All posts by z3u9t.icu

Ange Postecoglou has a number of problems on his plate now he’s officially become the new Celtic manager.

One issue he’ll need to solve at Parkhead is in defence where not only are numbers depleted, but their current options don’t provide much hope.

What’s the word?

Celtic are reportedly moving closer to an agreement to sign Mario Vuskovic from Hajduk Split but a number of other defenders have also been on their radar.

From a full-back perspective, they’ve identified Valentin Rosier and Aaron Hickey.

Another defender the Hoops have looked at is Sheffield United’s George Baldock. Record Sport reported late on Sunday that he was now under consideration from the Bhoys hierarchy.

The 28-year-old’s name is high on their shortlist and has emerged back on their radar two years after they initially targeted him.

Baldock was a player brought to the table in 2019 after Mikael Lustig departed Glasgow.

Fixing a huge problem

If there is one area where Celtic look particularly light heading into the new season, it’s at right-back.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-transfer-news-posetcoglou-ryan-delap-wyke” title= “Read the latest Celtic transfer news!”]

Neil Lennon agreed to sell Jeremie Frimpong to Bayer Leverkusen back in January but they only replaced the Dutchman in temporary fashion with the loan of Jonjoe Kenny.

The Everton defender didn’t particularly impress at Paradise and has now headed back to Merseyside as a result.

Consequently, Baldock could fill the vacant hole on the right-hand side of defence.

The Sheffield United man is a versatile footballer, capable of playing through the middle, as a right-back or right-wing back.

Baldock has caught the eye over the last two years in the Premier League with the Blades and before their relegation last term, he was one of their most consistent players.

The experienced defender contributed to five goals in the 2019/20 campaign, proving to be a constant threat in the final third.

One of his strikes even earned a comparison to one of the best British players to play the game.

After finding the net against Norwich in December 2019, Garth Crooks commented: “I wasn’t sure if it was George Baldock or George Best! I thought I was seeing things when I saw Baldock drag the ball back, pirouette and strike a glorious shot past Tim Krul. The finish – not to mention the skill – was superb along with Sheffield United’s performance.”

Not only is Baldock a shrewd operator in front of goal but he possesses the energy and work ethic to fit seamlessly into their right-hand side.

Speaking about his game previously, Hearts boss Robbie Neilson said: “He’s a very athletic player, has a superb attitude and works really hard at his game. He is a very good footballer and he would fit in well at Celtic.

“George’s biggest strength is he possesses real quality going forward. He is also very competitive, which is another attribute I’m sure the Celtic supporters will like about him.”

Those comments came after initial links to Baldock two years ago.

Since then, he’s developed his game astutely, winning over 1.5 tackles per game in each of the last two campaigns.

That tally betters Frimpong while the 1.6 tackles per match registered by Baldock in 2019/20 puts him on a level playing field with Kenny.

With Postecoglou in desperate need of full-backs, the Sheffield United defender’s services would be valuable if he signs on the dotted line.

AND in other news, Ange can fix big Celtic issue by signing £4m gem who’s been “outstanding” at Euro 2020…

Everton could discover their new Wayne Rooney in the upcoming January transfer window after they were linked with a move for Derby County midfielder Jason Knight.

What’s the story?

According to Football League World, the Toffees are set to target the 20-year-old over the coming months as new manager Rafa Benitez looks to bolster his engine room options.

However, Everton will have extensive competition for Knight’s signature, with up to seven Premier League sides believed to be interested in his services.

The report states that: “Knight has emerged as a target for a host of Premier League clubs, with FLW sources indicating that Everton, Wolves, Crystal Palace, Leicester, Leeds, Burnley, and Newcastle are all keen.

“ExWHUemployee has now revealed that West Ham are also in the race for the Republic of Ireland international, who has one and a half years left on his current deal at Pride Park.”

Everton could discover their new Wayne Rooney

Despite his tender years, Knight has already made 94 appearances for the Rams in all competitions and made an instant impression on current boss Rooney.

After the Everton academy graduate joined Derby on an initial player-coach deal, he showered the Republic of Ireland international in praise, even comparing him to a younger version of himself.

“I’ve been really impressed with the way they’ve trained, particularly Knighty,” revealed Rooney. “His energy, his attitude. He almost reminds me of myself when I was younger in terms of no fear.

“And he’s got an aggression about him, not in terms of how he’s tackling, but in terms of how he runs, how he gets about the pitch. I’m looking forward to seeing how they do as I feel he can give us a lot of energy and a lot of creativity.”

His current teammate Graeme Shinnie has also been impressed with the form of his youthful colleague as the pair continue to strike up a healthy partnership in the Derby County engine room.

“He has a massive expectation of himself and he demands a lot which is really good as a young player, and his attitude is first class, so it shows a lot about him,” said Shinnie. “He works very hard, as well, which is extremely good, especially for a young player.”

With the Midlands outfit in need of a cash injection following their ongoing financial woes, Knight could be available in a cut-price deal during January, and Everton may well be able to pick up their next talisman for a bargain fee.

He might not quite represent the impeccable offensive threat that Rooney was during his time in Merseyside – bagging 28 strikes – but he’s certainly a young man with swagger, aggression and exuberance to his game; three areas the now Rams manager typified at times.

And, in other news…”Understand” – Patrick Boyland delivers Digne update that’ll leave Everton fans fuming

Rangers have had the pleasure of enjoying the talents of some greats of the game over the years at Ibrox, as they have been able to watch a selection of quality players in Glasgow.

The likes of Rino Gattuso, Paul Gascoigne and Brian Laudrup all represented the Gers throughout their careers, to varying degrees of success, but what about the players who almost joined the club?

One player who came close to arriving at Ibrox in 1997 was legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazario, with Rangers one of three clubs attempting to sign him.

He had established himself as a hugely prolific scorer by that point, scoring 54 goals in 57 matches for PSV Eindhoven and 47 times in 49 outings for Barcelona.

His agent Giovanni Branchini confirmed the three teams who were interested in the forward, saying: “The clause in his contract was a novelty at the time and it scared a lot of clubs off. The three who were really interested were Inter, Lazio and Glasgow Rangers, who followed negotiations all the way.”

The Gers had a nightmare as they failed to convince the then-Barcelona attacker to make the switch to Scotland. He signed for Italian giants Inter Milan for a fee of £23.8m (Transfermarkt) and went on to win the Ballon d’Or later that year.

This was the first time he received the accolade as he was crowned the best player in Europe, with his manager Fabio Capello dubbing him a “phenomenon”.

After moving to Italy, he found the back of the net 59 times in 99 appearances for Inter before Real Madrid snapped him up in the summer of 2002.

In his debut campaign for the Spanish giants, he scored 29 goals in 42 games across La Liga and the Champions League. This led to him winning the second Ballon d’Or of his career as he became Real’s main man at the top end of the pitch.

He ended his time at the Bernabeu with 103 goals and 34 assists in 177 matches – a stunning return for the injury-ravaged centre-forward.

Ronaldo had spells at AC Milan and Corinthians before calling time on his playing days. He ended his career with a whopping 362 goals for club and country, with 67 goals in 104 caps for the Brazil national team/Olympic squad.

These statistics illustrate why Rangers had a nightmare in 1997 as they missed out on the chance to enjoy watching one of the best players in the world lead the line for the club. He was deemed to be the best player in Europe on two occasions and the Gers fans could have been watching him in blue.

One that got away…

AND in other news, Insider drops worrying behind-the-scenes Ibrox claim, it’s very bad news for Rangers…

Taking to Twitter, journalist Rudy Galetti of Sportitalia TV has dropped a major update on Newcastle United’s pursuit of manager Paulo Fonseca.

The Lowdown: Magpies in Fonseca talks…

As widely reported, Newcastle have been in talks over the potential appointment of Fonseca after they sacked Steve Bruce (Chronicle Live).

The former AS Roma tactician has been tipped as one of the overwhelming favourites for the role and reliable reporters like Fabrizio Romano insist that there is progress being made in negotiations.

Sharing an update on social media, Galetti has now backed this news whilst going a step further.

The Latest: Fonseca ‘ready to sign’ for Newcastle…

Indeed, the Italian reporter claimed that Fonseca is now ‘ready to sign’ a three-year contract with the Magpies and the announcement ‘could already be made official’ quite soon.

“Paulo Fonseca is ready to sign a 3-year contract with Newcastle,” Galetti explained on Twitter.

“The former Roma coach should be present in the Selhurst Park stands to follow the match against Crystal Palace.

“The announcement could already be made official soon.”

The Verdict: Big claim…

Coming as a big claim, Newcastle supporters could be enticed by the prospect of potentially appointing Fonseca as Bruce’s immediate heir.

Lauded as an ‘international class’ tactician by Roma chief executive officer Tiago Pinto, the 48-year-old has also been described as mixing both Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp’s tactics in ‘a symphony of Beethoven and Metallica’ (Liverpool Echo).

Also a three-time league title winner with Shakhtar Donetsk, it’s clear that Newcastle and PIF could certainly do far worse than hiring Fonseca.

In other news: Newcastle now preparing £67.7m bid for ‘extraordinary’ ace with eight goal contributions already this season, find out more here.

According to The Sun and reporter Tom Barclay, some promising transfer news has now come out of Tottenham Hotspur involving West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

The Lowdown: Spurs favourites?

The Lilywhites have been very heavily linked with a move for Johnstone over this last week with reliable sources believing Tottenham are actually favourites.

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Indeed, football.london correspondent Alasdair Gold says Spurs and transfer chief Fabio Paratici are in pole position to sign the 29-year-old who is set to leave West Brom as a free agent this summer.

This comes as Spurs loanee Pierluigi Gollini seems set to return to parent club Atalanta with Antonio Conte now looking like he’ll have to take to the market for a back-up to Hugo Lloris.

The Latest: Barclay makes Spurs claim…

According to reporter Barclay of The Sun, Tottenham are ‘increasingly confident’ they will sign Johnstone, with those inside the north London club now believing he ‘will opt’ to join Conte.

Spurs apparently view the Three Lions ace as a potential future successor to Lloris, though will initially be used as a back-up option.

The Verdict: Ideal option…

On a free deal, Johnstone comes as a very ideal option for Spurs with international experience and proven performances in the Premier League.

Ex-Baggies boss Sam Allardyce was very up front in his praise for the 29-year-old last season despite West Brom’s eventual relegation with various pundits also proving to be big fans of Johnstone.

Wolves legend Steve Bull, for example, lavished the homegrown ace as a ‘world class’ shot stopper – leaving plenty of evidence to suggest he comes as an astute option for Tottenham.

In other news: Tottenham eye ‘in the coming weeks’ as they make offer for exciting midfielder, find out more here.

Graham Roberts believes Tottenham miss Christian Eriksen after the Denmark international moved to Inter Milan in January of 2020.

The Lowdown: Eriksen departure

Eriksen made the move to Spurs from Ajax in 2013 and ended up becoming one of the side’s best players, scoring 69 goals and providing 90 assists in 305 games (Transfermarkt).

However, he made it clear he wanted to depart, and moved to Inter in January 2020.

The Latest: Roberts thinks Spurs miss Eriksen

On Twitter, a Spurs fan said the club miss Eriksen.

Roberts answer was short but sweet and straight to the point. He simply said:

“Agree”

The Verdict: Never replaced

It is hard to disagree with this statement. After all, the £36m-valued 29-year-old (Transfermarkt) was an integral part of the side for seven years and even helped Spurs reach the Champions League final in 2019, which they ultimately lost to Liverpool 2-0 in Madrid.

It was after that match that he stated his desire to seek a new challenge (The Guardian).

Since then, things have not gone well for either. Spurs have only played one more Champions League campaign, while Eriksen has managed just eight goals in 60 games for Inter. Unfortunately, the Lilywhites fan favourite has not played since he suffered a cardiac arrest playing for Denmark this summer (Sky).

Perhaps a reunion of the two parties would not be the worst thing in the world if the playmaker’s health allows him to return to action.

In other news, this man has been urged to leave Tottenham.

West Ham have missed out on signing West Brom playmaker Matheus Pereira, first reported by ExWHUemployee. 

The midfielder chipped in with 12 goals and six assists from his 34 appearances for the Baggies last term, although his efforts weren’t quite enough to avoid relegation into the Championship.

West Ham were interested in a deal to sign Pereira, as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2021/22 campaign and find a suitable alternative to Jesse Lingard.

But they have now missed out on the Brazilian’s signature as he has penned a deal with Saudi-Arabian side Al-Hilal.

Ex-WHUemployee first shared to Hammers fans that they were no longer pushing to sign the 25-year-old, and it’s fair to say they didn’t take it well.

Take a look at the best of the reaction from Twitter below, where Irons supporters are growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of transfer activity this summer…

Hammers fans react

“This club is such a joke. Until we get no ownership there is no point is us being excited. Our best season ever is followed with the areola signing I love and sales and nothing else. Can’t wait for them to sell rice for a cheap fee also because they just see $$$ coming in.”

Credit: @HubVikings

“We are actually embarrassing at times.”

Credit: @Borzenii

“What are we doing.”

Credit: @RB_Younger

“At this point…… Who is going to join us, we have become a club that people don’t want to join, and who can blame them with the chuckle brothers and girl blunder at the helm.”

Credit: @DrTWarley

“I believe in the squad, I think we will have a good season, it just could have been better, westham will never be a consistent top table team with the poor investments!”

Credit: @RossFright

“Why do we always leave things so late, I’d of taken Danny Ings in a heartbeat.”

Credit: @gavin_stanley

“I think we are in some serious trouble. Can’t maintain presence in two competitions with our paper-thin squad.”

Credit: @MrshllClrke

“This club is so embarrassing.”

Credit: @AnthonyDRegan1

A transfer expert has revealed that Thomas Strakosha now ‘wants’ a move to Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Too many goals conceded

Saturday’s 3-3 draw against Brentford at St James’ Park meant that the Magpies have now conceded no fewer than 27 goals in their first 12 Premier League games, the joint-worst record with Norwich City, as they sit bottom of the table (Premier League).

Karl Darlow was guilty of a bad mistake for Ivan Toney’s equalising goal to make it 1-1, as he let the ball slip through his fingers, suggesting that either he needs to be dropped, or the Tynesiders need to bring in a new first-choice goalkeeper in the January transfer window.

Newcastle have recently been linked with a move for Barcelona and Germany shot-stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, but given that they currently find themselves in a relegation battle, it could be very difficult to lure him away from the La Liga giants.

The Latest: Strakosha ‘wants’ move

As per journalist and transfer expert Ekrem Konur, Strakosha now ‘wants’ to move to the Magpies from Lazio.

He is out of contract in the summer and therefore can leave on a free transfer, but the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium may want to explore a potential cut-price deal in January.

The Verdict: Not a priority

As Eddie Howe already has Darlow, Martin Dubravka and Freddie Woodman already in his squad, signing another ‘keeper should not be a priority for now.

However, if they can offload a couple of those, then signing Strakosha – potentially on the cheap – would represent good business.

Once dubbed a ‘phenomenon’ by former Lazio goalkeeper Silvio Proto, the Albania international is playing at a high level in the Europa League, while he has also featured in the Champions League and Serie A (Transfermarkt).

His 6 foot 4 frame makes him a colossus, and possibly imposing to Premier League strikers, while he is only 26 years of age as well and will likely get better as he matures in between the posts.

Nonetheless, other clubs will surely be interested in an established ‘keeper who can leave for free in just a few months’ time, so the Magpies would need to pounce fast if they want Strakosha.

In other news, these were Newcastle’s three worst performers against Brentford

According to Italian news outlet Corriere Fiorentino, as relayed by Sport Witness, Tottenham Hotspur chiefs have held a meeting with the entourage of striking target Dusan Vlahovic.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye Vlahovic deal…

It is no secret that Spurs and new boss Antonio Conte wish to sign the talented 21-year-old amid his precarious future at current club Fiorentina.

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Club president Rocco Commisso recently confirmed that the player has rejected offers to make him the highest paid player in their history, perhaps indicating that Vlahovic has one eye on a move away.

His current deal expires in 2023, meaning Fiorentina are under some pressure to sell, with Spurs, Conte and managing director Fabio Paratici apparently in agreement to target him (TUTTOmercatoWEB).

The Latest: Spurs meet with Vlahovic reps…

As per Corriere Fiorentino (via SW), Tottenham chiefs have met with the player’s entourage in London as the Lilywhites table a ‘proposal’ to sign Vlahovic.

However, it has been deemed ‘insufficient’ by his agents and, according to the Italian source, ‘no one has given the feeling of being able to get close to the almost €80m (£67.1m) that Rocco Commisso is asking for’.

The Verdict: Blow for Spurs…

Vlahovic stands out as one of Tottenham’s, perhaps, most crucial targets over the next year given their need for a striking back up to Harry Kane.

The 28-year-old is no stranger to the occasional injury at Spurs and one period on the sidelines could spell disaster in the forward areas.

As well as this, Vlahovic is a proven marksman and one of the most in-form strikers in Europe right now – having netted 12 goals and three assists in 14 appearances already this season (Transfermarkt).

Lauded as ‘incredible’ by Serie A expert Conor Clancy (This is Futbol), we highly recommend Spurs return to the table with an improved bid.

In other news: Spurs agreement to sign £200,000-per-week star possible as Paratici makes exciting plea to club chiefs, find out more here.

Flocking to Twitter, some West Ham United fans have reacted to an ExWHUemployee update involving Chelsea striker and transfer target Tammy Abraham.

The 23-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a move to east London this summer as his club eye a sale, remains on the radar of manager David Moyes as he seeks a new striker.

Journalist Ekrem Konur even claimed that he is the priority summer target for West Ham with the club set to open talks ‘next week’.

The Irons need to sign a new forward given Michail Antonio’s concerning injury record over 2020/2021, with ExWHUemployee now dropping another update on their pursuit of Abraham.

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He explained, via his West Ham Way Podcast, that the forward is their number one striker choice this summer and is actually very keen to join the club.

In reaction to this update, some Hammers fans had their say on social media with the majority seemingly eager to land Abraham as their new striker signing.

Find all of their best verdicts, in reply to West Ham Central, down below.

ExWHUemployee’s update has some West Ham fans talking

“Get it done!”

Credit: @louiefootball

“Serious player”

Credit: @ellisreidwhu

“To come home to all this news from @ExWHUemployee what a day”

Credit: @joshcaine9

“On my knees”

Credit: @whuryan_

“PLEASE”

Credit: @NathKHart

“Tammy and Pereira”

Credit: @_thejacobc_

In other news: Talks opened – West Ham source shares news as Moyes transfer-lists yet another player, find out more here.