All posts by z3u9t.icu

Nottingham Forest have joined the race for highly-rated Canadian striker Cyle Larin.

What’s the word?

That is according to Turkish outlet TurkiyeGazetesi, via Nottingham Forest News.

As per the report, Larin has deleted anything to do with Besiktas on his instagram account, with his contract set to expire at the end of this month.

The soon-to-be free agent opted against extending his deal with Besiktas and has attracted interest from Olympiacos, with the Greek side thought to be in pole position as things stand.

As per Transfermarkt, Larin is rated at around £9m and within their current rumours tab, there is a 43% chance that the Canadian opts to ply his trade in the Greek Super League.

Imagine him and Johnson

Since bursting onto the scene with Orlando City in the MLS, Larin’s consistent haul of 12 or more goals across three full seasons saw him secure a move to Besiktas, where he seized his opportunity with the club after a loan spell in Belgium.

His return of 19 goals and six assists in 38 Super Lig games in the 20/21 season was demonstrative of his ability and potency in front of goal.

And whilst he is quick, his strength in holding up play could make him an integral addition to the Tricky Trees’ front-two partnership with Brennan Johnson.

Cooper’s side are expected to start the Premier League in their tight-knit 3-4-1-2 system, which has proven to be a safe choice for a newly promoted team, with Brentford perhaps the best example of recent times.

With Johnson’s creative ability, having managed ten assists among his 28 attacking returns in the Championship last season, he could operate as a floating striker and create chances for the more bolshy asset in Larin.

Dubbed “big and strong” by John Welsh on Twitter and as a “predator” in the box by John Herdman, the 92-goal striker would be the brawn in what could prove to be a mischievous Premier League strike force.

In other news: Nottingham Forest plot bid for “electrifying” £3m magician, he can be Cooper’s Sancho 

Watford are allegedly ‘considering’ a West Ham United bid for striker Emmanuel Dennis as David Moyes eyes a new forward this summer, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Hammers in hunt…

The Hammers are said to be targeting a new attacker for Moyes before the start of 2022/2023, coming after they just missed out on a place in the Premier League top six last season.

Watford star Dennis is reliably said to be one of the potential new names who West Ham have earmarked with The Athletic backing their interest.

It is also claimed that West Ham are willing to pay up to £18 million, plus a further £2 million in add-ons (The Athletic), to sign the Nigeria international with Hornets journalist Daniel Moroney now sharing what he knows.

The Latest: Watford ‘considering’ Dennis offer from West Ham…

Moroney, who covers Watford news for Back Page Football and Off The Ball, has claimed that the Irons are ‘in negotiations’ to sign Dennis (Twitter).

He also says that West Ham have made an offer of £20 million and Watford are ‘considering’ their bid – even if it’s lower than their £25m valuation (Twitter).

The Verdict: Right man?

Depending on this alleged development, Dennis may well be a solid alternative option to Michail Antonio as Moyes chases a new striker.

Called a ‘superb’ striker by members of the media, The Super Eagles star backed that praise up in 2021/22, finishing the season as Watford’s best performer by average match rating and top goal scorer – clearly standing out as their main man (WhoScored).

An effective dribbler, Dennis also averaged the most successful take-ons per 90 at Vicarage Road last season and it’s safe to say his signing at West Ham would be a shrewd one for £20m.

In other news: West Ham in pole position to sign ‘game-changer’ as GSB eye ‘frightening’ forward! Find out more here.

West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Bruce spoke previously about the significant overhaul that he’s looking to oversee during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Having secured a deal to sign John Swift on a free transfer from Reading last month, this shows just how eager the club have been to get new faces through the door quickly.

On the flip side, the Baggies did release some big names from the club in recent weeks such as Andy Carroll, Sam Johnstone and Romaine Sawyers.

Regarding any potential future recruitment from the club this summer, one player who has been linked with a move to The Hawthorns recently and who could be an ideal replacement for Sawyers in particular is Lewis O’Brien.

Having played in 123 Championship games throughout his career, with eight goals and 10 assists to his name, the 23-year-old certainly has the experience to come in and be a fine addition to Bruce’s side.

His latest season with Huddersfield Town saw the midfielder play a big part in their campaign which saw the Terriers make it all the way to Wembley for the play-Off final, only to then fall at the final hurdle and miss out on securing their place in the Premier League.

In 46 league appearances in the current campaign, O’Brien highlighted what a capable all-around midfielder he is by scoring three goals and providing three assists.

He also racked up 48 shots at goal, 31 crosses and 33 interceptions and won 59 tackles, totally eclipsing Sawyers for each of these statistics as the former Baggies midfielder spent the season on loan with Stoke City.

Ending the campaign as Huddersfield’s highest-rated outfield player according to WhoScored also shows how capable O’Brien is of performing at a high level in the Championship.

Labelled a “very special” player by Huddersfield head coach Carlos Corberan, the 23-year-old could be a significant prospective signing for the Baggies this summer as Bruce looks to build a side capable of reaching promotion back to the Premier League.

With a reported price tag of £10m, this is a deal that West Brom should be all over as they continue their summer overhaul ahead of the new season.

In other news: WBA can finally replace Evans as Bruce eyes move for “solid” £2.7m-rated machine

Liverpool have been reportedly interested in Raphinha for a long time, and following a recent update from Fabrizio Romano, it should give clarity to the Reds on what they need to do this summer to secure the 25-year-old’s signing.

What’s the latest?

The Italian journalist and transfer insider has revealed an update on Barcelona’s pursuit of the Leeds United winger which details the expectations that the Yorkshire club would demand from any potentially interested parties this summer.

Romano tweeted: “Not less than €55m, no payments in many years/instalments. Leeds have not changed their conditions for Raphinha’s transfer.

“Barcelona are in advanced talks with the player since February, but talks with Leeds are definitely not easy.”

Klopp’s Mane heir

There is no doubt that losing Sadio Mane will be a huge blow for Liverpool, as it is reported that he will leave Anfield this summer, but there could be a silver lining if the Reds can hijack Barcelona’s move for the Brazilian winger, for whom the Whites rejected a transfer offer of €55m (£47m) recently.

Raphinha has been a consistent attacking threat for Leeds and was integral in their survival in their Premier League relegation battle this season.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-liverpool-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-salah-gnabry-isak-romano” title= “Read the latest Liverpool news!”]

The 25-year-old, who was dubbed “unbelievable” by his team-mate Illan Meslier, was the top scorer for Leeds this season with 11 goals, but it’s not just his penalty box potency which has attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in world football.

As per SofaScore, Raphinha also delivered three assists and created 10 big chances this season, making 1.9 key passes and 1.5 tackles, taking 2.5 shots and winning 5.2 duels per game, demonstrating that his work ethic in the team in both offensive and defensive play is very strong.

Given the predicament in which Liverpool find themselves in with their Senegalese winger, Leeds’ Brazilian star could be the perfect replacement to offer the attacking output that the Reds will require in order to fill the void that Mane would leave if he does move on this summer.

It’s clear that the Brazilian is attracting plenty of interest and Barcelona are keen to get a deal done, so if FSG are interested in securing the signing of Raphinha this summer, they will need to act fast and offer him an attractive proposal to move to Merseyside instead.

AND in other news – “Talks will..”: Fabrizio Romano drops big transfer update, it’s bad news for Liverpool

Nottingham Forest are believed to be optimistic about the chances of signing loan star Djed Spence next season, according to a report from a reliable source in The Guardian. 

The lowdown: Stellar season

Signed on loan from fellow second-tier side Middlesborough back in September 2021, Spence has proven to be a superb addition to the Forest squad.

The marauding right-back has been a key component of Steve Cooper’s side and looks certain to play an important role as the Reds prepare to take on Huddersfield Town in the Championship playoff final.

Regardless of whether Forest reach the promised land of the Premier League, it appears plans are already in place to bring the 21-year-old back to the City Ground for 2022/23.

The latest: ‘Quiet optimism’

As per The Guardian, Nottingham Forest are said to hold ‘quiet optimism’ that Spence will return on loan even if a move elsewhere is available this summer.

It’s claimed that the club are ‘confident’ of re-signing at least two of this season’s loanees, with Philip Zinckernagel, James Garner and Keinan Davis all mentioned as possible permanent captures.

Should Cooper guide the Reds to the top flight, the report states that the hierarchy would need to shell out a ‘Premier League premium’ to bring any of the aforementioned stars in.

The verdict: Statement signing

If Forest could sign Spence for good next term it would be a remarkable coup for the club and a sure sign of the pulling power returning to the Midlands outfit.

During the regular 2021/22 campaign, the youngster who was hailed as ‘unbelievable’ by Arsenal legend Ian Wright following the FA Cup triumph over the Londoners, scored twice and provided five assists in 42 Championship appearances.

With interest from the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United as well as currently being valued at a rising £7.2million (Transfermarkt), the Reds’ hierarchy would make a real statement of intent by beating teams with European football to offer to get their man.

In other news, a Nottingham Forest bid for one player is expected this summer. Find out who it is here.

Newcastle United are reportedly now ‘closing in’ on signing Dean Henderson this summer.

The Lowdown: Interest there

Writing for Manchester Evening News, reliable journalist Samuel Luckhurst has recently reported that the Magpies are ‘interested’ in signing Henderson in the summer, and are ‘considering’ a £40m move for him.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-6/” title=”Newcastle news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

He would be ‘open’ to moving to St. James’ Park, but ‘sources‘ believe that it is likelier that he would only leave on loan.

The Latest: Luckhurst update

Taking to Twitter, Luckhurst has now given an update on the situation, revealing that Henderson is now ‘closing in’ on a move to the North East, as he ‘travelled’ to Tyneside for ‘talks’:

“Dean Henderson closing in on a move to Newcastle. Understand he travelled to Newcastle for talks yesterday.”

Expanding in his latest piece for Manchester Evening News, Luckhurst added that those talks have been over a season-long loan, although a permanent deal has ‘not been ruled out’.

The Verdict: Sign

Henderson has not been given enough opportunities at Old Trafford this season, having played just three times in total over all competitions, and no games in the Premier League (WhoScored).

He has shown his credentials once given a run of matches in the top flight, having kept 13 clean sheets while on loan at Sheffield United just a couple of seasons ago.

Dubbed an ‘insane‘ and ‘exceptional‘ goalkeeper by former Blades teammate Sander Berge, Henderson will no doubt be eager to show that he can perform again, especially in a World Cup year.

Thus, the Toon should be looking to give him that opportunity by signing him this summer.

In other news, find out which ‘world-class’ ace NUFC have now made contact over signing here!

Italian football expert Conor Clancy has delivered his verdict on reported Aston Villa target Stefan De Vrij.

What’s been said?

In a recent interview with Football FanCast, Clancy revealed that the Dutchman – who has been linked with a move to Villa Park – could offer Steven Gerrard’s invaluable quality both on and off the pitch, while also proving something of a coup at a reported £15m for a player of vast experience.

Asked whether the 30-year-old’s addition would prove to be a bargain buy for the Midlands outfit, the journalist said: “I think so. And the Villa project is interesting because they’ve got Steven Gerrard there and they’ve probably underachieved given the players that they have this season.

“But for a player like him to come in – because they are still relatively newly promoted into the Premier League – he’s the kind of player that can offer a lot in terms of he’s been there and done it all before with other clubs. He’s got a lot of experience and he’s capable of leading a team on the pitch.”

Axe Mings

The arrival of the Inter Milan defender would no doubt enable the club to part ways with current captain Tyrone Mings, following reports that Gerrard is keen to move the 29-year-old on this summer following his dismal displays this term.

The 17-cap international has come in for fierce criticism from pundit Danny Mills this season, with the Englishman insisting that he has a “mistake in his game somewhere” and that the Villans need a “top-quality centre-half” in order to go to that “next level”.

The club captain has formed part of a backline that shipped 54 goals in the recent campaign – the tenth worst record in the division – with the current boss failing to settle on a regular defensive pairing, shifting between both Calum Chambers and Ezri Konsa alongside the skipper.

As their collapse at the Etihad at the weekend proved, there is a soft spot in this Villa side, with it time that NSWE bolstered their defensive ranks after splashing the cash on attacking reinforcements, such as Philippe Coutinho.

Mings himself had cost the club £20m just under three years ago, although it would appear that his race is run at Villa Park, with De Vrij seemingly the man set to replace him.

The former Lazio defender was part of an Inter side that narrowly missed out on a second successive Serie A title to rivals AC Milan, with the £116k-per-week gem having featured 30 times under Simone Inzaghi in that title challenge.

Although he has largely featured on the left of a back three, the 55-cap international would seemingly be able to comfortably slot into Gerrard’s preferred back four, proving the solution to the club’s left-sided centre-back problem.

One notable benefit to his arrival would be his quality in possession, the £31.5m-rated gem averaging a 92% pass success rate in the Italian top-flight in the recent campaign, while also ranking in the top 5% among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues for pass completion.

Mings, by contrast, had just an 80% pass accuracy rate in the 2021/22 season in the league – squandering possession 10.3 times per game on average – while he also ranks in just the top 84% for pass completion among centre-backs on the continent, as per FBref.

Those statistics don’t appear good enough for a side seeking to finish far higher up the table next term, with De Vrij the club’s ideal, quality replacement.

IN other news, Imagine him & Kamara: NSWE can form “unreal” duo as AVFC eye “exceptional” £60m target

Now that the next summer transfer window is on the horizon, it seems as though Manchester City have their eye on securing the signature of one player that could potentially become their next version of Phil Foden.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from The Mirror, City are in the mix to sign Birmingham City’s 16-year-old midfielder Jobe Bellingham.

As a product of Birmingham’s youth system, the midfielder has followed in the footsteps of his brother Jude by making his senior debut for the Midlands club at a very early age.

The next Foden?

Manchester City have a raft of young players at their club that they have given Premier League minutes to this season.

Some of these players such as Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, James McAtee, CJ Egan-Riley and Kayky have all had their first taste of top-flight action at some point.

One other prime example of a young player working his way through the academy and becoming a regular first-team player is Foden.

With 210 appearances under his belt for the club across their youth and senior sides, the Englishman has scored 66 goals and delivered 46 assists along the way.

Having played in 44 games across all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s side this season, the 21-year-old is a top example of a young talent coming through a club’s youth system and making a name for himself at senior level.

Thus, with 26 appearances to his name across the club’s senior, U23 and U18 sides with five goals and one assist, Bellingham could become the next prominent young star at the Etihad.

This highlights the fact that he has a knack for not only scoring goals but creating them as well in a similar fashion to Foden.

>After making his senior debut for Birmingham, the £450k-rated youngster found himself on the receiving end of big praise from Lee Bowyer.

He said: “Young Jobe coming on looked so comfortable. He’s earned that, he’s been training with us for two, three, four weeks now, you can just see him growing and improving every day.”

Further praise has come from talent scout Jacek Kulig, who took to Twitter earlier this season to call the teenager a “huge talent.”

Given the exciting attributes that he clearly has, enough to see him get some senior minutes at such a young age, Bellingham could be a fine addition to City’s ranks.

If the Manchester club do end up signing him and he then gets the chance to become Foden 2.0, this could end up being a solid long-term investment from the Citizens.

In other news: Big boost: £59.6m “genius” now willing to seal move to Etihad, it’s great for Man City

Leeds United winger Raphinha is in advanced talks concerning a move away from Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the word?

That’s according to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), who claim that the 25-year-old’s agent is in continued talks with Barcelona regarding a transfer to the Camp Nou at the end of the current campaign.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-united-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-much-more” title=”Read the latest Leeds United news and rumours!”]

The report goes on to state that, despite earlier claims that the Brazil international will be available for €25m (£21m) in the event that Leeds are relegated, this is in fact not the case, before also suggesting that Victor Orta has an agreement in place to sanction Raphinha’s sale for “not too high an amount” if the Whites do drop out of the top flight this season.

Supporters will be livid

Considering just how important a part of the Leeds side Raphinha has become since joining the club back in 2020, the news that the winger could leave the Elland Road on the cheap this summer is sure to be an update that will leave the Elland Road faithful livid.

Indeed, the £40.5m-rated attacker has continuously been a standout for the Whites ever since his £17m move, bagging 16 goals, registering 12 assists and creating 21 big chances over his 63 Premier League outings, in addition to making an average of 2.0 key passes, taking 2.3 shots and completing 1.9 dribbles per game.

These metrics have seen the £63k-per-week Brazilian average a quite breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.03 over his two league campaigns for the club – playing a crucial role in Leeds sealing a top-half finish last time out, as well as being the club’s top-scorer in the current campaign.

As such, should Orta sanction the sale of the 25-year-old for anything less than Leeds’ reported £60m asking price, it would certainly come as a huge blow to all involved with the Whites, as it is clear that Raphinha is a talent who would be well worth a figure around the £60m mark in the current market.

AND in other news: Forget Klich: Radz must ruthlessly axe £80k-p/w Leeds figure, he’s “out of his depth”

Former Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has been reacting to the news that Celtic could be set to receive a healthy financial windfall in the near future. 

The lowdown: £40m windfall?

This comes following a report from the Daily Record confirming that the Hoops will earn upwards of £40million due to participation in next season’s UEFA Champions League group stage.

Ange Postecoglou’s side will book an automatic place in the competition with success in the Scottish Premiership after Russian teams were banned from competing in Europe due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/key-latest-celtic-updates-5/” title=”Key latest Celtic updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

As things stand, the Bhoys are six points clear at the top of the Scottish top-flight and could all but wrap up the title with victory over Hearts at Parkhead.

The latest: Kenny reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, Kenny has claimed that the influx of funds could be monumental for Scottish football.

“Celtic and Rangers both need that money. We know what the financial situation is like up in Scotland. It’s the same every year.

“A guaranteed place in the group stage is massive. £40million is a crazy amount of money to either club.

“Celtic have also failed to get through the qualifying rounds in recent years and Rangers couldn’t do it this season.

“Europa League is great but the Champions League is far more lucrative. So if they get this money, and it looks like they will, that gives them such a boost.

“They can spend more and we know good Ange Postecoglou is with transfers. With Rangers’ finances, you would think they couldn’t pay the same, so I think Celtic could pull further away if they get their transfers right.”

The verdict: Spot on

Out of the elite European competition since 2017/18, Celtic have not only missed the prestige of playing amongst the upper echelons of the continent but also the money that comes with the participation.

Having already proven to be an astute operator in the transfer market, giving Postecoglou even a percentage of the mooted £40million windfall towards transfers would be a daunting prospect for the rest of the league.

Whilst the quality of the group may dictate whether or not the Hoops advance beyond the first stage, simply being back at the top table will be a huge plus for the club.

In other news… a Celtic ace has been backed to make a permanent move away from Parkhead this summer.