All posts by z3u9t.icu

Midlands-based football journalist Josh Holland has made a claim involving Tottenham Hotspur and their former transfer target Adama Traore. 

The lowdown: Stuttering career

After spending the second half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan back where it all began at Barcelona, the Spain winger has reached an impasse in what was once a promising career.

Expected to return to Wolves this summer, the 26-year-old had been deemed surplus to requirements under Bruno Lage as Spurs actively pursued a move when Nuno Espirito Santo was in the Tottenham hot seat last autumn.

That interest had since appeared to have cooled from north London, although one informed onlooker believes that Tottenham could reignite their admiration for the rapid winger…

The latest: Holland on Traore

Discussing the future of Traore and Spurs-linked Ruben Neves with GiveMeSport, Holland suggested that Tottenham could foreseeably reignite their interest in the Spaniard.

He said: “I think the Traore one is a more difficult circumstance than the Neves one. I think Neves has been respectful the whole time. Traore has to the public, but we don’t know what’s happened within the changing room.

“I won’t be surprised if Tottenham swoop round for him again, or another Spanish team come in for him, but I can’t see him playing at Wolves next season.”

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The verdict: Worth the risk

Despite his ineffectiveness in front of goal, the powerful winger still possesses all of the physical attributes which make him such a threat; and if used in the right way, Antonio Conte could be adding a potential wildcard star to the Tottenham ranks.

The eight-cap Spain winger scored just once and managed only four assists in 40 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona and Wolves in 2021/22, highlighting a worrying absence of clinical end product.

Nonetheless, signing the man who Jetro Willems called a ‘beast’ and said was harder to face than Cristiano Ronaldo due to his incredible speed for anything south of his Transfermarkt valuation of £18m would remain a worthwhile move for Tottenham, as Conte and Fabio Paratici attempt to strengthen the attacking ranks in north London.

In other news: ‘Being negotiated’ – Club now want their ‘sensational’ star to join Tottenham! Find out more here

According to transfer insider Dean Jones, Wolverhampton Wanderers are ‘definitely looking’ at potential moves for duo Haris Seferovic and Goncalo Inacio.

The Lowdown: Inacio signing a possibility

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Bruno Lage recently met with Seferovic to discuss the possibility of signing a deal at Molineux, but it appears as though it’s actually Inacio who could join the Wanderers as early as next week.

In an article published by The Mirror, it’s reported that the Midlands outfit are now ‘closing in’ on the 20-year-old, with the source stating that the defender is keen for the move to happen and that both parties are expected to soon meet to arrange details.

The centre-back remains under contract at the Jose Alvalade until 2026, but has a £39m buyout clause included as part of his deal at Sporting CP, allowing potential suitors to take him off their hands earlier than anticipated.

The Latest: Jones confirms Wolves interest

Jones confirmed that Wolves are currently ‘looking’ at both Inacio and Seferovic, but believes that it’s the Portugal U21 starlet who the club could swoop for ‘this week’. He told GiveMeSport:

“They are definitely looking at them. And I think Inacio is one to perhaps even look out for this week.

“They’re trying to get a better idea of whether they can make a breakthrough and get this signing done. If not, they want to move on quite quickly from it.”

The Verdict: Positive impact at both ends

If Lage was able to get the signing of Inacio over the line, he would be a fantastic addition to the defensive backline, where he’s proven to be so solid in Lisbon.

This season, the 6 foot 1 colossus, who was once hailed a “quality” player by former Sporting manager Jose Lima, made 28 appearances in Liga Portugal, recording six goal contributions whilst averaging 2.4 clearances and 1.4 tackles per game, via WhoScored, showing his ability to make a positive impact at opposite ends of the pitch.

Whether Wolves will be able to fend off interest from Manchester United remains to be seen, but his potential arrival at Molineux could come as a huge advantage for the club as they look to regain a place in Europe next term.

In other news… Wolves have offered a 22 y/o ace a new contract in a bid to keep him at the club.

Journalist Ryan Taylor has delivered a verdict regarding the future of Liverpool attacking midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. 

The lowdown: Klopp signing

Signed from Arsenal in 2017 for £35million (BBC), Oxlade-Chamberlain arrived at Anfield as a dynamic midfielder with a bright future for both club and country on the horizon.

Following 10 direct goal contributions in 32 Premier League outings in a debut season on Merseyside, the England international’s development under Jurgen Klopp was thwarted when sustaining damage to multiple knee ligaments against AS Roma in 2018.

Since then, the powerful forward-thinking 28-year-old has struggled to recapture his best form for the Reds and regular injury issues have continued to interrupt the former Southampton gem’s rhythm.

The latest: Taylor on Oxlade-Chamberlain

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Taylor, a journalist for The Express, has suggested that the end of the 35-cap ace’s time at Liverpool is all but over.

He said: “I expect him to stay in the Premier League, although he’s going to leave Liverpool because they haven’t played him, and he’s only got a year left.

“I don’t think at the moment there’s anything concrete, but Liverpool will market him.”

This comes after the reliable James Pearce revealed Mohamed Salah could also leave the Reds to a top flight rival next year, so it looks like the Kop could be seeing some familiar faces in opposition colours before long.

The verdict: Time has come

Despite showing glimpses of an innate ability to impact games from a deeper role, most notably in a standout Champions League performance against Manchester City back in 2018 at Anfield, overall, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s time with the Reds could be classed as underwhelming.

During 2021/22, the versatile star scored three times and provided three assists in 29 appearances across all competitions, but ended the season without a place in the match-day squad, having not featured since February in the league.

However, having added multiple winners medals to a now impressive career tally, the Englishman, who was hailed as ‘dynamite’ by Klopp following his early form for the club, can leave with his head held high this summer.

If indeed Taylor is on the money, Julian Ward will be hoping to achieve a fee close to Oxlade-Chamberlain’s current £16.2million market value (Transfermarkt), particularly if a move to a domestic rival comes to fruition.

In other news: Liverpool eyeing shock move for recently relegated Brazilian, read more here

Aston Villa have reportedly exited the race to sign Rangers defender Calvin Bassey following the signing of Sevilla centre-back Diego Carlos.

That’s according to TEAMtalk, who claim that Villa are likely to be out of the race for the Nigerian, who can play at both left-back and centre-back, having signed the Brazilian for £26m.

It is believed that Rangers value the 22-year-old at a figure in excess of £25m, having been a vital cog in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side this term with the Glasgow outfit winning the Scottish Cup and reaching the final of the Europa League.

Even though the West Midlands outfit have already made an exciting signing at the back in Carlos, that shouldn’t halt their pursuit of Bassey.

Villa must stay in the race for Bassey

It’s no secret that Villa boss Steven Gerrard is planning an overhaul of his squad this summer with the upcoming transfer window the 41-year-old’s first summer window in charge at Villa Park.

Having managed Bassey at Rangers, the Englishman is reportedly keen on a reunion with the former Leicester City youth product, who BT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves claimed to be “astonishing.”

The Villans proved inconsistent throughout the campaign, with the 3-2 defeat to Manchester City on the final day of the Premier League season a good example of how the entire campaign has gone for Aston Villa.

Having been 2-0 up with 15 minutes to go after an excellent display, a capitulation saw Gerrard’s men concede three goals in five minutes to lose the match.

Finishing 14th, NSWE will be planning for their side to enjoy a more successful campaign next term with the Villans finishing 17th, 11th and now 14th since returning to the Premier League.

It’s been 11 years since Villa last secured finished a top-half finish in the top flight and that will undoubtedly be the minimum requirement next season.

However, in order to achieve that feat, Gerrard must improve his defence with both Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa proving unreliable at times.

Bassey could provide a further solution to those problems, on top of bringing in the Sevilla colossus. He averaged 1.6 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and an 85.2% passing accuracy across the SPFL and the Europa League, as per WhoScored.

None of Villa’s current first-choice central defensive options registered more than 0.9 tackles per game, whilst only Mings bettered his interception rate and Konsa his accuracy rate.

The West Midlands club have done excellently to recruit Carlos, but their efforts to improve the defence mustn’t stop there, with Bassey an exciting prospect and one that would undoubtedly improve a Villa side that conceded 54 goals in the league.

AND in other news: Fabrizio Romano reveals “official talks” have started, Villa supporters will be gutted 

Journalist Alan Nixon has now shared an exciting Southampton transfer update involving Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White after his brilliant Championship campaign on loan at Sheffield United.

The Lowdown: Saints set for busy summer?

The Saints and transfer chief Martin Semmens could be set for a very interesting summer transfer window, with plenty of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s current crop either out of contract or heading into the final 12 months of their existing deals.

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Speaking to The Daily Echo, Southampton’s director has recently admitted that the club could move for targets earlier than in previous windows, as new owners Sport Republic seek to move the St Mary’s outfit in a new direction.

Hasenhuttl’s side are apparently frontrunners to sign Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks, who looks set to depart the Premier League giants, and Nixon has now shared another promising update for Saints supporters.

The Latest: Southampton ‘topping the queue’ for Gibbs-White…

As per the reliable reporter via Patreon, Southampton are ‘topping the queue’ to sign Gibbs-White this summer as they enter pole position.

They are also ready to pay £20m or the Englishman after his ‘dazzling campaign’ on loan at Sheffield United in the Championship over 2021/22.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Nixon is certainly bang on the money when he references a ‘dazzling’ season for Gibbs-White at Bramall Lane.

According to WhoScored, he came in as the Blades’ best performer by average match-rating (7.14/10) while finishing the season as their top scorer (12) and leading assists provider (ten). He also topped their second-tier charts with the most attempts at goal per 90 (2.5) and joint-most key passes averaged in the final third (1.6 per game).

Former Barnsley manager Poya Asbaghi is certainly a fan, calling the 22-year-old the Blades’ “most outstanding” player earlier in the campaign.

Given Gibbs-White’s age and rising stock, Nixon’s claim that Southampton are the leading contenders to sign him comes as very exciting news.

In other news: Southampton emerge as frontrunners for ‘fabulous’ signing who’s suit Ralph ‘down to the ground’…find out more here.

West Brom have made contact over a move for Aston Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane, according to Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Hourihane in the Championship

The 31-year-old has only made six Villa appearances over the last two seasons, plying his trade on loan in the Championship with both Swansea City and Sheffield United.

Labelled as ‘excellent’ by Steve Cooper last season, Hourihane has suffered playoff heartbreak in both campaigns. He’s out of contract at Villa Park at the end of June, and it looks as if another stint in the second-tier is on the cards for the Irishman.

The Latest: Source shares update

Football Insider shared an update regarding West Brom and Hourihane early on Thursday morning after being informed by a Baggies source. They claimed that Villa’s rivals have registered their interest, with Steve Bruce a ‘big admirer’ of the central midfielder.

A Villa Park exit is expected as Hourihane isn’t in line to receive a new deal under Steven Gerrard, meaning he can leave for nothing.

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The Verdict: Makes sense?

Hourihane played a key role in helping Villa to the Premier League and was a regular in the 2019/20 campaign as Dean Smith’s side narrowly avoided the drop.

An exit over the coming weeks does seem to make sense, though, with NSWE and Villa looking to go to the next level under Gerrard by spending over £150m ahead of his first full season in charge.

A short trip to The Hawthorns could be the right move for the midfielder, and if a deal goes through, he’ll be looking to earn promotion to the Premier League once again.

In other news: Journo reveals Villa now eyeing ‘surprise’ move for 201-goal attacking midfielder 

Matty Cash, Tyrone Mings and Douglas Luiz all struggled for Aston Villa in their 1-1 Premier League draw against Crystal Palace today. 

After a goalless first half, Villa took the lead through a smart Ollie Watkins effort following an inch-perfect Lucas Digne delivery. However, the visitors struck back through Jeffrey Schlupp to leave Steven Gerrard’s side with just a point from their penultimate home game of the season.

Following this result, the Villans remain 12th in the table with just two matches remaining, including a pivotal final day showdown against title contenders Manchester City.

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Using Sofascore, we’ve taken an in-depth delve into the statistics to decipher which three outfield players struggled the most for Gerrard’s charges. Only those who played for more than 45 minutes are eligible for classification.

Matty Cash (6.9)

One of the shining lights for Villa this season, the 24-year-old Cash was a bit below-par here as Gerrard’s men stutter towards the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

The Poland international lost two duels, gave away possession 20 times and misplaced his only two attempts at a cross, along with 10 of his 11 long passes.

He tied with Danny Ings with a 6.9 rating, but whereas the striker featured for just 71 minutes, Cash had the entire game to prove himself, hence his inclusion here.

Douglas Luiz (6.6)

It was not the Brazilian midfielder’s finest performance in a Villa shirt as the 24-year-old lost possession 10 times on an afternoon when the hosts couldn’t get into full flow.

The usually reliable defensive midfield general also gave away two fouls, lost possession 10 times, misplaced five passes and lost five out of his six duels on an afternoon that he will want to put behind him.

Tyrone Mings (6.6)

With the centre-back’s role as club captain under question for next season, this wasn’t a display which will live long in the memory of Mings as the England defender attempts to retain the armband.

The 29-year-old failed to find a team-mate with seven passes, lost out on three duels and gave the ball away on eight occasions whilst also being booked during the 1-1 draw.

In other news: NSWE now close to agreeing deal for another midfielder alongside Coutinho

Everton will travel to Vicarage Road this evening to attempt to stop themselves from suffering the same fate as their opponents as their battle against relegation rolls on, and Frank Lampard has been given a major injury boost ahead of the clash.

What’s the latest?

Roy Hodgson took to his pre-match press conference ahead of the Everton game to confirm that there will likely be a number of changes to his team on Wednesday night, claiming that the squad were in the middle of an injury crisis.

Hodgson told the press (via Watford Official):

“I was hoping to play a similar team, but we’ve lost so many players that we find ourselves in the middle of an injury crisis.

The club website further confirmed that doubts are on Tom Cleverley, Kiko Femenía, Joshua King, Ismaïla Sarr, Emmanuel Dennis and Shaq Forde.

Players who are definitely unavailable are Juraj Kucka (knee), Cucho Hernández (hamstring), and Nicolas Nkoulou (minor groin problem).

Lampard will be thrilled

The Everton manager will surely be delighted that Watford will potentially play a weaker than usual team this evening, especially since he has injury problems of his own to key players.

Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey and Donny van de Beek have all been ruled out of the fixture, with the two defenders, in particular, a huge loss for Lampard as they have both been positively influential in the backline over the season.

Michael Keane and Mason Holgate will be available to play in the centre-back partnership and with a weakened Watford side should be able to protect their line effectively to secure Everton more points in their endeavour to survive relegation this season.

The Toffees have won three and drawn one of their last five games, and are currently 16th in the Premier League table ahead of Leeds United and Burnley, with one game in hand on their relegation rivals and the potential of picking up a maximum of 12 points over the next four games.

Lampard will hope that his team can continue the momentum in their final push for survival in the top flight by taking three more points this evening which would steer them into further safety and take the pressure off the Evertonians ahead of the end of the season.

Considering Watford’s ropey looking squad, they have every chance of sealing yet another vital win.

AND in other news: Huge blow: Everton dealt big injury setback ahead of Watford, Lampard will be gutted

It is no secret that Arsenal have long benefitted from their ability to produce outstanding young talent, with the club’s academy continually churning out potential prospects.

Not only is the talent there – nurtured and fostered by the Gunners youth system – but there is also a clear pathway into the first-team, evidenced by the recent emergence of both Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka.

While the duo have taken different routes to becoming regular starters – with Smith Rowe enduring a learning curve out on loan at both RB Leipzig and Huddersfield Town – their rapid development has been a benefit to all concerned, with the two starlets having also already forced their way into Gareth Southgate’s England plans.

Not satisfied with those success stories, however, the north Londoners will be eyeing that next fledgling talent who can step into the limelight from the youth team, with 20-year-old centre-back Omar Rekik potentially the next to do so.

Much has been made of the ability of current Marseille loanee William Saliba, although with the Frenchman currently on his third temporary stint away from the Emirates, doubts remain over whether he has the backing of manager Mikel Arteta.

Should the club wish to cash in on the 21-year-old this summer, then in Rekik the Gunners boss has a perfect alternative, with the former Manchester City youngster potentially the next name on the seemingly never-ending conveyor belt of talent.

Having been signed on a £540k deal from Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin back in January 2021, the Netherlands born gem is yet to feature in the first-team, although has done enough already to catch the eye at youth level, with Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley recently lavishing him with praise.

Speaking about the central defender – whose brother Karim plays for Sevilla – earlier this season, Cowley said of the youngster that: “Omar [Rekik] is a centre-half who I watched at Bournemouth a few weeks ago.

“He’s technically very good with a lovely range of passing and he breaks his lines taking real responsibility on the ball. He looks a talented player.”

Speaking further about the current crop coming through the ranks at Hale End, the club’s Head of Emerging Talent Yousuf Sajjad called him “exciting”.

A move to Championship outfit Stoke City was touted in January, only to collapse on deadline day, albeit with that interest suggesting that it is not just those inside London Colney who are getting excited about his quality.

Equally, despite his lack of senior action thus far at club level, he has already made three appearances for the Tunisian national team, notably making two brief outings at this year’s AFCON tournament back in the winter.

The signs are there that Arteta has a real prospect on his hands, all the Spaniard needs to do now is put some faith in him.

IN other news, Vieira 2.0: Arsenal gifted chance to sign “top-class” £25m ace, he could guarantee UCL…

Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse could stay at St Mary’s for the rest of his playing career, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Ward-Prowse committed to Saints

The 27-year-old committed his future to the club by signing a new five-year deal last summer and has been in scintillating form this season, having netted ten goals and registered eight assists in all competitions, via Transfermarkt.

The Saints star was heavily linked with a move to Aston Villa at the end of last season, with Manchester United also believed to be interested in securing his services.

However, whilst plenty of speculation is expected during the upcoming transfer window, Jones can’t imagine Ward-Prowse ever leaving his boyhood club.

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The Latest: Jones makes big Ward-Prowse prediction

When asked about the ten-cap England international’s future under Ralph Hasenhuttl at Southampton, the transfer insider made a rather big claim.

He told GiveMeSport: “I don’t know if James Ward-Prowse is ever going to leave Southampton. It feels to me like he’s not.”

The Verdict: Repaying the faith

Even if the opportunity arose to join a fellow Premier League club in order to compete at European level, you couldn’t argue if the £28.8m-rated talisman decides that he wanted to finish his career with Southampton after everything that they have done for him.

The Saints made Ward-Prowse captain of the club, which gave him the platform to make the breakthrough into Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

The local maestro, who has been hailed by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as one of “the best” free-kick takers in the world, is clearly a fan favourite at St Mary’s, having recently picked up three trophies at the Saints’ end of season awards. Therefore, it sounds like it would take a lot for prospective suitors to try and prise him away from his beloved Southampton in the coming months.

In other news… Southampton are reportedly keen on signing a new shot-stopper this summer