All posts by z3u9t.icu

[ad_pod ]Fulham have completed the loan signing of Havard Nordtveit from Hoffenheim, the club confirmed on Thursday via their official website.The versatile Norway international, who can play as a midfielder or a centre-back, moves to the club after an injury-hit season in the Bundesliga.Per Transfermarkt, Nordtveit played just eight times in the German top-flight prior to his move to the Cottagers, having struggled with an ankle fracture.Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…The 28-year-old has experience of playing in England, having spent four years with Arsenal between 2007 and 2011, though he failed to make a first-team debut for the Gunners and eventually joined Borussia Monchengladbach.He also spent the 2016-17 season at West Ham United, making 21 appearances in all competitions before joining Hoffenheim.Nordtveit’s move to Fulham has been received well by the club’s fans, with Claudio Ranieri’s men battling relegation this season.The club are currently six points behind Burnley in 17th, and supporters hope the star can hit the ground running.

Newcastle United are plotting a summer bid for West Ham United star Jarrod Bowen as they look to strengthen their squad for next season.

What’s the story?

According to 90min.com the Magpies are interested in signing the highly-rated English winger who has been key to West Ham’s success this season.

It was revealed in December that West Ham had opened talks over a new contract with the player and his representatives, but with an agreement yet to be reached clubs have been circling.

Liverpool are another club that admire the player as a potential Mohamed Salah replacement but, Newcastle will be hoping he can become their own Salah.

Bowen’s on fire

In the words of James Collins, Bowen has been “on fire” for the Hammers this season, and has been pivotal to their push for European football and their progression into the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

The 25-year old has 19 goal contributions in 29 appearances in the Premier League this season. Despite the form, he is yet to be called up to play for his country after fracturing a bone in his foot last month.

He’s in the top 7% for goal creating actions in the Premier League this season for players in his position.

The Englishman is valued at around £31.5m but it may take more than that for West Ham to agree to sell their star man. Former Hammers keeper Paddy Kenny told Football Insider that he thinks it may take even £60m to sign Bowen and that West Ham “do not need to sell”.

However, with the ambitions that both Liverpool and Newcastle have, Bowen himself may push for a move which may leave them with no choice.

There’s still a while left on his contract, with it expiring in 2025, but if he refuses to sign another then his value will decrease as each transfer window passes.

However, it may well be worth it Stuart Pearce previously comparing him to Salah, saying: “The comparison between him and Mo Salah, we have looked at the way Salah stands the defender up and stops and then goes again or uses the defender to curl the ball around into the far corner.”

Despite Salah’s incredibly impressive season you can see why the two are alike. Bowen is four years younger than the Egyptian and still matches him in some areas.

His percentage of shots on target is 42% compared to Salah’s 38% and his goals per shot average matches the Liverpool star at 0.13.

There’s likely to be a hunt for his signature in the summer, and with Newcastle’s new ownership already stating their ambitions with a string of January signings, there’s no sign of them stopping.

Adding Bowen to their ranks would be a real statement of intent and would massively help them push further up the table as quickly as possible.

When comparing him to the Magpies star winger Allan Saint-Maximin, he has more goals and assists per 90 minutes at 0.63 compared to 0.32.

His goal creating actions are also more than double Maximin’s.

IN other news: Sold at £20m, then won a Ballon d’Or: NUFC had mare on “extraordinary” 36yo “monster” – opinion…

Wolves defender and captain Conor Coady is reportedly subject to interest from Premier League rivals Everton regarding a move this summer.

What’s the latest?

According to TEAMtalk, the Toffees are interested in luring the Liverpudlian centre-back away from Molineux in the upcoming transfer window. Of course, that is assuming that they survive their relegation battle.

However, it seems as though the likelihood of Wolves allowing one of their most influential players to leave this summer, let alone to a Premier League rival, is highly unlikely. Moreover, as a boyhood Liverpool fan and former Reds youth player, the idea of Coady playing for their Merseyside rivals is hard to imagine.

As unlikely as the transfer link may seem, it should alert the West Midlands outfit to the fact that clubs will be interested in signing the 29-year-old, so they must do whatever they can to keep their influential figure at Molineux.

Wolves must keep Coady

Not only has Coady been a key contributor to Wolves’ status as the Premier League’s fourth-best defence, the 29-year-old is an influential figure at the Black Country club, involving himself in plenty of charitable activities.

The centre-back has played in all 32 Premier League matches for the Old Gold this term and has arguably had his best campaign in a Wolves shirt to date, with three goals to add to his defensive heroics.

Having made the move to Molineux in 2015 from Huddersfield Town, the Englishman has been a vital figure as Wolves have gone from mid-table in the Championship to competing in Europe, making 311 appearances in Old Gold.

Alongside 11 league clean sheets this term, the defender has averaged 3.5 clearances, 0.8 tackles and 0.8 interceptions per game, whilst also maintaining an 89% passing accuracy.

No centre-back at Wolves has played more matches than Coady this term, with Max Kilman the second-most frequent player with 30 appearances. He has also enjoyed an excellent campaign, averaging 1.5 interceptions, 1.7 tackles and 3.5 clearances per match.

Coady’s most recent success whilst playing for Wolves has been his breakthrough in the national team. The 29-year-old made his senior England debut in September 2020 and has since earned nine caps, being included in the squad for Euro 2020.

The defender is a kingpin both on and off the pitch for the West Midlands club, and selling him to a current Premier League rival this summer would surely have dire consequences.

In other news – Signed for £6.25m, now worth double: Wolves hit the jackpot on “dominant” £17k-p/w ace

Manchester United suffered their second defeat on Merseyside in less than two weeks, after losing to Everton earlier this month and last night they were torn apart by Liverpool at Anfield in a 4-0 defeat.

Ralf Rangnick’s side looked completely deflated throughout the game, and this was reflected in their overwhelming lack of quality in the clash when you consider their overall statistics.

The Red Devils only managed to have an abysmal 28% of possession, only one shot on target, zero big chances created and less than half the completed passes of their fierce rivals.

It was a shocking performance that led to a scathing post-match report from the interim Man United boss.

Rangnick told the press: “It’s embarrassing, it’s completely disappointing and also humiliating.

“The team needs to be rebuilt — it’s clear. I think a game like the one today showed that in a very drastic way that this rebuild is necessary.”

Liverpool put four past their lacklustre opponents on Tuesday evening, with Mo Salah returning to form putting two past David de Gea alongside Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane who also got their names on the scoresheet.

The appointment of Erik ten Hag is reportedly imminent, so when it comes to taking a look at the much-needed changes in the team one player who must be considered for the chop is Marcus Rashford, who yet again completely let down his team-mates throughout the game.

According to SofaScore, the winger who was labelled “terrible” by Chris Waddle, barely turned up for the game making just 11 accurate passes over 90 minutes, as well as losing the ball every 2.1 touches.

He didn’t register a single shot on or off target and lost seven out of his eight duels at Anfield, proving that ten Hag has a decision to make on the player’s future.

It was reported by Fabrizio Romano earlier this year that Rashford was considering his future at the club due to lack of game-time and may look for a new challenge away from his boyhood club with Rangnick making it clear that if the reports are true then he will be free to leave the club this summer, but ultimately the decision will fall to the new manager.

With that being said, following this awful performance and season for the 24-year-old, it could be the perfect opportunity for both the player and club to mutually part ways at the end of the term.

AND in other news: Ten Hag must ruthlessly axe “difficult” £31.5m-rated Man Utd star, he won’t fit in

A major Tottenham Hotspur exit development has now come to light in the last 24 hours, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Spurs exodus looming?

There have been many Lilywhites players linked with a move away from north London in recent weeks, including some pretty big names.

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

Perhaps the most notable is club-record signing Tanguy Ndombele with the Lyon loanee no longer in manager Antonio Conte’s plans going forward.

The Evening Standard claim that Tottenham are now open to selling the 25-year-old with defender Joe Rodon now also set to be sold alongside Ndombele, per Football Insider.

USA international Cameron Carter-Vickers, currently on a temporary spell at Celtic, is another Spurs player linked with a permanent summer exit with SBI Soccer reporter Larry Henry Jr now sharing a major development.

The Latest: Carter-Vickers development…

As per the American journalist, sharing news from one of his close sources, the Hoops are now in advanced talks to sign Carter-Vickers permanently from Spurs.

He explained (via Twitter):

“Celtic is in advanced talks to acquire USMNT and Tottenham defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, a source confirmed. Celtic remains “very happy” with CCV, but still will need to fight off competition from English clubs.”

The Verdict: Get it completed…

Offloading Carter-Vickers for a small profit margin is arguably imperative given Conte’s lofty summer transfer ambitions, with as many as six major signings reportedly on his agenda (The Telegraph).

The 24-year-old, a mainstay under Ange Postecoglou over 2021/2022, has barely been given a look-in down south for Tottenham and now is the perfect time to let him leave and further his career.

Once called a ‘beast’ by Spurs fan favourite Jan Vertonghen, it appears Carter-Vickers will have to take up that mantle elsewhere – likely at Parkhead and away from the Premier League.

In other news: Source: Tottenham edge closer to ‘top signing’, he now really wants to join Conte! Find out more here.

An update has emerged on Rangers and their January transfer window plans for gem Joe Aribo…

What’s the talk?

According to The Scottish Mail of Sunday journalist Gary Keown, via Ibrox News, the Gers are keen to ‘strike while the iron is hot’ by cashing in on the midfielder this month.

The report claims that he is attracting ‘strong interest’ from a number of English Premier League teams, although no potential fee is mentioned.

Infuriation

Gers fans will surely be left infuriated by this update as it suggests that the club have decided that now is the best time to sell Aribo.

However, Rangers could be headed for a major January blunder if this is the case because they would be frustrating their own supporters and weakening their side in the midst of a title battle.

Supporters will be up in arms as he has been in terrific form this season and his exit would harm Gio van Bronckhorst’s chances of winning the Premiership. He has averaged an excellent SofaScore rating of 7.20 this term, scoring six goals and providing three assists, showing that he is delivering consistently brilliant displays for the Scottish giants.

His former Charlton teammate Ezri Konsa once praised Aribo’s style of play, saying: “Having Gerrard as his manager at Rangers, that has made him go up another level.

“Joe’s style is unique. When I was with him at Charlton he did remind me for a while of a left-footed Yaya Toure. But you don’t get a lot of midfielders like Joe, there aren’t many around.

“Like Toure, for a tall guy he’s got such great feet. But that languid style he’s got is actually fairly unique in the game.”

These comments, in particular, highlight why selling Aribo could be a big disaster for the Gers. He is not a run-of-the-mill midfielder who the club could go and easily find a replica of. He is unique and replacing him in the transfer market, particularly in the winter window, could be extremely difficult, which is why selling him now would be an error.

Therefore, Ross Wilson must reverse his decision to seek a sale for Aribo and avoid striking ‘while the iron is hot’ to keep him at Ibrox. He is a crucial player for the Gers and selling him now could have a major impact on the pitch and off it in terms of the fan reaction it could bring.

AND in other news, Expert makes “transformational” £50m Rangers claim that will leave Ross Wilson buzzing…

Celtic are reportedly interested in signing Bodo/Glimt winger and Norway international Ola Solbakken, according to the Scottish Daily Mail [Print edition, 27/04] (via the Daily Record). 

The lowdown: A familiar foe

The 23-year-old played a major hand in eliminating the Hoops from the UEFA Conference League earlier this season, scoring and assisting across the two legs as the Norwegian side got past Ange Postecoglou’s charges 5-1 on aggregate.

Since then, Celtic have been tentatively linked with the ace whose contract is set to expire at the end of 2022 (Transfermarkt).

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/key-latest-celtic-updates-4/” title=”Key latest Celtic updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Now it appears that the interest from Celtic Park could be about to ramp up a notch as we approach the winger’s free agency…

The latest: Mail provides an update

As per the Scottish Daily Mail (via the Daily Record), Celtic officials have identified the Norway international as a possible alternative to loan star Jota.

Whilst the club hold an option to make Jota a Bhoy on a permanent basis in the summer, the deal is yet to be finalised and the hierarchy may already be considering other avenues.

One possibility would reportedly be to ‘rekindle’ their interest in the two-cap Norwegian star, who has also been linked with a move to join Jose Mourinho at AS Roma.

The verdict: Smart planning

Most connected with Celtic would want to see Jota arrive on a permanent basis having already proved to be a hit in Scotland with 11 goals and 12 assists in 36 appearances across all competitions.

However, should that transfer not be forthcoming, never one to take a backwards step, Postecoglou would no doubt welcome Solbakken into the Lennoxtown ranks with open arms.

Already a fully-fledged senior international and with a stunning seven-goal European campaign under his belt, the talented wide-man would be a superb addition to the Celtic squad.

Predominantly operating as a right-winger, Solbakken has shone in the early season in Norway, averaging a 7.07/10 average match rating (Sofascore) – we feel he would make for a shrewd signing at the right price even regardless of Jota’s situation.

In other news, an ex-Celtic hero has taken a dig at Rangers ahead of Sunday’s game. Read more here.

A huge Newcastle United update has emerged on the club’s pursuit of Brighton centre-back Dan Burn…

What’s the talk?

Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie has claimed that the Magpies are on the verge of completing a deal to bring the giant to St. James’ Park.

He Tweeted: “BREAKING: Newcastle have agreed a fee of £13m with Brighton for Dan Burn. The defender is travelling up to the North East to undergo a medical Breakthrough for #NUFC in their search for a centre back.”

Excitement

This update will surely excite Newcastle fans as the defence is an area in which the club needs vast improvement, on the evidence of this season so far.

Only Norwich have conceded more goals than Eddie Howe’s side in the Premier League and they have only kept two clean sheets, both coming in 1-0 wins over Burnley and Leeds respectively.

They have been far from good enough at the back and their form in the top-flight suggests that they need to strengthen in the transfer market.

The current crop of centre-back options have proven themselves to not be up to the task, with Howe now looking to bring in upgrades on the likes of Ciaran Clark and Jamaal Lascelles.

Magpies fans will also be excited by the prospect of Dan Burn coming in from Brighton after he completes his medical. The giant Seagulls enforcer is enjoying a fine campaign in the top-fight, averaging a SofaScore rating of 6.96, and could be an excellent addition to the squad.

Burn has shown that he can perform to a high standard in the Premier League on a consistent basis, which indicates that he could come in at Newcastle and improve the backline.

No current centre-back in the squad has averaged a score higher than 6.77 this term, highlighting the gulf in class between the ex-Wigan man and the players he could be coming in to replace.

Therefore, Toon fans will be buzzing with the club’s efforts to improve the team heading into deadline day as they are clearly targeting a key area that needs to be addressed. Burn’s form for Brighton also suggests that he could be a much-needed signing for Howe’s team and the supporters will be delighted to see a proven defender is on the verge of arriving.

AND in other news,  “A failure…”: Edwards drops “desperate” NUFC transfer update, Howe will be fuming…

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left delighted over transfer news which has emerged on Amad Diallo.

Italian football journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano tweeted this afternoon that the Manchester United starlet is set to join the Scottish champions on loan for the rest of the season, but with no buy option included. The deal has now been confirmed by Rangers, adding to the fans’ prior excitement.

At just 19 years of age, Diallo is a rising prospect in the sport, having impressed at both youth and senior level for Serie A heavyweights £37.2m. He has also played three times already for Ivory Coast’s senior side despite his age, further showing his talent.

Rangers have done very well to attract the Premier League youngster to Scottish football, and he will no doubt give Giovanni van Bronckhorst another useful squad option.

Rangers fans on Diallo transfer news

These Gers fans lauded the transfer news as it was shared on Twitter, with one supporter even going as far as to call it ‘belting’ and others heaping praise on sporting director Ross Wilson for getting it over the line:

“Now we are talking”

Credit: @Stegthomson1

“Oft that’s a belting loan for us.”

Credit: @tattoo_stew69

“Great signing”

Credit: @joeblack1801

“What a signing this will be”

Credit: @craigtaylor_72

“That is an incredible signing man hwg”

Credit: @declan1ferguson

“Ross Wilson working his magic again”

Credit: @dballantyne86

In other news, these were Rangers’ three worst players against Livingston

With Duncan Ferguson filling in on a temporary basis as caretaker manager while Everton look to appoint yet another new permanent head coach after sacking Rafa Benitez just over six months into his tenure in charge of the Toffees, it’s certainly a busy time for Farhad Moshiri.

However, it seems as though the Merseyside club could have taken a big step towards identifying a potential candidate to take the reins at Goodison Park.

What’s the news?

In a recent Twitter post from journalist Jason Burt, he shared some details on what the current situation is at Everton after it emerged that Fabio Cannavaro was in talks to become their new permanent manager.

He said: “Conflicting claims as to how Fabio Cannavaro fared in his talks with Everton. I am told that not only did he interview well – and speaks good English – but the shortlist may now just be down to him, Wayne Rooney or Frank Lampard.”

In his managerial career, the 48-year-old has had two spells in charge of Guangzhou Evergrande, as well as a few months at Al-Nassr FC and Tianjin Quanjian.

With a total of 211 games under his belt as a senior manager, Cannavaro has 123 wins to his name. While this highlights his experience, the fact that he hasn’t managed in any of the top European leagues may cast some doubt over his capabilities of being successful at a club such as Everton.

Fans will be amazed

With this in mind and the fact that Cannavaro has apparently got himself into the shortlist for the job alongside Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard after just one interview, Everton fans would surely be amazed if the Italy legend was appointed as their new permanent manager.

While it could be considered a risky move due to Cannavaro’s lack of experience managing at a big club in Europe, it’s worth remembering that Everton’s two previous permanent managers Carlo Ancelotti and Benitez had huge experience of managing elite clubs and winning titles in Europe, but that didn’t help them while they were at Goodison Park.

Therefore, maybe taking a chance on a comparatively inexperienced manager like Cannavaro who would garner a lot of respect due to what he achieved as a player could make him a good fit at Everton.

In other news: Everton must avoid another managerial disaster with “arrogant” 58 y/o, he’d be Rafa 2.0