All posts by z3u9t.icu

Newcastle United are interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, according to a report from RMC Sport (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown: Career so far

Areola has enjoyed an illustrious career to date having spent time at Real Madrid and Villarreal on loan from the French giants.

More recently, the 29-year-old spent a season at Fulham before joining West Ham last term, where there is an option to buy this summer for a reported £11million.

Now, the Magpies have seemingly set their own sights on Areola as Eddie Howe looks to bolster the goalkeeping department at St James’ Park…

The latest: Newcastle interested

As per RMC Sport, translated by SW, Newcastle have now acted to ‘get the ball rolling’ in their own move for the stopper.

It’s claimed that PSG ‘want to part ways’ with the three-cap France international this summer and therefore the interest from the North East is likely to be welcomed as West Ham dally on their decision. The Hammers are however still considered favourites.

Under contract in France until 2023 (Transfermarkt), the Frenchman was hailed for an ‘absolutely phenomenal’ display against Manchester City by Football Insider journalist Pranav Shahaney last October, during which Areola made seven saves and one clearance in a 7.70 Sofascore-rated outing.

The verdict: No brainer

Following two consecutive injury-hit campaigns for first-choice Toon gloveman Martin Dubravka and the subsequent struggles of Karl Darlow as cover, it’s no surprise that Howe would be looking to fix the goalkeeper dilemma once and for all.

Despite being unable to usurp Lukasz Fabianski at West Ham last term, the 6 foot 4 ‘keeper still managed to impress in 18 outings across all competitions and was the number one for a Europa League adventure that saw the Londoners reach the semi-final of a major tournament.

Having ended the 2020/21 season with the fifth most saves in the Premier League, the World Cup winner and veteran of 283 senior career appearances has already proven his worth in the English top-flight and would be the ideal candidate to strengthen the ranks at Newcastle.

This would be a sensational capture for Howe and indeed newly appointed Sporting Director Dan Ashworth, especially as it would be a deal completed under the nose of a direct domestic rival.

In other news, this maestro is willing to bide his time in order to seal a Newcastle move

West Ham United are reportedly close to sealing their first signing of the summer transfer window.

What’s the word?

That is according to a report from Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth, via GIVEMESPORT, who claims that the Hammers are closing in on a deal for Rennes defender Nayef Aguerd.

Sheth revealed that the signing is close and that the unveiling as a West Ham player will take place if he goes through his medical without any issues.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Sheth said:

“There are two signings that look quite imminent as it stands, and one of them is the Rennes central defender Nayef Aguerd. He’s either been having a medical today, or tomorrow he’ll be having that medical at West Ham.”

As per the Metro, the Hammers will sign the Moroccan for a fee of £20m.

Moyes will love him

From a West Ham perspective, this would be some start to the summer transfer window.

Injuries to Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop left Moyes with a shortage of established centre-backs at the club, with pressure piled on the likes of Craig Dawson and Kurt Zouma to remain fit.

Ogbonna’s omission from the squad will arguably have hindered Moyes the most, with the Italian defender the only left-footed centre-back at the club.

In order to successfully build sustained attacks from the back, natural-footed centre-backs are seen as an effective way to boost possession stats, making it easy for a right-footed centre-back to play a switch towards the left-flank.

Aguerd, being a left-footed defender can not only offer that option to Moyes, but is proven in doing so effectively, averaging 64.37 passes completed and 3.26 switches with a progressive passing distance of 482.48 yards per 90.

The Morrocan has all of the technical ability needed to thrive as a ball-playing centre-back in the league and will bring something different to Moyes’ side who are clearly looking to improve on their 47.7% average possession metric. As a result, the Scot will love to have him in his team next term.

In other news: WHU can unearth a new Zola by signing £18m-rated “machine” who can “chop people down” 

Manchester United reportedly have a “nice envelope” for recruitment summer.

What’s the word?

That is according to TopMercato.com, who state that the club is “currently having difficulty concluding its files”, with the report mentioning the targets of Marco Asensio, Arnaut Danjuma and Darwin Nunez as players whose proposed transfers “seem to be in trouble.”

TopMercato added that Frenkie de Jong is Erik ten Hag’s priority at United, and a report from Manchester Evening News give fresh hope of one signing.

The Manchester-based outlet have an understanding that the Red Devils are keeping tabs on Danjuma, with the Dutchman’s recent admission adding some momentum.

The 25-year-old told Sky Sports, via Manchester Evening News: “There’s definitely unfinished business for me in England. The reason why I joined Bournemouth originally was for me to play Premier League football. I think how big the league is and it’s seen as the best league in the world for many of us.”

Forget De Jong

With headway slowly being made in the chase for De Jong, United should learn to compartmentalise like the rest of Europe’s elite clubs and give further attention to 25-year-old Danjuma.

The former Bournemouth man has had a stellar campaign with Villarreal, notching 16 goals this season means he has now scored 67 goals over the course of his career.

Listed as ‘both footed’ by Fotmob, Danjuma is a technical winger who would suit the style of Ten Hag, with the Villarreal star perhaps the key to attacking transitions for the 52-year-old due to his direct style of play.

Statistically similar players to the Netherlands international include the likes of Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe, as per FBRef; and with an average of 0.61 goals per match, it’s easy to see why.

Danjuma represents a high-potential purchase for United, and if Ten Hag decides on an attacker, the former Bournemouth ace could well be the man to provide the spark which the Red Devils need in the final third.

In other news: Romano issues Man Utd twist on £31.5m-rated brute, Ten Hag needs him 

Former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor has made a transfer claim on the club’s interest in Luis Suarez.

The Lowdown: Suarez links

Steven Gerrard has been extremely busy ahead of his first season in charge, completing deals for Philippe Coutinho, Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos.

However, he doesn’t plan to stop there, with recent reports from The Telegraph stating that Villa are exploring a move for Suarez after the 35-year-old was released by Atletico Madrid.

Villa correspondent Gregg Evans revealed on Wednesday that the club are still ‘weighing up a move’ for Suarez.

The Latest: Agbonlahor’s comments

Agbonlahor, who contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to Football Insider after hearing about Villa’s interest in a move for Suarez.

He feels that a move could materialise for the Uruguayan to provide some competition to Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings, providing Suarez doesn’t ask for a ‘crazy’ wage.

“It depends on wages.

“I don’t see Villa paying Coutinho wages on Suarez, I don’t think they would do that. If the wages aren’t crazy then I don’t see why not.

“Adding an experienced striker like Suarez for a season, why not? Gerrard knows him well, he’ll get the best out of him.

“Villa need a bit of help up front. Watkins is a top player and Ings is a top player but you need a couple more strikers in there for some competition up there.”

The Verdict: Possible?

With no transfer fee involved, there is no reason why Villa and Gerrard can’t get a deal over the line for Suarez.

However, like Coutinho agreed to, you’d expect that Suarez would have to lower his previous £263,000-a-week wage for there to be any chance of a Premier League return.

Coutinho took a 70% pay cut but is still on £125,000-a-week in the Midlands, something Villa may well be open to offering Suarez, who has scored 69 goals in 110 Premier League games.

In other news: Sky Sports: Villa and Gerrard already now prioritising a fourth target; NSWE are closing in. 

Graham Smyth has stated his belief that Leeds United should make a move for Sam Johnstone this summer.

What’s been said?

In a series of recent posts on Twitter, the Yorkshire Evening Post chief football writer suggested that the goalkeeper – who is set to leave West Bromwich Albion upon the expiry of his current contract in June – would be an excellent signing for Victor Orta to get over the line this summer, as the England international would seriously push Illan Meslier for his starting spot in Jesse Marsch’s side.

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In his tweets, Smyth said: “What a free transfer Johnstone will be for someone this summer… I’d certainly take him [as] backup, but to genuinely push Meslier for the number one spot.”

Orta must move

Considering how impressive Johnstone was for West Brom during Albion’s last spell in the top flight back in 2020/21, it is easy to see why Smyth believes the 29-year-old would be a good target for Orta to pursue this summer.

Indeed, over his 37 Premier League appearances that season, the £10.8m-rated stopper was one of the Baggies’ standout performers, keeping six clean sheets and making an average of an extraordinary 4.5 saves per game – the most in the league.

These returns saw the £32.5k-per-week goalkeeper who Gary Lineker dubbed “unbelievable” and Kieran Doody labelled “unreal” earn an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.03, ranking him as the Albion’s second-best player in the league – an incredibly impressive feat considering West Brom’s ultimate relegation from the division.

For comparison, over Meslier’s 38 Premier League fixtures this season, the £18m-rated talent kept five clean sheets, conceded 79 goals and made an average of 3.8 saves per game, with these metrics seeing the France U21 international average a SofaScore match rating of 6.87.

As such, it would certainly appear as if Johnstone would make a fantastic addition to Marsch’s current options between the sticks, especially when considering he is available on a free – leading us to believe that Orta simply must make a move for the England shot-stopper this summer.

AND in other news: “Already spoken..”: YEP journo drops big summer update that Leeds supporters will love

As per Italian source Calciomercato, there has been a big West Ham United transfer update as the club eye a move for Everton striker and Juventus loanee Moise Kean.

The Lowdown: Hammers emerge…

The Hammers and manager David Moyes have emerged as contenders to sign the Italy international in recent days, according to reports.

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Tuttosport (via Sport Witness) recently lifted the lid on West Ham’s interest ahead of the summer window with the Premier League side allegedly making an enquiry over Kean.

This comes as the Irons hierarchy scour the market for a striker who can finally supply Moyes with some much-needed depth up front and an alternative to forward Michail Antonio.

The Latest: Club chief flies to London…

According to Calciomercato, there has been another Kean update, with Juve sporting director Federico Cherubini flying to London for talks with West Ham over the player.

The Serie A giants are certain to sign Paris-Saint Germain’s ex-striker permanently from Everton with the move ‘not in doubt’, but they’re planning to sell him off again when the window opens.

It is believed they will demand ‘at least’ €35 million (£30m) for Kean with Cherubini now holding discussions with West Ham during a ‘London mission’.

The results of these talks aren’t disclosed but it is believed Moyes and co now ‘evaluate’ a move for the 22-year-old.

The Verdict: Make the move?

Kean, branded a ‘sensational talent’ for his head-turning rise in Italy by members of the media (Maxi Angelo), and ‘incredible’ by CBS commentator Matteo Bonetti (Twitter), has only shown flashes of what he’s capable of since first leaving Juve for Goodison Park.

His best spell since departing the club during his first stint came on loan at PSG under Thomas Tuchel, who branded the attacker ‘really tough’ and even likened him to Edinson Cavani (The Athletic).

Over his Ligue 1 spell, Kean notched a brilliant 13 goals in 22 starts under Tuchel – displaying obvious ability when at the very peak of his powers.

The trick for West Ham and Moyes would be getting that out of him again, something which hasn’t yet been managed since Kean departed the Parc des Princes.

If the Irons are sure they can unlock Kean’s potential, £30 million could be a small price to pay, but that is a big if.

In other news: West Ham now believe they can sign ‘beast’ for Moyes as agents plan imminent club talks…find out more here.

Yosuke Ideguchi could end up being Celtic’s long-term answer to Parkhead legend Scott Brown in midfield, according to former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie.

The Lowdown: Ideguchi’s injury problems

The 25-year-old made the move to Glasgow during the January transfer window but struggled to play a key role in the Hoops’ Premiership title win.

Ideguchi’s progress has been halted by injury problems, meaning that he failed to make a single start in the league and has been limited to just 134 minutes of action across six appearances for the club in all competitions thus far.

The hope is that the Japan international becomes a key player moving forward, and there is one man who believes that will certainly be the case.

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The Latest: Ideguchi backed to be Brown’s successor

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie has backed Ideguchi to end up being the ideal replacement for Brown at Celtic in terms of his style of play in the middle of the park. The 62-year-old claimed:

“I have been saying this for a while, Celtic are missing Scott Brown. He was the catalyst in that midfield for so long. He dictated everything that went through there.

“I just wonder if Ideguchi could be that guy. He has barely played really, we don’t know what kind of player he is. Maybe he is that kind of perfect player we need. Next season will be a big one for him because the jury is still out.

“Rogic and Bitton are going so there will be a chance for him and we know he wouldn’t have come if the manager didn’t rate him. He has been so unlucky with that injury so hopefully we see a bit more of him in pre-season.”

The Verdict: One to watch

Ideguchi has become something of a forgotten man at Parkhead because of others excelling during Celtic’s title triumph, but he could yet become a formidable player in his own right.

Ange Postecoglou has described the midfielder as the ‘hardest worker’ at the club, and that is something for which the legendary long-time captain Brown was famed during his time with the Hoops.

With Tom Rogic leaving this summer, a gap will open up in Celtic’s midfield, and a strong pre-season and return to full fitness could yet see Ideguchi fill that void.

Having averaged 2.3 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 2.7 successful duels per game in his final season in the J-League last year (Sofascore), the evidence is there to suggest that the 25-year-old could be the industrious Brown-like presence in the Hoops’ engine room over the coming months and years.

In other news, Celtic are reportedly eyeing up a move for one player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Manchester United are hijacking AC Milan’s proposed move for Lille centre-back Sven Botman, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Botman profiled

Botman is 22 years of age and has been on the books with Lille since 2020 after leaving Ajax’s academy in a deal worth £7.2m. Since then, the Dutch defender has made 78 appearances for the French side – 31 of which have come in 2021/22.

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Labelled as a “golden boy” by agency director Francesco Miniero, Botman has been heavily linked with both Newcastle United and AC Milan in recent months, but it looks as if Erik ten Hag now wants the towering defender at Old Trafford.

The Latest: Source shares update

FI shared a transfer update regarding Botman after being informed by a Manchester United source. They claim that the Red Devils are hijacking Milan’s £25m swoop for Botman, describing it as a ‘sensational twist’.

The report adds that Botman came up in conversation during Ten Hag’s transfer meeting last week, with the United boss a big admirer of the Lille star.

The Verdict: Get it done

United are in need of a defensive overhaul under Ten Hag after conceding 56 times in 37 games, more than the likes of Burnley and Brentford.

Botman appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high £27m Transfermarkt valuation which has soared in recent years. Milan were reportedly in advanced talks over a deal below Botman’s valuation, so United could take full advantage and get themselves a bargain.

He has excelled in France and has Champions League experience under his belt, and with the likes of Eric Bailly and Phil Jones likely to leave, Ten Hag may have just three senior centre-backs left.

Therefore, Botman could be an ideal addition at a respectable price, and it looks as if United are making their move to pip Milan and Newcastle to the in-demand defender.

In other news: Agreement reached: Man Utd now strike deal for ‘top’ gem who ‘dominates’ on the ball. 

Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on a deal to bring Sam Johnstone to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Mirror, who claim that Tottenham are now set to land the West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper on a free transfer at the end of the current campaign, as Manchester United have now decided not to pursue a deal to bring the 29-year-old back to Old Trafford this summer.

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The report goes on to state that the England international’s availability on a free makes him an attractive proposition to both Daniel Levy and Fabio Paratici, with Spurs looking to bring in a quality addition between the sticks in order to provide Hugo Lloris with both backup to and competition for his starting spot in Antonio Conte’s side.

A Paratici masterclass

Considering the fact that, upon West Brom’s relegation from the Premier League last season, the Black Country side placed a £20m asking price on the goalkeeper’s head amid interest from the likes of Leeds United, Manchester United, West Ham United and Watford, should Paratici go on to land the 29-year-old on a free this summer, it would represent something of a big coup for Spurs.

While it is true that Johnstone has not enjoyed the best campaign of his career over his 36 appearances in the Championship this season, the three-time capped international undoubtedly proved his ability at the highest level of the English game last time out.

Indeed, over his 37 Premier League fixtures in 2020/21, the £7.2m-rated shot-stopper was one of Albion’s standout performers, keeping six clean sheets and making an average of 4.5 saves per game – by far and away the most of any ‘keeper in the league – with these returns seeing the £32.5k-per-week talent earn a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.03 – ranking him as the Baggies’ second-best player in the top flight.

As such, it is clear for all to see just how talented a goalkeeper the player Gary Lineker dubbed “unbelievable” is, leading us at Football FanCast to believe that, should Paratici indeed secure the 29-year-old as Spurs’ first signing this summer, it would be yet another transfer masterclass by the Italian sporting director.

AND in other news: “Expect to see”: Eccleshare drops £145m Spurs summer claim, supporters will be buzzing

Sunderland will look to make the League One play-off final tomorrow night as they travel to Sheffield Wednesday for the second leg of their semi-final, with the Black Cats boasting a 1-0 lead on aggregate.

The Wearside outfit’s top scorer Ross Stewart got the decisive goal in the first leg on Friday night, capitalising on a mistake from Wednesday defender Sam Hutchinson.

Stewart’s effort was his 25th of an excellent first full campaign in the North-East since his move from Ross County last January.

However, in order to make it to Wembley, the 25-year-old will need extra support up front, with Alex Neil’s side’s lead a slender one considering that the Owls boast the best home form in the third tier.

Therefore, the imminent return of second top-scorer Nathan Broadhead will be incredibly welcome.

On the chalkboard

Broadhead missed Friday’s first leg through injury but his manager confirmed that he could be fit in time for tomorrow’s trip to South Yorkshire, stating: “He [Broadhead] will have a chance for Monday. Unfortunately, tonight was too soon.

“We will assess him over the next few days and make a call.

“Tonight he wasn’t ready. It’s tough as he is a good player but we have other good players.”

Labelled as “fantastic” by former Sunderland manager Lee Johnson, the £2.9k-per-week Everton loanee has scored 13 goals in 25 appearances in what’s been an impressive campaign for the 24-year-old, although injuries have prevented the Welshman from making a serious impact at the Stadium of Light.

However, no current striker in the Sunderland squad comes close to the numbers of either Stewart or Broadhead, with the next best tally from a striker coming from Leon Dakaju with four.

Therefore, it is imperative that the Welsh striker is fit enough for tomorrow, at least to make the bench, with the Black Cats looking to finally put an end to their miserable four-year stay in the third tier.

This is arguably the best chance the Wearside outfit has had to escape League One since their back-to-back relegations in 2017 and 2018, having made the 2019 final but being second-best to an impressive Charlton Athletic.

With Broadhead, Sunderland will have a much stronger chance of making the play-off final on 21 May, where they will face either MK Dons or Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley.

AND in other news: Neil can blow SAFC supporters away with £3.4k-p/w gem who was made “in a laboratory”