Shi loves.

He is Portuguese, he is young enough to develop at 24, and he’s a client of Mendes.

With seven goal involvements to his name in 2020/21, he’d be a shrewd addition for Wolves and crucially could give them a bit of added spice in the final third. After all, it’s something they’ve lacked enormously this term.

Fabio Silva has netted just twice while Willian Jose is yet to score for the Old Gold, something Steve Bull attributes to a lack of service.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said last week: “I can relate to where he’s [Jose] coming from because I’d be as frustrated as he is, and I’d want to get the wingers and strangle them and say get that ball in the box.”

Guedes is someone who can bring a bit of extra creativity to this Wolves side, possessing the ability to play on the wing and in behind the striker.

Though, as well as aiding Wolves’ frontline, he could make up for the loss of a certain Pedro Goncalves. The Portuguese sensation played a matter of minutes for the Molineux outfit before being sold to Sporting Lisbon with very little fanfare.

However, his development has been meteoric, now being linked with high-brow moves to clubs like Liverpool after scoring 15 goals and claiming five assists this term.

Guedes might not be as prolific as that, but he certainly knows where the net is and he comes with a glowing recommendation from none other than Luis Figo; “Guedes is a fast, irreverent and unpredictable player, who himself builds actions for his teammates and is also able to finish well,” the former Ballon d’Or winner said.

Building chances for others and finishing adeptly bears great similarity to Goncalves, a player Wolves must now be cursing their luck over.

Guedes has scored 20 times during his time at current club Valencia and due to the positions he occupies on the field, could be their inadvertent replacement.

AND in other news, Wolves must swoop for £74k-p/w beast this summer, Spiers once dubbed him “superb”…

West Ham have been urged to sign James Tarkowski this summer amid recent reports…

What’s the word?

According to former Premier League striker Kevin Campbell, the Burnley centre-back’s future is “probably set in stone” and also claimed that he “would be a stabilising force back there for West Ham.”

It comes less than a week after the Irons were initially linked with reigniting their interest in the 28-year-old, who is said to be “very keen” on joining the London Stadium set up this off-season, as per Football Insider.

Hammers boss David Moyes had a £30m bid knocked back for Tarkowski last summer but with the two-time England international out of contract in 2022, the East London side are expected to return for the former Brentford star.

Get it done

Whilst the addition of a new striker should be their top priority, the West Ham hierarchy mustn’t turn their nose up at the chance to bolster multiple positions this window.

It has also been reported that Moyes wants a top-level centre-back before next season, one that he can build the defence around, via Football Insider.

Tarkowski absolutely fits the bill as a vastly experienced and consistent performer in the big time. Valued at just £22.5m by Transfermarkt, the 6 foot 1 colossus has made over 150 appearances in the Premier League since joining the Clarets in February 2016.

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This season, he displayed his solid attributes once again, rating out as Sean Dyche’s highest-rated player (7.02) with 25 or more starts, as per WhoScored ratings. That eclipses all of the Hammers’ current central defensive options, with Angelo Ogbonna sitting top on 6.73.

The Burnley beast is also clear for aerials won (4.6) and tackles (1.8) per game during the 2020/21 campaign, only further suggesting that his ability at the back is better than what Moyes has at his disposal and provides further reasoning to why he might be the very man to build around.

He has kept a fair few elite strikers quiet this campaign too, ranging from Arsenal duo Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Liverpool’s Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino.

Described as “exceptional” and as a “big presence” by his former peers in an interview with The Athletic, Tarkowski has been lauded for his ability in both boxes. “He made us better in both boxes because of his desire to attack the ball,” claimed ex-Bees boss Mark Warburton.

There won’t be many better candidates out there this summer. The 28-year-old is a proven Premier League talent that has picked up caps on the international stage.

Whatever the price, GSB must sanction a move for him this summer.

AND in other news, ExWHUemployee drops encouraging transfer update…

Everton have enquired about the possibility of signing Chris Smalling from AS Roma, according to Italian newspaper Il Tempo (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

Smalling joined Roma permanently last summer in an initial £13.6million deal after spending a season on loan in the Italian capital.

A series of injuries limited Smalling to just 13 Serie A starts, with a further three substitute appearances.

Smalling averaged 1.8 interceptions, 2.8 clearances and 1.6 successful aerial duels per game when he was fit (via WhoScored).

The Englishman, of course, previously played for Manchester United, where he racked up a total of 323 appearances.

After a previous spell at Fulham, he’s got more than 200 Premier League games under his belt.

The latest

The report states that new Roma boss Jose Mourinho, who managed Smalling during his own stint at Old Trafford, is unconvinced by the 31-year-old.

A Premier League return could be on the cards if the ‘right offer’ arrives, though Everton’s interest hasn’t progressed that far just yet.

The verdict

Everton do need a new centre-back this summer if they’re to compete for a top-six finish, with Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey showing potential to be a really good pairing but little quality depth after that.

An elite-level defender will elevate the whole backline, but unfortunately Smalling doesn’t fit that criteria.

While he may be a solid player, he wouldn’t represent an upgrade on Keane or Godfrey based on his troubles in Rome – the very fact that Mourinho doesn’t want him for a second stint should speak volumes too.

The Blues need to be showing more ambition, and having a manager of Rafael Benitez’s calibre should mean they maintain strong pulling power even after Carlo Ancelotti’s exit.

In other news, fans raged at this Marcel Brands news.  

Some Liverpool fans have been sticking up for Naby Keita following his early substitution in midweek.

The Reds were wretched on Tuesday evening, losing 3-1 to Real Madrid to leave their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread, ahead of next week’s second leg at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s men were disappointing throughout the night in Spain, but their first half showing was particularly bad, with the team seemingly incapable of stringing few passes together and being completely outplayed by the home side.

Someone who struggled more than most was Keita, who played a negative role in Liverpool losing the midfield battle prior to being hooked before half-time.

It was a moment which again clouded the Guinean’s future, with the 26-year-old constantly finding himself struggling to get going at Anfield.

Speaking in his pre-Aston Villa press conference on Friday, however (via quotes shared by James Pearce on Twitter), Klopp played down the incident, saying there is no issue between him and Keita.

Liverpool fans show faith in Keita

Here’s how some Liverpool supporters reacted on Twitter to Klopp’s defence of Keita as they too stuck up for the midfielder and showed faith in him.

“So he’s not finished then? I was told by Twitter he’d never kick a ball for us again?”

Credit: @JohnMcMah0n

“I don’t understand why people are cancelling Keita, He is a baller bro! Just injury prone. Literally like Matip, he is great defender just injuries mess him up”

Credit: @Gabriel_Onas

“Start him vs Villa…”

Credit: @NoDarkSarkasm

“Don’t be surprised if Naby starts tomorrow and Gini or Thiago are rested”

Credit: @bigjlfc

“Good, don’t do it again Jurgen”

Credit: @dongeo80sbaby

“Think we will see the best of Naby next season”

Credit: @JohnnyfField

“Mugged him off completely…”

Credit: @F9Txrres

In other news, Liverpool have been linked with another move for an exciting young European player. Find out who it is here.

Leeds United are reportedly locked in a battle with several other Premier League clubs to sign Sunderland midfielder Josh Hawkes this summer.

The Lowdown: Hawkes impresses for Sunderland

The 22-year-old has emerged as one of the most exciting players in the Black Cats’ academy this season, scoring 14 goals in 21 appearances in total, as well as registering seven assists.

Sunderland Under-23s boss Elliott Dickman has hailed Hakwes as ‘excellent’ and a number of top clubs are now thought to be eyeing him up.

The Latest: Leeds keen on move

According to TEAMtalk, Leeds are one of those who are interested in signing the attacking midfielder, with West Ham, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United also mentioned.

Hawkes’ current contract expires next summer, meaning this may be the last chance for Sunderland to receive a decent fee for his services.

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The Verdict: One for the future?

It is always exciting to see Leeds linked with talented young British players, with a nucleus of homegrown individuals important in any Premier League squad.

Hawkes could certainly be viewed as an exciting option for the future, with the youngster having the chance to excel under a special manager like Marcelo Bielsa.

It is unlikely that he would be a first-team regular to begin with, given his lack of experience, but signing him would be further proof that Bielsa is looking at the long-term picture and that Leeds are putting plans in face for long term success, rather than short-term quick wins.

In other news, ‘huge’ offers are expected to be made for one key Leeds player this summer. Find out who it is here.

According to David Ornstein, Ainsley Maitland-Niles is set for crunch talks with Mikel Arteta in an attempt to push through a move to Everton.

The Lowdown: Late drama

The Toffees have been pushing to sign Maitland-Niles, who is currently being frozen out with Premier League strugglers Arsenal.

The Gunners have refused to let him depart, and the 24-year-old even took to Instagram to share his anger with not being allowed to leave (The Guardian).

The Latest: Maitland-Niles set for Arteta talks

Now, as per Ornstein, it seems £14.4m-valued Maitland-Niles (Transfermarkt) is to make one last attempt to move to Goodison Park.

He ‘plans to meet’ for talks with Arteta ‘this afternoon’, hoping to seal a dramatic late switch before the end of the deadline.

The Verdict: Desperate

There is no doubt about it – Maitland-Niles is desperate to leave the Emirates Stadium. That is hardly surprising – he made just 11 appearances across the first half of last season for the club, and has only come on from the bench twice this time around (Transfermarkt).

Given his versatility – he can play on either side of the back four and can feature across the midfield – he is a very interesting option for Rafael Benitez, especially given Stuart Pearce called him “outstanding” last season.

The Spaniard will be hoping those discussions with Arteta go the right way, as this move could add depth behind Seamus Coleman and some extra quality in midfield too.

In other news, Everton fans react to this big striker news.