All posts by z3u9t.icu

A number of Liverpool supporters are hugely excited after a report claimed the Reds are on the verge of signing striker Patson Daka this summer.

The summer transfer window promises to be a busy one at Anfield, with Jurgen Klopp working hard on perfecting his squad ahead of next season.

The 53-year-old will no doubt be keen to bringing in top-quality additions, but he will also be wanting to offload fringe players who are deemed surplus to requirements.

One player who Liverpool have been linked with before is Daka, who has been a sensation for RB Salzburg, scoring 68 goals in just 125 appearances for the Austrian side.

According to Fichajes, the Reds are set to make the 22-year-old their second addition of the summer, having already signed Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-3/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Liverpool fans delighted with Daka update

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to provide their thoughts on the news after it was shared on Twitter via Sports Illustrated, with plenty of happiness on show.

“Please be true”

Credit: @rieny_rein

“I’d be over the moon with that”

Credit: @its_lew

“Replacing Origi with Daka would be fantastic. So much potential there”

Credit: @IrishRED05

“Don’t give me hope”

Credit: @_euanito

“This would be an incredible signing if true. Daka is being slept on across Europe”

Credit: @YourMateJez

“Good news”

Credit: @itwasashtag

In other news, Liverpool are reportedly willing to sell an attacking player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Everton have had an awful 2021/22 campaign thus far – with the Toffees embroiled in a tough relegation battle, and Frank Lampard trying everything he can to keep the club from dropping into the Championship next season.

Many players have already been linked with moves away from Goodison Park following their disappointing campaign in the Premier League, with Richarlison, in particular, heavily speculated to leave the club this summer.

With that being said, the Toffees boss must exercise some damage control when it comes to keeping the team together – no matter the outcome at the end of the season – and now another player is reportedly being lined up for a move away from the club.

The Daily Mail reported this week that Manchester United are targeting the Everton centre-back for a move to Old Trafford, with the youngster catching the eye of the 20-time Premier League title winners.

The 19-year-old has made just six appearances for the senior team across all competitions this term, with his most notable performance coming in his first Premier League outing of 2021/22 – scoring in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge under Rafa Benitez.

Branthwaite was hailed “fabulous” by Glen Hoddle following this display, and Benitez was also full of praise for the young defender, stating: “He showed character and he’s a player who has potential. Always with the young players, you have to be careful but you have to give them a chance if it is possible.”

Since Frank Lampard has taken over from the Spaniard, Branthwaite has been given three opportunities to prove he has what it takes to compete for a spot in the Everton backline, and his defensive statistics speak for themselves.

The 6ft5 tank has understandably used his height to impose himself on opponents, winning 67% of his aerial duels, as well as making an average of 3.3 clearances and 0.8 tackles per game.

He has also averaged an 81% pass accuracy inside his half, proving he can be a threat and offer presence for the Toffees.

Ultimately, Lampard must avoid a disaster in losing the £5.1k-per-week defender this summer, as sanctioning the sale of one of the club’s most promising up and coming talents may well be a decision that the Goodison Parkfaith never forgive the 43-year-old for.

AND in other news: Huge blow: Everton dealt fresh injury setback ahead of Liverpool, Lamps will be gutted

Two weeks is a long time in football; something Sunderland and Lee Johnson have found out recently.

They have now failed to win their last five league games, leaving the Black Cats’ automatic promotion hope in tatters. They are lacking the fluency and rhythm we had became so accustomed to seeing from them in the last few months.

Johnson had engineered their first Wembley triumph for almost 50 years and had taken the Mackems to third place after 14 matches without a defeat.

However, in typical Sunderland fashion, they are beginning to bottle things. A 2-2 draw with league leaders Hull City in midweek was a good result on paper but they will be eager to finally bounce back when they face Accrington Stanley on Saturday.

Given how poor they’ve been over the last fortnight, how will they line up this weekend? Here’s our predicted XI…

We’re tipping Johnson to make just the two changes from the team which drew with the Tigers.

The first thing to note in the XI is that we think Aiden McGeady will miss out. The manager revealed that the Irishman is “50-50” to face Accrington on Saturday as the winger still has significant bruising on his foot which is making it difficult to kick a ball.

He didn’t face Hull in midweek either but, in order to give Sunderland an extra dose of spice in the final third, we think Josh Scowen should be dropped.

That sees Chris Maguire return to the starting XI for the first time since December. The attacker has had to wait patiently on the sidelines but, after a period where he’s regained fitness while playing for the under-23s, Johnson should finally unleash him.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-sunderland-transfer-rumours-and-news-grigg-denayer-louis-dreyfus-sanderson-melamed” title=”Latest Sunderland transfer news and views!”]

The other change is at left-back, where Callum McFadzean drops out. The left-back has been a liability of late and was absolutely terrorised by Mallik Wilks a few days ago.

With that in mind, Denver Hume comes back into the XI to make only his second start since returning from injury.

Tom Flanagan is still missing while Dion Sanderson has headed back to Wolves temporarily in order to help him recover from a back problem.

AND in other news, Zero starts in 2021: Johnson can forget McGeady by unleashing “very talented” SAFC ace…

Tanguy Ndombele’s days are surely numbered at Tottenham Hotspur after another disastrous outing resulted in a torrent of boos from the crowd on Sunday afternoon.

Spurs edged into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 victory over League One minnows Morecambe but that was after the Frenchman was withdrawn by manager Antonio Conte.

The introduction of Harry Kane and Lucas Moura changed the game and spared the Lilywhites their blushes.

Ndombele, who was graded as SofaScore’s lowest-rated outfield player for either side, was withdrawn in the 69th minute to a raucous reaction from the home supporters. He trudged off slowly as the volume of the boos increased and went straight down the tunnel – that will surely anger the Italian head coach.

Considering the £34m-rated midfielder cost a club-record £55m over two-and-a-half years ago, the 24-year-old should be picking apart a side of the Shrimpers’ quality – with all due respect.

Indeed, the expensive flop, who ex-goalkeeper Joe Hart once dubbed “unplayable” cut an uninterested figure throughout the game and that drew criticism from the press box.

‘Booed off by his own fans after trudging towards the touchline when he was replaced by Kane. It felt terminal and you wonder if that’s the last we’ll see of him in a Spurs shirt. Followed an ineffective display,’ wrote the Evening Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick in his post-match column.

Ndombele won just one of his six duels (16%), a rather weak effort up against a team two divisions below. Elsewhere, he failed to register a single shot on target, key pass, tackle or interception, via SofaScore.

According to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Spurs are “looking for a solution to sell or loan out” the former Lyon dynamo, so after these latest antics, it could well be the beginning of the end for Ndombele at the club.

That, at the very least, should be the last time that he gets to put on a Tottenham shirt.

AND in other news, Spurs dealt major injury blow ahead of  Chelsea clash…

Michael Ball has ruled out the possibility of Chelsea outcast Ross Barkley sealing a return to Everton this summer.

The England international midfielder left Goodison Park in favour of a £15million move to Chelsea three-and-a-half years ago.

Barkley’s Everton exit came after pushing to leave the club for a number of years.

However, the 27-year-old’s switch to Stamford Bridge has not gone to plan as he has made just 86 appearances for the Blues.

Barkley also played no role in the Blues’ Champions League success last season as he headed to Aston Villa on loan.

The central midfielder has been linked with a permanent departure from west London this summer, with Everton, West Ham United and Newcastle United reportedly among those interested.

Barkley made 179 first-team appearances during his initial spell with the Toffees but former Everton left-back Ball believes the way in which the academy product harboured for a way out of the club earlier in his career will make a return difficult.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Ball said: “The way he left has tainted his side, which is really disappointing.

“Ross has been on loan at Aston Villa and it didn’t really work out. They didn’t want to keep him so there are still question marks over whether he has developed since leaving Everton.

“The reasons why he left were a bit shocking for the Everton fans at the time.”

Writing on Twitter, sharing the latest in a piece for football.london, reliable Lilywhites correspondent Alasdair Gold has dropped a major Tottenham Hotspur managerial update.

The Lowdown: Tottenham manager hunt in motion…

Since the sacking of former boss Jose Mourinho last month, Spurs and chairman Daniel Levy have been linked with a host of new gaffers to take the role in north London.

Names such as Julian Nagelsmann (now taking the Bayern Munich role), Brendan Rodgers and Erik Ten Hag (The Telegraph) have been followed up by the likes of Graham Potter, Scott Parker and Roberto Martinez (Evening Standard).

Spurs allegedly have their criteria for a new boss as they eye contenders who promote open, attacking football – as well as a ‘young’ and ‘dynamic’ boss wanted by technical performance director Steve Hitchen (The Daily Mail).

The Latest: Gold drops major Tottenham managerial update

Writing on social media, sharing the latest developments from within Spurs, Gold has dropped a major update – with Tottenham now completing their managerial shortlist.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest/” title=”Tottenham latest…” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Indeed, as explained by the journalist, Tottenham have compiled their dossier of candidates for the managerial vacancy and ‘will be pushing forward’ to hold talks for those in contention.

“Understand Spurs now have their shortlist for their next manager and will be pushing forward to hold talks.” he explained (via Twitter).

As explained by the reporter, there will be unknown names due to the secrecy of Tottenham’s hunt, but those believed not to be in the running are Italian quintet Simone Inzaghi, Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri, Gian Piero Gasperini and Massimiliano Allegri.

This report reiterates Martinez, Rodgers, Parker and Potter as managers also catching attention from Spurs chiefs.

The Verdict: About time…

football.london recently claimed that Tottenham are aiming to announce their new manager by the end of the season, and we were starting to grow concerned this just wouldn’t be possible.

Sky Sports even dropped an opposing update, stating Spurs looked set to take their time and make an appointment in the summer after Ajax boss and former target Ten Hag signed a new contract.

They urged supporters to not expect an announcement before the end of 2020/2021, but this Gold update could provide hope of seeing a new manager in N17 before the European Championships.

As a result, this update comes as a major one as the Spurs manager hunt lingers on.

In other news: Tottenham told to target this ‘demon’ of a boss, find out more here.

Celtic have begun talks with Hajduk Split over a move for defender Mario Vuskovic, according to The Scottish Sun.

The Lowdown: Vuskovic profiled

Vuskovic is 19 years of age and is valued at £5.85m by Transfermarkt. He has six caps for Croatia at Under-21 level and has already racked up 44 appearances at club level for Hajduk Split.

Primarily a centre-back, Vuskovic can also play as a defensive midfielder and a right-back and stands at 6ft 2.

His current contract runs until 2024, but reports have suggested that Split chiefs have decided to cash in on the teenager this summer.

The Latest: Latest report

The Scottish Sun lead with a title that the Hoops are closing in on the Hajduk Split star.

Postecoglou’s appointment and Wednesday arrival in Glasgow has sparked Celtic into action.

A £5m fee was touted in the report, adding that Vuskovic could now become Postecoglou’s first signing as Celtic boss.

Hoops scouts know all about Vuskovic after watching him on multiple occasions last season, and it seems as if the new Celtic manager is happy for a move to materialise.

The Verdict: A much-needed addition

Central defensive additions appear to be required at Parkhead, so the potential arrival of Vuskovic could ease Postecoglou’s centre-back worries.

Kristoffer Ajer has made it clear he wants to leave Celtic this summer, so should he seal a move away, that would leave Postecoglou with Stephen Welsh and the injured Christopher Julien as the club’s only senior options.

That isn’t exactly ideal, especially with a Champions League qualifier a month away, so it could be handy to get defensive reinforcements through the door as soon as possible.

It seems as if that is what the Hoops are trying to do with Vuskovic, and if the latest update is anything to go by, they have a real chance of bringing him to Scotland.

In other news: Leeds make bid for Celtic defender, find out more here. 

As per a report by The Sun, Tottenham Hotspur seem to already have a plan in place when it comes to potentially signing West Bromwich Albion ace Sam Johnstone.

The Lowdown: Tottenham target Baggies ace…

Amid the speculation surrounding Hugo Lloris’ future at N17, with the France number one still yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, the Lilywhites could add a new ‘keeper to their ranks.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-updates/” title=”Spurs updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Despite already signing Pierluigi Gollini on loan with the option to buy, Spurs have been linked with Baggies ‘keeper Johnstone as his future at West Brom hangs in the balance.

The Latest: Spurs offer ‘pencilled in’ for Johnstone…

As per The Sun, Tottenham already have an offer ‘pencilled in’ for Johnstone if he does leave The Hawthorns next summer, as his contract is set to expire in 2022 as it stands.

West Brom have let the player know that there will be a ‘lucrative deal’ if he stays in the Midlands as Spurs eye a swoop, with Southampton the only prospective suitors willing to pay a fee in January rather than waiting until he becomes a free agent.

The Verdict: Great option…

Signing the England international for free next summer would certainly come as a great bit of business for Spurs considering his exploits in the Premier League last season.

The 28-year-old was lauded a ‘world class’ player by Wolves legend Steve Bull to This is Futbol, while former Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle hailed him as ‘outstanding’ in a column for The Evening Standard.

It’s clear that Nuno Espirito Santo and co could certainly do far worse in the search for a possible heir to Lloris.

In other news: Spurs rejoin race to sign ‘world class’ 171-goal striker who Pochettino wanted in 2016, find out more here.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Rangers defender Michael Ball believes Andros Townsend may have held talks with his old side over a move to Scotland this summer.

Townsend is currently a free agent after his Crystal Palace contract expired last month, with the 29-year-old currently doing some work for talkSPORT.

On the radio station (via the Daily Record), Townsend recently revealed he would be open to joining Rangers or their city rivals as he considers his options.

And Ball has since suggested that something could already be in the works. In an exclusive interview with FFC, the ex-Rangers star said:

“He’s 29, so he’s in his prime. He’s a free agent and could be a gamble worth paying for Steven Gerrard and Rangers Football Club.

“He’s got the experience to pass down to the players around him, but he’s also still got the ability to push Rangers to the next level as well. 

“I’m sure a conversation’s probably taken place and if it can happen, it’d be great for both parties.”

With his Premier League experience, Townsend would surely be a coup for Rangers. Across spells with Palace, Tottenham, Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers, the winger has amassed 243 appearances (per Transfermarkt).

And, as already mentioned, he is still in his prime at 29. Ultimately, if Townsend is willing to join the club, this looks like a no-brainer for the Scottish Premiership champions.

Glasgow Rangers have confirmed several players have tested positive for coronavirus ahead of their Europa League play-off second leg against Alashkert, and Steven Gerrard as well as several other players will therefore be unavailable for the clash.

The Lowdown: Gers eye Europa League group stages

After failing to reach the Champions League group stages following their 4-2 defeat to Malmo, the Gers dropped down to the Europa League.

They won their first-leg play-off 1-0 at Ibrox, and they now travel to Armenia as they attempt to get the job done.

The Latest: Gers confirm cases

However, Gerrard’s plans have been thrown into disarray ahead of the clash.

The 55-time Scottish champions have confirmed a number of their players have tested positive for coronavirus and will therefore be missing from the game on Thursday (rangers.co.uk). Gerrard himself is self-isolating and will not be able to attend the clash (Sky Sports).

The Verdict: Who?

As of yet, there has been no confirmation from the Gers as to which players have been affected. They have a relatively big squad and should be able to cope without a couple of fringe members, but if they lose some star performers then they could be up against it. Losing Gerrard will also be a blow, as he is a strong figure on the sidelines.

Qualifying for the Europa League is vital for Rangers. While it does not match the Champions League in terms of finances, it will still boost the coffers while also allowing the club to compete on the continental stage. No matter who is unavailable, those left must get the job done.

In other news, Rangers fans loved this man’s performance against Ross County.