All posts by h79snht.top

Incoming Glasgow Rangers boss Mick Beale will seemingly need to deal with the situation surrounding contract rebel Ryan Kent, amid an update on the Englishman’s future at Ibrox.

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, the appointment of the former Queen’s Park Rangers manager will seemingly have ‘no bearing’ on talks over a contract extension for the 26-year-old, with the fleet-footed ace having just a matter of months left on his existing deal.

The report suggests that the former Liverpool winger has been offered improved terms by the Old Firm outfit, although appears to be keeping his options open ahead of the January window.

This follows previous claims that the one-time England youth international has his eyes set on the Premier League after rejecting an offer from the Light Blues, having notably been linked with a move to Leeds United in the summer.

Ruthlessly ditch

The uncertainty surrounding the future of the Oldham-born ace will no doubt be a notable issue on Beale’s in-tray, with the 42-year-old potentially having to decide whether to try and tempt the player into staying with the Gers, or to simply move him on sooner rather than later.

Having previously worked with the 5 foot 8 ace during his time as Steven Gerrard’s assistant, the up-and-coming coach may well be inclined to try and revive Kent’s fortunes in the coming months in order get the electric talent back to his best.

However, the best course of action could well be to ruthlessly ditch the £18k-per-week man when the market re-opens, with the dynamic speedster having perhaps become something of a problem for the Light Blues in recent times due to his underwhelming form.

The one-time Bristol City loanee – who arrived in Scotland on an initial loan deal in 2018 – has still chipped in with a respectable tally of six assists in all competitions this season, although has proven somewhat unreliable in front of goal with just one strike to his name thus far.

The club’s miserable Champions League run saw the £15m-rated dud particularly underwhelm as he failed to provide a single goal or assist, with pundit Neil McCann notably calling out the attacker for having “disappeared” during the shambolic, 7-1 home defeat to the Reds back in October.

Pundit Frank McAvennie also suggested that while Kent is a “wonderful player” he has seemingly been the Scottish Premiership outfit’s “biggest failure” of late, having come under scrutiny for his work ethic and attitude.

As Beale looks to stamp his authority on the side and spark a revival of fortunes for Rangers, the new head coach will seemingly not want to have problematic and uncommitted figures lingering in his dressing room, with a fresh start perhaps the best solution for all parties.

Aston Villa have reportedly made contact over a potential move for Atletico Madrid forward Matheus Cunha.

The Lowdown: Cunha profiled

The 23-year-old is primarily a centre-forward who can also play out wide and joined Atletico last year. He has scored 39 goals during his career so far and has been described by his former Hertha Berlin boss Bruno Labbadia as a player who has “something special”.

Cunha’s former club RB Leipzig also hailed him on social media as a “magician”, and it looks as if a move to the Midlands could be on the cards in 2023.

The Latest: Villa contact Cunha

Birmingham Live reporter Ashley Preece relayed an update from an Italian transfer specialist regarding Villa and Cunha on Thursday.

He claimed that NSWE and Villa have a ‘real interest’ in the Brazilian and that ‘first contacts between the parties have taken place’.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/aston-villa-latest-updates-copy-2/” title=”Aston Villa latest updates! (Copy)” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: One to watch?

Unai Emery is keen to land a new A-list forward in the New Year who can operate all across the front three.

Cunha can certainly do that, so a possible move to Villa could be one to keep an eye on heading into the New Year.

An Olympic gold medallist for Brazil, the 23-year-old has scored just seven goals in 54 games for Atletico, so he may well be open to a new challenge, possibly in the Premier League alongside compatriot Douglas Luiz.

Ashley Young is set to sign a new Aston Villa contract after a breakthrough in talks, according to journalist Owen O’Brien.

The Lowdown: Young’s second Villa spell

The 37-year-old returned to the Midlands last year and made seven different positions.

Young has continued to feature regularly in the current campaign, making 11 Premier League appearances. He has been used as a substitute by Unai Emery in wins over Manchester United and Brighton, and it looks as if he is set to extend his current contract, which expires in the summer.

The Latest: Agreement in principle

O’Brien took to Twitter on Tuesday afternoon to provide an update on Young.

He claimed that the player is ‘set to sign a new contract extension’, with ‘an agreement in principle reached’ with NSWE. The journalist added that ‘talks have been ongoing for a number of weeks’ and that ‘Unai Emery admires Young’s professionalism and high standards’.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/aston-villa-latest-updates-copy-2/” title=”Aston Villa latest updates! (Copy)” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Good news

Young has shown over the last 18 months that he is a more than adequate squad member at Villa who can provide cover in a number of areas.

Therefore, this update on a fresh deal should be viewed as good news from Villa Park.

You’d expect that a potential new contract would run until the end of the 2023/24 season, with the experienced Young able to offer plenty of knowledge to the rest of the squad and to Villa’s exciting youngsters at Bodymoor Heath.

Glasgow Rangers target Josh Onomah ‘could definitely do a job’ in the Scottish Premiership, according to talkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor.

The Lowdown: Beale driving a move

The Ibrox outfit are reportedly considering a move for the 25-year-old in the New Year, with Michael Beale a huge admirer having previously tried to sign him at QPR.

The Fulham midfielder will be out of contract at the end of the season, and after making zero starts and just two substitute appearances this season, is surely very unlikely to pen new terms at Craven Cottage, making a winter exit their last chance to cash in.

The Latest: Agbonlahor reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, Agbonlahor, who was still at Villa when Onomah spent a season there on loan, suggested that a move to Glasgow could help him begin a new chapter of his career:

“I do like Josh Onomah.

“Steve Bruce was after him at West Brom before the transfer window closed.

“He just never kicked on, to be honest. I don’t know why.

“Maybe the Premier League hasn’t been kind to him but he could definitely do a job in the Championship or the Scottish Premiership at a club.

“He just needs a run of games, he just needs to go somewhere where he’s going to play.

“He’s not going to play at Fulham, there’s no point in him being there in the Premier League.

“He’s at that age now, 25, where he needs to play football.”

The Verdict: Double signing?

Rangers have been heavily linked with a swoop for Ryan Porteous, with journalist Alan Nixon confirming this week he’s ‘heard a rumour’ about a deal, and Onomah could be the perfect complement to follow in his footsteps in January.

The Cottagers ace has recorded eight assists and five goals during his time in the capital, where he was previously described as a ‘powerful’ player by his former manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Beale must be keen on landing him to make a second attempt, and securing both Onomah and Porteous would quickly strengthen the spine of the team before Beale’s really even got started.

Tottenham Hotspur could make a move for Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen, according to journalist Rudy Galetti.

The Lowdown: Spurs prepare for January…

As the 2022 World Cup in Qatar slowly draws to a close, clubs throughout the Premier League will be preparing their assaults on the January transfer window.

Spurs boss Antonio Conte and sporting director Fabio Paratici are thought to be after an upgrade at right-wing-back alongside various other positions, including going forward.

Borussia Dortmund starlet Youssoufa Moukoko is said to be on their north London radar, yet according to reporter Galetti, he isn’t the only attacker they’re considering from the Bundesliga side.

The Latest: Tottenham could sign Malen…

The Italian journalist hints, via Twitter, that Tottenham could sign forward Malen and has urged supporters to ‘keep an eye’ on the situation.

He explained:

“Keep an eye on #Tottenham for Donyell #Malen.  The #BVB left-winger is catching the attention of some clubs in , and #THFC is one of them.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-news-3/” title=”Tottenham latest news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Great player…

Praised as having ‘extraordinary ability’ by former Dortmund boss Marco Rose, the 23-year-old has also been likened to former Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez who once lit up the English top flight.

Comparisons of that nature perhaps exemplify his threat and real potential in the final third, something which is arguably needed at Spurs if they’re to qualify for the Champions League again this season.

A tricky player, only Jude Bellingham has attracted more fouls per 90 than Malen out of Dortmund’s regular players with more than two starts (WhoScored).

He’s also averaged their second-highest rate of key passes per 90 in the league over 2022/2023 – again displaying his real flair.

Arsenal have been making fantastic improvements to their squad since the arrival of Mikel Arteta as head coach in December 2019, and with the club now topping the Premier League table at present, technical director Edu is targeting winter signings to bolster the surge for silverware.

Indeed, with Arteta reportedly handed money to spend ahead of the January transfer market, one shrewd acquisition could materialise in the form of Spanish midfielder Isco, who has recently agreed a mutual termination of his contract with Sevilla.

Reports from Spain claim that Arteta could insist on making a move for the ace in the coming weeks, signing him and maintaining the chest of cash to inject into further departments of the pitch.

And still only 30 years old, the veteran four-time Champions League winner Isco could play his part for Arteta’s title-chasing squad; he knows a thing or two about plundering major silverware.

Ozil 2.0

To say that Sevilla have been lacklustre this season would be a severe understatement; the Red-Whites currently languish in 18th place in La Liga, facing genuine relegation peril with just two league victories all season.

Despite this, Isco managed to maintain an impressive level of performance, with Sofascore recording his average league performance this term at 6.8 and his average Champions League rating at 6.95.

In the league, Isco has exhibited his high ball-playing calibre with a passing accuracy of 87%, creating two big chances and averaging 1.4 key passes per match despite his side’s troubles.

And chipping in with 1.3 tackles per outing, Isco did not shirk away from his defensive duties, something Arteta will duly note given the relentless pace of the Premier League.

With Martin Odegaard Arsenal’s captain and creative focal point starring, Isco would likely not find a spot in the starting line-up with any regularity, but his presence within the squad could give the Norwegian ace some welcome respite, and bolster the Gunners’ hopes of indeed securing that coveted Premier League trophy.

Once hailed as “magic” by former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino, Isco holds the toolkit to unlock even the tightest of defences, and he would indeed be a valuable asset for a side searching for success.

FBref also state that the former Real Madrid maestro ranks within the top 5% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues currently for pass completion, while in the top 3% for rate of interceptions – taking Arsenal’s fluid intensity into account, this refined and dynamic skillset would prove invaluable in the instances of Odegaard’s absence.

With footballing legend Andres Iniesta once waxing lyrical about his “incredible” Spanish compatriot, his talent is unquestionable; Arsenal should swoop.

Southampton are now interested in signing Villarreal attacker Nicolas Jackson, according to a new report.

The Lowdown: Jackson’s Premier League interest

As per previous reports, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is keen to reunite with Jackson, who he managed during his stint as Villarreal boss, with the Spaniard instructing the club’s hierarchy to move quickly to sign the attacking-midfielder.

The Daily Mail then reported that Everton, Bournemouth and Newcastle are also interested in the 21-year-old. They claim he has a £27m buy-out clause but he could be available for less than that figure.

The Latest: Southampton join the race

As per Sky Sports News, the Saints are now eyeing the Senegal international, and they confirm there is quite the race taking place as three other clubs are indeed interested.

“One source has told us that Villarreal want at least £20m”, says Sky’s presenter, so it would still be quite a large outlay for Nathan Jones.

The Verdict: A risk?

Even though they currently sit bottom of the Premier League table, crafting opportunities has not been the major issue for Southampton this season, with 25 big chances created placing them in the top half in this area.

As such, it is apparent that Jones needs a new, more clinical striker in the squad, and this may not be possible if they spend north of £20m on Jackson, who is clearly a promising player, with four goal contributions to his name in La Liga this season, but isn’t what they need at present.

Lauded as having ‘bags of potential’ by journalist Ashley Preece, the starlet is one for the future, but he is a versatile forward capable of playing on either wing, up front or as the number ten, rather than a proven clinical number nine.

Fabrizio Romano has shared the latest update regarding reported Liverpool transfer target Enzo Fernandez. 

The Lowdown: Liverpool linked with Fernandez

The Merseyside club have been linked with a move for the Benfica midfielder in recent weeks, as have other clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester United.

It was even reported earlier this month that the Reds had a bid worth £88m rejected for the Argentine, while other outlets have alleged the player himself has chosen Anfield as his destination.

With the January transfer window around the corner, Romano has shared a conflicting update on the situation surrounding Fernandez.

The Latest: Romano’s Fernandez update

In a recent Twitter post, Romano had this to say on the matter, contrary to previous reports.

“Liverpool have never submitted official proposals for Enzo Fernández as things stand. Talks, strong interest of course — but never made any official bid to Benfica.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-35/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”] 

“Rumours of release clause triggered in the past days, never been confirmed. The race for Enzo is open.”

The Verdict: Go for it

Since joining Benfica during the previous summer transfer window, the 21-year-old has shown how much of an impressive midfielder he is.

For example, in addition to scoring one goal and supplying three assists in 13 league appearances, Fernandez has also made more passes into the final third of the pitch (142) than any other player in the division.

The midfielder has also made a name for himself on the biggest stage possible as he not only ended the recent World Cup as Argentina’s fourth-highest rated player with an overall performance rating of 7.06/10 from WhoScored, but he also won the young player of the tournament award.

Fernandez’s performances in Qatar were described as “dynamic” by journalist Roberto Rojas on Twitter, further highlighting how significant he was for his country at such a young age.

Moving forward, with the race to sign the young midfielder open according to Romano, Liverpool should do all they can to beat their Premier League rivals to his signature.

Arsenal have now submitted a new proposal to Shakhtar Donetsk for the potential addition of Mykhaylo Mudryk in the January transfer window.

What’s the latest?

The reliable transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now claimed the Gunners have made a fresh approach to the Ukrainian side for the services of their 21-year-old winger. Edu Gaspar has already seen one approach rejected by Shakhtar for Mudryk but the Brazilian has now submitted an improved offer:

“Now we can say that Arsenal have improved their proposal. I’m still checking to understand how much Arsenal have offered because now all sources want to keep things quiet after Shakhtar rejected the opening proposal. It was €40m plus €20m in add-ons, Shakhtar said no.”

Mudryk has certainly not shied away from voicing his thoughts on a potential move to north London with the journalist Ben Jacobs claiming it would be a dream for the winger to join Arsenal.

And even in the weeks since his interview with Jacobs, the 21-year-old has been dropping some cryptic hints on social media about potentially linking up with Mikel Arteta’s side.

Having seen their initial proposal for the Ukrainian rejected by Shakhtar, it now seems as if the Gunners may have taken a step closer to potentially bringing the winger to north London.

Title boost

Arsenal have made an exceptional start to the campaign which has seen them climb to the top of the table and with a seven-point gap to the chasing Manchester City.

Given they find themselves in perhaps an unexpectedly good position in the table, perhaps the Gunners look to make the most of this opportunity in the January window and strengthen their title charge with some big additions.

And in Mudryk, they would certainly be getting a potentially huge addition after what he has shown during his time recently for Shakhtar across all competitions.

In the league, the 21-year-old has returned seven goals and six assists in just 12 appearances as well as three goals and two assists in just six Champions League appearances (via Transfermarkt).

Despite Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka making an electric start to the campaign, Mudryk has certainly been able to provide a comparable return which could only push the current Gunners duo with more competition potentially added to the squad (via FBref).

If the Gunners were able to bring in a player of Mudryk’s quality it would be interesting to see how he would fit into the squad, but it would certainly be a headache which Arteta would welcome.

Broadcaster Kevin Hatchard has been full of praise for Leeds United target Georginio Rutter amid the club’s desire to land the youngster.

The Lowdown: Victor Orta looking to back Jesse Marsch

Leeds have already acted very quickly to address a problem area of their squad by handing Jesse Marsch RB Salzburg defender Maximilian Wober, who can play as either a left-back or left-sided centre-back.

The Austria international becomes the fourth player from a Red Bull side to have been recruited during Marsch’s tenure, but Victor Orta isn’t only working his magic there.

Marsch and Orta appear to have identified the young attacker from Hoffenheim as their next transfer priority and that has seen the star dropped from club duties amid strong Premier League interest.

The Latest: Rutter could be signing number two

Hatchard has been speaking live on Sky Sports about how highly he rates Rutter, although did admit he’s still a very raw talent who wouldn’t arrive at Elland Road as the finished article.

He said: “At Hoffenheim, he’s had some games where he’s been unplayable. Defenders think they’ve got him caged by the touchline and he’ll weave through them and make something happen.

“He’s still raw, he’s not the finished article, but I think he would be a great fit for Leeds.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates-13/” title=”Latest Leeds United updates” 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 Verdict: Leeds in need of attacking support

While Rodrigo is having a stunning season in front of goal for Leeds with 10 league goals, beyond him, the club’s next top scorer is Crysencio Summerville with four strikes, which makes for very worrying reading for a side that will need results to stay up.

If the Spaniard was to pick up an injury, as he did earlier in the season, Marsch will be forced to turn to players such as Joe Gelhardt and Sonny Perkins – potentially putting ridiculous pressure to put on such young shoulders.

Therefore, if Leeds can sign Rutter, who has a lot of first-team games under his belt despite only being 20 himself, it could be just what Leeds need to push away from the threat of relegation, although as always, when signing someone from another league, it’s a big gamble.