All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Joe Rodon is attracting increasing interest ahead of the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

According to a number of reports (via One Football), the 24-year-old defender is being monitored by both West Ham United and Newcastle United ahead of a potential swoop for the Wales international in the winter market.

An earlier report by Football Insider claimed that a Spurs source had revealed the centre-back “100%” wants to secure a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in January, after Antonio Conte informed the defender that he views him as backup to Eric Dier in the club’s defensive pecking order.

Paratici heading for disaster

While Rodon has been a bit-part player for Spurs since his £11m move to North London – starting just 13 games for the club thus far – it is undeniable that the Welshman is a player who possesses the traits to become an extremely important part of Antonio Conte’s side.

Indeed, despite only featuring in 12 Premier League fixtures last season, the £17m-rated man nevertheless impressed, helping his side keep two clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.8 interceptions – the most of any Spurs player – 1.2 tackles, 31.5 passes and winning 73% of his duels per game.

These returns saw the player who BBC reporter Rob Phillips dubbed a “colossal” talent earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.97, ranking him as the club’s seventh-best player in the league, as well as their second-best performing centre-back behind Toby Alderweireld.

So, Rodon’s efficiency in passing, interceptions and tackles would appear to make him a fantastic candidate for a starting role in Conte’s back three, leading us to believe that, should Fabio Paratici go on to sanction the departure of the centre-back in the upcoming January transfer window, it would undoubtedly be something of a disaster on the part of the managing director.

In other news: Paratici must seal Spurs swoop for £287k-p/w “phenomenon” who’s “better than Mbappe”

Aston Villa have been handed an update on their pursuit of Southampton and England midfielder James Ward-Prowse.

What’s the story?

According to recent reports from The Guardian, Dean Smith is keen on making a move for Ward-Prowse, and now, Football Insider have delivered an update on the situation.

They claim that a recruitment source has told them that Smith’s side have now registered their interest in the midfielder and that it is very much “concrete”.

The report adds that a potential deal is still in the early stages, but Villa are planning for midfield changes this summer.

Dean Smith will be buzzing

Dubbed a “machine” by his teammates at Southampton, the £27m-rated Ward-Prowse had a fine season in the Premier League, scoring eight goals and providing a further seven assists in the top-flight – that also included a brace against Villa themselves back in November when the Saints ran out 4-3 winners.

The latest update that Villa have now registered their interest in the English ace, and that the Midlands club are “planning for midfield changes” will be music to the ears of the Villa boss.

The Villa midfield is arguably the one part through the spine of the team that was found lacking last season, with Emi Martinez a stand-out in goal, Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings a formidable presence in defence (they conceded just 46 goals all season), and Ollie Watkins up top.

But in central midfield and in the number ten role, Villa were lacking, with the likes of Douglas Luiz, John McGinn and Ross Barkley all well off the pace – none of them managed more than three goals each.

But with Ward-Prowse’s ability to get goals both from open play and from set-pieces, Villa could add a real game-changer to their ranks in the middle of the park.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/aston-villa-dean-smith-transfer-window-premier-league-villa-park-emi-buendia-gregg-evans-gossip-rumours-update-news” title=”Read the latest Aston Villa transfer rumours and news!”]

And, given what Smith has recently said about what he wants from his new signings, Ward-Prowse fits the bill.

He said: “In terms of our recruitment, we talk about the sweet spots that we’re looking for, which is that the players have Premier League experience and are (ideally) British because there is no adaptation risk at all.”

It’s exactly why this latest update should have Smith buzzing.

Meanwhile, Villa could form a superb partnership with this star…

Ryan Mason takes charge of his first game as Tottenham Hotspur’s interim boss later this evening as the struggling north London outfit welcome Southampton in the Premier League.

The 29-year-old was appointed following the surprise sacking of Jose Mourinho earlier this week and has been tasked with steering the ship for the remainder of the season, alongside fellow youth coach Chris Powell.

It’ll be the culmination of a 20-year association for the former academy graduate, having risen up through the ranks to make his first-team debut aged just 17 in November 2008, to captaining the side, and leading out Spurs’ next crop of youngsters in a coaching capacity after seeing his playing career tragically cut short.

The Lilywhites sit five points adrift of the top four in seventh place, and a win could see them leapfrog defending champions, Liverpool, their failed European Super League co-conspirators.

It’s a big week for Mason and the team as they also have the small matter of the Carabao Cup final against runaway leaders Manchester City on Sunday. It’ll certainly be interesting to see how he shakes up the side post-Mourinho.

The Portuguese’s final swansong saw Spurs draw 2-2 with Everton and once again, they were victims of their own downfall as that recurring theme of defensive mistakes cost them dearly.

Now, there is very little he can do outside of a window to drastically change these fortunes, but he could do himself the world of good if he opts to drop several players that have continuously let the side down.

[snack-amp-story url=https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-and-recent-gossip” title=”Read this week’s Spurs news, latest transfer rumours and more!]

Serge Aurier is perhaps one who falls into this category more than anyone.

The £23m arrival from PSG was here under Mauricio Pochettino, where Harry Redknapp claimed that “they’ve [the players] got him the sack,” and remained a key part of first-team plans under Mourinho, too, so the same must be said – surely?

According to The Sun, Daniel Levy feared a revolt after several stars came to him slamming the Special One’s methods in recent weeks.

Initially, things looked to be changing as the Ivorian right-back usurped summer signing Matt Doherty in the starting XI, and whilst he somehow found his way back in recently, it didn’t take long for his old self to come to the surface.

Once lambasted as a “liability” by ex-striker Darren Bent, Aurier was the brunt of the scathing criticism following defeat to Manchester United and Sky Sports’ punditry duo of Roy Keane and Micah Richards went to town on the Spurs star.

“He’s got a rick in him. He has caused loads of problems. I have described him as a bit of a car crash,” explained Keane (via a clip sourced by Football Daily). “Defensively I think he doesn’t smell danger or see the danger. And that’s been a huge problem for Spurs, the right-back position.”

And Richards believes his inability to track back has cost them hugely in recent matches, adding that Aurier was “lazy.”

After being axed from the side for five straight league outings, the defensive calamity was trusted to start against United, and then Everton. In neither game did he manage to surpass a rating of 6.3, as per SofaScore.

The £18m-rated will only let Mason down too if he starts tonight, so the caretaker boss must show no mercy and look to axe him from the starting XI.

Perhaps he can instead trust a player he’s worked with in the academy set-up in Japhet Tanganga, who in truth, has done little wrong to warrant losing his place.

AND in other news, Levy could find Spurs’ next Pochettino in 45 y/o gem who has WOWED Guardiola…

Manchester City have agreed terms with the representatives of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, The Daily Mail’s Mike Keegan reports. 

The lowdown

The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported in March that the battle for Haaland had become a two-horse race between City and their UEFA Champions League semifinal opponents, Real Madrid.

Given that the player possesses a €75million (£62.2million) release clause that becomes active in the summer, it was always likely to come down to who offered him the most attractive package.

And it appears City have won out, securing a striker who featured in the 2021 FIFPro World XI.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/man-city-latest-developments-2/” title=”Man City latest developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The latest

Keegan revealed late on Monday night that City have agreed a £500,000-per-week plus contract with Haaland’s camp, making him the highest-paid player in English football.

The reigning Premier League champions will now move to trigger the player’s release clause following a ‘significant step forward’.

As a result, the move is expected to go through in the ‘next week or so’, with Ornstein following with similar reports that the player has ‘approved’ the deal.

The verdict

This is undoubtedly a monumental signing for City. Haaland boasts a staggering goal record, netting 131 times in his first 179 senior appearances.

This season, he’s bagged 25 strikes, at least three more than any City player, despite only playing 26 matches. In fact, he’s averaged better than a goal per game since he moved to the Westfalenstadion (one every 86 minutes).

City failed in their attempts to sign Harry Kane last summer and have largely operated without a recognised no. 9 this season.

But now they’ve seemingly signed another striker in the elite bracket, for a fraction of the money Daniel Levy demanded, and with many more years ahead of him at the top of the European game.

In other news, a City source has shared a Jack Grealish revelation.  

Crystal Palace are showing a strong interest in Reading starlet Michael Olise.

That’s according to an exclusive report from Football Insider, who claimed that Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham are also keen.

Leeds readying bid?

Football Insider lead with a title claiming that Leeds United are readying an early move for the 19-year-old, who has an £8m release clause in his Royals deal.

Olise has scored five goals and registered 10 assists for Reading in the Championship this season, playing mainly as an attacking midfielder. He’s also turned out on either wing, racking up 64 appearances for the club in total.

Transfer Tavern take

At £8m, Olise could be a shrewd addition by the Eagles, but it seems as if they’ll face some serious Premier League competition for his services.

The Athletic’s Matt Woosnam has recently claimed that Palace will look to rebalance their squad, reduce the wage bill and move to a more sustainable approach this summer.

Bringing in Olise would give the Eagles an exciting option out wide or centrally, while also reducing their squad’s average age.

It remains to be seen whether Palace will firm up their interest with a concrete offer, but following the success of Eberechi Eze after signing from QPR, the Eagles might be tempted to do so.

In other news: Palace make enquiry for midfielder who scored injury-time winner against Eagles, find out more here. 

Manchester City fans are far from happy after it was suggested Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva will both be open to swapping the Citizens for Barcelona.

After a mixed season that saw City win the Premier League and League Cup but also lose the Champions League final 1-0 to Chelsea in Porto, there are likely to be plenty of changes at the Etihad Stadium. There have already been two departures to the Camp Nou in Sergio Aguero (fcbarcelona.com) and Eric Garcia, and Aymeric Laporte could also be on the move (Sport).

Now, it seems Barca have two other City players on their radar. As per Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), both Cancelo and Silva would be happy to make the move to Spain, with the report even saying there is a real chance both players could make the switch to La Liga this summer.

The news was shared on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the Man City fans had to say below

“Nah we need txiki to go to Barca”

Credit: @mcfcjosh9320

“Khaldoon needs to wake up and kick Txiki and Pep out of the club”

Credit: @RDragron7

“NO CANCELO”

Credit: @King_Kevin100

“on my mother’s life txiki’s playing against us”

Credit: @citehanas

“There certainly won’t be ‘good harmony’ between the fans and the board if they do.”

Credit: @Azzero1245

“If Cancelo is sold to Barca, the board (Txiki and co) and Pep’s time is done at the club. What on Earth are they even thinking of doing.”

Credit: @jpcancelo27

In other news, Man City fans are livid at this Pep Guardiola news.

Some Manchester City fans are eager for the club to sign Robin Gosens after the left-back impressed for Germany during his country’s 4-2 Euro 2020 victory against Portugal.

The Citizens have been heavily linked with a move for the 26-year-old, who currently plays for Atalanta in Serie A. Recently, it has developed that Pep Guardiola plans to continue using Oleksandr Zinchenko as his first-choice left-back (Manchester Evening News) next term, meaning any move for Gosens may be unnecessary.

However, that may change as the German impresses at the European Championship. He was a constant threat down the left flank against the defending champions and he even managed to get himself on the scoresheet. He also had the ball in the back of the net once more, but that effort was ruled out for VAR as Serge Gnabry was in an offside position.

These City fans have now implored the club to make a move for the defender, and they took to social media platform Twitter to respond to a tweet from @City_Xtra as they shared their thoughts.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about Gosens

“Time to go all out”

Credit: @sri_vastavaMein

“This guy is the perfect LB in Pep’s system”

Credit: @fanatic_city

“He’s such a perfect City player. Just insane going forward”

Credit: @koojababy

“I mean after seeing this they just have to get the fax machine ready and send that bid ASAP.”

Credit: @JCHawkk

“He’s very good, we should be in haste”

Credit: @StonzyE

“Smash the door down now!”

Credit: @Browny_MCFC91

In other news, some Man City fans react to links with this Euro 2020 midfielder.

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have hit out at Tyrone Mings’ first half display against Fulham on social media.

Dean Smith made one change from the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham prior to the international break, with Anwar El Ghazi coming in for Trezeguet out wide and Jack Grealish still absent through injury.

Mings, who was away with England during the recent break, kept his place in the side, making his 28th Premier League start of the current campaign on Sunday afternoon and his 29th appearance in all competitions.

However, his first half performance didn’t hit the right note with some supporters, who took to Twitter to voice their concerns over the centre-back.

He started alongside Ezri Konsa, coming up against Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic in what has already proven to be a very physical battle, with the Serbian getting two shots on target in the first half and proving a handful for the Villa defence.

Villa fans react

Here is what some Villa fans had to say about the Mings’ display in the first 45 minutes, with more than one believing he is ‘getting bullied’ by Mitrovic.

“Mings getting turned inside out, again”

Credit: @dogon22

“Mings is getting bullied by Mitrovic”

Credit: @MrNicoMole

“Mings looks like he’s in one of those moods like when he got sent off against Palace. Seriously concerned.”

Credit: @JohnHadley1984

“Mings is so sloppy”

Credit: @Captain__C00k_

“Mings always seems to come out worse against physical strikers”

Credit: @jackxlynch

“Mings getting bullied again.”

Credit: @AkUzEd

“(Mings) has been the worst player”

Credit: @RlCOCharges

In other news: Many AVFC fans unimpressed as transfer comments emerge, find out more here. 

Manchester United are reportedly in the running to sign Sporting Lisbon sensation Nuno Mendes after a string of impressive displays from the youngster.

What’s the talk?

According to The Sun, United have already ‘made contact’ with the Portuguese champions over a move for the 18-year-old full-back ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

The report states that a £52m fee is being muted and that Mendes shares the same agent as Bruno Fernandes, who left Sporting for Old Trafford 18 months ago.

Woodward must move

Mendes has taken the Primeira Liga by storm this season, making 29 league appearances for the capital club as Ruben Amorim’s men ended a 19-year wait for the top-flight title.

He could become the latest name to join Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils revolution after Manchester City cooled their interest after Verde e Brancos named their price for the Portugal international.

While some may argue that the 20-time English champions are well-stocked at left-back with Luke Shaw and Alex Telles, signing a generational talent like Mendes is simply an opportunity United can’t afford to pass up on.

Shaw has been magnificent this season and is undoubtedly the short-term solution to Solskjaer’s left-back needs, but at just 18, Mendes could grow and develop for a couple of years under the Norwegian’s tutelage while getting enough game time in cup competitions to continue his on-pitch development.

Summer-signing Telles has struggled to adapt to life in the English top-flight so far and could still be sold for a relatively high price, given his contract has three years left to run.

It would leave United with the perfect scenario. Their first-choice full-back would be an established Premier League player entering his prime years with over 200 senior appearances to his name, and his understudy would be a teenage prodigy admired by the continent’s top clubs.

Former Portugal international Costinha spoke to Goal after Mendes was named on the 2021 NXGN list of the world’s top teenage talent, and gave a glowing reference of his compatriot.

“Nuno Mendes (is the top talent). I don’t think he will be here next season,” claimed the retired midfielder.

“If I was a scout for the big clubs in Europe, I would look at him. Eighteen years old, a left-back – and there aren’t many left-backs in the world with that quality – then I would definitely go and pick him.

“He is strong physically and in his head. He has an excellent left foot, and he has very good pace.”

Therefore, Ed Woodward must seal a deal for the £22.5m-rated gem before he steps down from his position on the United board this summer, and leave the Premier League giants with at least one positive note.

And, in other news…Major Manchester United transfer update emerges that’ll surely have fans buzzing – opinion

Newcastle United are now reportedly weighing up a cut-price move to sign Jack Hendry before the summer transfer window ends.

The Lowdown: Centre-back wanted

The St. James’ Park faithful are clearly after a new central defender, with the likes of Phil Jones and Mouctar Diakhaby being linked so far this month.

However, with so little time left in the window remaining, any deal will have to be done fast in order to bring them to the North East.

The Latest: Hendry eyed

As per The Daily Mail, the Tyneside club are one of a number of sides to have made enquiries over the possibility of signing Hendry, along with Burnley, Southampton, West Brom and Sheffield United, while Torino are also interested in his signature.

Oostende value their player at around the £8m mark but a deal could be done for around £4m, which has put a lot of teams on alert.

The Verdict: Sign

Given that could be available for half of his value, the Magpies should not be breaking a sweat in trying to get this Hendry deal done.

Described as a ‘natural leader’ by Oostende manager Alexander Blessin back in November, he is currently the captain of his side – despite only joining last year – and so would bring leadership qualities both on the pitch as well as on it.

He has also started the 2021/22 season off well, winning no fewer than five of his duels per game in the Belgium Pro League, while also averaging 4.6 clearances, 1.2 interceptions and 1.2 tackles per match (Sofascore).

Nonetheless, the Scotland international would certainly be a smart purchase by the Toon.

In other news, find out whose display against Southampton was criticised here!