All posts by n8rngtd.top

Everton remain top of the pile for signing Boulaye Dia but now face Premier League competition…

What’s the latest?

That’s according to Tutto Salernitana, who claim that Kevin Thelwell will continue to rival West Ham United for the Senegalese striker.

With the 26-year-old currently on loan at the Italian side, they plan to exercise their €12m (£10.4m) option to buy clause with plans to “fix the price” for his summer exit.

Therefore, it seems the enthusiasm from the English clubs will have to wait until the conclusion of this season. Having contacted his entourage, both teams are aware of this plan.

It is expected they will demand €17m (£15m) for his signature.

“Exciting” signing

Although it may be one for the future, this remains a signing that Evertonians can get excited about.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin continuing to suffer from injuries, and Neal Maupay having scored just once since his summer move, obtaining a striker is a move of the utmost importance for Frank Lampard.

Especially given how his side in total has scored just 11 times in 15 games.

Having become somewhat reliant on the one-season exploits of their Sheffield-born frontman, it seems up front has become a position somewhat neglected.

Calvert-Lewin had scored 16 goals during the 2020/21 campaign but has featured just 23 times across the season and a half following.

Dia alone already has six goals this season for his side, as well as assisting a further two. His entry to Goodison Park would mark an instant upgrade on the current crop of toothless attackers that have frustrated fans thus far this season.

He seems set to glide past last season’s tally of seven goals and six assists, which included a strike against Liverpool in their Champions League semi-final collapse.

What has further marked a sensational season for the on-loan Villarreal marksman is his World Cup goal, which will likely have seen his value rocket even further.

Transfer insider and journalist Dean Jones had expected him to “be a breakout” from the competition in Qatar, also labelling him “exciting” and “confident”.

This move could be worth the wait for Lampard and Thelwell, but they will be wary of going the rest of the season without a reliable goal scorer.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has become the subject of ‘concrete’ interest from Premier League rivals Manchester United.

The Lowdown: Coutinho first out?

Philippe Coutinho could be set for a shock exit after being told by Unai Emery that he’s open to letting him leave, and after a remarkable tournament in Qatar, it looks like Martinez could follow him out the door in 2023.

The Argentine was recently crowned a World Cup winner after saving a penalty in the ultimate shootout which guaranteed his side the trophy, and his incredible display has already seen him attracting attention.

The Latest: United eyeing Martinez

According to Football Insider, United hold a ‘concrete’ interest in Martinez, with figures behind the scenes having been impressed by his ‘elite mentality’ shown in the Middle East.

The 6 foot 3 colossus is ‘highly rated’ by the Red Devils’ recruitment team, who have been ‘watching him closely’ ever since he first arrived at Villa Park.

Erik Ten Hag’s side are believed to be ‘assessing potential candidates’ to replace David De Gea, who will be out of contract at the end of the campaign.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/aston-villa-latest-updates-5/” title=”Aston Villa latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Keep hold of him

Martinez has had a huge impact in between the sticks over the past two-and-a-half years, and having been dubbed an ‘unsung hero’ by Josh Bunting, Villa need to do everything they can to keep hold of him.

The shot-stopper has recorded 30 clean sheets during his time in the Midlands, with four of those coming this season alone, and he is a real vocal leader from the back (Transfermarkt).

Emery has already previously worked with Martinez at Arsenal, so his arrival in the dugout could play a significant role in whether he decides to stay or not.

Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth appears to be scouring the market for potential new recruits ahead of the January transfer window, with midfield seemingly an area in which the Magpies would like to strengthen.

That’s according to the Daily Mail, with the report suggesting that Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Kouadio Kone is a potential target for the northeast side, albeit with the German outfit likely unwilling to part ways next month.

Even despite that potential obstacle, it could well prove an astute move if Ashworth and co are to make an approach for the 21-year-old in the New Year, with the Frenchman having showcased his quality in the Bundesliga in recent times.

The former Toulouse ace – who left his homeland back in the summer of 2021 – has been in particularly impressive form for his current side so far this term, showcasing his ball-winning talents after averaging 2.1 tackles per game in the league this season from his 14 appearances.

The promising youngster also notably ranks in the top 20% in Europe among those in his position in that metric, having proven himself a truly effective asset at breaking up play in the centre of the park.

That knack has earned the France U21 international notable praise from talent scout Jacek Kulig, with the youth expert describing him as “like having one extra man on the pitch”, such is the 6 foot 1 titan’s destructive brilliance.

It is not just defensively that the £6k-per-week maestro thrives, however, with Kone showing his brilliance in possession as he ranks in the top 1% for dribbles completed, offering a real dynamic presence with his ability to drive his side forward from deep.

Such traits have also earned further praise from the aforementioned Kulig, with the respected source having stated last year: “He’s such a warrior. Complete package for a high-quality box-to-box midfielder.”

A player for whom the “sky is the limit” – according to Kulig – Kone could well be a figure whom Newcastle boss Eddie Howe can work with and develop over the coming years, while also offering the undoubted quality to be able to make a difference in the short term.

Any move would likely not come cheap for the St James’ Park outfit – with CIES Football Observatory valuing the player at €35m (£31m) – although it would seemingly prove worth it to be able to snap up a player who has a “lot of potential”, as per former Gladbach boss Adi Hutter.

Having been linked with a move for Kone over the summer, the Magpies could finally turn that interest into a concrete offer when the market re-opens next month.

Journalist Charles Watts has suggested that Arsenal could get long-term transfer target Youri Tielemans for cheap if they chase him this January.

What’s the latest?

With the winter window now open, the Gunners may well be quite busy over the coming weeks. Indeed, they are expected to push hard for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk having already made one bid for the Ukrainian.
However, it seems as though they could be in the market for a new midfielder too. Indeed, Arsenal were linked with the Leicester City midfielder in the summer and with his contract set to expire in six months, he could be available to pick up at a cut price in January.
While speaking on YouTube after the game, Watts said that this transfer saga may ‘rumble on’ this month if the Gunners do decide to try and chase the Belgian.

He explained: “Will they make a move for long-term target Youri Tielemans? That’s one that might well rumble on during the January window.

“Six months left on his contract potentially could get him for a pretty decent fee if Leicester decide to sell or to see if Arsenal do sort of rekindle their interest in him.”

Midfielder needed?

Seeing as Arsenal have found themselves leading the pack after 16 games in the Premier League so far this season, Mikel Arteta may well be desperate to do all he can to maintain this unexpected title challenge.
And so while they may have been keen to wait until the summer to sign a new midfielder if Tielemans can come in right away and make an immediate impact, it might make more sense to push for him now – especially with his potentially available at a pretty reasonable price due to his expiring contract.
When you look at Tielemans and Granit Xhaka side by side, there really isn’t much difference. They have a passing accuracy percentage of 83.1 and 84.6 respectively, as well as both netting three goals. However, Tielemans has 26 more tackles and 250 more touches (FBref).
Of course, the Gunners did bid for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz in the summer and so they clearly want to add more depth to that part of the field – though he has now signed a new contract with the Villans.
Taking that into account, it certainly wouldn’t be a shock if they looked for an alternative such as Tielemans this winter.

Chelsea right-back Reece James’ persistent injury issues are now a ‘problem’ for Graham Potter, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: James’ injury woes

James picked up a knee injury during a clash with AC Milan back in October, limping off the pitch, and he failed to recover from the issue in time to be selected by Gareth Southgate in his England World Cup squad.

That may have came as good news for Potter, as it gave the defender more to recover before the Premier League season restarted, however he suffered an immediate setback in his comeback game against AFC Bournemouth, and could now be out for another month.

The Latest: Jones’ comments

When Jones was asked by GIVEMESPORT whether the persistent injuries are now becoming a worry for the Blues, he said:

“Yeah, I think it’s a problem. Now, you could probably compare it to what Liverpool have just done.

“Luis Diaz suffering his injury led to Liverpool taking pretty immediate action and signing Cody Gakpo, and now Chelsea need to find their own version of this because the Reece James injury means they need to now take action and find a new version of James, basically.”

The Verdict: Concern for Potter

While Jones claims that Chelsea will now be need to find a ‘new version’ of the Englishman, in truth this is a very difficult task, given just how good he has been since breaking into the first team.

Not only is the Cobham youth product described as ‘defensively sound’ by journalist Okon Nya, but he also has lots to offer the Blues on the front foot, averaging 0.28 assists per 90 over the past year, in the 95th percentile compared to his positional peers.

A new right-back is definitely required, with back-up option Cesar Azpilicueta not able to provide nearly as much going forward, picking up 0 assists in the same timeframe, but it may be difficult to find someone at the same level as James.

Manchester United have recently been beaten to the loan signing of Joao Felix after weeks of intense speculation regarding his next move, with Premier League rivals Chelsea securing his services until the end of the season.

A multitude of sources, including Fabrizio Romano, had touted Old Trafford as one of the likely destinations for the Portuguese international, but it was not to be, with Graham Potter’s Blues the victors in the race for his signature, largely due to the willingness to pay the £9.7m loan fee.

However, the Red Devils can swiftly forget about the recently missed target by intensifying speculation concerning their interest in Tottenham Hotspur’s star striker Harry Kane, who is yet again subject to rumours regarding his future in north London.

According to ESPN, United manager Erik ten Hag’s January acquisition of Wout Weghorst – nearing completion – is merely a temporary fix to the chasm left in the central striking position following the acrimonious departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in November.

And Kane could be the glistening gem to catapult the club to success next summer; a wealth of Premier League experience, an incredible goal record, innate leadership, and a creative spark that few world-class centre-forwards can come close to rivalling.

Forget Felix

Last year, Kane was at the centre of attention stemming from Old Trafford for his name, according to The Athletic, while in the summer of 2021, Manchester City nearly clinched a deal for the Premier League icon with a £100m bid, which was ultimately unsuccessful despite the player’s burning desire to seal the deal.

And should Ten Hag succeed in a move this year, United would finally cement the talismanic role at the club with a supreme striking option.

Kane has scored 265 goals for Spurs across 412 appearances, is England’s joint-record goalscorer with 53 international strikes – alongside Wayne Rooney – and is second in the all-time Premier League goal tally with 208 strikes, behind Alan Shearer with 260.

And as per FBref, over the past year, the £62m-rated forward ranks within the top 14% of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues for goals, the top 16% for assists, the top 7% for shot-creating actions and the top 5% for progressive passes – supreme statistics and an affirmation of the all-encompassing brilliance of his refined game.

Missing out on Felix will sting, but with mounting speculation over Kane’s future, and United seemingly at the forefront of the rumours, it might prove to be the eventual diamond acquisition for the Theatre of Dreams.

With United on a fantastic eight-match winning streak, and Marcus Rashford enjoying a prolific purple patch in front of goal, the often turbulent waters have been calmed, and with the club still fighting across every possible front this season, there is plenty of optimism and belief that Ten Hag can finally bring silverware back to the red side of Manchester after a five-year drought.

Injecting the “monster” – as described by Heung-min Son – that is the 80-cap Kane into the fold would be a terrifying prospect for the rest of the division, and beyond. His cutting edge, ingenuity and sporting charisma are all elements that will ignite impactful change at Old Trafford, and maintain it over the coming years.

Journalist Ryan Taylor has claimed that Wolves will now likely miss out on a January move for Aaron Wan-Bissaka despite recent transfer links.

What’s the word?

The Manchester United defender has been linked with a possible move to Molineux this winter and exit talk has surrounded the player for some time due to his stagnating career.

However, the 25-year-old has suddenly breathed new life into his time with the Red Devils and issued a reminder of his quality with a superb performance over the weekend in the Manchester derby.

Consequently, it now looks as though Wan-Bissaka may be staying with United for the remained of the season after all. Taylor suggested as much when speaking on YouTube recently.

The journalist explained: “A right-back is also of interest to Wolves, not least Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who’s the top target.

“But I envisage him staying at Manchester United now. He’s having a real run of games in the side with Diogo Dalot experiencing injury problems since the World Cup – and look at the run United are on, it speaks for itself, really.

“Wan-Bissaka has shown a great attitude to hang in there and basically take his chance when he’s got it, he’s playing really well.”

Transfer options

With Wolves struggling down towards the bottom end of the Premier League – currently just two points and two places above the relegation zone – it’s no shock that they are looking to add quality to their ranks in the market.

In fact, they’ve already made some notable moves this winter, bringing in the likes of Mario Lemina and Matheus Cunha, while Pablo Sarabia of PSG is very close to joining too.

Despite all that, with Taylor stating the club are definitely in the market for a right-back too, it will come as a big blow if they are to miss out on Wan-Bissaka. Indeed, his recent form suggests he would have been a fine addition to the Wolves team.

Dawson, on the other hand, seems very open to the move for the reasons stated above. What’s more, with his contract set to expire this summer, he should come fairly cheap.

Chelsea have been unrelenting in their pursuit of fortifying the squad across every department with a wealth of pedigree on the transfer front since Todd Boehly assumed ownership of the club last year, and the next target has been distinguished. 

What’s the word?

Having spent £372m since last summer – with a £52.4m deal also agreed for RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku – Chelsea have now turned their attention to Brighton & Hove Albion’s precocious talent Moises Caicedo as the latest acquisition to spearhead the ascension to the forefront of European football. 

Chelsea and former Seagulls boss Graham Potter has indeed been desperate to bring his former ace to Stamford Bridge, and could now wrap up a deal during the winter transfer market, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano previously confirming the interest.

And now, according to The Athletic, the Blues have had an opening £55m bid rejected for Albion’s most coveted asset as the onus on cementing success continues, with his outfit demanding a fee closer to £75m.

Essien repeat

While Chelsea undoubtedly boast a wealth of quality in their squad, fortunes have not been reflective of the collective calibre, with the west London giants currently languishing in tenth place in the Premier League and beset with seven defeats from the past 11 matches across all competitions. 

As such, bringing a young talent that can be nurtured and moulded into the finished article at Stamford Bridge would be a move that could cement success and create a distinctive identity for years to come, and Caicedo certainly fits the bill.

Indeed, since signing for the Seagulls for just £4.5m in January 2021, the Ecuadorian ace has swiftly asserted his authority and secured his position in a flourishing outfit, making 30 competitive outings and registering two goals and three assists. 

This season, his performances across his 20 appearances have been integral to ensuring fortunes remain fruitful, with Sofascore recording his average Premier League rating at a remarkable 7.11 this term. 

And as per FBref, the 21-year-old ranks among the top 16% of midfielders for tackles over the past year, and has maintained an average passing accuracy of 86.3% as he continues to blossom into his own as one of the most assured and tenacious of all his positional peers across Europe. 

The rising star has been likened as a cross between Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante and former Manchester United phenom Paul Pogba, with such a dynamic and vigorous skill set certain to continue a meteoric rise to the very top of the game.

Should Chelsea succeed in their foray into the market for the “crown-jewel” – as once hailed by Enrico Castro-Montes – they could instigate a repeat of the monumental signing of Michael Essien, who joined the fold at Chelsea in 2005 on a – then – club-record deal of £24.4m – he went on to make 256 appearances for the Blues, notably winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League.

GOAL once stated that the Ghanian maestro was integral for Chelsea with his ball-playing prowess and ability to carry the ball up the pitch with both composure and conviction, and given these traits bear similarity to Caicedo, the blueprint is there to emulate the endeared figure. 

Potter and Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell are crafting a team that should swiftly rise to prominence again despite the recent woes, and among the wealth of established talent within the Stamford Bridge ranks, Caicedo would encapsulate the strategy of putting onus on the youth and building a dynasty that will ensure the eminent stature that the club so dearly craves.

Arsenal could sign another Oleksandr Zinchenko, with Gunners chief Edu Gaspar keen on Ivan Fresneda…

What’s the word?

In recent weeks, the north London outfit have been linked with a move for the Real Valladolid CF gem, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano providing the latest on the situation. He told Caught Offside:

“Arsenal, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle have been monitoring Fresneda but at the moment there’s still no official bid on Valladolid’s table.”

It’s thought that the Premier League leaders are prepared to pay around €20m (£18m) to get the deal done, as per reports in Spain.

The 18-year-old talent could be the next January signing on the club’s radar as they accelerate interest in Brighton and Hove Albion winger Leandro Trossard – also according to Romano – having missed out on Mykhaylo Mudryk just last week.

The next Oleksandr Zinchenko

Just as football.london writer Tom Canton has suggested, manager Mikel Arteta is on the lookout for “his next Oleksandr Zinchenko” and Fresneda fits the bill immensely.

Once part of Real Madrid’s famed La Fábrica academy, the Spain U19 international is enjoying a breakthrough campaign at the LaLiga outfit – in which he’s already put himself amongst the very best in his role, ranking inside the top 1% for tackles, the top 4% for clearances and the top 9% for interceptions when compared to his positional peers across Europe’s elite five divisions, via FBref.

From his nine league appearances this term, we can see that he likes to come inside rather than hit the byline, as per his seasonal Sofascore heat map – very much in the style of Zinchenko – whilst he has created two big chances, averages 64 touches per game for a struggling side and rarely offers a cross.

Indeed, according to ESPNUK editor David Cartlidge, he’s “like a CM dropped in at full-back” due to his 6-foot frame, “athletic” ability and is “excellent” with the ball at his feet.

Such form and quality has seen the teenager dubbed as “one of the revelations of the season” by LaLiga expert Matt Clark, who further added:

“He is a remarkably complete right-back despite his young age, balancing his defensive duties with the odd attack too.

“He has that coveted combination of physicality and technical ability. Tall but agile, quick and athletic, he is also strong in the tackle and reads the game very well for someone so green when it comes to first-team football.”

Unlike the Ukraine star though, Fresneda is a natural right-sided option, so Arteta could well have two inverted sensations on either flank if Edu were to win the race for his signature.

Having averaged a 7.2 rating against LaLiga frontrunners Real Madrid, it does appear as if the young wonderkid is ready for the leap to a much bigger side, perhaps that should already be known given Fresneda has been also dubbed as a “very special talent” by Cartlidge.

As such, Arsenal must look to hand Arteta his new right-sided Zinchenko by signing Fresneda before deadline day on January 31st.

AND in other news, Contact made: Arsenal eye “fearless” £52m-rated “demon”, he’d be better than Raphinha…

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has made an interesting Tottenham Hotspur transfer claim involving Roma forward Nicolo Zaniolo.

The Lowdown: Spurs sign Danjuma…

Spurs made a late hijack attempt to sign Villarreal attacker Arnaut Danjuma earlier this week despite the player even previously having a medical with Everton.

The surprise January transfer shows just how things can turn until any target officially puts pen to paper, and with the Dutchman’s arrival, links to Zaniolo have understandably cooled somewhat.

Spurs are also trying to complete a deal for Sporting Lisbon wing-back Pedro Porro after their Danjuma move with it being no surprise we have heard little of Zaniolo lately.

The Italian has been repeatedly linked with a move to north London and the Premier League this month, but according to Sky and reporter Sheth, the interest is still there.

The Latest: Sheth makes Zaniolo claim…

Speaking on The Transfer Show, the journalist claims Zaniolo is a player still attracting Spurs interest amid Bournemouth’s new-found intrigue.

He explained (via the Sky transfer blog, 17:29):

“Bournemouth are showing a bit of ambition in this window. The subject of Roma’s Nicolo Zaniolo – who also has Spurs interest – has came up. They like the player, but Bournemouth think he would ideally like to move to a club where European football is an option. Bournemouth would match what Roma would want in a sale – that’s around £26.5m. “

The Verdict: Make the move?

Despite the signing of Danjuma, Jose Mourinho’s attacker could still come into Antonio Conte’s squad and provide an injection of real quality and versatility.

He is able to play across the attacking midfield line, as a playmaker and even further forward – potentially coming as an heir to former star Christian Eriksen which the club have arguably yearned for.

Whilst arguably not at his best in a Roma shirt this season, Zaniolo has proved that he can be a devastating attacking threat when at his very best.

Over the 2021/2022 season, he averaged their highest rate of completed take-ons per 90 in Serie A whilst also drawing the most fouls – highlighting what a tricky player he can be on his day (WhoScored).

Despite his recent slump in form, members of the media have still drawn attention to his ‘tremendous talent’ and ‘amazing ability’.

For £26.5 million, the deal would also be an attainable one from a Spurs and Daniel Levy perspective.