Category Uncategorized

West Ham United are reportedly interested in a move for Bologna midfielder Mattias Svanberg, according to reports in Italy.

What’s the word?

As per 1000 Cuori Rossoblu, the Hammers are said to be one of a handful of Premier League sides that are eyeing a move for the young Swede, with Everton and Tottenham Hotspur also named as potential suitors.

The report suggests that his current side have offered the 23-year-old a new contract – with his existing deal set to expire next summer – although the player appears keen for pastures new at the end of the season, with a bid of around €20m (£17m) likely to tempt the Serie A outfit into a sale.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-latest-west-ham-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-more” title= “Read the latest West Ham news!”]

A stay in Italy could also be on the cards, however, with Napoli and Fiorentina also credited with an interest.

Noble’s heir

News of the Hammers’ interest in a new midfield recruit comes as no real surprise, with long-serving club captain Mark Noble set to depart the London Stadium at the end of the season, having spent his entire career with the east London outfit – aside from two brief loan spells at Ipswich and Hull City.

The 35-year-old stalwart made his senior debut back in 2004 after being promoted from the club’s youth set-up, going on to rack up 548 appearances to date and developing something of a cult hero status in the process.

His impending exit then is set to leave a noticeable void in David Moyes’ squad next term, even though the Englishman has largely been reduced to a bit-part role in recent years.

In need of a replacement, in Svanberg the club could well have found the ideal heir to Noble’s throne, the 18-cap international having caught the eye since making the switch to Bologna from Malmo in 2018.

Such is his talent, one source insisted that “he’s probably one of the top four or five No 8’s in Europe”, while also adding that “he’s a very talented young man. He’s playing for a very defensive Bologna side but he can bring a spark to whichever team he plays in.”

With three goals and three assists to his name thus far in the league, the £13.5m-rated man poses a threat in the final third, while also proving a more than adequate presence at the other end of the pitch, averaging a solid 0.8 interceptions, 1.1 tackles and 0.9 clearances per game thus far this term.

Neither a midfield destroyer nor an all-action goal-getter, Svanberg is simply the glue holding things together in the centre of the park and the man to make things tick – a role that the aforementioned Noble has made his own at West Ham for almost two decades.

As one star departs the club, GSB can secure his ideal replacement this summer.

IN other news, GSB must complete WHU swoop for “unbelievable” £31.5m-rated star, Moyes will love him…

It was not the one-way traffic that was expected but India were well on top after the second day in Ahmedabad

The Bulletin by Siddarth Ravindran05-Nov-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Harbhajan Singh made his career-best score of 69•AFP

It was not the one-way traffic that was expected, but India were well on top after the second day in Ahmedabad. In an hour either side of the lunch break, New Zealand’s spinners ripped through the Indian middle-order, before struggling to wipe out the tail.The fans had turned up hoping to see crowd-pleasing batsmen such as Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and MS Dhoni, but it was Harbhajan Singh who kept them cheering by making his highest Test score, and eighth Test half-century, to push India towards 500. New Zealand lost two early wickets in their reply after which key batsmen, Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor, safely played out the final hour.The New Zealand spinners had plenty of work to do on the first day, and there was even more responsibility on them today after debutant fast bowler Hamish Bennett picked up a groin injury that prevented him from taking the field. Vettori bowled unchanged almost until lunch, giving away only 13 runs, but it was the other slow bowlers who got the morning breakthroughs.India had jogged to 383 for 4, adding 54 leisurely runs with few alarms, when Jeetan Patel struck. Tendulkar fell punching a length ball back to Patel at waist height, and his serene march towards a record-equalling 11th 50-plus score in successive Tests was cut short.If that seemed a bonus, given that New Zealand had been tidy but nonthreatening all morning, they had more to celebrate soon. Suresh Raina had already edged several deliveries in a short stay when he went hard at the ball but succeeded only in hitting it to McCullum at short extra cover, giving Kane Williamson his first Test wicket. Then, in the final over before the break, Laxman was caught plumb in front as Patel got the ball to sneak past his bat to trap him lbw. Laxman was unhappy with decision, but a jubilant New Zealand went into lunch savouring their best session of the game.A swift end to the Indian innings looked imminent after Vettori’s double-strike early in the post-lunch session: MS Dhoni inside-edged to forward short leg for 10, and Zaheer Khan was bowled for 1 by an arm ball to leave India at 412 for 8.Harbhajan, though, began to attack soon after Zaheer’s dismissal, clobbering Patel onto the roof beyond long-on and then slogging him to cow corner for four. His spin partner, Pragyan Ojha, supported him with a dour innings that barely had any forceful strokes. His dogged 73-minute stay came to an end when he padded up to an arm ball from Patel.By then, Ojha had done his job, which was to support Harbhajan. There was a brief lull after Harbhajan’s initial assault, but the big shots reappeared soon after. The tireless Vettori was thumped through extra cover, and in his next over Harbhajan skipped beyond leg stump and hammered Vettori over mid-off first for four and then for six.Harbhajan was more circumspect against the quick bowlers, though there was a blast past mid-off off Jesse Ryder to move past his previous Test best of 66. He has spoken of his ambition to make a Test century, but it wasn’t to be today as he bottom-edged a late cut to the keeper on 69.Still, he had helped set New Zealand’s misfiring batting a huge challenge. McCullum, playing as a specialist batsman, was opening for the first time since 2004 and he started with a flurry of boundaries – two off Sreesanth from his first four deliveries, and two more off Zaheer in the fifth over. But Tim McIntosh departed for without scoring, a short ball from Zaheer stayed low and McIntosh gloved it through to the keeper while attempting to duck. BJ Watling began brightly but was bowled off his first ball against spin in India – playing down the wrong line against Ojha.New Zealand were 27 for 2, before McCullum and Taylor made sure there was no more damage. There were some close calls – a massive lbw shout against Taylor who was hit just outside off, and a McCullum edge just wide of slip among them – but the senior batsmen largely reined in their natural aggressive instincts to remain unbeaten till stumps.It was a far better day for New Zealand than the first day, though the advantage provided by centuries from Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid, and the belligerent hitting from Harbhajan, meant the visitors are still second-best after two days.

MatériaMais Notícias

As rusgas entre Flamengo e Botafogo, que fizeram com que a final da Taça Guanabara acontecesse no Kleber Andrade, em Cariacica, acabou sendo um presente para os torcedores capixabas, que viram a primeira conquista no seu Estado do clube do coração. Satisfeito também ficou o presidente rubro-negro, Eduardo Bandeira de Mello. Após o título, ele ofereceu a conquista para todos os flamenguistas do Espírito Santos.

– Ésempre muito bom jogar aqui. É nossa casa, a gente se sente a vontade e levantar essa taça aqui foi maravilhosa porque eles merecem – afirmou o presidente, ainda no gramado.

E Bandeira ainda passou um recado para todos os torcedores. Após a conquista rubro-negra, o presidente não descartou a volta da equipe para o Kleber Andrade.

-Sempre que der vamos jogar em Cariacica. Somos muito bem acolhidos e agora eles puderam ver essa conquista de perto. É tudo muito gratificante – completou.

Para quarta-feira, sem a Ilha do Urubu, o Flamengo vai utilizar o Nilton Santos, para o jogo contra o Madureira. As diretorias de Fla e Botafogo chegaram a um acordo para o aluguel do estádio nas duas próximas partidas de mando rubro-negro: o Tricolor Suburbano e o River Plate, da Argentina, pela Copa Libertadores.

RelacionadasGrêmioDouglas Costa revela que Grêmio não quis vencer o jogo contra o Flamengo em 2009Grêmio19/02/2018Flamengo21 vezes Flamengo! Relembre os anos em que o Fla levou a Taça GBFlamengo19/02/2018FlamengoCarpegiani enxerga o Flamengo com mais de 11 titulares no momentoFlamengo19/02/2018

Aston Villa’s poor form continued on Saturday afternoon, with Steven Gerrard’s side falling to a 1-0 defeat to Watford.

The Hornets hadn’t scored in their previous four Premier League games but Emmanuel Dennis’ late header earned the visitors three vital points.

Villa dominated the ball and had 20 shots, however, they are now winless in three, picking up just one point against Leeds, Newcastle and Watford.

Here at The Transfer Tavern, we’ve used statistical experts SofaScore to analyse Villa’s three worst performers to have played at least 45 minutes. In total, these players lost the ball 21 times, were second best in 71% of their aerial and ground duels and also failed to have a shot on goal.

Danny Ings – 6.3/10

First up is Ings, who came in for Ollie Watkins for a rare start under Gerrard. Unfortunately, the striker failed to take his chance from the off and was Villa’s worst-rated starter by some distance.

Ings gave possession away seven times, won just one of his 10 duels and failed to have a shot on target. He did hit the woodwork but managed just 33 touches all afternoon, ending with a rating of 6.3/10.

Douglas Luiz – 6.7/10

Luiz, who was slammed by Gregg Evans on Saturday, also makes the list.

The Brazilian only played 58 minutes and hardly contributed, failing to make a clearance or interception. The midfielder gave the ball away twice, lost three of his four duels and made just one tackle all afternoon.

Calum Chambers – 6.8/10

Last up is Chambers, who kept his place in the side with Ezri Konsa still suspended.

The centre-back ended with a rating of 6.8/10, losing possession on 12 occasions and losing seven of his 13 duels. Chambers made just one tackle and failed to make an interception and was unsuccessful in half of his attempted long balls.

In other news: Sky Sports man: Steven Gerrard may now sell ‘frustrating’ Aston Villa ace after storming off. 

حقق المنتخب السعودي الفوز بهدف دون رد على حساب آيسلندا في مباراة ودية لعبت مساء اليوم الأحد بملعب محمد بن زايد في إطار معسكر أبو ظبي ضمن المرحلة الثالثة للتحضيرات لكأس العالم 2022.

دخل منتخب السعودية اللقاء بضغط كبير مستغلا سرعات ومهارات الظهير الأيمن سعود عبد الحميد لكن الفرصة الخطيرة الأولى جاءت عندما انفرد فهد المولد بمرمى حارس آيسلندا في الدقيقة 17 لكنه صوبها في جسد حارس المرمى.

وفي الدقيقة 26 سجل منتخب السعودية هدفه الوحيد في اللقاء بعرضية من محمد البريك أسكنها المتألق سعود عبد الحميد برأسية في مرمى منتخب آيسلندا.

وكان الخبر الحزين للسعودية إصابة سلمان الفرج في الدقيقة 42 من الشوط الأول واستبداله بمشاركة أيمن يحيى.

اقرأ أيضا..فيديو | سعود عبد الحميد يسجل هدف السعودية الأول أمام آيسلندا

جاء الشوط الثاني هادئًا لاسيما مع إصابة سلمان الفرج وخوف اللاعبين من الإصابات لينتهي بنفس نتيجة الشوط الأول بتقدم الأخضر بهدف نظيف.

ويلعب منتخب السعودية في المجموعة الثالثة في كأس العالم 2022 بجانب منتخبات بولندا والمكسيك ويخوض أولى مواجهاته يوم 22 نوفمبر أمام منتخب التانجو الأرجنتيني.

الأخضر بدأ مشواره في معسكر أبوظبي بالفوز بهدف دون رد أمام مقدونيا الشمالية ثم تعادل بهدف لمثله أمام ألبانيا، وتعادل سلبيا أمام الهندوراس ويلعب الخميس المقبل أمام بنما في ختام معسكر أبوظبي. هدف فوز منتخب السعودية أمام أيسلندا (سعود عبد الحميد) 

تشكيل منتخب السعودية اليوم أمام آيسلندا

حراسة المرمى: محمد العويس.

خط الدفاع: محمد البريك، حسان تمبكتي، عبدالإله العمري، سعود عبدالحميد.

خط الوسط: سلمان الفرج، عبد الإله المالكي، محمد كنو.

خط الهجوم: سالم الدوسري، فراس البريكان، فهد المولد.

يمكنكم متابعة تفاصيل واحداث مباراة السعودية وأيسلندا مباشر بالفيديو لحظة بلحظة من هنا أحداث وتفاصيل مباراة السعودية وأيسلندا

الشوط الأول

1: تمريرات قصيرة بين محمد كنو وسلمان الفرج وعبد الإله المالكي.

3: رينارد يفتقد لخدمات ياسر الشهراني وناصر الدوسري وسلطان الغنام وصالح الشهري بسبب الإصابة.  5: عرضية رائعة من سالم الدوسري لسعود عبد الحميد لكن الظهير الأيمن عرضيته بعيدة عن البريكان.

 6: ركنية للمنتخب السعودي.

 7: تصويبة من البريكان في جسد مدافعي أيسلندا ثم تصل لسالم الدوسري يصوبها لكنها بعيدة عن المرمى.

 9: حتى الان لم يصل منتخب ايسلندا لمرمى محمد العويس.

11: تمريرة من حسان تمبكتي إلى سالم الدوسري لكنه يفشل في استلامها لتصل لرمية تماس لمنتخب أيسلندا.

 13: سعود عبد الحميد يفشل في استلام تمريرة طولية من سلمان الفرج.

15: عبد الاله العمري يقطع عرضية ويحولها الى رمية تماس لايسلندا.

17: ماذا أهدرت يا فهد المولد، كرة عرضية رائعة من البريك إلى فهد المولد الذي انفرد بحارس أيسلندا ماريسون وسددها في جسده.

18: تسلل على محمد كنو.

20: ضغط سعودي مستمر من الجبهة اليمنى بواسطة سعود عبد الحميد وتمريرات من سلمان الفرج لكن حتى الآن لا توجد خطورة سوى من كرة فهد المولد.

22: التحامات قوية بدنيا في وسط الميدان وخطأ على سعود عبد الحميد.

24: عرضية أيسلندية لكن تصل سهلة للحارس محمد العويس.

 26: جوووووووووووووووول سعودي أول برأسية من سعود عبد الحميد مستغلا عرضية الظهير الأيسر محمد البريك. هدف سعود عبد الحميد

د26′ من ظهير إلى ظهير 🔥
سعود عبدالحميد أول الأهداف ⚽️
السعودية 1 × 0 ايسلندا#السعودية_ايسلندا#SSC pic.twitter.com/iOcqXYJALU — شركة الرياضة السعودية SSC (@ssc_sports) November 6, 2022

 26: تفاصيل الهدف: عرضية من الظهير الأيسر محمد البريك تصل إلى رأس الظهير الأيمن سعود عبد الحميد زميله في صفوف الهلال والمنتخب السعودي ليودعها في مرمى منتخب أيسلندا بشكل رائع.

30: توقف المباراة لشرب المياه والتقاط الأنفاس.

33: العويس كاد أن يرتكب خطأ فادح لكنه أنقذ نفسه قبل أن تقطع الكرة من قبل مهاجم أيسلندا.

35: العويس يلعب دور الليبرو ويقطع الكرة بالرأس قبل وصولولها لمهاجم منتخب أيسلندا.

36: تسلل على سالم الدوسري.

 39: انطلاقة رائعة من سعود عبد الحميد وعرضية لكن دفاعات أيسلندا تصل للكرة قبل مهاجمي الأخضر.

41: هدوء في الميدان وتمريرات للأخضر في الخلف بين ثنائي خط الدفاع.

43: لقطة مهارية ومراوغة رائعة من سالم الدوسري ويدفع الثمن بالسقوط على أرض الميدان.

 45: توقف اللعب بسبب إصابة سلمان الفرج.

 45: شجار بين لاعبي الفريقين.

 نهاية الشوط الأول بتقدم المنتخب السعودي بهدف نظيف سجله الظهير الأيمن سعود عبد الحميد.

الشوط الثاني

46: بداية الشوط الثاني.

48: قلق في لعب الأخضر بعد إصابة سلمان الفرج واستبداله خوفا من مزيد من الإصابات.

51: تمريرة من العمري لسعود عبد الحميد لكنه يفشل في تجاوز ظهير أيسر أيسلندا. 

53: فرصة مهدرة انفراد بالمرمى لمهاجم أيسلندا أمام العويس لكنه يصوبها بعيدة عن مرمى الأخضر.

55: فهد المولد يسقط ويطالب بالحصول على ركلة جزاء لكن حكم اللقاء يأمر باستمرارية اللعب.

57: تمريرة من المالكي لكنها طويلة على سعود عبد الحميد.

 60: 4 تغييرات للمنتخب الأيسلندي.

 62: عرضية رائعة من أيمن يحي لكن كنو يفشل في تحويلها لتصويبة وتصل لهجمة مرتدة لايسلندا.

64: عرضية أيسلندية لكن تبعد برأسية ممتازة من العمري.

66: عرضية من جونارسون لكنها بعيدة تصل لركلة مرمى للعويس.

 68: خطأ لمصلحة سالم الدوسري.

 70: تواجد مساعد مدرب منتخب المكسيك في المدرجات لمراقبة أداء الأخضر السعودي.

72: نزول عبدالله مادو وعبدالله رديف ورياض شراحيلي وزكريا هوساوي لأرضية الميدان.

 74: كرة طويلة من لاعب وسط أيسلندا لكنها سهلة بين أيدي العويس.

75: دقيقة للراحة ولشرب الماء.

 78: تمريرات في وسط الميدان.

80: ركنية لايسلندا.

83: تدخل قوي على محمد كنو.

 84: نزول نواف العابد بدلا من عبد الاله المالكي.

87: ركلة ثابتة لايسلندا من خارج ال18.

88: فرصة خطيرة لايسلندا لكن العويس ينجح في ابعاد الكرة.

89: استلام عبدالله رديف بشكل خاطىء يحرمه من انفراد بمرمى أيسلندا.

90: هجمة مرتدة لايسلندا لكن تبعد عن طريق دفاعات المنتخب السعودي.

نهاية المباراة بفوز المنتخب السعودية بهدف دون رد.

Rangers enjoyed a busy January transfer window as they brought in a number of players to bolster Gio van Bronckhorst’s squad at Ibrox.

Ross Wilson was hard at work as he secured deals to bring in James Sands, Amad Diallo, Aaron Ramsey and Mateusz Zukowski, with John Souttar also set to join at the end of the season.

The Gers are two points clear of Celtic at the top of the Premiership table and these additions could help them to land a second successive league title.

How could van Bronckhorst’s best XI now look? Here is our take on it…

The back four may remain exactly the same, with Zukowski the only addition to the head coach’s immediate options for the rest of the season.

James Tavenier has averaged an outstanding SofaScore rating of 7.81 for the Gers, with the skipper popping up with five goals and ten assists from right-back in the Premiership. This shows that there is no need for the Polish recruit to come straight into the XI and he could spend the next few months learning from the club captain and developing his game on the training pitch.

In midfield, Ramsey could replace Scott Arfield as one of the three, playing alongside Glen Kamara and Joe Aribo. The £16k-per-week Canadian gem has popped up with some important goals this season, scoring three goals in 15 Premiership outings this season.

However, the arrival of the former Arsenal man could force him to be resigned to a place on the bench for the rest of the campaign. Ramsey is a proven performer at the top level, having scored in the Premier League and Serie A for the Gunners and Juventus throughout his career, and could – therefore – bring an added level of quality to the side.

This could also leave January signing Sands on the bench, with Kamara starting in the dictating midfield role slightly behind Aribo and Ramsey. The Finland international has averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.03, completing an impressive 91% of his attempted passes, whereas Sands has recorded a score of 6.95 and completed 87% of his pass attempts.

Whilst there may not be a great deal between them, statistically, Kamara has been at Rangers longer and could have van Bronckhorst’s trust for now. However, the USA international could work his way into the XI and keep his place if he continues to put in solid performances when called upon.

In the front three, Diallo could be the club’s best option on the right-wing. He had a dream debut as he scored in the 3-3 draw with Ross County, whilst also creating one chance and completing one dribble.

Rangers have struggled for goals in the right-wing position, with Scott Wright and Ianis Hagi managing just four between them. This is why Diallo could end up being a regular starter as his competitive bow for the club suggests that he could be the goal threat they have been lacking.

AND in other news, Body blow: Rangers dealt big injury setback ahead of Old Firm, Gvb will be gutted…

Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Brisbane will be expanded with a A$26m state-of-the-art athlete centre. The facility, which will be built at Allan Border Field, will offer virtual reality tools for decision making and biomechanical equipment for technique analysis, research and skill development.The refurbished home of the Centre of Excellence programme, formerly known as the Academy, will also have sports medicine, injury rehabilitation and physical preparation units. James Sutherland, Cricket Australia’s chief executive, said the facility would boost the country’s teams in their pursuit of the world’s No. 1 rankings.”We believe that this will help us achieve this vision in the long-term future,” he said. The federal government has provided a $17.5m grant for the revamp while the Queensland government has given $5m, with Cricket Australia contributing the rest.The Centre of Excellence men’s programme began at the Australian Cricket Academy in Adelaide in 1988 and has produced 65 national representatives. More than 400 players, coaches and support staff, including those from the women’s elite squad, attended events at the venue last year.

According to reliable reporter Jack Rosser of The Evening Standard, West Ham United manager David Moyes already has his transfer plan for January as he also now eyes Blackburn Rovers star Ben Brereton Diaz.

The Lowdown: Moyes eyeing January moves…

It is believed that the Scotsman has a number of goals for West Ham’s winter window as he eyes new additions across his team in an effort to keep them at the top level.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-updates/” title=”West Ham latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Fighting in the Europa League last 16, FA Cup and pushing for a top four finish in the Premier League, the Irons are weak in a number of areas both going forward and defensively.

Injuries to central defensive duo Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna have prompted Moyes to search for new centre-back signings whilst the lack of cover or competition for striker Michail Antonio could also push them to bid for a forward this month.

Sharing an update on Moyes’ transfer plans, Rosser has made an interesting claim.

The Latest: Rosser reveals Moyes plan, makes Diaz claim…

According to the reliable journalist, Moyes is targeting a striker, Manchester United ace Jesse Lingard, a left-footed central defender and a left-back to cover for the injured Aaron Cresswell.

As well as this, it is believed West Ham are now eyeing Blackburn Rovers star Brereton Diaz amid his phenomenal season in the Championship with the 22-year-old now on Moyes’ radar.

The Verdict: Right call?

A swoop for the Chile international could be a shrewd option to bolster West Ham’s striking options given his blistering form in England’s second tier.

The forward has notched an incredible 20 goals in just 25 Championship appearances over 2021/2022 so far, clearly highlighting why Moyes and West Ham are considering a January move.

Called a ‘beast’ by his manager Tony Mowbray, the Ewood Park sensation comes as an exciting transfer option but it looks as if Rovers won’t be selling on the cheap this winter.

According to TEAMtalk, the Lancashire outfit could demand around £30 million for the player, a price pretty big considering he has no experience in the Premier League or a top flight European division.

In other news: West Ham set for imminent move to sign ‘phenomenal’ powerhouse as reporter drops Twitter message, find out more here.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans were left slamming referee Kevin Clancy after their 1-1 draw away at Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership on Tuesday night.

It was a frustrating game for the Ibrox faithful as they dropped two points in their race for the SPFL title, as Ianis Hagi’s opener was cancelled out by a penalty from Lewis Ferguson after Alfredo Morelos handled the ball inside his own penalty box.

Clancy decided to give the Colombia international a yellow card for the incident too, which seemed harsh as he could not really get his hand out of the way of the line of the shot.

This was one of five yellow cards in total given to Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team, including two to Ryan Kent which resulted in a red, again the second seemingly harsh for a minimal clip on former Celtic midfield player Scott Brown.

Nonetheless, a lot of Teddy Bears were left very unhappy with Clancy’s performance on the night.

Rangers fans slam Clancy

These Light Blues slammed Clancy on Twitter, with one Gers supporter even going as far as to call him ’embarrassing’:

“This referee is ridiculous a complaint should be made”

Credit: @linden1974

“Clancy gets paid for this? Absolute farce. Shouldn’t even be on a yellow, never mind a red”

Credit: @D_Boag

“Never a red ref tonight is shocking”

Credit: @gers_fan55

“Does Clancy have a pair of eyes?”

Credit: @_Ryan56

“Ref has lost the plot”

Credit: @real_god69

“Clancy is embarrassing as is Brown. Standard of refereeing is absolutely abysmal beyond belief how bad they are.”

Credit: @Kirky_8

In other news, find out who RFC are now targeting here!

Everton will be going into the upcoming transfer window with the opportunity to patch over the injury crisis they have been suffering throughout the first half of the season, with Rafa Benitez expected to make additions that will help the Toffees climb up the Premier League table and find better consistency in the league.

What’s the word?

According to reports from Italian news outlet, Calciomercato, Everton are in pole position to sign Inter Milan midfielder, Matias Vecino, in the January transfer window.

With the Uruguay international’s contract ending in June 2022, the Toffees could get the player in a cut price deal if Inter should feel that they are interested in cashing in on him mid-season.

For Inter, Vecino has made 119 appearances, scoring thirteen goals and bagging seven assists from his central midfielder role in the side since he joined from Fiorentina in 2017.

The 30 year old was previously praised by former Inter assistant boss Cristian Stellini, who simply said; “Matias Vecino always delivers.”

Everton have some competition in securing the Serie A star’s signature as both Leicester and Betis Sevilla are also both named as clubs interested in the report from Calciomercato.

Solving problems at Everton

The signing of Vecino could be the perfect opportunity for Benitez to inject some experience and reliability into the midfield, with the latter in particular being a huge priority for the Everton side that has been struggling with finding consistency with their first team due to a large number of injuries.

One area that has been decimated in recent weeks and months has been in that midfield position, with the likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan, Tom Davies and Andre Gomes all facing spells out among others.

Despite suffering with a horrific knee injury that side-lined the £4.5M-rated Vecino for eight months and missing 37 games for Inter, since coming back in January 2021, the player has found his form and this season has made 15 appearances for Inter, scoring one goal so far.

The Merseyside club have struggled to establish a run of form in the Premier League this season, with only five wins and a shocking eight defeats from their first 17 games only picking up 19 points out of a possible 51 so far, that has, as a result, now left them in a vulnerable position in 15th.

Benitez can capitalise on the troubling availability of players in his current squad by adding some quality players to his injury ridden team when the transfer window opens in a few days.

In other news, Rafa must axe Cenk Tosun in the transfer window