All posts by z3u9t.icu

Leeds United have been boosted in their efforts to sign Ben Brereton Diaz, with Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray admitting that a big offer could be accepted.

The Lowdown: Brereton Diaz on fire

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a magnificent start to the season, scoring 17 goals in the Championship and only trailing Aleksandar Mitrovic (21) in the Golden Boot race in England’s second tier.

Brereton Diaz has also made a promising start to his international career with Chile, netting three times in nine appearances to date.

The Blackburn attacker has been linked with a move to Leeds in recent times, and while his current club are desperate to keep hold of him, their manager may have given the Whites some hope.

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The Latest: Mowbray gives Leeds hope

Speaking to Lancashire Telegraph, Mowbray admitted that a sizeable offer next summer could see Blackburn have to part with the Brereton Diaz. He said:

“He’s not walking away for nothing in the summer. All of those things are really pertinent. How much do you pay Ben Brereton to keep him happy and stay at this club and keep the journey going? Or when does he cut off and say he’s not signing so you decide what you want to do?

“We’ve not reached that stage with him because he’s a brilliant kid, no ego, works really hard for the lads.

“I’d like to think we can give Ben a new contract because I believe the best way to leave the club would be if someone offers an amount of money that would just be stupid to turn down and we could buy three £5m players on the back of it and then give yourselves a real chance and expectation to get promotion.”

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The Verdict: Strong rival for Bamford

Leeds are short on strikers this season, with Patrick Bamford relied upon too often, scoring on his first appearance in almost three months last weekend after coming back from injury.

Marcelo Bielsa could do with signing someone who can rival provide genuine competition for the Englishman, and Brereton Diaz could be that man.

The Chile international may only be shining in the Championship currently but Bamford himself took form with him from that division to the Premier League stage, scoring 16 goals in the second tier in 2019/20 and 17 in the top flight in the following campaign.

In other news, one massive Leeds figure has been linked with a shock January exit. Read more here.

Graeme Bailey says that Newcastle United are now in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Hugo Ekitike in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Wood on his way…

Sky Sports reported on Tuesday night that the St. James’ Park faithful activated the £20m release clause of Chris Wood, and he is now set to undergo a medical ahead of a move from Burnley.

However, their striker search may not stop there, as The Athletic journalist Chris Waugh has suggested that could go for another one before the window closes.

Nonetheless, with the injury suffered by Callum Wilson, the North East club need all the help that they can get up top if they are to drag themselves out of the relegation zone come the end of the season.

The Latest: Ekitike to follow?

As per 90min journalist Bailey, the Tyneside outfit are now in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Ekitike, in what he claims would be a ‘huge signing’ if they can pull a deal off:

“Can reveal that Newcastle United are in advanced talks to sign Reims’ Hugo Ekitike for £30m.

“Outstanding talent – huge signing for Newcastle if they get it done, many in France believe he could be the next Mbappe.”

The Verdict: Worth the risk

With the Wood deal looking all but done, the Magpies have already found a striker with experience in the Premier League.

Thus, they can afford to take more of a punt on a player like Ekitike, and although £30m may be considered excessive considering his current market value, at just 19 years of age, he could easily be worth that in the future.

Any comparison to Kylian Mbappe, who has simply set the world alight since his teenage years at AS Monaco, is obviously welcomed, and highlights just how much potential Ekitike has.

With eight goals and three assists in 18 games in Ligue 1 so far this season (Transfermarkt), he has shown already that he can perform at a high level, and so would certainly be an exciting new addition for the Toon Army.

In other news, find out who NUFC are now set to bid for here!

Numerous fans of Manchester City have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relayed Sam Wallace’s claim that the Cityzens, as well as the other five Premier League breakaway clubs, are “committed” to the European Super League.

On a day which has the potential to go down as one of the most important in the history of modern football, with Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal announcing that they intend to join the newly-formed European Super League, there remains a great deal of uncertainty about the future of the sport.

As a result, The Telegraph journalist Wallace has been attempting to keep fans up to date on the latest developments regarding the new competition, and he claimed late on Sunday evening that he was “sad” to report that sources have confirmed the clubs are “committed” to the breakaway.

After City Xtra relayed Wallace’s claim on Twitter, numerous fans of Manchester City flocked to have their say on the matter, with many venting their fury at their club’s involvement in the “horrific” new plans.

What exactly did these Manchester City fans have to say in reaction to Sam Wallace’s claim?

“Disgusting.”

@Ethan73918517

“This can’t be real”

@EnzoKrieger7

“Please no.”

@FPL_Ben_

“Absolutely disgusting.”

@Jason_RN99

“Absolutely horrific.”

@mik8000

“Disgraceful.”

@Calvin9820

In other news: ‘Scenes’, ‘Wow’, ‘Special’ – Lots of MCFC fans ecstatic as ‘ridiculous’ transfer news emerges – find out more here!

Leeds United will make a last-ditch attempt to sign Calvin Ramsay, according to reports…

What’s the word?

The Sun’s Alan Nixon claims the Yorkshire giants will “battle” Premier League rivals Liverpool over his signature this summer with the Reds eyeing him as cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold, though the Whites could offer a faster track to the first-team.

It’s thought that Aberdeen’s teenage right-back is available for around £3m as interest continues to rise across Europe.

The Dons are understood to have knocked back bids from Leicester City, Bologna and even Leeds in recent times, as per Goal.com.

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Sign him up

If the 18-year-old gem is indeed available for as little as £3m, then his arrival should be an absolute no-brainer for director of Victor Orta and manager Jesse Marsch.

Tapping up a player with big potential like this for a fee as little as that could prove to be a masterclass from the Elland Road hierarchy.

His biggest qualities are those that he can provide in the final third, ranging from his excellent distribution through passes and crosses, his willingness to take on his man and his set-piece ability.

“His quality of delivery from set-pieces and open play has brought him plenty of assists for Aberdeen. For someone so young to come in and make the impact he has is a great credit to him,” former Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes told The Scotsman (via Goal).

Meanwhile, Dons chairman Dave Cormack believes Ramsay is “in the elite upper bracket, right up there, for a young right-back in Europe” – could the young Scot emerge as a major threat down the right flank for many years to come?

You’d imagine so given Marsch’s high-pressing attacking system.

The emerging sensation, recently dubbed a “wonderkid” by Goal on Twitter, has been likened to Man City’s Joao Cancelo in terms of playing style, largely due to his ambidexterity to play on either foot and thus, on either flank and his attacking prowess.

Further lauded as “so special” by scout Jacek Kulig, Ramsay could well become Leeds’ own Cancelo-like presence at right-back, should Orta and co manage to win the £3m race for his signature.

AND in other news, Scouting mission: Leeds eyeing 6 ft 3 titan who “fits the bill”, Marsch would love him…

Leeds United have given Hibernian teenager Ethan Laidlaw a trial at the club with a view to potentially signing the Scottish youngster.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side drew 0-0 at home to Chelsea on Saturday, once again proving that they can go toe-to-toe with the best sides in the Premier League.

Leeds give trial to Hibs youngster Laidlaw

According to the Daily Record, Leeds gave a trial to Hibs striker Laidlaw last week, with the 16-year-old considered a hugely exciting prospect.

Described on Hibs’ official website as an ‘agile, quick and skilful attacking player’, he will hope to have impressed during his short stay at Elland Road. Should that be the case, Leeds could eye up a permanent move for Laidlaw this summer.

He signed his professional deal at Hibs last month, highlighting how keen the Scottish Premiership club are to tie him down at Easter Road.

Transfer Tavern take

Laidlaw must be a very promising player to have already signed a professional contract at just 16, so it is exciting to see the Whites linked with a possible move for him.

It is always hard to tell how smoothly any young player will make the step up to senior football, especially in one of Europe’s top leagues, but if Laidlaw is to make the move to Elland Road, he could represent a smart coup for Leeds with plenty of raw talent to nurture into a polished diamond.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly eyeing up a move for a Premier League defender with considerable experience. Read about it here.

Wolves are reportedly in a race with some other clubs in the Premier League to sign Borna Barisic in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Wolves need a left-back

Given that Rayan Ait-Nouri was only on loan at the Midlands club in the 2020/21 season, it is not guaranteed that they will be able to sign him on a permanent deal.

Therefore, the Molineux faithful must think about bringing in a new starting left-back to mark the new era under Bruno Lage.

The Latest: Wolves eye Barisic

As per Football Insider, the Wanderers, as well as Arsenal and Aston Villa, are eyeing a move for Barisic this summer.

A recruitment source has told the news outlet that WWFC talent spotters are set to watch the Rangers ace play at Euro 2020 for Croatia, and if he performs well, they may look to put in a bid for him.

The Verdict: Sign him

Assuming that Wolves are not able to sign Ait-Nouri permanently, then they must swoop for Barisic and beat their rivals in the top flight to his signature.

His international teammate Josip Brekalo recently hailed him as an ‘excellent’ and ‘high quality’ player (Glasgow Live), and at 28, he is still at a good age to make the step up from the Scottish Premiership.

Barisic was very important for the Gers both in their Scottish Premiership title win and in general throughout the last campaign, playing in no fewer than 50 games in total in all competitions, scoring five goals and providing a further 14 assists (Transfermarkt).

Signing a player with such attacking numbers from full-back would certainly be a smart piece of business from WWFC.

In other news, find out what transfer update has left Wanderers fuming here!

Former Rangers defender Michael Ball insists that losing Glen Kamara would be a bitter blow for the Scottish club this summer.

Kamara is currently playing for Finland at Euro 2020, playing 90 minutes against both Denmark and Russia.

Finland won the first game 1-0 in horrifying circumstances following the collapse of Christian Eriksen, while they were beaten 1-0 in the latter.

Kamara has been a key man for Rangers since his arrival in 2018/19 and has made a total of 106 appearances for the club.

But he has been linked with a move away this summer, with Watford linked with an interest following their promotion to the Premier League from the Championship.

Kamara is valued at £5.4m by Transfermarkt but Ball insists that Rangers will want a big fee to let him go if the Hornets decide to formalise their interest with a bid ahead of their return to the top flight.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “Glen, a defensive midfielder, they don’t usually get the news of the strikers and the wingers but we always know that these guys do make the team tick so it would be a very important loss.

“Rangers, I’m not sure where they are financially so they probably will find it difficult to turn bids down but they will be demanding big fees for these players.”

Sunderland have had a horrible habit in recent years of letting their academy gems walk through the exit door for not very much money.

Sam Greenwood was one of the first to start the trend. He departed Sunderland for Arsenal in 2018 and is now on the cusp of senior football with Leeds United.

Josh Maja is the most high profile case. His agent convinced him his future lay elsewhere and he left for Bordeaux in January 2019. Now playing at Fulham in the Premier League, there seems to be a familiar trend here.

Other young prospects like Joe Hugill, Bali Mumba, Luke Hewitson, Morten Spencer and Logan Pye have also all departed.

Though, if you cast your mind back to 2014, there is a name who is arguably doing better things than any of those mentioned above.

That happens to be John Egan. The centre-back never made a first-team appearance for the Mackems before being released seven years ago.

He subsequently joined Gillingham on a free transfer, before moving to Brentford and then Sheffield United.

The Irishman has been a wonderful presence in the Blades’ backline, very rarely missing a game. He played 44 matches during their promotion-winning campaign from the Championship in 2018/19 and since they were promoted, he’s been absent for only two games.

During that time, the 28-year-old has become an established international, earning 12 caps for his country, the Republic of Ireland.

Egan has very much become a classic case of one who got away. The defender is Premier League proven and was part of a backline that proved one of the best in the top-flight last term.

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The former Sunderland academy graduate helped Sheffield United to the fourth-best defensive record in the entire division. They conceded 39 times, a better tally than Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea.

Egan has come on leaps and bounds over the last few years, being described as “rock-solid” by Chris Wilder.

It’s unsurprising, therefore, that his value has risen so dramatically. Released on a free transfer by Sunderland all those years ago, he is now rated at an eye-catching £9m by Transfermarkt.

That kind of fee is one to bulk at, especially for a club now plying their trade in League One. As the Black Cats tumbled down the leagues, it would have been difficult for them to keep hold of him.

That being said, they got rid of him at a time when they were in the Premier League. He has since proven he is up to the challenge of performing at that very level.

AND in other news, Rarely-seen 18 y/o could rival Diamond at Sunderland, he’s a “talented lad”…

Aston Villa look set to move on two longstanding scouts in a major reshuffle behind the scenes, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Villa’s major spending plans

Villa spent over £90m during the current campaign on five permanent transfers, and it looks as if another spending spree is on the way at Villa Park.

Owners Wes Edens and Naseef Sawiris have pumped around £400m into the club since taking over in 2018, and according to Football Insider back in March, they will spend big this summer in a bid to keep hold of club captain Jack Grealish.

The Latest: Friday meeting planned

According to Football Insider, Mick Brown and Alan Wood are set to leave the club.

A Villa source revealed that both Brown and Wood have been told to attend a meeting at the club’s Bodymoor Heath training headquarters on Friday.

The report described the likely parting ways of Brown and Wood as a surprise, with the pair working on potential signings under sporting director Johan Lange.

The Verdict: A bold move

It’s safe to say that Villa’s spending during the 2020/21 campaign has been a lot better than their 2019/20 business.

The likes of Ollie Watkins, Matty Cash and Emiliano Martinez have been revelations under Dean Smith, although the loan signing of Ross Barkley hasn’t really worked out.

However, a number of the arrivals in the 19/20 season have either been injured for large parts of their stay or struggled on the pitch – Wesley Moraes, Tom Heaton, Mbwana Samatta, Bjorn Engels and Jota spring to mind.

It seems as if Villa have their heart set on an off-field revamp, though, which could have real significance to Lange going forward.

In other news: Villa keen on Premier League international, many fans are delighted, find out more here. 

Aston Villa could launch a £15m bid for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones in the final days of the window, according to The Sun’s Alan Nixon.

And, as to be expected, a number of Villa supporters have been reacting to the links on social media.

Nixon shared a story late on Saturday evening, claiming Villa are set to try their luck regarding the 20-year-old with an enquiry.

Jones can play as a central, attacking or left midfielder and still has four years left on his Anfield deal. He’s made 47 senior appearances for the Reds and has been involved in 13 goals, scoring seven and providing six assists.

The Englishman is yet to feature this season, though, and it appears as if Villa could launch a late swoop for the Liverpool man.

Villa fans react

@AVFCFaithful_ shared Nixon’s claims on Jones on Twitter. This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with some for and against a potential move.

“another 8, i’m sick of this season man”

Credit: @M10Packed

“wait WHAT”

Credit: @1874Jacob

“Would rather Harvey Elliot than him”

Credit: @AlexAstonVilla

“Please”

Credit: @sam_my_6

“no”

Credit: @IB2511FC

“Now we’re talking! What a signing this would be”

Credit: @Villabo58965244

In other news: ‘The pain never stops’ – Lots of AVFC fans erupt as ‘disgraceful’ news emerges.