All posts by z3u9t.icu

As if the transfer window hasn’t already been an exciting state of affairs for Aston Villa, it could yet end with even triumph and satisfaction for Steven Gerrard and the club’s supporters.

Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne have already arrived but a major name from within the game is now being closely linked to Villa.

What’s the word?

Reports emerged late on Tuesday evening that the Villans had tabled an offer to bring Suarez back to England and as a result of Gerrard, they were ahead of a number of Brazilian clubs in the race to secure his signature.

Now, the Villa boss and Johan Lange have been given further hope of concluding a deal by Spanish football expert, Alvaro Montero, who was speaking live on Sky Sports on Wednesday.

He claimed that Suarez was looking to leave his current employers, Atletico Madrid, and in a captivating four-word claim, suggested that Villa “could be an option” for the veteran striker.

The Uruguayan’s contract expires at the end of the season so there is a chance that the Midlands outfit could sign for free in the summer.

Fans surely buzzing

After the signings of Digne and Coutinho, fans will have rightfully been on cloud nine given their international experience and previous exploits in the game.

However, if you combine that with the potential for Suarez to arrive at Bodymoor Heath in the next six months, supporters will simply be ecstatic.

Of course, the forward is now 34 years of age now and is no spring chicken, but there is no escaping from the fact that he is still a wonderful goalscorer.

He has regularly beaten the goalkeeper throughout his career and at the top level no less, scoring 69 Premier League goals, while also racking up a phenomenal 195 strikes during his stay with Barcelona.

Furthermore, Suarez is an incredibly decorated player. This is someone who has won the Spanish top-flight on five occasions, an individual who has won Copa del Rey four times and has also taken home both the Champions League and Club World Cup.

That is quite the honours list and based on experience alone, he’d be a wonderful player to have in the dressing room.

On top of that, his superb ability to make something extraordinary happen out of nothing is almost second to none. He has terrorised English defences before and there is every chance he could do the same in the claret and blue of Villa.

A move still feels unlikely but what a coup he’d be if they could get a deal across the line. Coutinho was a landmark signing but this would surely blow that out of the water, consequently leaving supporters elated with their recruitment team.

AND in other news, Sky Sports journo drops exciting AVFC transfer update on live TV, fans surely buzzing…

Celtic and West Ham have been linked with a move for Spartak Moscow forward Jordan Larsson, The Daily Record report.

The Lowdown: Larsson profiled…

Larsson, the son of legendary Celtic striker Henrik Larsson, is 24 years of age and can play on the right-hand side or as an attacking midfielder along with his primary centre-forward role.

The left-footed beast has been hailed as ‘strong’ by retired Sweden international Marcus Allback, who also believes he ‘would suit playing for Celtic’.

He still has 18 months left on his contract in Russia, where he has scored 26 times in 76 appearances, but he has now been linked with a move to Parkhead.

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The Latest: Hoops links

The Daily Record shared a story on Tuesday afternoon, citing reports from Aftonbladet who claim that the Hoops and the Hammers are two sides tracking Larsson’s situation.

The report claims that Spartak’s previous asking price was around £13m, but that is now expected to be lower in order to get Larsson off the books.

The Verdict: Other areas a priority?

It would be a great story for the son of one of Celtic’s best-ever players to move to Celtic Park, however, at this moment in time, it seems as if other areas of the pitch need adding to first before a big-money move for Larsson should be explored.

Central midfield appears to be an area where reinforcements are needed, with Ange Postecoglou relying heavily on the likes of Callum McGregor, Tom Rogic and David Turnbull this season.

Left-back may also be another position that could do with bolstering, with right-back Josip Juranovic filling in over recent weeks following Greg Taylor’s injury.

In other news: Nicholson may ship out ‘quick’ beast alongside Ajeti in January so Ange can make Celtic signings. 

Tottenham Hotspur are tracking Harry Souttar ahead of a potential swoop, according to reports…

What’s the word?

The Stoke Sentinel claim that the north Londoners have previously sent scouts to watch the Australian colossus, with former manager David Pleat even taking in a game at the bet365 Stadium.

However, if Spurs’ interest is genuine, then they will be facing competition from one of their Premier League rivals after Everton were linked to the young centre-back this week.

The Sun’s Alan Nixon claimed Toffees assistant Duncan Ferguson was sent to watch the 22-year-old ahead of a possible move to replace Yerry Mina, though it remains to be seen exactly how much he could command.

Transfermarkt currently value Souttar at just £3.6m, whilst ex-Potters star Mike Pejic believes he’s worth in excess of £20m.

“If I had been in a Premier League club, I would have bid £20m this summer because who knows what it would cost to get him now. I was delighted when the transfer window shut and he was [still] at Stoke,” he told Football League World.

Dawson 2.0

Souttar could well be the next big thing from the Championship, and that’s not just because he stands at a whopping 6 foot 5 inches.

Once described as a “Rolls-Royce” by Stoke legend Ryan Shawcross, the Aussie defender has been compared to a whole host of names, ranging from Harry Maguire to Alan Hansen, and even Virgil van Dijk.

Tottenham’s most recent signing from the English second-flight, Joe Rodon, is yet to hit the ground running in N17 but he has shown enough glimpses of promise to be encouraged.

But perhaps Souttar could step up to be their next Michael Dawson – arguably their best signing from below the elite level when he arrived in 2005 from Nottingham Forest. He won the League Cup, was named captain and picked up caps for England during his time at White Hart Lane.

Two of the 22-year-old’s former managers have spoken glowingly about his credentials.

During a loan stint at Fleetwood Town, Joey Barton dubbed him “outstanding” whilst Martin O’Neill told local press:

“He’s a player blessed with great natural attributes. Obviously his height but also he’s got good game intelligence and he’s a great user of the ball as well. That’s something which I think will set him apart from the other defenders in this league.”

Indeed, those words still ring true today.

He’s averaging 2.1 interceptions and 1.8 tackles per game in the Championship this season, via WhoScored, which goes to show just how smart he is when his side are out of possession and of course, his towering physical presence is a major plus too, managing 4.6 aerials won each outing this term.

Spurs must continue to monitor Souttar’s situation, especially with other Premier League teams in the frame for his signature. In him, sporting director Fabio Paratici, chairman Daniel Levy and co could well discover the next Dawson to grace the pitch in north London.

AND in other news, Spurs fans will be buzzing as Nuno Santo contract news emerges…

Tottenham Hotspur have been offered the chance to sign Mauro Icardi in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Foot Mercato (via Sport Witness), who claim that the Paris Saint-Germain centre-forward’s agents have contacted Spurs regarding the possibility of a move to the club in the upcoming winter market.

The report added that PSG are open to parting with the 28-year-old in January, although Sport Witness suggested that Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici’s preferred target for the position is Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.

Icardi would solve Spurs’ issue

Considering that Conte has only the option of Harry Kane as a natural centre-forward in his first-team squad, it is clear that the position is one in which the Italian must strengthen this winter if he is to realistically give Tottenham a chance of securing a top-four finish this season.

Indeed, with Kane having somewhat struggled for form of late, scoring just one goal over his 12 Premier League appearances, Spurs have often struggled to find the back of the net in the current campaign, with their 13 goals scored fewer than the likes of Newcastle United and Burnley in the bottom three.

As such, while Icardi has found his game-time limited at PSG following the arrival of Lionel Messi this summer, the £31.5m-rated marksman has nevertheless proven in his career that he could well be the solution to Conte’s centre-forward headache.

Indeed, following his initial season-long loan switch to Paris back in the 2019/20 campaign, the £157k-per-week forward demonstrated that he is something of a perfect rotation option up top, bagging 12 goals, providing two assists and creating four big chances over just 20 Ligue 1 appearances – only 14 of which came as starts.

These returns saw the player who legendary centre-back Giorgio Chiellini claimed is “almost impossible to mark” earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.04, something which demonstrates the Argentina international’s capacity for having a huge influence on his team’s results even if he is not selected continuously.

As such, should Conte and Paratici indeed go on to seal a deal for Icardi this winter, it would very much appear as if the duo would be taking a massive step towards finally solving one of Spurs’ biggest issues.

In other news: Conte must make “incredible” £60m dynamo his first signing, he’d revolutionise Spurs

According to a report by Tutto Bologna Web, also transcribed and shared by Sport Witness, West Ham United are eyeing in form star Lukasz Skorupski as they could look to strengthen the goalkeeping area of the squad.

Skorupski, who has been in fine form for Serie A side Bologna recently, grabbing one of the top performances by a goalkeeper in Europe’s top five leagues last weekend according to WhoScored, is now reportedly attracting interest from the Hammers.

West Ham eyeing Skorupski

Tutto Bologna Web tout West Ham as the side primarily looking at the 29-year-old, coming as a potential replacement for current number one Lukasz Fabianski – with back ups Darren Randolph and David Martin also beginning to reach the twilight stage of their careers.

After becoming Bologna’s first choice this season, he is starting to attract interest, with fellow Premier League sides Aston Villa, Brighton, Wolves and Crystal Palace also touted as sides who could be in need of new goalkeepers.

Transfer Tavern take

A fellow Poland international, the shot stopper could be an ideal option for West Ham as they contemplate a new player to either compete with or play deputy to Fabianski.

Whether or not they launch a concrete bid in the summer is yet to be seen, but as per this report, the Hammers are casting an eye.

In other news: West Ham fans flocked to this ExWHUemployee claim, find out more here.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Dean Windass believes Jesse Lingard has been the signing of the season.

Lingard has been in scintillating form under David Moyes, registering three goals and two assists in just five appearances for West Ham United.

The 28-year-old has found a new lease of life under Moyes and is enjoying some of the best form of his career after failing to make a league appearance for Manchester United this campaign.

West Ham came close to earning a point against Manchester City on Saturday with Lingard setting up Michail Antonio, before seeing his cross headed wide by Issa Diop in the final minutes of the game.

Moyes has instilled confidence back into the England international, something a lot of people have not seen since the 2018 World Cup and Lingard is thriving being responsible to link the midfield and attack.

The Hammers have enjoyed a spectacular campaign with a serious challenge for the top four on the cards with them currently occupying fourth spot ahead of Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

Windass was full of praise for both Moyes and Lingard as he exclusively told Football FanCast:

“Signing of the season, well done David Moyes. I think that’s what he needed. Obviously, he had him before when Manchester United manager.

“To start off with two goals, every centre forward in the country will tell you, when you go to a new club and score two goals supporters there or not, people go wow.

“David Moyes will be sat at home with his wife having a coffee saying, ‘not a bad signing that’.”

West Ham face Man United, Leicester City and Chelsea in their next seven fixtures which could define who claims a spot in the Champions League next season.

Moyes has achieved above many people’s expectations considering the Hammers were battling against the drop last season and a lot fo that is down to smart recruitment which includes a shrewd acquisition of forgotten man Lingard.

Newcastle United have reportedly looked at Benfica striker Darwin Nunez ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie.

What’s the story?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the Sky Sports reporter said: “Nunez is someone they’ve looked at, they’ve watched. I think a proven goalscorer on the European stage will be one of the main priorities, if not the priority in the summer.”

It was recently reported by The Athletic that Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain were the current frontrunners for Nunez’s signature. However, Newcastle could find themselves in the mix.

The Magpies will certainly seek to add at least one new striker to their ranks this summer with £25m January signing Chris Wood finding the back of the net just twice thus far whilst Callum Wilson is still sidelined but could return before the end of the season.

Moreover, with the upcoming transfer window being PIF’s first at the helm of Newcastle United, big names are expected to be linked with the Toon Army seemingly having bottomless pockets at their disposal.

Therefore, there’s little surprise that a forward of the Uruguayan’s calibre has been linked.

Supporters will be excited

With the summer window the first of the PIF dynasty, Newcastle supporters will be beside themselves regarding potential transfers with the possibilities seemingly endless, at least in the media.

Adding Nunez to his ranks would single-handedly revolutionise Howe’s side with the forward one of Europe’s current hottest properties and is valued at around £60m.

The Benfica hotshot has scored 31 goals in 37 matches across all competitions, including an impressive 25 strikes in 25 league games in the Portuguese top flight.

At just 22 years of age, Nunez has already scored in the Champions League against the likes of Barcelona, Ajax and Liverpool, alerting some of Europe’s juggernauts to the Uruguayan’s talent.

In fact, the striker netted twice against the Reds, in both legs of their recent quarter-final, with manager Jurgen Klopp purring over the Benfica man’s ability.

“Really good, really good. I knew before, of course, but he played pretty much in front of me with his tough battles with Ibrahima Konate,” the German said.

“He was physically strong, quick, was calm around his finish. Good, really good. I always say in these situations if he is healthy, it’s a big career ahead of him.”

With a mouth-watering transfer kitty ready to spend, Newcastle will certainly be keen to add a top-level centre-forward to their roster and Nunez certainly meets the requirements.

AND in other news: Howe and PIF are now heading for their first big NUFC error, it would be a disaster

Thanks to two wins on the bounce, Neil Lennon lives to see another day as the manager of Celtic Football Club. The Hoops have seriously struggled this season and have looked a shadow of their usual, dominant self.

With a mammoth 13 points between them and rivals Rangers, the chances of them winning their tenth consecutive Premiership title are becoming bleak. And following their early exit from the Europa League, a lot of things are uncertain in the Celtic camp.

If – or more likely when – the Bhoys finish as runners-up this season, the only way Lennon has a chance of keeping his job is if he has a promising January transfer window.

Celtic eyeing up Bright Osayi-Samuel of QPR

Recent reports have linked the Hoops with a move for 22-year-old winger Bright Osayi-Samuel. The Nigerian is approaching his final six months under contract at Queens Park Rangers and will be available for talks in January. However, Lennon is keen to get things moving faster than this and wants to bring the attacker to Parkhead in the upcoming window.

If Celtic plan their move for Osayi-Samuel, who tallied five goals and nine assists in the Championship last season, they must act fast. The playmaker has attracted interest from a lot of clubs, including neighbours Rangers.

Lennon is walking a very dangerous tightrope as talks of his exit continue to circulate. If Celtic can win their remaining matches of the year and secure a strong transfer window, the board could back him as the man to take them forward.

Signing Osayi-Samuel wouldn’t cost the club must, as he is currently valued at £3.15million by Transfermarkt. He would also be an extremely valuable recruit, as the Hoops do not currently have a recognised senior right-winger on their books. His creativity on the right will allow midfielders to be midfielders and maximise creativity for the likes of Odsonne Edouard.

He was recently lauded by manager Mark Warburton, who believes that the attacker is “destined for the Premier League”, whether that be with QPR or another club.

In other news, Mauricio Pochettino move could benefit both him and Lawwell…

Many West Ham United fans are eager to sign Sam Johnstone after they were linked with a move for the goalkeeper.

The Hammers are currently flying in the Premier League as they sit fifth in the table, just three points behind Chelsea in the last spot for the Champions League (Sky Sports). However, it appears that they are already planning for the future and a potential European campaign, and £5.4m-valued West Brom goalkeeper Johnstone (Transfermarkt) is seemingly on their radar.

The Irons are said to be one of several clubs interested in him, along with Manchester United, but he would prefer a move to east London as he feels he would receive more playing time (via Daily Star). Although the Baggies look guaranteed to go down this season, Johnstone has managed a save percentage rate of over 70% (FBref) and has been one of the few players to impress at The Hawthorns during a difficult campaign.

These West Ham fans, it seems, would be very happy to see him move to the London Stadium, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about the Johnstone rumours

“Sam Johnstone has had a great game today considering the conditions. I’d be happy if we bid for him.”

Credit: @MichelleIrons10

“Get it done”

Credit: @WHUsamzini

“Get it done @WestHam”

Credit: @Ed48297466

“Moyes pullll”

Credit: @privomarr

“I know it’s a dodgy source but yes please!”

Credit: @JH_Journalism

“Would be a class signing”

Credit: @MyRagingOgbonna

In other news, many West Ham fans also want this ace signed.

Liverpool are ready to reignite their interest in Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir this summer, according to a report from Turkey.

The Reds have been linked with the 25-year-old in the past, with a move to Anfield mooted this time last year. Cakir ended up staying put at Trabzonspor, though, where he has made 35 Turkish Super Lig appearances this season, helping them sit fourth in the table currently.

Leicester City’s head of recruitment Lee Congerton once described him as “one of the best goalkeepers [Cakir] I have seen in my life”, highlighting his pedigree.

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Liverpool keen on signing Cakir

According to Fanatik [via Inside Futbol], Liverpool are keen on acquiring Cakir’s services in the summer transfer window, viewing him as a superior backup option to Adrian.

The Reds will reportedly have to pay approximately €20m-25m (£17.4m-£21.7m) if they want to sign the seven-cap Turkey international.

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Transfer Tavern take

The key to a potential move happening could be whether or not Cakir will be willing to be second-choice at Anfield, with Alisson one of the most important players at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal.

If he is, then he would arguably be an upgrade on Adrian, who started well at Liverpool but has fallen away, producing a terrible performance in last season’s Champions League exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid. Inside Futbol reported of ‘lingering doubts regarding the Spaniard’s ability to be a proper backup for Alisson’, hence the Reds’ renewed interest in Cakir.

With Adrian’s contract expiring in the summer, it makes perfect sense to move him on and bring in a younger, more suitable option such as the highly-rated Turkish stopper.

In other news, a reliable journalist has provided a key update on Ibrahima Konate. Read more here.