All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Crystal Palace got themselves a superb win this weekend as they saw off Leicester City 4-1 at the King Power Stadium.

An inspired showing got the Eagles just the sort of result they needed heading into the crucial last few months of the season, and it was a fine display which showed the players are right behind manager Roy Hodgson as he looks to guide them to safey.

The summer transfer window will be one thing which is already entering the mind of Hodgson too, and we here in the Tavern think a couple of shrewd additions from the Championship could be the way the club could go if they don’t want to delve into the European market.

And one man we feel is ready for top flight football after impressing for Sheffield United is defender John Egan, who has been superb since moving from Brentford in the summer.

The big Irish defender has become the key man at the back for the Blades as he holds the fort while the lacks of Chris Basham and Jack O’Connell maraud from the back and into attacking positions.

It’s this sort of defending from Egan which makes him standout, and he’d be a shrewd capture for Palace as they look to shore up their defence with plenty of interest bound to be shown in the impressive Aaron Wan-Bissaka this summer.

Egan fits the bill nicely. He is big, powerful, good in possession, and someone who can improve further. Roy Hodgson knows how to improve and bring the best out of players too, and Egan would surely only flourish more working under the former England manager.

Celtic have opened talks with Tottenham over the structure of a potential permanent deal for Cameron Carter-Vickers, Sky Sports report.

The Lowdown: Scott links

The update on Carter-Vickers isn’t the first Celtic transfer update from Sky Sports this week.

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The Hoops have reportedly been in talks over a move for Bayern Munich youngster Christopher Scott.

Premier League side Brentford have also been name-checked with an interest, however, Bayern Munich are looking to keep hold of their young attacking midfielder, who, at this moment time, is out of contract in the summer.

The Latest: Carter-Vickers updates

Sky Sports shared a story late on Tuesday evening, looking at 50 players who could be involved in transfers this summer.

One of those was Carter-Vickers, who, as we know, could make a full-time switch to Parkhead due to Celtic’s option to buy clause in a season-long loan.

They added that talks are underway regarding the structure of a possible full-time deal, which would cost an initial £6m.

The Verdict: Parkhead move inevitable?

You’d like to think that talks will go well between the two clubs and Carter-Vickers will make the move to Scotland on a permanent basis.

He has slotted into Ange Postecoglou’s side with ease, making more appearances in green and white than any other side during a career scattered with various loan spells.

The American has also been Celtic’s best-rated centre-back, as per WhoScored, so the player himself may well be keen on making a move permanent, despite Premier League interest from Leicester and Wolves.

In other news: ‘As well…’ – Journalist drops claim on more exit news at Celtic Park; it’s a potential ‘bonus’. 

West Ham United remain in talks regarding a deal to bring Hugo Ekitike to the London Stadium prior to transfer deadline day.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Dharmesh Sheth, with the Sky Sports journalist revealing in a post on Twitter that David Moyes’ side are in continued negotiations with Stade Reims regarding a deal for the centre-forward.

Previous reports revealed that Newcastle United are also interested in a move for the 19-year-old this month, however, after the Magpies submitted an offer totalling €35m (£29m) for the France U21 international – which is believed to have included a bonus for winning the Champions League – the Reims president, Jean-Pierre Caillot, stated that the French side would require a more concrete offer for him to accept a bid.

Speaking about the interest in Ekitike, Caillot said: “[Newcastle] offered us €35m (£29m) in total but with many bonuses, some of which were almost impossible to achieve – like, for example, winning the Champions League. We want €30m (£25m) fixed plus €10m (£8.5m) in realisable bonuses.”

Finally what West Ham need

With West Ham having been operating with Michail Antonio as their only option at centre-forward since the sale of Sebastien Haller a year ago this month, the addition of a second striker to Moyes’ first-team squad has been something of a priority for the 58-year-old manager this January.

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However, with around 36 hours remaining of the winter market, the Hammers are yet to welcome any fresh faces to the London Stadium this month, be that up front or elsewhere.

As such, considering the club’s desperate need for attacking reinforcements, in addition to the abundance of potential Ekitike is quite clearly in possession of, it would appear an extremely wise move for the Irons to launch a late offer for the 19-year-old sensation.

Indeed, over his 18 Ligue 1 appearances so far this season, the £5.4m-rated striker has been in remarkable form for Reims, having already bagged eight goals, provided three assists and created two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.3 shots and making 0.7 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the player who has been compared to Kylian Mbappe average an impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.88, ranking him as his club’s 11th-best player in the top flight of French football.

So, with an extremely limited amount of time remaining in the January transfer window, Moyes and the West Ham board simply must stump up the £33.5m required to get a deal over the line for Ekitike prior to Monday’s deadline – as the 19-year-old would appear to be exactly what the Hammers need.

In other news: “Talks will continue..”: ExWHUemployee drops teasing update on late deal, GSB must act

Taking to Twitter, broadcaster, author and Tottenham Hotspur fan Greg Jenner has commented on a Tottenham Hotspur exit development involving young winger Dilan Markanday.

The Lowdown: Spurs in Markanday exit talks…

As per reliable reports, Tottenham are in talks with Blackburn over an exit for the Lilywhites starlet with Sky Sports revealing that the 20-year-old could now leave.

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Alongside Sky, reliable reporter Dan Kilpatrick of The Evening Standard claims that a deal could be announced next week as with the fee to believed to be around £500,000 – which could rise to over £1 million with add-ons.

The Latest: Jenner reacts…

In reaction to this development, Jenner, a BBC broadcaster, claimed Spurs letting the talent go is a real ‘waste’.

“What?! That’s bizarre – he’s clearly a big talent,” the BBC Sounds host explained.

“And we have a striker crisis. Why haven’t we been playing him instead of very very young Dane Scarlett? What a waste!”

The Verdict: Agreed…

Making his senor debut this season in the Europa Conference League, Markanday has come on leaps and bounds at Spurs, even scoring an incredible 12 goals and five assists in 14 Premier League 2 starts.

The homegrown ace could’ve been a star in years to come but manager Antonio Conte’s use of a three-of-the-back formation makes Markanday’s inclusion as a winger difficult to say the least.

Lilywhites supporters will be disappointed to see him leave but will be interesting to see how he adapts to England’s second tier.

In other news: ‘This will get Tottenham fans excited…’ – Sky Sports drop major transfer claim on live TV, find out more here.

Aston Villa are already looking at a summer move for Bologna left-back Aaron Hickey, according to Ashley Preece.

The Lowdown: Late bid for Hickey

Villa got their January business completed relatively early, with Calum Chambers the last of four senior additions to join Steven Gerrard last month.

There were no deadline day twists at Bodymoor Heath when it comes to incomings, although there were rumours that Villa launched a €10m (£8.35m) bid for Hickey which included a 20% sell-on clause. Bologna turned down that proposal, but it seems as if Villa will go back in for the Scottish teenager at the end of the season.

The Latest: Preece’s claim

Preece ran a Q&A on Birmingham Live in the final hours of the transfer window and he was quizzed about the club’s left-back ranks following Matt Targett’s loan move to Newcastle, revealing that Villa are already ‘looking’ at a move for Hickey.

The journalist outlined: “It’ll be Digne and Young from now until May with no recall option in Targett’s deal. Villa looking to go back in for Hickey in the summer.”

The Verdict: Shrewd move

Hickey, who has been likened to Gareth Bale, is known for his athleticism and pace and appears to be a future star. He has also been linked with Manchester City, so securing his services ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side could be a major coup for Villa.

Since leaving Hearts for Bologna, the 19-year-old’s Transfermarkt valuation has rocketed from £540,000 to £11.7m, and he has also played as a left midfielder in 2021/22, earning vital experience in Serie A on top of his previous outings in the Scottish Premiership.

On that basis, securing a summer move for him and midfield target Yves Bissouma could be a brilliant decision by Villa in the long run, possibly making Hickey the perfect eventual successor to Lucas Digne in years to come.

In other news: Villa may now sign ‘unbelievably talented’ midfielder in cut-price move despite transfer window shutting

West Ham have been named as one of a number of Premier League sides interested in signing Blackburn Rovers star Ben Brereton Diaz in this January transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to The Daily Mail, David Moyes’ side are interested in signing the Chile international this month, but will face competition from a number of other sides from the Premier League too.

Shades of Carlos Tevez

West Ham fans will of course have some very fond memories of Carlos Tevez’s time at Upton Park, with the Argentine combining his fighting spirit and technical quality to help rescue the Hammers from relegation well over a decade ago.

While comparing Brereton with Tevez may not be the most obvious to make, the Rovers man is certainly built from that same cloth of having an elite mentality.

Brereton’s Chilean compatriot, Carlos Villanueva, said: “There has always been talk of that spare 9 and he gives you different characteristics… He comes from a football much more physical than the South American. He also has Chilean and South American blood, which puts in and fights.”

Dubbed a “wonderful talent” by his manager Tony Mowbray, the 22-year-old enjoyed his most prolific campaign to date in the Championship with Blackburn last term, bagging seven goals and providing five assists in 40 league games.

This season has seen him net a whopping 20 goals in just 25 league games, firing Rovers well into the hunt for an automatic promotion spot in the Championship.

Mowbray added said: “Brereton’s like a beast now, and he can score goals. I see it every day in training. He’s a brilliant lad and all our lads absolutely love him. He’s filled out now and he will work so hard for this team. He’s very gifted and can score goals.”

The £9m-rated star seems to have all the fighting qualities that marked Tevez out as a cult hero, and could develop into the same at the London Stadium were he to make the move.

Meanwhile, David Moyes is now keen on bringing in this Premier League star this month…

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard is considering a move to bring Julian Alvarez to Villa Park in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Luke Hatfield, with the Express & Star journalist revealing in a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT that, amid Aston Villa’s links with a move for the River Plate centre-forward, Gerrard and the transfer team at Villa Park are indeed keeping a very close eye on the 21-year-old ahead of a potential January swoop.

Speaking about Villa’s interest in the Argentina international, Hatfield said: “He’s a young player, he started this season fantastically and he’s a player who’s a bit versatile as well – he can play up front, he can play on the wing – so he’s a player that I’m sure Villa will have an eye on.”

Fans will be buzzing

Considering just how much potential Julian Alvarez quite clearly possesses, the news that Aston Villa are indeed considering a move for the striker this winter is sure to have left fans of the club buzzing.

Indeed, over his 19 Liga Profesional appearances so far this season, the £18m-rated man has scored a remarkable 17 goals, registered seven assists and created eight big chances for his teammates, as well taking an average of 3.3 shots and making two key passes per game.

These returns have seen the player who Golazo Argentino dubbed a “phenomenon” average an extraordinary SofaScore match rating of 7.82, ranking him not only as Marcelo Gallardo’s best performer in the league but also as the best player in the Argentine top flight as a whole.

As such, the prospect of Alvarez linking up with the likes of Danny Ings, Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Buendia and Leon Bailey in Aston Villa’s front three is an incredibly exciting one indeed.

The potential signing of the 21-year-old – who is reported to be available for €25m (£21m) due to a release clause in his contract at River Plate – would also send a very clear message to the rest of the Premier League that Gerrard and Villa are serious contenders for European qualification come next May.

In other news: Aston Villa handed potentially huge boost ahead of City clash, fans will be buzzing

Journalist Rahman Osman believes Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira could drop Vicente Guaita to stick with Jack Butland against Chelsea this weekend.

The Lowdown: Palace’s run to the semi-final

Palace have enjoyed a solid and sometimes exciting first season under Vieira and are now preparing for a Wembley showdown with their London rivals.

The Eagles have defeated Millwall, Hartlepool United, Stoke City and Everton on their way to the last four, conceding just twice.

Butland has played every minute of domestic cup action this season, with Guaita first choice in the league, and Osman thinks the Spaniard, who Roy Hodgson labelled as ‘excellent’, will be dropped following the 2-1 loss to Leicester last time out.

The Latest: Guaita to be axed?

Osman shared a story on London World on Wednesday, looking at three Palace stars Vieira may leave out this weekend.

One of those was Guaita, with the reporter believing Vieira will ‘break the heart’ of the 35-year-old by sticking with Butland at Wembley.

The Verdict: Right decision?

Some managers decide to bring back their first choice ‘keeper in the latter stages of cup competitions, but it only seems fair for Vieira to leave Guaita out and stick with Butland – just look at how Caoimhin Kelleher rewarded Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final this year.

Butland made a big blunder against Millwall in the third round but hasn’t been troubled much in the FA Cup since then, though he could be a much busier man on Sunday.

We will soon find out what Vieira decides in regards to selection, however, bigger calls may have to be made outfield, especially with injury concerns to Tyrick Mitchell and Michael Olise.

In other news: Vieira now wants Parish to bring 25-assist star to Palace; club preparing to lose their player

Liverpool are looking to snap up versatile Celtic youngster Ben Doak, according to The Daily Record’s Scott Burns.

The Lowdown: Doak profiled

Doak is just 16 years of age and was recently on the bench for Ange Postecoglou’s first team against St Johnstone prior to the winter break.

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Transfermarkt have him classified as a midfielder, FlashScore as a forward and The Glasgow Evening Times as a full-back or a winger, making Doak an extremely versatile player.

He is yet to pen professional terms at Parkhead, though, and it seems as if he could be the latest Hoops starlet to move on before making a senior Celtic debut.

The Latest: Burns’ claim

Burns shared an update regarding Doak for the Daily Record on Saturday afternoon, claiming that the Reds are looking at a compensation deal for the 16-year-old.

However, Celtic are trying to stop a move to Merseyside and are aiming to convince the teenager to agree a long-term contract in Glasgow.

The Verdict: Not ideal

The Hoops have lost a number of talented youngsters over the years, with Leo Hjelde a recent example of a player to depart without making a senior appearance for Celtic before going on to make a first team breakthrough for Leeds United.

Mitchel Frame is another Parkhead academy starlet who has been linked with a Premier League switch, and it seems as if Doak could also now leave.

The pull of the Premier League appears to be too much for these young talents to resist, but hopefully CEO Michael Nicholson and Postecoglou can persuade Doak to commit his future to Celtic.

In other news: £12m Celtic trio now set to leave Parkhead over the next 7 days, journalist claims.  

Everton are on a dire run of form and Rafa Benitez has been not been dealt any favours when it comes to injuries at Goodison Park.

According to The Athletic, Richarlison is set to be out for a number of weeks with a calf tear after he was substituted in the second half of the defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The Toffees have lost seven of their last nine Premier League matches, having won just five of their 16 matches in the division this season.

Revival

They are in desperate need of something to kickstart their revival under the Spaniard and Richarlison’s injury could open up the door for the spark they need to come in. Ellis Simms could be called up from the academy to come in and make his senior bow.

The 20-year-old is yet to make his first-team debut for Everton but his record in the youth teams and out on loan suggests that he has the potential to be a difference-maker for the Blues.

He scored 10 goals and provided two assists in 24 League One games for Blackpool last term and has scored 55 goals for the Toffees across the U18’s and U23’s, meaning he has 65 career strikes to his name at senior and youth level combined.

In the 2018/19 campaign, he scored a sensational 32 goals in 21 under-18 Premier League matches – scoring 41 times in 44 games at that age bracket overall. Since moving up to the 23’s, he has scored 17 in 37 outings – with his loan spell with the Tangerines coming last season.

Everton U23s Assistant John Ebbrell previously heaped praise on the young attacker, saying:

“What I do know with Ellis, if he ends up one-vs-one with the goalkeeper, he’s scoring.

“From experience, I know if you have time to think for that finish it can be difficult but Ellis is really calm and composed in those situations. He very rarely misses.”

His goalscoring statistics and Ebbrell’s comments on his finishing suggest that he could be able to make the grade in the first-team if he is given a chance by Benitez in the coming weeks. Richarlison’s injury could be the perfect opportunity to throw him in at the deep end to see if he is able to swim or not.

If Simms is able to come in and score goals at Premier League level then it could kickstart Everton’s revival and see them begin to move up to the part of the table where they want to be, rather than struggling in the bottom half.

AND in other news, “What I’m hearing…”: Greg O’Keeffe drops big Everton update, fans surely buzzing…