All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Wolves transfer news on Moutinho

Many Wolves fans have been left reacting to some transfer news that has emerged on Joao Moutinho.

As per La Repubblica (via Sport Witness), Jose Mourinho and Roma are now interested in signing the central midfield player, with his contract in the Midlands club running out in the summer.

At 35 years of age, the Molineux faithful have to consider where his immediate future lies, with the risk of losing him for free in just a few months.

Moutinho has been one of their best players this season, in fact he ranks ninth in their squad according to WhoScored, and is high among his teammates in terms of average tackles, interceptions, blocks, key passes, crosses and long balls per game in the Premier League.

Nonetheless, some WWFC supporters do not want to see him go to Roma, and so would rather he stayed and signed a new deal.

Wolves fans on Moutinho transfer news

These Wanderers reacted to the transfer news as it was shared on Twitter:

“I fear we’ll be stripped bare in the summer. I hear Man Utd are looking at Max Kilman”

Credit: @Johnboy42370177

“I wish everybody would stop trying to steal our players”

Credit: @TonyBel83049813

“Two more years at Wolves Joao”

Credit: @LeightonBinder

“One more year Joao!”

Credit: @JackBrownieee97

“NOOOOOOO!!!”

Credit: @Dazwolf180

“I wish the vultures would stay away! Football is crazy, anyone who is brilliant is immediately headhunted from us. I guess that’s all in the game but …….”

Credit: @peggyja95517835

In other news, find out what hope Wolves have in their bid to sign this former player here!

Rangers: Balogun set to return to training

A major boost has emerged on Rangers centre-back Leon Balogun, regarding when he will return to fitness at Ibrox.

What’s the latest?

Gers boss Gio van Bronckhorst has delivered an update on the defender by revealing when he will be back in training for the club.

He told the Scottish Sun: “Leon went to Germany for a couple of days but is back now. So hopefully this week he will start training again.”

The Dutchman also provided a snippet on Filip Helander, adding: “I don’t think we’re going to see Filip before the winter break.”

Buzzing

This news will surely leave Rangers fans feeling buzzing as the head coach’s comments appear to suggest that Balogun will be back in contention before the break. The defender’s last appearance came in the 3-1 defeat to Hibernian in the semi-final of the League Cup in November and that means that he has not played a single match since van Bronckhorst’s arrival.

He was in fine form under Steven Gerrard’s management, averaging an excellent SofaScore rating of 7.05 in the Scottish Premiership across 11 matches. The centre-back has won 64% of his duels in the campaign so far, making an impressive 3.2 tackles and interceptions per game in the league.

Last season, he averaged a score of 7.13 as he won 61% of his duels and made 2.6 tackles and interceptions per game for Rangers. This shows that he has maintained a consistently high level, both in terms of his average performances and his defensive strength, since the start of the 2020/21 campaign. He has shown that he has the quality to be a top player in the Premiership, which is why fans will be delighted by his return to training this week.

It will also come as a major boost to van Bronckhorst as it arms him with another excellent player to call upon at the back. His displays over the past 18 months show how good he can be for the club and that is why his return will benefit the Dutch head coach, who could now afford to hand Calvin Bassey or Connor Goldson a rest at the heart of the defence.

The only piece of news that Gers fans may not be best pleased with is the 46-year-old’s update on Helander. He appears set to come back into the fold towards the end of January or later, which means that it could be a while before he is seen out on the pitch again.

AND in other news, 9 duels won: “dominant” £6.75m-rated Rangers beast who made 3 tackles was GvB’s hero…

Celtic in advanced talks for Jota deal

Celtic are in advanced talks regarding a deal to bring Jota to Parkhead on a permanent basis in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Portuguese publication A Bola (via Football Scotland), who claim that, following the Benfica loanee returning to his parent club in order to see the medical staff regarding his hamstring injury, talks between Celtic and the Liga NOS side are advancing concerning the 22-year-old’s permanent switch to the Bhoys.

However, the report does go on to state that, rather than Celtic’s option to buy clause being the €7.5m (£6.5m) widely reported, this figure will actually be used as a starting point for negotiations in the Hoops’ bid to secure the services of the winger beyond the end of his current loan deal.

Postecoglou’s biggest signing

While it would appear that, from the latest reports, there is still some work to be done in finalising Jota’s permanent switch to Parkhead, should Ange Postecoglou manage to get a deal over the line for the Portugal U21 international this month, it would not only be the biggest outlay since the 56-year-old’s arrival in Glasgow last summer, but it would also arguably be his biggest addition to the Celtic squad.

Indeed, over his 11 Premiership outings so far this season, the £4.95m-rated winger has been in astonishing form for the Bhoys, having already scored five goals, provided four assists and created two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of three shots and making 1.5 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the player Postecoglou himself dubbed an “unbelievable” talent average a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.38, ranking him as the sixth-best player in the entirety of the Scottish top flight.

As such, it is clear for all to see that signing Jota on a permanent basis would be well worth the cost for Celtic, as the 22-year-old undoubtedly possesses the ability to help the Bhoys reclaim their Premiership crown come the end of the season – an outcome that would certainly be worth the rough £6.5m fee to secure his signing.

In other news: Reliable journalist drops 10-word Celtic transfer update that will delight Bhoys fans

Arsenal eye Everton ace Calvert-Lewin

Loads of Everton fans have been reacting to some transfer news which has emerged on Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

As per The Daily Mail, Arsenal are now plotting a move to sign the former Sheffield United striker, as Mikel Arteta plans for life without Alexandre Lacazette.

However, the Gunners would have to pay as much as £60m for his signature, and he is seen as the ‘ideal candidate’ to replace the Frenchman.

With their current problems with Financial Fair Play (FFP), it would not be out of the question for the Goodison Park outfit to sell Calvert-Lewin, should the right offer come to pass.

Of course, the Toffees would surely prefer to keep hold of him if they can, given the injury-enforced absence in recent weeks.

Everton fans on Calvert-Lewin transfer news

These Everton supporters gave their reactions to the transfer news as it was shared on Twitter, with some speculating that he will go, while others have been left raging over the possibility:

“Yeah he’s off”

Credit: @james_gavo3

“Nothing. More. Certain.”

Credit: @ShoeyEFC1234

“When it rains it pours”

Credit: @ElliotB1878

“So it begins”

Credit: @WillNSNO

“Championship, here we gooooo.”

Credit: @exiledtoffee

“Not now Dom…”

Credit: @bramleystand

In other news, find out what Farhad Moshiri revelation has left these Evertonians fuming

Celtic: Devlin makes further Dembele claim

Celtic correspondent Kieran Devlin thinks winger Karamoko Dembele could be out for ‘a long time’.

The Lowdown: Dembele’s absence

Dembele is still yet to make a competitive appearance under Ange Postecoglou after suffering an ankle injury during the club’s pre-season tour of Wales.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-19/” title=”Celtic updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The 18-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season, underwent surgery in October to repair damage on what was reported as a fracture.

However, Devlin recently claimed that he thinks Dembele broke a bone in his ankle, and it seems as if a return to action isn’t close.

The Latest: Devlin’s response

Devlin ran a Q&A on The Athletic for Celtic’s clash with Ross County on Wednesday.

He was asked by one fan for an update on Dembele’s situation and the possibility of a return, to which he said:

“Think it was a break in the end so could be a long time, no set date on a return.”

The Verdict: Not ideal…

Dembele has had to remain patient for an opportunity at Parkhead, and if he was fit, now could’ve been the perfect chance to announce himself in green and white.

That’s because Postecoglou has almost all of his attacking options out injured at this moment in time, meaning full-backs Josip Juranovic and Adam Montgomery had to play further forward on Wednesday with winger Liel Abada in a central role. [SofaScore]

It hasn’t worked out for Dembele in Glasgow so far, though, and who knows, he may not even add to his eight Hoops appearances, should he pursue a move away over the next six months following his injury.

In other news: Celtic pull plug on move for January target who already follows Hoops on social media. 

Rangers: Gerrard must unleash Roofe

Rangers are looking to pick up their second win in the group stage of the Europa League as they face up against Brondby on Thursday night.

They beat their Danish rivals 2-0 in the reverse fixture, which was their only win in the first half of the group stage after losing to both Lyon and Sparta Prague in their first two matches.

Steven Gerrard’s side come into this clash on a high after an emphatic 6-1 win over Motherwell at Fir Park over the weekend to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

He’s a match-winner

One player who must come into the starting XI after the Motherwell victory is Kemar Roofe. He was forced to watch on from the bench for the majority of the game, but Gerrard must unleash him from the start against Brondby as he has the quality to be a match-winner for the club.

The £26k-per-week striker only played 18 minutes at Fir Park and still managed to get himself on the scoresheet as he converted from close range after a Jack Simpson header. That was his fifth in the Premiership this term, despite only starting six games.

Last season, he produced 14 goals in 18 starts in the division as Rangers won the title. This means that he has 19 strikes in his last 24 starts in the league, highlighting his ability to be a match-winner, proving that he can score goals at an impressive rate.

Any player has the potential to be a match-winner in any given game, but he has shown that he can do it reliably and can be trusted to score the goals when they matter. He has also displayed that he can do it in Europe, with a goal against Brondby in a 2-0 win earlier this season

Gers coach Michael Beale previously hailed the forward for his efforts in the final third, helping the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent. He said:

“I think having Kemar Roofe come into the team has brought us a leader in the final third. We forget how young Alfredo is and Ryan Kent.

“They are the same age and we almost forget that with Alfredo because he carries himself with such strength and he’s so commanding on the pitch but he’s a young man.

“So I think having Kemar in there who is a little bit older brings us that bit of experience.”

This highlights the impact he can have on those around him as well as his quality as a football player. He could help, for example, Ianis Hagi and Fashion Sakala to up their own game against Brondby by leading on the pitch and showing an example of how they should be acting.

Therefore, Gerrard must unleash Roofe from the start in the Europa League on Thursday night. He could be the player to win them the match with his impressive goal record whilst offering the experience to improve those playing alongside him.

AND in other news, Kent 2.0: Gerrard could unearth new wing wizard in “exciting” 18 y/o Rangers flyer…

Celtic reportedly set to complete Jota deal

A major claim has been made on Celtic’s transfer plans, regarding Portuguese attacker Jota’s future at Parkhead…

What’s the talk?

According to journalist Pedro Almeida, the Hoops will sign the forward on a permanent deal from Benfica, with the winger currently on loan from the Liga NOS giants.

He has claimed that they will pay €7.5m, roughly £6.3m, to complete the signing, Tweeting: “Celtic will advance to the definitive signing of #Jota from Benfica for 7.5M€.”

Buzzing

Celtic fans will surely be buzzing by this update as Jota has been in terrific form since arriving at the club and keeping him at Parkhead in the long term could be a huge boost for Ange Postecoglou.

The attacker has racked up an impressive 12 direct goal contributions in 15 games for Celtic, with six goals and six assists. This includes four goals and four assists in eight Premiership appearances, showing his ability to both score and create goals for the side.

Postecoglou admitted earlier this season that he wants to keep the Portuguese attacker at the club in the long term and claimed that the player is loving life in Glasgow. He said:

“He hasn’t had the easiest start to his career, he was out on loan last year and it didn’t work out for him. I think he’s loving life here and my job is to make him the best possible player he can be.

“If he feels that this is the place for his future we’d be more than happy to keep him here but he’s got a pretty good head on his shoulders and he knows that the best way forward for him is to keep playing his football and the rest will take care of itself.”

At the age of 22, he also has the potential to develop further and grow as a player. This means that Postecoglou could improve him over the course of the coming years and potentially turn him into an asset worth far more than £6.3m to the club in the future.

Therefore, with his current contributions and his potential to increase his value, fans will be buzzing to see him stay at Celtic on a permanent deal. If he is able to maintain his current form and build on it, the money eventually paid could soon be seen as a bargain for the club.

AND in other news, Bitton 2.0: Ange could find Celtic’s new midfield beast in 20 y/o who’s “like Petrov”…

Everton fans on Chelsea fixture change

Many Everton fans have been left fuming as a change to one of their fixtures was confirmed by the Goodison Park faithful.

As per the official Twitter page of the Merseyside club, their game away at Chelsea during the festive period has now been changes to a 7:45pm kick-off on Thursday 16th December.

It means that those Toffees supporters who already had travel down to Stamford Bridge for the match organised will have to change plans, while those with work commitments the following day may simply find it impossible to attend.

Nonetheless, it is rare for a Premier League fixture to be scheduled for a Thursday these days, due to European and cup commitments, and a few Blues just found it strange that the top flight decided to schedule it for that day.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/everton-news-6/” title=”Everton news! (6)” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Everton fans on Chelsea fixture change

These EFC fans fumed as the change was revealed on Twitter, with one Evertonian even going as far as to claim that it is ‘ridiculous’:

“Football ever more becoming a TV show than a sport. Absolutely ridiculous”

Credit: @rogerefc

“Absolute nightmare! I have already booked trains and hotels to go down”

Credit: @BobbyC_1878

“Scandalous”

Credit: @SimonMidi9790

“Disgraceful”

Credit: @Neil85059534

“What a shower, absolute joke these fixture changes all the time!!”

Credit: @Ben02222604

“WHAT A SURPRISE”

Credit: @ellieq

In other news, find out which club news has Toffees buzzing here!

Crystal Palace: Fans react to Man City appointments

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been reacting to news ahead of the trip to Manchester City this weekend on Twitter.

The Premier League have officially confirmed that Andre Marriner will be the man in the middle for the meeting at the Etihad, while Lee Mason will be in charge of VAR.

Marriner has already taken charge of an Eagles encounter this season in the 1-1 draw with rivals Brighton. His first Palace game as a Premier League referee was actually City v Palace all the way back in 2005, with the hosts running out 3-1 winners.

Meanwhile, Mason, who took charge of the same fixture last season, is now retired as a ref but is still involved with officiating through the use of VAR.

He was the man who ruled out Christian Benteke’s header last weekend against Newcastle, with Marc Guehi adjudged to have fouled Ciaran Clark.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the news regarding Marriner and Mason on Twitter on Monday afternoon.

This is what these Eagles fans had to say in reply, with many not happy.

“God help us”

Credit: @jackstacpfc

“Not Lee Mason on VAR duty AGAIN – grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr??!!”

Credit: @MThreadingham

“Don’t turn up and take the 3-0 loss, best for all parties involved”

Credit: @paintaCPFC

“Just play the kids and let’s avoid suspensions”

Credit: @StevofY

“Well that’s that then.”

Credit: @JackkBarton

“Announce defeat.”

Credit: @Georgiecpfc

Campbell says Leeds could still get O’Brien

Kevin Campbell believes Lewis O’Brien could still sign for Leeds United, despite the Wednesday development of signing a new deal at Huddersfield Town.

The Lowdown: No move in summer

The Huddersfield midfielder was linked with a move to Elland Road during the previous transfer window and was subject to a £13million bid by the Premier League side, but a move never materialised and he remained at Huddersfield Town.

O’Brien, 22, came through the Town academy before spending the 2018/29 campaign on loan with Bradford City, making 40 appearances before becoming a key figure at Huddersfield, with over 85 appearances.

After links with Leeds, O’Brien signed a new contract this week, but Campbell, a regular on Sky Sports, doesn’t believe this is the end of the saga.

The Latest: Orta won’t give up

Speaking to Football Insider, the former Arsenal striker has claimed that, despite extending his stay at the Terriers, O’Brien could still be on Victor Orta’s radar.

When asked if the deal had gone, he said: “No, no, he could still sign for Leeds next year.

“He has signed a new contract to up his money and make sure that Huddersfield can get the fee that they want. If Leeds come in they are going to have to come in correct.

“At the end of the day it is easy to say he shouldn’t have signed a new contract but if Leeds really want him they will come in with a bid that satisfies Huddersfield.

“Listen, he has done the right thing by signing a new contract. If Leeds want him they will get him. Let’s see how it goes.”

The Verdict: Exciting player

O’Brien’s surge onto the scene at the John Smith Stadium has warranted links with a move to the Premier League. Last season, he started 39 times, completing 77% of his passes per game, whilst making 2 tackles per game and winning over 5 duels per 90 minutes.

Huddersfield’s 2019/20 Player of the Year winner has continued his impressive form this season, scoring one and assisting one already this season for Carlos Corberan’s team.

His relentless worth ethic and energy would fit perfectly at Elland Road, so the thought of a move ‘next year’ in the words of Campbell is exciting.

In other news, Phil Hay has revealed a brilliant story about Tuesday’s game with Fulham that you may have missed. Find out more here.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus