All posts by z3u9t.icu

Everton are reportedly set to step up their pursuit of Stoke City defender Harry Souttar as Yerry Mina edges towards the exit door.

What’s the story?

Mina is believed to be keen on a move to Serie A next summer, with Inter amongst the clubs interested in his services, meaning the Toffees have already begun searching for his successor.

And according to The Sun, Souttar has been identified as the ideal candidate to do just that after catching Duncan Ferguson’s eye during a scouting mission.

The report also states that fellow Premier League outfit Brighton and Hove Albion are keen on the youngster’s services, although his price tag has put him out of the reach of Graham Potter’s charges.

Everton fans would love him

Souttar has established himself as one of the Championship’s top centre-back’s after departing boyhood club Dundee United to join Stoke back in September 2016, although the youngster had to prove his worth through multiple loan spells away from the Bet365 Stadium first.

A 12-month stay at Fleetwood Town during 2019/20 proved to be a key turning point in the Australia international’s career, and his eye-catching performances at Highbury Stadium were enough to secure a place in Michael O’Neill’s first-team plans.

“We drip-fed him in using the cup games to begin with and he found his way into the starting XI,” said O’Neill. “I said to him that he just has to keep up the levels he’s been doing. Sometimes young players drop off a little bit. He can’t allow that to happen.

“He’s a player blessed with great natural attributes. Obviously his height, but also, he’s got good game intelligence, and he’s a great user of the ball as well. That’s something which I think will set him apart from the other defenders in this league,” he concluded.

Souttar made 38 league starts for the Potters last term as he found his feet at the heart of defence and has continued his good form into the current campaign, making 12 Championship outings as Stoke sit ninth in the second-tier table.

His solid form for the second-tier hopefuls has seen Everton intensify their pursuit of the 6 foot 6 starlet, and the fans would surely love to see another talented youngster grace the Goodison Park pitch.

At that height too, he could just be their ideal heir to Mina if he decides to leave for pastures new in January.

And, in other news…Brands could replace Rodriguez with Everton swoop for “class” £4.5m-rated beast

Journalist Rahman Osman believes Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira could drop Vicente Guaita to stick with Jack Butland against Chelsea this weekend.

The Lowdown: Palace’s run to the semi-final

Palace have enjoyed a solid and sometimes exciting first season under Vieira and are now preparing for a Wembley showdown with their London rivals.

The Eagles have defeated Millwall, Hartlepool United, Stoke City and Everton on their way to the last four, conceding just twice.

Butland has played every minute of domestic cup action this season, with Guaita first choice in the league, and Osman thinks the Spaniard, who Roy Hodgson labelled as ‘excellent’, will be dropped following the 2-1 loss to Leicester last time out.

The Latest: Guaita to be axed?

Osman shared a story on London World on Wednesday, looking at three Palace stars Vieira may leave out this weekend.

One of those was Guaita, with the reporter believing Vieira will ‘break the heart’ of the 35-year-old by sticking with Butland at Wembley.

The Verdict: Right decision?

Some managers decide to bring back their first choice ‘keeper in the latter stages of cup competitions, but it only seems fair for Vieira to leave Guaita out and stick with Butland – just look at how Caoimhin Kelleher rewarded Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final this year.

Butland made a big blunder against Millwall in the third round but hasn’t been troubled much in the FA Cup since then, though he could be a much busier man on Sunday.

We will soon find out what Vieira decides in regards to selection, however, bigger calls may have to be made outfield, especially with injury concerns to Tyrick Mitchell and Michael Olise.

In other news: Vieira now wants Parish to bring 25-assist star to Palace; club preparing to lose their player

Leeds United’s director of football Victor Orta can end the club’s ongoing nightmare over Kalvin Phillips by signing Derby County sensation Jason Knight.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days have suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are one of a number of teams interested in signing the 20-year-old, and now, according to ExWHUEmployee, West Ham have also entered the race.

It’s been suggested that the Hammers hold a strong interest in the midfielder, and that they will battle it out with the likes of Leeds, Newcastle and Everton among others.

The Kalvin Phillips nightmare

Since really breaking onto the scene during the 2016/2017 campaign – he made 33 appearances in the Championship that season – Phillips has become a cornerstone of this Leeds United midfield.

And while that has seen the Whites eventually get promoted to the Premier League and seen him earn great individual honours by getting recognised by England at international level, it has exposed a worrying issue at Elland Road: the lack of real cover for him.

Already this season Bielsa’s side have struggled without him, losing two and drawing one of the Premier League games that he has missed, while last year was even worse – they won just two of the nine top-flight matches he wasn’t involved in.

Not only do they miss his technical ability in the middle of the park, but also the kind of presence and leadership that he brings to the table too.

In the 20-year-old Knight, however, Orta could go a long way to addressing that void.

In fact, after making Knight captain just hours after he was appointed as the Rams’ permanent manager, Wayne Rooney has been very quick to shower the youngster with praise.

He said: “He’s very vocal, which is very rare for a young player these days. He gives everything in training – tackling, running. Very similar to the way I was at his age.

“He’s a manager’s dream. He gives everything. He’s the one, not just for the younger players in the dressing room but the older lads, who others can look at. He gives you energy, desire, runs non stop.

“I still want more from him quality-wise – in terms of crosses, shots, goals, assists – but in terms of what we are trying to build for this group of players he fully deserves it whether he’s 19 or whether he’s 30. To get the recognition and experience shows how highly we think of him.”

In his short career thus far, Knight has shown incredible versatility by playing all across midfield and in the wide areas, but has primarily played centrally.

With Rooney talking highly of his industry, leadership and tackling, the Derby starlet looks like he’s ready-made to fill in the shoes of Phillips not just for the long-term, but also in the short-term if the England ace is out injured.

Meanwhile, Beren Cross has delivered an update on Leeds’ pursuit of this man…

Merry Christmas, City fans!

Following a historic 2021, Pep Guardiola’s Sky Blues are soon set to draw the curtain on what has been a thoroughly entertaining year at Eastlands.

City clinched a fifth Premier League title and third under Pep Guardiola, enjoyed yet another Carabao Cup win and played in a first-ever Champions League final, all whilst dazzling supporters with enthralling football and breaking even more records. Off the pitch, the Sky Blues and sporting director Txiki Begiristain smashed City’s transfer record by signing England star Jack Grealish for £100m.

It’s also been a phenomenal year for the academy as even more more top talent emerged following Phil Foden footsteps, with many of them making their senior debuts at the back end of the year.

As a thank you for reading our content as The Transfer Tavern aims to report only the most engaging news possible for Citizens, we’ve prepared a City-related quiz to break up your festivities.

Are you good with ex-players’ nationalities? If so, this challenge will really put your trivia to the test.

We’ve given you four options for each question in a multi-choice format – you just have to correctly select the home country of each of the following ex-Man City players. Starting off fairly easy and becoming harder and harder, some will make the hardcore Cityzens stand out.

Good luck and remember to share your score!

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans have raved over a transfer update involving exciting young attacker Fabio Carvalho.

The talented teenager has continued to thrive at Craven Cottage since breaking into Fulham’s first team in 2020, clinching the EFL Young Player of the Month in August whilst continuing to show his potential.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-updates/” title=”West Ham latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

His current deal at Fulham expires at the end of the season, prompting clubs to take a serious interest in the England youth starlet, with West Ham apparently among his many suitors according to TEAMtalk. Indeed, they claimed that the Irons, and by extension owners GSB, have Carvalho in their sights as talks over an extension stall at his current club.

The Hammers are joined by Spurs, Liverpool and Southampton in being linked with the youngster, with that trio also believed to keeping tabs on the 19-year-old with a view to making a move.

West Ham fans rave…

Amid this development, plenty of West Ham fans have raved on Twitter, and it’s not hard to see why given Carvalho’s performances and high ceiling.

Check out some of their best reactions to the news that their club want him below, with one Hammers fan labelling the player a would-be ‘fantastic signing’.

“I’d take Fabio Carvalho. He’s the sort of signing we should be making, lots of potential but already proving he can score and perform at that level. Once the transfer window opens for us in about 10 days time … hopefully we make a move.” 

Credit: @RockyWhu

“Yes plz”

Credit: @IronsJoes

“Baller”

Credit: @jakewhu16

“please please please please”

Credit: @3ndtroducing

“This would be a fantastic signing.”

Credit: @WestHamUtdScout

“Wanted him years ago, would be perfect for Lanzini back up.”

Credit: @Icevain7

In other news: West Ham source: Newman makes move to sign ‘devastating’ forward after price plummets by £32m, find out more here.

Glasgow Rangers have been hit with a European concern ahead of the 2022/23 campaign…    

What’s the talk?

The Glasgow Times have dropped an update explaining what Villarreal’s progress in the Champions League could mean for teams in Scotland.

If the Spanish outfit go on to win the European title this season then it is would mean that Gers would need to go through the qualification stages in 2022/23 – if they were to win the Premiership title.

As it stands, the winners of the Scottish top-flight will immediately qualify for the group stages of the Champions League next season. This would result in a major £40m bonus for competing in the competition, but that is now under threat.

Their automatic qualification will be taken away if a team wins the tournament this year whilst failing to finish in the top four of their domestic league. Villarreal are on their way to doing this as they are in the semi-finals whilst currently sitting seventh in LaLiga.

Gio van Bronckhorst will be sweating…

This update will leave the Gers head coach sweating buckets as it gives him another Champions League concern to worry about.

Firstly, he is nearing the end of an exciting – for the neutrals – Premiership title battle as the Light Blues are attempting to catch up with Celtic in the table. They are six points behind their rivals as it stands and will not be giving up on their attempts to lift the trophy for the second season in a row.

Whilst it may seem unlikely due to the current gap between the two teams, all Rangers can do is continue to win games in the league and hope that the Hoops drop points along the way. If they can claw it back and secure a stunning title win then that would put them in a fantastic position to qualify for the Champions League, but that is now in danger.

Van Bronckhorst will now have to keep a close eye on results in the competition and root for Liverpool in the semi-finals against Villarreal. He will be desperate, as will Ange Postecoglou, for the Spanish side to fail in their efforts to win the tournament as it would dampen Rangers’ chances of hitting the £40m jackpot later this year.

Although they will still have the opportunity to access that cash fund if they make their way through the qualification phase, the Dutch head coach would surely prefer to go straight into the group stage instead of enduring the stress of play-off football.

AND in other news, From £4.5m to £25m: Wilson had huge Rangers howler over “remarkable” 12-goal gem…

Speaking to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur insider/club source John Wenham has made a claim involving summer signing and new Lilywhites starlet Cristian Romero.

The Lowdown: Spurs snap up MVP…

After Fabio Paratici’s first summer transfer window as managing director, you could certainly make the argument that Romero comes as Spurs’ biggest blockbuster signing.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-developments/” title=”Spurs developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

One of the most promising centre-back in world football, the Argentina international stood out as Serie A’s most solid presence last year – clinching the 2020/2021 MVP award for best defender.

As a result, Wenham believes that Spurs have another promising world class talent on their hands amid the plethora of youngsters already emerging from Hotspur Way.

The Latest: Wenham makes Romero claim…

Speaking to FI, the club source/insider has explained exactly why he thinks Romero can be ‘massive’ for Spurs and Nuno Espirito Santo.

“There is a really high ceiling there,” he explained.

“Romero needs to be our Roberto Ayala, that top tier Argentinian centre half who wins everything in the air.

“I know his English isn’t great but it is improving based on what I’ve seen on social media. I think he’s going to get even better on and off the pitch as the season goes on.

“Romero was solid yesterday, brilliant, especially up against two forwards I rate very highly. I think it’s the first time Ings hasn’t scored at the new stadium.

“Villa have very good attacking players and Romero kept them quiet. He made very few mistakes.

“I want to see him become a permanent fixture for the next decade, he’s at the right age to do that. He can be massive”.

The Verdict: Exciting times…

Adding Romero to the pool of talent already at Spurs certainly bodes well for the future in north London and, once he gets fully settled after a period of time, he could go on to become one of the Premier League’s best centre-backs.

A Serie A MVP winner already who made far more interceptions per 90 (3.1) than any Lilywhites player last season, it’s safe to say he has a chance to be a Spurs legend if he reaches his potential in north London.

In other news: Levy told to hire ‘world class’ boss over Poch if Nuno gets axed, Spurs players love him! Find out more here.

Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a huge injury boost ahead of their Premier League meeting with Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.

What’s the latest?

Speaking in his pre-match press conference (via the official Tottenham website), Antonio Conte revealed that, despite withdrawing from the Wales squad ahead of their friendly against Czech Republic on Tuesday, Ben Davies will be available for tomorrow’s visit of the Magpies.

Regarding the current condition of the 28-year-old, the Spurs boss said: “Ben is okay. He had a little problem, but he’s available.”

Great news for Tottenham

Considering just how important Davies has been to this Tottenham side since Conte’s arrival in north London last November, the news that the defender has recovered from his knock in time for Sunday is undoubtedly great news for Spurs.

Indeed, following the 52-year-old’s move to the club, the £18m-rated left-back has featured in all but one of the Italian’s 27 games in charge, with 25 of these coming as starts, most often on the left of Tottenham’s three-man defence.

Of Davies’ 23 appearances as one of Spurs’ three central defenders this season, the £60k-per-week Welshman has impressed, averaging a WhoScored match rating of 6.81 – slightly better than his 6.79 rating over nine outings at left-back.

As such, the news that the 28-year-old will be fit to face Newcastle this weekend will certainly come as a huge boost to Conte and Tottenham, especially considering the club’s considerable lack of depth at left centre-back, with the position being one of Fabio Paratici’s priority targets in the summer transfer window.

AND in other news: Paratici plotting £59m bid for 24 y/o “appreciated by Conte”, he’s “perfect” for Spurs

Ruben Neves ‘ran the show’ in Wolves’ incredible 1-0 victory away to Manchester United on Monday night, according to journalist Tim Spiers.

The Lowdown: Unforgettable Wolves win

Bruno Lages’ side picked up their best win of the Premier League season so far at Old Trafford, as well as their first triumph there in more than 40 years.

Wolves were exceptional throughout the game, outplaying United for the vast chunk of proceedings and eventually taking home all three points after Joao Moutinho’s late winner.

The victory has taken Wanderers back up to eighth in the table, as confidence continues to grow regarding a European finish this season.

The Latest: Neves hailed by Spiers

Taking to Twitter after the game, Spiers paid special attention to the outstanding Neves, delivering a simple seven-word verdict on the midfielder’s display.

The journalist gushed: “Neves ran the show. What a night.”

The Verdict: Magnificent performance

Spiers is quite right to laud a special performance by Neves, with the Portuguese midfielder arguably the best player on the pitch against a team he has been linked with joining.

He completed a team-high 55 passes (with an 81% success rate) and played seven accurate long balls, as per figures from Sofascore, not to mention chipping in defensively by winning two duels and making one interception and one clearance.

The calmness that Neves showed in the middle of the park alongside Moutinho allowed Wolves to dominate the contest. The 24-year-old proved to be the man for the big occasion last night.

In other news, Spiers has also hinted at one player leaving Wolves. Find out who it is here.

West Ham are incredible form this season, despite a loss to Wolves on Saturday afternoon, and there are many players in the team that have been hot topics of conversation for football fans.

England international, Declan Rice, has been one of the most talked-about players in the Premier League not only for his incredible season for West Ham that saw the side finish with Europa League football but at international level he played a key role in Southgate’s England midfield who got to their first final since 1966.

Despite Rice stealing the headlines as an England poster boy, Jarrod Bowen has come into his own alongside the popular midfielder to prove himself as an important and talented player in his own right too.

The £27m-rated 24-year-old is having an impressive season for the Hammers, with two goals and four assists to his name already in the first twelve games of the Premier League season, whilst topping up those stats with one goal and one assist in the Europa League too.

Due to his incredible form, he has caught the eye of one particular German coach, whose club have been heavily linked with the player;

“I like Bowen a lot,” Jurgen Klopp told in his press conference before the West Ham clash.

“He made his way up from Hull and took not too long to show exactly what kind of player he can be in the Premier League. He made big steps.”

Having been linked with Liverpool, this won’t be a set of quotes Irons fans would like to hear.

Thus, Moyes will need to do everything he can to keep hold of one of his important players, and qualifying for the Champions League this season could really play a hand in keeping Bowen’s eyes on the prize with West Ham for a bit longer.

Paul Merson was full of praise for the forward just before the international break, after West Ham beat Liverpool in a chaotic 3-2 victory;

“He’s a manager’s dream, an absolute manager’s dream. You tell him what to do and he will do it. You never see Moyes having to tell him to do his job. He’s a real good player and a good pro. He’s absolutely outstanding, I couldn’t talk highly enough of the lad.”

Moyes and West Ham will have work to do in the second half of the season to secure important and attractive positions in both league and European football to keep hold of the likes of Bowen, who is currently signed in a contract with the club until the Summer of 2025.

In other news: Moyes must revisit signing James Tarkowski in January