All posts by z3u9t.icu

With only one new player signed during the current January transfer window in the shape of Hayao Kawabe, it seems as though Wolves are not looking and letting that deal be their only piece of transfer business this month.

What’s the news?

Speaking on a live Sky Sports programme, presenter Rob Wotton revealed that Wolves are interested in signing AS Monaco centre-back Benoit Badiashile this month.

“Wolves and Newcastle both interested in the Monaco centre-back, Benoit Badiashile. The 20-year-old Monaco academy graduate is among a number of options in this position both clubs are looking at,” he said.

As a product of Monaco’s youth system, the 20-year-old has already made a total of 105 senior appearances for the club, chipping in with three goals and three assists in the process, showing how highly rated he must be there given his fairly young age.

Fans buzzing

In the four Europa League games that he’s played in for Monaco this season, Badiashile’s performances in those games have earned him an impressive overall rating of 7.36/10 according to WhoScored, comfortably making him the highest-rated player in the competition for Monaco, showing how capable he is of playing in a top European competition.

With his young age and vast experience, it’s easy to see why Wolves would be interested in signing a player such as Badiashile as he could potentially be a long-term player for them for many years to come.

Given how two of Wolves’ current centre-backs Romain Saiss (31) and Willy Boly (30) are two of the club’s five oldest players in their squad, it’s easy to see why the Old Gold would be looking at bringing in a young defender like Badiashile to freshen up their team at the back, an idea which would surely leave plenty of supporters buzzing.

Taking into account how Wolves manager Bruno Lage has come out and said that signing a centre-back is the club’s priority at the moment with Saiss away on international duty and Boly out injured, Badiashile could be just what the team needs at this moment in time.

That said, with recent reports from France claiming that Wolves have already had a bid for the Monaco defender rejected, it could prove to be quite difficult or expensive to secure Badiashile’s signature this month.

If a deal for the young defender isn’t viable for the Old Gold, they should turn their attention to some other potential candidates that could do a job for them at centre-back that may not cost so much.

However, the very idea that they’re targeting someone of the youngster’s quality should be music to the ears of fans at Molineux.

In other news: Journalist drops behind-the-scenes January update that’ll have Wolves fans sweating – opinion 

As per 90min, a concerning contract update has come to light regarding Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah. 

The lowdown: The wait goes on

Despite all parties seemingly being at the table for some time, speculation continues to rumble on as to whether or not the 29-year-old will sign a new deal to remain at the club, having arrived from AS Roma in 2017.

Now into the final 18 months of a deal on Merseyside, Salah has already been linked with a sensational move to Barcelona in recent weeks, and the off-field discourse has seemingly impacted his on-field output as the usually lethal winger has failed to score from open play since netting against Norwich City in mid-February.

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However, perhaps unsurprisingly given his extraordinary goal return over the last five years, the club remain desperate to tie down the Egyptian King to a fresh contract.

The latest: Salah and Liverpool ‘some way apart’

According to 90min’s sources, Salah and Liverpool have been in discussions for ‘more than a year’ without a tangible breakthrough.

The report claims that the Reds’ owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) are ‘willing’ to make the 82-cap Egypt star the highest-paid player at Anfield, but there is a ‘reluctance’ to pitch him amongst the best earners in the Premier League.

Furthermore, it is stated that the parties are still ‘some way apart’ in their negotiations as Salah attempts to earn a pay rise on a current £200,000-per-week salary (Spotrac).

The verdict: Just get it done

Of all the important decisions facing the club over the upcoming months and years, securing the services of the £90m-valued superstar is perhaps the most important alongside Jurgen Klopp’s own future beyond 2024.

Prior to recent struggles, the man hailed as ‘extraordinary’ by Ian Wright following a lightning-quick start to the 2021/22 campaign had been one of the leading lights in world football and remains pivotal to Liverpool’s trophy success this term and beyond.

Despite suffering a recent dip, so far this season Salah has scored 28 times and provided another 10 assists in 38 appearances – levels of output which make the potential completion of a new deal a salient moment in the Reds’ future at the very top table.

In other news, three Liverpool players in particular stood out against Benfica. Read more here.

Leeds United have entered the race to sign Penarol striker Agustin Alvarez as the transfer competition hots up for the Uruguayan starlet.

What’s the story?

According to La República (via Sport Witness), Marcelo Bielsa’s side are battling Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg for the 20-year-old’s signature, although a number of clubs across Europe are also said to be in the running.

The report added that Leeds, as well as Serie A outfit Fiorentina, could make a bid for him during the January transfer window.

Would be an exciting signing for Leeds

With Patrick Bamford remaining Leeds’ only senior centre-forward, the Whites could desperately do with some strength in depth up front.

In a scouting report done by HUDL, they revealed of Alvarez: “El Canario is much more than purely a penalty box poacher. While he is clearly a striker who benefits from getting good service into the area, he can also fashion and finish chances for himself.

“Another of Alvarez’s best qualities is his heading. At 1.80m, he may not be the tallest but has shown himself to have a great aerial ability, timing and a fantastic leap. His strength and physicality also make him very adept with his back to goal, while his time at youth level as a midfielder means he is also good at dropping deep to link the play too.”

Indeed, North American football commentator Maximiliano Bretos even declared that Alvarez “has a little Luiz Suarez about him”.

Despite his youth, he has been in electric form for one of Uruguay’s biggest clubs and has been particularly impressive in the Copa Sudamericana, South American football’s second-most prestigious club competition. In that tournament, he has bagged ten goals and provided another two assists in just 14 games.

That kind of all-action energy makes the 20-year-old a perfect fit for Bielsa and Leeds.

Meanwhile, Marcelo Bielsa should give this academy starlet a chance…

Celtic have been dealt a tough hand in Europe with Ange Postecoglou having to withstand the test of some troublesome sides.

The Hoops have already come unstuck against Real Betis and they will desperately need to improve when Bayer Leverkusen arrive at Parkhead.

On the chalkboard

Based on Celtic’s recent form, supporters should be incredibly fearful over what result may occur on Thursday evening.

They have lost to Livingston and drawn with Dundee United during their last two league fixtures so the omens don’t exactly bode well.

Postecoglou’s men did score three times against Betis but it would be a great surprise if the same eventuality occurred tomorrow night.

Celtic will still be missing Kyogo Furuhashi and it’s thought that Callum McGregor will almost certainly be absent again.

He sat out their last Europa League clash with what was thought to be a knock but he hasn’t played since.

Who plays instead of him will be a crucial point of debate for the manager because he simply hasn’t got it right in the last few weeks.

James McCarthy has been abject to say the least, being terrorised for his performances since a first start in the defeat at Livi. During that clash, the Irishman attempted no attacking actions and lost the ball on 15 occasions.

Sadly, the midfielder was average against Dundee United too, winning just 33.3% of his defensive duels last weekend.

The solution

With that in mind, Postecoglou should consider turning to Ismaila Soro on Thursday, especially in a game where the Bhoys are expected to do more work off the ball.

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Like McCarthy, Soro hasn’t been at his best this term and he was fortunate not to be sent off against Betis.

The Ivorian was keen to get stuck in and did make a number of impressive robust tackles. However, he is often caught out with his lack of discipline causing him to throw in challenges even when he’s already been booked.

That being said, the Celtic brute is clearly more dynamic and mean-mannered than McCarthy.

Described as a player with “explosive power” by former coach Ori Guttman, he has been compared to N’Golo Kante and it’s clear to see why.

Soro occupies little pockets of space that enables him to sweep up the play. He reads the game well and is traditionally in the right place at the right time.

The 23-year-old knows what it takes to put in a defensive masterclass in Europe too. When they beat Lille 3-2 last term, he made a mind-boggling ten successful tackles.

The midfielder has failed to replicate that sort of display since but he simply has to step up with McGregor still on the sidelines.

Now feels like his time to really make a name for himself in Glasgow.

AND in other news, Ange may fix one of Celtic’s biggest problems by signing “lightning-quick” 43-cap ace…

Newcastle sent scouts to watch Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir against Gaziantep on Monday, according to Turkish outlet Takvim.

Analysts from Ajax, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa were also said to be examining the 22-year-old firsthand.

Bayindir makes a rare mistake as Premier League suitors watch on

Fenerbache ran out 3-1 winners on the night to close the gap on league leaders Besiktas to four points.

However, Bayindir blundered under scrutiny, fumbling an Alexandru Maxim free-kick over the line on 65 minutes to gift Gaziantep an equaliser. Former West Ham striker Enner Valencia and Sinan Gumus ultimately bailed him out with subsequent goals.

It was a rare blip in a season which has seen Bayindir graduate from Turkey’s under-21s to the senior squad. He has kept 10 clean sheets in 32 Super Lig appearances, conceding 30 goals.

Bayindir has two years left on his contract with the Istanbul outfit and is valued at just over £12m by Transfermarkt. He was singled out for praise in a tweet from Fenerbahce team-mate Mesut Ozil back in February, with the World Cup winner giving ‘special thanks’ to the youngster for one particularly strong performance.

Transfer Tavern verdict

What do you do when a young talent you’re watching falters under pressure – cross out his name for the shortlist because you value composure, or give them another chance based on their otherwise strong form?

Bayindir has caught the eye for a reason, and clubs could miss out on a talented player with a high ceiling if they jump to conclusions.

After Steve Bruce restored a fit-again Martin Dubravka to the side, Karl Darlow could feasibly push for a move in the summer. He knows he’s good enough to be a number one keeper elsewhere, having actually posted more saves per match than his Slovakian colleague this season (3.4 to 3.3).

That could open the backup role at Newcastle, and perhaps Bayindir is being eyed as a long-term successor to the 32-year-old Dubravka, so he shouldn’t be dismissed solely on the basis of his recent error.

In other news, Newcastle have been told not to shell out more than £15m on another transfer target.

West Ham United host Tottenham Hotspur at the London Stadium on Sunday looking to claim a first win at home to their rivals since 2017.

And in a boost for David Moyes, could have Michail Antonio leading the line again.

The Hammers boss is hopeful that the striker will be passed fit to feature in the London derby after sitting out his side’s last two fixtures across all competitions with fatigue, having appeared exhausted against Fulham in his 16th and most recent appearance of the season so far.

The Irons will still be without Angelo Ogbonna against Spurs as he continues to recover from the high ankle sprain sustained against Manchester United in the FA Cup, which ruled the Italian out of Monday night’s 3-0 Premier League win over Sheffield United.

But, with Antonio possibly back to lead the attack, here’s a potential line-up Moyes could name against Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham on Sunday…

Lukasz Fabianski recorded his ninth clean sheet of the season across all competitions when he kept the Blades at bay earlier this week, marking his fourth back-to-back top-flight shut out this term.

The Poland international is yet to register three on-the-bounce and will hope to do so against a Spurs side that has only scored twice in their last four league games with an unchanged back five from Monday night.

Ben Johnson returned to left-back against Chris Wilder’s relegation-threatened Sheffield United, as Aaron Cresswell joined Issa Diop and Craig Dawson at centre-half in Ogbonna’s absence. Vladimir Coufal featured at right-back for his 20th Premier League outing since joining the Hammers from SK Slavia Prague last summer for what now appears a modest £5.5m.

Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice, the only other West Ham players than Cresswell to have featured for all 2,160 minutes of Premier League football on offer this term, will expect to again anchor the engine room on Sunday.

The pair operated behind a front-three of Jesse Lingard, Manuel Lanzini and makeshift striker Jarrod Bowen against the Blades, yet would see the line rotated with Antonio making his return to the sole centre-forward position.

Lingard will expect to continue his run of starting all top-flight matches in claret and blue since joining West Ham on loan from Manchester United, after taking a game-high five shots and making a team-high three successful dribbles from a game-high six runs on Monday, per WhoScored.

No West Ham player has now taken a higher average number of shots per game in the league than Lingard (3.7), who further ranks first for dribbles attempted (4.3) and is second for successful efforts (1.7).

Bowen and £70k-per-week playmaker Lanzini may both find their positions at risk on Sunday to free a space for Antonio to return, while also being at risk for Ryan Fredericks to earn only his seventh start of the season across all competitions.

Moyes enjoyed great success from the full-back operating a wide right position against Aston Villa, and may look to replicate that at home to Tottenham.

Fredericks offered two successful tackles – a personal best for the season – at Villa Park, along with two key passes and three accurate crosses. Bowen, the only West Ham player to have made more than one appearance at right-midfield in a Premier League game this term, has averaged 0.8 successful tackles, 0.9 key balls and 1.2 accurate crosses a game thus far.

So, Bowen could find that he not only makes way for Antonio but also Fredericks, as Moyes looks to orchestrate West Ham’s first home victory over Spurs since 2017.

AND in other news, West Ham face a Premier League tug-of-war to retain a £60k-p/w David Moyes favourite this summer…

David Moyes should urge West Ham United to launch a summer swoop to sign Bologna FC 1909 goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski.

What’s the word?

According to TuttoBolognaWeb, several Premier League sides are monitoring Skorupski’s situation at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara after his impressive run of form in the Serie A.

The 29-year-old Poland international has kept four clean sheets in 18 Italian top-flight outings this season, as Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side strive to secure a mid-table finish.

Skorupski has been Mihajlovic’s number one between the sticks whenever fit this term, having only sat out seven fixtures throughout the 2020/21 campaign as a result of a fractured hand sustained in December.

West Ham are thought to be the keenest side considering pursuing a deal for the four-cap shot-stopper, likely as a result of his compatriot, Lukasz Fabianski, currently being set to leave the London Stadium as a free agent in the summer.

Crystal Palace, Brighton and Hove Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers plus Aston Villa are also in the running, should they look to cause a shake-up in goal during the off-season.

Fabianski revealed in December that he had been in discussions with the Irons hierarchy over a new, long-term deal, but he is yet to put pen to paper despite entering the final three months of his current £65,000-per-week terms.

The Hammers have also been linked with potential replacements in Manchester United outcast Dean Henderson, who would command a £40m asking rice, and Sheffield United’s number one Aaron Ramsdale, who intends to remain at Bramall Lane regardless of what division the Blades are playing in next season.

Should West Ham sign Skorupski?

While Fabianski is still capable of pulling off remarkable and sometimes unbelievable saves, it would appear that West Ham are testing the waters to see if a suitable replacement can be found in the summer transfer market for the goalkeeper who turns 36 in April.

Skorupski would be a much more lowbrow signing than a Henderson, who earns £100k-p/w at Old Trafford, or Ramsdale, who is being eyed for a senior England call-up, but the Bologna favourite is one of the best-performing shot-stoppers in the Serie A this season.

The £3.5m-rated ‘keeper averages the second-most saves per game (4.06) in the Italian top-flight to Cagliari Calcio’s Alessio Cragno (4.08), along with the second-most from shots faced inside the penalty area (2.72) by players who have featured at least five times, per SofaScore.

Skorupski has also only been beaten by three of 26 shots faced from attempts taken outside of the box, while Fabianski averages 2.88 saves per Premier League game and has conceded from five of 34 shots struck outside the area.

Skorupski has also appeared to turn his reputation around in Italy, having been described as being “very arrogant” by Empoli FC President Fabrizio Corsi after a loan spell at the Carlo Castellani Stadium before sealing a €9m (£8m) move to Bologna from parent side AS Roma in 2018.

Now, the Poland ‘keeper leaves no stone unturned in his pursuit of helping I Rossoblu secure points and does not put himself above the team, as shown by his comments a few weeks ago.

“We are working on penalties, watching videos of our opponents and I waited to the end. Fortunately, I went the way he took it and saved the spot-kick,” Skorupski told Sky Sport Italia, via quotes by Football-Italia, after beating SS Lazio 2-0 in February.

“I made a couple of good saves in the second half too, but the whole team did really well and earned these three precious points.”

If Moyes is looking for a suitable Fabianski replacement and if he is keen to operate on a strict budget – ruling out moves for Henderson et al. – then he should urge West Ham to launch a swoop on Bologna for Skorupski.

AND in other news, West Ham have been dealt a huge blow with a David Moyes favourite ruled out until mid-April…

Manchester United have appointed Erik ten Hag as their new manager to join the club this summer, and there is already mounting speculation about players who may join him to be part of the new era at Old Trafford.

What’s the latest?

The Athletic has reported that Man United have begun “exploring” the idea of bringing Kalvin Phillips to the club this summer.

The sports publication tweeted: “MUFC have begun exploring the prospect of £50m move for Kalvin Phillips.”

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Ten Hag masterclass

If the Red Devils were able to convince Phillips to leave his beloved boyhood club at Leeds United to join Ten Hag this summer in Manchester, it would be an incredible coup for the club and would be the first masterclass in the new manager’s revolution.

The £38k-per-week ace who was hailed “outstanding” by Martin Keown and a “destroyer” by Steve McLaren, has been a force for the Yorkshire club in their push for promotion to the Premier League and last season when they finished 9th in their first season in the top-flight, as well as being a standout performer for England in the Euros last summer.

In midfield for Manchester United, Phillips is the exact profile of player that the team needs to integrate to improve the possession of the ball and control games better in the centre of the pitch, which has been a huge problem for the current team who, for example, lost the ball 167 times against Newcastle United earlier this season.

The 26-year-old Leeds midfielder this season had lost the ball on average just 11.8 times per game, compared to Bruno Fernandes who loses the ball 18.3 times, and Paul Pogba has lost the ball every 12.1 touches, so adding a player like Phillips could boost the ball retention in the team.

With that being said, there is a huge rivalry between Leeds and Manchester United that has existed for decades and with Phillips being a complete product of Leeds United, the golden boy at the club and in the city it would be surprising if he does make the move to Old Trafford, but from a quality perspective, he is exactly what the team needs.

AND in other news: Fabrizio Romano drops huge £50m transfer update that will excite Man United supporters

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer has claimed that he thinks Owls skipper Barry Bannan will stay at Hillsborough past his current deal.

The 31-year-old is currently out-of-contract at the end of the season after what will be his sixth season in the blue and white stripes, though new manager Tony Pulis did confirm that he had offered the midfielder an extension.

He told reporters last week:

“Barry, Leesy and Reachy have all been offered new contracts. That’s something that the chairman is dealing with.”

However, it is thought that the former Palace maestro will only agree on a new two-year deal if Pulis gets backed in the January transfer window with the Owls staring down the barrel at the prospect of relegation from the Championship, as per the Mirror.

Earlier in the summer, Wednesday knocked back a ‘number of bids’ from promotion hopefuls Brentford, according to Football Insider, so Bannan may well not be short of options should he want to leave.

Although Palmer believes the Yorkshiremen have enough power to keep hold of the veteran – between the fans’ admiration for him and the £24k-per-week wages that he’s currently on…

He told FFC:

“It’s always difficult when you say ‘stay or go?’ Barry Bannan has been one of the best players there for the last few seasons.

“With all due respect, Sheffield Wednesday pays, so it’s a case of where Barry is going to go. He came from the Premier League and if I’m being honest, I think he’s just short of the Premier League.

“I think he’s a good Championship player, so where is he going to go in the Championship that’s going to pay him any more money than Sheffield Wednesday? I thought maybe Neil Warnock might have come in for him at Middlesbrough or something like that because they could pay the salary. I’m sure there will be takers in the Championship for those teams at the top.

“But as I say, Barry does love Sheffield Wednesday, the supporters have taken him to heart, and he’s earning good money there. It’ll be an interesting one. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him stay because of the options that’ll be available to him.

“I don’t think a Premier League club would come knocking for him. He’s just short of that but he’s a very good Championship player.”

This season, the Scotsman has proven to be one of Pulis’ most influential players, scoring two goals and assisting two more in 19 starts, whilst also managing to average 1.4 key passes and 1.3 dribbles per game, via WhoScored.

It remains to be seen if Bannan will indeed sign on the dotted line, whilst he may well want to wait and see what division the club are in before making such a decision.

If the Bees wanted him in the summer, then he would surely not be short of options in the upper echelons of the English second-flight should the Owls go down to League One.

AND in other news, Tony Pulis must make U-turn over Sheff Weds liability not fit to wear the shirt…

Brendan Rodgers is among Tottenham Hotspur’s top managerial targets, according to The Telegraph…

What’s the word?

On Tuesday, the north London outfit were dealt a devastating blow as Daniel Levy’s mooted first-choice option Julian Nagelsmann was confirmed as Bayern Munich’s next manager ahead of the summer.

Just two days ago, 90min revealed that Spurs were prepared to pay the Leicester City boss in excess of the £15m that Jose Mourinho took home each year while at the club.

Rodgers has downplayed reports linking him to the vacant role, claiming that Spurs is a “huge club”, but you’d imagine the money Levy could offer is a rather tempting figure.

According to Dean Windass, who spoke to Football FanCast exclusively this week, “he wouldn’t turn it down” either.

Is he the one?

Levy will undoubtedly be reeling from missing out on Nagelsmann, but he should move on quickly and prepare to launch all he has at the Foxes chief, as he could be the one to turn around their fortunes in N17.

Right now, you could consider Spurs a step down from Leicester. After all, the Midlands side are comfortable in third place, aiming for another crack at the Champions League, whilst the Lilywhites are battling for those places underneath them.

They’ve even won the Premier League more recently than Spurs have won a major trophy, but in this day and age, money plays a big factor and Levy is prepared to pay Rodgers £5m more per year than what he’s currently thought to be earning.

It would be a very wise investment, too.

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Rodgers has completely transformed Leicester both on and off the pitch. Every single year they lose their best players to big fees, such as Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City (£60m), Harry Maguire to Manchester United (£80m) and Ben Chilwell to Chelsea (£50m).

Firstly, Spurs have not sold a player for more than £50m since the departure of Kyle Walker in 2017 and he’s the only one since Gareth Bale before that to garner such a huge profit.

Secondly, the Foxes have barely felt the loss of such key players, all thanks to the shrewd recruitment and subsequent coaching of the 48-year-old Northern Irishman. For example, Timothy Castagne cost just £18m and has replaced Chilwell, while Caglar Soyuncu cost only £20m and has replaced Maguire. Both have been seamless transitions.

Among all this adversity, he looks set to guide the Foxes to back-to-back European campaigns and has also managed to keep a win rate of 55.2%, which is hugely impressive.

Furthermore, Rodgers’ development of Kelechi Iheanacho has been game-changing – Windass even called it “unbelievable” when speaking to FFC – not to mention Mourinho’s glowing endorsement of the former Liverpool boss.

“He’s very talented, he was and probably still is a guy who likes to study, learn and improve,” the Portuguese told reporters (via The Argus). “He’s creative, he knows what he wants.”

Iheanacho had looked like a player not ready to fulfil his undoubted potential until this season; now he’s bagged 17 goals in all competitions – a whopping 46% of his career total for the Midlands outfit since joining in the summer of 2017.

When you consider the regression of the likes of Dele Alli and Steven Bergwijn, and the huge potential of youngsters such as Oliver Skipp and Dennis Cirkin, on top of his phenomenal record in the transfer market, then surely Rodgers is a match made in heaven for Levy and Spurs.

He’s the one who can rejuvenate this faltering club.

AND in other news, Levy could hammer another nail in Spurs coffin by hiring 47 y/o with a 30.5% win rate…