All posts by z3u9t.icu

Liverpool are in advanced talks to sign Porto winger Otávio as their summer recruitment drive hots up [A Bola via Rousing The Kop].

Enjoying an impressive 2020/21 season, the Brazilian winger chipped in with 17 goal contributions in 42 fixtures for the Liga NOS runners-up; five goals and 12 assists [Transfermarkt].

Interestingly, reports say that despite the 26-year-old being used prominently as a wide-man, his versatility could see him become a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum who departed for Paris St Germain last month [Rousing The Kop].

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has allegedly made an ‘express request’ to lock up an agreement for Otávio, owing to the fact his release clause of £35 million increases to £51 million by the end of the month [Rousing The Kop].

In light of this, no wonder loads of Liverpool diehards took to Twitter to react to these latest developments.

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Liverpool fans react:

Replying to multiple Liverpool fan outlets on Twitter, here is how some fans summarised their feelings upon hearing the latest news:

“He reminds me of Coutinho ngl”

Credit: @LFCNickkk”Genuinely think this is a good signing”Credit: @FTBL_Tom03″More Brazilian sauce”Credit: @_Riddxck”Expires in Wednesday, Edward masterclass again”Credit: @dnlfc_”I know nothing about him but I like his name, so I’m in.”Credit: @_triplebeam”Brazilian #10 good on the ball at his feet and can also play out wide I’m listening..”Credit: @LFCTanmayIn other news, an ex-Liverpool player warns the Reds against signing a Premier League attacker.

Flocking to Twitter, some West Ham United fans have erupted over links to Derby County midfielder Jason Knight as ExWHUemployee shares news on a January target.

West Ham have been mostly tipped to target reinforcements for the striking positions and at centre-back, with The Evening Standard claiming that David Moyes will be backed to strengthen in those areas.

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The latter position takes even more priority given severe injuries to both Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma, although the Hammers have also been linked with strengthening in central midfield over the last few days.

Sky reporter Angelo Mangiante said that West Ham hold an interest in signing Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria, with ExWHUemployee lifting the lid on another new midfielder who they could target.

Sharing news on The West Ham Way website, the reliable Irons insider says that West Ham now have a ‘very strong interest’ in Rams midfielder Knight. Derby’s current financial situation could also force them into making sales, with the highly-rated Republic of Ireland international thought to be on the Hammers’ radar ahead of the January transfer window.

West Ham fans erupt…

Described as a ‘manager’s dream’ who ‘gives everything’ by Derby manager Wayne Rooney, it’s little wonder so many Irons supporters have erupted as they eye a new target in the Rams youngster.

Amassing eight senior international caps already, Knight has held his own in the Championship at such a young age, with the 20-year-old grabbing two goals and two assists already this season (WhoScored).

Taking this into account, it’s little wonder some Irons supporters believe he is ‘quality’ – check out some of their best verdicts below:

“This would be a very good signing”

Credit: @allthingsirons

“Please god make this happen”

Credit: @mersey_maldini

“Massive potential – has played very well for Ireland since his introduction to the senior squad – I rate him”

Credit: @rinanfafan

“I trust Moyes, whatever he wants I’m all up for it”

Credit: @stratfordclaret

“Jason is quality, get it done”

Credit: @mgkinane

“Yes please, what a player”

Credit: @BigBrexitGoat

In other news: West Ham could now back Moyes with £17.1m bid to sign 6 foot 3 powerhouse in January, find out more here.

This forms part of The Transfer Tavern’s Loan Watch series, where we analyse how a player from one club is doing on loan.

The Lowdown: Hendrick’s January move

Newcastle decided to send Jeff Hendrick out on loan to Queens Park Rangers in the January transfer window after playing a mere 70 minutes for them in the Premier League this season.

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In the Championship, the Republic of Ireland international has had plenty more minutes, missing just two games for the R’s so far.

The Latest: QPR struggles for Hendrick

Hendrick played 68 minutes for QPR in their 1-0 loss at Sheffield United in the Championship on Tuesday night before he was hauled off by manager Mark Warburton.

Unfortunately for him, he struggled to make any real impact in the match, failing to record a single shot on target, dribble or cross. Defensively, he lost out on four of his six duels in total, while he also made no clearances, interceptions or tackles and was guilty of giving the ball away four times (SofaScore).

The Verdict: Will be sold

Given Hendrick’s latest display, coupled with the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes at St James’ Park from Lyon in January, it now seems likely that the Irishman will be sold by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Public Investment Fund (PIF) in the summer.

Last night’s display wasn’t an aberration, either – as per WhoScored performance metrics, he ranks a lowly 19th among 26 players to have featured for QPR this season, which suggests that he has been largely unconvincing since his move to west London.

It may be the best time to cash in on the 30-year-old, whose market value only looks to be depreciating from here on in, as the Magpies already have plenty of options in his position.

Performances like the one he had for the Hoops at Bramall Lane last night will only make PIF’s mind up sooner, as he ultimately failed to send a positive message out to the new owners at Newcastle.

In other news, find out which ‘Rolex player’ NUFC are now considering signing

Newcastle travel to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League today as they go in search of their first top-flight win of the season.

The Magpies sacked manager Steve Bruce earlier this week after he failed to register a single victory in the first eight league games of the campaign, with the club sat 19th in the table as it stands.

Graeme Jones is now tasked with the unenviable task of manning the ship until a permanent head coach is named to replace Bruce and he will need to make some big selection calls ahead of this clash with the Eagles.

One of them should be immediately axing Joelinton from the team after his shocking performance against Tottenham last weekend. The Brazilian lined up out wide on the left against Spurs and put in a dreadful display worthy of being dropped to the bench this weekend.

Joelinton has never fully settled into life in the Premier League since joining from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim in 2019. Earlier this year, Magpies legend Alan Shearer claimed that the £80k-per-week flop does not pose a threat and offers nothing going forward.

He said: “A lot of money he cost and he finds it really difficult. His touch is really poor and he hasn’t posed a threat.

“It’s been really frustrating watching him. I actually feel sorry for him because when the ball goes to him, it’s bouncing off him and he’s offering nothing going the other way, also.”

His struggles were epitomised by his performance against Spurs. As per SofaScore, he lost a whopping 20 of his 29 duels, lost possession of the ball 24 times and failed with all three of his attempted dribbles. He was also unable to complete a single shot or cross as he received a horrendous match rating of 5.5.

Joelinton is yet to score in eight Premier League matches this term, having only found the back of the net four times in 31 games last season. This illustrates how dreadful he has been for Newcastle in the top flight over the last 18 months, with his showing against Tottenham simply being the tip of the iceberg.

Therefore, Jones’ first call as the interim manager must be to axe the Brazilian from the staring XI. The likes of Ryan Fraser, Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron could all play in wide areas, which means that the caretaker boss has options ahead of the trip to Selhurst Park today.

AND in other news, Beast who Messi tipped to be “one of the best” open to Newcastle move, fans will love it…

Sunderland have been handed a big injury lift ahead of their clash with Oxford United in League One this weekend…

What’s the latest?

Alex Neil has revealed that his squad has not been hit with any fresh issues, and he is now looking to step up the involvement of some of the players who have been struggling of late.

He told the Sunderland Echo: “We should be as we were for last weekend in terms of availability, though of course we’re still two days away from the game.”

On Alex Pritchard and Nathan Broadhead, who both recently returned from their respective injuries, Neil said: “With every day and every game that becomes a step closer [them being able to step up their involvement].

“So last weekend he [Broadhead] had 30 minutes and hopefully we’ll see more of him in the remaining games. Alex again, he came off after 60 minutes to protect him and hopefully moving forward we can see more of him.”

Buzzing

This update will surely leave the Stadium of Light faithful buzzing for multiple reasons.

Firstly, the Black Cats are unbeaten in seven League One matches, and supporters will be delighted that the squad will be the same as it ensures consistency in team selection. Players are able to forge connections on the pitch and master their individual roles in the system, instead of constant chopping and changing causing inconsistency on the pitch.

Therefore, having no fresh injury issues means that they can hopefully continue their fine form. They have not conceded a goal since 8 March and have kept five clean sheets in their last six league matches, which shows that the lack of selection problems has helped Neil to build a formidable team, duly making this latest update a major boost to Sunderland.

Supporters will also be elated by the head coach’s comments on Broadhead being able to step up his involvement. The 24-year-old came off the bench to head home the last-gasp winner against Gillingham and has been in impressive form throughout the campaign.

Broadhead has scored six goals in nine League One starts and can boast eight goals in his last 11 matches in all competitions. He has shown that he can make a difference at this level, and therefore fans will surely want to see him getting more minutes on the pitch to work his magic in the final third, which is why they will be delighted with this update from Neil.

AND in other news, Sunderland will rue call on “unstoppable” 492-goal ace who has “the strength of Mike Tyson”…

Paddy Kenny says links between Everton midfielder Tom Davies and Crystal Palace are ‘really strange’.

The lowdown

Football Insider reported last week that Palace were monitoring Davies’ situation with a view to a possible move.

Davies has found first-team football hard to come by under new boss Rafael Benitez.

He’s played only 16 minutes across Everton’s first six Premier League matches.

His contract is up in less than two years’ time and there’s apparently been ‘no progress’ towards an extension.

Palace, meanwhile, may need another midfielder if Conor Gallagher returns to Chelsea at the end of his loan spell.

The latest

Kenny has urged Davies to fight for his place at Goodison Park rather than countenance a ‘big drop down’.

He reckons the Scouser has all the support he needs to succeed at his boyhood club.

“For me, that’s a big drop down anyway,” he told Football Insider. “No disrespect to Palace, but Everton are a bigger club. So it’s a really strange one, this.

“Surely he’d want to do his utmost best to try and stay at Everton and get himself into that first-team.

“He’s got the backing of the crowd and the support of all the staff there as well. That means a lot.”

The verdict

It really isn’t all that difficult to understand. Davies is struggling badly for game time at an upper mid-table outfit, so he could move to a lower mid-table side where his prospects should be significantly better.

Yes, it’s perhaps more complicated because he’s a local lad, but he shouldn’t be criticised if he chooses to put his career first, and there is also the prospect of playing under one of the greatest centre-midfielders in Premier League history at Sehurst Park.

It’s certainly hard to see him agreeing to a new deal if the current trend continues.

In other news, Palace have been linked with this Championship ace. 

David Ornstein has dropped a big Newcastle transfer update regarding Joe Willock… 

What’s the talk?

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Newcastle have reached an agreement with Arsenal over a deal in excess of £20m for midfielder Joe Willock. The England under-21 international has been their priority target throughout the window and they are now closing in on their man.

The report claims that personal terms have not been agreed as of yet, with Newcastle now discussing a potential contract with Willock to convince him to make the switch from The Emirates.

Cloud nine

Newcastle fans will surely be on cloud nine following this update from Ornstein, with Mike Ashley splashing the cash to get this deal done. Willock made a huge impression at St. James’ Park during his loan spell last term and supporters will be delighted that he appears set to return on a permanent basis.

The 21-year-old scored a phenomenal eight goals in 11 Premier League starts for Steve Bruce’s side, only Callum Wilson scored more for the club. This shows that he could be a much-needed addition to the team for the 2021/22 campaign, as it alleviates the pressure on Wilson to score all of the goals as Joelinton was the next-top scorer with just four goals in 31 games.

After making his debut for Newcastle last season, Willock was hailed as a terrific athlete and modern-day midfielder by Bruce. He said:

“It was a classic midfield player’s goal from the ability to arrive in the box, and that’s what he’s brought us. He can go box-to-box, he’s a terrific athlete, the kid, a typical modern-day midfield player who has the ability to get up and down the pitch quickly and has that added ability to score a goal.”

Willock also averaged an exceptional WhoScored rating of 7.13 during his time at the club on loan. This was the best score of any Newcastle player in the Premier League last season, suggesting that he was the most consistent, highest quality, performer in the side – ahead of the likes of Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin.

This is why fans will be buzzing to see him return to the club, as they could now get the chance to watch his outstanding displays again throughout the upcoming campaign. Although, it is now down to Willock to prove that he can do it over the course of an entire year and that he was not an 11-game wonder during his time on loan.

AND in other news, Imagine him and Shelvey: NUFC must pounce on chance to land £100k-p/w “match-winner”…

According to El Nacional, there has been a major update on Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer plans as news emerges on former star and Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric.

The Lowdown: Spurs missing Eriksen…

Since the departure of former club mainstay and key player Christian Eriksen to Inter Milan, it has been a point of contention that Spurs seriously miss his creative presence in midfield.

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During his time in north London, the Dane was a pivotal player in the final third for Tottenham and averaged the most key passes per 90 out of their entire squad in each Premier League season from 2013/2014 to 2018/2019 (WhoScored).

Eriksen left for the San Siro in January 2020 to the tune of £16.9 million and former Lilywhites players, like Ramon Vega and Jamie O’Hara, have pointed out just how much Spurs have been lacking in that position since.

Now, some news has emerged on another former Tottenham star as they seek to address that issue for new boss Antonio Conte.

The Latest: Spurs make Modric offer…

As per El Nacional’s sources, the Lilywhites have made a pre-contract offer to re-sign ex-favourite Modric as his contract winds down at current club Real Madrid.

His contract at the Bernabeu is set to expire at the end of this season and it is believed the 36-year-old has already replied to Tottenham’s approach.

Indeed, unfortunately for Spurs, he has apparently rejected their advances as he contemplates signing another extension in the Spanish capital – though he refuses to rule out a move to Man City who have also made a proposal.

The Verdict: Blow for Spurs…

Given Tottenham’s dire need for a proven playmaker, they don’t come much better than their former hero, so this news comes as a blow for Conte and co.

According to WhoScored, the Croatia legend has averaged more key passes per 90 over his eight La Liga starts so far this season (1.4) than any Spurs player has managed in the Premier League bar Son Heung-min, highlighting the player’s spark in midfield.

As well as this, only Lucas Moura (3) has completed a higher amount of dribbles in that time compared to Modric (1.6), while former Galacticos boss Zinedine Zidane recently labelled Modric ‘phenomenal’ (Marca).

Having just come off the back of an individually impressive Euro 2020 campaign with Croatia also, it is clear to see the player still has it in his locker and he would have improved Tottenham to no end.

In other news: Spurs agreement to sign £200,000-per-week star possible as Paratici makes exciting plea to club chiefs, find out more here.

Dean Smith was announced this morning as head coach at Norwich, with his assistant Craig Shakespeare, and will be looking forward to getting stuck into his first week ahead of the return of the Premier League season on Saturday.

Smith has spoken out upon his appointment, and is already impressed by the opportunity for development at the club;

“I’ve always worked to improve and develop players – with that obviously comes improved performances. I was really impressed with the idea, structure and vision that is already in place at the club.”

One player who will be thrilled with the appointment of the new manager is Todd Cantwell, who has spent the last few weeks snubbed by former manager, Daniel Farke.

Farke spoke briefly about not including Cantwell in his team; “Sadly I have to say with Todd the last couple of months I can’t remember one full training week when he was available for the full week.”

Smith will be looking to unlock the bags of young potential at Norwich City, with a host of young players including Cantwell, Billy Gilmour, Max Aarons, Adam Idah and Andrew Omobamidele.

The 50-year-old Norwich manager could instantly solve a set of instant issues, however by unleashing the player dubbed a “God-given” talent by his former youth coach, Gary Cockaday, as there seems to be a current disconnect in the link-up play in the attacking third, which has seen the side only score five goals in eleven games so far this season.

The £16k-per-week local talent has been a stand out performer and attractive prospect for the Canaries with 107 appearances, 14 goals and 12 assists, becoming a key player for them in their promotions from the Championship and Premier League campaigns so far.

Smith and his team are likely to face competition to keep Cantwell at the club, as his contract expires in the summer of 2022, and there haven’t currently been advanced talks for the midfielder to sign a new contract with the Canaries. That, it would seem, is a pretty hefty issue for the new boss to deal with upon his arrival.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa have all been previously linked with the Norwich star, and if Smith can get the youngster in a good run of form, there is no doubt that top-flight clubs will make more enquiries in the January transfer window and as he reaches the end of his contract.

The club’s new manager will lead Norwich City out to host Southampton at Carrow Road this weekend, and it will be interesting to see how the former Brentford boss sets up his team and if he includes youngsters like Cantwell and Gilmour in his team. Not only would playing him more regularly improve the team, but it might also boost their hopes of keeping him at the club.

That would mean two problems immediately solved by Smith and Shakespeare.

In other news: Norwich’s predicted XI under Dean Smith…

David Norris admits Leeds United regret not signing Ben White on a permanent basis last summer, with his proposed big-money move hard to stomach.

White, 23, played a key role as the Yorkshire club ended their 16-year wait to return to the Premier League, with the Brighton & Hove Albion loanee making 49 appearances in the 2019/20 season.

Leeds attempted to secure White’s services on a permanent basis last year but failed with three bids, with the latest totalling £25million.

Director of football Victor Orta opted against returning to Brighton with another offer and he will be ruing that decision now as it appears the England international defender is set to join Arsenal in a deal worth £50million.

The proposed move to the Emirates Stadium comes after White’s impressive campaign with Brighton saw him earn a place in England’s Euro 2020 squad as Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold was forced to withdraw through injury.

Former Leeds midfielder Norris feels Leeds missed out on a golden opportunity by refusing to increase their final White bid.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “I think they had to draw a line somewhere. But they’ll be disappointed because they [Brighton] are asking for massive dough for him now.”