All posts by z3u9t.icu

Liverpool never reached the stage of opening talks with Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella despite links to a summer move, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Liverpool linked with Barella move

The Reds had a quiet summer, only signing Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig, but Barella was one player they were linked with signing.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a memorable Euro 2020 campaign with Italy, winning the competition and starting six of his side’s seven matches.

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The Latest: Romano rubbishes rumour

The reliable Romano took to Twitter on Saturday to confirm that Barella is set to extend his stay with Inter instead of moving on to pastures new.

He also added in a seven-word verdict that a move to Liverpool was never really on the cards:

“Liverpool never opened talks to sign him.”

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The Verdict: Was he needed?

Barella is an excellent footballer who has proved himself at the top level already, but bringing him in would have felt like overkill in Liverpool’s midfield.

Jurgen Klopp already has numerous strong options in the middle of the park, from experienced heads such as Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Thiago, Naby Keita and James Milner, to younger players like Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott.

Barella would likely have been a good signing had he come in, but there didn’t feel like a crucial need to make it happen.

In other news, some Liverpool fans have reacted to some key news ahead of the clash with Manchester United. Read more here.

Aston Villa are interested in signing Rangers defender Filip Helander in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Helander’s season over

The 28-year-old is currently sidelined with a foot injury picked up earlier this month and he is not expected to play again for the Gers this season.

It has been an injury-plagued campaign for Helander, who has been limited to just six Scottish Premiership starts, failing to play much of a part in proceedings.

Now, a new report is claiming that the Swede may have played his last game for Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

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The Latest: Villa keen on move

According to Football Insider, a Villa source claims that Steven Gerrard is a big admirer of Helander and wants to sign him, having worked with him at Ibrox.

The former Rangers manager is thought to be ‘closely monitoring his situation’, with the player’s current deal expiring at the end of next season.

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The Verdict: Hard to say no

Helander would be a big loss for Rangers, having averaged a colossal 4.3 aerial duel wins per game in last year’s title-winning season, not to mention three per match in 2021/22.

The lure of linking up with Gerrard again and also playing in the Premier League could be too good to turn down, however, in what are the peak years of his career, especially if the Gers miss out on Champions League football.

The hope is that Helander recovers from his injury problems and remains at Ibrox but it is easy to envisage a situation where he is in a Villa shirt next season, where Gerrard is expected to replace Tyrone Mings.

In other news, another Premier League are also eyeing up a Rangers player. Read more here.

Liverpool will head into the January transfer window with some important decisions to make.

They are well within reach of securing another Premier League title but they will have to negotiate the choppy waters of a winter period without Sadio Mane and most importantly, Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian sensational has been nothing short of mesmerising this term, finding the net on 19 occasions already.

He has had to lift his game in the absence of Roberto Firmino but when he heads off to the African Cup of Nations with his offensive colleague next month, the club’s lack of depth could be exposed.

Of course, Diogo Jota will be a good stand-in having taken his tally to the campaign to nine strikes, but no one is ever coming close to replicating what Salah offers Jurgen Klopp’s men.

Adding to their ranks in the New Year would be a smart decision from Michael Edwards and FSG, but who will they turn to?

One player mooted with a switch to Anfield is Porto forward Luis Diaz. The Colombian featured against the Reds in the Champions League earlier this season and has demonstrated some jaw-dropping attributes this term which would make him a perfect fit in Merseyside.

Indeed, he has found the net 12 times in only 19 appearances this term for the Portuguese outfit, putting in some dazzling displays from the flanks.

He recently scored a screamer in a clash with Vitoria Guimaraes, rifling an effort right into the postage stamp after cutting inside. It was a goal that summed up why he’d be such a good capture for Liverpool, especially when Mane leaves his role vacant on the left wing next month.

That beautiful goal was perfectly summed up by Marino Peixoto, a Portuguese football enthusiast, who took to social media to say the following:

“The rate at which Luís Diaz is churning out otherworldly performances coupled with his ability to score screamers like this on a consistent basis is genuinely frightening. Only a matter of time before somebody pays an astronomical fee for him.”

And what may that fee be, I hear you ask? Well, it’s thought that Porto would be willing to part with the player if their price tag of €50m (£42m) is met.

That shouldn’t deter Liverpool who are clearly in need of adding further bodies to their ranks.

Diaz’s ability to carve out offensive opportunities for both himself and his teammates is inspirational and as presenter Manas Singh says, he is a “livewire” in the final third.

Based on the above evidence, FSG must do all they can to ensure he swaps the blue and white of Porto for the red of Liverpool next year. The thought of him lining up alongside the likes of Salah and Jota is a mouth-watering one. Klopp’s attack could be about to get even scarier; imagine that.

AND in other news, FSG must seal Liverpool swoop for “Jota-esque” £13m beast who sent VVD “for a hot dog”…

Tottenham are looking to pip Newcastle United in the race to sign Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele, according to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, relayed by Sports Witness.

The Lowdown: Dembele at Barca

Dembele has been at the Nou Camp since 2017 following a £121.5m move from Borussia Dortmund and has made 126 appearances for the Catalan giants.

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The 24-year-old, capable of playing anywhere across the front line, has scored 30 times and provided 23 assists during his time in Spain.

However, he’s missed a whopping 100 games due to injury, and it now seems as if his time with Barcelona could be coming to an end.

The Latest: Tuttomercatoweb’s update

Tuttomercatoweb, relayed by Sports Witness, suggest that Dembele is the ‘dream’ signing for Spurs boss Antonio Conte.

They claim that Newcastle have been pushing for Dembele for some time without making progress, with Tottenham now looking to pip their Premier League rivals to a move. Contact has been made with Dembele’s entourage, with Spurs keen on a January deal.

The Verdict: Possible?

A cut-price transfer in the New Year could well be a real possibility, especially with Barcelona recently reaching a big-money agreement to sign Manchester City forward Ferran Torres.

Dembele’s current contract has just over six months remaining, so Barcelona could now be open to the idea of bringing in some funds in January to avoid losing the Frenchman for nothing in the summer.

It seems as if Conte and Fabio Paratici are extremely keen on the World Cup winner, so this could be a move to keep a close eye on as Spurs look to add to their attacking ranks with a first marquee signing under the new manager.

In other news: Conte in awe of tireless player as he wows in Spurs training, could now stay in January.  

Jack Harrison, Raphinha and Pascal Struijk stood out as star performers in Leeds United’s crucial 3-2 win away to West Ham on Sunday afternoon.

The Whites picked up an enormous Premier League victory in east London, battling their way to a priceless three points after a thrilling game.

Harrison scored a hat-trick against the Hammers on a memorable afternoon for the winger, as the visitors dug deep amid more injury problems.

We’ve delved into the numbers from statistical website Sofascore to analyse the Whites’ three best performers from those to have played at least 45 minutes of action. No prizes for guessing who one of them was, but who else stood out against the Irons?

Jack Harrison – 9.0

There was no doubting who the best player was for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, as Harrison enjoyed arguably his best game for the club.

Aside from the headline-making hat-trick, the 25-year-old also won two tackles and four ground duels and played two key passes in a superb all-round display.

That’s now four goals in his last three appearances for Harrison, who appears to be returning to his best.

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Raphinha – 7.8

Raphinha has been Leeds’ best player so far this season and he was a constant threat to West Ham’s defence today.

The Brazilian was unfortunate to see a brilliant assist chalked off for offside but he still managed to play an incredible eight key passes against the Hammers.

Not only that, but the Brazilian created two big chances and hit the woodwork with a stunning free-kick, while also pitching in defensively by winning five ground duels and one tackle.

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Pascal Struijk – 7.3

Struijk has been limited to 10 league starts so far this season but he was excellent on Sunday, playing an important role in a huge win for Leeds.

The 22-year-old won all five ground duels that he contested at the London Stadium, summing up the dominant nature of his performance. The Dutchman also won five tackles and made one interception, not being dribbled past once in the whole game.

In other news, one Leeds player has been linked with a move away from Elland Road. Find out who it is here.

Celtic have been relatively busy in the transfer market this month by bringing four new players to the club, but a recent report suggests they were priced out of a deal for a more experienced figurehead.

Brendan Rodgers has clearly placed plenty of emphasis on bringing young players into the club this month, with all four of his new signings aged between 18 and 21.

Timothy Weah and Oliver Burke, aged 18 and 21 respectively, are two talents who have been predicted to enjoy a big future in the game, but Celtic were targeting a talent who is eager to impress for a different reason entirely.

Indeed, according to a report from the Irish Independent, Crystal Palace are set to sign Everton’s James McCarthy on loan before Thursday’s deadline after Celtic dropped out of the race for his signature.

McCarthy supported Celtic as a boy and would naturally have been enticed by the prospect of playing at Celtic Park, but the report claims that the Bhoys were priced out of a deal due to his £50,000 per week wages.

For a fanbase who are hoping their club can make the next step by competing on the European stage, the fact Celtic were priced out of a deal for McCarthy will be both concerning and frustrating.

Naturally, the January window is a time in which finances are not clear cut and plenty of clubs struggle to sign new players with wage structures already maximised and little room for further investment, but the McCarthy situation serves as an acute reminder of how financially limited Celtic are in comparison with the clubs they are often pitted against in the Champions League.

McCarthy has spent a lengthy spell on the sideline following a gruesome leg break, but the form he has showcased down the years suggests he would have been an excellent addition to the squad and he will be desperate for a return to regular football as soon as possible.

The Ireland international’s approach is epitomised by his high-energy in the centre of the park, relentlessly harrying opponents and demanding the ball into his feet when his side are in possession.

His impact at Celtic Park would have given the club a valuable asset in their bid to cement their supremacy at the summit of Scottish football, and he’s a player Rodgers should return for in the summer if and when the club’s financial situation changes.

Celtic fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

Vice-captain, loyal servant and arguably a club legend, Leeds United defender Luke Ayling is something of a hero around Elland Road.

But having amassed 217 appearances and secured a Championship winners medal during his time at the west Yorkshire outfit, it could be time to move on.

There’s no denying that this season has been appalling – stopping just short of disastrous – as it appears as if new manager Jesse Marsch has steered the Whites to safety, having been involved in the relegation dogfight for the past few months.

A four-game unbeaten run, which includes wins over basement boys Norwich City and relegation rivals Watford, has seen Leeds move nine points clear of Burnley with six matches left to play.

They may have just done it.

However, the team is still the leakiest defence in the Premier League, having conceded a whopping 68 goals from their 32 outings – an average of 2.1 goals let in per game.

And when you’re having to score three goals every week to stand a chance at winning – without last season’s top goalscorer Patrick Bamford too – then it’s no wonder the Yorkshiremen have found themselves in a precarious position at times.

It’s a backline that has largely been unaltered since promotion from the second flight and there have to be question marks over whether big players like Ayling can consistently cut the mustard at this level.

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Marsch ought to be ruthless this off-season by trying to secure a better option and that’s not through any fault of his own but Ayling has looked out of his depth at times.

During the recent win over the Hornets, commentator and former Wales international David Phillips described the 30-year-old’s defending as “awful”, whilst his seasonal 6.56 average WhoScored rating is bettered by eight other Leeds players right now.

No one is dribbled past more than Ayling either, letting his man run by 1.6 times per game and when you’re coming up against some of the best left-wingers in the division – ranging from Heung-min Son to Sadio Mane and Raheem Sterling – it’s going to cause plenty of trouble for his defensive counterparts.

Former manager Marcelo Bielsa was a big admirer of the full-back, especially as he could often slot in at centre-half for him. He even once waxed lyrical about his talents in this regard. He told reporters:

“He was quick, he was agile, he defended well, he headed well, he used the ball well, he transmitted serenity to the rest of the team.”

Just because he has been at the club for the best part of six years, doesn’t mean Marsch owes him anything. If a better option can be secured, then he must look to axe the Leeds favourite for the benefit of him becoming a successful manager at Elland Road.

The £35k-per-week ace just isn’t good enough for the big time, at least in a team that shouldn’t be fighting to keep their place in the division. A ruthless decision, but the right one.

AND in other news, Phil Hay drops Robin Koch update amid Leeds exit rumours…

Celtic are ready to cash in on centre-forward Albian Ajeti in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Daily Record, who claim that Michael Nicholson is ready to cut the Bhoys losses on the 24-year-old forward this winter, with the Record going on to state that the striker will go down in Celtic history as an expensive flop.

A further report by the Daily Record went on to reveal that, as a result of his struggles at Parkhead, the Switzerland international has been overlooked in selection for his national team by Murat Yakin, with the Switzerland boss stating:

“In my view, I look at each player’s individual performances and situation before I decide to name my squad. And that’s why in this instance I have chosen not to include Albian Ajeti.”

Fans will be buzzing

While fans of Celtic would have undoubtedly rathered Ajeti was a massive hit for their club, considering his poor performance levels, as well as his general lack of fitness and overall commitment during his time in Glasgow, the news that Nicholson is actively looking to ship the centre-forward out this January is sure to have left fans buzzing.

Indeed, over his 44 appearances for the Bhoys, the £2.88m-rated man has scored just nine goals and registered a mere five assists, with the player who Packie Bonner dubbed a “problem” averaging a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.85 last term – ranking him as the Hoops’ joint 12th-worst performer in the league.

Furthermore, the £16k-per-week forward has not completed 90 minutes since September, with both Neil Lennon and Ange Postecoglou being reported to have concerns regarding the 24-year-old’s fitness levels.

As such, while it would appear likely that Celtic will have to take a substantial hit if they wish to move Ajeti on this winter, considering the fact that the striker has already cost the club over £1m in wages, it would indeed appear highly advisable for Nicholson to get rid of the former West Ham United forward as quickly as possible, as he is quite simply stealing a living at Parkhead.

In other news: Forget Jota: “Outstanding” £4.5m-rated Celtic gem who made 8 key passes stole the show

Writing on his Patreon, reliable club insider ExWHUemployee has made a promising West Ham United player claim with talks ongoing behind the scenes.

The Lowdown: West Ham seal Antonio deal…

As confirmed by the club, West Ham and GSB have extended star striker Michail Antonio’s deal at the club.

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Indeed, in an official announcement, the Irons forward’s new contract means he looks set to remain at the London Stadium until 2024 with the option of a further year included.

The Jamaica international has been one of Moyes’ star players this season, winning August’s Premier League player of the Month award whilst going on to rack up eight goals so fat.

In an update, Ex claims this may not be the last bit of player news you hear soon as he makes a promising behind-the-scenes claim.

The Latest: Ex drops claim…

Taking to this Patreon, the Irons source says that ‘negotiations have been ongoing’ over new contracts for Lukasz Fabianski, Angelo Ogbonna and Ben Johnson.

Following on, he says that further contract news ‘should come soon’ after the club confirmed Antonio’s extension.

The Verdict: Promising…

As Moyes and recruitment chief Rob Newman also tie down important first teamers to long term contracts, it’s little wonder this particular trio are next in line.

Fabianski, deemed an ‘untouchable’ in the Scotsman’s starting eleven, is one of only two Irons players to start every single Premier League game this season alongside Tomas Soucek (WhoScored).

Johnson, meanwhile, has really impressed and played a much more prominent role in the first team than last campaign – drawing praise from Moyes in particular.

Ogbonna, despite currently being injured, was a fixture alongside summer signing Kurt Zouma in defence with reporters in the press describing the Italian as ‘influential’.

If the Irons trio all put pen to paper, it’s safe to say that will come as a mighty boost for the club.

In other news: ‘Tears in my eyes’, ‘Finally’…West Ham fans flock to ‘very exciting’ transfer news, find out more here.

An update has emerged regarding Newcastle United’s pursuit of Burnley defender James Tarkowski…

What’s the talk?

According to The Northern Echo, Magpies officials are confident of sealing the January signing of the Clarets centre-back.

The report claims that Burnley have conceded that he will not extend his current contract, which expires at the end of the season, and that could duly see the club cash in on him in the next transfer window.

Fans would be delighted

Newcastle fans will surely be ecstatic with this update as it appears to suggest there is a strong chance that the £70k-per-week colossus ends up at St James’ Park in January.

Officials are confident of a move being wrapped up in the winter window and his contract situation at Burnley is promising for the Magpies.

The Clarets run the risk of losing him for nothing at the end of the season if they do not sell him in January and that could play right into Newcastle’s hands. It could also mean that the Tynesiders are able to land a cut-price deal for the defender, as Burnley do not have the backing of a long-term contract to reasonably demand a huge figure in return for his services.

Newcastle fans will also be delighted with this news as the English defender is an experienced, proven player at Premier League level and could be a great addition to Eddie Howe’s squad.

Tony Philliskirk, former Head of Academy at Oldham, previously hailed Tarkowski in an interview with The Athletic as he said: “He became the main man on defensive and attacking set pieces, that as a player makes you think you are an integral part of the team.

“He became that because of his level of performance. He was humble and never got ahead of himself. His confidence increased and he became a leader which we discussed with him, organising those in front of him.”

The 29-year-old has played 171 Premier League games for Burnley and averaged a superb WhoScored rating of 7.02 last season. Since the start of the 2017/18 campaign, he has never averaged a score lower than 7.00 in the top flight, showing how remarkably consistent he has been for the Clarets over the past few years.

Also, it’s worth considering that no Newcastle centre-back has averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.49 for the current campaign, whereas Tarkowski is currently clocking 7.17.

Therefore, he seems to have the ability to come in and be a solid defender for Newcastle, as he has proven his quality over the course of a number of years at Burnley. He has been able to consistently perform to a high level in the Premier League, and the Toon Army could love to see a player with his experience and pedigree come through the door in January.

AND in other news, Shearer 2.0: Howe could get St James’ rocking with NUFC deal for “incredible” beast…