All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Newcastle United could complete the signing of Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes in the next week or so, according to an update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Is Harvey Barnes joining Newcastle?

The £40,000-a-week winger looks almost certain to enjoy a fresh challenge during the summer transfer window, following a disappointing season for the Foxes. They suffered relegation from the Premier League after failing to turn their fortunes around, which is now expected to lead to an exodus of key players before the new season gets underway.

In fairness to Barnes, he was a clear positive for Leicester much of the time, scoring an impressive 13 goals in just 32 league starts, made all the more commendable because of his team's all-round struggles. The 25-year-old is far too good to be playing in the Championship moving forward, especially as he will be eyeing up a place in England's squad at Euro 2024 next summer, having won one cap for the Three Lions to date.

Newcastle have arguably emerged as the favourites to acquire Barnes' signature in the coming days and weeks, seeing him as a strong option to come in and bolster the options at Eddie Howe's disposal, likely as a replacement for Allan Saint-Maximin. Now, another update has emerged that further suggests he will be at St James' Park sooner rather than later.

What's the latest on Harvey Barnes to Newcastle?

Speaking to Caught Offside, Romano claimed that Barnes could join the Magpies in a matter of days, in what could be an important piece of transfer business:

"Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes is now close to Newcastle, I think this deal could be closed within the next seven to ten days if all goes to plan. It’s also possible for Allan Saint-Maximin to leave Newcastle. It’s not guaranteed yet, but it’s a possibility and is being discussed on club side."

Barnes has the potential to be a superb signing for Newcastle this summer, possibly coming in as a straight replacement for Allan Saint-Maximin, who flattered to deceive last season and only scored one league goal in 25 appearances. The Leicester man's goal tally was far superior in a weaker team, and his direct running and ability and get in behind could make him a potent weapon for Howe.

At 25, the Foxes ace would also be arriving at an absolute sweet spot in his career, with his best years likely to be from now until around the age of 30, meaning the Magpies could see the very best of him for an extended period of time, seeing him mature even further and become more polished as a winger.

An overall tally of 45 goals and 32 assists in the Premier League further outlines the quality ion Barnes' locker – he has been described as "unbelievable" by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, too, which is big praise from such a renowned figure in the modern game – and he is someone who can further help Newcastle grow into even more of a force, as they build a squad that is capable of flourishing across four different competitions next season, including the Champions League.

Arsenal "have looked" at signing Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga, however they are not actively in the race for his signature this summer, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs has recently told GiveMeSport.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

Arsenal are set to finally complete a deal for Declan Rice this week, with the West Ham United midfielder booked in for a medical in the coming days, ahead of a proposed £105m switch to the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta will be delighted to finally get that deal over the line, but he has no plans to stop there, having now identified Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni as a priority transfer target, with Defensa Central reporting the Gunners have decided to make an offer of €90m (£77m) for the French midfielder.

Other midfield targets for Mikel Arteta include Romeo Lavia, with negotiations over the Southampton starlet set to be sped up following Thomas Partey's decision to hand in a transfer request, and Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo.

Arsenal have been linked with a swoop for Veiga in the past, and Jacobs has now offered a new update on their pursuit of the Celta Vigo midfielder, telling GiveMeSport: "Don't rule out Liverpool and Arsenal have looked in the past, it's just the fact that those two clubs are not as active at this point. Although, they're well across the situation and the terms of the deal."

Who is Gabri Veiga?

It is fair to say the 21-year-old midfielder burst onto the scene for Celta Vigo last season, registering a total of four assists and 11 goals, amassing the joint-highest number of goal contributions in the squad, in a real breakthrough year.

The starlet is able to play in the centre of midfield, and in a more advanced role, displaying his attacking prowess by averaging 0.43 goals per 90 over the past year, which places him in the 99th percentile compared to his positional peers.

Football scout Jacek Kulig hailed the maestro as "amazing" after his performance against Real Valladolid back in February, and he later went on to impress considerably against Barcelona, netting a brace, in what Sofascore deemed to be a man-of-the-match performance.

Veiga's £3k-per-week contract with Celta Vigo reportedly contains a £34m buy-out clause, so a deal for the Spanish youngster would not break the bank, however it appears as though Arsenal have other priorities for the time being, with a move currently unlikely.

Manchester United have reportedly decided to meet Inter Milan’s €50m (£43m) asking price to sign goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Are Man United going to sign Andre Onana?

The Red Devils have been heavily linked with a move for Onana in recent weeks, with David de Gea’s Old Trafford future currently up in the air.

The Spaniard will officially become a free agent in a matter of days, should his situation remain the same. De Gea actually signed a new Man United contract recently, only for those at Old Trafford to then go back out of a deal, looking to reduce his salary even further.

Meanwhile, there has been speculation the Red Devils were readying a bid for the Cameroon international and were one step away from a transfer, and a further development has now emerged.

Sport Witness relayed an update from Gazzetta dello Sport regarding Onana on Thursday. They claimed that the goalkeeper’s future should become clearer in the coming days following talks with the goalkeeper's agent in Ibiza, with United having a first offer of around €40m rejected.

Inter Milan want €50m plus bonuses for the shot-stopper, a figure Man United have now ‘decided to pay’.

The goalkeeper could go on to become the second signing of the summer in Manchester, after a breakthrough was reached over a deal for Mason Mount.

The England midfielder is on course to leave Chelsea for the Red Devils after a package worth a total of £60m was reached between the two clubs on Thursday afternoon.

What has Ten Hag said about Onana?

Onana, hailed as a "superstar" by members of the media, has made more appearances under Erik ten Hag than any other manager. The 27-year-old turned out on 145 occasions for Ten Hag at Ajax, where the United boss labelled him a “masterful goalkeeper” last year before the pair went on to leave the Dutch giants.

“Obviously he’s not yet back at his level from before the suspension,” he said, “but that can’t be expected from him. He has to work hard to get there again and I’m convinced that he’ll succeed. We’ve all seen that he is a masterful goalkeeper.”

Mark Goldbridge is another fan of the ‘keeper, describing Onana as “box office to watch when he's got the ball under pressure”, and Pep Guardiola has also hailed Onana’s ability on the ball following the Champions League final at the beginning of the month.

Should Onana arrive in Manchester, you'd expect it could result in Dean Henderson’s permanent move to Nottingham Forest gathering pace following a season-long loan at the City Ground. De Gea, therefore, could still be wanted heading into the 2023/24 season to provide competition to Onana, especially with United returning to the Champions League, however, the club legend may have to make do with playing second fiddle going forward.

Glasgow Rangers head coach Michael Beale has made a host of early moves in the summer transfer window in an attempt to bolster his playing squad at Ibrox.

The Light Blues failed to win a single trophy during the 2022/23 campaign and the English head coach has reacted to that by bringing in five new signings so far.

Dujon Sterling, Jack Butland, Abdallah Sima, Kieran Dowell and Sam Lammers have all come through the door, whilst Cyriel Dessers is poised to become the sixth after the club reportedly agreed a deal with Serie B side Cremonese last week.

Lammers is one of the more interesting additions so far as the Dutch centre-forward has only scored five league goals since the start of the 2020/21 season, throughout spells in the Serie A and Bundesliga.

His recent struggles in front of goal are a cause for concern but Beale could unlock the former PSV starlet by bringing Malik Tillman back to Glasgow.

What's the latest on Malik Tillman's future?

It was reported last month that Bayern Munich are open to sending the American out on loan again next term and that the Light Blues are still in the race for his signature, although they could face competition from Premier League sides.

Securing a deal to sign the 21-year-old for a second spell at Ibrox would be a fantastic piece of business as Rangers would be snapping up an excellent player who could make a huge impact on his own, whilst also being able to help Lammers find his feet in the final third.

Tillman averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.09 across 28 Scottish Premiership appearances last season, which placed him eighth in the squad, and chipped in with ten goals to go along with four assists.

He also created an outstanding 12 'big chances' for his teammates, more than Todd Cantwell (five), Ryan Kent (nine), Rabbi Matondo (four), and Fashion Sakala (one) managed from wide positions.

This suggests that Tillman, who journalist Jonny McFarlane claimed has "telescopic limbs", possesses the ability to be Beale's main creative threat from midfield, meaning he could be perfect for Lammers, who has previously showcased his ability to be a lethal scorer.

The Dutch marksman averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.24 as he plundered 16 goals in 30 Eredivisie starts during the 2018/19 campaign, whilst the new Gers signing also scored 30 goals in 63 matches for PSV at U21 level.

No Rangers forward scored more than 14 Premiership goals last term and these statistics suggest that the potential is there for Lammers to be a prolific number nine for the club.

As such, Tillman's return could play a crucial role in his revival as the £13k-per-week talent has the creative ability to provide the striker with the chances he needs to find the back of the net on a regular basis again.

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is personally “looking to drive” a Spurs deal for Leicester City star James Maddison, according to reliable journalist Alasdair Gold.

And now Fabrizio Romano has confirmed a deal has been agreed upon with a medical soon to follow.

Will Spurs sign James Maddison?

Links to the England international date as far back as last year and those reports even claimed that he would be more than open to joining Spurs.

Ange Postecoglou officially begins his tenure as the Tottenham head coach this Saturday, on 1st July, but reliable media sources say that he has already held transfer strategy meetings with Levy behind-the-scenes.

Maddison, who starred for Leicester as a shining light in their relegated side last campaign, is attracting heavy interest from Postecoglou who has reportedly given the green-light for Spurs to move for him.

There have even been claims that his teammate, Harvey Barnes, is another target for Tottenham with the Lilywhites recently lodging a rejected £50 million double bid for the Foxes pair.

Following the signing of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli in a £17.2 million move, it appears attention has shifted towards Maddison, with reliable reporter Gold of football.london sharing what he knows.

The journalist, writing for FL, claims that former managing director Fabio Paratici is still involved with Spurs on a consultancy basis after parts of his FIFA ban were lifted.

Paratici, like Postecoglou and Levy, is a “big fan” of Maddison and Spurs’ chairman is personally “looking to drive” a deal to sign him after Vicario.

“Paratici is understood to be aiding the club’s summer plans to rebuild the squad for new head coach Ange Postecoglou,” wrote Gold.

“The Australian is a big fan of James Maddison, as are both Levy and Paratici, and the Spurs chairman is looking to drive through a deal for the Leicester midfielder to be a part of the club’s new-look football.”

In a fresh update, Journalist Fabrizio Romano took to Twitter to say: “Tottenham have now verbal agreement in place with Leicester to sign James Maddison, here we go!

“Next steps: medical tests, documents being prepared and then signed.”

What’s been said about James Maddison?

The 26-year-old registered 19 goal contributions for Leicester in the top flight last season, all while averaging their highest number of attempts at goal and successful key passes per 90 in the final third (WhoScored).

Speaking to talkSPORT, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy called him a “super talent” and even says he is a natural “Champions League player”.

“He’s a super talent,” said Murphy.

“He’s a Champions League player. He has all of the qualities needed to play Champions League and international football.”

Burnley are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to retain their Premier League status in their first season back in the top flight.

The Clarets earned promotion in style last season, going up with triple digits in terms of points, but impressive head coach Vincent Kompany is not resting on his laurels.

Kompany's side have been linked with new players in every position since the Championship campaign came to a close last month, including in the heart of defence.

Indeed, French outlet L'Equipe reports that Burnley are in advanced talks to bring in teenage centre-back Soumaila Coulibaly from Borussia Dortmund.

Who is Soumaila Coulibaly?

The 19-year-old came through Paris Saint-Germain's academy before making the move to Dortmund, where he spent a year in the reserve side prior to making his first-team debut last season.

Coulibaly made two appearances for BVB, both from the bench, including an 18-minute cameo in a Champions League group draw away at Copenhagen.

Despite being highly regarded at the Westfalenstadion, it is reported that Dortmund are happy to let the France U17 international find his feet elsewhere on an initial loan basis.

Where would Soumaila Coulibaly fit in at Burnley?

Coulibaly hails from Ile de France, which is the same region that Kylian Mbappe and Paul Pogba originate. Coulibaly may play in a different position to those two, but he will hope to rise to the very top in the same way as those global superstars.

Mbappe made his senior debut with Monaco at 16 years and 347 days, whereas Coulibaly has just a couple of appearances under his belt for Dortmund at the age of 19.

But that is not to say the Frenchman cannot make a name for himself, with this proposed move to Burnley providing a chance to do just that in the Premier League.

The £23k-per-week youngster may be young but you would not know that by looking at him, measuring as he does at 6 foot 2. Indeed, his stature and ability on the ball has earned him comparisons with Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano.

The youngster previously revealed he looks up to Presnel Kimpembe, whom he worked with at PSG, given they are both left-footed centre-backs. For that reason, Coulibaly would be a perfect replacement for Taylor Harwood-Bellis at Burnley.

Harwood-Bellis started 31 of Burnley's 46 Championship matches last season, but he has now returned to parent club Manchester City. Jordan Beyer's loan from Borussia Monchengladbach has been made permanent, however, making him a natural partner for Coulibaly in a back four.

Coulibaly may only have played a couple of games at senior level, but it is clear to see he is a defender who has an eye for a pass. Indeed, his 12.9 progressive passes per 90 minutes last season – completed passes of at least ten yards, as per FBref – is more than any Burnley player managed.

For comparison, Harwood-Bellis registered 5.77 per 90 minutes last term. Coulibaly also completed 96.7% of his passes, which was better than that of Harwood-Bellis' 85% success rate.

It must be factored in that Coulibaly's figures are over a far smaller sample period, and it remains to be seen if he can have the same impact as Harwood-Bellis – let alone a career even half as special as compatriot Mbappe.

But the initial signs are promising, and Kompany has shown during his time as Burnley boss that he knows a talent when he sees one.

Liverpool are reportedly "firm favourites" to complete the signing of Celta Vigo prodigy Gabri Veiga this summer despite heavy interest from several other top European outfits.

That's following a recent report from the Northern Echo, which claims that while Newcastle United remain interested in the Spaniard, Liverpool have the edge and could look to complete a swoop this summer following a lacklustre campaign that has underscored the need for fresh faces.

James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all depart the club this month upon the expiry of their contracts, and while Alexis Mac Allister has been landed from Brighton & Hove Albion for £35m, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is scouring the market for two further additions.

The aforementioned report states that while Veiga is contracted to his LaLiga outfit until 2026, he holds a €40m (£34m) release clause, and with Chelsea and Real Madrid among the lucrative pool of suitors, Liverpool could secure one of the most coveted prospects in European football by procuring his signature.

How would Gabri Veiga perform at Liverpool?

Anfield would only benefit from signing a precocious talent in Veiga who plundered 11 goals and four assists from just 28 starts across his first full season in top-flight football, described as "dangerous" by journalist Euan McTear for his exploits.

The Sky Blues talent already ranks among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 20% for rate of assists, the top 12% for progressive carries and the top 12% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, and has been hailed as a "gem" by Romano.

He has been heralded for his aptitude at driving the ball up the field in order to wreak havoc from just behind the frontline, which is evidenced through his previously stated metrics, and he could blossom into a world-class star under Klopp's tutelage on Merseyside, boosted by a burgeoning strike-force that could play to his strengths.

Namely, he could meld seamlessly with Cody Gakpo's skill set, with the dynamic Dutch forward demonstrating his prowess since signing from PSV for an initial £35m in January despite entering the outfit at a time of much strife, plundering ten direct goal contributions from 26 matches and earning acclaim for his "stunning" feats by Alan Shearer.

With the £120k-per-week ace tipped to flourish "in the [Roberto] Firmino role" by Richard Jolly, forward-thinking midfielders such as Veiga would see their game enhanced by such a vibrant and all-encompassing talisman.

Indeed, Gakpo ranks among the top 10% of forwards for rate of assists, the top 17% for shot-creating actions, the top 8% for progressive passes and the top 15% for successful take-ons per 90, which illustrates the selfless work that allows teammates to receive and increase of opportunity in attacking transition.

And with Veiga proclaimed to be "baby Kaka" by football content creator Rimedi, it's clear that the fleet-footed and adroit pair could weave between each other in intricate, sinuous patterns, with the balance and elegance of ballroom dancers and the nimble-limbed precision of a renowned sculptor.

It may well be a match made in heaven, and one that Liverpool's technical director, Jorg Schmadtke, must work tirelessly to achieve; it could be the inception of an illustrious new era on Merseyside.

Arsenal have the "upper hand" over all of their rivals in the race to sign West Ham United star Declan Rice, even despite Pep Guardiola personally speaking to the player.

Who could Arsenal sign this summer?

The north Londoners are being lead by sporting director Edu and co in their hunt for midfield upgrades, with Arsenal eyeing many different names to shore up the position.

Reports suggest they could even make multiple signings there, leading to serious interest in Rice, Brighton's Moises Caicedo and Man City captain Ilkay Gundogan.

Southampton's Romeo Lavia and Wolves star Ruben Neves have also been mentioned in parts, though Rice appears to be one of manager Mikel Arteta's top transfer targets.

As well as the midfield era, Arsenal want to sign new full-backs, with City's Joao Cancelo, Real Valladolid starlet Ivan Fresneda and Galatasary's Sacha Boey all being linked.

Going back to midfield and Rice in particular, The Guardian and journalist Jacob Steinberg have an update on Arsenal's pursuit of the 24-year-old.

The England international, who could win his first ever major trophy tonight as West Ham take on Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final, has suitors up and down the country.

However, the "smart money" is on Arsenal, who have the "upper hand" over the rivals when it comes to signing Rice. City boss Pep Guardiola has apparently even spoken to the midfielder personally, but the Premier League champions aren't seeking to replace Rodri.

Who is Declan Rice?

The Hammers captain and has been indispensable for David Moyes – standing out as their best-performing player in the top flight last season.

Rice made more interceptions per 90 than any other West Ham player in that time (WhoScored), with former England captain Stuart Pearce (talkSPORT via football.london) raving over his ability to drive past players.

"You see him pick the ball up and someone shuts him down and he drives past them as though they are not there," Pearce said.

"And these are Premier League players he is up against and he drives past them, you see people going to shut him down and that five yards of explosion it is as though those players don't get set and they are not ready for it, he moves that quickly over the ground."

Called "underrated" by sections of the media also, he would be a stellar addition for Arsenal, and it looks like they're certainly the clear favourites.

Tottenham Hotspur can now look forward to the start of a new regime under newly-appointed boss, Ange Postecoglou, with the 57-year-old set to be tasked with reviving the fortunes of the club following what proved a rather dour, 2022/23 campaign.

One prominent issue that will be on the agenda for the former Celtic boss will be to secure a resolution regarding the future of talisman, Harry Kane, with the England captain having been linked with moves to both Manchester United and Real Madrid amid his expiring contract.

If the 29-year-old does opt to leave the Lilywhites this summer in search of a new challenge, Postecoglou will no doubt need to find a suitable replacement for the club's leading scorer ahead of the start of next season, with £60m addition, Richarlison, hardly looking like the man to fill the void after scoring just one league this season.

Amid the potential need to acquire a new centre-forward, recent reports in Spain suggested that Aston Villa marksman, Ollie Watkins has emerged as a possible target for the north London outfit, with the 27-year-old having enjoyed an impressive campaign with the Midlands side after bagging 15 top-flight goals.

The former Brentford ace – who has been valued at around £70m – has proven himself something of a "machine" in front of goal of late, according to iNews journalist, Daniel Storey, as he now boasts 40 league goals since the start of the 2020/21 season.

Interestingly, as far as Spurs supporters are concerned, the Englishman has been likened to a previously prolific striker who shone at White Hart Lane, in the form of Jermain Defoe, with pundit Trevor Sinclair stating back in 2020 that Watkins "reminds [him] of Defoe in and around the 18 yard box".

That comparison bodes well for the impact that the Villa man could make in the capital, with Defoe having been a truly clinical attacking weapon across his two spells at the club.

How good was Defoe at Tottenham?

Having begun life on the books at London rivals West Ham United – where he also scored 19 goals in 30 appearances while on loan at Bournemouth in 2000/01 – the now-retired ace was snapped up by Tottenham on a £7m deal in February 2004, before quickly endearing himself to Spurs supporters after bagging seven goals in just 15 league appearances in the second half of that season.

The 5 foot 7 menace would go on to score 36 league goals across the next three-and-a-half seasons before joining Portsmouth on an initial loan deal in 2008, albeit while then making a swift return to north London in the summer of 2009.

That return paid instant dividends as the ace scored 18 goals during the 2009/10 campaign, helping to secure an overall tally for the club of 143 goals in 363 games in all competitions, prior to joining MLS side, Toronto in 2014.

An undoubtedly "prolific striker" – according to former boss Andre Villas-Boas – a key feature of Defoe's game was his ability to stretch a defence, with his former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard describing the Englishman's movement as "fantastic", while also stating that "he’s a dream for a midfielder because his movement tells you where to play the ball."

That quality is seemingly shared by his compatriot Watkins – as Sinclair alluded to – with journalist Josh Bunting having heaped praise on the one-time Exeter City man for his intelligence when leading the line:

"His movement opens up the centre-backs and it allows him to make those direct runs in between."

That likeness between the pair, due to their movement and finishing prowess, would seemingly suggest that Watkins could prove to be Tottenham's next Defoe, if Postecoglou does push for a move for the £75k-per-week speedster this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur are ready to make a move for Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi, who could follow Ange Postecoglou to north London, according to a recent report.

Which strikers could Tottenham sign?

Harry Kane's future at Tottenham remains very much up in the air, with talkSPORT reporting Real Madrid have identified the 29-year-old as a target to replace the outgoing Karim Benzema, while Manchester United are also interested.

As such, Spurs may be tasked with finding a suitable replacement for the England captain, and they have been linked with a move for AS Roma's Tammy Abraham, although the likes of Chelsea, Man United and Liverpool are also in the mix.

Competition for Abraham's signature will be fierce, so the Lilywhites could look at signing Lille's Jonathan David, having previously been linked with a move for the Canadian, or even Brighton & Hove Albion's Evan Ferguson.

Furuhashi is now emerging as a potential option from north of the border, with The Sun reporting that manager-elect Postecoglou is ready to raid Celtic for the striker, who Tottenham view as a possible long-term replacement for Kane.

Spurs are eager for the Australian to bring the forward with him, and they are prepared to pay as much as £25m-£30m to secure his signature, although other Premier League clubs also have him in their sights. If Postecoglou, who is waiting to talk to Spurs, agrees to take over in north London, it would vastly increase their chances of winning the race for the Japanese marksman.

Who is Kyogo Furuhashi?

The 28-year-old started his professional career with Japanese side FC Gifu, registering 35 goal contributions in 71 appearances for the club, but he has really started to make a name for himself with Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.

With 27 goals to his name, the Japan international was the top scorer in the Scottish top flight this season, averaging 1.04 goals per 90, and playing a major role for The Hoops en-route to their second league title on the spin.

While he has performed very well north of the border, success in Scotland does not always guarantee a player will hit the ground running in the Premier League, and there are question marks over whether he would be an adequate replacement for Kane.

Of course, whoever Tottenham sign is unlikely to hit the heights the Englishman did last season, scoring 30 league goals, however, they could be better off signing a player who is proven in a major European league.

As a back-up option, Furuhashi may well be an astute signing for Spurs, having been hailed as "incredible" by members of the media, but he should not be brought in as an out-and-out replacement for Kane.