All posts by z3u9t.icu

Adama Traore’s ‘next adventure could be at Liverpool’, according to a report from elnacional.cat. 

Jurgen Klopp, a keen admirer of the Spain winger, is said to be waiting at Anfield ‘with open arms’ ahead of the January transfer window. Traore, for his part, feels he would be well-suited to the Reds’ style of football and ‘would not say no’ to an offer from the six-times European champions.

Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, who are of course managed by former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo, are also said to be interested in the 25-year-old, who is renowned for his pace and power but has a less than stellar scoring return.

A long-term Liverpool target?

This isn’t the first time Traore has been linked with a move to Merseyside. Back in August, 90min reported that he was on Liverpool’s shortlist as they looked to sign another forward option before the end of the transfer window.

No such move materialised, so perhaps it’s still a priority for the side currently second in the Premier League.

Fan feed LFC Transfer Room relayed the report, and here’s what supporters made of it, with one complaining that Traore’s finishing is worse than that of former Reds winger Raheem Sterling, who has been maligned over that particular attribute.

“The guy can’t even get into the first team of Wolves, he might know how to run fast, and have big muscles but he doesn’t do much else it feels! I don’t see this as a good move for LFC.”

Credit: @Viral_Advocates

“I’m assuming they haven’t seen his final ball”

Credit: @claydencows

“hope not, not a big fan his, dangerous but finishing worse than Sterling’s”

Credit: @lfc_lew_08

“Hell no. It is just a bulk fast version of Ox, one without football brain can never be top.”

Credit: @Ericccccccc2

“Quality dribbler but we need end product so no thanks”

Credit: @SznKonate

“We don’t need someone who can’t do anything besides run fast”

Credit: @the_czar_

In other news, many LFC fans were delighted with this contract development

Southampton suffered their third Premier League defeat of the season last weekend in their 3-1 loss against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, leaving Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side still without a win.

Heading into the game against Thomas Tuchel’s men, Hasenhuttl gave Saints winger Theo Walcott his first start since recovering from an injury.

On The Chalkboard

During the match, Walcott, who is currently earning a weekly wage of £75k-per week, the highest of any Southampton player according to Spotrac, had very little impact on the game in an attacking sense for the Saints.

Before being replaced at halftime by Ibrahima Diallo, the winger had just 17 touches of the ball, failed to have any shots on target and missed one big chance, ultimately earning himself a rather uninspiring overall match rating of 6.6/10 according to SofaScore. Furthermore, he could only manage a measly nine passes.

What made his outing even worse was the surprising nature of Walcott’s selection. Southampton writer Glen de la Cour noted: “I was absolutely stunned that Walcott came straight back into the team.”

Early in his playing career, Walcott worked his way through Southampton’s youth academy before making his senior debut for the club in August 2005 in a 0-0 draw against Wolves in the Championship under former Saints boss Harry Redknapp.

The speedster then left the club for a move to Arsenal in January 2006 before eventually returning on a loan deal from Everton in October last year and ultimately signing back to the Saints on a free transfer during the recent summer transfer window.

Overall, the 32-year-old, who is currently valued at £4.5m according to Transfermarkt, has made a total of 50 appearances for the Saints across all competitions, bagging eight goals and providing three assists along the way.

Moving forward, with Southampton set to take on Leeds United in their next league fixture after the international break, we feel that Hasenhuttl would be better off dropping Walcott for this game and perhaps start Mohamed Elyounoussi instead.

The Norwegian has more game time under his belt this season having played 90 minutes on four occasions in the league.

However, with Southampton having failed to score a goal in three of the four games that Elyounoussi has played the full 90 minutes in, this could potentially put some doubt in Hasenhuttl’s mind as to which winger he decides to start against Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

With that in mind, we feel that Walcott didn’t do enough in the Chelsea match to show he should be starting against Leeds.

In other news: Signed for £0, now worth £28.8m: 26 y/o gem has become a Southampton masterclass – opinion

Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie has dropped a Newcastle United update that is sure to leave Steve Bruce buzzing.

What’s the story?

While the Magpies are closing in on the signing of Joe Willock from Arsenal on a permanent deal, it appears they have received a significant windfall from a player they let go a couple of years ago.

Former Newcastle academy graduate Adam Armstrong saw his move to fellow Premier League side Southampton confirmed, and Downie has revealed the positive implications it has for Bruce and Newcastle.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “Southampton agree a fee with Blackburn for striker Adam Armstrong. Newcastle to net 40% of the profit from their £1.8m sale three years ago. Personal terms not expected to be a problem.”

Bruce will be buzzing

It was only a few months ago back in May that reports had suggested Bruce had been informed by the Newcastle hierarchy that he would have a transfer kitty of less than £10m to work with this summer.

It was even suggested that the budget ruled out any potential chance of signing Willock permanently, unless the Magpies cashed in one of their prized assets.

But now, with the club close to sealing a deal for Willock, the good news doesn’t seem to end there.

Confirmation of Armstrong’s switch to St Mary’s sees the Tyneside club net a very healthy sum of money as part of the 40% clause that Downie claims was inserted into the deal to sell him in the first place.

With reports claiming that the fee Saints are paying Blackburn to be in the region of £15m, and Newcastle having initially sold him for £1.7m, the Magpies stand to make a fee in the region of £5m for Armstrong.

While the striker’s departure from St James’ Park may not have gone down too well with supporters, the fact they’ve made a good chunk of money on him years later, and at a time when they could desperately do with the cash to strengthen their own squad, is sure to have Bruce delighted.

That extra bit of money could be crucial in landing another signing after Willock.

Meanwhile, Newcastle could sign a dream partner for Joe Willock in this star…

Tottenham Hotspur may swoop for AS Roma’s Nicolo Zaniolo in next summer’s transfer window, according to Calciomercato. 

The lowdown

The attacking midfielder was heavily involved for Roma at the start of the season but has not started either of their last two matches (via Transfermarkt), while there was apparently some light ‘bickering’ with his manager, former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho, in training last week.

Zaniolo is yet to register a goal or an assist this season but he is certainly a highly-rated talent. Roma legend Daniele de Rossi marvelled at the 22-year-old’s ‘incredible natural physique’ and backed him to become ‘a great player’.

According to FBRef, he boasts a similar statistical profile to Wolves’ Adama Traore, Brighton’s Leandro Trossard and in particular Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha.

The latest

With Zaniolo an unused substitute for Roma’s 2-0 victory over Genoa on Sunday, alarm bells are ringing and his future is in doubt.

As per Calciomercato, there have apparently been ‘several’ approaches already, ‘especially’ from Juventus.

The report noted that Zaniolo’s contract runs until 2024 and revealed that he’s currently valued at around €40m, equating to £33.5m. That’s a sum which could well ‘intrigue’ Tottenham.

The verdict

What made Mourinho’s snub all the more significant was that he turned to 18-year-old Felix Afena Gyan rather than Zaniolo when assessing his options. In fairness, the teenager did go on to score two goals, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a damning decision without the benefit of hindsight.

He continues to pose a threat in the final third, averaging 2.2 shots and 2.2 successful dribbles per game in Serie A. Those returns would put him third and second in Tottenham’s squad respectively, highlighting how transformative he could be to their attack.

Indeed, now might actually be a good time to invest in Serie A’s one-time Young Player of the Year. He might not be on top form, but he has just returned from a serious injury and he may soon remind the footballing world of his abilities, considerably increasing his price tag in the process.

In other news, read Fabrizio Romano’s claim regarding Antonio Conte

Leeds United are continuing to monitor Sampdoria powerhouse Omar Colley, although they are now set to face significant transfer competition for him.

What’s the story?

It has been suggested in recent weeks that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are interested in signing the Gambia international in the upcoming summer transfer window as they look to strengthen the centre of their defence.

Italian publication Il Secolo XIX had claimed (via Sport Witness) that Leeds’ scouts have been left impressed by Colley and that they are now serious about signing him.

SampNews24 have now revealed that, along with the Whites, the likes of Newcastle and West Ham are also said to be monitoring the defender, and Sampdoria could look to cash in on him in order to raise funds for signings elsewhere.

Imagine him and Llorente

Given that Leeds signed two established centre-backs in the shape of Robin Koch and Diego Llorente just last summer, it seems somewhat surprising that Victor Orta and co are looking to sign another proven central defender – especially when they also have club captain Liam Cooper and the likes of Luke Ayling and Pascal Struijk, both of whom can fill in there too.

Last season saw Colley win 2.6 aerial duels per match, which would hypothetically rank him second among Leeds’ squad for 2020/21, with only Cooper averaging higher with 3.8 per game.

The 1.92m (6 foot 3) monster appears to have the kind of defensive strengths which would make him a formidable opponent for opposition attackers to overcome – indeed, his average of only being dribbled past 0.3 times per game is better than any current Leeds outfield player last season.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Serie A expert Conor Clancy delivered his backing behind a potential move, saying: “I don’t think he’d be starting ahead of him but he might be a good partner to Llorente. With Sampdoria, he really, really struggled, but with Maya Yoshida beside him, he’s looked a much better player.

“I think you can put that down to Yoshida just being that calming presence, that person who’s able to talk him through games a little bit.”

A partnership of Llorente and Colley at the back would give Leeds a perfect blend of qualities, with the former the ball-playing defender capable of playing passes into midfield, and the latter offering more defensive solidity alongside him.

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

Joao Moutinho is one of those players that makes everything in football appear elegant and easy, however, Wolves legend Steve Bull believes that the 34-year old is now past his best.

The Portuguese international is set to take part in this summer’s Euros but much like fellow countrymen Rui Patricio and Ruben Neves, their futures at Molineux appear unclear with the 34-year-old appearing to be edging towards the exit door.

Moutinho appears to still be capable of performing at the top level in European football and links have emerged recently suggesting that he could be moving back to Portugal with Porto, which would give him a better chance of winning silverware and playing in the Champions League as well as being back home.

It would probably be the best way for him to end what has been a great career if he went back to Porto, and Bull believes that could be best as his career with Wolves is now done, something he spoke exclusively to Football FanCast about:

“I think he’s done now, I think Joao’s had his time here now and he’s done absolutely brilliantly for the club and there’s a lot of speculation and rumours that he’s going back to Porto.”

The £100,000-a-week Moutinho was an ever-present and trusted member of Nuno Espirito’s squad during his tenure at Molineux, however Bruno Lage likes his central midfielders to press high up the pitch which may signal the end for Moutinho’s Wolves career.

It was an astute piece of business by Wolves and Jorge Mendes back in 2018 when they brought Moutinho away from Monaco for just £5 million, and he paid that back almost instantly with the quality and experience he brought to the team.

West Ham United have received fixture confirmation for their Europa League ties, beginning with a trip to Croatia to face Dinamo Zagreb on September 16th [West Ham United FC Official].

In what will be the Hammers’ maiden bow in the group stages of the competition, they will then face Austrian side Rapid Vienna under the lights at the London Stadium on 30th September.

Progressing to the middle of the schedule, the Hammers will once again welcome fans to East London as they take on Genk on 21st October, before the return clash in Belgium on 4th November.

Rounding off the group stages, David Moyes’ side travel to Austria to face Rapid Vienna on the 25th November, before finishing their programme at home to initial opponents Dinamo Zagreb on December the 9th [West Ham United FC Official].

In light of this news, loads of West Ham United diehards took to Twitter to revel in the announcement.

West Ham United fans react:

Replying to the official West Ham United Twitter account, here is what some fans had to say about the ‘very exciting’ news:

“Good luck hammers”

Credit: @habib3514duhail

“Flights booked to Vienna”

Credit: @dilemma1979″Gitttt upppp”Credit: @iamjacobfinch”This group is SO Europa League, and I love it.”Credit: @billy_grimmel”Getting my head around this. Very exciting.”Credit: @WilderMinds04″Doesn’t feel real this”Credit: @LucasBasfordIn other news, West Ham United fans react to talks with a Croatian international. Find out more here.

Journalist Luke Hatfield has told The Transfer Tavern that he doubts West Brom ever had any real interest in Newcastle United midfielder Matty Longstaff.

Longstaff recently joined Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen on loan, with the 21-year-old looking for more playing time after featuring in just five league games last season.

However, prior, he had been linked with a loan move to West Brom. Back in June, the Chronicle Live reported that the Baggies were just one side in England who looked at Longstaff before he joined Stephen Glass’ team.

According to Hatfield, though, the English youngster probably was not too high on Valerien Ismael’s shortlist.

“Longstaff was a player who was obviously linked loosely,” the Express & Star reporter said. “I don’t think there was any serious interest. I think the real interest earlier in the window came in [Trevoh] Chalobah.

“That’s not to say there wasn’t an enquiry or he wasn’t on the shortlist, but he certainly wasn’t top of their priority list – let’s put it that way.”

The Express & Star had reported that Chalobah, at one point, was close to joining West Brom on loan from Chelsea, so it does appear that the 22-year-old was priority over someone like Longstaff.

He now, however, clearly has a place in Thomas Tuchel’s squad, scoring that brilliant goal against Crystal Palace at the start of the campaign. But if he does not get too much game time at the Bridge, perhaps a loan move is something the Baggies could revisit in January.

Celtic have now been without a manager for three months but it feels like this arduous saga is finally beginning to come to an end for everyone associated with the Hoops at Parkhead.

That’s because the Bhoys are on the verge of welcoming Eddie Howe to Paradise in time for the summer transfer window.

Howe still needs to sort out what backroom staff will join him but a deal feels closer than ever.

What’s the word?

Despite a move being on the verge of conclusion, Celtic have made sure they’ve had other irons in the fire.

Last week, it was revealed they were still interested in former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard but they’ve directly held talks with another coach.

According to one Italian reporter, the Hoops have been in discussions with Enzo Maresca over the last few weeks.

The claim states that he’s also fielding interest from Girona and Sampdoria in Serie A but a fresh update on Tuesday morning from Fabrizio Romano reveals he’s now in advanced negotiations with Parma.

The 41-year-old is currently an understudy to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City so is evidently held in high esteem.

Perfect for Celtic

Maresca is currently Man City’s U23 manager where he’s enjoyed a wonderful campaign in the north of England.

The club’s first team came away with the Premier League title but Maresca’s academy side were also victorious in Premier League 2.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-howe-favre-mcgregor-mccann-tierney” title=”Read the latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

He’s played a key part in preparing City’s next-generation for first-team life, being hailed by Guardiola for his efforts along the way.

Speaking only a few days ago, the decorated Spaniard said: “It doesn’t help the young boys to go to the media, it can be more confusing than positive. We are delighted with what Maresca has done. He’ll be an extraordinary manager in the future – like I felt it with Arteta.

“He’s developed many young players that will help us. It will depend on how many stay and how many leave. Who we sign.”

This would be vitally important for Celtic because the academy and reserve side is an area of the club that’s felt neglected.

One of their brightest prospects in Cameron Harper recently left for New York Red Bulls while Karamoko Dembele doesn’t have long left on his contract.

His terms at Paradise expire in the summer of 2022 and he’s not been given much of a sign that Celtic is the place to develop.

The 18-year-old began to make more of a senior breakthrough towards the end of the season but after scoring his first goal for the club against St Johnstone, wasn’t afforded a chance from the off on the final day versus Hibernian.

With Maresca in charge, the fortunes of those coming through the ranks at Lennoxtown could begin to change.

The developing young coach knows a clever talent when he sees one and as City’s success at academy level tells you, he knows how to progress their games.

This wouldn’t only be huge for Dembele but it could make a massive impact on the likes of Adam Montgomery and Luca Connell too.

That’s before you even consider the incoming Liam Shaw and a player like Leo Hjelde, someone compared to Virgil van Dijk.

Howe still looks like he’s the first choice but Maresca would have been a very solid alternative for Dominic McKay before his move to Parma.

AND in other news, Imagine him under Howe: Celtic must sign 6ft3 “freak”, he’s the spitting image of Ajer…

Leeds United have been heavily linked with Red Bull Salzburg star Brenden Aaronson in 2022, and his performance on Sunday will certainly have caught Victor Orta’s eye.

This forms part of our Transfer Watch series, where we react to a performance from a current transfer target.

The Lowdown: Leeds hoping to wrap up Aaronson deal

Aaronson has been the Whites’ main target this year after the club made two bids for the USA international in the January window.

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As we know, the attacking midfielder remained in Austria with Salzburg but is still on Leeds’ radar ahead of Jesse Marsch’s first full season in charge at Elland Road.

Aaronson made 25 appearances under Marsch last season and reports have suggested that the Whites are hoping to wrap up a move for the 21-year-old this summer.

The Latest: Impressive display from Aaronson

Salzburg clinched a ninth straight Austrian Bundesliga title on Sunday following a 5-0 win over Austria Vienna. Aaronson returned to action after a six-week layoff with a knee problem and impressed, ending with a SofaScore match rating of 7.3/10.

The attacking midfielder scored a penalty and registered three key passes, one of which led to a big chance.

He only had 30 touches of the ball during his 64-minute display but he starred upon his return and even showed off his pace after the final whistle when looking to dodge a beer shower from his team-mates.

The Verdict: Sign him

Should they stay in the Premier League, Leeds should be looking to wrap up a move for Aaronson as soon as possible.

Marsch doesn’t have an out-and-out attacking midfielder to choose from at Elland Road, making the 21-year-old’s arrival even more crucial.

Described as a player with a ‘monster mentality’ by Salzburg manager Matthias Jaissle, Aaronson has now contributed to 28 goals in 61 games for the Austrian champions, and with an impressive record under Marsch already, he could slot in perfectly at Elland Road.

In other news: Leeds and Orta may agree fee for ‘quality’ target ‘this week’ after Phil Hay’s reveal