All posts by n8rngtd.top

Manchester United have been hit with a serious hammer blow in their pursuit of the UEFA Europa League this season with the potential formation of The Super League.

News broke on Sunday evening that the Red Devils had become one of the six Premier League teams to become founding members of the new competition – a prospect that has earned considerable backlash.

Supporters, and in fact governing bodies, have been staunch in their criticism of The Super League, with sanctions such as a ban from all European competition and domestic tournaments being mooted by Fabrizio Romano.

Furthermore, United have stood down from the European Club Association (ECA), which likely means that they cannot compete in UEFA competitions.

That consequence would simply be disastrous for the Red Devils and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as they may not be able to compete in the competition that they find themselves in the semi-finals of.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/the-latest-man-united-transfer-rumours-and-news-from-old-trafford-lingard-de-gea-pogba-bailly-johnstone” title=”The latest Man United transfer rumours and news from Old Trafford…”]

Solskjaer’s troops are currently in the race to finish in the top-four in the Premier League, whilst they have also managed to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League.

With the Norwegian having not yet lifted a trophy in his time at Old Trafford yet, the opportunity in which to do that has seemingly been cruelly snatched away.

So with United’s co-chairman Joel Glazer set to be appointed vice-chairman of the apparent Super League, he has seemingly done more damage to his club than good.

AND in more news, take a look Mason Greenwood’s exhilarating performance against Burnley this weekend…

According to a report by journalist Kevin Palmer, sharing his Sunday World piece on Twitter, Liverpool are closing in on a double swoop for both Ibrahima Konate and Ozan Kabak, prompting many Reds supporters to react excitedly as this news emerges.

The Reds have been publicly working on a deal for Konate for quite some time, with CaughtOffside reporter Leah Smith breaking the news that Liverpool have reached an agreement for the RB Leipzig defender (Twitter).

Fabrizio Romano also backed that claim (Twitter), but Sunday World reporter Palmer has now dropped a rather enticing development on the story. He claimed that, as well as Konate, Liverpool are also lining up a swoop for on-loan defender Kabak, with German sources expecting him to put pen to paper on an £18m deal.

Flocking to this news, many Reds supporters weren’t short of opinions,with one calling it ‘fantastic news’ given how well the Turkish defender is starting to adapt to the English top flight.

Find some of their verdicts on this transfer news below.

Liverpool fans buzz over Konate and Kabak claim

“Wow! Didn’t think we’d do both. Kabak at the price he is makes so much sense.”

Credit: @TheOnlyBrianG

“Love this, can we bag a striker too though”

Credit: @MrTazofficial

“GET IN + #FSGOUT”

Credit: @Daniel04139099

“Finally some good news”

Credit: @MoAshoor25

“Nice good start now onto a creative midfield and another forward”

Credit: @yeraya100

“Yay”

Credit: @LFC_JimBean

“Fantastic news. Kabak gets better with every game!”

Credit: @TheAnfieldTalk

In other news: Many Liverpool fans blasted this star after his Newcastle outing, find out more here.

According to emerging reports, Sheffield Wednesday are considering a move for free-agent defender Danny Simpson…

What’s the word?

Sheffield Star journalist Joe Crann revealed on Monday evening that the Owls were contemplating a deal for the out-of-work left-back, who left local rivals Huddersfield Town at the end of last season.

The 34-year-old had been playing for his former club, Leicester City, and their u23 side in recent months in a mutually beneficial agreement that added experience to Brendan Rodgers’ setup as well as giving the Premier League winner some much-needed minutes.

It is believed that Simpson was the unnamed trialist for the Owls’ U23s on Monday afternoon, with senior boss Darren Moore in attendance.

An uninspiring solution

There are only 11 games left to save Wednesday’s Championship status, so signing a player that has not featured all campaign certainly seems like a recipe for disaster, nor is it an inspiring move.

However, it is a necessary decision to make, irrespective of the division the south Yorkshire giants find themselves in next term.

The Owls have practically been playing all year without an out-and-out left-back. In the summer, former boss Garry Monk failed to replace his first-choice option, Morgan Fox, following his departure to Stoke City.

And this was something that chairman Dejphon Chansiri and the club’s recruitment team neglected to rectify during the January transfer window.

Given Simpson’s experience – he has racked up 331 appearances across England’s top two divisions – and the need for a player in the role, the move makes a ton of sense.

He started 23 games for the Terriers last season, where he averaged the fifth-most tackles per game (1.5) of any regular starter for Danny Cowley – a figure that would rank him similarly in the current Owls squad.

Matt Penney, Adam Reach, Liam Palmer, Moses Odubajo and Joost van Aken have all been utilised at left-back throughout the season, only emphasising the nightmare the Owls have had in the position and only two have managed more than 1.5 tackles per outing, as per WhoScored.

As Rodgers once said to the Leicester Mercury, Simpson is a “first-class” player who “trains like a demon every day,” and whilst his better days have come and gone, he’d be a worthwhile addition to Moore’s faltering outfit.

The £450k-rated veteran can solve the Owls’ season-long problem at left-back.

AND in other news, Worse than Windass: Sheffield Wednesday ace who had 71 touches hands Moore big problem…

Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that he isn’t surprised that “luxury” Manuel Lanzini wants to quit West Ham this summer.

The Argentine is currently in his sixth season with the Hammers, but hasn’t been the same player since suffering an ACL injury in training ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

Lanzini has been fit for the entire campaign, but has been restricted to just three Premier League starts, the latest of those coming against Sheffield United last month, and has been an unused substitute in seven of West Ham’s previous nine league fixtures.

He still has more than two years remaining on his deal with the Hammers, but recent reports suggest that Lanzini wants to leave the London Stadium in the summer, which came after French champions PSG, who are managed but his his fellow Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino, made a failed last-ditch attempt to sign him in January.

And McAvennie believes that part of Lanzini’s struggles have been down to the upturn in fortunes of Said Benrahma.

He told Football FanCast:

“The boy’s not getting a game, so if he’s not getting a game then he’s got to go. As a player, if you’re not getting a game then you’ve got to go. Sometimes you have just got to play. Lanzini has been out of the team for so long. He’s a luxury player.

“Benrahma when he came in, and David Moyes said ‘you’re losing the ball too much’. Lanzini is a little bit like that. He’s probably spoken to both of them, but Benrahma seems to have bought into what David Moyes is telling them. Great player, but Lanzini is a luxury.

“I’m not surprised he wants to quit. Benrahma has bought into West Ham, and that’s why Lanzini is not getting a game.”

Lanzini has been a great servant to West Ham over the years, but he’s some way down the pecking order under Moyes, which makes a summer exit extremely likely.

Aston Villa were recently labelled as the ‘early favourites’ to sign Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge this summer.

The 23-year-old looks likely to seal a move away from Chris Wilder’s side, with relegation to the Championship looking inevitable for the Yorkshire outfit.

Arsenal and Tottenham keen

According to website Jeunes Footeux, via Sport Witness, Arsenal and Tottenham are both now interested in the Blades ace and are on alert over a potential transfer.

The report claims that Berge, who has been out of action since December through injury, will be allowed to leave Bramall Lane for €26m (£22.3m).

Transfer Tavern take

Securing Berge’s services could turn out to be a shrewd piece of business by Villa, but it looks as if they’ll need to make him the club’s third biggest-signing in their history at £22.3m.

The Norwegian is capable of playing as a holding or central midfielder, so could provide Dean Smith with another strong option in the middle of the park.

On the other hand, Smith already has the likes of Douglas Luiz, John McGinn, Marvelous Nakamba, Jacob Ramsey and January arrival Morgan Sanson as central options, so Smith may feel he is well-stocked in that department.

In other news: Gregg Evans believes £27k-a-week Villa ace could leave this summer, find out more here.

Lee Johnson has guided this Sunderland side to fourth in League One and the good times should carry on this weekend.

The Mackems are getting ready to face a Rochdale side who occupy a relegation place in the division. They have only won one of their last 15 outings, so it should be an uphill struggle for The Dale at the Stadium of Light.

That being said, the Black Cats did need a rescue act last weekend against Crewe in order to salvage a point.

It’s also hard to look past a number of injuries with which Johnson is having to contend. With a succession of players still on the sidelines, how could their XI look on Saturday afternoon?

The Mackems are likely to be without Grant Leadbitter this weekend as he recovers from a dislocated shoulder.

Tom Flanagan is looking stronger in his bid to return to fitness but will miss out this weekend. The same goes for Ross Stewart and Denver Hume. Bailey Wright will unfortunately also be absent on Saturday afternoon.

As a result, the makeshift pairing of Dion Sanderon and Luke O’Nien occupy the central roles in the defence.

With Sunderland taking on weaker opposition, it could give the manager a chance to go more attacking, something he did in the second half of their clashes with Crewe and Swindon.

That sees two changes made from Tuesday night, with Chris Maguire and Aiden O’Brien coming into the side. Maguire replaces Lynden Gooch in the number 10 role.

Gooch starred against Swindon but went off with a minor calf problem. Johnson wasn’t too worried at full-time but, given the number of injury problems they have, they can’t afford to take risks. That means the £5,000-per-week winger is dropped from the XI.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-sunderland-news-and-gossip” title=” Latest Sunderland news and gossip!”]

The other change is on the left, where Jordan Jones comes out of the team for O’Brien, someone who has been an influential member of the team since Johnson was given the job.

The winger started on the bench in midweek but scored 11 days ago against Fleetwood. With his importance in mind, it’s not beyond the realms of fantasy to suggest he could start again.

After all, Jones still appears to be struggling for match fitness; he was hooked after just an hour on Tuesday night.

AND in other news, Sunderland must unleash “top player” who Johnson once dubbed “Championship-class”…

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma this month by Duncan Castles on The Transfer Window Podcast, and the Mali international’s stats suggest that he would be a great addition to Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

Since joining the Seagulls from LOSC Lille in 2018, the 24-year-old has gone on to make 76 appearances, in which he has contributed four goals and one assist.

This season has seen the midfielder average a solid 6.83 rating for his performances in the Premier League, whilst he has demonstrated his long-range shooting quality with superb goals against Everton and Blackpool so far this campaign.

With Fabinho having played centre-back for much of the season, Liverpool have arguably lacked some bite in midfield at times this campaign, which Bissouma could add if he were to make the move to Anfield.

The Brazilian has averaged 2.1 tackles per game, which is the most of any Reds player. Bissouma, meanwhile, has averaged 2.9 tackles per game in the top-flight, which suggests he would fit well into Klopp’s midfield.

The 24-year-old also scores highly with his pass accuracy rate (86.2%) and dribbles per game (1.6), which again suggests that he could adapt to Liverpool’s style of play, as we have often seen the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum and Thiago use their dribbling qualities in order to make space for the front three.

Bissouma may well be likely to depart Brighton in the near future given he is attracting interest from sides across the Premier League, with manager Graham Potter also full of praise for him earlier this season, saying:

“He’s got that quality (to play in the Champions League), he’s got those attributes that you need at that level.”

With Wijnaldum looking likely to join Barcelona at the end of the season, Bissouma could prove to be the ideal replacement if Michael Edwards is able to bring the £11.7 million-rated midfielder to Anfield during the summer.

And, in other news… “I think they’ll try and get it done this window” – Exclusive: Pundit tips LFC to target “perfect” 28 y/o

According to reports in Spain, West Brom failed in a late attempt to secure a La Liga striker during the January transfer window, though they can count their lucky stars that a deal didn’t come to fruition.

Mundo Deportivo claim that the Baggies were keen to secure former Middlesbrough frontman, Martin Braithwaite, in a loan-to-buy deal which would have included a €15m (£14m) option.

It’s thought that the 29-year-old rejected the opportunity as he had no desire to swap the Nou Camp for the Hawthorns, which is obviously understandable.

But what isn’t understandable is Albion’s interest in the 5 foot 10 forward as he’s failed in England before.

Somehow, the former Boro flop has found himself playing alongside Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann, albeit in a bit-part role at the Spanish giants.

During his time in the Championship with the north-east outfit, the 46-time Denmark international only managed to score eight goals in 36 appearances for the club, via Transfermarkt.

By comparison, even Charlie Austin and Hal Robson-Kanu both hit ten apiece last term with neither starting 24 or more matches, which speaks volumes as the former is no longer at the club, and the latter is merely a bench option right now.

Braithwaite also caused a bit of controversy that had former Baggies boss Tony Pulis reeling. After speaking to the Danish press about his future at the Riverside, the then-Boro manager launched a scathing attack on the striker.

He said, via GazetteLive:

“The biggest disappointment for me is he’s the highest-paid player I’ve ever worked with in the Championship,” before adding: “To show the disrespect he’s shown to this club by saying he’s not coming back, to Steve Gibson, who’s made him a multi-millionaire, let’s make no bones about it, the wages and what he’s earning are astonishing. I’ve dealt with players all my life, some can make your hair curl – not mine. But for him to come out and say that, it just puts him up there as such an ungrateful person.”

Pulis is probably the last person the Hawthorns faithful want to hear from, but these comments, along with Braithwaite’s disappointing record in England, make for appalling reading.

Albion are among the lowest scorers in the Premier League, and Braithwaite would not have been the answer to their issues. He’d have only been another big-money striker signing to fail in the Midlands, like Brown Ideye, who was signed for a then club-record £10m in 2014, he only delivered four Premier League goals before being shipped away after just one campaign.

Kenneth Zohore, Oliver Burke, Yuning Zhang, Stephane Sessegnon, Rickie Lambert are others to name just a few.

Luke Dowling and co may have just dodged an almighty £14m bullet this January.

AND in other news, West Brom just made a foolish mistake over £50k-per-week FLOP…

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faces a difficult decision over how he deals with Manchester United defender Phil Jones in the coming weeks and months – with the Red Devils reportedly open to selling him this summer.

What’s the word?

According to ESPN, United could look to sell Jones on one condition, with Solskjaer seeking to bolster his defensive options before the start of the new season.

Jones has long been linked with the Old Trafford exit, and several clubs have looked at him closely, including Premier League strugglers West Brom, who wanted him to shore up their leaky defence during the winter window.

The former England international is just the latest player tipped to be on the move in the next summer market as Solskjaer has already started to clear out the deadwood by selling Timothy Fosu-Mensah to Bayer Leverkusen for a mere £1.8m fee.

Time’s up

With the emergence of academy graduate Axel Tuanzebe, Jones has been relegated to fourth choice this season.

The 28-year-old, who is currently valued at £5m via Transfermarkt, has not played for United since January 2020 after a string of injuries and has spent the entire time up until now working his way back to fitness.

He had attracted interest from several clubs across the country in the hope of a possible move in January earlier this year, but in the end, nothing materialised, and on £75k-per-week, it might be hard to offload him without forcing him to take a drastic pay cut.

However, fitness issues aside, it’s become increasingly apparent that Jones simply isn’t up to the standards required at Old Trafford.

Whilst it could be argued that injuries have meant he has never been able to reach his full potential, having been tipped for greatness by Sir Alex Ferguson himself.

In his last season alone, the versatile defender, who has played in the centre, in the midfield and on the right in his career so far, averaged just one tackle and one interception per 90 in the Premier League, via WhoScored.

By comparison, Tuanzebe is averaging 1.2 tackles per game in six top-flight appearances this season, suggesting that he is already a  significant upgrade on his injured teammate.

Solskjaer will also be well aware that Jones needs to be playing regularly to attract any potential suitors in the summer, which could prove to be a stumbling block unless he can make a full recovery from injury.

Should he recover from injury, there will be a dilemma over giving him any game time at all and whether that’s a good idea right now still remains to be seen with the Red Devils in hot pursuit of both domestic and European success.

There’s nothing to suggest that the unseen Englishman could bolster their current defensive issues.

AND in other news, Manchester United face stiff competition in pursuit of Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic…

Not that they’d like to admit it, but if Glasgow Rangers do intend to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window, then Steven Gerrard simply must prioritise his options out wide.

Ianis Hagi has established himself as a regular starter in the Scottish Premiership but both Brandon Barker and Jordan Jones have seemingly been deemed surplus to requirements. Gerrard should count his blessings that the transfer market is still open, for the time being at least.

Reports have emerged over the past week that Rangers are reportedly eyeing up a move for Sheffield Wednesday winger Adam Reach, whose contract will run out in the summer.

The Lancashire Telegraph recently revealed that Reach is free to talk to foreign clubs and thus, Rangers and their Old Firm rivals Celtic are closely monitoring his situation.

It’s been claimed Steven Gerrard’s side ‘may make a move for the 27-year-old who was bought for £5milllion from Middlesbrough in 2016.’

As per the Bosman ruling, he could move to a new club without costing a penny if he agrees a pre-contract deal with either club north of the border.

Wilson masterclass

With Reach nearing the end of his contract, it goes without saying that this could be yet another fine example of a masterclass from Ross Wilson – who played a central role in Southampton’s player trading – if he can snap up the 27-year-old.

There’s no doubt he’d take to Scottish football like a duck to water as he’s arguably one of the most versatile players in the English Championship.

Capable of playing out wide, upfront, in the midfield or even at left-back, his versatility not only means that he is a manager’s dream as he can play in a number of positions at short notice, but he’d also be a significant upgrade on the likes of Barker and Jones in the final third.

Previously described as “fantastic” by former Owls manager Jos Luhukay, he has a host of different qualities that could be game-changing for the Gers.

Perhaps most importantly, he’s better in almost every area than the hapless Rangers duo.

Reach has made 22 Championship appearances so far this season and has two goals and two assists to show for his 18 starts, despite playing in virtually every position besides centre-back, right-back and between the sticks. That’s one more goal contribution than Barker and Jones have managed between them, let alone by themselves, via Transfermarkt.

On top of this, the former Middlesbrough man makes just shy of one tackle and one interception per game, which shows that he isn’t afraid to get stuck in and contribute defensively as well. The same can’t be said for Barker and Jones, who have barely averaged one tackle between them this season, via WhoScored, and typically shy away from tracking back and breaking up attacks.

It’s clear that Reach would be an upgrade on the two Rangers outcasts, who are still yet to feature for the first-team this year.

With Rangers lacking genuine cover on the wings and Gerrard’s playing style revolving around the width on the outside channels, it’s fair to say that signing the experienced Reach could prove to be invaluable as they bid to stop Celtic from winning ten in a row.

The chastening 3-2 defeat to St. Mirren shows Rangers can’t afford to rest on their laurels in the transfer market. Therefore, snapping up Reach for a cut-price deal should be at the top of the list of Wilson’s priorities. He’s already proven he’s one of the best in the English second division and should settle into life in the Scottish Premiership.

Should they stall too long, there’s no doubt there’ll be other clubs waiting in the wings.

AND in other news, Ross Wilson must sanction Rangers swoop for on-loan Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi…