All posts by z3u9t.icu

According to a report by Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via Football Italia, Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona have made contact with Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne’s agent amid his contract dispute.

The Lowdown: Italian job?

Tottenham have been linked with a plethora of Italian players since managing director Fabio Paratici was appointed as the club’s managing director.

Indeed, the likes of Manuel Locatelli and Domenico Berardi have both been mentioned, while Leonardo Bonucci is also said be on Spurs’ radar.

The Latest: Spurs make Insigne contact…

As per Corriere dello Sport, Spurs have made contact with Insigne’s agent over a possible swoop to sign him this summer.

La Liga giants Barcelona are also said to have reached out to the Italy star’s representatives amid his sensational form for Roberto Mancini’s side at Euro 2020.

Insigne has been a mainstay in the Azzurri’s starting XI throughout the tournament and has dazzled with some memorable displays, most recently bagging a sumptuous finish in the quarter-finals against Belgium.

Back at his club, things are less rosy, with the 3o-year-old said to be in the middle of a contract dispute. The winger is allegedly set for complicated discussions and wants a pay rise on his current €5m-a-year (£4.2m) wages.

His deal at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona expires in 2022 and Napoli are keen to extend Insigne’s stay, but both Spurs and Barca have reached out to his entourage amid these talks.

The Verdict: Amazing, but unlikely…

Tottenham securing Insigne this summer would be an unbelievable coup.

The attacker, once likened to Lionel Messi for his dribbling by Goran Pandev (Radio Marte via ESPN), has also been on fire at club level, scoring 19 goals and setting up seven others in 33 Serie A starts over 2020/21 (WhoScored).

Valued at around £43.2m by Transfermarkt, we believe a move for him this summer could be unlikely due to Spurs’ financial difficulties and their need for a centre-back. However, with his deal set to run out at the end of next season as it stands, this could be one for January.

In other news: ‘Understand’…Alasdair Gold backs reports of big news coming out of Tottenham, find out more here.

Many Crystal Palace fans took aim at Jack Butland during their Premier League clash with Southampton on Wednesday night. 

Prior to this game, Butland’s only competitive action under Patrick Vieira had come in an EFL Cup defeat to Watford back in August.

He’d been on the bench for every league game, playing second fiddle to Vicente Guaita.

But Vieira opted to bench the Spaniard against the Saints at Selhurst Park, finally handing Butland a chance to impress.

Butland struggles vs Southampton

The Englishman’s SofaScore rating of 6.2 was the joint-lowest in the Palace starting XI.

Only five of the 14 long passes he attempted during the game were accurate, while he conceded as many goals as he made saves (two).

What’s more, London News Online journalist Richard Cawley noted that Butland touched the James Ward-Prowse free-kick that made it 1-1 – as good as the strike was, you expect to save it when you get a hand to it.

Here’s what Palace fans on Twitter made of the ‘keeper’s display.

These Crystal Palace fans critical of Butland

“Well if we wanted to know why Butland hasn’t got many minutes there’s our answer”

Credit: @BrosterJr11

“Butland make a save challenge”

Credit: @palacecarl

“New plan. Pull Butland. Clearly hasn’t gotten over his yips.”

Credit: @CPFC703

“Ok, time to retire Butland”

Credit: @staycmaria

“Yeah Butland aint it”

Credit: @saucyzaha

“Vieira should know Butland was only OP in FIFA”

Credit: @MrBloodclaat

In other news, fans erupted over this footage. 

Signing Cameron Carter-Vickers permanently will be a priority for Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou in the coming months, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Influential Hoops figure

The 24-year-old has been magnificent for the Hoops this season, having joined on loan from Tottenham during last year’s summer transfer window.

Carter-Vickers has been a rock at the heart of Celtic’s defence, starting 28 Scottish Premiership matches, averaging 4.2 clearances per game and even scoring four goals, unsurprisingly ranking as one of the squad’s five best players.

There is interest in the American from numerous clubs in England ahead of the summer, however, as Postecoglou tries to tie him down to a permanent move.

The Latest: Journalist positive about move

Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke claimed that Celtic will be working hard on signing Carter-Vickers, suggesting the manager is personally a big fan:

“I’m sure Celtic will be hoping to tie this deal up as soon as possible. They’ll want it done before Premier League clubs could maybe come in and offer more money for Carter-Vickers.

“I think it will be one of Postecoglou’s top priorities to get this deal done.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/key-latest-celtic-updates-2/” title=”Key latest Celtic updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Get it done

This is one of those transfers that feels like a complete no-brainer, with Carter-Vickers fitting in seamlessly at Parkhead and Spurs surely willing to let him leave – they have loaned him out to seven different clubs during his career.

The biggest threat is that interest from Premier League clubs turns the defender’s head, but he feels settled at Celtic and he is on the cusp of winning a double in his first year there, with reports from The Daily Record saying his camp are happy in Glasgow.

It would be a big blow to miss out on acquiring Carter-Vickers’ signature permanently now – he has been described as ‘immense’ by Chris Sutton – but all signs are pointing towards this one being done.

In other news, a pundit has discussed potential interest in one Celtic hero. Read more here.

An update has emerged on Atletico Madrid right-back Kieran Trippier, regarding Newcastle United’s interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to The Mirror, the Magpies are eyeing up a swoop for the defender as Eddie Howe wants to bolster his squad and dressing room.

The report claims that they believe that they will be able to tempt him into making the switch from the Spanish giants to return to England, with Atletico said to be wanting £30m for his signature.

Janmaat 2.0

Howe could land Newcastle’s Daryl Janmaat 2.0 and a player the fans will love with a deal to sign Trippier from Atletico in the January transfer window.

The Dutchman played two full Premier League seasons for the Magpies during his time at the club and was an excellent performer prior to his move to Watford in 2016. In those campaigns, he managed an impressive three goals and ten assists from right-back, whilst averaging at least 3.9 tackles and interceptions per game.

This shows that he was an attacking right-back who could also make an impact defensively in terms of winning the ball back for his side. In Trippier, Howe could find another player who is capable of doing exactly that for Newcastle in the top-flight.

The England international has racked up ten assists for Atletico since the start of the 2019/20 campaign and produced one goal and three assists in his final Premier League season for Tottenham. He also averaged 3.6 tackles and interceptions per match in La Liga last term, showing that – as Janmaat did – he has the quality to affect the game at both ends of the pitch.

Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate hailed him as an underrated player earlier this year. He said:

“He (Trippier) is a very underrated player. People are still looking at the player from a few years ago and not at the one who is at Atletico Madrid and playing like a warrior in the last few seasons. He is a big part of what we’ve done over the last few years and he gave a really good performance.”

Newcastle fans would love him at St. James’ Park if Southgate’s comments on him are accurate.

His defensive and attacking statistics suggest that he would be bombing up and down the right side and this coupled with him being a ‘warrior’ could endear him to the home support. Supporters surely want to see players who give their all on the pitch whilst also offering quality and the evidence suggests Trippier can do exactly that.

AND in other news, Newcastle played a blinder with dream £7m deal for colossus who “gives everything”…

Finding a new striker could be atop Leeds United’s priorities during the summer transfer window.

At least that’s what manager Jesse Marsch recently alluded to earlier this month, telling reporters (via LeedsLive):

“In terms of the position [centre-forward], we have some talented players there and we have some flexibility with all the players we have upfront, but yes, we might need to look to find another attacker or two and one specifically that is a number nine.”

Since then, an intriguing name has emerged as a potential candidate in the form of ex-loanee Eddie Nketiah, who remains out of contract at Arsenal in the summer.

As relayed by TEAMtalk editor James Marshment, reports have surfaced linking the Yorkshire giants with a move for the England U21 international during the off-season, whilst he also tweeted out his thoughts on the matter, claiming:

“Eddie Nketiah to Leeds rumours circulating again. Honestly think he’d be a decent option for us on a free. Knows the club, knows many of the players and knows how to get on the end of chances.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-marsch-raphinha-dest-philhay” title=”Read the latest Leeds news!”]

It’s not the first time that the Whites have been mooted with interest since that loan spell as TransferMarketWeb claimed Leeds had enquired about him ahead of the January transfer window.

Indeed, despite his struggles in a Leeds shirt in the Championship three years ago, the 22-year-old remains a top young attacking talent and one that could help end Marsch’s frontline woes.

Standing at 5 foot 11, the Gunners ace has been likened to both Ian Wright and Jermain Defoe in terms of playing style.

“He reminds me of another Jermaine Defoe and look at how well he did at West Ham. He’s very much that similar sort of player,” claimed ex-Leeds striker Noel Whelan to Football Insider. “He plays off the shoulder, very dangerous in the box. He’s a player you can’t take your eye off because his movement’s so good.”

Nketiah bagged 43 goals from 56 appearances across Arsenal’s U18s and U23s teams and that has since translated into 18 senior goals, despite a lack of serious game time under Mikel Arteta, as per Transfermarkt.

The striker, also dubbed a “goal machine” by Michael Owen, could be the perfect summer signing alongside heavily-linked Brenden Aaronson – a central attacking midfielder capable of providing Nketiah with bags of chances and a pressing mentality that could leave Marsch purring.

Aaronson and Nketiah would be quite the start to a transfer window indeed.

Valued at £9m, Leeds could be getting an absolute bargain as chairman Andrea Radrizzani wouldn’t have to pay a penny in terms of a transfer fee, should they try and tap him up on a contract this off-season.

AND in other news, Adam Pope drops Adam Forshaw injury update after Watford absence…

Crystal Palace appear to have transformed their fortunes in recent months, with Patrick Vieira’s new-look side already providing their supporters with bags of entertainment in the opening weeks of the campaign.

And journalist Tom Barclay believes the best could still be to come for the capital club, claiming the prospect of seeing Michael Olise, Conor Gallagher, Eberechi Eze, Wilfried Zaha and Odsonne Edouard in the same team is a “mouth-watering” one.

What’s the word?

The quintet are yet to play together due to Eze currently being sidelined with an Achilles injury, although that could soon change as the youngster nears a return to full fitness.

Barclay addressed the possible forward line available to Vieira in a recent interview, stating how the fans would relish the excitement after four years of pragmatism under Roy Hodgson.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “That certainly is mouth-watering for Palace fans, who the majority had had enough of Roy Hodgson’s style after four years.

“As much as they appreciated the stability that came with his approach, they were crying out for something more entertaining, and they’ve already got it with Vieira.”

Crystal Palace fans will be excited

After failing to score in their opening three games of the season under Vieira’s tutelage, Palace have bagged nine in their last five outings, and the attacking players named by Barclay have been heavily involved.

Gallagher got the ball rolling with a brace against West Ham United to rescue a draw at the London Stadium before Zaha got his first of the season from the spot at home to Tottenham Hotspur, with Edouard coming off the bench to net two goals on his Eagles debut.

A 3-0 defeat to Liverpool followed, but Palace returned to form via another Zaha penalty against Brighton and Hove Albion and, Michael Olise also notched his first strike against Leicester City last time out.

The only other Palace player to find the back of the net so far this season is Jeffrey Schlupp, highlighting the importance of the aforementioned stars.

With Eze just weeks away from a return to the first-team setup, it’s certainly an exciting time to be a fan of the south London outfit, and the prospect of him joining an already effective forward line is enough to give the supporters hope of a successful season.

And, in other news…Signed for £0, sold for £49.5m: Parish struck gold for Palace over £90k-p/w gem 

Aston Villa will be able to call upon Emiliano Martinez, Marvelous Nakamba and Bertrand Traore for their trip to Wolves after the international break, Ashley Preece reports.

This is after the UK government agreed to a quarantine exemption for players travelling to red-list countries during the international break, so long as they are double-vaccinated.

And in Villa’s case, that applies to all three of the players concerned.

After the last international break, Dean Smith’s side had to cope without Martinez and Emiliano Buendia for their trip to Chelsea because there was no such exemption in place.

How important have the Villa trio been so far?

Martinez has started every other Premier League game this season, keeping three clean sheets (via Transfermarkt).

Nakamba, meanwhile, has only made one start, with Smith handing him three substitute appearances.

And Traore’s start to the campaign has been disrupted by an injury he suffered in the opening day defeat at Watford. He’s been limited to just 43 minutes across Villa’s first six matches.

Here’s how Villa fans reacted when Preece tweeted the news.

Villa fans celebrate triple boost

“Praise the lord for the government”

Credit: @8forclark

“Great news, thanks for that Ash, you da man.”

Credit: @Up_tha_Villa

“Great stuff!”

Credit: @Petermi39249140

“Boooom”

Credit: @muzzavilla

“Everyone liked that”

Credit: @titanuk1874

“SIUUUUU”

Credit: @avfcjoshuaa

In other news, hordes of fans also flocked to Preece’s post on Konsa. 

Leicester City’s pursuit of Champions League football got off to the best start possible after Jamie Vardy’s strike saw off Wolves 1-0 at the King Power Stadium this afternoon.

The Foxes’ talismanic striker found the back of the net just before half-time thanks to an extremely well-taken header following Ricardo Pereira’s cross from the right-hand side.

Beginning life under new manager Bruno Lage following Nuno Espirito Santo’s departure, Wolves had a golden opportunity to take the lead with the score at 0-0, with pacey winger Adama Traore running clear of the Leicester defence. 

However, the Spain international could only side-foot his effort tamely wide of Kasper Schmeichel’s post, and the FA Cup holders barely gave the opposition attack a sniff after that. 

Although Vardy will get the headlines for his match-winning goal, it was stand-in centre-back Daniel Amartey who provided the base for Leicester’s success.

Rodgers decided to keep faith with the 26-year-old following his impressive showing in the Community Shield despite Jannik Vestergaard completing his move from Southampton to take his place in the matchday squad.

As per SofaScore, Amartey received a match rating of 7.6 out of 10 this afternoon, the second-highest total amongst his teammates, while his 89 touches were the third-most of anyone in Rodgers’ side.

The Ghanaian won four of his five duels and made made two tackles and two clearances during his 90 minutes on the pitch. but he was also excellent with the ball at his feet. Amartey achieved a passing accuracy of 92% while completing four of his six attempted long passes.

New signing Vestergaard will have had a week’s worth of training with his new teammates under his belt by the time Leicester take on West Ham United in the Monday night fixture next up, but Amartey will be hoping that his impressive showing has done enough to see him start again in nine days’ time.

In other news… Sky Sports reveal intriguing transfer update which could leave Leicester fans gutted 

Newcastle United are reportedly setting their sights on signing Leon King in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Emerging talent

At just 17 years of age, King is one of the emerging talents in Scottish football, having already made his senior debut for Glasgow Rangers.

The club’s coaches regard him as a ‘huge talent’ and are ‘convinced’ that he can establish himself in the first team at Ibrox in the coming years (Football Insider).

However, he is out of contract in the summer, so that presents a good opportunity for the St James’ Park outfit to sign him.

The Latest: Newcastle set sights on King

As per Football Insider, both Newcastle and Manchester United have now ‘set their sights’ on the Gers sensation ahead of the January transfer window.

Sources from Ibrox have revealed that there is ‘fresh doubt’ over the teenager’s future, and he could even be sold for a compensation fee of around £250,000.

The Tyneside club are ‘interested’ in opening talks with King over a pre-contract agreement in January ahead of a potential summer move.

The Verdict: One for the future

King is a player for the future, so it would be a smart idea for the Magpies to sign him now before he develops further and attracts interest from other clubs.

The defender clearly has a lot of promise, as he has also played for the Scotland national team at youth level.

The Newcastle Academy could then use and develop him, or he could be sent out on loan to get further experience playing men’s football, but it is clear that there are multiple possibilities with this potential signing.

In other news, NUFC are willing to pay big money for this rising star

Leeds United have been handed a transfer boost in their chase to sign Wolfsburg star Josip Brekalo.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks and months have suggested that the Croatia international is a target for Marcelo Bielsa’s side this summer as they look to bolster their options out wide.

German publication Kicker has now delivered a boost to the Whites’ chances of signing the 23-year-old, revealing that many of the clubs who like Brekalo actually do not have the funds required to complete a transfer.

The report adds that, while there is a long queue of admirers for him, Wolfsburg’s demands have put off most of the prospective suitors.

Helder Costa can now leave

Leeds’ interest in Brekalo is perfectly timed, with reports suggesting that Helder Costa could be on his way out of the club this summer.

Football Insider have reported in recent months that Jorge Mendes is working hard to find the Portuguese winger a new club, with La Liga said to be his preferred option, and that would leave a gap in Bielsa’s squad out wide.

Costa endured a nightmare campaign in the Premier League last term for Bielsa’s side, scoring just three times and providing only three assists in 22 top-flight games.

And, after a particularly disappointing performance against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, former Leeds man Noel Whelan slammed the winger, saying: “The one player that disappointed me was Helder Costa. Once again he was poor. There is something there that is not right because Poveda came on and did more in that short time than Costa did in the 60 minutes he was on the field.

“He is fourth in the pecking order in terms of wingers for me. Poveda has to come before him now. He plays it safe and he’s negative. For a player that cost £16m, I need to see a hell of a lot more from him. At least Poveda runs at people. He is positive and that is what a winger should do. Costa has been a massive flop. A real disappointment again.”

In Brekalo, Leeds would be getting someone who not only is exciting with the ball at his feet, but also has an end product to his game. The Croatian bagged seven goals and set up another three in 29 Bundesliga outings last term, including a superb hat-trick in his penultimate game of the season against Union Berlin.

Goal’s Bundesliga journalist Ronan Murphy offered his thoughts on the Croatian on Twitter, saying: “The less said about his off-field antics the better, as he should leave his on-field performances do the talking. Able to unlock defences and strong cutting in to shoot, he will torment defenders everywhere.”

Able to play on either flank like Costa has done for Leeds, the £26m-rated Brekalo could come in and be a fine replacement for the Portuguese winger, thus allowing the Whites to get rid of someone who just hasn’t produced the goods often enough.

Meanwhile, Leeds United have had a bid accepted for this player…