All posts by h79snht.top

Tottenham Hotspur have an unmissable chance to bring back former fan favourite and Premier League playmaker Christian Eriksen this summer, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye move…

The Times, sharing news out of Spurs in the last few days, believe that there could be a real summer of change at Hotspur Way as manager Antonio Conte sets his sights on a major overhaul.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-developments-2/” title=”Tottenham latest developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

They claim as many as eight players could be offloaded by Conte, a contingent including Sergio Reguilón, Emerson Royal, Steven Bergwijn, Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele.

Meanwhile, the Lilywhites head coach is thought to be targeting six major signings in three defenders, a midfielder and a forward.

The likes of Eriksen and Leicester City playmaker Youri Tielemans are thought to be on the radar but much could hinder on their final push for a Champions League qualification place.

The Latest: Jones makes claim…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Jones say Spurs have an unmissable chance to sign Eriksen this summer given his soon-to-be free agent status.

He explained:

“There’s a general rule in football that is don’t go back, but in this sense Eriksen can be a rule break because he’s ridiculous and this isn’t your normal situation that has opened up.

“Eriksen being available as a free agent is an opportunity you simply can’t turn down.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

The 30-year-old’s fairy-tale return to the grass after suffering a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 has been nothing short of sublime.

According to WhoScored, he has stood out as Thomas Frank’s main man since joining in January – averaging the most key passes in the final third and best match rating per 90.

Sealing a sensational return for Eriksen could be a brilliant move by Spurs and one which would gift Conte more creativity in his starting eleven.

Already hailed as a ‘superstar’ by teammate Pontus Jansson, this move could certainly be on to watch for supporters.

In other news: Tottenham push for ‘statement’ signing as ESPN man makes five-word claim! Find out more here.

Celtic not only secured the Premiership title during Ange Postecoglou’s debut season in charge of the Hoops, they also ended the campaign with the best defensive record in the league.

In 38 top-flight matches, the Bhoys only conceded 22 goals in total, nine fewer than the next-best defence.

One man who played a massive part in the Hoops’ title-winning campaign from a defensive point of view is Carl Starfelt.

Throughout his debut season at Parkhead, the centre-back made 49 appearances across all competitions and ended up playing more minutes in the league than any other outfield player in Postecoglou’s ranks.

Starfelt ended the campaign with the second-highest number of interceptions (42) and tackles won (30), as well as the joint-second highest average of clearances (3.5) and joint-highest average for aerial duels won per game (4.2) at Parkhead.

Taking this into account, it’s safe to say that the summer recruit had a rather successful debut season with Celtic, who undoubtedly made the right decision in signing him from Rubin Kazan for a reported fee of £4m.

With the season now over and the Premiership title in the bag, the focus can now move to the upcoming summer transfer window as Postecoglou looks to improve on Celtic’s success from this campaign.

In terms of their potential summer recruitment, one man with whom the Hoops have been linked and who could slot seamessly into the team next to Starfelt is Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

Imagine him and Starfelt

A product of Manchester City’s youth system, the £6.3m-rated centre-back has had loan spells with clubs such as Blackburn Rovers, Anderlecht and Stoke City.

During his recent time with Stoke during the second half of the recently-concluded season, the 20-year-old ended the campaign with the joint-highest number of interceptions per game (1.9) and second-highest number of clearances per game (3.5) out of players currently at the Championship club.

Described as a player with “a defensive instinct” and a “warrior attitude” by his former Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray, Harwood-Bellis could be just what the Bhoys need in order to add some extra strength and depth to their squad at the back.

This shows just how important he quickly became for the Lancashire club and how capable a defender he is at such a young age.

It also makes us think that he could be a solid addition to Celtic’s squad, and he could give Postecoglou the opportunity to form a scary duo at the back next to Starfelt, which could make the Hoops even tougher to play against in 2022/23.

In other news: Big blow: Worrying behind-the-scenes development emerges, it’s bad news for Celtic

Aston Villa have made Rangers defender Calvin Bassey a priority defensive target, according to Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett.

The Lowdown: Closing in

Villa have been extremely busy when it comes to summer signings ahead of Steven Gerrard’s first full season in charge. The club are reportedly willing to spend over £150m and have already made Philippe Coutinho’s loan move permanent.

Deals for Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos have also been agreed and reports in recent days have stated that NSWE are now closing in on a move for Rangers defender Bassey.

The Latest: Bassey a top target

Sky Sports reporter Dorsett provided an update on the club’s transfer plans on Tuesday morning. He stated that Gerrard wants more after Coutinho, Kamara and Carlos, adding that Bassey is a ‘key’ target.

James Tarkowski is also name-checked in the report, however, Villa correspondent Gregg Evans has claimed that a move to the Midlands is unlikely.

The Verdict: Get it done

Bassey starred in Scotland last season, turning out as a centre-back and a left-back, two areas that could do with bolstering at Villa Park.

Providing Ashley Young and Matt Targett leave over the coming months, Lucas Digne will be the only senior left-back available to Gerrard, so Bassey would provide adequate cover.

He’d also challenge for a starting spot at centre-back, where he impressed in the Europa League final, and who knows, he could form a solid partnership with Carlos, providing a move goes through.

In other news: Villa may now move for another Rangers star after Bassey; Gerrard loves him – transfer insider. 

Celtic showed during the previous summer and winter transfer windows that they are not averse to signing players from England’s top four divisions.

One of their most recent ventures south of the border saw the Hoops secure a four-and-a-half-year deal for midfielder Matt O’Riley from MK Dons worth a reported £1.5m in January.

After just one year with the League One club, O’Riley scored 10 goals and delivered eight assists in 54 appearances before taking the next step in his career.

After arriving at Parkhead, the 21-year-old – who has represented England and Denmark at youth international level – went on to make 20 appearances for the Hoops across all competitions. In that time, the winter recruit chipped in with four goals and two assists, all of which came in the Premiership.

While it’s still early days in his Celtic career, the midfielder ended the season as the fifth-highest rated player still in Ange Postecoglou’s squad according to WhoScored, with a performance rating of 7.2/10.

Now that the summer transfer window is around the corner, this could give Celtic the chance to potentially replicate a similar sort of coup that they pulled off with O’Riley, this time for another young player with connections to the Buckinghamshire club.

Celtic interested in Sorinola

Last month, it was mentioned in an article from Wales Online that Celtic are keeping tabs on former MK Dons full-back Matthew Sorinola.

After working his way through the club’s youth ranks and making 46 senior appearances for them, during which he scored two goals and supplied six assists, the defender joined Belgian outfit Royale Union Saint Gilloise last summer.

However, despite making 14 league appearances for his new club, the 21-year-old didn’t start a single top-flight game.

Last season saw the left-back rack up the joint-highest number of crosses (106) at his previous club in League One alongside O’Riley, highlighting the danger that he can pose on the pitch.

Described as a player who is “technically right up there with anyone” at his former club, according to former MK Dons manager Russell Martin, Sorinola could have the chance to put a rather disappointing season in Belgium behind him and start a new chapter at Celtic, just as his former team-mate did in January.

If the Hoops see an opportunity to negotiate a deal for the youngster this summer, this is something they should definitely pounce upon, as he could be an impressive and exciting long-term figure in Postecoglou’s squad for the foreseeable future.

In other news: Celtic eyeing swoop for £810k-rated “thing of beauty”, it could be bye-bye Soro

Manchester United have been linked with Braga centre-back David Carmo recently, and the Brazilian could form an excellent partnership with Raphael Varane under Erik ten Hag next season.

What’s the word?

According to the Manchester Evening News, the Red Devils have already held two rounds of talks with the 22-year-old defender and have him ready as a backup plan should their move for Ajax wonderkid Jurrien Timber fall through.

Considering that Dutch news outlet De Telegraaf have reported that the latter is now considering staying at Ajax in order to boost his World Cup chances due to the regular football on offer with the Eredivisie champions, Ten Hag may well end up turning to the Braga ace as he looks to bolster his defensive options at Old Trafford.

Imagine him and Varane

Ten Hag arrives at Old Trafford with a number of defensive options. However, given the disappointing form of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof in particular, with both averaging below a 6.7 rating across the 2021/22 season from WhoScored, the 52-year-old may well be looking for a more assured partner for Varane at the heart of a back-four.

Carmo has certainly caught the eye for Braga in recent years, recovering from a serious ankle injury to play a part in their Europa League run this season, while he also averaged a solid 6.75 rating from WhoScored for his performances in the Primeira Liga.

As a left-footed centre-back, he would also offer Ten Hag something new in the centre of United’s defence, as Maguire predominantly featured on the left-hand side of the back four in the 2021/22 season and was guilty of numerous errors which led to goals.

Braga manager Carlos Carvalhal was full of praise for Carmo after he made his return from injury last season, saying: “He is a fantastic centre back, one of the best in the country. He gives us a lot defensively, but offensively he is a super player, has speed on the ball, gives speed to our game and finds players near and far with long passes. We need a player like him and we will continue to operate with him in the team.”

With a more assured, left-footed option next to him in defence, Varane could be relied upon to produce the sort of performances which made him so successful at Real Madrid.

Therefore, Ten Hag and United must consider bringing Carmo to Old Trafford this summer.

In other news… Glazers can cure big Ten Hag headache with this “unbelievable” prospective signing

Tottenham Hotspur have seen an offer for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford rejected.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Alex Turk, with the Daily Express journalist revealing in a post on Twitter that Fabio Paratici has now seen a bid for the 24-year-old winger rebuffed, with the England international believed to be in favour of remaining at Old Trafford in order to play under Erik ten Hag next season.

In his tweet, Turk said: “United have rejected an audacious Tottenham approach for Marcus Rashford. 24-year-old star wants to stay and play a part in Ten Hag’s revolution. Entering final year of current deal. Talks over a new contract expected this summer.”

Supporters will be buzzing

While it is undeniable that Rashford is a player who boasts a considerable amount of potential, considering just how poor the forward was for United last season, in addition to Spurs being linked to a number of incredibly exciting players on the left-wing this summer, the news that Paratici has seen a bid rejected for the 24-year-old is sure to have left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium faithful buzzing.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/tottenham-hotspur-latest-news-updates-transfer-rumours-gossip-spurs-thfc-conte-paratici” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, transfer rumours and more!”]

Indeed, over his 25 Premier League appearances – only 13 of which came as starts – in 2021/22, the £63m-rated winger was in incredibly poor form, scoring four goals, registering two assists and creating three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of just 0.9 shots, making 0.4 key passes and completing 0.9 dribbles.

These returns saw the £200k-per-week forward average an extremely disappointing SofaScore match rating of just 6.56, ranking him as United’s third-worst performer in the top flight of English football.

As such, when taking into account Rashford’s shocking returns last time out, in addition to the fact that the 46-time capped international is earning an extremely hefty weekly wage, it would very much appear as if Spurs have dodged something of a bullet by missing out on the 24-year-old’s signing this summer.

AND in other news: Paratici now given green light for “special” £170k-p/w Spurs signing, he’s Bastoni 2.0

Former BBC pundit Noel Whelan has hailed some Glasgow Rangers transfer news that he has now heard from Ibrox.

The Lowdown: Archer interest

As per talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, the Gers are among a number of clubs who hold an ‘interest’ in signing Cameron Archer this summer.

Middlesbrough and Watford are also thought to be interested in signing the Aston Villa striker on loan for next season.

The Latest: Whelan reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan has now given his reaction to the news, claiming that it would be an ‘exciting’ move for both Archer and the Light Blues.

The 47-year-old said: “That could be a real step up for him. He could be playing in the Champions League and fighting for a league title as well. That’s the kind of stage he will want to be playing on.

“He’s a really bright talent as well, and someone I think Rangers would get a real benefit out of.

“He’s got pace, power, goalscoring ability – I think it would be a really beneficial move for a young player. It’s an exciting move.”

The Verdict: Get it done

There seems no doubt that Archer will have plenty of interest from other teams to take him on loan next term, so Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side need to get this deal done as soon as they can.

He has recently been hailed as ‘unstoppable‘ and ‘different gravy‘ by renowned Villa YouTuber Ty Bracey after scoring with his first touch for England under-21s in a win against Albania, which is high praise indeed for the 20-year-old.

Archer also managed 11 first-team goals combined for Villa and on loan at Preston North End last term, and given that the Premier League outfit are now managed by former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard, this is one which the Teddy Bears could get over the line given the 42-year-old’s connections with both clubs.

In other news, find out which Gers attacker could now leave this summer here

Leeds United employee Noel Whelan has hailed the Whites for acting quickly in the summer transfer window, as per Football Insider.  

The Lowdown: Three players in already

Andrea Radrizzani has already backed up his promise for first-team squad improvements following a major scare last season, when the Whites needed a final-day victory to secure their Premier League status.

Leeds have brought in Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen from Red Bull Salzburg and Marc Roca from Bayern Munich. The three deals have cost a combined £52.06m, as per Transfermarkt, with a new forward now seemingly next on the agenda for Victor Orta.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Arnaud Kalimuendo and Wolves winger Adama Traore have both been heavily linked with moves to Elland Road in recent days.

The Latest: Whelan impressed

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan was full of praise for Leeds, labelling those early moves as ‘the best approach’ and ‘important’ ahead of pre-season.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-45/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The 47-year-old club ambassador chirped:

“This is the best approach for us. For me, it is the only approach that works for club, player and manager.

“It is important to get that core of players into your squad so everyone knows where they are at in pre-season. They can get settled into the area before pre-season.

“Everything starts early when it comes to transfers. It helps the squad, the manager and certainly the player. It helps them adapt. It is not a whirlwind as they know where they are before pre-season starts.”

The Verdict: Spot on

It was crucial that Leeds acted swiftly to bolster what was a slim first-team squad following a close shave with relegation. Securing three crucial senior signings early in the transfer window is a solid starting point for Jesse Marsch as he prepares for a first full season in charge at Elland Road.

There could still be two big exits in Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha, making it even more critical that signings have already been secured, with more additions looking likely.

Arsenal are reportedly monitoring the situation of their former player Serge Gnabry, as they look set to miss out on Leeds United talisman Raphinha.

What’s the word?

According to 90min’s Sean Walsh, the Gunners could potentially make a move for the Germany international this summer, with just one year remaining on his existing deal with current club Bayern Munich.

Writing on Twitter about that interest, Walsh stated: “The Gunners are keeping an eye on Serge Gnabry’s contract situation at Bayern Munich (up in 2023). They could move for their former winger with it likely that they’ll miss out on Raphinha.”

As per the corresponding article from 90min, the belief is that the 26-year-old – who left the Emirates Stadium six years ago to join Werder Bremen – could be sold by the Bundesliga giants if he does not sign a contract extension, as hinted at by Bayern director Hasan Salihamidzic.

This comes amid reports that the aforementioned Raphinha is on his way to Barcelona, despite interest from Chelsea, with the 25-year-old having been strongly linked with a move to north London in recent weeks and months.

Supporters will love it

After the disappointment of seemingly missing out on the Brazilian, moving for Gnabry would more than soften the blow, with Arsenal supporters no doubt desperate to see the £58.5m-rated forward back at the club where it all began for him.

A product of the Premier League club’s youth system, he went on to make just 18 senior appearances for the Gunners in all competitions after making his debut as a 17-year-old in 2012, notably enduring an infamous loan spell at West Bromwich Albion where he had just a solitary league outing under Tony Pulis.

A return to his homeland swiftly followed, although that decision to let him go has backfired spectacularly on the Gunners, with the £115k-per-week speedster having thrived since being snapped up by the Bundesliga outfit in 2017 after just a year in Bremen.

Having spent his first campaign with his current club on loan at Hoffenheim, the 5 foot 9 menace returned to become a key figure for the Bavarian outfit, going on to score 64 goals and provide 40 assists in 171 games over the last four seasons.

That tally includes an impressive haul of 17 goals and ten assists from the most recent campaign across all fronts, as Julian Nagelsmann’s side wrapped up a tenth successive league title. On the international stage, his record now stands at a remarkable 20 goals in just 34 games.

The versatile asset unsurprisingly compares favourably to those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, ranking in the 6% for progressive carries, the top 9% for progressive passes and the top 9% for dribbles completed, showcasing his undeniable brilliance with the ball at his feet.

Not just an attack-minded threat, however, the Stuttgart native also ranks in the top 12% for tackles made, illustrating his willingness to put in the hard yards when required – a trait which will surely earn plenty of plaudits in Mikel Arteta’s side.

With the Spaniard having already agreed a deal to sign Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City, adding Gnabry to the mix would raise excitement levels even higher, with supporters set to be overjoyed if the club can secure a homecoming for the pacy winger.

AND in other news, Arsenal now plotting record-breaking bid for £100m gem, he’d be a “superstar” signing

Leeds United are now thought to be in talks with Club Brugge over a move for Charles de Ketelaere.

The Lowdown: Phil Hay update

The Belgium international has been linked with a move to Elland Road over the last seven days, with reports suggesting that Leeds were willing to pay big for the 21-year-old’s services.

Phil Hay provided an update on Saturday, claiming that the Whites are ‘serious’ about signing the Belgian with a view to utilising him as a forward.

The 21-year-old enjoyed his best season in front of goal in 2021/22 with 18 goals and 10 assists in 49 matches, and it looks as if Leeds have now taken the next step in their bid to secure his services.

The Latest: Talks open

MOT Leeds News relayed an update from Monday’s print edition of The Daily Mail [27 June, pg. 63].

They claimed that Leeds are now ‘in talks’ with Club Brugge over a move for De Ketelaere, citing a £26m fee.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates-5/” title=”Latest Leeds United updates!” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Fingers crossed

De Ketelaere appears to fit the bill at Elland Road and could form a partnership with Patrick Bamford in a 4-2-2-2 system under Jesse Marsch, should a move go through.

He also has experience of playing anywhere in behind, on the wing or in midfield, so his versatility could be a real bonus for the Whites.

A £26m fee could also be a great piece of business when you consider that his Transfermarkt valuation has risen from £4.5m to £27m in just over two years, and with talks now underway, we could see further developments regarding a move this week.