All posts by z3u9t.icu

Some Glasgow Rangers fans have been left reacting to a post from the club’s official Twitter page.

As many as 12 Light Blues are playing for their respective national teams over the course of the next few days during the international break.

They are: Jon McLaughlin, Nathan Patterson, Steven Davis, Glen Kamara, Fashion Jr, Ianis Hagi, Kemar Roofe, Juninho Bacuna, Calvin Bassey, Leon Balogun, Joe Aribo and Borna Barisic.

Of course, it is always an honour for any player to represent their country, but some Bears supporters are understandably worried that they may pick up an injury or have to go into self-isolation upon their return, and thus would not be able to return back to club football.

Nonetheless, Steven Gerrard will no doubt be hoping that his squad comes back to Ibrox unscathed.

Rangers fans on international news

These Gers gave their reactions as the news was shared in a club post on Twitter:

“No Morelos to Colombia is encouraging”

Credit: @auldco

“Good luck to each and everyone of you. Take care and come back injury free.”

Credit: @ElsieMcCready5

“Hopefully all return back Covid free.”

Credit: @chunkylover25

“Bring them home”

Credit: @Coplandbear1872

“Come back unscathed please team”

Credit: @lennyrfc

“Will they need to isolate on return?”

Credit: @R55Loyal

In other news, find out what Gerrard claim has Gers raging here!

Rangers manager Gio van Bronckhorst will be hoping to extend his unbeaten start to life in Glasgow as his side return to Ibrox tonight.

The Gers host St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership after they beat Hearts 2-0 away from home on Sunday, thanks to goals from Alfredo Morelos and Joe Aribo.

Since arriving at the club after the 3-1 defeat to Hibernian in the League Cup, the Dutchman has won five of his six matches – including all four of his league games in charge.

Unleash him

With this game coming just three days after the win over Hearts, van Bronckhorst may want to make a few changes to freshen the team up.

One player he must unleash on St Johnstone is attacking midfielder Ianis Hagi. The ex-Genk man was given a watching brief on Sunday and could be fresh and ready to grasp his chance with both hands if he is given a start.

Scott Arfield started in the number 10 role at the weekend and produced a poor performance as he struggled on and off the ball. As per SofaScore, he failed with all of his attempted dribbles and missed two ‘big chances’, whilst creating just one chance and losing 60% of his individual duels.

This suggests that it could be beneficial to bench the Canadia international, with Hagi potentially the perfect option to come in and replace him.

Former Gers boss Steven Gerrard once lauded the son of legendary Romanian footballer Gheorghe Hagi, as he said: “We’re really happy with Ianis Hagi, he’s a joy to work with.

“He’s a student of the game. He’s always looking at areas to improve, whether that be from a physical point of view or tactically or technically. He’s someone you have to drag off the training ground.

“Ianis is always in the analyst department too. He’s never out of the gym, so he’s an absolute dream to work with, very low maintenance. We’re delighted with how he is developing and progressing and we’re happy to have him.”

Hagi has averaged an impressive SofaScore rating of 7.12 this season in the Premiership and has not missed a single big chance, whilst creating 1.6 chances per game. Last term, he produced seven goals and 11 assists in 23 starts as he showed that he has the quality to be a difference-maker in the final third.

Therefore, van Bronckhorst should axe Arfield from the XI after his Hearts shocker and place the mercurial gem Hagi into the team. He has shown that he can perform consistently at this level and the Dutchman will know that he is selecting a player capable of having a big impact on the match.

AND in other news, Wilson masterclass: £8.3k-p/w Rangers “firework” who “plays at 100mph” is Gvb’s dream…

West Ham United are ready to move for Everton centre-back Michael Keane if the Blues are relegated. 

That’s according to Daily Star sports reporter Harry Pratt.

The lowdown

Keane, Pratt notes, was ‘rising through the Manchester United ranks’ when David Moyes in charge during the 2013/14 season.

Everton later paid £25.7million to sign Keane in 2017 after he’d spent two and a half years at Burnley.

The Englishman has gone on to rack up 181 appearances for The Toffees, including 33 in all competitions so far this season (via Transfermarkt).

His £65,000-per-week contract still has more than three years left to run.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/everton-news-4/” title=”Everton news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The latest

Pratt writes that Moyes remains a ‘big admirer’ of Keane and could look to capitalise on the ‘major exodus’ that’s anticipated at Goodison Park if the Toffees drop.

The Scot and West Ham would be ready to offer him ‘an immediate route back to the Premier League’.

Moyes wants to more centre-back available ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Keane would apparently cost the Hammers as much as £20million even after a potential relegation.

The verdict

Everton supporters may be somewhat surprised at the prospect of a lucrative sale.

Indeed, a £20million exit would be the ninth-biggest in the history of the club.

Keane has come in for heavy criticism at times this season, with Paul Robinson accusing him of frequent ‘lapses in concentration’ and The I’s James Gray pondering if he’d endured the ‘worst half ever’ in the 5-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur last month.

But Moyes has been undeterred, and he could hand his former club a significant financial boost, helping to absorb the possible blow of demotion.

In other news, Everton also risk losing another mainstay.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United’s plans that will cause concern for Dan Burn…

What’s the talk?

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has warned the Englishman that he is likely to face stiff competition for his place next season.

The journalist has claimed that the Magpies may sign as many as two central defenders in the next transfer window, leaving his spot in the team in a vulnerable position.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I don’t think what he’s done will have any impact at all on Newcastle’s plans for the summer. I still expect them to spend big, and I expect them to bring in at least one, if not two international centre-backs, even with Dan Burn there.”

Disasterclass

PIF must avoid a Darsley Park disaster this summer because instantly replacing Burn would be a huge mistake by the owners.

Firstly, he has been excellent in the Premier League this season and there is little need to find an immediate upgrade in his position.

Steven Taylor dubbed him a “perfect” signing for the club and Toon legend Alan Shearer admitted that he was shocked by his performances, saying: “I looked at him at Brighton and I saw a good Premier League player, who is reliable. I have got to be honest. I didn’t realise how good he was, in terms of what he has brought to this Newcastle team, the leadership.

“Watch the way he’s looking around and trying to organise different players, then taking up his position to do his bit defensively. He has been a leader in that back four, ever since he has put that black and white shirt on.”

He has averaged a superb SofaScore rating of 7.03 for Brighton and Newcastle combined, making 3.1 tackles and interceptions per game. The £20k-per-week machine has shown that he can consistently deliver in the top-flight and that is one reason why it would be a mistake to replace him this summer.

Another reason why it would be a mistake from PIF is that it would surely put some players off from wanting to join the club.

Seeing that they are willing to wield their axe with Burn, in the sense of replacing him in the starting XI, after just a few months in which he has been delivering quality performances would cause targets to think twice about whether or not it is the best move for their career.

Why would a player be interested in signing for the Magpies if they know that they can put in excellent displays and help the team massively and still be potentially pushed aside within weeks or months?

Therefore, the Magpies must add one centre-back to their squad this summer to compete with the likes of Schar and Dan Burn, instead of signing a completely new defensive pairing.

AND in other news, Sold at £108k, now worth £10.8m: NUFC had howler on gem who proved Benitez “all wrong”…

Leeds United and Southampton have been linked with a move for Blackburn Rovers right-back Ryan Nyambe, The 72 report.

The Lowdown: Nyambe profiled

Nyambe, described as a player with ‘great acceleration’, is 24 years of age and has progressed through the academy at Ewood Park.

The Namibia international is primarily a right-back who can also turn out at centre-back and has made 190 appearances for the club – 21 of which have come this season.

His current deal is set to expire at the end of June, with Nyambe sharing the same agency as Leeds duo Adam Forshaw and Charlie Cresswell.

The Latest: Leeds keen

The 72 shared a story on Wednesday afternoon, revealing Rovers could cash in on Nyambe this month, with Elland Road and St Mary’s named as possible destinations.

Rovers would want £3m for the defender, a fee surely affordable to Andrea Radrizzani and the 49ers group, while Leeds are also linked with a move for striker Ben Brereton-Diaz.

The Verdict: Not needed

Marcelo Bielsa has Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas, youngster Cody Drameh and even Jamie Shackleton as right-back options at Elland Road, so a fifth choice doesn’t seem pivotal this month.

Leeds have other transfer issues to address more urgently too, with Victor Orta after two midfielders over the coming weeks following Kalvin Phillips’ long-term hamstring injury.

Should they get two in, then perhaps a cut-price move for the versatile Nyambe could be looked at, but for now, Radrizzani and co have bigger fish to fry in order to bolster their chances of Premier League survival.

In other news: Orta now eyeing Leeds move for 6 ft 3 beast who stopped Ronaldo; he’s keen on a January switch.

According to a recent report from The Daily Mirror, Newcastle United are interested in a move for winger Yannick Bolasie before the close of the transfer window on Thursday. The 29-year-old currently plays his football at Premier League outfit Everton and has done so since leaving Crystal Palace back in the summer of 2016, although struggles for regular game time under new Toffees manager Marco Silva, hence he was shipped out on loan earlier this season, has plunged his future at Goodison Park into doubt.

And a recent report from The Daily Mirror suggests that Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle, as well as a whole host of other Premier League clubs, are eyeing up a move for the linked-away ace, whose arrival at St James’ Park would go some way to giving the Magpies a huge upgrade on awful Kenedy.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, the acquisition of Brazilian star Kenedy back in the summer was met with widespread optimism given just how effective the 22-year-old was for the North East giants last season – arguably, his arrival 12 months ago helped inspire the Magpies to a tenth place finish.

However, the winger has looked a shadow of that player this time round in netting just once and laying on only one assist for Benitez’s side, to the point that he hasn’t featured in three of their last four Premier League matches to underline just how out of form the 22-year-old really is.

Ultimately, while he only actually scored twice for the club last term, his overall impact was clear for all to see as he injected some impetus and dynamism into the Newcastle attack – quite simply, that hasn’t been seen this time round.

And with the Magpies reportedly (as per The Daily Mirror) interested in Everton’s Bolasie this month, the DR Congo international would go some way to giving Benitez an upgrade on the Brazilian.

The 29-year-old has struggled for form pretty much ever since returning from a year out with injury at the rear end of 2017, with the winger bagging just once in the second half of last season for the Toffees as they finished eighth under Sam Allardyce.

Yet the former Crystal Palace man was shipped out on loan by new boss Silva at the start of the season to underline just how far down the pecking order he was at Goodison Park, and returning early after a testing spell at Championship side Aston Villa doesn’t appear to have aided his cause in getting back into the Everton fold.

However, one mustn’t forget just how effective and impactful Bolasie can be when he is somewhere near his best, what with the winger netting 13 times and laying on 30 assists in 144 games for Palace between 2012 and 2016, before starting well at Everton with a goal and four assists in 13 league games prior to injury – clearly, there is a seriously talented Premier League winger in the 29-year-old.

And in a Newcastle side crying out for greater flair and creativity in the final third of the field, and someone to try and replicate what Kenedy did 12 months ago by giving them an injection of energy going forward, Bolasie could seriously flourish.

Yes, the Magpies will either have to strike a permanent deal for the 29-year-old or let one of Kenedy or Salomon Rondon return to their parent clubs, such are the loan rules, but either way it’s a deal Benitez and the club’s hierarchy simply must seek to strike, as doing so would give the Spaniard a huge upgrade on the out-of-form Brazilian star.

Newcastle fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to make it three on the trot in the Premier League this afternoon but standing in their way is an in-form West Ham United, who have home comforts at the London Stadium.

Nuno Santo’s men were beaten embarrassingly in the Netherlands by Vitesse on Thursday night, so the Portuguese will be wanting a reaction in this crunch match.

Spurs have defeated Aston Villa and Newcastle United in their last two domestic outings but the Irons represent a tougher test as they could leapfrog them with a win today.

Both teams are vying for a spot in the top-six, with the Lilywhites narrowly holding the edge at this stage.

It means Nuno has to get his team selection absolutely spot on if they are to extend their fine form in the English top-flight.

And with that in mind, he ought to stick with what has been working, particularly in the final third as they have scored five goals in their last two matches, more than they managed in the six previous games.

That means it should be Tanguy Ndombele sitting in the no.10 role over the likes of Dele Alli and Giovani Lo Celso, who both were underwhelming in the midweek defeat.

Once described as “unplayable” by ex-goalkeeper Joe Hart, the 24-year-old has the capability to be a “world-beater” on his day. Indeed, he offers the Lilywhites something they do not possess in any other player, that being a dumbfounded technical ability.

Ndombele is able to drive the ball forward with his gifted dribbling skills and passing – as per WhoScored, he’s averaged 2.5 dribbles per game, whilst only three other players see more of the ball than him, having also averaged 40.3 passes per league outing too.

This sort of presence was seen first-hand last weekend when the £26m-rated French dynamo not only landed himself on the scoresheet but was also Spurs’ star man, earning a match-high 8.21 rating.

He won them three free-kicks, managed four successful dribbles and enjoyed an impressive 92.4% passing accuracy, via WhoScored.

Ndombele lost some of his closest friends during the Lilywhites’ summer exodus, with both Serge Aurier and fellow countryman Moussa Sissoko moving onto pastures new. This led to speculation over his future in north London but he’s still here and very much starting to deliver as club-record signing should.

Nuno has been praised for his trust in the midfield maverick, too.

“I thought he was brilliant against Newcastle,” claimed ex-Premier League striker Noel Whelan to Football Insider. “Even when he went in at the start of the season asking to leave the club, the manager kept the faith in him. He’s fought back and shut a few people up with his performances.”

He then added: “It was a quality 90 minutes and a really well-taken goal. He could be a real key player for them this season.”

After being absent in midweek, it should be time to bring Ndombele back into the starting XI. He has the capability of really hurting an Irons side that have appeared to be very resolute in the past week, keeping back-to-back clean sheets.

Nuno must start the French beast at the London Stadium today.

AND in other news, Paratici could seal Spurs’ biggest signing since Son with “complete” £27m-rated beast…

Aston Villa could strike gold in the January transfer window by landing Liverpool star Divock Origi.

What’s the story?

The Belgium international has struggled for consistent game-time at Anfield this season, playing just three times in the Premier League, but did show his credentials by scoring a late winner against Wolves in the Reds’ previous top-flight outing.

Now, during a Q&A for The Birmingham Mail, Preece has claimed that Origi could well be a superb acquisition for Villa, and that he “would make perfect sense” for Steven Gerrard’s side.

He said: “It’s one that Premier League clubs – and Villa – will be closely monitoring given his recent form. Still just 26 and happy to play second fiddle but will no doubt back himself to become a regular starter away from Anfield.

“It all depends on what he does from now until January but I expect Origi to be available and, should Keinan Davis move out, Origi would make perfect sense. A fabulous finisher. Loan to buy sounds ideal, for me.”

Great alternative to Watkins and Ings

Dubbed as someone who “always comes up with massive goals”, and who’s “got a taste for the big games”, Origi has built himself into folklore at Anfield with his match-winning moments – you’ve only got to look at his goal-scoring display in that famous Champions League comeback over Barcelona, or even more recently at Molineux this past week.

However, the Belgian probably knows that even a stellar display is unlikely to convince Jurgen Klopp to move out one of his much-vaunted attack to accommodate him, and that surely does nothing for a player’s confidence.

With his ability to net goals in big games and at big times too, Origi feels like someone who would relish the pressure and atmosphere of playing at Villa Park under the spotlight.

And, with less stellar competition than he would find at Anfield, Origi may consider Villa as the perfect place for him to really showcase his abundance of talent and carve out a starting role if he performs consistently – something he isn’t really going to find at Liverpool.

The £10.8m-rated star could give Villa that extra lift and attacking firepower to go alongside the likes of Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has delivered the latest Aston Villa transfer update…

According to reports by The Mirror (as relayed by football.london), former Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov fears that Harry Kane will once again try to force a move away from Spurs if Antonio Conte fails to win a trophy or qualify for the Champions League.

The Lowdown: Harry Kane’s transfer saga

Kane was at the heart of a messy transfer saga during last summer’s transfer window. The England captain was Pep Guardiola’s priority target as Manchester City looked to bring in a top-quality striker. Spurs rejected City’s sensational £125m bid for the player, who had his mind set on the move after winning last season’s Premier League Golden Boot.

Kane tried to force his way out of the north London club by failing to turn up to training. However, these attempts proved unsuccessful, and the 28-year-old took to social media to confirm that he would remain at his boyhood club.

Despite Spurs’ retention of the striker, he has been relatively poor this season, having transfer market valuation drop from a peak of £135m to its current value of £90m.

The Latest: Berbatov issues Kane transfer warning

Berbatov now fears that Kane will try again to leave the club if Tottenham fail to deliver silverware or a top-four finish this season.

Speaking to The Mirror, the Bulgarian said: “In my opinion, I think we are going to see a similar situation with Harry Kane to last year.

“I am not convinced that the thought of moving to a top club to win trophies is completely out of Harry’s head.

“Yes, Conte has said that Harry is a key guy and that the team must evolve around him. But at the same time, I think that temptation is still there – and that we will see the same drama next summer.

“The only way that won’t happen is if Spurs win something or qualify for the Champions League. That’s where Kane wants to be – so let’s see if Spurs can surprise a few people by doing it.”

The Verdict: Pressure on Spurs to keep Kane

With Berbatov believing that Kane holds mixed feelings over his future at Tottenham, there is huge pressure on Conte to guide the team to a successful season in the form of a trophy or Champions League qualification. Otherwise, the England international could once again seek to leave the club.

He would be a monumental loss for Spurs. Kane has played 364 times for the Lilywhites, scoring an incredible 233 goals. Levy will not only be feeling the pressure to keep the fan favourite at the club, he might also be worrying about whether Conte will follow suit in leaving if the England captain is eventually granted a departure from N17.

With the FA Cup still to fight for, and sitting just four points off the top four with several games in hand, Tottenham still have every chance of salvaging tangible success from this season. Kane’s future at the club could depend on it.

In other news – ‘Conte is confident’: Spurs business ‘expected to be tied up very soon’ amid exit rumour

Newcastle United are reportedly ‘keeping a close eye’ on Luis Diaz ahead of a potential transfer.

The Lowdown: Catching the eye

The 24-year-old is certainly starting to make a name for himself in world football, with 11 goals and a further two assists in 16 games across all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt).

His FC Porto team-mate Sergio Oliveira described the Colombia international as an ‘extraordinary’ player after a very impressive display in the Champions League against AC Milan in recent weeks.

There is sure to be a large number of clubs from around Europe circling around for his signature if he maintains this kind of form.

The Latest: Newcastle interest

As per O Jogo (via Sport Witness), Newcastle are now ‘keeping a close eye’ on Diaz ahead of a potential move, and it is ‘increasingly unlikely’ that he will stay beyond the end of his contract, which runs to 2024.

There is an €80m (£68.3m) release clause included in his current deal, and former Porto striker Jackson Martinez claims that the clause ‘will be paid with ease’.

The Verdict: Sign fast!

With an abundance of top European clubs likely to be fighting it out for Diaz, the Magpies need to pounce, and fast.

The fee should not be a problem for the club’s new mega-rich owners, so the main obstacle would be to try and persuade the 24-year-old to move to Tyneside.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium will surely have ambitions of eventually winning the Premier League and becoming regular participants in the Champions League, so they can at least sell Diaz the project should they end up paying his release clause.

If they wait too long, he will almost certainly get snapped up within the next year or so, and the Magpies simply cannot afford to miss out on signing a winger in red-hot form who will only get better.

In other news, find out which £15.4m-rated ‘hero’ NUFC are targeting