All posts by z3u9t.icu

According to a Spanish outlet, Liverpool are interested in signing Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio this summer.

The Lowdown: Klopp’s high ambitions

Despite the recent arrival of Darwin Nunez, Jurgen Klopp may feel that he wants to bolster his attacking ranks even further with the imminent departure of Sadio Mane looming, and the boss will need plenty of squad depth if he wants to aim for that unprecedented quadruple again next season.

The 26-year-old Asensio still has just over 12 months remaining on his contract with the Spanish giants, but has reportedly been told that he can leave the Bernabeu, and it looks like Carlo Ancelotti’s side want to cash in now, rather than letting the winger leave as a free agent.

The Latest: Liverpool ‘main bidders’ for Asensio

In a fresh article published by Spanish newspaper Sport (via TEAMtalk), it’s claimed that Liverpool are ‘one of six’ potential suitors exploring the option of signing Asensio, with the Reds, alongside fellow Premier League rivals Arsenal, being the current ‘main bidders’ in the English top-flight.

The source further states that Madrid are seeking £51.7m for the sale of their man, but would be willing to let him go for a fee in the region of £43m if the opportunity was suitable.

The Verdict: Not a necessity

The Spaniard will no doubt find it difficult to sometimes compete with the likes of Vinicius Jnr and Eden Hazard for a place in the Real starting XI, and with just a year left on his deal, it makes sense that he’s edging close to an exit.

Asensio, who was once dubbed a “quality” player by Ancelotti, and has even been likened to Lionel Messi, managed to score ten goals within the space of 31 La Liga appearances last season, as per Transfermarkt, but his price tag will surely be too much for the Reds to afford at this moment in time.

Having just splashed out an £85m club-record fee for Nunez, Liverpool won’t be in a position where they will want to go out and spend big money on attackers unless absolutely necessary, and whilst the 29-cap international is a highly-talented and versatile forward, the front line isn’t an area of the pitch that desperately needs to be added to right now.

In other news… Spanish press believe that Liverpool have already made their move for a new midfield maestro.

Alasdair Gold has dropped an intriguing claim regarding Tottenham Hotspur’s potential interest in Leicester City midfielder James Maddison…

What’s the word?

Speaking in a Q&A on football.london, the respected insider revealed that Spurs have a long-standing interest in the Englishman, albeit with any deal likely to be difficult to carry out.

The reporter stated: “When it comes to homegrown options, Tottenham have long held an interest in Leicester star James Maddison, having considered signing him before his move to the Foxes and he is now in the last two years of his contract, but I’d think that’s a tough deal to do.”

Gold had been discussing the Premier League club’s pursuit of Christian Eriksen, with Maddison a potential alternative if a deal cannot be struck to bring the Danish playmaker back to north London.

As the journalist also hinted, the former Norwich City ace had been a reported target for the Lilywhites prior to his eventual £20m move to the King Power Stadium in 2018, although the 25-year-old is now believed to be worth as much as £50m.

Maddison would suit Tottenham

Although a potentially tricky deal to do, the move has already been given the backing of pundit Noel Whelan, with the former Leeds striker suggesting that the £110k-per-week gem “would suit Tottenham down to the ground”, having “proved he can do it in the Premier League”.

As Whelan also suggested, Antonio Conte’s side are seemingly lacking that figure who can make the “killer pass” in the final third, with Maddison having illustrated in the most recent campaign in particular just what a menace he can be in and around the opposition’s penalty area.

Amid an inconsistent campaign for Brendan Rodgers’ side collectively, on a personal note the £45m-rated playmaker enjoyed a fine season for Leicester. He scored 12 goals and provided a further eight assists in his 35 top-flight outings, while also averaging an impressive 1.4 key passes per game and creating 11 big chances in total.

That form saw the one-time Aberdeen man – who has been dubbed “outrageous” by journalist Ryan Taylor – record an outstanding 7.32 average match rating from SofaScore, by far the highest in the Leicester squad in the 2021/22 campaign.

The attacking midfielder recorded a total of 30 goal contributions across all competitions last term, taking his overall tally at the club to an impressive 45 goals and 32 assists in 170 games across all fronts over the past four years.

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Although that form has perhaps gone somewhat under the radar – as he remains on the periphery at international level – it is clear to see that he is a player who poses a real threat for any opposition. The thought of him supplementing the already lethal duo of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son at Tottenham is a mouthwatering one.

Should Conte return to the 3-5-2 formation which brought him joy at Inter Milan, Maddison could well thrive as the attacking element of the midfield three, allowing him the freedom to wreak havoc as he so often does for his current club.

IN other news, Paratici has “genuine interest” in sealing “magic” £47m Spurs deal, he’s Robben 2.0

West Ham United are reportedly interested in bringing Everton defender Michael Keane to the London Stadium this summer.

What’s the word?

That is according to a report from Football Insider who claim that the Hammers have registered their interest in the 29-year-old, with the club said to be in the market for a new centre-back this window.

As per the report, the club are set to lose out on James Tarkowski with Everton said to have offered the defender £120,000-per-week, with a full agreement for the defender said to be in place.

As such, it is said that Keane “figures prominently” on David Moyes’ wish list, with the Scotsman believing he possesses the right profile and possesses the necessary attributes to bolster his back line.

West Ham have lodged an enquiry with talks seemingly now underway for the £19.8m-rated defender.

West Ham’s next Dawson?

The signing of Keane could represent great value for the Hammers, despite the move for the 29-year-old being far from glamorous – especially considering West Ham’s bout in the European competitions.

Though, Moyes has metaphorically turned water into wine at the London Stadium and has done so by recruiting players who have not been under the spotlight, so to speak.

His signings at West Ham have been calculated and the majority have fallen in the underrated category. He’s opted to keep his squad small and refused to engage in unnecessary business, so the fact he sees Keane as a viable option is enough in itself.

The signing of Craig Dawson last year is the perfect comparison of the impact that Hammers fans could expect Keane to make. 32-year-old Dawson has had a monumental rise back to the top flight and has asserted himself as a vital part of the West Ham backline.

Of course, he was not a glamour signing either, but a true grafter at the back in the mould of a defender from yesteryear.

£69k-per-week Keane who was once dubbed an “absolute beast” offers a similar skillset to Dawson and his ability to lead will also make him an attractive asset in the eyes of Moyes.

If Everton are to officially secure the signing of Tarkowski, Keane could well depart Goodison Park for the more positive project at the London Stadium.

In other news: West Ham can seal “unreal” deal in bid for 115-goal great, imagine him & Rice 

Newcastle United and Eddie Howe quickly identified the defence as an area in need of strengthening during the January transfer window.

During that month, the Toon brought in the likes of Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Matt Targett to try and stem the tide of leaking so many goals and avoid getting relegated.

This ended up working wonders for the Magpies, as they only lost five league games after January, four of which were against the teams who ended the season in the top four.

Now that the summer transfer window is set to open, this will once again give Howe the chance to strengthen his squad and put them in a good place to take on the next campaign.

One figure with whom Newcastle have been linked recently and who could potentially make them even stronger at the back is William Saliba.

In the summer of 2019, Arsenal signed the defender in a deal worth a reported £27m. Since then, the £27m-rated Frenchman has had loan spells in his homeland with clubs such as Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille.

His recent campaign on loan with Marseille saw the 21-year-old show his capabilities at the back by making more interceptions (80) and clearances (91) than any other player at the Stade Velodrome. He also made more tackles (47) in the defensive third of the pitch than any of his latest crop of temporary team-mates.

Dubbed a “confident” defensive player by former Arsenal ace Bacary Sagna, Saliba has also been likened to fellow countryman Raphael Varane by Fabio Frasconi.

As one of Europe’s most highly-decorated players, the opportunity to have Newcastle’s own next version of Varane in the shape of Saliba would be a mouth-watering prospect for Howe.

Presumably as a result of playing 14 more league games than the Manchester United defender this season, the Gunners outcast racked up more tackles, interceptions, blocks and pressures than the 2018 World Cup winner.

If Newcastle sense an opportunity to sign the young centre-back either on a permanent move or loan deal from Arsenal this summer, it is something that they should definitely pounce upon, as the 21-year-old certainly seems to have what it takes to show that he can succeed in the Premier League.

In other news: Howe can finally axe “nervous” dud as Newcastle plot bid for “superb” £14k-p/w tank

Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson has claimed that Ryan Kent could now leave Glasgow Rangers this summer.

The Lowdown: Premier League interest

After their exploits in the Europa League, a few of the Teddy Bears’ most valuable stars are likely to attract interest, notably from the Premier League.

Calvin Bassey has already been strongly linked with a move away from Ibrox, with Aston Villa among a number of clubs thought to be interested in his signature, and he will not be the only player in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s squad who will be eyed by the riches of the English top flight.

Indeed, Kent has already been linked with moves to the likes of Leeds United and Everton in recent weeks.

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The Latest: Kent tipped for Rangers exit

Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson has claimed that Kent could well follow Bassey and others out the door at Ibrox.

The former Premier League goalkeeper said of the ex-Liverpool winger: “This could be the window where he leaves. I think Rangers will receive an offer too good to turn down.

“Kent has had an unbelievable season once again. I know he hasn’t got the goals but he’s still been fantastic. He has put in some performances in big games.

“I’m sure there’ll be offers on the table for him. I don’t think Rangers will be able to turn them down.

“Kent will have ambitions to play in the Premier League at the top level. They were so close to getting Champions League football and I think that would make all the difference.

“Will competing for the Scottish title and the Europa League be enough for Kent? I’m not sure. It might not be enough. The lure of the Premier League might be too big.”

The Verdict: Worrying

As Robinson has suggested, the lure of the Premier League might be too big for Kent to turn down, which will come as a huge worry for the Light Blues and their supporters.

As mentioned above, both Leeds and Everton are reportedly eyeing moves for him; and at 25 years of age, he may not get a better chance in his career to play at the top level in England.

Nonetheless, the Gers need to try and keep hold of him at all costs, given his 23 goal contributions this season. However, if they are resigned to letting him leave, then they must demand the highest fee possible for his services, given how difficult he could be to replace.

In other news, find out what ‘huge’ boost Rangers are now set to enjoy

Brighton & Hove Albion assistant manager Billy Reid has delivered a promising verdict on what could be to come from Celtic midfielder James McCarthy.

The lowdown: First-year struggles

Having amassed 272 Premier League appearances south of the border across spells with Everton and Crystal Palace, the capture of McCarthy appeared to be a masterstroke from Ange Postecoglou as a first signing.

However, the 31-year-old Republic of Ireland international struggled for consistent form in the first of a four year deal at Celtic Park.

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Despite often being overlooked in favour of Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley, McCarthy has been backed to turn his fortunes around in Glasgow…

The latest: Reid keeps the faith

As quoted by the Daily Record, Reid, the man who gave the 42-cap ace his senior debut for Hibernian when aged just 15, suggested that the experienced midfielder has adapted to do the ‘dirty’ work next season.

The 58-year-old Glasgow born coach said: “There is a role for James at Celtic. He’s not the box-to-box player he was, he’s adapted to become a sitting midfielder where he can do the dirty side. Keeping it simple as a possession-based player, winning the ball back and being that central cog is what he’s so good at.

“There is stiff competition but it doesn’t matter what age you are, age is not a barrier. I look at Mark Noble who I saw when we played West Ham last week, he’s still at the top despite being 35 years old. Scott Brown was being written off every season after he turned 30 but look at the size of his character to show people they are wrong. He always came back stronger.

“Players are always being tested and this is another test for James. I’m just hoping that next season marks a positive turnaround for him as it’s probably fair to say that the last few years have not been where James wanted things to be.”

The verdict: More to come

During the successful 2021/22 campaign, McCarthy made only 22 appearances across all competitions despite remaining fit and available for the most part.

Eight of those outings came in a deeper-lying role, a position Reid has mooted that could be the future for the experienced star ,who was once hailed as ‘real class’ by Roy Hodgson during his time at Crystal Palace.

Following the departure of Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic, Ange Postecoglou may well call upon the services of a McCarthy with plenty to prove more frequently as the Hoops add participation in the Champions League to an already packed fixture schedule.

In other news, Celtic have been linked with another midfield signing. Find out who it is here.

Aston Villa have held talks with Burnley defender James Tarkowski over a possible move to the Midlands, according to Sky Sports.

The Lowdown: Tarkowski’s contract situation

The centre-back has been on the books at Turf Moor since 2016 and has made 219 appearances for the Clarets, 37 of which came during the 2021/22 campaign.

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The 29-year-old couldn’t prevent relegation for Burnley on the final day of the Premier League season and he now looks set to leave the club over the coming weeks. His contract expires at the end of June, and it looks as if a free transfer to Villa Park could now be on the cards.

The Latest: Villa hold talks with Tarkowski

Sky Sports shared a transfer update on Monday evening after Villa secured a free transfer for Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara.

They relayed the news on the French midfielder and also added that the club have also held talks with Tarkowski, although Villa are expected to face competition from a number of Premier League sides for the Burnley defender.

The Verdict: Smart move?

Tarkowski would bring plenty of Premier League experience with him to Villa Park, should a move materialise, so signing him without the expense of a transfer fee could be a wise move by Steven Gerrard.

The 41-year-old has already taken advantage of the free transfer market by signing Kamara, and it looks as if a defensive overhaul could now be on the cards in the Midlands.

Reports have suggested that the futures of Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings are in doubt, which could leave Gerrard with just Calum Chambers and Kortney Hause as senior centre-back options.

Therefore, landing Tarkowski for nothing could be a smart move, and one which also wouldn’t eat into the manager’s £150m transfer kitty from NSWE.

In other news: NSWE now eyeing another defender; Villa chiefs sent to club after Gerrard approves

Kieran Devlin has sung the praises of Tom Rogic’s after his final appearance for Celtic in their emphatic win over Motherwell on Saturday afternoon.

The Lowdown: Hoops bow out in style

The Hoops completed their triumphant Premiership campaign in style at the weekend, thumping Graham Alexander’s side 6-0 at Parkhead.

There was a party atmosphere in Glasgow after clinching the title in midweek, and Ange Postecoglou’s side turned on the style and showed exactly why they have been the best team in the country this season.

Rogic may not have scored or set up a goal for the Hoops on the day, but it was a fine farewell performance from him in a Celtic career which has brought so much success. He won two tackles and enjoyed an 82% pass completion rate against Motherwell to bring the curtain down on a glorious nine-year spell at Parkhead.

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The Latest: Devlin hails ‘special’ Rogic

Taking to Twitter as he shared a corresponding article from The Athletic, Devlin lauded the Australian’s all-round brilliance as a player and the impact he has made since arriving in 2013, offering gratitude to Rogic for producing some special memories in a Celtic shirt.

The journalist gushed: “If you analyse Rogic’s career by the stats and trophies he’ll come out brilliantly. But it would ignore what made him special. Few players in living memory have inspired as many moments of joy, relief, awe, and uncut, unbridled emotion.”

The Verdict: Modern-day Celtic legend

There is no doubt that Rogic now has to go down as a genuine Celtic legend, having been a vital performer in the middle of the park for so many years now. As Devlin outlined in The Athletic, the Australian’s legacy will live on thanks primarily to his last-gasp winner in the 2017 Scottish Cup final, which ensured a historic unbeaten domestic treble for the club.

The 29-year-old made a total of 272 appearances for the Hoops, not to mention the small matter of winning an incredible seven Premiership titles, along with five Scottish Cups and five Scottish League Cups.

The emotional scenes involving Rogic on Saturday illustrate how much he is adored by Ange Postecoglou and the Parkhead faithful, and he can certainly be classified as a modern Celtic legend given his aforementioned contributions in green and white.

In other news, a pundit has discussed a potential big Celtic blow this summer. Read more here.

Liverpool have been handed a boost to their chances of signing AS Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, as per a report from Football Insider. 

The lowdown: Strong interest

As the Reds continue their quest for more silverware this season, away from matters on the field new sporting director Julian Ward is already hard at work outlining the summer’s top targets.

Recent reports have heavily linked the Anfield club with a sensational swoop for Tchouameni, while Calvin Ramsay is also thought to be a main target as Jurgen Klopp attempts to further strengthen an already well-stocked squad.

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Now as the Ligue 1 campaign heads into its own final two games with Monaco currently sitting third and in next season’s UEFA Champions League as a result, the French outfit may already be bracing themselves for life after their highly sought after 22-year-old.

The latest: Monaco now ready to sell

As per a recruitment source at FI, Monaco are believed to be ‘putting together a list of targets’ in order to replace Tchouameni this summer.

The report calls it a ‘major development’ and a ‘boost’ for Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City, whilst elsewhere Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have both been tipped to challenge for the defensive midfielder’s signature.

It’s claimed that the youngster, described as ‘exceptional’ by French football journalist Julien Laurens, has ‘excited’ talent spotters of the Premier League clubs and Monaco are now ready to cash in.

The verdict: Win the race

Put simply, given the levels of competition from England and indeed Europe’s elite, Liverpool and moreover, FSG, must do everything in their power to win the race for the exciting eight-cap France star.

So far this season, Tchouameni has scored five times and provided two assists in 48 appearances across all competitions, taking his overall career tally to 130 senior domestic outings despite his tender years.

Holding a market value of £36million and under contract in France until 2024 (Transfermarkt), if indeed Monaco are preparing for a sale then Liverpool must do whatever it takes to bring in the combative ace, who is already an experienced operator for both club and country.

In other news, journalist drops contract claim regarding Liverpool star. Read more here.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte has just been handed a major boost in the hunt to sign Inter Milan star Stefan de Vrij this summer, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Conte eyes move…

The Italian, who is reportedly plotting a major overhaul at Spurs over the next transfer window, has allegedly targeted Inter’s central defensive ace as part of his summer plans for the Premier League side.

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De Vrij was a mainstay in Conte’s 2020/2021 Scudetto-winning side with reports claiming that the 52-year-old wants to bring his former star to north London.

Indeed, Tottenham are firmly in the mix for de Vrij as his San Siro contract continues to run down.

Currently set to expire in 2023, the Dutchman is entering his final year at Inter, prompting clubs to sit up and take note – including Spurs and transfer chief Fabio Paritici.

The Latest: Conte gifted boost…

According to Football Insider, an extremely promising update has now come to light, with Inter now willing to green-light his sale at well under half of his original price tag.

As per their ‘recruitment source’, the cash-strapped European heavyweights have told de Vrij he can leave for just £15 million.

That’s £25m less than what they were previously demanding at £40m, opening the door for Spurs and other interested clubs to snip the colossal defender at a bargain price.

The Verdict: Take advantage…

A centre-half is said to be one of Conte’s major priorities this summer and sealing de Vrij’s signing at such a meagre price would certainly go some way to appeasing the ex-Chelsea boss.

Lauded as a would-be ‘unbelievable signing’ by journalist Dean Jones, the 30-year-old proved his quality under Conte at Inter last season – making more clearances per 90 than any Inter player in Serie A (WhoScored).

He also completed a brilliant 93.8% of his passes out from the back, highlighting his composure and assurance as an elite, ball-playing defender who would seriously upgrade Tottenham’s backline.

While his age indicates he wouldn’t be too much of a long-term option, de Vrij could certainly plug gaps in the meantime, and for £15m Spurs have little to lose.

In other news: Source: Conte now green-lights exit for ‘perfect’ Spurs player who ‘100%’ wants to quit! Find out more here.