All posts by z3u9t.icu

[ad_pod ]Newcastle fans have taken to Twitter excitedly after The Chronicle broke the news that Atlanta playmaker Miguel Almiron’s move to Tyneside is back on and looks close to completion, after talks stalled on a deal earlier in the month.The 24-year-old helped Atlanta become Major League Soccer champions last season, scoring 12 goals and recording 14 assists in 32 league startsÂ(via ESPN) as he truly put his name up in lights.Magpies boss Rafa Benitez has been crying out for Mike Ashley to put his hand in his pocket and sign some players, and have even plunged his future at St James’ Park into doubt if he does not get his wish, according to The Telegraph.Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…However, it now appears as if the former Liverpool and Chelsea manager has got his wish, with a reported club-record £20.5m deal close to being signed off as reported by The Guardian’s Ed Aarons on his official Twitter account.

Naturally, Magpies’ supporters are ecstatic after their transfer record looks to finally be broken after several years, if their reactions on Twitter are anything to go by…

Gio van Bronckhorst has been issued a huge Rangers injury relief over Ibrox attacking midfielder Ianis Hagi…

What’s the latest?

Gheorghe Hagi has revealed that his son is expecting to be fit enough to play in the final of the Europa League if the Gers are able to make their way past Braga and also get through the semi-finals.

The Romania international has been out of action since January with a knee injury and is now hoping to make a return before the end of the campaign.

Speaking to Sport Arena, via the Daily Record, Gheorghe said: “If they got past Dortmund, they have the ability to play in the final. Ianis told me that he will play the Final. There are still two strong teams, Barcelona and Lyon, who are on the other side.

“Everybody is excited about him, how he performs and what a value he is. He’s had bad luck, the hazard of the job. He went to a clinic in Holland, very good professionals. The club provided him with that. We hope he recovers very quickly. He’s confident.”

Buzzing

This news will surely leave the Ibrox faithful and indeed van Bronckhorst elated for multiple reasons.

Firstly, this update comes as a major lift for the club this season, as it would be a huge boost to have him fit and available for a European final. Hagi is one of Rangers’ best players and Van Bronckhorst would surely love to have him in the squad for an occasion as big as that one would be.

They will also be buzzing as it suggests that the 23-year-old will be back in time for pre-season in the summer to hit the ground running in 2022/23. If he believes that he can play in the final in May, then he should be fine for friendlies in July, setting him up to return to his best form next term.

In the Premiership this season, the midfielder ranks sixth for average SofaScore ratings out of all the outfield players in the squad, with a score of 7.10. Prior to his injury blow, he started 15 matches in the league and chipped in with two goals whilst creating 1.5 chances per game.

Last term, the youngster was a constant threat in the final third. He ended the title-winning season with seven goals and 11 assists in the league for Steven Gerrard’s side in 23 starts. This shows that he has the quality to consistently deliver at the top end of the pitch with direct goal contributions, which is something the Gers have lacked this season.

Scott Arfield has often been deployed in Hagi’s role on the right and has produced four goals and zero assists in 24 league outings. This suggests that Rangers are missing the Romanian’s creativity from out wide, which is why fans will be delighted with his prospective return.

AND in other news, Was £2.7m, went to £162m: Rangers fumbled deal for “alien” who’s the “god of football”…

Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold has relayed some ‘good news’ for the club ahead of the game with Newcastle United this afternoon. 

The Lowdown: Davies available

Ben Davies has been a regular under Antonio Conte since the Italian took over in north London, establishing himself as a key member of the back three.

The Welshman did suffer an injury scare during the international break, though, withdrawing from Rob Page’s squad with a tight thigh.

That appeared to put his availability against Eddie Howe’s side in doubt, however, Spurs confirmed that Davies is available for selection this afternoon, and there is even more positive news emerging from Hotspur Way.

The Latest: Skipp and Sessegnon updates

Gold relayed comments from Conte’s pre-match press conference on Twitter, with the Spurs boss addressing Oliver Skipp and Ryan Sessegnon’s absence.

Conte revealed that both are now ‘very close’ to making a return from injury, labelling it as ‘good news’ for the pair.

The Verdict: Positive

We are now entering the crunch stage of the campaign with no more international breaks between now and the end of the season.

Spurs are still in the hunt for a top-four finish, so having a fully fit squad is key in regards to the club’s hopes of finishing fourth.

Skipp had been a regular prior to his injury and will give Conte a much-needed fourth option in midfield. Meanwhile, Sessegnon was slowly establishing himself on the left-hand side under Conte prior to his hamstring injury, so he’ll be looking to pick up from where he left off over the coming weeks.

In other news: Spurs source: Talks now held over early agreement for ‘excellent’ gem; same agent as Sessegnon. 

Eddie Howe must axe Allan Saint-Maximin after a poor showing against Wolves to free up space for several new recruits in the summer.

The Newcastle United star performed disappointingly against Bruno Lage’s side and it has led to discussions around whether now is the time to cash in and let him leave the club.

During that contest, he failed with all three of his dribbles, lost the ball a whopping 23 times and lost a mighty 15 duels. He can be “breathtaking” on his day in the words of Gary Neville but this was fine evidence of why he has the tendency to drive club legend, Alan Shearer, absolutely “mad.”

Also described as the “jewel in Newcastle’s crown” by their former player David Ginola, the Magpies would be looking to get at least £50m for the player who prior to the takeover was a key part in the club’s future.

However, the new owners have shown in January that they have money to spend and want to be in the market for Europe’s best players.

Selling Saint-Maximin would present them with an opportunity to reinvest the profit and put it towards signing a better player, and it would also free up space in the squad.

Even though he’s been involved in more Newcastle goals than any other players this season, if the Toon are serious about competing with the top teams then you have to compare him to the other Premier League players in his position.

The Frenchman ranks in the bottom 50% in Europe this season when it comes to goal creating actions compared to others in his position. It does beg the question, is he really the man to take Newcastle to where they want to be?

He’s proved he isn’t an awful player, and he may still be able to play a part if Newcastle becomes more successful, but if it’s as a squad player then his value will lessen which is why Newcastle should sell now.

One player they have been linked with is Jarrod Bowen. The West Ham United star has shone this season and as a result, has attracted interest from big clubs.

Comparing the two shows that the Englishman could be a perfect replacement for Saint-Maximin. He has better goals and assists average per 90 minutes at 0.35 compared to 0.18.

Newcastle could use the money generated from selling the £93k-per-week Saint-Maximin to buy Bowen and improve their side.

IN other news: Downie drops NUFC transfer claim involving “four or five players”, it’s great news – opinion

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is facing several selection dilemmas as his side return to Premier League action on Tuesday evening.

After sharing the spoils with league leaders Manchester City before beating them in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, the Merseyside outfit now host Manchester United at Anfield.

Sat just one point behind Pep Guardiola’s side, the Reds will need to keep the pressure mounting by delivering a performance of note against the fifth-placed Red Devils, who could also do with three points to bolster their top-four ambitions.

Salah’s shocking form

One of the predicaments facing the German head coach is what to do with Mohamed Salah, who has struggled for form in recent matches.

Indeed, the Egyptian winger has provided only one direct goal contribution in his last six appearances since his return from international duty, where he missed a penalty was knocked out of 2022 World Cup qualification by Sadio Mane’s Senegal.

It’s evident that his confidence has taken a serious knock, as a result, and it would be foolish to persist with him for the time being – even in the win over City at the weekend, he was disappointing.

As per SofaScore, he was graded as Liverpools’s joint lowest-rated player (6.3), having fired two of his three shots off target, made only 71% of his passes and spurned possession 13 times from only 38 touches. He also won just 23% of his battles up against the Citizens’ backline.

Salah, who has not scored for the Merseysiders in open play since February, is lucky to be in the side, according to former striker John Aldridge.

“If you’re going by form, Mo wouldn’t get in the team,” he told Sky Sports. “As good as he is, as great as he is, as much as we love him, on present form he’s struggling.”

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Jota’s the man

Instead, Klopp ought to turn to the in-form Diogo Jota, who was named on the bench for Sunday’s clash and should be fresher than most after only featuring for the final five minutes plus stoppage time.

The £54m-rated forward is enjoying quite the season at Anfield, having found the net 21 times and provided four assists, via Transfermarkt. He has scored in each of Liverpool’s last three top-flight outings, including a strike in the 2-2 draw with City last time out.

Also capable of playing anywhere along the frontline, there won’t be a better candidate to fill the void that is currently left behind by an out-of-sorts Salah.

Once described as a “pressing monster” by assistant boss Pep Lijnders, Jota has been in much greater form than the 29-year-old since the international break.

Not only has he scored three goals, compared to Salah’s zero, but he also edges the charts for shots with the latter managing just the one effort against the league leaders.

Only a few weeks ago, Klopp waxed lyrical about the 25-year-old Portuguese, claiming that he was “growing into the top world-class striker role,” before later adding:

“It was always clear that Diogo is not a pure winger, Diogo is a striker who can play on the wing and defend the wing. Both wings, thank god.”

On the above evidence, the Liverpool boss should make the bold and brutal call to axe Salah in favour of Jota’s return to the starting XI, with Luis Diaz and Mane also available, there are plenty of different attacking options he can turn to for the wing positions.

The former Wolves gem, in this form, can absolutely terrify Ralf Rangnick’s United outfit – they’d probably welcome the sight of an out-of-form Salah right now, so Klopp must turn to Jota this evening.

AND in other news, Klopp eyeing Liverpool swoop for “world-class” 110-goal magician, Anfield would be buzzing…

West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has dropped an update on his future at The Hawthorns amid his links with a move away from the club in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

In recent comments cited by the Express & Star, the 28-year-old revealed that he is desperate to make a return to the Premier League, with West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton and Newcastle United having all been linked with a move for the England international this winter.

Speaking about his future, Johnstone said: “There was a lot of talk in the summer. It [a transfer] just didn’t happen and we are focused on doing our best to get promoted back up this year. I see the speculation and there’s nothing I can do about it. It’s out of my control but I want to be back playing in the Premier League.”

Fans will be sweating

Considering just how impressive Johnstone has been for West Brom in recent seasons, the goalkeeper coming out and openly admitting that he is desperate to be playing Premier League football again – during a transfer window, no less – will undoubtedly have left Baggies fans sweating.

Indeed, since his £6.5m move to The Hawthorns back in 2018, Johnstone has been a rock between the Albion sticks, earning seasonal SofaScore match ratings of 6.87, 6.84 and 7.03 in 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21 respectively, as well as averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.82 over his 24 Championship appearances in the current campaign.

Furthermore, the £32.5k-per-week ‘keeper has also kept a whopping 41 clean sheets over his 155 appearances for the Baggies, not far off averaging a shut out once in every three fixtures he has played for the club.

As such, it is clear to see just how important the 28-year-old is to Valerien Ismael’s West Brom side, as well as how devastating it would be for the Baggies’ automatic promotion hopes were the England international to leave the club this month.

In other news: West Brom handed double fitness boost ahead of QPR clash, Ismael will be buzzing

Andrew Dickson was left slamming Glen Kamara after his part in a goal conceded by Glasgow Rangers in their Scottish Premiership clash at lunchtime.

The Lowdown: Early setback

After going 1-0 up early on at Motherwell, the Ibrox faithful were dealt a setback when Leon Balogun was given a straight red card just before the half-hour mark.

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The hosts then equalised through Ross Tierney, before Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team eventually got a grip on the game in the second half.

The Latest: Kamara slammed

Taking to Twitter, Scottish football journalist Dickson slammed Kamara after Tierney’s goal, claiming that it was an ‘all-round shambles’ from him as he put unnecessary pressure on his side:

“That was an all-round shambles from Glen Kamara. Rangers have gone from being very comfortable to on the ropes in five minutes.”

The Verdict: Not his best

That moment from Kamara was certainly not his best in a Light Blues shirt, as he was guilty of dwelling on the ball when he should have really just cleared his lines.

That was one of eight occasions that he gave the ball away cheaply, while he also lost three of his duels, made no clearances and failed to block any shots on his goal (SofaScore).

Lucky for the Finland international, the Teddy Bears won the match anyway, but van Bronckhorst will surely be concerned about his midfield maestro going into their first leg against RB Leipzig in the UEFA Europa League.

In other news, find out what ‘huge blow’ has now emerged for the Gers here!

Leeds United will not target a new striker this month…

What’s the word?

That’s according to the ever-reliable Graham Smyth of the Yorkshire Evening Post, who delivered a fresh update on the Whites’ plans heading into the final week of the transfer window.

‘Bielsa did welcome both Joe Gelhardt and Tyler Roberts back from the treatment room at the weekend to bolster his attacking options, although neither started as Daniel James occupied the lone striker role.

‘Their return, along with that of Rodrigo who on Saturday played his first 90 minutes since September, mean Bielsa will not be asking for a new striker in the remainder of the January transfer window,’ he revealed in a recent column for the website.

Risky plan

This is a very risky decision from Bielsa and the club.

Of course, it would be hugely surprising to see the bring in many additions – if any at all – during the mid-season window because it’s not something that they have ever really done.

For instance, a midfielder is high on the agenda but they have not signed one since January 2018, some four years ago.

However, as we’ve seen regularly this season, injuries have persisted to rip through the playing squad, particularly upfront, where Bielsa has been without his star man Patrick Bamford for much of the year.

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Indeed, the England international has missed 17 of their last 18 matches with a string of problems, ranging from ankle and hamstring injuries to his latest, a foot issue.

He has now missed as many games as goals scored in the Premier League last season and his absence in the final third has been evident – not at least because he’s the only senior centre-forward.

Raphinha (eight) is the only player to have found the net more than four times, whilst it’s been on academy gem Gelhardt and wingers Jack Harrison and James to fill the void, to not much of an effect.

If Bamford does return in due course and goes and picks up another injury, it’ll leave Bielsa back at square one in dealing with this problem, whereas any signed backup could fill in again.

The Yorkshiremen are by no means out of the relegation dogfight just yet, so this news should leave much of the Elland Road faithful worried, if not furious, heading into the final five days of the window.

United badly need additions and it doesn’t seem like that is going to happen.

AND in other news, Leeds could secure Bielsa a bargain Aaronson alternative in £22.5m-rated “phenomenon”…

Tottenham Hotspur are edging closer to the signing of Adama Traore…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Eurosport transfer insider Dean Jones, who delivered a promising claim to ‘The Done Deal Show’ on The Football Terrace this week.

“Spurs have had to wait because Wolves made it clear that they wanted to get a replacement in before they would allow Traore to go anywhere, so Spurs have had to be patient on that,” he revealed.

“It looks like things will move forward this week with Traore, I do expect him to join Tottenham, they just need to agree on the fee.

“He’s a player they’ve been looking at for a long time, and finally, it looks like Tottenham are finally getting the opportunity to negotiate on this fee and it will probably be at half the price they’d have paid in the summer”

Conte will be buzzing

Traore has quickly emerged as a top priority for manager Antonio Conte as he looks to bolster his right flank. The Times have previously reported that Conte does not trust Emerson Royal, especially in the final third.

They also claim that the Spain international is available for just £20m, which makes him a far cheaper alternative to Tariq Lamptey.

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Despite being a winger by trade, the 25-year-old has experienced the right wing-back role during his time at Molineux and it’s there he could really excel under Conte – just look at the way in which he transformed Victor Moses into a Premier League and FA Cup winner.

His end product has been lacking, as evident by him scoring his first goal of the season only last weekend but his league-leading dribbling ability (4.3 successful attempts per game) and physical presence makes him a frightening player to face out wide.

“He’s a machine. I was watching him pre-game and he could be a powerlifter or a cruiser-weight boxer – he’s huge,” Rio Ferdinand once told BT Sport (via BirminghamLive), whilst Southampton forward Che Adams has previously lauded him as a “monster”.

If he is indeed Conte’s top target, then the Italian will be absolutely buzzing to hear that the deal is edging closer – with the international break due next week, perhaps we will see plenty of movement then.

AND in other news, “Tottenham will”: Sky Sports man drops “exciting” transfer claim, Conte surely buzzing…

According to a report by 90min, a West Ham United transfer update has come to light involving Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Adama Traore as they join the race to sign him.

The Lowdown: Moyes eyeing forward…

As is well known, West Ham boss David Moyes is eyeing new additions in the attacking areas as he aims to strengthen his side’s chances of a top four finish.

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An out-and-out striker is thought to be high on both his and recruitment chief Rob Newman’s agenda this month though they have also been linked with wide players and attacking midfielders.

Indeed, the likes of Anwar El Ghazi, a natural winger, and Man United ace Jesse Lingard have been mentioned as news now emerges involving Traore.

The Latest: West Ham join race…

As per 90min, West Ham are now one of the club’s eyeing a move for Traore with Wolves boss Bruno Lage now ‘sanctioning’ his exit from Molineux.

It is believed that Moyes and co are being ‘kept informed’ of the 25-year-old’s situation with it looking more and more likely he could leave in January.

The Verdict: Get it done?

There is little arguing the Spain international is a major threat going forward when at his best and we believe West Ham should certainly consider a bid, especially considering his huge price drop.

As per 90min reporter Jude Summerfield, Traore’s valuation has plummeted ‘from £50m to around £22m after failed contract talks’ – gifting West Ham a golden opportunity.

According to WhoScored, the Premier League ace has averaged a head-turning 4.5 dribbles per 90 in the top flight this campaign – far eclipsing that of any West Ham player.

He’s also been called ‘undefendable’ by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, perhaps pointing to a possible bargain at £22m.

In other news: ‘Tears in my eyes’, ‘Finally’…West Ham fans flock to ‘very exciting’ transfer development, find out more here.