All posts by z3u9t.icu

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Leeds United striker Brian Deane has backed Marcelo Bielsa’s decision to cool interest in Liverpool winger Harry Wilson.

As reported by Football Insider, Wilson, who spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Cardiff City, has been a long-term target for Leeds.

However, according to the same outlet, Bielsa and Leeds are no longer interested in tying up a deal for the 24-year-old that could have cost £15m.

Wilson heads into Euro 2020 with Wales after a solid campaign in the Championship, where he scored seven times and provided 11 assists. Even so, Deane believes Leeds’ decision to end their pursuit of the player is a good one.

“I mean, look, he’s a good player technically, Harry Wilson,” the ex-Leeds striker said. “But if I look at the kind of players who they’ve got in wide areas, they’re more mobile, they’re more direct than Harry Wilson.

“Wilson’s somebody who wants to be a little bit more technical. He’s good obviously on the ball, but I don’t see him running past players the way how the other two do, [Stuart] Dallas and [Jack] Harrison.

“I’m not sure Wilson’s that type of player.”

During his last stint in the Premier League, Wilson was able to score seven goals in a Bournemouth side who went on to see relegation.

So while he may not be a player Leeds need right now, the Wales international could still perhaps be a useful addition to another top-flight side.

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has been mentioned with a potential overhaul of his squad during the upcoming summer transfer window.

The previous January window saw numerous players not only make moves to Villa Park but also saw some other figures wave goodbye to the club as they left on loan deals.

Looking ahead to the upcoming summer transfer window, it seems as though one current Villa figure could be set to have his bags packed and bring his time at the Midlands club to an end.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from Football Insider sources, French club Marseille are interested in re-signing Villa midfielder Morgan Sanson this summer.

Villa signed the Frenchman back in the 2021 January transfer window in a deal worth a reported fee of £16m.

Since then, the midfielder has only made 20 appearances for the Villans across all competitions, failing to score even one goal or provide one assist, making him somewhat of a flop considering what they paid for him.

Get rid of Sanson

Having suffered from injury and illness issues when he first arrived at the club, which was described as “frustrating” by former Villa manager Dean Smith, the 27-year-old has found it hard to get regular game time under Gerrard in this campaign.

Since the turn of the year, the £59k-per-week disappointment has only appeared in six league games, starting just two of them.

It’s hard to determine what exactly the Frenchman offers the team considering how, from an attacking point of view, he’s only been able to make three shot-creating actions in the league.

From a defensive standpoint, he’s only made eight tackles for his side, which is lower than the likes of Leon Bailey, Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins.

His performances throughout this campaign haven’t done much to convince the current Villa boss that he deserves to be in the squad next season.

According to WhoScored, the former Marseille star is listed as the lowest-rated Villa player currently in Gerrard’s squad to have started more than one league fixture, with an overall rating of 6.34/10.

With that in mind, if Gerrard doesn’t have Sanson in his long-term plans for the future beyond this season and Marseille are willing to make a suitable financial offer for their former midfielder, then selling him would be the best option for all parties this summer.

In other news: “Gerrard wants..“: Journo drops teasing transfer claim, AVFC supporters surely buzzing 

According to a report by The Sun, via City Xtra, star Manchester City defender John Stones is in advanced talks over a new five-year contract worth £150,000-per-week – prompting plenty of Sky Blues to erupt over this ‘great news’.

The Englishman has, arguably, been City’s most improved player this season and a mainstay in Pep Guardiola’s side – having started 20 Premier League matches whilst partnering summer acquisition Ruben Dias to devastating effect. 

Indeed, Stones has been a revelation for the league leaders this campaign after Guardiola played him far less over 2019/2020 – with the Spaniard even opting to utilise Fernandinho as a makeshift centre-half at one point.

Now, due to his impressive performances, the Sun report he is in talks over a bumper new £150,000-per-week deal which includes incentives/bonuses for trophies, appearances and clean sheets.

It is said that he is also desperate to secure his future with the club and has never wanted to depart the Etihad Stadium, coming after he was linked with a move away last summer.

Given his influence this season, it’s little wonder plenty of Sky Blues have erupted over the ‘great news’ – find a taste of their best verdicts down below.

Man City fans erupt over Stones contract claim

“yessss”

Credit: @Thebigkun

“Great get it done then”

Credit: @tottimcfc27

“Omg he deserved so much”

Credit: @martha2144

“Give him the contract”

Credit: @portmore_15

“CMOOONNN”

Credit: @CitehTy

“Great news.”

Credit: @ruiningfootball

“I love city for adding value to players they bring. They pay good money for the Player they want and they give them more money to keep them”

Credit: @mtambudze

“Genuinely can’t think of a single player who’s had such a quick revival like Stones. From being on the brink of being sold last summer to becoming one of the most important defensive assets for City – he deserves a new deal without question”

Credit: @sampuddephatt1

In other news: Man City fans also went wild for this club announcement, find out more here.

Leeds United fans will love Phil Hay’s latest claim…

What’s the word?

The Athletic reporter dropped an exciting 12-word update on the contractual situation of Raphinha to Twitter earlier this week.

“Leeds United are increasingly confident of finalising a new contract with Raphinha,” he said before going on to discuss his performance against West Ham United on Sunday in an accompanying column for the website.

Hay described his display as a “creative masterclass” as Jack Harrison’s hat-trick secured an impressive 3-2 win over the Irons at the London Stadium.

A matter of time?

It is surely only a matter of time before we hear official news from the club on this front as all the noises around Elland Road are positive – the fact that one of the most reliable sources associated with Leeds is saying so is massively encouraging.

Indeed, Sunday’s performance was another damning reminder of how important the Brazilian is to Marcelo Bielsa and the squad.

[snack-amp-story url = “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news-2″ title=”Read the latest Leeds news, transfer updates and much, much more!”]

As per SofaScore, he registered a whopping eight key passes, including an assist for one of Harrison’s three goals. He also accurately delivered 100% of his crosses, registered two dribbles and attempted three shots but could not add to his eight goals.

Before the weekend, he was the only player to have scored more than twice. He also tops the charts for average rating (7.27) by quite some margin, leading the way for key passes (2.1 per game) and dribbles (2.3 per game), via WhoScored.

‘Leeds have no interest in listening to bids for Raphinha in the present transfer window,’ Hay added in his piece for The Athletic. ‘They have received no offers so far and when it was reported in his native Brazil on Christmas Eve that Bayern Munich would sign him before the end of the month, Leeds poured water on the story quickly.’

Raphinha has been a real star for the Yorkshire giants ever since his £17m move from Stade Rennes in October 2020 – now valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, it has looked every bit like an incredible deal for the club.

Of course, United should be resigned to losing him at some point but him being around for the foreseeable future, thanks to an extension to his current £63k-per-week deal is surely going to leave the Elland Road faithful absolutely buzzing.

AND in other news, “This week”: Journo drops big Leeds transfer claim live on air, fans will be buzzing…

Serie A expert Conor Clancy believes that Joakim Maehle would cost over £20 million if a Premier League club wanted to sign him this summer.

Maehle currently plays for Atalanta and has been with the club since January, when he joined from Belgian club Genk.

Since then, he has gone on to make 25 appearances for the Italian side, providing two assists from right-back.

The Denmark international also enjoyed an exceptional tournament at Euro 2020, playing in every game as they reached the semi-finals, where they were ultimately beaten by England at Wembley.

Maehle scored twice in the tournament, against Russia and Wales, and laid on an assist against the Czech Republic.

Southampton have been linked with a swoop to bring the full-back, who is also capable of playing on the left side of midfield, to the Premier League.

And Clancy believes they would have to pay over £20m to acquire his signature.

The editor in chief of Forza Italian Football said: “To a Premier League club, anything above 20 million, you never know, but if he were to join another club in Europe, 10 to 15, it’s that Premier League inflation.

“Atalanta only sell if it works for them so he’s not going to be sold for 15 million because there’s no reason for Atalanta to do that six months after signing him.”

A number of Liverpool supporters have been left frustrated with an update on the future of on-loan Reds defender Ozan Kabak.

The 21-year-old moved to Anfield in the January transfer window, looking to fill the centre-back void left by long-term injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

It was an extremely difficult situation for Kabak to be thrown into, but after a difficult start, he has begun to look the part for Liverpool, excelling against RB Leipzig in the Champions League. The Turkey international has made nine Premier League appearances to date, although an injury is currently keeping him sidelined.

[freshpress-quiz id=“355458″]

Kabak only joined the Reds on loan, however, so it may be that he ends up returning to Schalke 04 at the end of the season, should Jurgen Klopp decide not to retain his services. According to the Liverpool Echo [via Anfield Watch], the club are yet to make a decision over the defender’s future, with Klopp mulling over his options.

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

Liverpool fans unhappy at Kabak

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to react to the update on Kabak’s future, with frustration in the air among many Kopites.

“Sigh I give up, we’re not meant to be”

Credit: @lfcyerms

“Smh…this club”

Credit: @BlvckLyte

“I’d have him rather than Konate tbh. Younger and proved himself”

Credit: @StephanSteyn1

“We’d be daft not to at the price”

Credit: @dazmul19761

“Take him!! He’s worth every penny”

Credit: @JokeSrirattana

“Surely we must try and keep him”

Credit: @Julie_K_83

In other news, Liverpool have been linked with a trophy-laden player this summer – find out who it is here.

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish will start for England in their Euro 2020 clash against Germany tomorrow, according to Darren Anderton.

Speaking to GentingBet about the possibility of the 25-year-old starting at Wembley, the former Tottenham midfielder stated: “I thought Grealish, and Saka were outstanding against the Czech Republic, especially Saka, I would not be surprised to see both starting against Germany, though it’s such a tough decision Gareth has to make on Foden given his quality.” [via Birmingham Mail].

Of course, Grealish has more than earned his shot at international stardom following an astounding 2020/21 campaign in which he registered 19 goal contributions in 27 games, with seven goals and 12 assists to his name [Transfermarkt].

Anderton rightly alluded to the 25-year-old’s commendable display versus the Czech Republic last week, recording a crucial assist in a 1-0 win for the Three Lions [BBC] after coming into the starting line-up.

While Grealish is well worthy of a shout to take to the field from the beginning against Germany, not everyone harmoniously agrees that he will get that opportunity. In light of these recent comments, many Aston Villa fans took to Twitter to voice their opinions on whether their captain will be given the nod on Tuesday evening by Gareth Southgate.

Villa fans react:

Replying to popular outlet Aston Villa News on Twitter, here is how some Clarets fans summarised their opinions on Grealish’s chances of starting at Wembley:

“I think Southgate will bring him on in the 70th minute. This is gonna be the most defensive squad to date. #flat #boring.”

Credit: @Hades26466019″No, Southgate doesn’t trust him”Credit: @MikeKnott10″No chance with that brain dead parrot in charge”Credit: @RichiBoi11″Not a chance, Mount will be straight back in.”Credit: @RoundAboutMagic”Don’t be daft”Credit: @HollyJen86″Will start? No. Should start? Yes. Gotta make way for a third defensive midfielder”Credit: @ajsfounded71In other news, many Aston Villa fans react to this player’s potential Villa Park return.

Lots of Everton fans have been left talking about the early team news which has emerged ahead of their game at home to West Ham United on Sunday.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match against the Hammers at Goodison Park, Rafa Benitez has now revealed that Lucas Digne, Seamus Coleman and Alex Iwobi have all returned to full training, but it is too soon to say whether they will be available.

Nonetheless, the news is certainly a boost if both full-backs especially are fit enough to play the Irons, while Iwobi gives Benitez another handy option in the squad.

However, the Spaniard did not mention how both Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison are after their respective injuries, which has worried some supporters of the Merseyside club.

Everton fans on Team News

These Toffees fans flocked to Twitter to give their thoughts on the early Team News, with some happy that three players are back in training, while others were questioning the fitness of Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison:

“Panic over”

Credit: @CalumDMoore

“Great news!”

Credit: @Amycfernandez

“Brilliant news”

Credit: @CBobblers1878

“No DCL or Richy yet another week of the donkey upfront then”

Credit: @richythepigeon

“DCL??? Richy??? Tell meeeeeee”

Credit: @KRay1878

“DCL and Richarlison??”

Credit: @Vicaz22

In other news, find out what Benitez comments Blues have flocked to here!

Many Everton fans have been left buzzing as the Goodison Park faithful released a significant club update.

As per the official website of the Merseyside club, they have appointed both Sarvar Ismailov and Grant Ingles to their Board of Directors (BoD).

Ismailov joined the Toffees in 2019 as Global Commercial Consultant before working with Everton Women, while Ingles became the Finance Director in 2013.

Ismailov is the nephew of Alisher Usmanov, who was reported back in March could invest in the Blues after they were told that they could proceed with the plans to build their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

The family link has left a lot of EFC supporters speculating whether the billionaire will eventually invest some significant funds, which would of course put them in good standing in the transfer market, able to buy new, better players and also improve on the infrastructure around the club.

Everton fans on Ismailov and Ingles update

These Evertonians buzzed as the update was shared on Twitter:

“We are MASSIVE”

Credit: @comradecoxy

“Starts researching ….but already that’s positive for me”Credit: @pdefc84″There it issss SARVAR”Credit: @Danny_EFC6″Usmanov getting more involved?? Yes please”Credit: @_luke1878_”Usmanov at the wheel”Credit: @brenters85″Usmanov pulling the strings”Credit: @Stewartwright18In other news, find out which Premier League team are interested in this ‘quality’ Everton talent here!

Many Crystal Palace fans have been angered on Twitter, following a poor first half showing from Jordan Ayew in their Premier League clash away to West Ham United [Sky Sports].

West Ham United enjoyed the bulk of possession in the first half and got their just rewards with a Pablo Fornals opener, and many Palace spectators will be hoping that manager Patrick Vieira makes some changes at half time – the Hammers have eight of the nine shots in the match.

One man who could be susceptible to being substituted off before too long is Ayew, who has endured a lonely 45 minutes for the Eagles on the left-hand side, making little impact on either side of the ball.

Failing to really stamp his mark, the Ghanaian has had to take up deeper positions than his role on the left-wing would suggest, but that didn’t exactly help keep the Hammers at bay.

In light of his display, loads of supporters flocked to Twitter to voice their fury at his performance.

Fans react to Ayew display

Replying to various outlets on Twitter, here is what some spectators had to say about Ayew’s display:

“What position is Jordan Ayew playing? Dm? #WHUCRY”

Credit: @NalikemPecius”Ayew a liability. Always. #CPFC #WHUCRY3″Credit: @CHSCPFC”It’s like palace are playing with 2 LBs where Ayew is so far back”Credit: @CFCSIMMONS7″I know i’m a better footballer than Jordan Ayew”Credit: @Pinocchio1957″Ayew is so slow at passing! Tekkers in miles of space begging for the ball at jogging speed and Ayew waits til Tekkers is offside to pass the damn ball! Drop him already!”Credit: @Midgecpfc”Why is ayew taking way more touches then needed man”Credit: @bentekefan0In other news, Crystal Palace fans react to links with a reported target. Find out more here.