All posts by z3u9t.icu

A number of Liverpool fans are desperate for the Reds to sign midfielder Saul Niguez, following a report linking the Spain star with a move to Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp is sure to be looking at summer additions in the coming weeks and months, as he looks to wrestle the Premier League title away from Manchester City next season.

Wholesale changes may not be needed in Liverpool’s squad, but sprinklings of quality are required, in order to retain some freshness after a damning season in the treatment room.

Ibrahima Konate has already arrived from RB Leipzig, while an attacking addition may still be on the cards.

Midfield is another area that could do with fresh blood, following Gini Wijnaldum’s exit, and Liverpool are keen on bringing in Saul, according to Empire of the Kop.

The Spain international’s current Atletico Madrid deal doesn’t expire until 2026, but he could be available for £40million this summer.

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Liverpool fans keen on Reds signing Saul

It is a rumour that has largely gone down well with Liverpool supporters and a number of them have provided their thoughts on Twitter (via Anfield Watch).

“Christ make this happen!”

Credit: @mattyb743

“Oh I love Saul. He’d be the perfect Gini replacement”

Credit: @TwoFootedPod

“Not happening, but would be some signing. One of the few midfielders in Europe that can match Gini’s work rate”

Credit: @reid_bankston

“Keita + fee maybe? I’d take that”

Credit: @cyred19

“We should sign him if he’s available”

Credit: @philippehunt21

“Fantastic player”

Credit: @victor_plange9

In other news, some Liverpool fans are hugely excited after it was claimed another summer signing is on his way to Anfield. Find out who it is here.

Liverpool are looking to achieve an unprecedented feat this year that would see them become the first English side to lift the quadruple.

Mohamed Salah is a major component for the Reds in their chase for glory and some interesting news has broken over the future of the Egyptian.

What’s the news?

Last week, an exclusive interview between FourFourTwo’s Chris Flanagan and Mo Salah was made public, with the Premier League’s top scorer offering words on the status of his contract talks with Liverpool.

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Chris Flanagan shared his verdict in the latest report via ThisisAnfield.com:

“He seemed very relaxed about everything, including his future.

“I got the sense that his number one aim is absolutely to stay at the club, but that he was prepared to wait a little longer to get the best deal possible if that’s what it takes.”

Fans on edge

Salah’s future at the club has been an overshadowing worry for Liverpool fans this season, with the Egyptian proving to be a talismanic figure for Klopp’s side since his transfer from Roma back in 2017.

The now 29-year-old has bagged 13 assists in 43 appearances for Klopp’s side this term, yet again proving his value to a side who are capitalising on his performances and setting their sights on an unprecedented quadruple trophy swoop.

Salah has remained composed throughout the contract debacle and has already equalled his goal tally of last season in six games less.

The £90m-rated sensation insisted his contract issues were not about monetary gain, as he told Flannagan: “I think the fans know what I want, but in the contract, it’s not everything about the money at all.”

Asked by ThisisAnfield, Flannagan gave his verdict on the quote from Salah: “His added quote that it wasn’t all about the money was interesting, as it was unprompted – I’d asked him how he saw his future, but my question hadn’t mentioned money.”

Either way, with the clock ticking on his deal, supporters will be on the edge of their seats about whether or not he’ll pen new terms in Merseyside. This claim certainly seems to suggest that he might, however.

In other news: Insider: Liverpool consider move for “world-class” £150m gem, imagine him & Fabinho…

Sheffield Wednesday have been handed a blow as Jamie Smith confirmed that Tom Lees is set to miss the Owls’ crucial Championship fixture this afternoon.

What’s the latest?

According to the Owls assistant manager, the defender will not feature in either of the club’s must-win games against Nottingham Forest and Derby County after he was stretchered off in the 3-1 defeat against Middlesbrough last weekend.

As cited by the club’s official website, Smith said: “Tom Lees will miss the game, as well as the final day. There was no fracture in his leg but he does have ligament damage, unfortunately.”

Big Blow

So far this season, Lees has proven a crucial part of the Wednesday backline, with the defender starting 38 Championship fixtures. In those games, he has helped his side to keep nine clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.8 interceptions, 1.2 tackles and 5.4 clearances per game, culminating in an average SofaScore match rating of 6.88 – ranking him as the Owls’ third-best performer in the division.

As such, that the 30-year-old will not be available for the fixture against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, as well as the potentially seismic final day clash with relegation rivals Derby County next week, is likely to come as gutting news for both Darren Moore and Smith, as it is essential that Wednesday win both fixtures to have any chance of retaining their Championship status for another year, with a four-point gap to make up on the 21st-placed Rams.

While the task of survival already appeared a very difficult feat to pull off, being without a key defender in Leeds has made the challenge that extra bit harder for Wednesday.

In other news: Moore must axe Sheff Wednesday flop who’s cost £500k-per-goal, he “needs to go” – opinion

Transfers expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed the latest information regarding Wolverhampton Wanderers’ pursuit of signing young Portuguese forward Chiquinho.

What’s the story?

According to Romano, Wolves are close to making the 21-year-old winger their second signing of the January transfer window.

The transfers expert tweeted: “Wolves are closing on Chiquinho deal with Estoril, final details to be completed next week. Portuguese striker’s set to join on a permanent move for €3.5m fee plus €1.5m add ons.”

Valued at £900k by Transfermarkt, is set to depart Primeira Liga side Estoril, who are flying in the Portuguese top-flight this campaign as they currently sit sixth, and join up with his fellow countryman Bruno Lage at Molineux.

The Portuguese youngster has scored four goals and provided six assists in 18 appearances across all competitions in what has been his breakthrough campaign in top-flight football after Estoril were promoted last season.

According to The Athletic, the 21-year-old is set to be part of Wolves’ first-team group. Moreover, the West Midlands club have done business with Estoril before, signing defender Toti Gomes from the Portuguese outfit in September 2020 who was handed a shock debut on Saturday in the 3-1 win over Southampton.

Wolves fans will be buzzing

Although not a household name, Chiquinho offers a great deal of potential and, for a small fee in today’s market, the deal appears low risk, something that will no doubt delight supporters.

Wolves have become a hub for Portuguese talent with the likes of Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Jose Sa and Nelson Semedo some of the names who hail from Portugal that have been lured to Molineux in recent years as well as former manager Nuno Espirito Santo and current boss Bruno Lage.

The 21-year-old mainly operates as a left-winger but is flexible and can also play on the right-hand side of a front-three, ideal for Wolves who tend to operate with a 3-4-3 setup.

Compared to the other wingers in Lage’s squad, Chiquinho would boast the most league goals so far this season, although the Premier League is a significant step up from the Portuguese top-flight. Currently, Adama Traore is the only wide man to have netted in the league this campaign.

There have been murmurs of the Spaniard departing Molineux in the near future and therefore the Portugal U21 international could prove to be a long-term replacement.

Moreover, Lage is yet to welcome back the injured Pedro Neto, who has been out since April with a serious knee injury.

He may be an unknown name, however, the stats back up the suggestion that Chiquinho could be an exciting prospect for Wolves. Seeing a Portuguese talent excel at Molineux isn’t unheard of.

In other news – £33k-p/w Wolves gem, who created two big chances, stars in victory over Southampton

Speaking in a football.london Q&A, reliable Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Alasdair Gold has backed recent transfer claims involving Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic.

The Lowdown: Spurs eyeing Vlahovic?

Numerous reports have detailed Tottenham’s interest in the Serbian powerhouse since the start of July, with managing director Fabio Paratici seemingly searching for a Harry Kane striking partner.

The Times revealed that Spurs have already held talks over signing him, with Italian news outlet Fantacalcio then going one step further and lifting the lid on an offer.

More recently, The Telegraph have become adamant that Vlahovic is Spurs’ number one striking priority this summer.

The Latest: Gold backs reports…

While he doesn’t mention anything too advance, Gold has now backed these reports of an interest in Vlahovic from Spurs.

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When asked if Tottenham are genuinely eyeing a move for the exciting 21-year-old, football.london’s reliable correspondent confirmed there is in fact real weight behind it.

“Yes it is,” Gold explained in regards to whether the interest is real.

“My feeling is it would be a potential deal they look at more closely later in the window once they get some money in through sales.

“If they can get Romero through the door then he’s going to cost a fair whack and they will need to offset that.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

While Spurs fans may have to wait slightly to see this possible move go through, this claim backing all of the previous Vlahovic rumours should come as a real bit of encouragement for supporters.

Out of all Tottenham’s linked striking options, which includes Southampton star Danny Ings, Fiorentina’s young striker arguably stands out as a cut above.

He managed 21 goals and three assists over 34 Serie A starts last season (WhoScored), all while averaging more shots on goal per 90 (2.3) than any Spurs player bar Harry Kane.

Vlahovic has also been called ‘ really crazy’ by ex-Partizan Belgrade team-mate Valeri Bojinov, who detailed the player’s confidence in comparing himself to Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Planet Football).

Valued at around £36 million by Transfermarkt, a figure in and around this range would undoubtedly be worth the investment.

In other news: Talks underway: Nuno green lights yet another Spurs exit as news emerges, find out more here.

According to reliable club insider ExWHUemployee, via West Ham Fan Zone, the 2021/2022 home kit will be based on West Ham’s 1999/2000 strip in which club cult hero Paolo Di Canio scored his famous volley against AFC Wimbledon.

Depending on how David Moyes’ men finish what has been a brilliant 2020/2021 campaign overall, with European qualification still firmly in reach, next season could be set to become very interesting.

Six points off fourth-placed Chelsea with a game in hand (BBC), West Ham were gifted a big lifeline in the Champions League race by London rivals Arsenal on Wednesday after their 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Even if qualification for Europe’s most coveted competition could be too much to ask in the end, Europa League is still a very strong possibility.

ExWHUemployee, sharing news on how West Ham will turn out for what could be an exciting 2021/2022 season, has dropped a kit revelation that their 2021/2022 strip will be based off a favourite from the late 1990s.

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Indeed, the Irons will apparently turn out in a home kit akin to the one in which Di Canio scored that wondergoal against Wimbledon – an arguably fitting tribute.

As a result, many Hammers supporters have been left excited – find all of their best verdicts down below.

West Ham fans excited by ExWHUemployee news on kit

“That kit + europa league? I’m dreaming”

Credit: @ryanwhitfield97

“Gassed”

Credit: @dantweetr

“PLEASE”

Credit: @whugabes

“The best kit we’ve ever had”

Credit: @robbiemorgz

“Dear God, those will be beautiful”

Credit: @dznnvc

“Absolutely love this kit”

Credit: @KFranklin_x

“Beautiful”

Credit: @JamieWHU_

In other news: ‘Better than Lingard’… These West Ham fans flock to alleged GSB transfer plan, find out more here.

Glasgow Rangers will receive 2.6% more than expected in prize money if they manage to reach the group stages of the Champions League.

The Lowdown: Gers in with Champions League chance

The Gers enjoyed a magnificent 2020/21 campaign, winning the Premiership for the first time in 10 years without losing a single game in the division.

As such, they have earned the right to play in the Champions League next season. They will enter in the third qualifying round, with a couple of two-legged ties separating them from the group stage.

The Latest: Gers set for cash boost

It has now been revealed the Gers could be in line to receive 2.6% more than they would have last season for reaching the group stage (as per The Daily Record).

The previous windfall was €15.25m (£13.1m, DAZN.com), which has now risen to €15.64m (£13.4m, football-coefficient.eu).

The Verdict: Extra incentive

In the grand scheme of things, this may not seem like too much of a difference. For Rangers, though, it could prove to be a huge bonus. Compared to other leagues in Europe, there aren’t seemingly unlimited funds involved in Scottish football – every penny truly counts.

For Steven Gerrard and his players, this will have no impact on their hunger for success – they will be desperate to compete in Europe’s premier club competition regardless of the money on offer. For the club’s hierarchy, though, it will be an important development, and they will be even more eager to see the Gers reach the group stages now that they know of the increased windfall from this potential achievement.

In other news, Rangers ramp up their interest in this 27-year-old.

Everton have been linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey as manager Rafael Benitez looks to bolster his engine room options at Goodison Park.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, the Toffees are interested in securing the 30-year-old’s services in the January window, with fellow Premier League club West Ham United also listed as potential suitors.

The report claimed that both Everton and the Hammers are weighing up a move for Ramsey as the Serie A giants are eager to offload his sizeable wages as soon as possible.

Ramsey’s current contract doesn’t expire until the summer of 2023, but rumours suggest the Italian giants are eager to get the former Arsenal man off their books much sooner due to his lack of output on the pitch.

Marcel Brands must sanction Everton swoop

Everton’s director of football Marcel Brands must sanction a swoop for the £12.6m-rated Ramsey over the winter window, adding some class and technical ability to Benitez’s industrial midfield.

The Wales international has bags of Premier League experience under his belt from his time at Arsenal, where he continually impressed throughout his seven-year stay. Ramsey scored 65 goals and laid on a further 65 assists in 371 appearances for the Gunners, winning three FA Cups along the way and earning praise from several impressed onlookers, including Martin Keown.

“He continues to mature as a player and develop. He’s a real leader now in this Arsenal team,” the Gunners legend claimed back in 2019.

“Playing in a deeper role, as he did under Arsene Wenger – I think that’s the best role for him. If you want Ozil and him in the same team. He’s so important to everything Arsenal do. It’s the energy – the box-to-box energy. He’s become an outstanding technician.”

However, following a contract dispute, Ramsey departed the north London outfit on a free transfer ahead of the 2019/20 campaign, joining Juventus in a search for silverware.

Although he has claimed a Scudetto and a Coppa Italia during his time in Turin, the creative talent has only started 25 league games to date for the Bianconeri, highlighting his peripheral role within the first team squad.

Therefore, a move back to English shores appears likely over the coming months, and Everton’s hierarchy must make Goodison Park Ramsey’s next destination, aiding their push for a top six finish.

In other news… Everton could find their new Marouane Fellaini by signing “exciting” 6 foot 4 weapon 

It’s safe to say Liverpool have been an attacking force to be reckoned with so far this season with 17 league goals scored in seven games as well as having more shots at goal (147) than any other Premier League side.

Additionally, Jurgen Klopp’s side have had seven different goalscorers getting their names up in lights in the top flight.

Nevertheless, it seems as though the club have their eyes on signing a new attacking talent at some point in the future.

What’s the news?

It has recently been reported by the Daily Mail that the Merseyside club have already started negotiations to sign Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele on a free transfer during the next summer window.

Prior to joining Barcelona, the 24-year-old racked up a total of 10 goals and 22 assists in 50 appearances for German club Borussia Dortmund before securing his move to the La Liga giants for a massive fee of £135.5m in the summer of 2017.

During his time at Barcelona, the Frenchman – who is currently valued at £45m according to Transfermarkt – has scored 30 goals and provided 21 assists in 118 appearances across all competitions.

Potential Salah heir?

Regarding a potential move to Liverpool, we think that the club should definitely persist with their reported negotiations over trying to secure a free transfer for Dembele, who has been described as a “phenomenon” by former Barcelona star Lionel Messi, in the summer.

Given how there has been some speculation over whether or not current Reds winger Mohamed Salah will sign a new deal at the Merseyside club when his contract expires in 2023, we feel that Dembele could potentially be a solid replacement for Salah if the Egyptian leaves when his current deal ends, especially if Liverpool can sign the Frenchman on a free transfer.

Furthermore, with Dembele making more dribbles per game (2.1) in La Liga last season than Salah (one) managed to in the Premier League, perhaps this could be an area where the 24-year-old would improve Klopp’s side if the Egyptian were to depart.

However, he would need to work on his goals and assists output if he were to follow in Salah’s footsteps at Anfield, with the latter consistently netting more than 20 times a season for the Reds. However, one thing which should be taken into consideration over a potential move for Dembele is the hefty number of injuries he has suffered during his time in Spain.

Overall, though, if Liverpool can sign him on a free transfer, this could be a great bit of business from the Reds given how much experience he has of playing at the top level under his belt in the Bundesliga, La Liga and Champions League.

In other news: Liverpool could be set for big blow as transfer claim emerges, fans would be fuming

An update has emerged regarding Southampton’s valuation of Newcastle transfer target Mario Lemina. 

What’s the talk?

According to the Daily Mail, the Saints are interested in signing Isaac Hayden from the Magpies and are now willing to offer Lemina in exchange for the 26-year-old.

The report claims that the Saints are in talks over a possible swap deal with Newcastle, with Hayden valued at £12m and Lemina at £4m, although it remains to be seen whether it would be a straight swap or cash coming Steve Bruce’s way along with the former Juventus man.

Bruce would love it

Newcastle must sanction a deal to sign Lemina from Southampton. Even if a swap deal with Hayden does not materialise, the Magpies should be looking to snap up the Saints enforcer if he is available for £4m as it could be a bargain deal for the Tyneside club.

Lemina is valued at £9m by Transfermarkt and arrived at St Mary’s from Juventus for around £15.5m in the summer of 2017. This suggests that £4m could be a terrific price for the midfielder, who has one year left on his contract on the south coast.

In terms of how he stacks up against Hayden, the Gabon international could be a significant improvement. In 11 starts as a central midfielder for Fulham in the Premier League, Lemina averaged an impressive WhoScored rating of 6.88. Hayden, on the other hand, recorded an average rating of 6.66 in 16 starts in the same position for Bruce’s side, suggesting that Mike Ashley would be improving the squad by swapping the two players.

Garth Crooks once labelled the 27-year-old a midfield “powerhouse” and claimed that he was good enough to play for a Champions League club, citing his experience with Juventus in the Serie A earlier in his career.

The BBC Sport pundit said: “My goodness, this lad looks a powerhouse. I suppose when you’ve played for one of the biggest clubs in the world in Juventus, you should have all the tools to survive in any league.

“The former Juve man was composed on the ball and timely in the tackle – and for a holding midfielder, he was very capable of hurting the opposition. Lemina is a top-four player in my opinion.”

Therefore, Bruce would surely be buzzing if Lemina arrived at St James’ Park. He could be getting a top-class midfielder who is an upgrade on Hayden, whilst potentially getting money to spend because of Lemina’s bargain £4m valuation. If Bruce can get the Gabon midfielder on song and playing at his best, then he could land a real coup this summer judging his performances for Fulham and Crooks’ previous comments about him.

AND in other news, “Would be unbelievable” – Exclusive: Howey drops verdict on potential next Newcastle owners…