All posts by z3u9t.icu

Liverpool were involved in one of football’s biggest deals some years ago when they sold Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in a mega-money deal worth £142m.

After joining from Inter Milan back in 2013 for £8.5m, the Brazilian went on to make 201 appearances for the Reds across all competitions.

In those appearances, the playmaker scored 54 goals and delivered 45 assists before making his move to Spain.

Now that Liverpool have successfully moved on from their former hero by winning the Premier League and Champions League after his exit, it seems as though Jurgen Klopp could have the chance to secure what could be the Merseyside club’s next Coutinho.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the Reds could look to make a move for Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio.

With 235 appearances for the Spanish club, the 26-year-old has scored 49 goals and delivered 24 assists in the process.

Despite making 42 appearances for Carlo Ancelotti’s side across all competitions this season, the Spaniard only started 23 of them, suggesting that he’s more of a rotation player than anything else.

In those appearances, he still managed to find the back of the net 12 times, highlighting his attacking talent.

Labelled as a “magical” player by Casemiro, Asensio is currently picking up a weekly wage of £117k-per-week and is also as one of the players of a similar vein to Coutinho according to FB Ref.

To highlight the similarities between the two players, they both ended their recent domestic seasons with an average of over two shots per game and at least one key pass per game. With that in mind, it would appear that the attacking midfielders are both capable of creating and scoring goals in pretty equal measure.

In terms of a potential move to Anfield this summer, the prospect of potentially getting more regular minutes whilst playing in the Premier League under a manager like Klopp could be a very tempting one for the Spain international.

Combine that with current Liverpool winger Sadio Mane looking to leave the club this summer, his potential exit could pave the way for a player like Asensio to work his way into the first team.

Should an opportunity to strike a deal with the Spanish club to sign the 26-year-old arise, Liverpool should definitely explore the option to see if he can be an extra goal threat for them at Anfield.

In other news: Klopp could finally axe £125k-p/w Liverpool flop by signing “unbelievable” £60m star

Nottingham Forest are now about to embark on one of their most important transfer windows in decades as they have been promoted back into the Premier League, and there has been a new claim made on the future of one particular target.

What’s the latest?

According to The Express journalist Ryan Taylor, there could be a “strange” transfer twist this summer if Tottenham Hotspur manage to secure the signing of Djed Spence over Nottingham Forest.

When asked if Spurs could loan Spence back to Forest next season, Taylor told GIVEMESPORT;

“I could see that happening, but the only thing I’d sort of say on that is given Royal, although he’s improved a lot recently, and Doherty, haven’t nailed down that right wing-back spot, it would be slightly strange to sign a player that could compete with them to then offload them.”

Supporters will be divided

Nottingham Forest are reportedly keen to make the permanent signing of their Championship loanee this summer, so if the club were to concede defeat by loaning him back instead of signing the player it could divide supporters.

The fans of the club will likely want to see a team built for the future that can maintain their Premier League status to become a top-flight club for years to come, so loaning the player instead of securing permanent contracts could put Forest at risk if the full-back was recalled by Spurs should he sign for them this summer.

However, some supporters may feel that acquiring players in the short term who understand the system and work well under Cooper should be retained at any cost in their first season back, whether that runs the risk of losing them mid-season or not.

Either way, the 21-year-old has been a standout performer in Nottingham Forest’s Championship campaign and play-off challenges to gain promotion back into the Premier League for the first time in 23 years.

The defender has scored two goals, delivered four assists and created six big chances during an impressive term with Forest.

He’s also made 1.4 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 1 key pass on average per game, winning the majority of his duels and proving successful in the majority of his dribbles too, so it’s no wonder that Cooper is keen to keep him on for the next chapter at the club.

Ultimately, the decision on Spence’s future is out of the hands of the newly-promoted side and they will have to wait and hope that the player wants to be part of the project and the future at Forest, whether that is by penning a permanent deal or returning to The City Ground on loan next season.

AND in other news: Nottingham Forest eye summer move for “fantastic” £10m gem, Cooper will love him

West Ham enjoyed a tremendous 2021/22 campaign, reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League and finishing seventh in the Premier League.

David Moyes won’t want to stop there, though, with the knowledge that he needs to bolster his attacking options if his team are to take the next step and claim some sort of silverware.

With only Michail Antonio as a registered senior striker at the London Stadium, many of the team’s goals have been arriving from wide men Jarrod Bowen (18 this season) and Said Benrahma (11).

Although a new striker remains a priority, Moyes does appear to be in the hunt for options across the front three, with Hull City gem Keane Lewis-Potter being a prime target.

It was revealed by Football Insider in April that West Ham are interested in the 30-goal dynamo, who is “similar to Hazard” according to Hull youth coach Craig Fagan.

West Ham will be hoping to replicate the success that former Hull forward Jarrod Bowen has had at the London Stadium by signing Lewis-Potter in the summer.

The asking price for the England winger has now been set at £75m by Moyes, which is incredible when you think of the 25-year-old’s rise to stardom.

The comparisons to the Belgium superstar are clear to see, with Lewis-Potter averaging 1.3 dribbles per game this season in the Championship, whilst also contributing an impressive 12 goals.

At just 21 years old, the future looks incredibly bright for the Hull maestro, and Moyes will be aiming to sell him the chance to appear in European competition next term.

With these statistics, Lewis-Potter appears to have the potential to follow in Bowen’s footsteps and become a success at West Ham if he does make the move to the Premier League.

Moyes should act sooner rather than later to bring him to east London, and he could possibly make the club a profit on the forward in a few years’ time.

AND in other news, Contact made: West Ham now in talks for “spectacular” £16m deal, it would be a major coup

Celtic are interested in signing Ferencvaros striker Ryan Mmaee during the summer transfer window, according to a fresh claim doing the rounds.

The Lowdown: Attacking reinforcements needed?

Ange Postecoglou is already working hard on getting some summer business done, with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota hoping to seal permanent moves to Parkhead.

With a Premiership title defence and a return to the Champions League coming in 2022/23, a number of new players may be required across several positions.

It could be that a new striker comes in to increase the competition for places up front and bring more firepower to the squad, with a new transfer claim suggesting as much.

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The Latest: Celtic eye up Mmaee signing

According to The Daily Record, Celtic are keen on signing Mmaee this summer, with ‘extensive data analysis undertaken’ in recent months as Postecoglou is keen to strengthen the firepower within his squad.

The 24-year-old scored once for Ferencvaros in this season’s Europa League, in which he played twice (and grabbed one assist) against the Hoops.

More impressively, he netted 19 times and registered 11 assists for the Hungarian champions, a scoring return bettered only by Kyogo Furuhashi at Parkhead this term.

The Verdict: Shrewd summer addition

Mmaee could be an ideal player to bring in for the Hoops this summer, with Postecoglou already seeing up close the threat the 24-year-old can provide following the two Europa League clashes against Ferencvaros.

The forward also has four goals in 11 caps for Morocco, highlighting his international pedigree, so a move to Celtic is unlikely to be too daunting for him.

For all of the Hoops’ brilliance in 2021/22, Liel Abada was their leading scorer in the Premiership with just 10 goals, so Mmaee could be the man to add that greater attacking threat that Postecoglou is apparently seeking.

In other news, one player is reportedly close to joining Celtic. Find out who it is here.

A big Rangers claim has emerged regarding the Ibrox giants and what could happen during the summer transfer window in Glasgow…

What’s the talk?

Transfer insider Pete O’Rourke has suggested that Gio van Bronckhorst is set to demand a big budget from Ross Wilson if they end the season without any trophies to show for their efforts.

The Gers failed to win the Premiership title and then lost 5-4 on penalties in the Europa League final earlier this week. They now face off against Hearts in the final of the Scottish Cup on Saturday in their final outing of the 2021/22 campaign.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “If they do end up not winning anything this year, I think van Bronckhorst will be asking for the club to dig deep in their pockets to give him the money to change the squad around.”

Supporters will be excited

Ibrox supporters will surely be left feeling excited by this claim, as the prospect of bringing in players for relatively big money is an exciting one.

The last player on whom Rangers spent more than £5m is Ryan Kent, and it is fair to say that the former Liverpool winger has been a success for the Light Blues.

During last season’s title-winning campaign, the attacker provided 10 goals and nine assists from out wide for the Glasgow giants. He created 1.8 chances and completed 1.9 dribbles per game in the Scottish top flight as he was a constant threat in the final third, with his goals and assists making him a key member of Steven Gerrard’s invincibles.

In total, he has scored 30 goals and produced 47 assists in 173 outings for Rangers. The 25-year-old has proven his quality in Scotland over the course of multiple seasons, and this highlights the level of quality which can be brought into Ibrox with a higher level of spending in the market.

If Van Bronckhorst pushes for bigger deals to improve his squad, as O’Rourke suggests that he might, then the Gers may be able to find the next Kent. Having more money to spend expands the club’s horizons and allows them to target players who are excelling elsewhere, instead of needing to rely on free agents and loans.

Therefore, supporters will be excited by these comments and will now be looking forward to the summer transfer window in the hope that Wilson will splash the cash to bolster the squad in the hope of winning multiple trophies next term.

AND in other news, Forget Aribo: “Astonishing” 93-touch Rangers gem who “eats up ground” was the standout in Europa League final…

Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson expects a busy transfer window for Newcastle United this summer, with the arrival of ‘three quality signings’ and a number of potential exits.

The Lowdown: Newcastle’s transfer activity

After a big transfer window in January which saw the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Matt Targett and Chris Wood at St. James’ Park, Newcastle have turned their attention to the summer market, with the club expected to bring in a number of additions.

As quoted by Chronicle Live, Magpies boss Eddie Howe has insisted that any fresh signings this summer must “understand what it means to play for the club”.

However, numerous departures will firstly need to take place for this to occur, with Isaac Hayden, Jamal Lewis and Ciaran Clark already omitted from Newcastle’s Premier League squad list.

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The Latest: ‘Work in progress…’

According to Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson, Newcastle will be very busy in the transfer market this summer, saying they already ‘will be’ plotting three signings.

Speaking with Football Insider, he hailed the work already ‘in progress’ and revealed his summer expectations:

“I doubt we will see the influx of players that was maybe first expected when the owners came in.

“They obviously have to be wary of FFP so I think we’ll see smart signings from Newcastle. They have to shop carefully and cleverly. It is a work in progress.

“Eddie Howe did very well in January and he has proven that he can be trusted with a budget.

“They will be looking for two or three quality signings that can help them bridge the gap to the top six. I think that has to be their aim next season.

“As well as signing players they need to get rid of players. They have to get players off the wage bill. I suspect it will be a busy summer of both incomings and outgoings.”

The Verdict: Successful January window

Exactly halfway through the season, Newcastle sat in 19th place with just 11 points from 19 games, staring relegation in the face.

However, Howe’s side were evidently much improved with the signings made in January. As a result, the Magpies went on an incredible winning streak, remarkably ending the season in 11th place with a total of 49 points.

This illustrates just how well the new board and Howe performed in the transfer market, building a side who had plenty more than what it takes to stay in the Premier League.

As a result, if Newcastle are able to replicate what they did in January this summer, then the Tyneside outfit should be pushing up the top half of the table and beyond next season.

In other news: Newcastle United: Allan Saint-Maximin can leave at the right price

Leeds United are interested in a deal to bring Ugurcan Cakir to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to former Turkish international Ali Kemal Denizci, who claimed in a recent interview with Radyospor (via Leeds Live) that both Leeds and Newcastle United are lining up a move for the Trabzonspor goalkeeper at the end of the current campaign.

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Denizci goes on to claim that the 26-year-old is keen on leaving Turkey after helping his side lift their first Turkish Super Lig title for 38 years, with the Whites and the Magpies looking to be the most likely destinations for the 18-time capped Turkey international.

“One to keep an eye on”

While it is undeniable that Illan Meslier is a fantastic young goalkeeper with an incredibly exciting future in the game, considering just how impressive Cakir has been for Trabzonspor in recent years, it is easy to see why Victor Orta would be interested in a deal to bring the shot-stopper to Elland Road this summer.

Indeed, over his 35 Super Lig appearances this season, the £16.2m-rated talent was imperious between the Trabzonspor sticks, keeping ten clean sheets, as well as making an average of 3.5 saves – the joint third-most in the league – and conceding just 0.9 goals per game.

These returns have seen the £22k-per-week shot-stopper who Conor McGilligan dubbed both “incredible” and “one to keep an eye on” average a quite spectacular SofaScore match rating of 7.17, ranking him as Abdullah Avci’s sixth-best performer in the top flight of Turkish football.

As such, while it would reportedly take an offer in the region of $50m (£40m) to secure the signing of the 26-year-old this summer, should Leeds go on to seal their place in the Premier League ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, this would appear to be a price well worth paying for Orta – as Cakir would undoubtedly help to shore up the Whites’ incredibly leaky defence next season.

AND in other news: Leeds handed huge boost as early Brentford team news emerges, Marsch will be buzzing

As interest surrounds Dominic Calvert-Lewin ahead of the summer transfer window, Frank Lampard could be heading for his first Everton nightmare in charge of the club.

What’s the word?

The Telegraph have reported that Newcastle United are planning an ambitious bid to bring the England striker to St James Park.

This could well depend on whether or not Everton are relegated from the Premier League, as it’s unlikely that Calvert-Lewin would want to feature in the Championship.

The Daily Mail claimed in March that his transfer fee could be north of £60m, and with the money being spent recently at Newcastle, that surely wouldn’t put them off.

Supporters will be livid

Lampard has had a difficult start to life with Everton, although a recent resurgence looks set to ensure they remain in the Premier League by the skin of their teeth.

What the manager can’t afford is his finest talents leaving Goodison Park, though, especially for divisional rivals.

Calvert-Lewin is essential to Everton improving as a squad, and despite him only netting three Premier League goals in an injury-plagued season, his record in previous campaigns suggests that Lampard has a wonderful talent on his hands who should be kept at all costs.

Signed from Sheffield United for only £1.5m back in 2016, the striker’s ascendency to the top has been remarkable. Since then, he has scored 56 goals in 188 matches for the Toffees, adding a further 17 assists as the team has generally underperformed under a series of managers.

England recognition followed in 2020 and he has since netted four times in just 11 appearances for the Three Lions, whilst also being part of the squad which finished runners-up to Italy in the delayed Euro 2020 tournament.

This shows just how highly Calvert-Lewin is rated, and with his former manager Carlo Ancelotti labelling him a “top striker”, there could be no limits as to his career progression

Lampard might face a testing summer transfer window, and it would be a nightmarish move from him if he allows his star striker to join a Premier League rival – assuming, of course, that Everton maintain their place in the top flight.

AND in other news: Everton can finally axe “poor” £68k-p/w dud by signing 22-year-old with “huge potential”

Journalist Pete O’Rourke believes Stuart Dallas will be a ‘big miss’ for Leeds United in the relegation battle after he picked up a serious injury last weekend.

The Lowdown: 12 months out?

Dallas faces a lengthy period in the Thorp Arch treatment room after he suffered a femoral fracture against Manchester City.

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The Northern Irishman, who has started 121 of Leeds’ last 122 league games, was stretched off at Elland Road and had surgery on the injury within 48 hours.

A Leeds source believes Dallas’ injury could be worse than first feared in a ‘devastating’ blow that may rule him out for the majority of next season.

Jesse Marsch is gearing up for his first full campaign as Whites boss, however, it remains to be seen whether or not Leeds will still be a Premier League club heading into the 2022/23 season.

The Latest: O’Rourke’s comments

Talking to The Transfer Tavern, O’Rourke had this to say on Dallas, describing the versatile full-back as a ‘big miss’ both on and off the pitch ahead of the trip to Arsenal.

“He’s versatile and willing to play anywhere for the club. I think off the pitch now it’s going to be a big miss because he’s a big character and a leader in that dressing room.

“The situation that Leeds find themselves in right now, they need all those leaders and characters to come to the fore and help them get out of trouble. So yeah, it’ll be a big miss, not just on the pitch, but also off it.”

The Verdict: Transfer plans changed?

Marsch already has a fairly small squad as it is, and the injury problems at Elland Road haven’t stopped after he replaced Marcelo Bielsa at the end of February.

Alongside Dallas, Tyler Roberts, Crysencio Summerville and Adam Forshaw are out for the rest of the season, while Junior Firpo and Patrick Bamford have also suffered serious injuries during Marsch’s time in Yorkshire.

On that basis, you’d expect that a number of additions could be made over the summer to bolster the squad, regardless of what division they are in. Dallas was normally the answer to any problems at left-back, right-back or in midfield, so Victor Orta may well be on the hunt for a versatile signing to replace the much-beloved Leeds star this summer.

In other news: Leeds officials sent abroad as Radrizzani plots move for 56-goal attacker. 

An update has emerged regarding Newcastle United and their pursuit of Sporting Lisbon gem Goncalo Inacio…

What’s the talk?

According to Record, via Sport Witness, the Magpies are plotting a swoop for the Portuguese centre-back this summer.

The report claims that a deal for the 20-year-old is likely to cost a fee in the region of €45m (£38m) when you take add-ons into consideration, with Sporting unwilling to negotiate at any level below that as Ruben Amorim deems him to be indispensable.

Eddie Howe would love him

Newcastle must seal this deal for Inacio, as Magpies head coach Eddie Howe would surely love to have him at St James’ Park. The youngster has the talent to make an immediate impact on Tyneside whilst also holding the potential to develop further.

At the age of 20, he still has the majority of his career left ahead of him, so he is a player in whom the club can invest for the long run, potentially making a big profit on him in the future if he can hone his skills over the coming years.

However, Inacio has been able to consistently deliver for Sporting at first-team level as a young gem. Journalist Zach Lowy previously claimed that he is “underrated”, and he has been lauded by people who have worked with him in close proximity. 

His former coach José Lima (as quoted by Portuguese outlet RR) also showered the defender with praise, saying: “The psychological aspect is one of his great strengths, as he shows a lot of tranquility in any situation, in addition to his technical skills, in the formation, he could play as a left-back because his dominant foot is his left.

“Although at Sporting, now, he plays on the right side, even though that is not the dominant foot. He has, therefore, evolved and has been more confident with the passing of the games. He is an increasingly stronger player. He has always played with quality.”

In the Portuguese top flioght this season, Inacio has averaged a sublime SofaScore rating of 7.14 across 26 starts. He has helped his team to keep 13 clean sheets in that time and made 2.3 tackles and interceptions per game, showing that he has been a key part of their resolute defence.

Therefore, Howe would surely love to work with the centre-back, as he is a young player with potential who has put himself in a terrific position from which to build the rest of his career. The 20-year-old is already proving that he can perform to a high standard on a regular basis for Sporting, and hopefully he can bring that consistency and quality to the Premier League next season if he joins Newcastle.

AND in other news, “Phenomenal” £18m-rated Premier League star now wants NUFC move, he’d be their new Gazza…