Tag Futebol

A number of West Ham supporters are delighted that the Hammers are closing in on the loan signing of Spartak Moscow midfielder Alex Kral.

It has been an ideal start to the season for David Moyes’ side, who have picked up seven points from their opening three Premier League games.

Wins over Newcastle United and Leicester City were followed by Saturday’s draw with Crystal Palace, with some impressive football being played along the way.

It has been a hugely productive couple of days for the Hammers, with Nikola Vlasic signing from CSKA Moscow, adding even more quality in attacking areas, while Kurt Zouma arrived over the weekend.

Not only that, but a move for Kral is ‘90% done’ [via journalist Jason Burt on Twitter], with the defensive midfielder a promising 23-year-old with 22 caps to his name for the Czech Republic.

West Ham fans delighted with Kral addition

These West Ham fans took to Twitter to show their happiness at yet another exciting signing.

“Over the moon with this! We are BUILDING”

Credit: @JakeRileyHunte

“Played for Slavia Prague so if he’s got the Soucek approval that’s all I need to know. Just get us a striker now”

Credit: @Albey_H

“I understand we’ve made some quality signings so far and this would be another, especially for squad depth. BUT WHY WAIT TILL THE FINAL DAY OF THE WINDOW TO DO IT, MY HEART”

Credit: @Athers32

“This and a striker and I’d say that’s a superb transfer window”

Credit: @Mr_BA6

“Agent Soucek”

Credit: @phill_joseph

“Let’s GOO! Alex Kral to West Ham. Personal contract agreed”

Credit: @acadofbubbles

In other news, some West Ham fans love some transfer-related news. Read more here.

قدم نادي تشيلسي عرضًا للحصول على خدمات اللاعب رحيم ستيرلينج من صفوف فريق مانشستر سيتي في فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الحالية.

ووضع النادي اللندني اللاعب الإنجليزي ضمن أهدافه في الميركاتو الصيفي لهذا العام، وسط تكهنات بإمكانية عودة البلجيكي روميلو لوكاكو إلى إنتر ميلان.

اقرأ أيضًا.. توتنهام ينافس آرسنال على صفقة هجومية من مانشستر سيتي

وذكر الصحفي الشهير فابريزيو رومانو أن إدارة مانشستر سيتي مستعدة للسماح برحيل رحيم ستيرلينج في فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الجارية.

وأوضح أن بطل الدوري الإنجليزي حدد سعر بيع ستيرلينج 55-60 مليون يورو.

وأشار إلى أن تشيلسي ينوي تقديم عرض جديد لـ مانشستر سيتي من أجل ضم ستيرلينج، حيث قدم عرضًا قيمته 25 مليون يورو إلى جانب الإضافات، ولكن تم رفضه.

Harry Kane is ‘planning to return to training with Tottenham later this week’, according to Fabrizio Romano. 

The lowdown

Kane was due to report back on Monday after his post-European Championships break, but he was absent.

It’s seemingly a strategy the player has adopted in an attempt to force a move to reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.

City made a player-plus-cash bid for Kane earlier in the summer worth around £100million, but Spurs are holding out for £150million.

That would make the Englishman the second-most expensive signing of all time behind Neymar.

The latest

Kane will report back to Hotspur Way in the coming days and hold discussions about his future with the club, Romano revealed.

He assured Spurs fans that ‘Harry will be back soon’ but also warned of the player’s desire to take on ‘a new challenge’ and indeed play Champions League football.

The verdict

Should Spurs fans be encouraged? Perhaps the fear was that Kane would refuse to engage in any sort of dialogue with his club, feeling aggrieved that the ‘gentleman’s agreement’ he supposedly had with Daniel Levy had not been honoured.

You’d imagine that the talks will see both sides reaffirm their intentions. Spurs may simply tell Kane that he can leave if the £150million offer arrives – they’re certainly within their rights to adopt that stance given his choice to sign an extended contract.

Supporters will be holding out hope that City fail to stump up such a sum, instead prioritising Jack Grealish, and that Kane would be able to refocus if an exit didn’t materialise.

In other news, Alasdair Gold provides some ‘good news’ on a key defensive target.

Sunderland are interested in a deal to bring Tom Ince to the Stadium of Light this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football League World, who claimed that Sunderland and Ipswich Town are two clubs interested in a deal for the Stoke City winger, although neither are believed to have made a concrete offer for the 29-year-old at present.

The report added that a number of other clubs are also keeping a close eye on the situation of the former England under-21 international, although the Black Cats and the Tractor Boys are thought to be leading the race for his signature.

Finally, it is claimed that the forward does not appear to be part of Michael O’Neill’s first team plans at the bet365 Stadium, despite having featured for the club in pre-season.

Imagine him and Pritchard

Ince did not enjoy the best of seasons in 2020/21, starting just five Championship games for Stoke and on loan at Luton Town, but should the winger go on to seal a move to Sunderland this summer, it is clear that he possesses the ability to make a real impact in the third tier.

Indeed, as recently as the 2018/19 season, Ince played a starring role for Stoke after joining from Huddersfield Town in a £10m move, with the £1.35m-rated man scoring six goals, providing seven assists and creating seven big chances over his 38 Championship appearances, taking 2.7 shots and making 1.2 key passes per game.

These returns saw the man who Nathan Jones dubbed a “massive” player earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.04, ranking him as the club’s best performer in the league that year.

It is evident that the £27k-per-week Ince is indeed a very talented player; he has just found form and game-time hard to come by in recent seasons – something which could also be said about another of Sunderland’s summer signings in Alex Pritchard.

Indeed, prior to his disappointing spell with Huddersfield, the 28-year-old impressed during his time at Norwich City, scoring eight goals and registering 12 assists over his 43 Championship appearances for the club.

As such, if Kyril Louis-Dreyfus does go on to secure Ince’s signing this summer, and Johnson manages to get both the 29-year-old and Pritchard firing once again, Sunderland fans could well be set to enjoy a festival of attacking football at the Stadium of Light next season. We believe that the Black Cats chairman should do all he can to land the Stoke winger ahead of the upcoming League One campaign.

In other news: Louis-Dreyfus set to seal Sunderland masterclass for record-breaking starlet, fans will be buzzing

يعتقد الإسباني خوسيه إنريكي، لاعب ليفربول السابق، أن اللاعب الذي سيسجل هدفًا ويقود فريقه للتتويج في نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا، سيتمكن من الفوز بجائزة الكرة الذهبية لعام 2022، مُشيرًا إلى أن الأمر سينحصر بين محمد صلاح وكريم بنزيما.

ليفربول يلتقي مع ريال مدريد، غدًا السبت على ملعب “دو فرانس” في العاصمة الفرنسية باريس، في نهائي دوري الأبطال، وتنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة التاسعة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، العاشرة بتوقيت السعودية.

وقال إنريكي في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “ليفربول إيكو” البريطانية: “لأكون صادقًا معك، إذا فاز ليفربول بالنهائي وسجل محمد صلاح، فمن المحتمل أن يفوز بالكرة الذهبية هذا العام”.

اقرأ أيضًا – محمد صلاح: لاعب واحد سأختاره الأفضل في العالم بدلاً مني.. وكنت مجنونًا للفوز بالحذاء الذهبي

وأضاف: “ولكن إذا سجل كريم بنزيما وفاز ريال مدريد في المباراة النهائية، فمن المحتمل أن يفوز بنزيما بالكرة الذهبية”.

وأتم تصريحاته قائلًا: “أعتقد أن المباراة تعني الكثير لـ محمد صلاح، لكنني أعتقد، كما فعل مرات عديدة، أنه سيصعد وأتفهم مشاعره تجاه ما حدث في المباراة النهائية السابقة ضد ريال مدريد”.

Leeds United are now said to be interested in former Chelsea starlet Jeremie Boga as they look to strengthen Marcelo Bielsa’s forward options.

What’s the story?

The Whites have only made two significant first-team signings this summer, bringing in Junior Firpo from Barcelona and finally securing Jack Harrison on a permanent deal from Manchester City.

Now, The Daily Mail claim that the Yorkshire club have shown an interest in signing Sassuolo forward Boga, who was previously on the books at Stamford Bridge.

The report adds that Serie A side Atalanta have made an offer for the Ivory Coast international, while Leeds’ fellow Premier League teams Everton and Crystal Palace are also said to be keen.

Bye-bye Helder Costa

Amid an impressive season for the club as a whole, one man who really struggled to live up to expectations, was Helder Costa.

The Portugal international just didn’t seem to find his feet at Premier League level, managing just three goals in 22 games in the competition.

That has seen reports now linking him with a move away, with claims that the Whites are ready to cash in on the winger in order to raise some funds for a new signing.

And, after reports emerged of his potential departure, Gabby Agbolahor said: “Costa did not do enough to stay at Leeds. They definitely need another winger. Costa’s had his chance and he’ll be definitely moved on.”

Well, in Boga, they could get that Costa replacement.

Speaking about him before, former Chelsea coach Michael Beale said: “The most unique talent and I’m talking in a window of being 13/14 and he just beat the other team possibly on his own is a young boy called Jeremie Boga.

“He just beat teams on his own, such a lovely boy. I thought wow, this boy is a supreme talent. he can stop and go and over three or four yards, he can just drift past you.”

As per WhoScored, last season saw Boga triple the number of dribbles the Portuguese made per game, while he also averaged more shots and made the exact amount of key passes too – an indication of the kind of directness and fearlessness with which the Sassuolo man plays.

Given that not only can he play on the left, but also on the right too, the Ivorian would add greater strength in depth and quality to the wide options that Bielsa has, and further push Costa down the pecking order.

The £18m-rated Boga’s arrival would surely spell the end for Costa at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, Leeds United have reignited their interest in this star…

Newcastle United could sign their new Kevin Nolan in Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher amid an exciting transfer update.

What’s the story?

According to recent reports from journalist Alan Nixon, the Magpies have got their eye on the 21-year-old starlet, with the midfielder having spent the previous campaign on loan at fellow Premier League side West Brom.

Now, The Northern Echo’s Scott Wilson has said that Steve Bruce’s side have discussed a possible loan move for Gallagher this summer, and that the Newcastle boss is understood to be hopeful over pushing through an agreement.

Newcastle’s new Nolan

In his time with the Magpies, Nolan was best remembered for helping to fire the club back into the Premier League, and also for that superb hat-trick against arch-rivals Sunderland when they thumped them 5-1 in October 2010.

In total, he managed a very impressive 30 goals in 91 games for the Tyneside club, including 17 in the 2009/2010 season when they earned promotion back to the top-flight with the English ace reveling in a freer role.

Nolan’s ability to break into the box and all-around dynamism are exactly what they would be getting from Gallagher.

During his time at Swansea, Sky Sports pundit Keith Andrews lauded the “unbelievable” energy Gallagher possesses, even comparing him to Chelsea and England legend Frank Lampard, arguably the best the Premier League has seen in terms of runs into the box.

He said: “But the one thing he has got is a fantastic engine, much like Lee Bowyer or Frank Lampard – it’s amazing, the resemblances between those two in their younger years particularly. But for me, he’s a classic No 8; he has an unbelievable energy, he does the ugly side of the game, but you have to let him off the leash and let him get forward.”

Despite not getting too many opportunities at Stamford Bridge, Gallagher has been widely praised during his loan spells, with former Charlton boss Lee Bowyer even calling the £13.5m-rated midfielder a “jewel” that was “impossible to replace.”

If the Magpies can tie up a deal for the 21-year-old, then Newcastle could well be looking at the player to take over from Nolan’s mantle.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are tracking this Champions League winner…

KV Mechelen are hopeful of signing Celtic winger Marian Shved once more and the 23-year-old is reportedly keen on that happening, according to Belgian outlet HLN.

The Lowdown: Celtic gear up for 2021/22 campaign

Moving into 2021/22, it will be fascinating to see how new Hoops manager Ange Postecoglou reshuffles the pack as he looks to cultivate a squad capable of challenging for domestic silverware.

As a new era dawns at Celtic Park, much mystery still surrounds the remnants of the previous regime. One of those uncertain of his future at the club in recent times has been Shved, who spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Mechelen.

Could he be set to extend his stay in Belgium following recent developments?

The Latest: Shved keen on returning to Mechelen

The Daily Record reported last month that the Belgian Pro League outfit are set to approach the Glasgow giants over prolonging Shved’s loan spell as manager Wouter Vrancken went on record stating his desire to re-sign the Ukrainian, stating: “We have two loan players – Marian Shved and Ferdy Druijf – who have told us that they want to stay here next season too. So we have to see what Celtic and AZ say about it and try to come to an agreement with them.

On Monday, HLN reported that Vrancken hopes to have the aforementioned duo back at Mechelen next term. The manager commented: “They are eager to come back to play for us, but we are waiting for an agreement at club level. If they come in, then we are in very good shape for this season.”

The Verdict: Shved should extend his loan stint at Mechelen

Intriguingly, Celtic could use a player of the 23-year-old’s profile heading into a fresh campaign at Parkhead.

Excelling in Belgium circa 2020/21, Shved has managed to make 24 appearances for the AFAS Stadium inhabitants registering eight goal contributions; five goals and three assists [Transfermarkt].

Demonstrating his fearlessness in front of target, he had an average of 1.8 shots per 90 minutes across the calendar year [WhoScored]

Despite these promising signs, the former Sevilla winger needs to be partaking in regular football in what is a crucial stage of his career whether in Scotland or further afield. During his time with the Celts, Shved has only made featured three times scoring once [Transfermarkt].

If they can attract the ideal architype of positional replacement for Shved, Celtic should sanction another season-long loan deal to KV Mechelen to continue his footballing development.

In other news, Celtic are interested in an ambitious swoop for a Serie A midfielder.

Newcastle United could ‘probably’ persuade Tottenham Hotspur to part with Cameron Carter-Vickers for ‘even less’ than £5m.

That’s according to former Leeds United, Coventry City and Middlesbrough striker Noel Whelan, who was speaking to Football Insider.

The lowdown

The outlet reported last week that Newcastle had moved ahead of Scottish giants Celtic in the race to sign the defender. The Magpies apparently want to sign a centre-back this summer, and the ‘young and affordable’ Carter-Vickers fits their criteria.

Carter-Vickers spent the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Bournemouth, his sixth temporary spell away from Spurs after previous stints at Luton Town, Stoke City, Swansea City, Ipswich Town and Sheffield United (via Transfermarkt).

The American defender started 23 Championship matches last term, averaging 2.8 successful aerial duels, one tackle, 1.1 interceptions and 3.6 clearances per match for the Cherries (via WhoScored).

Spurs have exercised their right to extend Carter-Vickers’ contract by a further 12 months (via Football London), but that seemed to be motivated by ensuring that it didn’t run out this summer and leave him open to departing for free.

The latest

Whelan believes that it makes a great deal of sense for Spurs to cash in on the 23-year-old, so long as they recoup their investment. He told Football Insider:

“He’s not going to make the grade in the Premier League with Tottenham but he’ll also be on big wages.

“It makes sense to try and get a player out of the club permanently, no matter what that is. Get him off the wage bill and recoup what they’ve already paid.

“£5million would probably do that I would have thought, possibly even less. Then Tottenham would have freed up some wages in a position where they can strengthen as well.”

The verdict

Carter-Vickers represents a decent alternative to fellow Magpies defensive target Kristoffer Ajer. Newcastle have been ‘heavily linked’ with the Celtic man having watched him since 2019, but they may have fallen behind other clubs in the race for his signature (via Chronicle Live).

If Newcastle’s transfer budget is as low as has been reported, striking a deal for Carter-Vickers for the kind of price Whelan mentions could be regarded as pretty sensible, although Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo – another name mentioned in connection with the Magpies – could be a viable alternative.

In other news, Lee Ryder reveals that one Newcastle youngster is set to be loaned out.  

Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on the appointment of Paulo Fonseca as their next manager.

The 48-year-old will be the man tasked with replacing Jose Mourinho in the dugout whilst the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ takes his fellow countryman’s place at AS Roma.

He’ll have a mighty task on his hands, not at least because he was thought to be the club’s sixth choice for the role.

Fonseca will arrive in North London knowing that his star striker Harry Kane wants to leave, the futures of several players are up in the air, the defence needs a major overhaul and much of the deadwood needs to be moved on.

However, he does meet the key criteria set out by chairman Daniel Levy, who very early on in the process – some six to seven weeks ago – was said to desire an ‘attack-minded’ head coach who could commit to the development of the club’s young stars.

In the former Shaktar Donetsk boss, they get just that.

Fonseca’s Roma side may have struggled to pick up results on the pitch but their style of play has drawn plenty of plaudits, ranging from The Athletic’s James Horncastle describing them as the league’s “entertainers” alongside Atalanta and Sassuolo, to Portuguese journalist Alex Goncalves once dubbing it as “stylish football.”

Ryan Sessegnon would have been one player Levy had in mind for next season and, following a successful loan spell at Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim, he’s surely in line to play more regularly for Spurs’ senior side.

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Indeed, if Fonseca unleashes the versatile wide man next season, he could save himself, Levy, and the club several millions in the transfer market.

What makes the 21-year-old gem so appealing is his ability to play anywhere down that left flank, and given the Portuguese has often gone to a three-at-the-back wing-back system, the youngster could provide backup to Sergio Reguilon.

The futures of Erik Lamela, Lucas Moura and Gareth Bale are all up in the air, meaning that Spurs could have a shortage of out-and-out wingers going into next season. Again, Sessegnon solves this problem.

Now valued at just over £16m by Transfermarkt, the England under-21 international must step up if given an opportunity. It’s time for him to deliver on the huge potential with which he has always been touted throughout his short career to date.

“He is a big, big talent. The sky is the limit for him. He may become one of the world’s best in his position,” claimed Sessegnon’s former Fulham teammate Stefan Johansen. “He is an incredibly down to earth person who works hard every day. His future seems very bright.”

Hoffenheim sporting director Alexander Rosen has described him as a “highly talented and fast wide player, with a strong left foot.”

If he gets the Spurs job, Fonseca must look to develop the young dynamo next season. In the process he could save the club millions – or at the very least invest those funds in another area, such as the defence.

AND in other news, Paratici could land Spurs a perfect Kane replacement in £26m-rated beast who’s “so crazy”…