All posts by z3u9t.icu

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in CF Montreal’s Djordje Mihailovic.

What’s the talk?

According to 1000Cuorirossoblu, PIF are plotting a swoop for the attacking midfielder at the end of the season, alongside a number of other clubs.

The report claims that Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Leverkusen and Leeds are also keen on the gem, whose contract with the MLS side expires in December 2023.

Huge Almiron upgrade

Newcastle must secure a deal to sign Mihailovic as he would be a huge upgrade on Miguel Almiron heading into the 2022/23 campaign.

In 26 Premier League appearances, Almiron has scored one goal and provided one assist for the Toon. Whilst his strike against Crystal Palace earlier this month was a terrific finish and one for the fans to enjoy at St. James’ Park, he has not been able to produce that level of quality on a consistent basis and his lack of impact in the final third is a cause for concern.

Two goal contributions in 15 league starts is a dismal return from a winger, particularly after he managed five (four goals and one assist) in 28 starts last season (34 appearances). He has not been a reliable player for the Magpies in the final third and that is why the club should be looking to sign Mihailovic to take his place in the team.

The Montreal midfielder has had a sensational start to 2022 as he has racked up four goals and two assists in eight appearances. He has averaged a sublime SofaScore rating of 7.61 as he has created 2.5 chances per game, showing that he can consistently deliver at the top end of the pitch.

This comes after he managed four goals and 14 assists in 32 starts in 2021. In the 2020/21 campaign, he created a whopping 18 ‘big chances’ and made 2.3 key passes per game and these statistics suggest that he can be a creative force for the Magpies – with journalist Chris Smith dubbing him a “gorgeous passer”.

He can, therefore, be a big upgrade on the Paraguay international if he is able to translate his form for Montreal over to the Premier League next season.

The American dynamo, who has 40 MLS goals and assists combined in his career, is also five years younger than Almiron and has scope to develop further over the years. Howe can work with him on the training pitch to hone his skills and this means that he can be a player for the short and long-term future of the club.

AND in other news, 71% duels won: £19k-p/w NUFC titan brought his “passion off the pitch” onto it vs NCFC – opinion

Former Premier League striker Marcus Bent has exclusively told Football FanCast that Declan Rice will become one of the best midfielders in the world.

Since breaking into the West Ham first-team as a teenager, Rice has become a mainstay for the Hammers, and is already attracting attention from Manchester United, who are reportedly keen on doing a potential deal that would see loanee Jesse Lingard move to the London Stadium.

Rice is currently injured following a knee problem sustained whilst away with England, but has been one of the most consistent midfielders in the Premier League this season, and hadn’t missed a minute until missing West Ham’s 3-2 win over Wolves earlier this month.

The West Ham Academy graduate’s previous contract was almost two years ago, although Rice’s deal in east London still has more than three years remaining.

With strong interest from the Premier League, Rice could leave West Ham this summer, and Bent has tipped the midfield man to go right to the very top.

He told Football FanCast:

“There’s rumours that he might be moving, so that would be a big hit for West Ham.

“He plays well for England, and he’s one to look forward to in the future, well even now with more experience, but with the way he’s going I think he will be one of the world’s best.”

When Celtic finally announce their new manager in the coming weeks or months, the person they hire will have a huge job on their hands.

Not only will they be tasked with reviving a giant that’s fallen from its pedestal this term, but they will also likely have to address a mass exodus at Parkhead.

Odsonne Edouard is set to be the most high profile departure. The Frenchman has scored 20 goals this term but could be on his way out of the Hoops with Premier League clubs aplenty chasing his signature.

Trying to replace him will be an uphill struggle. The Bhoys will be losing their top scorer from the last few seasons after all.

One player they’ve looked at is Sunderland forward Charlie Wyke. The striker is out of contract in a few months time and could arrive on a free transfer.

With no price involved, it would be risk-free for someone who’s been so potent in England’s third tier.

He’s scored 30 strikes for the Black Cats this season, living up to the “clinical” label that manager Lee Johnson has thrown his way this year.

A robust striker, Wyke is impeccable in the air. 12 of his 25 league goals have been scored with his head in 2020/21, which can only mean one thing; he’s a set-piece threat.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-howe-lampard-klimala-ajer-gossip” title= “Read the latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

For someone like David Turnbull, this has the potential to be game-changing.

The Scot has been one of the very few positives from Celtic’s arduous season, bagging nine goals and registering seven assists.

He is a weapon from dead-ball scenarios and who finds himself stood over free-kicks and corners.

Adding Wyke to their squad could be highly beneficial for a team who until recently, hadn’t been potent from set-plays since the Martin O’Neill era.

After the first few months of the current campaign Celtic were averaging 0.7 set-piece goals and 5.4 set-piece attempts on goal per 90 compared to 0.5 and 4.5 per 90 in 2019-20.

Throw Wyke into the mix, therefore, and they could be an ever bigger threat when Turnbull puts the ball down in a promising area.

Celtic need all the help they can get if they’re to reclaim their dominance of Scottish football again. If it’s set-pieces and a more aerial route to goal that gets them back where they belong then so be it.

Either way, Wyke knows his way to goal and that can only be a good thing for the Bhoys.

AND in other news, Forget Mourinho: Celtic can dominate again if Desmond hires 42 y/o with “big emotions”…

Newcastle United have made an enquiry for Aston Villa left-back Matt Targett.

That’s according to 90min, and their update has had a number of Villa fans talking on social media.

Targett has been a regular for Steven Gerrard in recent months, missing just two games under the Villa boss. The 26-year-old signed a new Villa Park contract last year through to 2025 but could now be second choice following Lucas Digne’s arrival.

Targett dropped to the bench against Manchester United last weekend for Digne to make his debut after his move from Everton, and it seems as if Newcastle are keen on the Englishman as a result.

90min revealed on Wednesday that the Magpies have approached Villa over a possible move for Targett, who could now be available to leave the Midlands.

Villa fans react

Both The AVFC Faithful and Total Villa shared the news regarding Targett on Twitter. This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with one wanting Allan Saint-Maximin in any deal.

“I’ll drive him up to Scotland myself”

Credit: @BenevolentBarry

“Saint-Max swap deal”

Credit: @charliepowellm1

“No way does Targett get sold. You don’t solve a problem then unsolve it immediately. Summer may be a different matter”

Credit: @TheHolte1874

“Crazy to sell him as we can’t just have Ash. Matt is great backup and would hope he wants to fight for his place rather than go elsewhere!”

Credit: @k1eranw

“No. Targett is ahead of Young on the pecking order for LB by a long shot. It would be silly for him to be sold.”

Credit: @AvfcUncut

“We want a squad now. So he has to stay unless he wants to go.”

Credit: @ch1992_ch

In other news: ‘Give them what they want’ – Many Villa fans flock to transfer update on potential ‘superstar’. 

Mark Warburton has hinted that he will not be making a move to bring Alex Pritchard to Queen Park Rangers this summer.

What’s been said?

In an interview with The Mirror, the QPR boss opened up on a number of the transfer rumours that are currently surrounding the club, including The Rs’ reported interest in the recently released Huddersfield Town midfielder Alex Pritchard.

However, despite heaping a considerable amount of praise on the 28-year-old, Warburton went on to suggest that his side would not be making move for the £2.52m-rated man this summer.

He said: “As for Alex Pritchard, I know him really well. He’s a very talented player. I see us getting linked with him all the time. But don’t forget we’ve got the likes of Ilias Chair, Chris Willock and George Thomas – so we’ve got that type of player in the building already.

“I’ve got enormous respect for Alex. He’s a top lad and a top player but as I say we’ve got players in that position already.”

Fans will be buzzing

Despite showing a significant amount of promise as a youngster, being dubbed a “talented” player by his former Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Christian Eriksen, since making an £11.12m move to Huddersfield back in January of 2018, it would be a fair claim to make that Pritchard has not quite lived up to his price tag.

Over his 83 appearances in all competitions for the Terriers, the former Tottenham man scored just three goals and registered three assists for the club – having last found the back of the net when Huddersfield were still in the top flight.

The 28-year-old was once again in extremely disappointing form over his 18 Championship appearances last term, scoring no goals and providing no assists, as well as creating just one big chance and averaging a mere 0.1 shots on target per game.

These metrics saw the midfielder earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.60, ranking him as the club’s joint 11th-worst performer in the second tier.

As such, considering these lacklustre displays, in addition to the fact that, as Warburton suggests, QPR already own the likes of Chair, Willock and Thomas who can operate in attacking midfield, as well as the potential issue of the former England U21 international’s wage demands – having been on £30k-per-week at Huddersfield –  the fact the 58-year-old does not seem to fancy a move for Pritchard is likely to have fans of the club buzzing.

In other news: QPR handed huge transfer boost over “top drawer” target that’ll have Warburton buzzing

Many Everton fans have been left very unhappy with a manager update involving Lucien Favre.

As per The Guardian, the Goodison Park faithful had expressed an interest in him becoming their new manager over the last few days, but sources have indicated that he is not willing to take a job in the near future.

Favre has achieved a lot in his managerial career so far, with no fewer than five trophies to his name,while he has also managed some of the best clubs in the Bundesliga in Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Monchengladbach and Hertha Berlin (Transfermarkt).

However, the possibility of him becoming the next coach on Merseyside seems to be ruled out given that he does not want a job right now, meaning that it looks more likely that former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will become the new Toffees manager.

Everton fans on Favre manager update

These Blues supporters fumed as the manager update was shared on Twitter:

“Hahhaha someone just nuke us honestly”

Credit: @bluesofgoodison

“Cheers son’s crying”

Credit: @ChadSideB

“Too late, well done Everton missed the chance again”

Credit: @Adamefc95

“Always give us hope and crush it”

Credit: @efcjosh___

“The slither of hope is gone I’m off to sit in a dark room and listen to James Blunt.”Credit: @Danny_EFC6″Wait wait hang on I thought he was going to us & Palace & now it’s a break”Credit: @Thomas33466234In other news, find out what manager update has left EFC fans raging here!

Aston Villa could sign a second exciting young talent from a fellow Premier League club in Chelsea starlet Valentino Livramento.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days and weeks have been dominated by Villa’s pursuit of Arsenal playmaker Emile Smith Rowe, with suggestions that they had put in a second bid for the England youth international.

According to Goal, the Midlands club are also eyeing up a move for 18-year-old right-back Livramento this summer, with the likes of RB Leipzig, Southampton, Brighton and Milan all keen on landing the teenager.

Imagine him and Smith Rowe

The fact that Villa returned with a second bid for Smith Rowe speaks volumes of the ambitious intent they are showing under NSWE this summer, having already secured deals for Emi Buendia and Ashley Young.

In the 5 foot 8 Livramento, they would be getting another superb young addition. Dubbed as a “huge talent”, the England youth international has even captained the Young Lions, playing through the under-16s all the way up to the under-19s.

A profile piece on Chelsea’s official website stated: “Tino Livramento is a defender who plays predominantly at right-back or right wing-back, from where he likes to get forward and attack.

“2020/21 saw Livramento become regular for the development squad, and while still available for our youth team, by January he had contributed eight assists and two goals in 14 Academy outings from various positions on his favoured right side of the pitch.”

Chelsea’s Champions League-winning boss Thomas Tuchel hasn’t been shy in voicing his delight at Livramento’s potential, saying: “I love the academy boys. We have Anjorin and Livramento regularly joining training. The academy has outstanding quality. Every club who has young guys constantly coming in making it, it creates a bond in the club and supporters.”

If Villa could snare the 18-year-old away from Stamford Bridge and also somehow get the Gunners to part ways with Smith Rowe this summer, then Dean Smith could have two more bright young English talents to add to the likes of Louie Barry and Carney Chukwuemeka.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has dropped a transfer update on this Premier League player Villa are targeting…

A number of Liverpool fans have been left stunned after Mohamed Salah lost out on the Premier League Player of the Month award to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Salah has enjoyed an incredible start to the season for the Reds, standing out as arguably the best player in the world on current form, producing a stunning performance at home to Manchester City last weekend.

The 29-year-old has chipped in with six goals and three assists in the Premier League, not to mention a further three goals in the Champions League.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375258″]

Despite Salah’s brilliance, he has somehow missed out on the Player of the Month award for September, which is a fan-voted prize.

Instead, Ronaldo took home the award, even though he only scored three times and didn’t register a single assist.

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Liverpool fans livid at Salah news

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to show their outrage at the final result, claiming Salah has been robbed.

“Salah, arguably the best player in the world right now, who does everything for Liverpool can’t win PL player of the month because of Ronaldo. Feel bad for Mo”

Credit: @RebelYelliex

“That’s absolutely farcical, Ronaldo was useless in most matches he played but scored a few taps ins, Salah was far better than him this month”

Credit: @Corballyred

“Who else? Is that a joke?”

Credit: @siaaannnnnn

“Ronaldo scored 3 goals, got 0 assists and failed to make the difference at home vs Aston Villa and Everton but wins POTM. As we’ve come to learn in the last few years, never trust a large pool of eligible voters to pick the right outcome. *cough* Brexit *cough*”

Credit: @AdamDoyleSport

“Absolute disgrace”

Credit: @_SalahSzn

“This is rubbish…pure rubbish…”

Credit: @ogbuefiubom

In other news, some Liverpool fans have reacted to a Salah-related contract update. Read more here.

Many Wolves fans have been left lauding a transfer update involving Leon Bailey.

As per Bild, the Midlands club have made an offer to sign the Bayer Leverkusen winger in the summer window, along with both Aston Villa and Leicester City.

However, he will not be sold for anything less than €35m (£29.8m), and Villa look to be the favourites at the moment.

Bailey scored a very impressive 15 goals and made a further 11 assists in 40 games in total over all competitions across the 2020/21 season (Transfermarkt), and at just 23 years of age, the Jamaica international surely has the potential to become a truly top player.

Thus, it is not a surprise to see so many members of the Molineux faithful buzzing over his potential signing.

Wolves fans on Bailey transfer update

These WWFC supporters lauded the transfer update as it was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that signing Bailey for £29.8m would be a ‘bargain’:

“Not going to happen, but this would be an incredible signing”

Credit: @GreggHill06

“Honestly so keen for this. Come on @wolves”

Credit: @OldManWolves

“Imagine”

Credit: @DanBossman66

“Yess please!!”

Credit: @_meeerick

“BALLER BAILEYY”

Credit: @SlickRiic

“£35m is a bargain, especially if £7m is going to Mendes and his Da”

Credit: @TonyWilde99

In other news, find out what other transfer update has been lauded by Wanderers here!

Manchester United have suffered a potentially fatal blow in their hopes to sign Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier this summer.

What’s the story?

The Red Devils have been linked with a move for the 30-year-old throughout the summer as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to add some cover and competitions for first-choice right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

However, it’s now looking increasingly unlikely that Trippier will return to English shores in the current window, with Spanish outlet AS claiming the La Liga outfit have informed United that he’s not for sale.

Their report states: “Strength at the back remains at the heart of the team’s identity and an asset which they don’t take for granted. Precisely for that reason, the club has made it clear that they are not prepared to enter negotiations with any club for Kieran Trippier.

“The answer from Atlético to every single inquiry about the English right-back has been a resounding No. Atleti have had to explain several times that Trippier is an important player for the team in their defence of the title and he isn’t for sale.”

It concludes by revealing the only way for any interested party can prize the full-back away from Wanda Metropolitano is by meeting the €60m (£51m) buyout clause in his contract.

Solskjaer will be gutted

Trippier has established himself as a top-class right-back in recent years following a string of impressive performances for both Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid.

The technically gifted workhorse has also made a name for himself on the international stage, scoring in England’s World Cup semi-final defeat against Croatia and catching the eye of the Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.

“His quality on the ball is outstanding,” said Southgate following a pre-World Cup friendly against Nigeria back in 2018.

“There were two set-plays, the one just before the goal – a free-kick bang on the money – then the corner for Gary. It was a great delivery. But we also know his quality on the ball when he’s in the final third.

“Kieran has outstanding quality, and that kind of profile in that position is very important.”

Therefore, Solskjaer is likely to be gutted at this latest revelation. While Wan-Bissaka’s defensive qualities are unquestionable, the former Crystal Palace gem struggles with the attacking aspect of his game.

In the modern era, full-backs are judged on their attacking output as much as the one in and around their own penalty area, meaning Trippier would have been a very useful alternative option for the Norwegian tactician this season.

The Euro 2020 finalist would’ve been an ideal option to offer healthy competition to his fellow countryman at right-back and ultimately, that would have only helped push the club closer to their rivals in the title race this season.

As a result, Solskjaer could rue this development.

And, in other news…Ole must ruthlessly axe £7.2m-rated Man Utd flop this month, he’s been shocking