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Flocking to Twitter, these West Ham United fans have reacted to a transfer update involving their club and Flamengo striker Gabriel Barbosa.

David Moyes’s side, looking to end their year-long search for a new striker after the sale of Sebastien Haller last January, are reportedly eyeing Michail Antonio alternatives ahead of the winter window next month.

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It is believed that one of West Ham’s transfer priorities is a forward alongside the addition of a new centre-half and potentially Jesse Lingard (The Evening Standard), with the likes of Adam Hlozek and Divock Origi apparently on the agenda (ExWHUemployee).

Other forwards are also being considered as Eurosport journalist Dean Jones shares the latest. According to his information, West Ham are keen on South American forward Barbosa who has been in fine form for Flamengo over 2021.

It is believed he could even become available on a loan deal as the Irons and Moyes weigh up short term striker additions.

Irons react…

Given Barbosa has racked up a brilliant 29 goals over the calendar year in all competitions, it’s hardly surprising that some supporters see him as a would-be ‘dream’ signing.

However, some also believe that a loan would be difficult to pull off – find all of their reactions to the development down below:

“This would be the dream for me”

Credit: @AlfieMax_WHU

“YEEEEEES GABIGOL”

Credit: @brad_hass4

“Get him in West ham”

Credit: @Jinglis01492553

“A loan would be awesome but I just don’t see it happening.”

Credit: @NeilFitzUk

“Loan would be excellent, but this reeks of Bacca!”

Credit: @WhufcSloth

“here we go again”

Credit: @whujoe

In other news: ‘Can’t wait’, ‘Best news today’…ExWHUemployee’s ‘amazing’ update has many West Ham fans buzzing, find out more here.

West Ham United have failed in their attempts to bring Duje Caleta-Car to the London Stadium in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a recent claim made by Claret & Hugh, with the West Ham insider revealing in a recent post that, despite David Moyes’ side’s continued attempts to find an agreement with Olympique de Marseille regarding a deal for the centre-back, sources on both sides of the transfer have stated that a compromise between the two clubs does not look likely to be reached.

It is reported that the Hammers are looking to take the 25-year-old on a loan to buy deal, while Marseille are only willing to part with the Croatia international for an up front fee of £15m.

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In their post, Claret & Hugh said: “West Ham are believed to have finally missed out on signing Croatian central defender Duje Caleta-Car. The Hammers have been chasing the player for several weeks and are likely to continue doing so up until the end of the window.

“But Claret & Hugh’s information from both sides of the deal is that Marseille are unwilling to do a loan to buy option and continue to insist on a £15 million permanent deal. The Hammers have made it clear they have no interest in such a deal at this point and want to take a look at the player over the remainder of the season.

“We are planning to pursue things until the end of the window but Marseille sources insist no deal other than a permanent switch is considered suitable.”

Moyes can kiss top four goodbye

With West Ham’s absolute priority targets in the January transfer window having been a new centre-forward and a new centre-back – neither of which Moyes has managed to land – the news that the Premier League side are set to miss out on a defender they have been pursuing for a large portion of the current market is sure to have left Hammers fans livid with their club’s strategy this winter.

Indeed, with a little under 36 hours until the transfer window closes on Monday evening, each hour that passes from now on looks to reduce the club’s likelihood of bringing a new centre-back to the London Stadium this winter – meaning the stalemate with Marseille regarding a deal for Caleta-Car appears to have been extremely important time wasted.

And, with the Hammers pushing for a top-four finish in the league this season, should Moyes indeed fail to bring in both a new centre-back and centre-forward this month, the Scot may as well kiss goodbye to the prospect of Champions League football next season now – as the 58-year-old’s squad simply does not have enough strength in depth to maintain a top-four push in its current state.

In other news: “I can confirm…”: ExWHUemployee drops huge transfer update, WHU fans will be buzzing

Some Glasgow Rangers fans were far from happy with the performance of Kemar Roofe during the first half of the Old Firm derby on Sunday.

Technically, the clash against Celtic has nothing riding on it. The Gers have already clinched the Premiership title, while the Bhoys cannot be caught in second. However, this is one of the fiercest rivalries in football – every match between the two has an edge, and the Hoops will surely be eager to end the Gers’ chances of going the entire league season unbeaten.

In the first half, however, Roofe vexed plenty of the Ibrox faithful. He was too often on the periphery of the play and even looked totally uninterested at times, giving away the ball several times and committing cheap fouls, even if he did score the deflected opener which was soon cancelled out. Steven Gerrard and co will be expecting a better overall performance from the former Leeds man against this calibre of opponent.

These fans were disappointed in what they saw from the 28-year-old aside from his goal, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about Roofe

“Kemar Roofe has done nothing since the wonder strike”

Credit: @martin_william

“If we can get the rumoured £5m or so we paid for him this summer, I’d sell him without a second thought sadly. Too often unfit, injured or uninterested.”

Credit: @kid_duncan

“Maybe unpopular opinion but if we could get our money back selling Roofe I think we should do it.”

Credit: @Daviemcniven

“Roofe gives away 50 fouls a game. Absolute waste of a jersey”

Credit: @JaySeeKayy

“Roofe about half a yard off it everytime, I don’t think he’s properly fit”

Credit: @EuanCOfficial

“Roofe just slows the game down and gives the ball away”

Credit: @FinlayV3

In other news, Ally McCoist slams this man’s comments.

Finance expert Kieran Maguire, featured on Sky Sports, believes the decision to operate a Celtic B team in the Lowland League has been a worthwhile venture. 

The lowdown: Here to stay

Having originally been trialled as a pilot scheme to develop Scottish youngsters, clubs recently voted for the participation of the young Hoops and Rangers sides to continue for the 2022/23 campaign.

Neither side can be promoted or earn relegation but the lure of competitive action has been preferred over the original academy style setup.

Following a report from the Daily Record confirming that the Lowland League had received a financial boost in the wake of the Old Firm’s inclusion, Maguire has given his view.

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The verdict: Good deal for all parties

Speaking to Football Insider, the regular contributor for Sky Sports suggested that the decision has proven to be a hit.

“It was a successful experiment, at the end of the day,” Maguire said.

“The fact the Lowlands League wants it to continue shows that the benefits outweigh any detriment.

“They will have also benefited from higher attendances because people will come to see the Colts teams when they are in town.

“It hasn’t held back the Lowlands League teams themselves.

“They have probably upped their game because it is a feather in the cap to beat Rangers or Celtic, even if it is the Colts teams.”

The verdict: Positive early signs

Whilst it’s difficult to quantify the fruits of the B team’s labour just yet, Celtic certainly appear to have a very promising collection of youngsters on the books at present.

The likes of Mikey Johnston, Dane Murray and Karamoko Dembele have all emerged as options for Ange Postecoglou’s side at various points this season whilst supremely talented teenager Ben Doak recently earned a high profile switch to Premier League giants Liverpool.

Continuing to blood the Lennoxtown youngsters in a competitive environment can only be a positive for the future at Parkhead and it would appear to also be a huge financial boost to the lower reaches of the Scottish football pyramid – win-win.

In other news, a journalist has provided a worrying Celtic transfer update. Read more here.

According to recent reports, there is a 75% probability that Tottenham Hotspur go on to sign Marcel Sabitzer this summer.

The report by Bild (via Sport Witness) claims that, with Sabitzer’s contract set to expire in the summer of 2022 and with RB Leipzig aware that the 27-year-old will not be signing an extension, the Bundesliga side could look to offload the midfielder this summer.

Furthermore, it is stated that the Austria international would like to leave the German club in the next transfer window, with a switch to the Premier League being his goal. It is also claimed that, with no release clause present in his contract at Leipzig, Julian Nagelsmann’s side will be demanding a fee of around €42m (£36m) to part with the 27-year-old.

Finally, it is claimed that Daniel Levy will have enough cash to fund a move for the £78,000-per-week midfielder as long as Spurs manage to sell Dele Alli, with Bild claiming that there is a 75% probability that Sabitzer’s switch to Tottenham goes through.

Transfer Tavern Take

With Mourinho thought to be a fan of Sabitzer, while the 58-year-old appears to hold a very different view on Alli – whom he has handed just two Premier League starts so far this season – it is not a difficult scenario to imagine that the Spurs manager will be doing all he can to persuade Levy to get a deal done for the Austrian midfielder this summer.

However, with Levy reluctant to offload Alli in previous transfer windows, as well as Mourinho’s future in north London not appearing to be particularly certain, whether or not the Spurs chairman gives in to the will of the Portuguese manager remains to be seen.

In other news: Levy is set to battle several PL clubs for the signing of ‘the next Zlatan Ibrahimovic’ – find out more here!

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been reacting to comments from Jason Leitch that stadia in Scotland could be at full capacity by the start of the 2021/22 season.

The previous campaign was a magnificent one for the Gers as they won the Premiership for the first time in 10 years while also not losing a single game in the league. However, their supporters were unfortunately unable to follow the 55-time Scottish champions live due to the global pandemic.

We are now fast approaching the start of the 2021/22 season, and Leitch, the National Clinical Director of the Scottish Government, has now provided an update on potential crowd numbers at football stadia in Scotland. Surprisingly, he has revealed that grounds in the country could be able to hold full capacity from August 10 (via STV).

The news was shared on Twitter by @STVNews, and it attracted plenty of attention from Gers supporters. These took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on the claim, with many unconvinced that a full-capacity return will happen so soon.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about the claim from Leitch

“Collect your new laptop and bike upon entry”

Credit: @simonmcq

“Are they bamming people up? Good PR for a couple of days then fans will not be allowed in and they will forget they said it.”

Credit: @scottgraham89

“What planet is the Dentist on? He knows full well this will never happen. Absolutely not a hope in hell. A very dangerous man with a loose tongue”

Credit: @SilverB35036766

“There is zero chance of this happening. Only UEFA officials and rugby fans can go to matches.”

Credit: @Bob27551627

“The word ‘could’ is doing a hell of a heavy lifting in that sentence…”

Credit: @scottberwick

“Let’s be honest. It’s not happening”

Credit: @B4ZZ_B0W5K1

In other news, Rangers are set to ramp up their interest in this 27-year-old.

Liverpool have made the first move in their attempts to bring Otavio to Anfield this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Portuguese publication A Bola (via Sport Witness), who claim that Jurgen Klopp’s side have made an offer of €23m (£20m) plus Marko Grujic for the FC Porto attacking midfielder.

However, the report goes on to state that Porto have no intention of agreeing a deal for Otavio that includes the Liverpool midfielder, and instead have informed the Reds that they will have to pay Otavio’s €40m (£34m) release clause if they wish to sign the 26-year-old this summer.

Coutinho 2.0

Considering just how impressive Otavio was for Porto last season, it is unsurprising to learn of Liverpool’s interest in the former Brazil U23 international.

Indeed, over his 26 Liga NOS appearances for Sergio Conceicao’s side last term, the £21.6m-rated man scored three goals, registered eight assists and created eight big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.4 shots and making 1.7 key passes per game.

These returns saw the £29k-per-week midfielder earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.30, ranking him as Porto’s third-best performer in the top flight of Portuguese football.

There are clear comparisons that can be drawn between the 26-year-old and Liverpool former star attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho, with Otavio’s strengths being noted as his ball control, his playmaking and his consistency, traits that have also been attributed to the Barcelona player.

Indeed, the two players are also capable of operating from a number of positions across the front line and midfield, with Otavio having been fielded from left, central, right and attacking midfield, as well as at left-wing and as a support striker last season.

As such, if Liverpool do go on to get a deal over the line for the Porto star this summer, Klopp would be gaining a type of player he has not really possessed since the sale of Coutinho back in 2018, with Otavio very much appearing to be a talent that the German manager would love.

In other news: Liverpool make an official bid for “extraordinary” £43m dynamo, fans will be buzzing

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Howey, who made 270 appearances during his career, has backed the Newcastle United Supporters trust who are trying to raise enough money to buy a 1% stake in the club, once Mike Ashley leaves.

The trust believes they will require about £3 million to have enough money to purchase a 1% ownership in the club, once new owners come in.

The initiative has already more than £50,000 and is being backed by people such as Alan Shearer, Rob Lee and George Caulkin, who is an ambassador for the move, and considering his strong links to Amanda Staveley that appears a smart move.

Speaking on why there’s nothing wrong with fans trying to own some of their club and what should happen to the money if they aren’t successful, Howey told FFC:

“I think there’s nothing wrong with actually trying to do it but obviously you’ve got fans that will be thinking ‘what’s the point’ and that it’s a waste of time.

“If you can raise enough funds for it then it’ll be absolutely brilliant but if the new owners don’t want the money that’s been raised then surely it can go to different charities around Newcastle.”

Mike Ashley thought he had eventually sold the club almost 12 months ago when he accepted a big from PCP Capital Partners, only for the Premier League to block the deal.

The Magpies currently sit six points above the relegation zone with just seven games remaining which will keep Ashley’s valuation of the club intact.

A club from England are reportedly eyeing an ambitious move to sign Rangers ace Jermain Defoe once the summer transfer window opens.

The Lowdown: Defoe not signed new deal

Defoe has still not put pen to paper on a new deal in Glasgow, leaving his future at Ibrox in doubt.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United striker remains in talks with Steven Gerrard’s team over a new contract, as his existing one is about to expire, but while that has not been signed, other clubs are swarming over the Scottish Premiership champions in order to try and pinch him away.

The Latest: Ipswich eye Defoe

As per Football Insider, Ipswich Town are reportedly eyeing a swoop for Defoe should he not sign a new deal with the Light Blues.

A source from the EFL League One side have claimed that they are ready to make an ambitious move to sign the 38-year-old, and offer him a big-money contract to fire them to promotion next term.

The Verdict: Rangers should let Defoe go

While it would no doubt be a tough decision by the Gers to let Defoe go, logically it would make a lot of sense.

Currently earing £30,000-per-week at Ibrox, one of the highest wages out of the entire squad, it is simply too much to be paying a player who is not first choice, giving that he has only played in a mere 20 games in total over all competitions over the course of the 2020/21 term (Transfermarkt).

Those wages saved can be used to invest elsewhere in the squad, as Gerrard’s men look to kick on from such a great season.

Defoe has certainly been a great servant to the Gers and British football as a whole, with Kevin Campbell recently describing the striker as ‘amazing’ over the course of his career.

However, the Light Blues need to be ruthless in this situation, and so it should be time to say goodbye to the Englishman.

In other news, find out what Gerrard update has left Gers buzzing here!

An update has emerged on West Bromwich Albion centre-back Dara O’Shea’s injury.

What’s the latest?

According to a report by the Express & Star, O’Shea has been ruled out of action for around six months, after it was revealed the defender had fractured his ankle, as well as sustaining ligament damage, during the Republic of Ireland’s 2-1 defeat to Portugal last week.

Initial reports had claimed that it was actually the 22-year-old’s knee that had sustained injury, while also suggesting the knock would keep O’Shea out for four months, however, these reports now appear to be wide of the mark.

Ismael will be devastated

Considering just how impressive O’Shea has been for West Brom so far this season, the fact that the centre-back looks set to miss up to half a year of first-team action, rather than the four months previously reported, is sure to have left Ismael devastated.

Indeed, over his five Championship appearances, the £2.7m-rated defender has helped his side keep two clean sheets, as well as making an average of 2.2 interceptions, 2.4 tackles, 3.6 clearances and winning 10.2 duels per game.

The man Dan Watts dubbed a “fantastic” player has also impressed going forwards, bagging two goals and taking an average of 1.2 shots per match.

These metrics have seen the Irishman earn an average SofaScore match rating of 7.26, ranking him as the club’s third-best player in the second tier so far this term.

As such, it would certainly appear as if the sooner O’Shea recovers the better for West Brom, however, with Ismael recently sealing the signing of free agent Kean Bryan, at least the club have made attempts to replace the 22-year-old in the Frenchman’s squad.

In other news: Ismael drops hint on “exceptional” £7.2m-rated ace, West Brom fans will be buzzing