All posts by z3u9t.icu

The transfer season is a mixed time for managers. On the one hand, it’s their chance to link up with players they’ve always dreamed of working with. On the other, however, they are occasionally left with the decision of banishing players to the U23s, or watching on as a brutal transfer request is slammed on their desk first thing on a Monday morning.Some handle it better than others when it comes to the questions surrounding a player’s future, too. Whilst some managers keep their cards close to their chest, others opt for the killer approach of throwing the departing player out the door in incredibly public fashion.In the case of Ange Postecoglou, he has handled things very well when it comes to the rumours linking Harry Kane with a move to Bayern Munich this summer.

What did Ange Postecoglou say?

Speaking in his first press conference, Postecoglou joked about how long it took him to be asked about Kane, claiming that his staff has a sweepstake running regarding it.

He told Hayters TV: “So it’s question three, it was [to ask about] Harry, was it? Okay, we were running a pool with the coaches. I think Mile Jedinak won actually.

“I had over six because I thought you’d care more about me than Harry.”

The witty response, which received laughs around the room, came after the new Spurs boss held a pool with his coaching staff on how many questions it would take for a journalist to ask about Kane. The Australian lost by some distance, as it took just three questions for the star striker’s future to come into the conversation.

Going on to speak about the rebuild needed at Tottenham Hotspur, the former Celtic manager said, via The Guardian: “When there is resistance, it slows the process down. What I’ve made clear is it won’t change the process, it won’t change me.

“It’ll maybe derail it for a little bit but it won’t derail it for long because I won’t allow it. The quicker they jump on the train, the quicker we’ll get to our destination.”

How many career goals does Kane have?

Kane’s importance to Spurs cannot be reiterated enough, but if you need reminding, it’s key to note that the England captain has scored 354 senior career goals, with 280 of those coming for the North London club. The fact is, he has been one of the best in his position for a number of years, and is one of the best strikers in Premier League history.

So, with that said, if Postecoglou was forced to replace Kane this summer, it would be no easy task, especially given Spurs’ lack of European football next season.

According to Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports, Bayern Munich have made a second bid of €80m (£68.32m), plus add-ons for the Spurs striker, who reportedly wants to make the move.

As things stand, Kane has just one year left on his current contract at the club, and could leave for free next summer. From a Spurs perspective, losing their star man would potentially be a disaster, but losing him for free could be catastrophic too.

This could explain why, according to The Telegraph, Kane will be offered a mammoth £400k-p/w contract if he does commit his future to Spurs.

The rebuild needed in North London could be funded by the striker’s potential move away. Though, with plenty of twists left in the current transfer window, we may well see Kane opt to stay put in the Premier League.

Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion are now "speaking about Moises Caicedo" as the clubs get closer to reaching an agreement around the player's possible transfer to the Blues, claims transfers expert Fabrizio Romano.

Chelsea transfer news – What's the latest on Moises Caicedo?

After a January transfer window that saw the club spend a record £323m and bring eight new faces into the club, it looked incredibly unlikely that the west Londoners would have the ability to go big again only six months later, or at least that's what then manager Graham Potter thought, saying in a press conference:

"I don't think the spending will continue as it has. There was a regeneration [of the squad] and I think we have to say the next window and the window after will be different, that's for sure."

It certainly looked like the ex-Brighton manager was right in his assessment after The Athletic revealed in April that the side were set to make significant losses last year, losses that would only be mitigated if the club were able to make significant player sales by July 1st – which is exactly what they have done.

The bulk of player sales have come thanks to the free-spending Saudi Pro League, with the likes of N'Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edouard Mendy all leaving for the Middle Eastern state.

These deals have once again allowed the Blues to flex their financial powers and target some of the league's most sought-after stars, notably Caicedo.

Last week The Athletic reported that Chelsea had officially registered their interest in the Ecuadorian dynamo.

However, things now look to have advanced beyond that point, with the clubs being in direct and constant communication over a deal, per Fabrizio Romano.

He explained the current situation on his YouTube channel:

"I can confirm that Chelsea and Brighton are speaking about Moises Caicedo. There is direct contact, as already explained a few days ago in a video. This is not an old-style negotiation like 'I sent a bid submitted waiting for an answer', this is a bit different. Chelsea are having direct contact with Brighton, trying to find a way together, common ground to make it happen also because the player is very clear in his communication to Brighton.

"Roberto De Zerbi told him in February that is possible for him to go in case they receive a proposal, so there is almost a green light from Brighton to let him go, but they also want the right proposal. So now the conversation Brighton Chelsea is ongoing and next week is going to be an important moment for Moises Caicedo deal because there will be new contacts between Chelsea and Brighton."

Would Moises Caicedo be a good signing for Chelsea?

Kante's departure from Stamford Bridge has left the team somewhat light in the defensive midfield department, a problem that would be solved with the addition of the brilliant Caicedo.

With the amount of attention the 21-year-old received last season, it should come as no shock that he had an unbelievable year on the south coast.

According to WhoScored, the "special" midfielder averaged an impressive rating of 6.92 across his 37 Premier League appearances last season, scoring once and providing one assist along the way.

His underlying numbers are, once again, unsurprisingly outstanding.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, the "physical monster" – as labelled by sports scientist Dr Rajpal Brar – sits in the top 6% for pass completion, the top 11% for interceptions, and the top 13%, all per 90.

The only problem the Blues could face with this deal is the price tag, with The Athletic reporting that the Seagulls are monitoring the price of Declan Rice as a guide to how they should price their own prized asset.

That said, with the exodus of players from the Bridge so far and the money they will have surely brought in, Todd Boehly should be doing all he can to get this deal done.

Liverpool have begun discussions with Southampton over a move for 19-year-old Romeo Lavia, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Is Romeo Lavia joining Liverpool?

One of the few players to have come out of last season with credit in the bank at Southampton was Romeo Lavia. The Belgian was impressive in his debut Premier League season and was one of the few positives the Saints could take from a bitterly disappointing campaign.

Arriving from Manchester City last summer, the teenager probably didn't expect he would have to play so much at St Mary's Stadium, featuring 34 times at senior level for Southampton.

Lavia's potential has made him a target for some of the Premier League's biggest clubs, with Fabrizio Romano stating on his YouTube channel that Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea all hold an interest in him.

However, the Italian has revealed that it is Liverpool that have opened talks with Southampton over a potential move for Lavia in recent days, with the club sounding out how much a potential deal may cost.

"So, Romeo Lavia is in Arsenal's list," said Romano. "But, from what I understand, also Liverpool have opened talks to sign Romeo Lavia. So, Liverpool have an interest in Lavia."

"Man United asked about the situation, Chelsea did the same a few weeks ago. So, both clubs are informed, but at the moment they are not that close or active on this deal because it depends also on the timing. But for Liverpool, Romeo Lavia is one of the players they are considering."

"We know about [Khephren] Thuram, we know about Manu Kone, especially Thuram in this moment for Liverpool is a concrete target, but we have to add also Romeo Lavia to their list because he is one of the players they appreciate. Let's see if they decide to bid."

One stumbling block could be the price tag, however, with Romano stating that Liverpool would need to fork out over £40m for Lavia, with Southampton desperate to cash in on their star.

Liverpool have already added Alexis Mac Allister to their squad, but they need more than one midfielder given the departures of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner on free transfers.

As Romano mentions, Nice's Thuram and Borussia Monchengladbach's Kone have been linked with Anfield, as have Nicolo Barella, Gabri Veiga and Ryan Gravenberch.

Should Liverpool sign Romeo Lavia?

One of the reasons for Liverpool's performance issues last season was the lack of midfield resilience, as well as the dwindling influence of defensive midfielder Fabinho.

Therefore, the introduction of a highly-talented holding midfielder at the other end of their career could be exactly what the Reds need, as well as easing the workload on the shoulders of Liverpool's number three.

Jurgen Klopp hailed Southampton's midfield for their "proper football" last season, of which Lavia was a huge part, and the starlet's defensive acumen makes him a tempting option for the German coach.

Per 90 minutes last season, Lavia, who has been hailed as a "monster", put in an average of 1.9 blocks, 2.43 tackles and 1.34 interceptions in a team that left him laughably exposed as the anchor. His 7.48 ball recoveries per 90 highlights his impressive ability to read play defensively, something Liverpool are crying out for in midfield.

Leeds United are still searching for their next manager to lead the squad in their Championship campaign next season, and it has been reported that the search will enter its final stages this week ahead of making a decision.

The Whites parted company with their third-appointed manager of the season Sam Allardyce after suffering relegation from the Premier League last month and will be looking for the perfect manager to achieve automatic promotion over the 46-game campaign next season.

Former Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers was one of the hottest prospects for Leeds and had been heavily speculated with a move to Elland Road, however, on Sunday evening it was confirmed that the 50-year-old coach will return to Scotland where he will reunite with Celtic upon agreeing a deal.

As a result, that ship has sailed for the 49ers, and now they must focus on other candidates who can provide the experience needed, improve the performances and boost the confidence of the Leeds squad, with a number of options still available on their short-list.

One coach who has been touted with a move to West Yorkshire and, like Rodgers, is Premier League proven is former Brighton and Hove Albion coach Graham Potter, who was sacked by Chelsea at the beginning of April.

Would Graham Potter be a good fit for Leeds?

There is no doubt that Potter is one of the most respected English managers in the game right now as his work at Brighton in developing the club into a Premier League established side is widely recognised.

Over his 143 fixtures in charge, the 46-year-old coach – hailed a "genius" by journalist Sam Morton – tallied up 43 victories and 43 draws, accumulating 172 points during his time on the south coast, which is an impressive achievement.

Even more impressive is Potter's ability to get the very best out of young and upcoming talent, playing an important role in the development of Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister, Marc Cucurella, Leandro Trossard, Adam Webster and Tariq Lamptey – with all but Mac Allister being signed during Potter's reign.

As a result, the Englishman could be the perfect coach to polish and get the very best from the budding talent at Elland Road with the club boasting a number of exciting young players including Wilfried Gnonto, Joe Gelhardt, Crysencio Summerville and Tyler Adams.

With that being said, it would be a no-brainer to appoint Potter if the opportunity presents itself this summer as his experience would not only improve Leeds' chances of promotion but could seriously improve the young prospects at the club with a bright future ahead of them.

There is no chance that Nicolo Barella will leave Inter Milan for Newcastle United this summer for just £50 million, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 26-year-old is one of Inter's best players and was named in the Serie A Team of the Year for the 2021/22 campaign.

What is the latest news regarding Nicolo Barella?

A report from the Telegraph on Wednesday claimed Newcastle were "closing in" on the potential signing of Barella with a deal believed to cost around £50 million.

The report states that the Italian is one of two players the club has "earmarked" for the summer as a top target, with the other being Leicester City midfielder James Maddison, as the Magpies aim to surround Brazilian star Bruno Guimaraes with top-level talent in an attempt to further unlock the midfielder.

However, since then, reports from Italy have conflicted with what was originally reported by the Telegraph. CalcioMercarto has suggested the 26-year-old's agent has not spoken to any clubs as of now. It also states that Inter want to keep their midfielder, whose contract runs until June 2026, and if they were to sell the midfielder, they would need an £80m-£100m offer to consider letting him leave.

Rumours in the past have also linked the Euros winner with moves to both Liverpool and Manchester United, and the news that Newcastle was closing in on a move caused confusion within the respective fanbases as they wondered why their clubs were not making an attempt to bring in the Inter midfielder.

What has Fabrizio Romano said on the news?

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Inter Milan will not sell Barella for £50m despite Newcastle's strong interest.

The journalist stated: "What I can tell you is that, for sure, there is interest from Newcastle and for sure Eddie Howe is a big fan of Nicolo Barella, they would love to sign Barella. But they also know that at the moment for Inter £50m is absolutely not enough to sell Barella. They extended his contract, it was a few months ago.

"And so the idea of Inter is to keep Barella, no chance to sell Barella for £50m. They want way more than this to be tempted. So let's see if Newcastle will try to improve their proposal or do something serious in the next days. For sure, they like the player, for sure they want the player but £50m, at the moment, is not enough."

Is Barella the right player for Newcastle?

The Italian could be an incredible statement signing by the Magpies as they get set to embark on their first Champions League campaign in over 20 years, with the midfielder being regarded as a "sensational talent".

Barella has a fantastic statistical profile, drawing comparisons with some of the best attacking midfielders across the globe such as Luka Modric, Martin Odegaard, and Bernardo Silva, with the Italian's quality in the final third being a real standout attribute.

Those qualities mentioned, therefore, make the news that Newcastle are intending to use the midfielder as a six rather than as an eight perplexing, as that would limit the player's chance to use his statistical strengths and instead amplify his statistical weaknesses according to FBref.

Newcastle should definitely do all they can to bring Barella to Tyneside, but they have to ensure that they utilise him in the best role for his skillset.

Manchester United are reportedly plotting a shock summer swoop for Leeds United defender Robin Koch, as manager Erik ten Hag seeks to strengthen his defensive ranks ahead of next season.

What's the latest on Koch to Man United?

According to Sky Sports Germany reporter, Florian Plettenberg, the Red Devils are said to have made contact regarding a move for the 26-year-old, with the German centre-back seemingly set for an exit from Elland Road following the club's recent relegation.

Writing on Twitter, the transfer insider revealed: "News #Koch: He‘s on the shortlist of ManUtd! Loose talks took place. Confirmed. #MUFC."

While there has been some suggestion that the former Freiburg man – who has just 12 months to run on his existing deal – could be available on a free transfer due to a possible relegation clause in his contract, further reports have revealed that a fee would be required if a move is to occur.

Would Koch be a good signing for Man United?

There may be those among the Old Trafford faithful who are scratching their heads at that shocking transfer rumour, with it hard to see the benefit in signing a player who was no doubt culpable in Leeds' return to the Championship in 2022/23.

The £40k-per-week dud – who has previously been branded "horrible to watch" by journalist Beren Cross – was part of a backline in Yorkshire that shipped 78 Premier League goals in the most recent campaign, the worst record in the division.

On an individual basis, Koch was no shining light as he racked up an average match rating of just 6.63, as per Sofascore, with that figure ensuring he would rank just 21st among Ten Hag's current squad at the Theatre of Dreams.

There also may be a concern at United at the prospect of snapping up another asset from the Championship, with the Red Devils having perhaps been stung by their signing of Daniel James from Swansea City back in 2019.

While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and co did ultimately make a profit on that £15m signing – having moved the Welshman on to Leeds, ironically, for £25m in the summer of 2021 – the wing wizard rarely looked of the quality required to make the grade in Manchester, scoring just nine goals and registering only nine assists in 74 games in all competitions.

Despite possessing something of an "X-Factor" due to his breathtaking speed – according to Solskjaer – James was simply just "not a Manchester United player", as per talkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor.

Also described as "headless" by pundit Darren Bent, the 25-year-old has hardly set the world alight since his Old Trafford exit after scoring just four times in 40 games for Leeds, before enduring a bit-part role on loan at Fulham in 2022/23 in which he made just 23 outings across all fronts.

While that's not to suggest that any move for a newly-relegated or second-tier player will prove to be a mistake, United must question the wisdom in looking to the Championship to find new recruits – such as Koch – with a Champions League campaign and potential title challenge on the horizon.

Chelsea's extortionate spending has created an unbalanced and demoralised squad that has seen the club at its lowest point since the turn of the century.

The amount of players is unmanageable and some have been brought in for ridiculous figures and have dramatically failed to repay their fees.

The Blues need to adopt a more meticulous and calculated transfer policy, spending lower sums on more quality players.

In recent times, the West London outfit has been linked with Benjamin Pavard, and securing his signature would be a notable step in the right direction for incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino.

What’s the latest on Benjamin Pavard to Chelsea?

Last month, it was first reported by BILD’s Christian Falk that the 2021 Champions League winners were interested in the Bayern Munich man.

This was followed up by a tweet by Fabrizio Romano, which confirmed that the Frenchman will not sign a new deal at his current club and wants to start a new chapter in his career.

Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany has since gone on to reveal that a fee of €40m (£34m) may be required to convince the Bavarian Giants to sanction his departure.

Pavard’s contract expires in 2024, so Bayern may be forced into his sale this summer to avoid losing him on a free next year.

How would Benjamin Pavard fit in at Chelsea?

The former Stuttgart star has made 30 Bundesliga appearances and averaged 2.3 tackles, 2.5 clearances, and 1.5 interceptions as he secured his fourth-straight league title.

Described as “outstanding” by Uli Hoenes, the 27-year-old also excels outside of Germany, as he ranks in the top 7% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for tackles per 90, as well as the best 17% for interceptions per 90, according to FBref.

Coupled with his obvious defensive acumen, the 2018 World Cup winner is also a force going forward, sitting within the best 3% for progressive passes, total shots, shot-creating actions, and non-penalty goals per 90.

His solidity, offensive threat, and his ability to appear across the backline means he has drawn comparisons to Chelsea legend Branislav Ivanovic.

The aforementioned duo both regularly appeared at centre-back or full-back, and their functionality means they are two of the most underrated players in each of their generations.

This trait goes under the radar as functional players make the game look so easy and this versatility is invaluable for any manager.

Nine years, 337 appearances, 34 goals, and ten trophies later – Ivanovic is a Premier League legend, lauded for his consistency, productivity, mentality, and reliability.

Pavard mirrors this set of imperious qualities and being available for such a modest fee, it makes complete sense for Chelsea to make a move.

Manchester United could ditch forward Anthony Martial as he is a 'symbol' of their 'bad recruitment' in years gone by, according to journalist Alex Crook.

What's the latest transfer news involving Anthony Martial?

According to The Sun, Manchester United will listen to offers for Martial this summer as he ticks into the final 12 months of his £250k-a-week contract at Old Trafford.

The report states that the Red Devils are targeting a move for Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane and will focus their efforts on trying to land the £100-million valued star in the off-season.

As per FootballTransfers, Aston Villa are said to be weighing up a loan move for Martial as Unai Emery looks to secure a versatile attacker in the transfer window.

Erik Ten Hag isn't believed to have any plans for the Frenchman moving forward and will look to shift him out if appropriate interest in his services arises.

In 2015, Martial joined Manchester United in a deal that involved paying an initial £36 million fee that eventually could rise to £58 million, as per BBC Sport.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Crook thinks that Manchester United will look to offload Martial in the summer transfer window.

Crook stated when asked if Martial would be sold: "Definitely. I think he's only got a year left on his contract, so they won't want to lose him on a free at the end of the season.

"They're not going to recoup anywhere near the money they spent on him. He is a symbol of United's bad recruitment over the years, where they have been paying over the odds for players and then having to sell them for a much-reduced fee."

Should Anthony Martial be sold by Manchester United this summer?

Martial has been a decent focal point for Manchester United this campaign when available; however, the 27-year-old has endured frequent injury struggles during the last year and should probably be moved on to avoid a scenario where he runs down his contract.

In 2022/23, Martial made 28 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils, registering nine goals and three assists in total, as per Transfermarkt.

Nevertheless, Martial obtained an average match rating of 6.59/10 for his exploits on the field for Manchester United, pitting him 16th out of a 26-man squad, suggesting room for improvement, according to WhoScored.

FBRef also show that Martial ranks in the bottom 32% of forwards across Europe's top five divisions for shots per 90 minutes across the last 365 days, managing just 2.25 per outing.

If Manchester United can recoup some money for Martial, selling him on may be the best solution for both parties due to his inconsistent level of reliability.

Tottenham Hotspur's negotiations with Arne Slot to become their next manager collapsed because of a disagreement over his buyout clause, journalist Rob Dorsett has revealed.

What's the latest on Tottenham's manager search?

Spurs finally looked set on a candidate after months of speculation saw Julian Nagelsmann ruled out as a contender, and Feyenoord manager Slot appeared close to joining.

However, they were dealt a setback as Slot confirmed he would not be leaving his club, and will now sign an extension to keep him in the Eredivisie.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Dorsett claimed that it was Spurs who ended negotiations, rather than Slot turning them down, due to the nature of his buyout clause.

"My understanding is that it was actually Spurs who decided to walk away from Arne Slot and any potential deal with him because of disagreements about the terms of his buyout clause," he stated.

"It's my understanding that there were significant discussions with intermediaries, and that brought out the details of a £5m buyout clause for Arne Slot at Feyenoord, but crucially, that £5m buyout clause written into his contract doesn't come into effect until next summer.

"The price that Feyenoord wanted to charge for any club who takes on Arne Slot at this time, was up for debate. And it's my understanding that those intermediaries which Spurs were using, quoted £10m – double that buyout clause – if Spurs wanted to take on Arne Slot, and more than £5m extra if they wanted to take Slot's backroom staff with them as well.

"It was at that point at Tottenham felt they were being used, and they decided to walk away from the deal."

Who could Spurs go for instead of Slot?

With Nagelsmann and Slot now off the table, and former boss Mauricio Pochettino heading to Chelsea, options are limited as Spurs aim to replace Antonio Conte two months after he was sacked.

Celtic's Ange Postecoglou has been linked following another impressive Premiership victory in Scotland, whilst sacked Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has been mooted as an option.

Rodgers led Leicester to FA Cup victory and helped them finish within the top six of the Premier League, but was sacked after contributing to their downfall which could see the Foxes relegated this season.

His previous experience in the Premier League with Leicester, Liverpool and Swansea City could make him an attractive option if Spurs want someone proven, but without a sporting director appointed following the dismissal of Fabio Paratici, it is unclear what route the Lilywhites will go down.

West Ham responded to their Europa League disappointment on Thursday evening against Eintracht Frankfurt by defeating Norwich 4-0 which boosts their top seven ambitions and a return to European competition next season.

A double from Said Benrahma and further efforts by Michail Antonio and Manuel Lanzini eased the Hammers to another three points, although there were a few injury scares during the match.

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Both Antonio and Benrahma had to come off during the contest and there were initial fears of their involvement in the next few Premier League matches.

David Moyes reveals injury update

Moyes spoke after the routine victory and revealed some good news that will much give the supporters a boost.

“Mick’s got a bit of a knock on his hip. Dawson took one in the calf, and Saïd’s could have been his ankle – I’ve not had the chance to see it yet,” said Moyes

“So hopefully they’ll all be okay. I don’t think they looked that serious.”

With the news that nothing look too serious on the injury front, it could be massive as Moyes and his side currently sit just three points behind Manchester United in sixth place, with a game in hand, so they have an excellent chance to secure Europa League football again.

Benrahma has arguably been one of the side’s key performers this season, scoring 11 goals and producing a further six assists in all competitions.

The winger has an average score of 6.87 on WhoScored which ranks him fifth in the West Ham squad, proving his importance to the team.

His performance against already relegate Norwich drew him praise from the Athletic’s West Ham correspondent Roshane Thomas, who declared that the Algerian winger has “definitely improved this season” when talking about his goal involvement stats.

The 26-year-old only bagged three times last season and this rapid increase in offensive productivity this campaign will have done his confidence the world of good.

Hopefully, he can feature in the last two matches of the season and propel West Ham to sixth place.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Said: West Ham set to move for 22 y/o “hurricane”, he won’t cost a penny…