All posts by z3u9t.icu

Crystal Palace are keen on signing RB Leipzig winger Ademola Lookman, according to The Athletic.

And, as to be expected, a number of Eagles supporters have been sharing their thoughts to the rumours on social media.

The Athletic shared a Palace transfer story on Wednesday, claiming the club have a persistent interest in Lookman and Conor Gallagher at Chelsea.

Lookman, who is on £56,000-a-week, spent last season on loan at Fulham. He featured in 34 Premier League games under Scott Parker, scoring four times and registering four assists.

The Englishman, described as ‘exceptional’ by former Palace boss Roy Hodgson, still has three years left on his Leipzig deal but it seems as if Palace may try and land the versatile winger ahead of the new season.

Lookman, an England Under-21 international, can play anywhere across the front three and is valued at £9.9m by Transfermarkt.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the interest in Lookman on Twitter on Thursday. These Palace fans all seemed to be for a move, with one admitting he was ‘absolutely buzzing’.

“This would be our best signing”Credit: @WlLFRIEDZAHA”I’m telling you, we will be a side to watch next season”Credit: @lparsonz”Need this. Absolutely buzzing at this.”Credit: @CHSCPFC”Love this”Credit: @dorian_simpson”IF we can keep Wilf our strength in depth will be unreal”Credit: @Bigzinho3″Clown fans would hate this! Hope we pull it off!”Credit: @TheGoverner99

In other news: ‘Oh my god’ – Many CPFC fans erupt at ‘sensational’ news from trusted reporter. 

Southampton have been heavily linked with Manchester United full-back Brandon Williams ahead of the summer transfer window and his signing would surely lead to Yan Valery’s time working under Ralph Hasenhuttl coming to an end.

Hampshire Live have suggested that Southampton and Norwich City will battle it out to sign the 21-year-old this summer as Hasenhuttl looks to add to his full-back options at St Mary’s.

The Saints were very interested in signing the United academy graduate in January but a deal fell through after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer decided he wanted to keep him at Old Trafford. However, a move away could be on the cards this summer, as he is third-choice behind Luke Shaw and Alex Telles and managed just four Premier League appearances last season.

Described by Gary Lineker as an “exciting” talent, he could be an ideal option for the Austrian manager this summer, as he is desperately short of full-backs in his squad ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, and Williams has featured as both a left-back and a right-back during his time with the Red Devils.

Whilst Romain Perraud looks set to arrive as Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand replacement at left-back, Williams would still be a smart signing as he could provide cover for the Frenchman on the left and Kyle Walker-Peters on the right.

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This would leave little room for Valery in Southampton’s squad, with the young Frenchman a player who has been touted for a permanent exit this summer after failing to impress Hasenhuttl during his time at the club.

Despite a lack of cover at right-back this season, the Austrian manager decided to send Valery out on loan to Birmingham City in the Championship, where he would manage just seven appearances despite the Blues’ struggles in the lower half of the table. That certainly doesn’t bode well for his future at Southampton.

Once a regular under Mark Hughes, the 22-year-old has failed to push on at Southampton following a promising start, with the Athletic journalist Dan Sheldon describing him as the “weak link” in Hasenhuttl’s side last season.

Therefore, if Williams does arrive from Manchester United this summer, he will likely be back-up to Walker-Peters at right-back, which could allow Hasenhuttl to get rid of Valery for good.

And, in other news… Southampton can repeat Armstrong masterclass with swoop for “outstanding” beast

According to a report by Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur chiefs are now ‘confident’ Lilywhites superstar Son Heung-min won’t be leaving this summer transfer window. 

The Lowdown: Spurs exit claims

Amid all the noise surrounding star striker Harry Kane, with Sky Sports recently lifting the lid on his desire to leave north London, Son still hasn’t signed his new deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The South Korean sensation has been heavily touted to put pen to paper on a £200,000-per-week extension since near the end of last year, but contract talks were put on hold due to the financial difficulties caused by coronavirus.

The Sun also claimed that Kane’s possible exit could spark an exodus of stars from north London, with Son left ‘upset’ and ‘concerned’ over the prospect of losing him.

The Latest: Club chiefs ‘confident’ of keeping Son

In an encouraging claim, Football Insider believe that Spurs chiefs are now ‘confident’ of keeping the 28-year-old despite the saga surrounding Kane and his future with the club.

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The prospect of losing another star attacker would have been a tough pill to swallow for Lilywhites supporters, but FI report Tottenham chiefs are under the firm belief that Son isn’t going anywhere this summer.

As relayed by this report, there has been some speculation over whether the winger could force an exit of his own. However, it appears the club have been boosted in their hopes of keeping hold of Son for now.

The Verdict: Big boost for Spurs…

Apart from Kane, Son was Tottenham’s next best player over the 2020/2021 season – bagging a brilliant 17 goals and ten assists in the Premier League alone (WhoScored).

Son and Kane also formed a devastating partnership, breaking Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton’s previous record of most English top flight combinations for goals in a single campaign (Premier League).

Gary Neville perhaps summed up his quality in the most efficient way, labelling Son an ‘absolutely world class’ player when speaking on Sky Sports (via football.london).

It’s safe to say, as a result, that Spurs supporters can take real encouragement from this Football Insider claim as they continue to await where Kane will be next season.

In other news: ‘I hear from a reliable source’…Journalist drops major Harry Kane claim, find out more here.

According to Aftonbladet, Glasgow Rangers are set for an Old Firm battle as they aim to sign Joseph Okumu from Swedish outfit Elfsborg.

The Lowdown: Gers planning for summer transfers

After a fantastic campaign which saw the Gers go unbeaten in the Premiership as they won the title (BBC), Steven Gerrard and co must prepare for an upcoming Champions League run.

As such, there is likely to be plenty of transfer business done at Ibrox over the coming months for the 55-time Scottish champions.

The Latest: Gers to battle Celtic for Okumu

Now, this latest report suggests they are interested in signing Okumu, who is also on the radar of their fierce city rivals Celtic.

Gent, Reims and Lorient are also in pursuit, with the latter said to have launched an offer of 30m SEK (£3m). Elfsborg are said to be looking for £4m to part ways with the 24-year-old.

The Verdict: Worth a punt

In Europe, Okumu has only played for Elfsborg, but he has received plenty of praise for his performances. His teammate at the Swedish outfit, Johan Larsson, compared him to Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk (tuko.co.ke), while Elfsborg sporting director Stefan Andreasson said he was the best central defender to play in the Swedish Allsvenskan (The Daily Record), and therefore even better than current Gers man Filip Helander.

He so far has no experience in European competition and, at £4m, he would not come particularly cheap. However, given the praise he has received and the plentiful interest in his services, he is clearly a quality player and could be a top signing for Ross Wilson and co if they can capture his services.

In other news, Kieran Maguire has made this Ibrox claim.

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa could land a bargain transfer in West Brom’s Matheus Pereira amid Carlton Palmer’s fresh transfer claim.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days and weeks have suggested that the Whites are interested in signing the Brazilian this summer, and it’s even been claimed that he could be available for as little as £15m.

And, speaking exclusively to This is Futbol (via MSN) about Leeds’ reported interest in Pereira and the reported price tag on his head, Palmer said: “I think it’s a good price and he’s a good player. The problem West Brom are going to have is the wage bill going down and players of his calibre wanting to play in the Premier League.”

Gets fouled more than Raphinha

Former Leeds striker Noel Whelan has already talked up the prospect of Pereira joining Raphinha at Elland Road, saying: “It is a mouth-watering prospect. We missed out on certain players last season, and this is a player that excites everybody. I would definitely take him all day long.

“He’s a fantastic player, he’s great on the ball, he can turn people inside out. Pereira’s another option we can use right across that front three and maybe in a number 10 role as well. He’s the right age and he’s the sort of player we should be looking at. Imagine, if you put him alongside Raphinha, Rodrigo, Harrison etc, that’s pretty formidable.”

In fact, Pereira’s average of two shots and 1.8 key passes per game in the Premier League last season was only a touch lower than Raphinha (2.2 and 2.1), while he was actually fouled significantly more times than his Brazilian counterpart (1.6 to one).

And, after a particularly fine performance earlier this year in the Premier League against Aston Villa, former England ace Jermain Jenas said of the 5 foot 9 maestro: “He’s just silky. When he’s on it, he’s just got that lovely left-foot, (tucked) his penalty away, the delivery into the box for set-pieces was brilliant, and he wanted to showcase his skills.”

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Given the very reasonable price that he is supposedly available for, Bielsa should be all over a move for Pereira this summer. It could be a “mouth-watering” signing as Whelan says.

Meanwhile, Leeds have been handed an exciting boost…

Speaking to the press, via football.london, Tottenham Hotspur interim boss Ryan Mason has shared that winger Gareth Bale is a ‘question mark’ to start against Aston Villa this afternoon.

The Lowdown: Bale playing regularly…

After signing on a season-long loan deal from Real Madrid last summer, Bale spent the first half of this season barely featuring – with the winger starting just four Premier League games by December 20 (Transfermarkt).

However, the turn of the new year has seen Bale feature far more regularly and has even become a mainstay in the eleven under Mason.

Indeed, Bale has started the last four English top flight matches for Spurs and put on a dazzling display against Sheffield United recently with a hat trick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

He was also one of Spurs’ highest-rated players (7.6) during their last outing against Wolves (SofaScore).

The Latest: Mason says Bale is now a ‘question mark’

Speaking to the press, when asked if the 31-year-old can start another game so soon, Mason explained:

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“I am not sure,” (via football.london).

“Gareth was probably the best I have seen him all season at the weekend. He was sharp, he was running at players, he has that confidence back of playing in repetitive games and he feels confident in his body. He also knows his body. He is a question mark for tomorrow.

“We are not sure whether or not he is going to be ready. It is down to the player, he is experienced enough. We’ll see.

“Like it was with Serge, if a player doesn’t feel 100 per cent, I don’t feel confident enough, we have enough players ready, enough players competing, that want to play. If a player doesn’t feel 100 per cent and it is not right then he won’t play.”

The Verdict: Blow for Spurs?

As Mason explains his doubts over whether Bale will be able to start, supporters will be hoping he is indeed fit enough given they’re still in the hunt for a Europa League place.

Indeed, the attacker has impressed in has last few outings and Spurs could use every ounce of quality available against a stubborn Villa side this afternoon.

Lauded as an ‘exceptional player’ by Mason, Lilywhites supporters will surely be hoping he will play some sort of part today.

In other news: 45 y/o manager now open to joining Spurs, find out more here.

Some Liverpool supporters are excited at the prospect of the Reds signing Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma in the summer transfer window.

Jurgen Klopp’s men have suffered a painful 2020/21 season, with their Premier League title defence swiftly evaporating after Christmas.

Numerous Liverpool players have performed below their usual level, while injuries to key men have also hampered their chances of a top-four finish.

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In truth, the Reds’ midfield has been the least of Klopp’s worries, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be looking at potential reinforcements there this summer.

Gini Wijnaldum looks increasingly likely to join Barcelona at the end of the season, while the likes of James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Thiago aren’t getting any younger, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hasn’t looked the same player after all his injury troubles.

According to the Telegraph, Liverpool are eyeing up Brighton star Bissouma as a Wijnaldum replacement, following an impressive season for the Seagulls.

Liverpool fans excited by Bissouma link

These Reds fans took to Twitter to provide their thoughts on the situation, calling for the midfielder to arrive at Anfield in the coming months.

“Want this to happen so badly. Yves is a powerhouse. Technically gifted midfielder”

Credit: @BaksoCamara8

“Pls pls pls he’s been class all season”

Credit: @JonathanRFP

“Yes I’m begging. Get Gini gone.”

Credit: @Jcreamz96

“Be a boss signing tha”

Credit: @sol_j2

“I would be very happy with this”

Credit: @jonner6

“Oh yes”

Credit: @Matt_Sheppard25

In other news, a star man from a fellow British club has reportedly turned down a move to Liverpool. Find out who it is here.

Wolves’ attempts to replace two of their best players last summer turned into a mess.

Jeff Shi spent over £27m on defensive liability Nelson Semedo and splashed a club-record £35.6m on Fabio Silva to garner only three goals.

On the chalkboard

On paper, these additions looked promising. Semedo had been signed from one of the biggest clubs in world football; Barcelona, while Silva was and still is, the definition of a wonderkid.

However, things haven’t played out well for the Old Gold. Raul Jimenez, Daniel Podence and Pedro Neto have all suffered from significant injuries this term while Adama Traore has one goal since December 2019.

Life has been made all the more difficult by the departing Matt Doherty and Diogo Jota. They accounted for 25% of Wolves’ goals last season and they simply haven’t been replaced.

Jota has become a shining light for Liverpool and already has a Champions League hat-trick to his name. He has also managed to break up the terrifying trio of Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino. That isn’t easy work but Jota has made it look relatively straightforward.

The Portuguese youngster scored 16 times last term, a number no one in the Wolves side this season has come close to eclipsing. Neto and Ruben Neves are their top scorers during 2020/21 with only five strikes in comparison.

The replacement

Jeff Shi didn’t do a great job of reinvesting the £41m they sold Jota for last summer but he has a chance to amend things in a few months time.

He could do so by bringing South Korean sensation Kang-in Lee to the club. It’s thought that Valencia could offer the attacker to Wolves in a swap deal involving enigmatic forward Rafa Mir.

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Mir has done well on loan at Huesca in Spain this term and has 12 La Liga goals for his troubles; more than both Antoine Griezmann and Joao Felix.

However, it wouldn’t be a huge loss if he departed because he’s never actually scored a goal in English football.

While surrendering Mir, they could finally land their Jota replacement.

After all, Lee is a particularly dangerous and tricky individual. Possessing an enormous release clause of £71m, the South Korea international is only 20 but has already been compared to one of the most creative footballers to play the game in David Silva.

Lee can play on the flanks but also through the middle as an attacking midfielder. He has creativity in abundance and can beat a defender on a frequent basis.

Like Jota, his dribbling is mesmeric. This term, Lee has registered 1.4 dribbles per game and has been fouled on 1.8 occasions per match.

Those numbers are more impressive than Jota who has performed 1.1 successful dribbles each game and has been fouled on 1.1 occasions.

Dubbed an “outstanding talent” by Valencia academy director Luis Vicente Mateo, Lee still needs to work on finding the net more regularly; he has scored just once this term but has four assists to his name.

If he can work on his finishing, then he’d be an astute capture for those at Molineux. He could even replace the attributes that Jota took with him when he left for Merseyside.

AND in other news, Move over Podence: Wolves must swoop for £80k-p/w brute with “breathtaking technique”…

Manchester City face Everton in the Premier League on Sunday and, after some poor recent performances, Pep Guardiola should axe Rodri from his starting XI.

The Spanish midfielder must take a lot of the blame for two of City’s recent defeats, as a slack pass against Chelsea led to Hakim Ziyech’s equaliser, whilst another shocking pass gifted Brighton a goal back in the recent 3-2 defeat at the Amex Stadium.

With Fernandinho having produced some excellent recent displays, the Brazilian should be restored to the starting line-up after being omitted from the first XI against Chelsea, Brighton and Newcastle United.

Whilst the 36-year-old is reportedly set to extend his stay at City for another year, his current deal is set to expire at the end of the season, so this could yet be his final appearance at the Etihad Stadium. With fans set to return for the game against the Toffees, what better way for him to potentially sign off than by lifting the Premier League trophy.

Rodri’s performances against Chelsea and Brighton earned him disappointing 5.98/10 and 6.01 ratings from WhoScored, which is far below his average 7.18 rating for the season, a worrying sign ahead of the Champions League final on Saturday night.

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After two defeats in the last three, as well as a less than convincing win against Newcastle United, Guardiola should go with his strongest XI for the game against Everton in preparation for the Chelsea showdown next weekend. On current form, that means Fernandinho starting ahead of Rodri.

The £63m-rated Spanish midfielder has been impressive for City since signing from Atletico Madrid and Guardiola was full of praise for him back in 2019, saying: “We knew it but today I can assure you we have an incredible holding midfielder for the next decade, or at least the years he will be here with a contract.”

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Unfortunately, his performances in recent weeks have not been at his usual standard and he should lose his place for the game against Carlo Ancelotti’s side on Sunday, as the last thing City need is another mistake from him in their last game before the Champions League final.

In other news… Txiki should seal record-breaking swoop for “incomparable” star, Pep loves him

Crystal Palace have potentially been handed a huge boost in their search for a new boss thanks to AS Roma.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the Italian giants have opened talks with former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri concerning the prospect of him taking over at the Stadio Olimpico in the summer.

Of course, this would be great news for Steve Parish and the Eagles who have been linked with a move for current Roma manager Paulo Fonseca in the event that Roy Hodgson does not extend his current deal at the club.

The 73-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season so the club could certainly be on the lookout for a new boss come the summer.

Should Sarri actually be taking over at Roma, which would be his first managerial appointment since a solitary season in charge of Juventus, this would then make the process of luring Fonseca to Selhurst Park much easier.

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The former FC Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk man is also out of contract in the Italian capital come the end of the campaign so with the rumours regarding Sarri, it would suggest that the club have no aspirations in extending his deal, meaning that it would be a seamless process in appointing him at Selhurst Park.

It would also eliminate the need to pay any compensation to the Serie A outfit, an aspect that is sure to be appealing considering the impact that the pandemic has had on the financial situation at the club.

So, whilst the news surrounding a former Chelsea boss might not be all too exhilarating for the Eagles initially, it does actually give them a huge boost in their search for a new first-team manager as Hodgson’s contract continues to tick down.

AND in more news, take a look at why the appointment of Fonseca could be perfect for Palace…