All posts by z3u9t.icu

West Ham United have joined Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in the race to sign Sampdoria midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard, according to La Razon. 

The lowdown: Denmark sensation labelled as ‘outstanding’ amid impressive recent showings

Damsgaard has been with Sampdoria since 2020, and chipped in with two goals and four assists in 37 appearances for the Italian side last term.

But it’s his performances for Denmark in this summer’s European Championships that have caught the eye, with the midfielder scoring once, and being on hand to provide one assist for Kasper Hjulmand’s side so far, who are set to take on Czech Republic in the quarter-finals on Saturday evening.

Former England and Manchester City defender Micah Richards has labelled Damsgaard’s performances as ‘outstanding’ during the European Championships. (BBC One, Monday 21st June, 20:56, via tbrfootball)

The latest: West Ham register interest in striking deal for 20-year-old

West Ham are reportedly one of the clubs keen on reaching an agreement to land Damsgaard’s signature this summer, although it seems as though they’re not alone in the race to sign him.

La Razon report that Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona and Liverpool are all linked with the Danish starlet.

It is also claimed that ‘an auction’ will take place for Damsgaard once the Euros end – he clearly won’t be short of offers during the summer transfer window.

The verdict: Damsgaard could be the ideal signing for the Hammers

Damsgaard could be an excellent signing for West Ham, as they look to bolster their options in attacking areas of David Moyes’ team this summer.

The youngster has been nothing short of brilliant so far in the European Championships, and the Danish supporters will be hoping that he can make a positive impact in their quarter-final clash with Czech Republic on Saturday evening.

West Ham are going to need additional strength in depth heading into the new season, as squad rotation is likely, with Moyes’ side competing in Europe as well as domestically this term.

At the age of 20, this could turn out to be a shrewd move by the Hammers, especially if Damsgaard was to hit the ground running while he has so much room to develop his game even further.

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has suffered a major injury blow over Dan James ahead of his side’s Premier League clash against Arsenal at the weekend.

What’s the story?

According to The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, James picked up a muscular injury during that defeat at the Etihad, and it remains to be seen how long he could potentially be out for.

That was then followed up by The Athletic’s Phil Hay, who via Bielsa’s pre-match press conference, revealed: “Dan James and Jamie Shackleton are out this weekend. Robin Koch available though. No other changes to the absentee list. Firpo serving a one-match ban.”

Big blow for Leeds

While James may not have exactly lit Elland Road alight with his performances this season since his move from Manchester United – he’s scored just one goal and provided only two assists in 16 Premier League games – he remains a vital part of the first-team squad for Bielsa.

The Welshman has been involved in every single Premier League game this campaign bar one, and that was way back in mid-August when he remained on the bench against Southampton in only the second match of the season for Leeds.

With the Whites already without a number of key first-team stars for the game against Arsenal – including the likes of Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford among others – losing yet another player on the eve of the game is a major blow and setback for Bielsa.

Raphinha and Jack Harrison will surely be expected to start out wide, but it leaves Bielsa with very little room to manoeuvre when it comes to options off the bench and potential game-changers.

Leeds fans will surely be absolutely gutted with the kind of injury luck they have had in recent weeks in particular.

Meanwhile, this Leeds star must be axed vs Arsenal…

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…

The Championship is becoming a common hunting ground for Premier League clubs in search of a bargain deal, and Crystal Palace could have their next target already lined up.

With the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Dan James and Said Benrahma all making successful step-ups from the second tier in recent years, the Eagles followed suit and took a punt on Michael Olise.

Patrick Vieira’s charges splashed out £8m to secure the youngster’s services back in June after he bagged seven goals and provided a further 12 assists in 44 league appearances for former side Reading.

At the time, the fee appeared to be a relatively modest one for a player who had just been named the EFL Young Player of the Year after an outstanding breakout campaign, and it’s proved to be exactly that in the opening weeks of 2021/22.

In just 139 minutes of top-flight action, Olise has scored one goal and set up two more, playing a pivotal part in draws against Leicester City and Arsenal, as well as the victory over Manchester City last time out.

And now, the Eagles could be about to repeat the same trick after being linked with a move for Nottingham Forest’s highly-rated forward Brennan Johnson.

A report in Football League World claims that the capital club are one of several Premier League sides tracking the 20-year-old’s current situation as he approaches the final 18 months of his current contract.

Famed for his incredible dribbling skills, finishing ability and versatility, Johnson is an ideal fit for Vieira’s new-look Palace side on paper, and his performances on the pitch are equally as eye-catching.

After making a fast start to life under Forest boss Steve Cooper in recent weeks, the Wales international earned several plaudits from impressed onlookers, including retired striker Glenn Murray.

“For me, Brennan, he just looks special. He just looks a cut above, and he’s destined for the top,” Murray told Sky Sports (as relayed by Nottingham Forest News).

“Yes, he’s not getting everything right at the moment, but he looks at the top-level easily. I expect a really big future from him.”

Whether Johnson is ready to make the step up to the Premier League at this stage in his career after playing League One football as recently as last term, only time will tell, but the £2,500-per-week gem could certainly be a risk worth taking for Palace.

And, in other news…Parish could discover CPFC’s new Ian Wright by signing 22 y/o with “blistering pace”

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

Many Liverpool supporters have been reacting to rumours of Mohamed Salah’s latest wage demands as talks continue regarding a contract extension.

According to The Independent [via Anfield Watch on Twitter], reports claimed Salah had demanded £500,000-a-week to keep him at Anfield, but it has emerged that his representatives just want parity with the Premier League’s best players, with Kevin De Bruyne currently earning around £380,000-per-week.

After bagging 31 goals last season, his contract has under two years remaining and is currently enjoying his fifth campaign for the Reds following his move from Italian side AS Roma.

Since returning to England, following a short stint with Chelsea, the 29-year-old has scored a remarkable 134 goals and grabbed 50 assists in 212 appearances.

With the 2021/22 season starting in such sizzling fashion – Salah has nine goals in nine games across the Premier League and Champions League – his wage demands and proposals don’t come as much of a surprise.

Liverpool fans react to Salah demands

These Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to react to the latest demands made by their Egyptian King.

“No brainer. Pay him now.”

Credit: @PhilVergeire

“I’d pay him £1m a week after that goal on Sunday”

Credit: @RadioheadFgt

“Give him what he wants !”

Credit: @SaccSaccSacc

“Oh my”

Credit: @G5_24

“If he wants parity with KDB then I agree he’s worth it. City without KDB is no big deal. LFC with Mo is a VERY big deal. Irreplaceable.”

Credit: @stylishfella

“It’s a no-brainer. And I hate to say this, but England glorifies players like Grealish for the bare minimum while Salah is miles clear of anyone in the Prem. He’s doing Ronaldo and Messi things at the moment. If he feels under appreciated, he’ll to move to somewhere else.”

Credit: @M_Hosni22

“Best player in the league is asking to be paid same salary as the top players in the league. Give him what be wants fsg”

Credit: @TommieVadaszi

In other news, these Liverpool fans have flocked to the latest rumour linking a player to FC Barcelona. Find out more here.

West Bromwich Albion have been dealt a major blow in their bid to bring Josh Windass to The Hawthorns this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Yorkshire Live, who revealed that the Sheffield Wednesday midfielder has put pen to paper on a new two-year deal at Hillsborough, putting an end to the transfer speculation surrounding the 27-year-old.

Indeed, earlier reports had claimed that a number of Premier League and Championship clubs, including Valerien Ismaeal’s West Brom, were keeping a close eye on the situation of the player ahead of a potential summer swoop following the Owls’ relegation from the second tier last season.

However, with Windass now looking set to remain at Wednesday until at least the summer of 2023, a move for the former Glasgow Rangers man would now appear to be rather unlikely for the Baggies any time soon.

Fans will be gutted

With Matheus Pereira’s departure leaving a rather significant goalscoring and creative hole in Albion’s attacking ranks, the addition of a player who could somewhat replace the Brazilian’s influence within the side would appear to be a must for Ismael before the closure of the summer transfer window.

And, considering the form Windass was in for Wednesday last season, despite the fact the Owls were battling at the wrong end of the table, the 27-year-old looked to be something of a perfect fit for the Frenchman.

Indeed, over his 41 Championship appearances for Darren Moore’s side last term, the £1.8m-rated man scored nine goals, registered six assists and created seven big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.9 shots and making 0.7 key passes per game.

These metrics saw the man dubbed an “explosive” player by his father Dean earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.80, ranking him as the club’s seventh-best performer in the second tier of English football.

As such, when taking into account the £10k-per-week attacking midfielder would have been available at something of a snip this summer, in addition to his obvious ability in the final third, fans of the Baggies are sure to be gutted that Windass has signed a new deal with his current side, as the 27-year-old would have appeared to make an exciting addition to the Albion squad.

In other news: West Brom in the running for “phenomenal” £5k-p/w goal-machine, he’d be a huge coup

Lots of Glasgow Rangers fans have been left buzzing over some off-field news shared by the club.

As per the official Twitter page of the Teddy Bears, they will now play Stirling Albion at Ibrox in the Fourth Round of the Scottish Cup.

The tie will be played at on the weekend of 22nd January next year.

Stirling Albion currently play in the Scottish League Two, and so Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team should really fancy their chances of getting through into the next round of the competition, especially with a home crowd behind them.

The Light Blues also have not won the trophy since the 2008/09 season, and so there is extra motivation to go on and win it, especially starting off with a favourable draw.

Rangers fans on Scottish Cup draw

These Gers supporters were left buzzing as the draw was confirmed on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it was ‘great’:

“Yeeeees let the conspiracy cries begin”

Credit: @LaurzieJayx12

“63-0”

Credit: @potty_9

“I’ll take that”

Credit: @Chelle1872

“Happy days. Obviously massively important to take serious and go through but could this be a chance for some youth like Alegria & McCan to make an appearance?”

Credit: @OhItsSteely

“Great tie”

Credit: @waynefawcett

“That’ll do”

Credit: @ArgyllWarrior

In other news, find out what injury news has been lauded by RFC fans here!

Crystal Palace view Will Hughes as a long-term successor to James McArthur, The Athletic’s Matt Woosnam writes. 

Palace paid £6.3million to sign Hughes from Watford in the final days of the summer transfer window.

He penned a three-year, £36,000-per-week contract on his arrival at Selhurst Park.

But the 26-year-old is yet to play a single minute for his new club, in any competition.

Perhaps most frustratingly, he’s featured in the matchday squad for seven Premier League games, but Patrick Vieira hasn’t given him a run-out.

McArthur ever-present… until now

By contrast, 34-year-old McArthur had started every PL match prior to the weekend’s draw with Burnley.

Scans have revealed that he tore his hamstring in the victory over Wolves prior to the international break, and he now faces a spell on the sidelines that could last until January.

This might present Hughes with an opportunity to impress in the short-term.

Fan feed CPFC Transfers HQ relayed Woosnam’s report, and here’s what supporters had to say in response.

These Crystal Palace fans want Hughes to be given a chance

“I think most people agree. But when even Jaïro has gotten minutes, the question is why hasn’t will?”

Credit: @JA9Baller

“Then put him on for the next game, not really overwhelmed by Lukas’ performance against Burnley.”

Credit: @VestinJesper

“Not played a single minute yet has he? Annoying”

Credit: @sxp55555

“About time, would be good to see him get some game time”

Credit: @cpfc_joe

“Nice to hear at least”

Credit: @amancpfc

“Yes please”

Credit: @cpfc_sean

In other news, fans react to this blow revealed on Monday.

An update has emerged on Lille defender Sven Botman, regarding Tottenham’s interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to Sky Sports (10:22 – 28/07/21), Tottenham are one of a number of clubs interested in signing Lille centre-back Sven Botman as Nuno Santo attempts to restructure his defensive options.

The report claims West Ham, Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Norwich are tracking him, whilst Manchester City, Manchester United and Spurs have tentative interest at this stage.

Upgrade on Sanchez

Fabio Paratici must sanction a swoop for Botman this summer as he would be a much-needed, quality, addition to the squad.

Spurs are being touted with a deal for Atalanta defender Christian Romero, but he could be viewed as a replacement for Toby Alderweireld – who left the club earlier this month.

Botman, meanwhile, could be seen as an upgrade on a player who is already at the club; Davinson Sanchez. The centre-back endured a dismal 2020/21 campaign, as he averaged a disappointing WhoScored rating of 6.67 in 18 Premier League appearances for Spurs. This suggests that Santo requires an improvement in that area of the pitch, in addition to the potential arrival of Romero.

Therefore, Spurs landing the Ligue 1 gem could improve the defensive options that Santo has to work with. Lille head coach Christophe Galtier hailed the former Ajax player as a “leader” on the pitch with his impressive performances for the French club.

“In football, you have leaders who are vocal, ones who gesticulate and ones who shake the team up… I have a few of those.

“But you also have people who lead by example, through their performances, and it’s true that Sven is emerging as this type of leader.”

The 6ft 3 beast averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.99 across 37 Ligue 1 starts as Lille won the title last term. This shows that he is capable of consistently performing to a higher standard than Sanchez at the top level, whilst he is also four years younger than the Spurs man.

The Lille ace has the potential for further improvement at his young age and he could grow under Santo’s coaching, making him an asset in both the short and the long term.

Paratici must work hard to get deals over the line for both the Dutchman and Romero this summer, assuming it is within the budget they have set themselves. If they can do that then Tottenham should have a reliable defensive unit in the 2021/22 campaign.

AND in other news, Paratici could land dream signing for Spurs with £50m swoop for “complete number nine”…