All posts by z3u9t.icu

A big Newcastle United claim has emerged on their interest in Duvan Zapata in the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

Journalist Jacque Talbot has revealed that the Magpies are not the only team eyeing up a potential swoop for the attacker ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The reporter has also claimed that the Serie A outfit are yet to decide whether or not they will cash in on the centre-forward.

He tweeted: “Sources in Italy tell me Newcastle are one of a number of sides who looking at Duvan Zapata of Atalanta, as previously reported by [Scott Wilson]. The striker’s contract is up in 2024 but think the side are waiting to see what other offers come in before selling this summer.”

Supporters will be delighted

The Toon supporters will be left buzzing by this claim as the prospect of Zapata coming to St. James’ Park this summer is an exciting one.

Eddie Howe’s men struggled in front of goal in the Premier League last term as they barely scored more than one per match – finding the back of the net 44 times in 38 games. Callum Wilson finished the campaign as the Magpies’ top scorer with eight goals and he was the only player with more than five strikes in the division.

This highlights their need for reinforcements at the top end of the pitch and Zapata’s form in recent years suggests that he would be the signing they need to bolster their attack.

In the 2021/22 campaign, the Colombian international produced 10 goals and four assists in 20 Serie A starts. He also scored three goals and set up another three in five Champions League starts, which shows that he can perform domestically and in European competition.

This came after he managed 15 goals and nine assists in 29 league starts in 2020/21. The gem has proven that he can score goals on a regular basis whilst also offering creativity to help his teammates, which is why he would be a significant signing for Newcastle.

If he is able to adapt to English football then he would be able to have a major impact at the top end of the pitch and be the consistent goalscorer the Magpies need.

Therefore, supporters will be delighted by the club’s interest in the attacker and will now be hoping that Dan Ashworth can get a deal over the line for him before the end of the window.

AND in other news: Eddie Howe voices teasing Newcastle transfer update, supporters will be buzzing

Tottenham Hotspur defender Japhet Tanganga has reportedly already made a behind-the-scenes north London exit decision as he eyes his next club.

The Lowdown: Spurs eyeing player sales…

The arrivals of Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Clement Lenglet (loan) and Djed Spence have backed manager Antonio Conte in the transfer market whilst plugging many holes in the Italian’s squad.

It is believed that he also remains on the lookout for a creative midfield player and could still go for another central defender despite Lenglet’s arrival at N17.

However, sporting director Fabio Paratici is said to be focusing his efforts on outgoings after Spurs’ plethora of transfer activity and they arguably need to balance the books ahead of what will be an interesting 2022/2023 Premier League campaign.

The Latest: Tanganga decides to leave…

Now, a report from Italy in the last 48 hours has shared news on Tanganga as he eyes a move to European giants AC Milan.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-3/” title=”Tottenham latest!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Englishman has allegedly already ‘decided to leave’ Spurs because he is looking for more game time – with Calciomercato even claiming he ‘wants’ the Rossoneri specifically.

The Verdict: Find agreement?

Tanganga is a player of real ability on his day, as evident by his fantastic start to the 2021/2022 campaign under former Lilywhites boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

Spurs supporters will remember his phenomenal opening performance against Man City last year which prompted BBC pundit Alan Shearer to call him ‘magnificent’.

Given his clear potential and the fact he’s homegrown, it may well be wise to negotiate a temporary deal with AC rather than a permanent one.

Aston Villa could make a move for former loan star Ross Barkley this summer and a worrying claim has emerged…

What’s the word?

The Midlands outfit have been linked with a move for the Chelsea outcast in recent weeks, having joined the club on loan during the 2020/21 campaign, and according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, manager Steven Gerrard will be well aware of the Englishman’s availability.

He told Football FanCast:

“He’s obviously seemingly out of the picture at Chelsea, I’m sure Chelsea would be open to letting him leave as well.

“I’m sure Steven Gerrard will be well aware of Ross Barkley from his time at Liverpool and aware of just how good of a player he was at Everton as well.”

Supporters will be fuming

This claim isn’t likely to go down well with the Villa Park faithful as Barkley endured a nightmare stint at the club.

It started off pretty well as the 28-year-old bagged in his opening two games but things quickly turned sour. In his subsequent 22 appearances on loan, Barkley failed to deliver more than one goal and one assist before losing his place in the starting lineup under Dean Smith.

His form saw The Athletic’s Gregg Evans relay some doubts over the attacking midfielder as he criticised him on a podcast appearance that campaign.

“He doesn’t do enough for me now. I’ve seen enough of Ross Barkley now to realise that he’s becoming a bit of a liability for Villa. He’s not helping out enough as he should, really,” he said.

Given he is earning wages of around £100k-per-week at Stamford Bridge, it may not be a risk worth taking for Villa, seeing as he has already struggled to make an impact in the Midlands before.

A similar salary would see him rank as Villa’s second-highest earner, and it’s not as if Gerrard needs another playmaker as he has secured Philippe Coutinho on a permanent deal from FC Barcelona.

Since that stint, Barkley’s career has stalled even more – for instance, last season he managed only six Premier League appearances, totalling 175 minutes of action.

That is not what you want to see from a potential incoming signing, so supporters will be hugely concerned, if not fuming, by this latest development.

AND in other news, Villa facing “huge blow” this summer…

Everton reportedly retain an interest in signing Armando Broja before the transfer window closes.

The Lowdown: Calvert-Lewin replacement?

Since the news of Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury, the Goodison Park outfit have been reportedly eyeing Broja as his potential replacement.

Hailed as ‘devastating‘ by Albania assistant coach Sergio Porrini, and a player with ‘incredible pace and strength’ by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp, he made quite the impression while on loan at Southampton from Chelsea last season, scoring nine goals in total and six in the Premier League (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: Shopping in Chelsea

As per iNews, the Merseyside club ‘retain an interest’ in signing Broja, whose future at Stamford Bridge is ‘uncertain’.

They could also re-evaluate a potential move for another Blues striker in Michy Batshuayi, but it seems as if Broja would be the priority out of the two.

The Verdict: Get it done

In wake of Calvert-Lewin’s injury, the Toffees need to get a deal for Broja over the line as soon as possible.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/everton-news-7/” title=”Everton news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

They have already sold Richarlison to Tottenham Hotspur and loaned out Ellis Simms to Sunderland, while Salomon Rondon is suspended for their first game of the season at home to Chelsea.

Broja has already shown what he can do in the top flight, and at just 20 years of age, the Albania international has such a bright future ahead of him.

West Ham United are ‘hopeful’ they will complete their deal to sign Burnley star Maxwel Cornet, reports Graeme Bailey of 90min.

The Lowdown: Hammers in full preparation…

The Hammers are in full preparation for the 2022/2023 Premier League season and face a tough opening weekend match at home to English champions Manchester City.

David Moyes’ side go into the match having made four major summer signings in Nayef Aguerd, Flynn Downes, Alphonse Areola and Gianluca Scamacca with reports suggesting there could be more.

Amadou Onana (Lille) and Filip Kostic (Eintracht Frankfurt) are targets with Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski also linked.

Alongside this trio, talks are apparently happening for Clarets star Cornet, with ExWHUemployee reporting on Friday morning that a fee has been agreed at the player’s £17.5m release clause.

The Latest: Bailey shares promising Cornet update…

Bailey has also shared his own promising update, and it seems to back up the claims from popular insider Ex.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-updates-2/” title=”West Ham latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Writing for 90min, Bailey says West Ham are now ‘hopeful’ of getting the deal wrapped up and confirms talks have taken place over a fee.

The Verdict: Get it over the line…

A standout for the Clarets at points last season, Cornet really marked himself as Burnley’s most consistent attacking threat – finishing 21/22 as their top goal scorer domestically whilst racking up their joint-highest rate of attempts at goal per 90 (WhoScored).

Members of the media, like Islington Gazette reporter Josh Bunting, also raved over the 25-year-old at points during their relegation campaign last year – even calling Cornet a ‘cheat code’ (Twitter).

He’s also been lauded for his ‘top class’ movement by Bunting with it being clear that the former Lyon star possesses many enticing attributes as a player.

West Brom striker Daryl Dike is set to miss a period of action after picking up a thigh injury, reliable journalist Joe Chapman has confirmed.

The Lowdown: Baggies draw with Watford

Steve Bruce’s side entertained Watford in the Championship on Monday evening, in what was an early test of their promotion credentials.

The Baggies ended up drawing 1-1 on the night, performing extremely well but ultimately having to settle for a solid point against one of the division’s best teams.

They had to do it without Dike, too, following a worrying pre-match update.

The Latest: Dike injured before game

Taking to Twitter before the game, Chapman confirmed that the American has suffered a thigh problem, with the extent of it set to emerge in the near future:

“No Daryl Dike this evening. Thigh injury picked up in training over the weekend. Awaiting results of scans to discover the severity.”

The Verdict: Potential huge loss

Dike’s time at West Brom to date has been frustratingly injury-prone, with the 22-year-old limited to just three appearances since joining in January.

This is another big setback for both him and the team, with the striker seen as someone who can spearhead the Baggies’ promotion push, having previously scored nine goals in 22 appearances on loan at Barnsley.

It means Karlan Ahearne-Grant will be tasked with being the main man in attack for the time being, with his equaliser against Watford hopefully a sign that he is ready to deliver in the coming weeks.

According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham Hotspur are ‘yet’ to make an offer for Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi, but there is ‘interest’.

The Lowdown: Tottenham leading the race

Fabio Paratici has already been busy this window, making seven new additions to his squad, and Antonio Conte recently suggested that there could still be more incomings if players depart in the weeks ahead.

Italian outlet Tutto Atalanta credited the Lilywhites with an interest in the 29-year-old on Wednesday and even claimed that the Premier League giants are in pole position to land him ahead of their competitors.

Contrary to reports though, it’s not Spurs who appear to have made the first move…

The Latest: Spurs in the background

Taking to Twitter, Romano confirmed that whilst THFC are long-term admirers of Malinovskyi, they are yet to submit a bid, unlike Olympique Marseille.

“Tottenham interest is there since long time but OM have made an official proposal for Malinovskyi, Spurs not yet as of now. Let’s see.”

The Verdict: Maddison alternative

Spurs’ squad depth is relatively strong, but the one area of the pitch that does need bolstering is in creative midfield, and since interest in Leicester’s James Maddison has cooled, Malinovskyi would be a fantastic alternative.

The Ukrainian, known for incredible distance shooting and hailed as ‘stunning’ by sports journalist Josh Bunting, made 17 goal contributions in all competitions for Atalanta last season, averaging 1.9 shots and 1.6 successful dribbles per Serie A game, via WhoScored.

Despite not being a household name, Malinovskyi would offer a real attacking outlet from the middle of the park, and with his contract expiring next summer, now would be the perfect time to snap him up.

Leeds United have been dealt a blow in their bid to bring Jose Cifuentes to Elland Road this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Colombian media outlet LA10 (via Sport Witness), who claim that both Leeds and Brighton & Hove Albion are pursuing a move for the Los Angeles FC midfielder over what remains of the summer transfer window, with the Seagulls currently thought to be leading the race for the 23-year-old after tabling a €6m (£5m) bid.

However, the report goes on to state that, with both Jesse Marsch – who is believed to be a big admirer of the Ecuador international – and Victor Orta being aware of Brighton’s offer for the midfielder, the expectation is that the Whites will launch a bid to gazump Graham Potters’ in the next few days.

“One of the best”

Considering just how impressive Cifuentes has been for LAFC so far this season, it is not difficult to understand why both Leeds and Brighton are keen on a deal to bring the 23-year-old to the Premier League prior to the closure of the summer transfer window next week.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-united-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-more-2″ title=”Read the latest Leeds news, transfer rumours and so much more!”]

Indeed, over his 25 MLS appearances in 2022, the £9m-rated midfielder has been in remarkable form, scoring seven goals, registering six assists and creating seven big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 1.9 shots – 0.8 of which have hit the target – making 1.1 key passes and completing 1.6 dribbles per game.

The £6.1k-per-week talent has also caught the eye in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.9 tackles, 0.6 interceptions, 28.4 passes, 1.5 long balls and winning 4.8 duels per fixture.

These returns have seen the eight-cap international who South American football expert Tim Vickery dubbed “one of the best all-round midfielders” average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.13 – ranking him as Los Angeles’ third-best player in the current campaign.

As such, considering the sheer amount of ability Cifuentes possesses in both an attacking and defensive capacity, should Orta manage to get a deal in the region of £5m over the line for the Ecuadorean in the coming days – a figure considerably lower than the midfielder’s current market valuation – it would very much appear as if the Spaniard will have sealed an absolute steal for the Whites.

Nottingham Forest are keen on poaching a defender from a Premier League rival…

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, the Tricky Trees have made an approach to sign Michael Keane on loan from Everton.

Steve Cooper is hoping to bolster his defence, especially after the recent injury to another summer signing in Moussa Niakhate.

His lack of recent game-time at Goodison Park could be a factor in the move, although with Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey out for the foreseeable future, it seems unlikely that Frank Lampard will allow his only centre-back cover to leave on loan.

Could be a solid trio

In Niakhate’s absence, Steve Cook has had to fill in for their injured French defender.

To replace the 31-year-old with the “brilliant” Keane (as dubbed by Sam Tighe), who like the ex-Bournemouth man is also awash with Premier League experience, could represent a smart move until Niakhate is to return.

Whilst he has had his struggles with the Toffees, playing in the centre of a back three – especially one tied to Cooper’s pragmatic system – could finally see him thrive under those conditions.

Playing alongside inspirational skipper Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna, these three could become a fearsome defensive unit if they can click. Last season the former recorded an average SofaScore rating of 7.07 and has been branded a “leader” in the past by his one-time manager Steven Gerrard.

The England international featured 32 times last season for Everton in what was a dire season for the Toffees. However, this experience fighting at the bottom of the table could be integral in adding some extra steel to his game.

He also managed to chip in with three goals and two assists and surprisingly ranks in the top 6% for assists per 90 by centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues over the past 12 months. This is likely indicative of his aerial prowess and how he can often be first to meet the ball at a set piece due to his 6 foot 3 frame.

That notion is further supported by the fact that he ranks in the top 10% for aerials won – the man who was once considered “rock solid” by Liverpool Echo’s Adam Jones thrives when his team has to sit slightly deeper and make last-ditch tackles.

The £65k-per-week brute’s average of four clearances per game from last season is further evidence of his defensive acumen, which shows his upturn in form after Frank Lampard decided to adopt a more conservative style.

At the heart of this solid theoretical back three, Keane could finally realise the potential which may have been expected of him when he made his £30m move to Goodison Park in 2017.

Tottenham Hotspur have rejected the opportunity to sign Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie in exchange for Sergio Reguilon, according to CalcioMercatoWeb.

The lowdown: Spurs target

Spurs have long since been credited with an interest in signing McKennie, with Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici both believed to be admirers of the former Schalke man.

However, despite the strong interest, any move for the 23-year-old USA international has so far failed to materialise and as such, the one-time United States Footballer of the Year remains in situ in Italy.

Now, it appears as though Tottenham have once again been handed the opportunity to bring McKennie to Hotspur Way, this time in exchange for the out of favour Reguilon…

The latest: Swap rejected

As per CMW, Spurs are understood to have ‘rejected’ the chance to sign the 34-cap USA star this summer.

It’s claimed that Conte and Paratici said ‘no’ to the deal that would’ve seen left-back Reguilon head to Juventus on loan in a swap deal.

The report also states that McKennie – who was dubbed ‘incredibly underrated’ and likened to Dutch legend Edgar Davids by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – is now viewed as ‘expendable’ in Turin.

The verdict: Strange decision

Seemingly surplus to requirements in N17, Reguilon could well be on the way out of the club prior to the September 1 deadline, with Fulham and Lazio touted as possible landing spots.

As such, refusing the opportunity to bring in a long-term target, especially on loan, seems like a bizarre call from the Spurs hierarchy and it can only be assumed that Conte is either happy with his midfield options, or that there is something else in the pipeline.

Last season, McKennie – who shares similar stylistic traits to Tomas Soucek, Joelinton and Franck Kessie (FBref) – scored four times in 29 outings across all competitions, earning a 6.85 SofaScore rating whilst winning 3.5 duels on average per Serie A appearance.

Whilst it remains to be seen whether or not another midfielder will indeed be added to the ranks, Lilywhites supporters will hope that the decision to reject the chance to sign the £22.5million valued American won’t come back to haunt Conte and co as the campaign gets into full swing.