All posts by h716a5.icu

Liverpool have sent scouts to watch RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol ahead of a potential summer move, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Anfield move wanted

Sky Sports reporter Peter Smith name-checked the Reds as one of three Premier League clubs interested in a deal for the 21-year-old, who has a £98m buyout clause included in his contract.

The Croatian has previously admitted that it would be a dream for him to complete a switch to Anfield having watched his admirers ever since he was a child.

Journalist Ben Jacobs also revealed that the centre-back is looking to transition to the top flight, handing Jurgen Klopp yet another boost.

The Latest: Liverpool scout Gvardiol

According to 90min, Liverpool, alongside Manchester City, have both ‘sent scouts’ to watch Gvardiol so that they can keep ‘regular updates’ on their target’s situation.

The Merseyside outfit want to make sure that they ‘remain in the loop’, with a move ahead of next season looking ‘increasingly likely’.

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The Verdict: Massive coup

Gvardiol has been dubbed the ‘Haaland of defenders’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig so it would be a massive coup should Liverpool be able to get a deal for him over the line.

The 6 foot 1 star currently averages 2.5 clearances and 1.4 aerial wins per game in the Bundesliga, highlighting the rock he can be at the heart of a backline (WhoScored).

Leipzig’s standout performer also ranks in the 98th percentile for successful take-ons, showing that he’s more than comfortable stepping out and pushing his team up the pitch.

Gvardiol being a threat at both ends of the field will be an attractive attribute to Klopp, and having made his love for the club publicly known, this could be one to watch in the months ahead.

Transfer expert Graeme Bailey says that Miguel Almiron signing a new contract is a ‘big boost’ for Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Almiron signs

As confirmed by Newcastle on Friday, Almiron has signed a new three-and-a-half year contract that will keep him at St. James’ Park until 2026.

They note that the Paraguay international is the club’s leading scorer with 10 goals so far in this campaign, and has won the Premier League Player of the Month and Goal of the Month awards for October.

The Latest: ‘Big boost’

Taking to Twitter on Friday morning, Bailey says that Almiron’s new deal is a ‘big boost’ for the Magpies ahead of their Carabao Cup final against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon:

“Big boost for Newcastle on the eve of the League Cup final.

“Miguel Almiron, enjoying his best season in England, is rewarded with a new three-and-a-half year deal.”

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The Verdict: Deserved

Almiron’s new contract is thoroughly deserved off the back of the wonderful season that he is having.

His goals have ensured that the Tynesiders are challenging for a UEFA Champions League qualification spot for next season, while he also ranks highly among his team-mates for average tackles, shots, dribbles and pass success rate per game in the top flight (WhoScored).

Nonetheless, announcing his new deal will only give the team and its supporters a lift going into the final on Sunday, where Almiron will be hoping that he can make the difference and bring the silverware back to the North East.

The 22nd December 2021 happened to be “the best day” in Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino’s life.

Why? Well, the now 19-year-old played for the Gunners senior team for the first time and in the process, rolled home his first goal during a League Cup clash with Sunderland.

It wasn’t quite a coming-of-age story just yet for Patino, but it was a fine glimpse at a player who Mick McCarthy recently suggested would be “very good” in the future.

There has been a great deal of hype surrounding the teenager since his emergence as a genuine star from Arsenal’s Hale End youth factory, with comparisons being made to the likes of Jack Wilshere and Cesc Fabregas.

The youngster has some way to go before he reaches those dizzy heights but there is a feeling within Arsenal that he is now ready to explode at a higher level.

How is Patino doing this season?

This term has been a crucial one in the development of the eye-catching midfielder who was sent out on loan in search of earning precious first-team minutes.

With the pairing of Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka seeming immovable, Patino was never going to earn a place under Mikel Arteta this term but thanks to his displays at Blackpool, he could become a genuine option at the Emirates Stadium.

The goal for the teen this term was to play around 15 matches, admitted new Tangerines boss, McCarthy. However, he has surpassed everyone’s expectations to feature 28 times in all competitions so far.

Along the way, he has found the net three times, including a strike against Premier League Southampton in the FA Cup, as well as supplying two assists.

There is a lot more to come from an offensive point of view in the coming years but it’s a promising start for someone who has taken to Championship football like a duck to water.

Dubbed a “special talent” by Phil Smith of the Sunderland Echo, it hasn’t all been plain sailing however, with the Blackpool loanee also being given a red card in the defeat to Swansea City last month.

That will serve as a learning curve and is precisely why Arteta didn’t deem him ready for a first-team spot at the beginning of the campaign.

Patino is a wonderfully gifted player from a technical point of view but as a young individual, there will be that inexperience and sometimes the occasional bout of ill-discipline.

At Bloomfield Road, it is down to the 6-foot talent to get that out of his system before truly bursting onto the scene next season.

Will Patino get a chance before Balogun?

All of the hype of late has been about another young Arsenal talent out on loan; Folarin Balogun.

The England U21 international has been one of the most talked about forwards in European football of late, with his 15 goals in 23 outings for Reims in Ligue 1, the joint-highest tally alongside Kylian Mbappe in the entire division.

A player of ruthless and clinical nature in front of goal, a spot for the American-born forward next season could be tricky.

With Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in front of him for a lone place leading the attack, a loan spell may well be forthcoming.

However, for Patino, there are two spots he could occupy in Arteta’s starting XI. Either as the sitting midfielder – Partey’s role – or as the more advanced number 8 – Xhaka’s role.

There has, of course, been talk of a move for Declan Rice, but even if the West Ham captain arrives in the summer, there is space for someone of Patino’s ilk to still make an impression.

After such an impressive time out on loan, it would be foolish to ignore him. He has all the qualities to explode in the top flight throughout 2023/24.

Wolverhampton Wanderers will be hoping to carry on their good form when they play AFC Bournemouth this afternoon, especially with the south coast club struggling near the bottom of the Premier League table.

The Old Gold have defeated Southampton and Liverpool in their two most recent league matches, moving Julen Lopetegui’s team away from the drop zone. They now could push towards mid-table, which seems nothing short of remarkable considering where they were under Bruno Lage for the first two months of the campaign.

Joao Gomes rescued ten-man Wolves with a late winner against the Saints, and his performance could well gain him a place in the starting XI ahead of today’s match. However, a cameo by Adama Traore last week may well have thrust him into Lopetegui’s thoughts, given how impressive he was when coming off the bench at St Mary’s.

Will Adama Traore start against Bournemouth?

The £55k-per-week winger hasn’t enjoyed the most productive of seasons, scoring twice and grabbing just one assist, having been in and out of the starting XI under both Lage and Lopetegui.

There is no doubting his creative ability, though, with the Spain winger ranking in the top 1% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries (7.21 per 90) and successful take-ons (four), and also in the top 8% for aerial duels won (1.64 per 90), as per FBref.

These returns clearly prove that, when the 27-year-old is fit and hungry, his physical presence and sheer ability to take on defenders and cause chaos makes him a very difficult opponent to contain.

Jurgen Klopp once dubbed him “unplayable”, and the German got to witness his talents firsthand a couple of weeks ago when Wolves claimed a stunning 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Molineux, with Traore in full swing that day.

The 27-year-old was an absolute menace despite playing for just 48 minutes, contributing an assist, two key passes and one successful cross and creating two big chances as he sought to prove his worth to Lopetegui.

A week later against Southampton, another cameo by Traore led to him taking two shots, succeeding with four dribbles, taking 38 touches and winning seven ground duels, all of which played a major part in Wolves claiming three points despite being a man and a goal down for much of the game.

Those two performances will surely have caught his manager’s eye, and the winger deserves to start against Bournemouth today. Gary O’Neil’s men have conceded the most goals of any team in the Premier League this term, which could give Lopetegui the licence to line up with his strongest attacking players, and the rapid Traore would surely love an opportunity to terrorise the Cherries’ defence from the first whistle.

Newcastle United have been linked with a transfer move for AS Roma defender Roger Ibanez.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from Calciomercato (via Sport Witness), the Magpies have shown “concrete interest” in signing the centre-back this summer.

After originally joining Jose Mourinho’s side on loan from fellow Serie A club Atalanta in January 2020, the defender signed for Roma on a permanent basis last summer.

Overall, the 23-year-old has made 101 appearances for the Giallorossi across all competitions, chipping in with six goals and two assists along the way. This season saw the Brazilian make 34 appearances for Roma in Serie A, leaving only two other outfield players having played more minutes in the league, highlighting how important he is to the team.

In terms of what he offers at the back, he racked up the highest average for interceptions per game (1.8) and the second-highest average for clearances per game (2.8).

Labelled an “outstanding” player by journalist Josh Bunting on Twitter, Ibanez reportedly has a release clause of €80m (£69m).

Imagine him & Burn

Newcastle showed during the January transfer window how beneficial it can be to bring in a solid defensive figure and how much of an impact that can have on the season.

After signing Dan Burn from fellow Premier League side Brighton at the end of January, the Toon then went on to only lose five league games, having won just once before the winter market opened.

Despite making just 16 league appearances for his new club, the 30-year-old ended the season with a higher average of clearances per game (6.1) than any other Newcastle player. This is also the highest average out of all players in the Premier League to have started more than five league games this season.

Now that Eddie Howe has the chance to add a fairly young but very capable defender to his squad once again this summer, this will give the 44-year-old the chance to establish what could be a formidable duo at the back between Ibanez and Burn.

With the Tyneside club reportedly showing an interest in the Roma defender, they should now be thinking of capitalising on that interest and seeing if the Giallorossi would be willing to negotiate a deal for the player.

In other news: Newcastle eyeing £15m magician Shearer dubbed “magnificent”, he’s better than Almiron

Tullio Tinti has dropped an update on the future of reported Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Alessandro Bastoni.

What’s the talk?

In a recent interview with Sportitalia (via Football Italia), the 23-year-old’s agent revealed that, despite his client being more than happy to remain at Inter Milan this summer, Bastoni will adjust his outlook according to the whims of the transfer market. The Serie A club desperately need to raise funds, while Tottenham are willing to pay the centre-back’s £54m asking price.

Concerning the Italy international’s future, Tinti said: “He is certainly a big fan of the team he plays for, so he will happily remain at Inter. However, he is also a professional. This is football and he has to adjust. It’s clear he is very happy to play for Inter and feels this jersey like a tattoo on his skin.”

Conte will be buzzing

With it being widely reported that Antonio Conte had identified Bastoni as his primary target for a new left-sided centre-back in the summer transfer window, the 52-year-old will surely be buzzing with the defender’s agent seemingly opening the door – in the words of the Daily Mail journalist James Cohen – for Fabio Paratici to move for the Inter starlet.

It is not difficult to see why the Spurs boss is keen to secure a deal for the £60m-rated talent this summer, as Bastoni perfectly fits the bill of the left-footed ball-playing defender that Conte is looking to add to his Tottenham side ahead of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.

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Indeed, according to FBRef data, the £122k-per-week youngster ranks in the top 14% of centre-backs in Europe’s big five leagues for passes attempted per 90, as well as the top 25% for pass completion, the top 15% for progressive passes, the top 11% for progressive carries, the top 22% for dribbles completed, the top 3% for shot-creating actions and the top 15% for pressures over the last 12 months.

As such, Tinti’s hint that the player who LiveScore’s Mitch Fretton dubbed “world-class” may well be forced into leaving the San Siro this summer is undoubtedly fantastic news for Tottenham and Conte, with the 23-year-old’s agent’s comments certainly appearing to indicate that a deal is there to be done for Paratici in the coming weeks.

AND in other news – “For sure..”: Italian journalist drops £100m Spurs transfer claim, supporters will love it

Everton are eyeing up a bid for Brazilian midfielder Eric Ramires as Frank Lampard aims to rebuild his squad ahead of next season.

What’s the news?

According to Ge Globo, the Toffees have made an inquiry over Red Bull Bragantino midfielder Eric Ramires, although the Merseyside club believe his asking price to be too high.

The interest stems from a report by UOL as Lampard aims to bring more talent to Goodison Park. The Brazilian club are unwilling to sell the 21-year-old cheaply as he is in the first year of a four-year contract.

Better than Delph

This news might not be what Lampard would have hoped for, but there is no doubt that Everton could afford the player, who is valued at just £3.6m by Transfermarkt. Even if the Brazilian club want significantly more than that amount, the 43-year-old should be doing all he can to secure the youngster’s services.

Everton urgently need some signings to rejuvenate their squad following their brush with relegation this season. Lampard will be entering his first summer transfer window at Goodison Park with one goal on his mind – improvement.

Signing Ramires would clearly be one for the future due to his age. However, with 84 appearances for his current club and a loan spell in Europe with FC Basel, he doesn’t lack for experience either.

The 21-year-old could be a more prominent member of the Everton squad than Fabian Delph, who made only 11 Premier League appearances this term while earning a staggering £92k-p/w.

Ramires is the much better option going forward. In only six matches, the Brazilian has 1.02 shots per 90 minutes, compared to Delph’s 0.27, and the 21-year-old has played five fewer matches.

The youngster has made five fewer fouls than the ex-Man City midfielder too (six to 11) and also has a slightly better temperament, receiving only one booking in his six matches, while the Englishman has two in 11 appearances.

While he may still be raw, there is no doubting the talent that Ramires possesses, with 14 goal contributions already during his fledgling career, and Everton supporters will surely love another Brazilian at the club to accompany Richarlison.

AND in other news, Lampard could unearth the new Richarlison with Everton bid for “dangerous” £58m talent

Leeds United are ready to make a fresh move for Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien, according to The Sun’s Alan Nixon.

The Lowdown: Long-term target

The Whites know all about O’Brien and have been desperate to bring him to Elland Road in the past. Huddersfield turned down four offers from Leeds for the 23-year-old last summer when Marcelo Bielsa placed him at the top of his wish-list.

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Since then, O’Brien, labelled as a ‘special talent’, has been a regular for The Terriers, mainly playing in defensive and central midfield roles and even captaining the club on a number of occasions.

The Latest: Transfer update

Nixon shared a story late on Saturday evening regarding Leeds and O’Brien.

The reliable reporter revealed that Jesse Marsch will sanction a fresh move for the central midfielder and have the cash to meet his £10m release clause.

The Verdict: Luck starting to change?

Leeds have already landed one long-term target in Brenden Aaronson, who has become the club’s first permanent senior midfield signing since 2018.

Victor Orta had been after Aaronson since January and he’s wanted to take O’Brien across Yorkshire for even longer, despite Bielsa making way at the end of February.

It looks as if the Whites will try again, where hopefully, they’ll be able to back up their move for Aaronson with another eight-figure deal.

In other news: Orta now working on bizarre transfer for ‘magnificent’ ace; he has history with Leeds supporters.  

As we head into the final day of the Premier League season it is clear Manchester United have already shifted the focus onto their transfer business this summer, with a new update emerging on a transfer target.

What’s the latest?

According to journalist Jonathan Shrager, Man United are now “frontrunners” to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber in the upcoming transfer window.

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Shrager tweeted:

“At this moment, Timber to Manchester United is not done, and there is competition from other clubs, but Jurrien’s representation is currently in England to learn about MUFC’s plans.”

Following up with a second tweet to confirm;

“There is a belief that Manchester United are currently the frontrunners to sign Jurrien Timber.”

Ten Hag needs him

There is no doubt that Man United are crying out for changes in the team after yet another disappointing season for the supporters, with the club now falling into its longest trophy drought for 40 years.

One area that has come under major scrutiny is the defensive players in the squad, and when you consider the fact that the Red Devils have conceded the eighth most goals out of the 20 Premier League teams this season, more than newly promoted Brentford and relegation battling Burnley, it is clear that Erik ten Hag needs to sign Timber this summer.

The £35m ace who was hailed a “great leader” by Ten Hag, has been a dominating force for Ajax in their second consecutive title-winning season scoring three goals and assisting twice, with an astonishing 90.8 touches on average per game, winning the majority of his duels (67%) and making 2.4 tackles, 1.4 clearances and 1.7 interceptions per game.

These statistics prove just how much of a threat and presence Timber can be at just 20 years of age, he identifies as the type of player that Man United desperately need to dominate and lead the backline to inspire better performances and ultimately put the side in a position to compete at the highest level again.

Bayern Munich are also linked with wanting to sign the Dutch defender this summer and although Man United should be at an advantage with his former coach holding the reigns at Old Trafford they will need to move fast to not lose out to the Bundesliga side who, unlike the North West club, will play Champions League football next season.

AND in other news: Ten Hag plotting MUFC move for “magic” £40.5m-rated wizard, just imagine him & Ronaldo

Leeds United have been dealt a potentially huge injury boost ahead of their Premier League meeting with Brentford this Sunday.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to injury analyst Ben Dinnery, who has revealed that Patrick Bamford, who has not featured for Leeds since picking up a foot injury back in March, has a 50% chance of making a return to first-team football in the Whites’ crucial final day trip to west London this weekend.

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Speaking ahead of Leeds’ 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion last Sunday, Jesse Marsch said of the centre-forward’s current condition: “Patrick is a little too early to tell, we’ll evaluate that over the next few days.”

Supporters will be buzzing

While it is true that, even if Bamford is deemed fit enough to feature against Brentford this weekend, the 28-year-old will be nowhere near full match fitness, the suggestion that there is a chance the England international will be able to play some sort of role against the Bees is sure to have left the Elland Road faithful buzzing.

Indeed, the £18m-rated striker has already proven this season that, even without having kicked a ball for a matter of months previously, he can make a game-changing impact for the Whites, with the £74k-per-week hitman scoring a last-minute equaliser upon his return from an ankle injury against – as fate would have it – Brentford back in December.

As such, if there is indeed a 50% chance of Bamford making the trip to London this weekend, Marsch simply must risk including the 28-year-old in his 20-man matchday squad, as the forward having a similar impact to his last outing against the Bees could well prove to be the difference between Leeds playing Premier League or Championship football next season.

AND in other news: Made contact last year, now worth £31.5m: Victor Orta’s shocker could cost Leeds £120m