All posts by z3u9t.icu

Celtic are reportedly interested in a swoop for Newcastle United goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, according to the Chronicle.

The Lowdown

After spending the season on loan at Swansea City [Wales Online], Woodman has fallen behind in the Newcastle United pecking order. Facing stiff competition Martin Dubravka, Karl Darlow and Mark Gillespie, he may now look to cement a future as a first-choice goalkeeper elsewhere.

Given his 20 clean sheets in 45 Sky Bet Championship appearances this campaign [Transfermarkt], there is no surprise at that teams are looking to tempt the 24-year-old to Glasgow.

The Latest

Celtic are no strangers to struggles within the goalkeeping department. Vasilis Barkas, Conor Hazard and Scott Bain could not nail down the number one berth between the sticks in 2020/21.

In need of fresh ideas if they are to reclaim the Scottish Premiership title from Rangers at the first attempt, Woodman would provide a reliable last line of defence at Celtic Park based on his form at Swansea.

The report claims another loan exit could be on the cards for the Magpies ace, and also references interest from the Hoops back in 2018 when Brendan Rodgers was in charge.

Southampton have also been credited with an interest in the London-born stopper [Scottish Sun].

The Verdict

Moving to secure the talented goalkeeper would be a shrewd move in a summer of major reconstruction at Celtic Park. Taking his age into account, he could be a long-term solution to a problem position that has plagued the Celts in recent months.

Described as ‘excellent’ by his former goalkeeping coach Billy Thomson, there are certainly merits to his potential acquisition. Ironically, he could finally provide Celtic with a replacement for former fan favourite Fraser Forster who was originally signed from Newcastle United on loan in 2010 [Guardian].

In other news, Celtic’s pursuit of a striker is being stalled due to recent developments.

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson thinks Mateusz Klich could be left out of Jesse Marsch’s starting line-up against Crystal Palace on Monday.

The Lowdown: Klich a regular

Klich has made 31 appearances in all competitions this season, taking his Leeds tally to 173.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-42/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The 31-year-old has turned out as a defensive, central and attacking midfielder and is yet to miss a game under new boss Jesse Marsch.

He played alongside Robin Koch in the 3-0 win over Watford last time out but made way on the hour mark for Kalvin Phillips.

The Latest: Robinson’s reacts to Phillips image

Talking to MOT Leeds News after seeing an image of Phillips back in full training, Robinson, who contributes for Sky Sports, gave his thoughts on how Leeds’ midfield could shape up at Selhurst Park.

He believes Phillips, who was spotted in full flow at Thorp Arch this week, could make a first start since December alongside Koch, which would mean Klich would drop out.

“For me, Phillips and [Adam] Forshaw both come in if they’re fit and able to play 90 minutes.

“I know they played well at Watford so I don’t think both Phillips and Forshaw will come back in.

“Forshaw’s been out so he’ll probably have to get his game-time off the bench.

“Phillips should come in alongside either Klich or Koch.

“It’ll probably be alongside Koch if Jesse Marsch is going to play that way again.”

The Verdict: Right call?

Bringing back Phillips from the off could be a wise by Marsch move following Leeds’ 16-day break.

Klich also had an afternoon to forget at Vicarage Road last time out. As per SofaScore, he was Leeds’ worst-rated player in the 3-0 victory, losing possession 16 times and failing to complete any of his attempted long balls.

The central midfielder was also second best in nine of his 12 duels, so it could be a wise move to leave him out of the starting XI at Selhurst Park as Leeds look to take a step closer to safety.

In other news: Approach made: 49ers and Radz now in exit talks with club for ‘awful’ Leeds defender. 

Son Heung-min was pictured in tears after the final whistle after Tottenham were beaten in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.

Aymeric Laporte scored an 82nd-minute winner for Manchester City, extending Spurs’ 13-year wait for a major trophy.

Son is still yet to win a piece of silverware in his professional career.

Why don’t Everton fans like Son?

The South Korea international is far from a popular player on the blue half of Merseyside. Back in November 2019, his challenge on Everton’s Andre Gomes led to a serious ankle injury for the Portuguese midfielder.

He was shown the red card and appeared to be devastated by the incident. Gomes would return to action the following February, having missed 109 days and 17 games.

Spurs promptly appealed the red card and successfully had Martin Atkinson’s decision overturned, meaning that Son escaped a three-match ban.

Twitter fan feed Toffee TV relayed the footage of the tearful Korean at the final whistle at Wembley yesterday, accompanied with a zipper-mouth emoji.

Here’s how Everton fans reacted, with sympathy in short supply.

Everton fans smug amid Son woes

“Hahhaahahahahahahaahahahaahahahahahahahaahahahabahahhaah”

Credit: @emmarc

“He needs to get himself sponsored by some tissue company… never known someone cry so much.”

Credit: @Absentee76

“Is he hoping the result will be overturned if he cries enough?”

Credit: @sunscreemer

“No doubt the powers that be will see these tears and overturn the result”

Credit: @SteRoberts18

“Pray for Son”

Credit: @philliplhayes

“Love it”

Credit: @Tony_willow86

“Drink it in”

Credit: @eveyaus

“This video brings me a great deal of joy. I know it’s petty, but I never want him to have good things.”

Credit: @Philatty

In other news, this on-loan Everton man was hailed for his performance at the weekend.

Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side got the second half of their Premiership campaign off to a perfect start against Hibernian on Monday evening, with the Bhoys securing a 2-0 victory at Parkhead to take them back to within three points of the current league leaders.

And, although the Hoops rather unusually saw the away side enjoy more possession of the ball, as well as Shaun Maloney’s side completing more passes in the fixture, the clinical nature of the Bhoys’ performance will nevertheless have been one that will have delighted Postecoglou – as putting teams to the sword is something that the 56-year-old’s side have struggled to do at points this season.

Furthermore, there were also two incredibly impressive debut displays for Celtic, with centre-forward Daizen Maeda – who took just four minutes to open his goalscoring account in Glasgow – and central midfielder Reo Hatate arguably being the 56-year-old manager’s best two players on the night.

However, while Maeda was fantastic against Hibs, it was undoubtedly the show-running performance of Hatate that will have most impressed Postecoglou and Celtic fans alike on Monday evening.

61 touches

Indeed, over his 75 minutes on the pitch, the central midfielder appeared to be everywhere for the Bhoys, with the 24-year-old enjoying 61 touches of the ball – the second-most of Celtic’s midfielders – completing 37 passes – three of which were key – and finding his man with three of his five attempted long balls.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/?post_type=web-story&p=664142″ title=”Check out the latest Celtic news!”]

The £1.08m-rated man also had three shots at the Hibs goal – one of which forced Matt Macey into an excellent diving save from a shot from the edge of the box – won 100% of his ground duels and made one tackle, one interception and one clearance.

These returns saw the Japan international receive a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.4, while the midfielder was also dubbed an “absolute pler” by Everything Celtic and won the Man of the Match award for his efforts on the night.

Indeed, should Hatate be able to keep up this rather extraordinary level of performance going forwards for Celtic, the 24-year-old will very quickly make his £1.38m transfer fee seem like one of the bargains of the season, with the former Kawasaki Frontale star undoubtedly now a nailed-on starter for Postecoglou at Parkhead.

In other news: Ange Postecoglou drops teasing transfer hint that will have Celtic fans buzzing

Sheffield Wednesday are interested in a deal to bring Josh Sims to Hillsborough this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Yorkshire Live, who claimed that Darren Moore’s side are in talks with the former Southampton winger, who is a free agent following the expiry of his contract at St Mary’s at the end of last season.

The report added that the Owls manager is keen to bolster his attacking options at Wednesday ahead of the new League One season, and is a known admirer of the 24-year-old, having managed him at Doncaster Rovers and hailed his “wonderful skill”.

Finally, it is mentioned that the former England under-20 international has also been linked with a move to Portsmouth this summer, but it would now appear as if Dejphon Chansiri is close to securing the signing of the forward.

Chansiri masterclass

While Sheffield Wednesday have made a number of ill-fated signings in recent years, something which has largely contributed to Owls’ relegation to League One for 2021/22, it will undoubtedly be something of a masterclass by Chansiri if he can get a deal over the line for Sims this summer.

Over his 28 League One appearances while on loan at Doncaster last season, the £1.08m-rated winger scored one goal, registered eight assists and created five big chances for his teammates, making 1.4 key passes and taking 1.1 shots per game.

These returns saw the player who Ralph Hasenhuttl hailed as “strong” earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.93, ranking him as Rovers’ joint fifth-best performer in the third tier.

As such, with Moore currently lacking depth in the wide attacking positions of his squad, the addition of the £18k-per-week Sims this summer would very much appear to be an astute addition for Chansiri to make ahead of the club’s upcoming League One campaign, which kicks off against Charlton next Saturday.

The manager’s previous comments about the 24-year-old certainly suggest that he would relish a reunion with the winger at Hillsborough.

In other news: Moore’s reported stance on £5.1k-p/w Sheffield Wednesday flop is the right call

According to a report by Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur want to offload defender Davinson Sanchez this summer as technical performance director Steve Hitchen shortlists replacements.

The Lowdown: Spurs need to sell…

Tottenham will be adopting a sell-to-buy policy this summer according to reliable sources (Sky Sports), considering the financial toll of coronavirus.

Last year, Spurs announced an ‘irrecoverable’ loss of income totalling £63.9 million for the year ending June 30, 2020 (Evening Standard) – and it’s unlikely the next financial release will make for prettier reading.

As a result, if the next Lilywhites boss wishes to strengthen with marquee signings, then deadwood will need to be turned over for some much needed funding.

The Latest: Sanchez now up for sale…

Bringing the latest on Tottenham’s ins and outs, Football Insider report that Daniel Levy and co now want to offload Sanchez this summer and will to listen to any offers.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest/” title=”Tottenham latest…” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Hitchen is already compiling a shortlist of replacements for the 24-year-old as Tottenham also look set to prioritise a senior centre-back signing.

Even though Spurs will struggle to make much back off the original £42 million paid for the Colombian, the Lilywhites are still planning his sale regardless of who the next manager may be.

The Verdict: Surplus to requirements…

The defender’s recklessness and lack of composure at the back infuriated former boss Jose Mourinho (Football Insider), and it’s safe to say he should be considered for the exit door.

Reports have most recently been heavily linking fellow defender Serge Aurier with a summer move away (Foot Mercato), but this news of Levy now wanting to offload Sanchez comes as no surprise given his form this season.

Interim boss Ryan Mason has not played the 28-cap ace since the beginning of his temporary tenure and Sanchez’ future in north London looks at it’s most bleak since he signed from Ajax in 2017.

Former Lilywhites boss Mauricio Pochettino was overjoyed with the signing, calling him the perfect for his style at Tottenham as well as ‘unbelievable’ (The Guardian).

Once a favourite of the Argentine, with Pochettino also dubbing Sanchez a ‘beast’ (tottenhamhotspur.com), his fortunes have well and truly dipped since then.

In other news: Journalist relays ENIC promise to Spurs fans after big development, find out more here.

A number of Liverpool supporters have been reacting positively to an update claiming the Reds are front-runners to sign Youri Tielemans.

It could be a relatively busy summer transfer window for Jurgen Klopp, as he looks to perfect his squad ahead of next season.

Liverpool have already brought in Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig, but it is important that other new faces also arrive at Anfield in the next few months.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

One player who has been linked with the Reds is Tielemans, who was excellent for Leicester City last season, proving to be an influential figure in the middle of the park.

The Belgium international also famously scored a brilliant winning goal in the FA Cup final win over Chelsea, in what will go down in Foxes folklore.

Now, in a fresh update from Corriere dello Sport [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], Liverpool allegedly lead the race to sign Tielemans this summer, with his future potentially lying away from Leicester.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-5/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

Liverpool fans react positively to Tielamans update

These Reds fans provided their thoughts on the matter on Twitter.

“Nice one if it’s true”

Credit: @Sekaa_YNWA

“Do anything to sign him. What a player”

Credit: @nstephenson98

“Oh yes”

Credit: @LFCameron8

“The Belgian won’t come cheap, but Tielemans would be worth every penny. Jurgen Klopp’s midfield revolution”

Credit: @MattThielen

“Hope this happens”

Credit: @erhanlfc10

“I think Tielemans would be a great signing for us, McGinn for £50 mil is obviously a joke. Rice would be good for us in number 6”

Credit: @kyle_turner92

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting to a Reds transfer snub. Read more here.

A number of Liverpool supporters are fuming that Curtis Jones may play for England’s under-21s tonight despite having a potential injury problem.

The Reds make the trip to Watford on Saturday lunchtime, but midfield options could be sparse for Jurgen Klopp at Vicarage Road.

Thiago remains a doubt while long-term injury victim Harvey Elliott is definitely out of the action, while Fabinho also looks set to be unavailable due to quarantining after international duty with Brazil.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375258″]

It means that Jones is an even more important figure than usual, but the 20-year-old has been suffering with an injury issue of his own.

According to Sky Sports Premier League on Twitter, his groin will be assessed before England under-21s’ clash with Andorra on Monday night, suggesting that he could play a part in proceedings.

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

Liverpool fans unhappy at Jones latest

These Liverpool fans have reacted angrily to the news on Twitter, saying the midfielder simply shouldn’t be risked for tonight’s England under-21 clash.

“How about not risking a player with a tight groin? Would really appreciate midfielders not becoming the new defenders in terms of injuries for Liverpool this season”

Credit: @_lfcleanne

“It begins”

Credit: @azruldotmy

“Why is he even being considered? He’s injured, the lad has played loads recently for Liverpool and needs some time off. England did this last year with Gomez and he was out for a year and Henderson out for 3 months, the medical department at England is one of the worst in sport”

Credit: @nathLFC123

“Just leave him alone to be ready for Liverpool please”

Credit: @gerald_ynwa

“Why is the England fitness staff the worst in the world? They always seem to play players that aren’t fully fit”

Credit: @KrissDZN

“Against Andorra of all teams as well, not exactly super important that he plays that game”

Credit: @AlanFox_

In other news, some Liverpool fans have reacted to a Reds-related transfer rumour. Read more here.

Tottenham Hotspur are nearing a deal that would see Takehiro Tomiyasu make a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Corriere di Bologna (via Sport Witness), who claim that Spurs have made a second offer totalling €23m (£19.5m) for the Bologna FC 1909 centre-back, with the negotiations thought to be coming to a close.

However, the report continues by stating that Spurs have not completed a deal for the defender just yet, as the Serie A side are determined to receive €25m (£21.5m) – or at the very minimum €20m (£17m) as an upfront fee – for the 22-year-old, in order for Sinisa Mihajlovic to make signings of his own this summer.

Paratici will be buzzing

With it being reported previously that Tottenham’s new director of football Fabio Paratici is very much the driving force behind the club’s interest in the centre-back, the fact that Spurs are seemingly close to getting a deal over the line for Tomiyasu is sure to have left the Italian buzzing.

And, considering how impressive the Japan international was for Bologna last season, it is easy to see why the director of football is keen to add the defender to Nuno Espirito Santo’s options in the centre of the Tottenham defence next season.

Indeed, over his 31 Serie A appearances for Mihajlovic’s side last term, the £18m-rated man helped his team keep four clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.7 interceptions, 1.5 tackles, 3.3 clearances and winning 5.4 duels per fixture.

The £13k-per-week centre-back also impressed in an attacking capacity, scoring two goals, in addition to taking an average of 0.5 shots and making 0.3 key passes per league game.

These metrics saw the man Mitchell Dijks dubbed a “very strong” defender earn an average SofaScore match rating of 6.86, ranking him as Bologna’s joint eighth-best performer in the league.

As such, it would certainly appear as if Tomiyasu would be a very solid option for Espirito Santo to have at his disposal next season, and, with the latest report claiming that a deal is very nearly done for the 22-year-old, we would expect to see Daniel Levy and Paratici get Spurs’ first signing of the summer transfer window over the line in the not too distant future.

In other news: Levy makes private behind-the-scenes Spurs decision that will leave fans buzzing

Leeds United are still in the race to sign Nahitan Nandez this summer, although Tottenham continue to provide strong competition.

The Lowdown: Nandez a constant target

Few players have been more heavily linked with a move to the Whites in recent months than Nandez, with endless reports tipping him to sign.

The 25-year-old is seemingly eager to leave Serie A side Cagliari this summer, as he looks for a fresh challenge at a superior team.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359346″]

The Latest: Fresh update provided

A new update has now emerged regarding Nandez’s future, with Calciomercato [via Sport Witness] claiming that Inter Milan and Atalanta are ‘behind Leeds and Tottenham’ in the race to sign the Uruguay international.

A report from Centotrentuno does suggest that Spurs are favourites, however, with Napoli also mentioned as potential suitors.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-14/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Ideal midfield signing

If Leeds manage to snap up Nandez this summer, it would feel like a major coup, considering he has won 41 caps for a strong Uruguay side also featuring the likes of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.

He could help strengthen a Leeds midfield that lacks a top-class player alongside Kalvin Phillips, making Marcelo Bielsa’s side an even more fearsome unit.

Nandez has been hailed as one of the ‘most underrated’ players by Italian football expert Nina Rzouki, as well as ‘amazing’, which speaks volumes about his ability. One run of form last season even led the pundit to simply say: ‘Wow, unstoppable.’

This feels like the perfect move to add depth and quality alongside Phillips.

In other news, Leeds reportedly missed out on the signing of one international veteran this summer. Read more here.