All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

According to an update from French news outlet Foot Mercato, Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car interests West Ham United with the ‘media talking about’ an upcoming offer of €15 million (£12.8m).

Caleta-Car also attracted West Ham last summer, but he rejected the chance to sign at the London Stadium when manager David Moyes was on a centre-back hunt (The Guardian).

Now, reports have resurfaced of the Irons potentially eyeing a move for the Croatian who is currently at Euro 2020.

The 24-year-old was a mainstay for Marseille and started 32 Ligue 1 matches – making an impressive 3.9 clearances per 90 and completing 86% of his passes out from the back (WhoScored).

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-news-2/” title=”West Ham latest news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

West Ham are said to be on the hunt for a central defender again this summer, with Claret & Hugh believing that is one of Moyes’ three transfer priorities along with a striker and permanent deal for Jesse Lingard.

Flocking to this news on Caleta-Car, with West Ham expected to make move, many Hammers supporters have been buzzing – find a flavour of their best verdicts from Twitter down below.

West Ham fans buzz over Caleta-Car claim

“Get that deal done .. he’s mustard”

Credit: @joehalford1990

“Please say this is true.”

Credit: @EthanP48445025

“I absolutely beg to god that this is true”

Credit: @TayMack1994

“Get this done”

Credit: @Jlinglis01492553

“Let’s get this one done”

Credit: @1bbyWHU

“We’re actually winning the league”

Credit: @Landsy2710

“Ogbonna – Caleta-Car partnership next season”

Credit: @whuabz

In other news: West Ham make an enquiry for potentially ‘perfect signing’, find out more here.

Celtic underwent a massive overhaul during the previous summer transfer window by bringing in several players, as well as moving many out of the Parkhead club.

After then seeing some more players move around in January, Ange Postecoglou has been able to take his side six points clear at the top of the SPFL table with just a handful of games left to play.

With the next summer window on the horizon, it’ll be interesting to see how the Hoops follow up their previous transfer windows this time around.

One deal that should be at the top of the club’s priority list is to turn Jota’s loan deal into a permanent one.

Having signed from Portuguese club Benfica on a temporary basis until the end of the campaign, the winger has been a solid addition to Postecoglou’s squad.

With 36 appearances under his belt across all competitions, the attacker has scored 11 goals and provided 12 assists along the way.

To highlight how much of an attacking threat he has been on the pitch for the Hoops, Jota currently has the highest number of crosses made (203) in the SPFL than any of his teammates.

He also has the second-highest number of shots on target (25) behind Liel Abada (37).

In addition to his consistent attacking prowess, his overall performances have been rather eye-catching as he is currently listed as the highest-rated player in the Celtic squad with a rating of 7.59/10 from WhoScored.

Praised for his “outstanding” performances for the Bhoys by Postecoglou, it’s safe to say that the 56-year-old is a big fan of the winger and would be delighted to see him remain at the club beyond his current loan deal.

The Hoops reportedly have an optional purchase fee of £6.5m to keep Jota at the club, which was labelled as being a “mouth-watering prospect” for the Hoops by Noel Whelan.

With all of this in mind, it seems as though the 23-year-old has already done enough to warrant the club splashing out that money and keeping him where he is.

Moving forward, if the Bhoys can secure the league title in the coming weeks and then manage to secure Jota on a permanent deal, this would surely have plenty of Hoops fans bouncing.

In other news: Ange can raise the roof at Parkhead as Celtic plot “huge” move for “immense” £10m gem

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce is making a major mistake over Florian Lejeune as Chris Waugh delivers a crucial update on his future.

What’s the story?

The centre-back joined Alaves on a season-long loan after an injury-ravaged time at St James’ Park, but has been a virtual ever-present for the La Liga side this season, making 32 appearances in all competitions.

And now, writing for The Athletic, Waugh said: “With Lejeune turning 30 later this month, there has been no indication yet that Newcastle will look to extend his deal and, as things stand, perversely, he actually appears to be the most likely defender to leave. Alaves, who are fighting relegation, are keen to keep him if they survive, and both Lejeune and Bruce may feel it is best for the Frenchman to move on.”

Bruce making a mistake

Dubbed by Waugh as someone who’s got “everything”, the journalist added: “The Frenchman, who is both comfortable in possession and an excellent reader of the game, is arguably Newcastle’s best all-round defender.”

And that belief is something that was reflected by former Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez, who seemed to absolutely adore the man he signed at St James’ Park. Speaking back in September 2018, he said: “Then, in the months after he came back, he settled down because he is strong mentally, and then he was passing the ball and giving confidence to the team and all the players around. He became a very important player for us.

“Florian has been a big miss for us in terms of what he means for us as a crucial member of the team. The style of football he brings and helps us to adapt to is something we have lost.”

The £40k-a-week earning titan has proven his fitness at Alaves this season, and news that he looks like the defender most likely to leave this summer seems incredibly baffling given the high regard both those inside and outside the club hold him in.

The Magpies haven’t exactly been a defensive fortress this season either, with their total of 56 goals conceded in the Premier League only better than three other teams in the entire division – two of them being in the relegation zone right now.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/newcastle-steve-bruce-premier-league-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-st-james-park-joelinton-shelvey-max-aarons” title=”Read the latest Newcastle transfer rumours and news!”]

Lejeune, at the very least, deserves a chance to impress in pre-season and prove that he can stay fit here in England just like he has been doing over in Spain, but this latest update just shows that Bruce is making a major mistake.

Meanwhile, Newcastle must finally offload this star after a major transfer update…

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 United striker Michail Antonio could have 37 matches between this weekend’s season opener and 28 December, Football London correspondent Tom Clark has found.

Clark points out that the Jamaican national team still have eight more games pencilled in before the end of the year.

If West Ham were to progress through their first two Carabao Cup fixtures, he could therefore be eligible for a game every 3.5 days until the year is out.

Antonio may struggle to cope with fixture pile-up

Antonio’s injury history already makes for concerning reading. Since the start of the 2016/17 season, he has picked up 15 separate injuries. Five of those came last term, sidelining him for a total of 13 matches.

West Ham’s pre-Christmas schedule has become considerably busier after their sixth-placed finish last season secured qualification for the Europa League.

The Irons could look to address concerns over squad depth by recruiting a backup striker. Football Insider reported at the weekend that they had opened preliminary talks with Liverpool over a potential deal for Divock Origi.

Here’s what West Ham supporters made of Clark’s findings about the potentially “insane” workload which awaits for Antonio.

Hammers fans express concerns as Antonio demands become clear

“o% chance he does that without an injury”

Credit: @WestHamHour

“And we don’t need another striker….”

Credit: @mattggibbons

“BuT wE dOnT nEeD a StRiKeR”

Credit: @T_dIsaacs

“our only striker and definitely the most injury prone player we own, what could possibly go wrong.”

Credit: @regannnnnnnn_

“This just emphasises how insane it is that we haven’t signed a striker”

Credit: @ThomasWHUFC

“BUY ANOTHER STRIKER”

Credit: @RobWaldon

In other news, West Ham are targeting this left-back.

Marcus Bent has exclusively told Football FanCast that Ross Barkley should snap up the chance to return to Everton should the opportunity present itself this summer.

The England midfielder, who’s currently on loan at Aston Villa, left Goodison Park for Chelsea back in 2017, but has never been seen as a key player during his time in the capital.

He was favoured by Maurizio Sarri, but then restricted to a bit-part role under Frank Lampard, with a move to Villa Park used as a chance to help the midfielder rediscover his best form.

But besides an impressive run, which included goals against Liverpool and Leicester during the early stages of his loan spell, Barkley has found himself out of Dean Smith’s team.

Barkley will return to Chelsea this summer in a bid to try and impress Thomas Tuchel, but his Stamford Bridge career would appear to be hanging in the balance.

And former Everton striker Bent told Football FanCast that the 27-year-old could make a huge difference to the Toffees squad:

“Ross Barkley, for me, when he came through, and still is, an absolute talent, the problem being is that he hasn’t stabilised a spot at any team.

“If he were to go back to Everton, and I’ve spoken to Everton and they’re lacking that in midfield. He’s got skill on the ball, he’s like a Stevie G.

“He went to Chelsea at a young age and hasn’t done it, so going back to Everton, this is a chance to go home and get at a club that he knows well. The fans love him.”

Paddy Kenny has slammed new Glasgow Rangers signing John Lundstram over his behaviour towards the end of his time at Sheffield United.

The Lowdown: Lundstram signs for Rangers

The Gers completed the signing of Lundstram on Monday after the 27-year-old left the Blades following the expiry of his contract at Bramall Lane (rangers.co.uk).

The Liverpudlian put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Ibrox.

The Latest: Kenny slams Lundstram

Speaking to Football Insider, Kenny has slammed the behaviour of Lundstram towards the end of his time at Bramall Lane. The former goalkeeper said:

“He’s obviously a decent player. Steven Gerrard wouldn’t be signing players who aren’t good.

“But if you ask a lot of Sheffield United fans, they’ve been disappointed with how he’s been towards the back end of last season.

“A lot of people weren’t happy with his performances and felt like he’d downed tools a little bit. That’s not a good sign.

“But it depends whether he can pick it back up again now and do it for Rangers. When he is a bang at it, he is a very good player.”

The Verdict: Different situation

Of course, there will be a frustration from a Sheffield United point of view considering that Lundstram refused to sign a new contract with a team who gave him his first opportunity in the Premier League. Given that he is valued at £6.3m by Transfermarkt, they would likely have received a decent fee for him if he were still under contract.

However, Lundstram clearly wanted to depart the club, and you cannot force a player to sign a new deal if that is the case. Of course, it was always going to be hard for him to match the standard he set during the 2019/20 campaign, when he scored five goals in 34 top-fight matches, but he was not the only player from the club to underperform last season – Sheffield United were relegated after finishing bottom, after all.

At Rangers, under the tutelage of Steven Gerrard and with a fresh challenge ahead, there is no reason why he won’t rediscover his best form despite Kenny’s misgivings.

In other news, Alex McLeish is worried about this man’s Spurs future.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been dealt an injury blow ahead of their upcoming Premier League clash.

What’s the latest?

In pre-match press conference comments cited by Express & Star journalist Liam Keen, Bruno Lage revealed that left-back Fernando Marcal will once again be unavailable for selection for the visit of Everton on Monday night, as the 32-year-old is yet to recover from a calf injury which ruled him out of last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United.

In his tweet, Keen said: “Bruno Lage presser is underway and we start with injury news: ‘Boly is back but Marcal is not ready’.”

Lage will be gutted

While it is indeed true that Rayan Ait-Nouri impressed while filling in for Marcal in the draw at Elland Road last week, the Brazilian very much appears to be Lage’s first choice at left wing-back, so his absence on Monday is sure to have left the 45-year-old feeling gutted.

While further Premier League game-time for Ait-Nouri will undoubtedly help in the 20-year-old’s development as a first team regular, it would be naive to suggest that Marcal has not impressed over his eight top-flight fixtures so far this season.

Indeed, the £1.62m-rated man has helped his side to keep two clean sheets, as well as making 1.5 interceptions, 2.9 tackles and 1.9 clearances and winning five duels per game, as per SofaScore.

These returns have seen the £29k-per-week left-back earn an average SofaScore match rating of 6.86, ranking him as Wolves’ joint 11th-best performer in the Premier League.

As such, Marcal’s injury will certainly come as a blow to the Portuguese boss, who will undoubtedly be hoping to put right the disappointment of conceding a last-minute equaliser against Leeds when Everton come to Molineux tomorrow night.

In other news: Wolves handed major boost over “special” £41k-p/w beast, Bruno Lage will be buzzing

The Celtic Way reporter Anthony Haggerty believes Albian Ajeti will be rejuvenated following Ange Postecoglou’s appointment as the Scottish giants’ new manager.

Ajeti joined Celtic from Premier League side West Ham United in a £5million deal last August.

The move came after the Swiss frontman failed to score in any of his 12 appearances for the Hammers.

Ajeti also struggled to find the back of the net regularly during his first season in Glasgow as he notched six goals in 30 appearances.

However, the former Basel striker has vowed to take advantage of his second opportunity to prove himself at Celtic, which has been granted by Postecoglou.

It comes after the Bhoys missed out on top transfer target Charlie Wyke, who opted to join Wigan Athletic from Sunderland rather than heading north of the border earlier this month.

Haggerty believes the 24-year-old Ajeti could prove to be like a new signing after what was a disappointing first campaign at Celtic Park.

He exclusively told Football FanCast: “I think Postecoglou is going to give Ajeti that chance so it’s up to him to grab it. He scored a couple of decent goals when he first broke in last August.

“It’s those consistency levels at a club like Celtic that you need. Strikers at Celtic are always judged on their goals return.

“This is another player we shelled a lot of money out for so they’re going to give him every chance to claim that jersey.”

One of Jose Mourinho’s biggest problems continues to linger at Tottenham Hotspur under new manager Nuno Santo.

Their 100% start to the 2021/22 campaign was halted by Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon as the ten men of Spurs were well-beaten 3-0 at Selhurst Park.

The north London outfit had been sitting pretty atop the Premier League table heading into kick-off, having won all three of their opening three matches by a 1-0 scoreline.

A recurring theme was bubbling beneath the surface during their short run of success under the Portuguese and it was fully exposed at the weekend.

Spurs are still suffering from the very same issue that Mourinho had – there’s a clear lack of creativity in attacking midfield.

Last season, the ex-boss relied heavily on Heung-min Son and Harry Kane’s exploits, with the pair scoring 58.8% of their 68 league goals scored. They were also the only two to surpass four assists and average 1.4 or more key passes per game in the whole campaign, via WhoScored.

In fact, no player that managed to create more than 0.8 key chances each match still remains at the club, with Gareth Bale back at Real Madrid and Serge Aurier without a team.

That’s where the problem lies.

Mourinho’s attacking midfield options struggled to create much at all – Giovani Lo Celso (0.8 key passes per game), Dele Alli (0.6), Tanguy Ndombele (0.4).

Two of those three were big-money signings yet neither have really set the ground alight since joining in the summer of 2019.

The club-record Frenchman has only delivered eight goals and eight assists in 75 appearances, managing a direct contribution every 267 minutes and the Copa America winner has performed worse, averaging a goal or assist every 353 minutes – once every four games.

That’s just not good enough considering both were earmarked with Christian Eriksen’s exit in mind, given he was entering the final year of his deal at the time.

The Danish playmaker provided 69 goals and 90 assists in 305 appearances, meaning he contributed once every 151 minutes – a stark, stark contrast to the numbers above.

As evident on Saturday, this is still very much a problem that lingers. Against Palace, Spurs only managed two shots at goal in 90 minutes – it’s no wonder they only won by the solitary goal in their three previous games.

Speaking after the match, Nuno described his creative issues as a “big concern.” He told reporters, via the Evening Standard:

“It is a big concern, we had enough quality and talent to play better. We didn’t do it, credit to Palace they were aggressive and they didn’t allow too much time on the ball. We lost duels, many, many situations that I think we should do much better. In terms of offensive, much improvement is required.”

There are some important games coming up for Spurs, including their group stage opener in the UEFA Europa Conference League – a competition they are favourites to win – so Nuno will need to find a solution sooner rather than later.

Clearly, it’s an issue that has lingered for quite some time as the Portuguese remains haunted by the same problems as the previous regime.

AND in other news, £75k-p/w dud must never play for Spurs again, had fewer touches than Lloris yesterday…