All posts by z3u9t.icu

It shocked the entire Black Country as well as the whole of the Premier League when Nuno Espirito Santo announced he would be leaving the club this summer. It’s something even Wolves legend Steve Bull couldn’t believe.

Fans were able to give Nuno a good send-off after their game against Manchester United at Molineux as 10,000 Wolves supporters said their final goodbyes to the man who got them out of the Championship and into the Europa League within two seasons.

Fans are obviously feeling a bit empty and sad that he is leaving with some even hanging a huge flag from the Iron bridge in the Midlands wishing Nuno goodbye, good luck and a thank you for everything he achieved at Wolves.

Nuno only signed a new contract at Molineux in October 2020, however, that did nothing to stop him parting ways with the club, something Bull can’t get his head around as he explained exclusively to Football FanCast:

“I know that the night before he was happy as larry and was absolutely fine, but then the next morning I was getting loads of texts saying he had left.”

The early frontrunner for the job is former Benfica manager Bruno Lage who was also Carlos Carvalhal’s assistant coach at both Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City.

Wolves will have to be careful who they appoint as Nuno’s successor because after a poor season this year which saw them finish 13th in the Premier League, a bad manager could see them tumble towards the bottom three next season.

Journalist Phil Hay believes that Dan James will lead the line for Leeds United in their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Monday night.

The Lowdown: James’ resurgence under Marsch

Jesse Marsch’s men face another crucial game in their top-flight survival battle as they head south to take on the Eagles at Selhurst Park.

James has been used regularly by the Leeds manager since the American replaced Marcelo Bielsa, admittedly not yet scoring under the 48-year-old but providing lots of endeavour and registering two assists.

The former Manchester United man has often been used centrally by Marsch in the absence of Patrick Bamford, and that could be the case again when Leeds take on Palace.

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The Latest: Hay makes team news claim

Writing in a Q&A for The Athletic leading up to kick-off, Hay has backed James to lead the line for Leeds at Selhurst Park, on what feels like a crucial night in the relegation tussle. The journalist wrote:

“My gut feeling is it will be James up front again this evening – but maybe Marsch will surprise us.”

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The Verdict: Big night for James

In truth, James has had a disappointing first season in a Leeds shirt, having become the club’s second-most expensive signing in history when he joined from their Mancunian rivals.

Four goals and four assists is still a reasonable effort in a struggling team, though, and it makes sense for him to continue in a central role on Monday night in the absence of Bamford.

If James could find the net decisively at Selhurst Park, it would be perhaps his biggest contribution yet in a Whites shirt as he looks to justify the £25m that Leeds paid for him last year.

In other news, Marsch is reportedly trying to bring one player to Leeds. Find out who it is here.

Southampton have been linked with a move for Newcastle United winger Jacob Murphy recently, but who would be the better permanent signing between him and Theo Walcott?

Theo Walcott

Walcott has spent this season on loan with Southampton and is widely expected to complete a permanent move to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side in the summer, having won over the Austrian with his performances this season.

The Athletic claimed that the Saints are looking to complete a deal for the 32-year-old this summer, despite him managing just two goals and three assists in 17 Premier League starts so far this season.

The former Arsenal man would bring a wealth of experience with him and already knows the squad and manager well, but given that he will turn 33 next season, he may prove to be a relatively short-term option for the Saints.

Jacob Murphy

According to Football Insider, Southampton are keen on signing the Newcastle United winger this summer, and the Toon could accept an offer as low as £3m for his services.

The 26-year-old has impressed in his recent performances at right wing-back, so he would offer Hasenhuttl some versatility in his squad and potentially some cover for Kyle Walker-Peters.

Murphy has two goals and two assists in the top flight this season and is only one goal contribution behind Walcott, despite making significantly fewer starts (10) than the Saints winger and playing in a much more defensive role.

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Who would be the better signing?

Despite Walcott most likely being available on a free transfer this summer, he reportedly earns £100,000 per week at Everton, so he could cost Southampton a lot of money in wages if he makes the permanent switch to St Mary’s.

Murphy reportedly earns £25,000 per week at Newcastle, so whilst the Saints may have to pay the £3m fee to bring him in, he would be significantly cheaper in terms of wages.

The Newcastle United man would also be more of a long-term option in Hasenhuttl’s side and offers much more versatility than Walcott, who arguably no longer possesses the pace to play as a central striker. That latter attribute is something which Murphy could offer in spades.

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Therefore, rather than breaking Hasenhuttl’s transfer policy to bring in a player such as Walcott who is perhaps well past his best, the Austrian manager should focus Southampton’s resources on signing Murphy this summer.

In other news… Gao Jisheng could be set for huge Southampton blow as European giants eye “exceptional” gem 

According to a report by Foot Mercato, West Ham United are expected to sign Paris-Saint Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola this summer – but there’s also been a twist.

The Lowdown: West Ham in Areola talks…

As per numerous claims, including from the likes of Sky Sports and the Athletic, West Ham have indeed been in talks to seal a loan-to-buy deal for Areola.

The 28-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Fulham in the Premier League, is even thought to have his ‘heart set’ on joining David Moyes in east London, according to Football Insider.

Sky have also said that West Ham are prioritising the Frenchman following a failed £6 million bid to sign West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone (via Football Daily).

The Latest: Areola expected, but there’s a twist…

As per Foot Mercato, Areola is ‘expected’ to sign for West Ham this summer as Moyes looks to land his first major acquisition of the window.

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However, the French news outlet are also reporting that there has been a twist in the tale – with the two clubs now ‘far’ from an agreement over the player.

It is claimed that PSG want a straight sale while West Ham are after an initial loan deal, an aspect of the talks which could prove complicated.

The Verdict: Get it done, but don’t dither…

Lauded as an ‘exceptional’ player by former Cottagers boss Scott Parker last season, signing Areola would arguably be a brilliant move by West Ham and Moyes.

He is 28 years of age, which for a goalkeeper means he is only just entering his prime and could certainly be a long-term replacement for the 36 year-old Lukasz Fabiański.

However, given their need for a new striker and centre-back, West Ham can’t afford to dither if an agreement starts to look more and more unlikely.

Moyes and his squad enter the Europa League group stages next season in what will be an interesting 2021/2022 campaign, but as it stands, the club are up against the odds going by their lack of transfer activity thus far and need to start moving.

In other news: Talks opened – West Ham source shares news as Moyes transfer-lists yet another player, find out more here.

Leeds United remain interested in Rangers star Ryan Kent as they look to bring in a new winger before the end of the summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

It was confirmed last year by Gers boss Steven Gerrard that the Premier League side had a bid rejected by the Ibrox outfit, and that Leeds’ initial bid was nowhere near their valuation.

Victor Orta then admitted that a deal for the £12.6m-rated ace was never likely to happen because Rangers simply didn’t “want to sell him”, and that it was “never their plan to put Kent in the market”.

However, The Daily Mirror now claim that “Leeds are also keeping a watching brief on Rangers’ Ryan Kent and he is also someone Bielsa has liked for a long time.”

He’s what Bielsa needs

After enjoying another impressive campaign in the Scottish Premiership last term – Kent bagged 13 goals and provided another 15 assists as the Gers wrestled away the league title from Celtic – it’s no surprise that the Whites remain interested in a move for him this summer.

Former Gers striker Kris Boyd has raved about the 24-year-old previously, saying: “There’s Ryan Kent who is phenomenal – he gets you off your seat. His numbers have increased season after season. Even if the team are not at the level we saw at the start of the campaign, he is still a threat. He is so comfortable with the ball – it is like has superglue in his boots!”

The £20k-a-week winger has earned rave reviews for his performances, not least from teammate Conor Goldson, who hailed him as “magnificent” and said: “He has got a lot of ability. (He is) 24-years-old, two-footed. It is not nice when he runs at you, I can tell you that personally from training. He has got everything.”

Neil Dewsnip, his former coach at England under-17 level, said: “He seems to relish the atmosphere, so I think he’s in the bracket of players who think ‘the bigger the better’. Ryan is very exciting so, when he’s good he’s devastatingly good. But that’s a trait of a lot of wide players. The challenge is to be consistent and I’m sure that’s what Steven and his staff will be working to achieve.”

After failing to get a deal done last summer, Orta should be back in for the explosive winger this time around as he looks to bolster Bielsa’s wide options. The Leeds manager will be buzzing if he finally lands a player he has wanted for some time now.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay claims that Leeds are interested in this starlet…

Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard has rejected a move to Liverpool, who would have paid him more than three times the amount of his Hoops deal.

That’s according to a report from Anfield Central, who suggested that the French forward turned down a Merseyside move following a phone call with Reds manager Jurgen Klopp.

Edouard, who earns £19,000 per week at Celtic Park, would have been on a contract worth £60,000-a-week at Anfield.

The 23-year-old’s Parkhead deal expires in just over 12 months’ time and he wants to leave the Hoops this summer regardless of who comes in as Neil Lennon’s successor.

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Transfer Tavern take

To us, this latest update may spell trouble for new Celtic CEO Dominic McKay. If Edouard were keen on a move to Liverpool, they may have been willing to fork out a substantial fee for the striker, whose contract is running down.

However, with a move to Anfield no longer on the cards, that is one less club now in the running for the Frenchman. That may prove to be bad news for the Hoops, as it could tempt other interested suitors into offering a lower fee, or worse still, happy to wait until January 2022 when they could discuss a possible free transfer.

Celtic also owe Paris Saint-Germain 40% of any deal involving Edouard, so to us, it’s crucial that the Hoops receive as much as possible in seeling him, or they could make a loss on the striker for whom they paid a club-record £9.27m fee back in 2018.

In other news: Hoops keen on £50,000-a-week midfielder, find out more here.

Lee Ryder has dropped some enticing insight from the Premier League on the potential takeover of Newcastle United ahead of their arbitration case.

The Lowdown: Arbitration soon

The arbitration hearing between the Magpies and the Premier League over the failed deal between Mike Ashley and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group is set to take place in the coming months.

The chief executive of Sports Direct has also launched a separate anti-competition claim against the division with regards to their decision-making process in nixing the bid.

The Latest: Premier League insight

Writing in his latest piece for The Chronicle, Ryder has shared that the Premier League are set to deny that they blocked the proposed takeover on Tyneside by the KSA consortium last summer.

This is a big claim by the Premier League ahead of arbitration, and it’s a topic which is set to be discussed ahead of the final verdict.

The Verdict: Enticing

The fact that the Premier League are set to deny blocking the proposed deal is certainly enticing going into the arbitration case, as it seems that neither side is backing down.

The results of the hearing should paint a much clearer picture over whether or not the potential takeover can be revived, but it would require full cooperation from all parties involved.

Nonetheless, Newcastle will be hoping that the results go in their favour. If so, the takeover process could be accelerated in what is not an ideal period for them in the middle of the summer transfer window and with the new 2021/22 season set to start in August.

In other news, find out what potential transfer blow NUFC have been dealt in pursuit of this ‘outstanding’ target

As per Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on England international Sam Johnstone, with one mainstay’s future now in ‘major doubt’.

The Lowdown: Lloris’ future up in the air

Hugo Lloris, signed by chairman Daniel Levy in the summer of 2012, has been a long-standing Tottenham servant and fixture in the starting line up, playing every single Premier League match so far this season.

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However, with the 34-year-old Frenchman’s deal due to expire next year, it now remains to be seen whether this season is indeed his last in a Spurs shirt.

As such, the club and its managing director Fabio Paratici are keeping their eyes peeled for worthy replacements, with fresh reports about Johnstone coming to the fore.

The Latest: Spurs eye Lloris replacement…

Despite signing Atalanta shot stopper Pierluigi Gollini on a season-long loan with the option to buy, it appears that Spurs have a contingency plan as they set their sights on Johnstone.

Having recently established himself both at club level and with England, the 28-year-old is firmly on Tottenham’s watchlist. A senior Lilywhites scout is even said to have watched him in action as recently as last week when his West Brom side took on Preston North End.

Spurs are now believed to be compiling a dossier on Johnstone with the view to making a move, according to Football Insider.

The Verdict: Ideal?

Even though Gollini hasn’t really been given his chance to prove whether he is worthy of taking the mantle from Lloris, you could argue that signing Johnstone is a no-brainer going by his homegrown status.

West Brom were also apparently willing to accept around £15m for the goalkeeper last summer, arguably a bargain price given his status as a Three Lions international and his concession rate of just 0.66 goals per game in the Championship so far this term (six in nine games).

He has also been called ‘world class’ by Wolverhampton Wanderers legend Steve Bull (This is Futbol), so could he be the perfect Lloris replacement in N17? They could probably do a lot worse.

In other news: Levy plan to offload big name Spurs player emerges as source leaks damning Hotspur Way behaviour, find out more here.

With Liverpool currently having the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah in their squad, it’s safe to say the duo have been two of Liverpool’s most important players in that time.

Between two of the Merseyside club’s biggest attacking threats in recent years, they have a combined total of 202 Premier League goals between them,

One winger that was unable to make his mark in Jurgen Klopp’s squad was Harry Wilson who left the club during the recent summer transfer window. He exited in a permanent move to Championship club Fulham in a deal worth a reported fee of £12m on a five-year deal.

As a product of Liverpool’s youth academy, the 24-year-old who is currently valued at £15.3m according to Transfermarkt and had been on a number of loan deals away from Anfield at clubs such as Crewe Alexandra, Hull City, Derby County, AFC Bournemouth and Cardiff City before finally saying goodbye to Liverpool on a permanent basis.

Since joining the west London club, the Welshman, who was once dubbed as “incredible” by Klopp, has managed to score three goals and provide three assists in just eight Championship appearances with Marco Silva’s side.

In addition to this, Wilson has also managed to earn himself an impressive overall season rating of 7.19/10 for his performances in the Championship, making him Fulham’s third-highest rated player according to WhoScored.

While it could be seen that Wilson has now found his level in the Championship, we feel that Liverpool could potentially end up regretting allowing Wilson to leave the Merseyside club on a permanent basis if he continues to impress and develop his game, especially if he ends up doing it in the Premier League.

However, for the time being, and with Liverpool having Salah and Mane firing on all cylinders, there may not be too much to be concerned about regarding Wilson’s move to Fulham. However, there is every chance it could come back to bite them by the time he hits his peak.

In other news: LFC eye swoop for 25 y/o who Klopp dubbed “unplayable”, he dribbles more than Salah – opinion

Noel Whelan has offered his verdict on Tottenham’s reported pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic…

What’s the talk?

The one-time Premier League forward has suggested that the Lilywhites could land an upgrade on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg by bringing the 31-year-old to the club this summer.

Spurs are reportedly interested in a potential deal to bring the Bosnia international to north London ahead of next season, with Fabio Paratici exploring the possibility of signing him on a season-long loan from Barcelona, and Whelan believes it would be a good piece of business.

He told Football Insider: “I don’t think the Tottenham fans are that overwhelmed by Hojbjerg right now.

“He needs a lot of work as well in pre-season. He’s done okay in the European Championships but Pjanic is a different level to me. That’s why he’s been at Barcelona.

“I think the biggest factor is experience. You need players you can trust. The experienced players that know how to control the game, dictate a game.

“Someone who’s going to be a presence on the training ground and in the changing room, to bring that calmness and that experience to a team.”

Once silenced Poch

Tottenham fans may well remember Pjanic from his performance against the club in the Champions League for Juventus in 2018. The Italian giants knocked Spurs out of the competition with a 2-1 win at Wembley to win 4-3 on aggregate.

The Bosnian played the full 90 minutes in the heart of Juventus’ midfield that night as he won one aerial battle and two tackles and completed 85% of his passes, helping to silence Mauricio Pochettino’s side by stopping their attacks through the middle and dictating the play for his own team.

Therefore, Spurs fans will already know that he has the quality to perform on the biggest stage and could adapt well to playing in the Premier League. As Whelan referenced, the 31-year-old is vastly experienced at the top level and has played more than 400 times across Serie A, Ligue 1 and La Liga for Lyon, Roma, Juventus and Barcelona throughout his career.

His technical quality is not in doubt, with former Roma coach Rudi Garcia once hailing the genius of Pjanic over a dead-ball after the Bosnian scored a free-kick in the Serie A, highlighting his ability on the ball.

Garcia said: “I am very happy for Adem Ljajic, and I knew at the break we’d probably struggle on set plays. Other than those, we weren’t really allowing any chances.

“How did we resolve the situation? Gave Pjanic the ball and watched him score a genius free kick.”

The £18m-rated magician has an excellent career average WhoScored rating of 7.13, a score no Tottenham midfielder was able to get near in the Premier League last season. Attacking trio Heung-Min Son, Harry Kane and Gareth Bale were the only players who achieved a higher rating throughout the entire squad.

This suggests that Pjanic could be a brilliant addition to Tottenham’s squad and that is why Paratici must sanction a loan swoop for the Barcelona man.

AND in other news, Paratici facing Spurs disaster over “fantastic” £100k-p/w beast, Nuno will be livid…