All posts by z3u9t.icu

Given Newcastle’s very poor start to the season, it’s safe to say that they could do with something to help them get their campaign on track and lift them out of the relegation zone.

However, it seems as though the new owners at the Tyneside club may have identified someone who could help to get the team out of their current predicament.

What’s the news?

It has recently been reported by Goal in Brazil (via Sport Witness) that Newcastle have entered the race to sign FC Basel striker Arthur Cabral and are preparing an offer to be sent in the coming days.

Cabral originally joined Basel back in the 2019 summer transfer window on loan from Brazilian club Palmeiras before signing on a permanent basis a year later.

Overall, the 23-year-old – who is currently valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt – has netted an impressive 63 goals in 101 appearances across all competitions, with 25 of those coming this season in just 26 appearances, which is probably why Newcastle apparently have their eye on him.

Having described himself as a “fighting” player on the pitch, Cabral could be just what Newcastle need to keep them away from the relegation zone with his clear attacking talents in front of goal.

In addition to his goals, Cabral has averaged 4.1 shots and 1.3 key passes per game in the Swiss league so far this season, which is much higher than Callum Wilson’s average of 2.3 shots per game in the Premier League prior to their match against Burnley on Saturday.

Looking ahead to the January transfer window and the teams that Newcastle face in the league before the window opens, it should be the club’s main priority to sign Cabral in January to see if he can form a deadly strike partnership with the prolific Wilson and score enough goals between them to transform Howe’s side.

Also, given his fairly young age, he could well be a long-term replacement for Wilson further down the line, with the Englishman six years older than Cabral.

In other news: PIF must seal dream NUFC move for “exceptional” 114-goal magician who Howe would love…

We are now over two weeks into the transfer window and rather unsurprisingly, it has been a chaotic one for Newcastle United.

The reasons are clear; they are desperate for players to ensure Premier League survival and they are now famously known as the richest football club on earth.

What’s the word?

The Magpies have bolstered their squad with two marquee additions in recent weeks with Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood arriving.

However, there is still a considerable amount of work to be done, namely in bringing a centre-back to St James’ Park.

The club have failed in their efforts for Sven Botman while a deal is seemingly on the table for Diego Carlos.

It’s thought another striker is wanted by the club’s new Saudi owners and Newcastle’s recruitment team but a name who definitely won’t be joining has been revealed by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

He issued the following update on Twitter: “Rumours linking Mario Balotelli with a move to Newcastle in January are wide of the mark. ‘Fake news’ – comment from sources.”

Fans will be delighted

Although the Toon Army will be desperately craving new acquisitions between now and January 31st, the idea of Balotelli penning terms is unlikely to have been welcomed well by the club’s fanbase.

Of course, he is a hugely experienced character and is also someone who would add plenty of humour and character to the dressing room.

However, with Howe’s men engulfed in a severe relegation battle, winning just one game all term, the last thing you’d want to do is sign someone as controversial as Balotelli.

After all, the Italian is not a regular goalscorer anymore and he’s also now aged 31, past the peak of his powers.

The former Manchester City forward currently plays his football in Turkey for Adana Demirspor where he has found the net on eight occasions this term.

That isn’t a bad tally at all, but the fiery striker has failed not once but twice in English football, enduring a controversy-hit spell at City and then bagging just four strikes in 28 outings for Liverpool.

Right now, Howe needs a player capable of hitting the ground running, either boasting successful Premier League experience or being a player with elite potential – like Sevilla centre-back, Carlos.

As a consequence, Newcastle are right to swerve a move for the ex-Italy international this month and as a result of doing so, the St James’ faithful should be rather delighted with the decision making of Nick Hammond and co.

AND in other news, “I’m told”: Craig Hope issues major NUFC transfer claim that’ll get fans excited…

Wolves are currently lying in the bottom half of the Premier League but things aren’t set to get any easier.

They will be missing Jonny for a considerable period of time after he suffered a second ACL injury of the campaign while their Player of the Season has now been ruled out too.

On the chalkboard

When Raul Jimenez suffered a fractured skull back in November, every Wolves fan will have thought the worst.

They were right to as well. Fabio Silva has only scored three goals in the Old Gold while their January replacement, Willian Jose, has netted just once.

One player who took on the mantle significantly was Pedro Neto. He has been one of the most outstanding young players in the Premier League this season and as such, has earned links to clubs like Manchester United.

He is their top scorer on five goals and he is also their best source of creativity, providing six assists for his teammates.

No one has made Wolves tick more than the Portuguese so to lose him to a broken knee cap is devastating news.

Neto will now miss the next six months of competition, damaging not his chances of securing an exit but also Wolves’ ambitions.

The solution

The Old Gold have considered a number of transfer targets ahead of the summer, one of which is Lucas Ocampos.

Football Insider revealed last month that the Molineux outfit were considering a move for the Sevilla winger.

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A proven La Liga talent, he’d be an astute capture from the Wolves hierarchy and could undoubtedly soften the blow of losing Neto for such a long period.

The youngster will miss the opening part of next term and thus, they will need to find a renewed sense of creativity and a goalscoring threat from elsewhere.

Ocampos could provide that in abundance. The Argentine, who can play on either flank, has scored more goals than Neto this term (7) and has registered four assists. That’s taken his tally in a Sevilla shirt to 24 strikes and nine assists throughout 83 games.

He has starred in Europe this term and has amassed a mouth-watering three dribbles per game; a tally that usurps Wolves’ dazzling winger in the Premier League – he has registered 2.1 in comparison.

Speaking about the 26-year-old previously, Fede Prami, a journalist and River Plate fan recalled his days in Argentina, calling him “electric.”

Indeed, if any quote was to sum up Neto’s energy in equal measure, it would be that.

Losing their attacking wizard is a blow, but Fosun could definitely soften it luring Ocampos to the Midlands.

AND in other news, Forget Jose: Wolves gem who won 13 duels stole the show on Saturday, he’s “unplayable”…

A Glasgow Rangers insider has now revealed some fresh transfer news on Alex Lowry.

The Lowdown: Reported talks

It has been reported that head of recruitment at Newcastle United, Steve Nickson, has met with Lowry’s agent in a hotel to discuss a potential move to St. James’ Park in the summer.

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He has reportedly rejected a new three-and-a-half-year deal at Ibrox, which is set to expire in 2023.

The Latest: No contact

Taking to Twitter, Gers insider The 4th Official, who regularly breaks club news and updates, has now revealed a fresh twist on the situation, claiming that there has been ‘no contact’ from the Magpies with the club over Lowry, despite the reported meeting with his agent:

”Currently, Rangers have had no contact from Newcastle United, let alone a bid for the player.”

Expanding in his latest podcast, the insider has also revealed details of private ‘conversations’ that they have had with people inside the club, claiming that Lowry is ‘happy’ and ‘definitely not’ trying to force through a move away:

“I have had conversations with people inside Rangers & they tell me that Alex Lowry is happy here and definitely not trying to force a move.”

The Verdict: Hope

The latest update from The 4th Official certainly gives hope that Lowry will end up staying, and potentially sign a new long-term contract.

He is highly thought of at the Light Blues, having made four senior appearances already this season despite being just 18 years of age, drawing praise as ‘remarkable’ from former boss Graeme Murty.

It will be difficult to hold off the pressure if a Premier League giant like the Toon come calling, but Lowry is one for the future, and so the supporters should be able to see the best of him under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

In other news, find out who GvB’s first summer signing could now be here!

Kris Commons believes Glasgow Rangers’ Nathan Patterson could solve Steve Clarke’s Scotland right-back problem.

Commons back Patterson for Scotland call

With James Tavernier currently out injured, 19-year-old Patterson has started the last two Premiership matches against Livingston and St Mirren, while he also played the full 90 minutes in the Europa League against Slavia Prague (Transfermarkt).

Speaking to the Daily Mail (via Daily Record), Commons believes the teenager could offer Clarke a solution for what has been cited as a problem position for Scotland. He said:

“Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney. If only one of them could play right-back, eh?

“It’s been a running joke for years with Scotland that arguably our two best players happen to be left-backs.

“The right side of defence has been problematic. No one has made the jersey their own.

“Which is why I hope Nathan Patterson is named in Steve Clarke’s squad tomorrow. He has earned the chance.

“Let’s be honest, we’re not exactly blessed with an abundance of options at right-back. Why not bring Patterson in and at least get him used to being in that environment?

“He has been excellent for Rangers. His performance against Slavia Prague in Europe last week spoke of a growing maturity. He’s ready to step up.”

Too early

Patterson has stepped up in the absence of Tavernier. The Gers have conceded just one goal in the three matches he has started, and he has not looked out of place at all in a side which was crowned Premiership champions less than 10 days ago.

However, he still has just 10 appearances to his name in the professional game – it is far too early to suggest he should be called up to the Scotland squad. In the future, he seems quite likely to play for the Tartan Army based on his fledgling performances, but given he was recently caught to have broken lockdown regulations to attend a house gathering (Sky Sports), he still needs to mature.

Give him time to develop first before throwing him into the deep end at senior international level.

In other news, some Rangers fans were worried by this open letter.

Bruno Lage has a big task on his hands this summer in order to revive Wolves after a mediocre campaign.

The trouble is that the Old Gold could lose a number of their most important players during the course of the window.

On the chalkboard

Ruben Neves and Adama Traore aren’t the only figures being linked with the exit door at Molineux.

Indeed, Joao Moutinho could also depart Wolves in the coming months. That’s because the Portuguese veteran has been touted with a move back to his former club, Porto.

This comes after Tim Spiers suggested earlier last season that 2020/21 could have been Moutinho’s final campaign as a regular in the starting XI.

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Steve Bull issued similar words when speaking exclusively to Football FanCast this week. The Wolves legend said: “I think he’s done now, I think Joao’s had his time here now and he’s done absolutely brilliantly for the club and there’s a lot of speculation and rumours that he’s going back to Porto.”

The midfielder is now 34 and although he still oozes class with his passing, it could be time for Lage to find a younger alternative.

The solution

One man who could arrive in the Midlands this summer is Tottenham’s Harry Winks.

That’s according to Football Insider pundit Danny Mills who revealed the midfielder could be house-hunting ahead of a potential move.

He commented: “He needs to get playing. I see him going to Wolves and Aston Villa. He was seen playing golf at The Belfry.  Let’s assume he was househunting. I can confirm he was there.”

Winks might not be the most eye-catching of players but like Moutinho, he is a safe pair of hands who can dictate the game from deep and keep things ticking over.

The 25-year-old is capped ten times by England but you sense he needs to move on to pastures new.

He only started on nine occasions in the Premier League last term but a new lease of life could be given to Winks if he moves to Wolves.

After all, with both Neves and Moutinho potentially leaving, he may find a home for himself in the middle of the park.

A measured passer of the ball, Winks completed 86.8% of his passes last term, a tally that falls ever so slightly behind Moutinho’s record of 88.4%.

When discussing the England selection a few years ago, Paul Robinson waxed lyrical about his abilities: “For me, I think Harry Winks is one of the best of the bunch,” he began. “He dominates the game, defensively and offensively he offers you both and his ball retention, the stats speak for themselves,” the ex-goalkeeper remarked.

Moutinho is fabulous at retaining possession and if he does leave, the Old Gold will need someone likeminded to take over.

They will also need somebody to bind together the defence and attack. Fortunately, the £91k-per-week Winks is capable of doing that.

Leon Osman commented previously: “For me Harry Winks is the first name on that team-sheet at the moment. He’s the guy who Italy had in Pirlo, I’m not saying he’s at that level yet, but he links everything up. He’s the guy who links the back and the front up.”

Winks has never really been able to take his game to the next level at Wolves but as those glowing appraisals tell you, there is a lot more to be extracted. Lage could be the man to give him a better platform for regular minutes.

AND in other news, Lage must complete Wolves swoop for “outstanding” 23 y/o colossus, he’s at EURO 2020…

Georginio Wijnaldum could leave a huge hole in Liverpool’s midfield after leaving as a free agent this summer, but former Red Paul Stewart believes that Youri Tielemans would be a great addition to Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Tielemans has been a steady and consistent member of Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City side since he joined on loan from Monaco in 2019, but this season has seen him impose himself on games a lot more as he registered the most shot-creating actions at Leicester with 109, but also made the second most tackles with 77, only behind Wilfred Ndidi.

This proves that he is now comfortably an all-round midfielder and one of the best in the Premier League, which means it comes as no surprise to see clubs like Liverpool interested in the Belgian.

The 24-year old is likely going to be at the centre of many transfer rumours this summer so Liverpool may face stern competition from Manchester City, that’s according to Stewart, who spoke exclusively to Transfer Tavern:

“It would be a great signing for Liverpool if they won the race for him, but I can see him going to Manchester City. For me, he is one of the standout midfielders in the Premier League.”

A lot of people who weren’t aware of how good Tielemams was certainly found out in the FA Cup final with his outstanding winning goal and Man of the Match performance for the Foxes.

If Liverpool are looking for a proven Premier League midfielder that mirrors what Wijnaldum did for the club, they could do much worse than try and tempt Tielemans away from Leicester.

Rangers’ deal to sign Glen Kamara for just £50,000 in January 2019 has always been regarded as a bargain for the Ibrox outfit, but Steven Gerrard’s side could be set to make a significant profit on the Finnish international this summer.

Kamara joined for the minimal fee from Dundee in 2019 and has established himself as a key player in Gerrard’s squad in the two years since, going on to make 98 appearances for the Light Blues, in which he has contributed four goals and four assists.

His superb performances for Rangers have not gone unnoticed, however, with a host of Premier League clubs including Newcastle United, Everton, Southampton, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United having all reportedly registered an interest last summer.

Although Gerrard will no doubt be keen to keep Kamara in his squad, a recent report from Football Insider has suggested that the Champions value him at £10m-plus following his impressive performances in both the Premiership and the Europa League this season.

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If the Gers were able to receive that sort of fee for the 25-year-old this summer, then it would represent magnificent business from the club, and they could reinvest that into Gerrard’s squad ahead of the return to the Champions League next season.

Kamara made a huge impression after just a few months at Rangers, with teammate Scott Arfield full of praise for him in May 2019, saying:

“Glen for 50k is the biggest steal of the century. He’s come in and he’s took to life. In terms of coming from Dundee with no expectation on him but in terms of how he plays the expectation arises because he’s such a good footballer and he’s kept that going.”

Transfermarkt has also recognised Kamara’s impressive performances in his time at Ibrox as they now value the midfielder at £4.05m, which represents a significant increase from last summer, when he was valued by the website at just £1.08m.

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Kamara’s time at Rangers has clearly made him a much better player but, if Premier League sides come knocking again this summer, it would perhaps not be a surprise to see the Gers cash in on the former Arsenal youth.

In other news… Wilson must stand firm with in-demand Rangers wonderkid this summer

Noel Whelan has given his reaction to the news that James Rodriguez may be able to play for Everton against Sheffield United on Sunday evening.

The Lowdown: Rodriguez may be fit

As per the Toffees’ official website, Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that the Colombian is set to be fit and available to play against the Blades this weekend.

The former Real Madrid star has missed the Merseyside club’s last three games in the Premier League, and so it will come as a welcome relief to have him back as they chase European qualification.

The Latest: Whelan gives Rodriguez reaction

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan – who is now a pundit after playing as a striker for the likes of Leeds United and Coventry City in the past – highlighted just how important Rodriguez is to Everton and admitted that he did not think the 29-year-old would play again this season. He said:

“They’re a weaker side without him in.

“He’s the one that can open the door, it’s a brilliant news to have him back. He can be that go to man when you need something to happen. When he’s not in the side, they lose a little bit of creativity.

“That’s known, it’s seen. When he’s in the side, a lot goes through him. You’re looking for him all the time. Those cross-field passes, that eye, that something that other players don’t have in the side.

“That’s why Ancelotti brought him to Everton, for that little bit of brilliance that can change the momentum in a game. They need him fit, they need him back. I thought next season would be the next time we’d see him.”

The Verdict: Rodriguez comeback vital

The comeback of Rodriguez could well be vital if the Toffees are to achieve European qualification this year. In his recent absence, Everton have dropped five points in two meetings against Aston Villa.

The Colombia international has scored six goals and supplied a further nine assists in 25 matches over all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt), offering a creative spark in midfield to help make chances for his attacking team-mates.

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As Whelan has hinted, Rodriguez may be crucial in unlocking the door for Everton against a stubborn Blades team who lost narrowly to the Toffees back at Christmas.

In other news, find out what Aston Villa image has left these Everton fans fuming

Tottenham Hotspur are not expected to sign a new striker this summer, after missing out on prime targets Dusan Vlahovic and Lautaro Martinez, as reported by journalist Alasdair Gold on Twitter.

The Lowdown: Spurs at centre of transfer storm regarding strikers this summer

Of course, the Lilywhites have been at the centre of a transfer storm this summer. Harry Kane was relentlessly linked to Manchester City before confirming that he will be staying at Spurs this season [Guardian].

Over the course of that saga, Tottenham were interested in Serie A hitmen Martinez and Vlahovic of Inter Milan and Fiorentina respectively, however both deals did not come to fruition [Football London].

The Latest: ‘Nuno and Paratici have decided’

Speaking to his large following on Twitter, Football London correspondent Gold shed light on the latest surrounding the forward position at the club, stating: “At this stage, understand Nuno and Paratici have decided that they will not look to sign another striker today after missing out on their top two targets.”

It now looks as if talisman Kane may be the only senior striker on the books in N17 moving into the coming months.

The Verdict: Lack of depth up-front is a major concern

Most certainly in need of someone to share the goal-scoring burden at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with star man Kane, this news will come as a blow to the Spurs support.

Son Heung-min has helped to deputise in the role in 2021/22, scoring twice from four appearances [Transfermarkt]. Nonetheless, his involvement centrally leaves the left-hand side of attack subject to depletion.

Youngster Dane Scarlett could also be an option at centre-forward, though he has only one senior outing to his name this term and needs time to develop at 17 years old.

Despite the alarming lack of depth within the Tottenham frontline, Nuno and Paratici seem to be willing to hang fire for the time being as other positions take priority.

In other news, Tottenham Hotspur face a blow in their pursuit of a lightning-quick ace. Find out more here.