All posts by z3u9t.icu

Jesse Lingard wants to return to West Ham United this summer…

What’s the word?

That’s according to the reliable insider ExWHUemployee, who delivered a fresh claim about the situation on this week’s episode of the ‘The West Ham Way’ podcast.

“There is good news in that respect that he has made it clear to many people that he would like to come back to West Ham,” claimed the anonymous source.

“He believes that West Ham is where he enjoyed himself, and he’ll get more opportunities to be the star man rather than maybe a fringe man at Manchester United, so he has said he’d be more than prepared to come back.

“But the problem is going to be whether Manchester United allow him to and what the competition is going to be like for him. I’d like to think if Manchester United let him go that we would have a very strong chance of signing him.”

Sully must strike

The 28-year-old midfielder enjoyed a stellar half-season in the Hammers shirt, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in just 16 appearances as he helped the East London outfit into the Europa League.

It was his first proper minutes on the pitch all campaign, so it’s no wonder that he is keen to return and as Ex claims, the Manchester United outcast would certainly be a star man at the London Stadium.

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If he goes back to Old Trafford, he’ll need to compete with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and Donny van de Beek for that starting spot, whereas he’ll be the first name on the teamsheet each week under David Moyes.

There have been reports suggesting that the 29-time England international could be available for just £25m this summer but after a very eye-catching campaign, it would not be a surprise to see interest mount and subsequently, his worth rise.

Transfermarkt currently value him at just shy of £20m, whilst his £100k-per-week wages will be one major concern, especially as it would put him amongst the high earners at the club.

What is most encouraging, however, is the fact that Lingard is so keen to return to the Irons and that will bode well in any negotiations, it’ll just be on David Sullivan and co to not mess it up in negotiations with his parent club.

This latest development will have Moyes very happy after he publicly admitted his desire to keep Lingard around and it will also leave the claret and blue faithful absolutely buzzing, with many of them absolutely desperate to see his return.

West Ham are one step closer to landing their loan sensation permanently. It’s time to get it done GSB.

AND in other news, Moyes could save GSB millions this summer by unleashing West Ham gem who’s “gold dust”…

Xisco Munoz’s Watford side are considering a move for Yakou Meite this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Telegraph, who claim that the Hornets, as well as Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion, are keeping a close eye on the Reading centre-forward ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

It is reported that Veljko Paunovic’s side value the 25-year-old Ivory Coast international at around £5 million and could be tempted into cashing in on the striker this summer in order to balance the books at the Madejski Stadium.

Bye-bye Gray

Since joining Reading from Paris Saint-Germain B back in 2016, Meite has gone on to make 125 appearances for the club, scoring 42 goals and providing five assists along the way.

The striker has bagged impressive returns in the Championship on a consistent basis over the past three seasons, scoring 12 goals and providing one assist in the club’s 2018/19 campaign, netting 13 goals and registering two assists in the 2019/20 season and bagging 11 goals and providing one assist over just 25 appearances in Reading’s most recent jaunt.

When comparing the 25-year-old’s most recent haul to those of the Watford centre-forwards, Meite’s returns better all three of Joao Pedro, Troy Deeney and Andre Gray, who scored nine, seven and five Championship goals respectively last season.

As such, the argument can easily be made that the £1.8 million-rated forward would be an upgrade on Xisco Munoz’s current attacking arsenal, although, with Gray reported to be on a whopping £70,000-per-week at Vicarage Road, it would be highly advisable for Cristiano Giaretta to do all he can to move the 29-year-old on this summer and replace him with the Reading hitman.

And, with Watford facing the challenge of retaining their status as a Premier League club come the end of next season, a consistent goalscorer will go a long way to helping achieve this feat – something that Meite – whom the former Reading manager Paul Clement dubbed an “exciting” player – has very much proven he is.

In other news: Watford suffer huge blow in pursuit of “talented” £25k-p/w gem, Giaretta will be livid – opinion

Reported Celtic target Siriki Dembele is set to be transfer listed by Peterborough United, according to the Daily Record.

The lowdown

Dembele, the older brother of Celtic player Karamoko, was instrumental in Peterborough’s promotion from League One to the Championship.

He was the Posh’s third top-scorer with 12 goals and ranked second for assists with 10.

Dembele was hailed as a ‘destructive’ frontman by manager Darren Ferguson, and former Scottish international Alan Hutton says he would be ‘an unbelievable signing’ for Celtic.

According to Football Insider, the Hoops are battling with sides like Rangers, Fulham and Crystal Palace for his signature.

Crucially, Dembele only has one year left on his contract, and Director of Football Barry Fry admits there’s little prospect of renewal (via This is Futbol).

The latest

Peterborough will apparently look to sell Dembele after he turned down a new deal, the Daily Record reported on Monday (14:06).

It’s Fry’s policy that any player in the last 12 months of their deal will be placed on the transfer list to ensure they don’t walk away on a free transfer.

As a result, Dembele ‘looks set for a move away in the coming weeks’.

The verdict

According to The Scotsman, Eddie Howe will look to green-light three transfer deals almost immediately after taking over at Parkhead – one has to wonder if Dembele could be one of them given these favourable circumstances.

What is clear, though, is that they must move fairly quickly, because another suitor will surely pounce on a cut-price talent who has performed so well this season, is still young, and can player in a variety of positions across the attack.

In other news, read about the other appointments that could be made at Celtic this week.

Manchester City have been linked with Leeds United winger Raphinha recently and if he were to arrive at the Etihad this summer, it would be bad news for Raheem Sterling in terms of future under Pep Guardiola.

According to Italian football journalist Gianluigi Loncari, City have joined the race to sign the Brazilian this summer, with Manchester United and Liverpool also keen on prising him away from Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

The former Stade Rennais man has enjoyed a superb debut campaign with the Elland Road outfit, contributing six goals and six assists in 26 Premier League appearances, averaging an excellent 7.17 rating for his performances.

Whilst he has only got better throughout the season, the same cannot be said of Sterling, who after a bright start has quickly fallen down the pecking order.

So much so, that the Spanish manager is reportedly willing to sell the England international this summer in order to raise funds, and if Raphinha were to arrive then he may well be forced out at the Etihad.

After a magnificent run of form in January and February, where he hit five goals and two assists in just seven games, his form has fallen off a cliff, with no goals and just one assist in 11 City appearances since then.

Considering the 26-year-old is one of City’s biggest earners, reportedly taking home £300k per week, and he is arguably behind the likes of Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez and Ferran Torres in the pecking order at City at the moment, perhaps Guardiola should be looking to move him on.

Certainly, with the number of wingers already available to the Spanish manager, if Raphinha were to arrive at City this summer it would surely mean that one departs, and Sterling is looking like the most likely candidate at present.

Raphinha has been one of the shining lights in an impressive season for Leeds this season and looks destined for a career at the top, with Noel Whelan dubbing him “sensational” earlier in the season after a first Premier League goal against Everton.

Therefore, City sporting director Txiki Begiristain should definitely look at bringing Raphina to the Etihad, even if it means bringing an end to Sterling’s City career.

And, in other news… Man City signing “world-class” 27-goal beast is surely bad news for “fantastic” gem

Leeds are eyeing a move for Ajax starlet Noa Lang, who is currently on loan at Belgian outfit Club Brugge for the season.

What’s the story?

Marcelo Bielsa’s side have enjoyed an impressive first year back in the Premier League and attention will already be turning towards how best to strengthen the squad ahead of the new campaign.

According to The Telegraph, the Whites have been been watching the 21-year-old, although they are set to face intense competition to try and land him in the summer transfer window.

The report added that Lang is being viewed as someone who can provide competition for the likes of Jack Harrison and Raphinha out wide.

Shades of Raphinha

Dubbed a “phenomenon” by Belgian sports journalist Peter Vandenbempt, Lang made history when he became the first player in 60 years to mark his debut with a hat-trick for Ajax, prompting Erik ten Hag to wax lyrical about him.

The Amsterdam club’s manager said: “He showed (his talent) today and I am very happy with that. Noa shows (his ability) it during training and during the reserve matches. And today he has also clearly shown it at the highest level too.”

Able to play anywhere across the frontline, Lang has shown he has a real eye for goal in his loan spell at Brugge this season, scoring 16 goals and providing a further ten assists in just 34 games, including netting in the Champions League.

Just like Raphinha, the £18m-rated Lang is a prolific dribbler, averaging 1.5 dribbles per game in the Belgian top flight, a figure which just ranks him outside the top ten in the entire division.

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With his end product too, the young Dutchman has all the tools in his locker to become even more of a star if he pitches up at Elland Road, and it’s no surprise that Bielsa is eyeing a move for him this summer.

Meanwhile, Bielsa is playing a masterclass over this ace…

After suggesting that he could “imagine” a move to the Premier League and Liverpool, RB Leipzig’s Marcel Sabitzer could hand a big blow to former teammate Naby Keita.

Ever since making the same move from Germany to Anfield back in 2018, the Guinean midfielder has struggled to find consistent football on Merseyside having made just 75 appearances for the club. Within that, he has started just 46 of those matches.

That could be down to a number of injuries and at some point poor form but the main reason for that lack of action is simply that he is some way down the midfield pecking order under Reds’ boss Jurgen Klopp.

The likes of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum would likely be the German’s first choice trio, whilst there is also Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner amongst those providing considerable competition.

Seeing the £36m-rated Sabitzer arrive on Merseyside would only serve to increase that competition, seeing Keita fall down the pecking order even more.

After all, the Austrian has a “remarkable” presence on the pitch as suggested by former RB Leipzig sporting director and coach Ralf Rangnick.

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When comparing Sabitzer and his opposite number Keita, it is unsurprisingly the former who comes out on top.

According to WhoScored, he has attempted more shots per game this season – 2.1 to 0.9 – and has completed more key passes – 1 to 0.6.

Meanwhile, Sabitzer also has far more of a defensive presence in the centre of the park, making more interceptions and clearances, whilst the two players are level on tackles.

So, having been teammates at the Red Bull Arena for two years between 2016 and 2018, the two midfielders could once again be reunited at Anfield.

However, Sabitzer’s arrival might actually harm Keita more than it helps him in the long run, especially as he seems the more durable and lucrative fit as Klopp’s box-to-box dynamo in the middle.

AND in more news, have a closer look at Trent Alexander-Arnold’s stunning showing against Arsenal…

Steve Bruce has dropped an injury blow for Newcastle United ahead of their game at home to West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match against David Moyes’ team, the former Aston Villa and Sunderland boss confirmed: “Ryan’s not fit. He’s got a groin problem that he picked up when he was with Scotland. It’s been frustrating for him and we’ve never really got him up to speed. It’s been stop start and we’ve not seen the best of him with the problems he’s had.”

Newcastle will miss Fraser

The North East club will certainly miss Fraser when they take on the Hammers, who are chasing a spot in the UEFA Champions League for the 2021/22 term, at St. James’ Park.

The pace and directness that the former AFC Bournemouth ace possessed could have caused the East London club a lot of trouble down the wing, and with his former Cherries teammate Callum Wilson back from injury, he would have been able to feed off of Fraser’s supply.

The Scotland international has averaged more key passes per game (1.4) than any of his teammates in the top flight so far in the 2020/21 season (Whoscored).

With Allan Saint-Maximin back as well along with Miguel Almiron, the link-up play with Fraser could have caused the Irons lots of problems, especially on the counter attack.

Nonetheless, the Tyneside club will have to try and find a way to get something out of the match without the 27-year-old.

In other news, find out what definitive relegation claim Liam Kennedy has dropped on the potential takeover here!

We’re only a few days into the international break, and Tottenham Hotspur have already been dealt a bitter injury blow…

What’s the word?

Spurs left-back Ben Davies, valued at €20m (£18m), has been withdrawn from the Wales squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Belgium and the Czech Republic following a calf injury,

According to the ever-reliable Dan Kilpatrick at the Evening Standard, the 27-year-old is now set to miss the next two-to-three weeks, meaning he is unlikely to be available when the north Londoners return to Premier League action against Newcastle United on April 4th.

Wales caretaker Robert Page, usually an assistant to Ryan Giggs, described the injury as “significant” to reporters on Tuesday afternoon.

Mourinho’s reaction

Despite the arrival of Sergio Reguilon in the summer, Davies has still featured regularly for Jose Mourinho – his latest, a 33-minute cameo from the bench against Villa last weekend, in what was his 38th appearance of the season.

Indeed, the Welshman has played a little over 2.900 minutes in all competitions for Spurs this campaign, including a handful of Europa League matches as captain in the absence of both Hugo Lloris and Harry Kane.

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So, to be without him on their return will be gutting for Mourinho, especially as his side got their quest for a top-six finish back on track with a win over their league rivals.

A result which somewhat eased the mounting pressure on the Spurs boss, following their defeat to arch-rivals Arsenal and their embarrassing exit from the Europa League last week.

In fact, the Portuguese has even already reacted to the news after the club’s official Instagram account posted an update on the situation. Mourinho wrote back: “When a player plays injured to help his team recover from two bad defeats, this can happen. a man, a team player” (as relayed by football.london).

Davies replaced Reguilon at Villa Park, with the Spaniard having to come off injured, just a few weeks after returning from the treatment table himself.

Reguilon had missed seven matches in all competitions during, arguably, Spurs’ worst run of form which saw them lose four of five league games, as per Transfermarkt.

So to potentially be without both would be devastating, and even if the former Madrid man is fit to feature, it’s still a risk for him to play too many games in quick succession given his recent problems.

AND in other news, Left for NOTHING, now contributing a goal every 65 minutes: Spurs will forever regret this exit…

Several Aston Villa supporters have been reacting to the club’s interest in Bournemouth teenager Ajani Burchall on social media.

According to an exclusive report from Football Insider, Villa, along with Leeds United, have joined Arsenal and West Ham in the hunt for the 16-year-old’s signature.

Villa have now registered their interest over a summer deal for Burchall, who looks set to leave the Cherries over the coming months after recently rejecting a scholarship deal on the south coast.

The Bermudan winger can play on either flank and has already made his first-team debut for Bournemouth.

Burchall came on for a three-minute cameo in a 5-0 win over Huddersfield Town back in December, becoming the club’s third-youngest-ever player in the process.

Villa fans react

The well-known @villareport shared Villa’s interest in Burchall on social media on Tuesday evening.

This is what some fans had to say in reply to the tweet, with some name-checking Villa’s current wingers and one supporter calling the youngster a ‘proper baller’.

“He’s definitely better than Trezeguet”

Credit: @AVFCOlly_

“16 years old and getting first team action in the championship, and he’s a winger. For my money, he’s probably better than Traore.”

Credit: @DOUGLASLUlZ

“All well and good signing youngsters but we need some established quality. Grealish isn’t gonna keep carrying us until they come through.”

Credit: @jamsey55

“oh yeah he’s a proper baller he is”

Credit: @wesavfc

“Youth team winning it all”

Credit: @josh_priv3

“building for the future!”

Credit: @craig48002241

“we should be aiming higher”

Credit: @MattcayleyM

In other news: Many AVFC fans impressed with Lee Hendrie’s transfer suggestion, find out more here. 

Rumours of a Mohamed Salah switch to Real Madrid have reared their heads again.

The Egyptian superstar has long been linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu as Los Blancos still attempt to replace Cristiano Ronaldo.

Liverpool have managed to resist any temptation to sell thus far but with former Real Club President Ramon Calderon admitting that Salah would be ‘crucial’ for the Spaniards, now would probably be the best time for the Reds to accept a deal.

Of course, any move would be an expensive one, with Salah valued as much as £108m by Transfermarkt. However, that is exactly why the Reds should be tempted to sell.

Whilst still very much in his peak at 28 years of age, the Reds will still be able to ask for a considerable fee for Salah. Even allowing for a truly stratospheric season, his transfer value is only going to drop as he approaches 30.

Therefore, it makes sense for Liverpool to cash their chips in sooner rather than later or risk out on missing a considerable pay day.

After all, the Merseysiders have been impressive in the transfer market under Jurgen Klopp, one example of such a beneficial departure being that of Philippe Coutinho.

The Reds secured an approximate £142m for the Brazilian when his stock was at its highest. They certainly would not have been able to demand such a fee had they waited much longer. They could do the same with Salah.

This huge transfer fee could then be pumped back into the squad – as they have done previously with the arrivals of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker funded partly with the money earned by selling Coutinho.

Whilst it may seem silly to even consider letting Salah go, actually cashing in on the Egyptian could prove another shrewd move by Liverpool if Sporting Director Michael Edwards is given the funds to invest in younger players.

AND in other news, we take a look at Michael Edwards’ stunning business last summer.