All posts by z3u9t.icu

Ashley Preece is ‘expecting’ Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey to return against Wolves on Saturday.

The Lowdown: Bailey’s injury

The 24-year-old actually injured himself when he scored his first goal for Villa following his summer move from Bayer Leverkusen. The Jamaican suffered a thigh strain against Everton and missed games with Manchester United and Tottenham as a result.

Villa were targeting a return following the international break against Wolves this weekend, and Preece believes that it could be on the cards.

The Latest: Preece’s tweet

Reliable reporter Preece took to Twitter on Monday evening to inform supporters of Bertrand Traore’s latest injury.

He was asked by one fan for any news on Bailey, to which he replied: “I’m expecting him to play some part on Saturday, Smith might not want to risk him from the start. We’ll wait and see. Due a team news update later this week.”

Preece’s post appeared to go under the radar, with just one retweet and four likes as of Tuesday morning.

The Verdict: Good news

Even if Dean Smith doesn’t risk Bailey from the start on Saturday and places him on the bench, it will still give Villa a big boost for the game against their Midlands rivals.

Bailey has already shown what he can do off the bench at Villa Park, and another starring cameo display this weekend could make all the difference if it is a tight match.

Hopefully he will be in and around the matchday squad on Saturday, but if he isn’t fully fit, he shouldn’t be risked.

In other news: Smith looking to pip Arteta again as Aston Villa eye move for ace who has the same agency as Mings

Sheffield United centre-forward Oli McBurnie has dropped a promising injury update ahead of the club’s Championship fixture this Saturday.

What’s been said?

In comments cited by the club’s official Twitter channel, the 25-year-old revealed that he feels he has recovered from the foot injury which had kept him out of action since April and is now concentrating on getting himself back to full fitness in order to feature from the off for the Blades in the near future.

He said: “The foot feels fine. I was doing rehab with the fitness guys for a lot of time before I could get into full contact training. I feel fit, I feel ready. It’s about getting minutes under the belt now and getting my way back into the team.”

Music to the ears of fans

Like the vast majority of the Sheffield United squad, McBurnie had something of a season to forget in the Premier League in 2020/21. However, considering how impressive the striker was in his most recent Championship campaign, the news that the Scotland international appears to be nearing full fitness is sure to be music to the ears of Blades fans.

Indeed, over his 42 Championship appearances for Swansea City back in 2018/19, the £9m-rated man scored 22 goals, registered four assists and created four big chances for his teammates, taking two shots and making 1.3 key passes per game.

These returns saw the forward earn a highly impressive seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.15, ranking him as the Swans’ third-best performer in the second tier that year.

As such, it would very much seem as if a fully fit McBurnie would provide Slavisa Jokanovic’s chances of securing an immediate return to the Premier League this season with a considerable boost, given his track record of scoring plentifully at Championship level.

With the Blades facing his former club on Saturday evening, there would appear to be no better place for the 25-year-old to kickstart his Championship campaign than at the Liberty Stadium, where he is no stranger to finding the net.

In other news: Sheffield United dealt blow over “superb” £26k-p/w gem, Jokanovic will be fuming

A number of Everton fans have been reacting to transfer news which has emerged on Ivan Perisic.

As per a report from Tuttosport earlier this week, which has since been shared by EFC DAILY on their Twitter page, Perisic has made it known to Inter Milan that he does not want to sign a new deal at the San Siro, with his current contract expiring next summer.

The ‘most likely’ destination for him would either be a return to Germany or a move to England, with which the Goodison Park club have been strongly linked recently.

Of course, Perisic is now 32 years of age and almost certainly past his best, while the Merseyside club already brought in two wingers in Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend in the summer.

However, he would bring so much experience to the team, winning the Champions League in addition to many of the biggest league titles in European football with some top clubs (Transfermarkt), and he showed what he can do with an impressive performance against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday evening.

Everton fans on Perisic transfer news

These Everton supporters gave some mixed reactions as the transfer news was shared on Twitter:

“My mate thinks it’s 2018 and the World Cup has just finished”

Credit: @efc_cain

“Lure him with what, the prospect of playing with big Rondon upfront?”

Credit: @Simonkefc

“That’ll make him U-turn and sign an extension with Everton interest?”

Credit: @ScousePirlo_

“He cuts across Walker and puts that cross to Richarlison’s feet.”

Credit: @Toffeebluebloo1

“He’d still be our best player though”

Credit: @iamawayrightnow

“He played well yesterday.”

Credit: @DavidBailey132

In other news, many Everton fans have flocked to this injury update

Everton could form a formidable defensive partnership after being linked with a move for Inter centre-back Stefan de Vrij ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

According to 90min, the Toffees are one of several Premier clubs keen to secure the 29-year-old’s services, with Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur also listed as potential suitors.

It’s claimed that De Vrij has been offered to the Magpies after they joined football’s financial elite following their recent takeover, but Everton and Spurs still retain an interest.

With the Dutch international having just 18 months left to run on his current contract – and Inter needing to lower their wage bill – the £45m-rated colossus could be available for a bargain fee this winter.

Since his arrival at San Siro back in 2018, De Vrij has established himself as one of Europe’s most dominant centre-halves, making 139 appearances for the Nerazzurri in all competitions.

And the highlight of his career came last season when the 6 foot 2 beast played a pivotal part in Inter’s first Serie A title success in 11 years, ending Juventus’ run of nine consecutive victories.

Amongst De Vrij’s list of admirers is former Lazio teammate Mauricio, who lauded his quality to ESPN (via Football Italia), saying: “Stefan is a great defender and deserves to be at a big club. He’s very tall, he’s strong and fast, he runs a lot – he’s a monster! He’s a calm defender who never gets agitated.”

Recent reports have claimed that Benitez could have up to £35m to spend in the January window after splashing out just £1.6m on Demarai Gray over the summer, and De Vrij could be the ideal candidate to bring in using that money.

Everton have kept just three clean sheets all campaign, conceding three or more goals on three occasions, including a 5-2 thrashing at the hands of newly-promoted Watford.

Therefore, defensive reinforcements may well be prioritised by the Merseyside outfit, and De Vrij would make for the perfect partner for the highly-rated Ben Godfrey.

The 23-year-old is still very much learning his craft at Goodison Park, but his versatility, mobility and tackling ability highlight a promising future, while De Vrij’s experience, passing range and concentration would superbly compliment the youngster.

As a result, their partnership would have the potential to transform Everton’s fortunes this season, and Marcel Brands should carefully consider sanctioning a move for a player that the club’s supporters would surely love based on his wonderful list of expertise.

And, in other news…Huge boost: Everton receive selection uplift ahead of BFC, Rafa will be delighted 

West Ham United are reportedly considering making a move for Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

What’s the story?

According to The Daily Express, David Moyes’ charges are weighing up whether to make a loan bid to sign the 27-year-old England international this summer.

The report states that West Ham are prioritising the signatures of Jesse Lingard or Matheus Pereira over the Liverpool ace, meaning that a deal is unlikely to happen at this stage.

Jurgen Klopp will be fuming

Oxlade-Chamberlain arrived at Anfield in a £35m move back in 2017 and hit the ground running at his new surroundings. The box-to-box dynamo scored five goals and provided eight assists in 46 appearances for the Reds, playing a pivotal part as they reached the Champions League final.

However, a serious knee injury picked up in the first leg of Liverpool’s semi-final against AS Roma that year ruled him out for almost the entirety of the following campaign, limiting Oxlade-Chamberlain to just two outings in 2018/19.

He returned to form during Liverpool’s title-winning season, but a string of minor fitness issues once again plagued the former Arsenal ace last term.

Nevertheless, despite Oxlade-Chamberlain’s injury concerns, Jurgen Klopp will surely be fuming if the club’s hierarchy sanction his departure.

With Gini Wijnaldum already leaving Merseyside this summer, Liverpool are light on numbers in the middle of the park and need to bolster their current options, not deplete them further.

On his day, Oxlade-Chamberlain is a very useful asset to have, capable of scoring on a semi-regular basis, and is a perfect fit for Klopp’s gegenpressing style.

Therefore, director of football Michael Edwards must keep hold of the £120,000-per-week monster for at least another 12 months, avoiding a potential nightmare and allowing Klopp to slowly overhaul his first team squad.

Liverpool currently have several big names approaching the final two years of their contracts, with Oxlade-Chamberlain one of them.

Allowing him another season to prove his worth before deciding to extend his deal or cut him loose appears to be the best option for the 19-time English champions, and one which Edwards must choose in order to help prevent another disappointing campaign for the Reds.

In other news… Romano drops disappointing update over “devastating” LFC target, Klopp will be gutted 

When was a managerial appointment ever simple? With Carlo Ancelotti departing Everton, the board have acted swiftly and meticulously to find their new manager.

Unfortunately for supporters, it might not be the man they were all dreaming of.

What’s the word?

It’s nearly been three weeks since Ancelotti departed Goodison Park but the Toffees hierarchy are on the verge of announcing his successor.

At first, it appeared as though former Wolves boss Nuno Santo would be handed the reins.

Everton became the prime candidate to land the Portuguese after a move to Crystal Palace fell through but it doesn’t appear as though he’ll land the gig in Merseyside either.

With talks stalling, they’ve moved to hire Rafa Benitez instead with a move now on the verge of completion according to journalist Jim White.

This represents a considerable U-turn from senior officials within the Everton camp.

Supporters must be furious

Cast your minds back to 2007 and you’ll remember a certain Benitez sitting pretty in the Anfield dugout.

His affinity with the red side of Liverpool is huge, taking them to Champions League glory in 2005, ensuring cult hero status in Merseyside.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-everton-manager-transfer-nuno-conte-wood-marcelo” title= “Read the latest Everton manager and transfer news!”]

What makes things worse, though, is a jibe he made towards the Everton fans 14 years ago as he reached out and called the Toffees a “small club.”

The 61-year-old clarified those comments in 2019, saying: “I made a mistake when I said it was a small club. What I wanted to say was they are a small team because in this game I remember they had one chance.”

That being said, it’s unlikely fans are going to forgive him in a hurry. After all, a number of supporters have been left appalled by the board’s actions, pleading for the Spaniard not to be hired.

One fan claimed the board were a disgrace for considering Benitez while another suggested they’d completely cut ties with the club.

Benitez may have an impressive CV; winning league titles in Spain and reaching the latter stages of continental competitions, but it will not go down well with the fans.

Of course, a sprinkling of success and a place in the Champions League come the end of the season will go down well, but for the time being, he won’t be met with too many pleasantries at Goodison.

AND in other news, Everton must complete swoop for “phenomenal” 28 y/o, he thinks Nuno Santo is “amazing”…

Everton’s transfer deadline day has been in tune with the rest of their window – quiet and not a lot going on.

Rafa Benitez has spent just £1.7m in the market so far but the Toffees are closing in on a few more signings before the 11pm deadline.

What’s the word?

While Everton undergo negotiations with Porto for a swap deal involving James Rodriguez and Luis Dias, Benitez and Marcel Brands are still awaiting phone calls elsewhere.

That’s because they’re aiming to bring in a striker and a right-back before the deadline. The Toffees are notably in the market for Salomon Rondon, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles could still join despite Arsenal rejecting their offer for the versatile youngster on Monday.

However, providing the latest on what’s happening at Goodison Park today, Sky Sports reporter Vinny O’Connor said on their deadline day coverage:

“What I have been told is that it could be a late one here. Everton also want to bring in a right-back. We’re awaiting developments on who might come in as competition for Seamus Coleman. It’s very important that Everton get a striker in too; Salomon Rondon is the option Everton are looking at.

“It’s our understanding that they’re still working on getting Rondon in. We’re expecting a late one here at Everton.”

Exciting times

With that update from O’Connor in mind, it looks as though Everton supporters can begin to get excited as the transfer window comes to a close.

It’s not been the best market for the Toffees, but if they are able to secure back-up for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and bolster their options at right-back, it can be considered a good window.

Although a more notable forward would presumably be preferable, it’s hard to complain with any signing on deadline day. After all, Benitez could be on the verge of signing two Premier League proven players here.

Rondon has made 140 appearances in the English top-flight, bagging 35 goals in the process. Crucially, he also knows Benitez’s methods after spending time with the Spanish manager at Newcastle.

Maitland-Niles, meanwhile, has been a vibrant prospect after coming through the academy ranks of Arsenal. He is an FA Cup winner and showed during his time on loan at West Brom last season that he can perform regularly in the Premier League.

Benitez’s signings, specifically Demarai Gray with his two goals, have hit the ground running, so fans should back these potential acquisitions to do the same. This is an exciting time for all involved at the club.

AND in other news, Paul Joyce drops intriguing Everton transfer update, it’s now or never for Brands…

West Ham’s arduous search for a new forward may finally be coming to an end…

What’s the word?

According to ExWHUemployee, the Irons are in talks with Lille attacker Jonathan Bamba over a potential late deadline day switch to the London Stadium.

He revealed on his ‘The West Ham Way’ Patreon site:

“We are also in talks with a forward at the moment. Jonathan Bamba is a player I have covered extensively recently on the podcast and it appears discussions are going on with his agents as we speak.”

Last week, the Express first linked the versatile 25-year-old with a move to the Hammers, claiming that the Ligue 1 champions wanted a fee in the region of £25m.

Late, late solution

They’ve left it late but the east Londoners could finally be about to sign the new frontman that they’ve been desperate to recruit.

West Ham have been linked with an array of names throughout the summer, one of which was Tammy Abraham, who was widely believed to be Moyes’ top target before he swapped Chelsea for AS Roma earlier this month.

The Scotsman is in dire need of someone to provide the perfect foil to Michail Antonio, especially as they are set to compete in the Europa League this season, meaning two games per week could quickly become the norm.

Antonio has suffered from injuries throughout his Hammers career, failing to start more than 24 league games in each of the last four seasons. He could not only do with a backup but perhaps another forward opens up the possibility of tactical changes, too.

In Bamba, they’d be getting the perfect solution as he will also be able to provide cover for the likes of Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen on the flanks.

The 5 foot 9 dynamo played an integral role in Lille pipping Paris Saint-Germain to the title last season – as per Transfermarkt, he provided six goals and 11 assists, averaging a direct contribution every 176 minutes.

Bamba also averaged 1.7 key passes, 1.6 shots and 1.4 dribbles per game, via WhoScored, proving to be a massive creative influence, on top of a lethal threat in front of goal.

Indeed, the £18m-rated forward was dubbed the “creative leader” of Christophe Galtier’s side by journalist Zach Lowy.

If West Ham can secure a move for him before tonight’s 11pm deadline, then there will certainly be a sense of relief around the London Stadium. What a final few hours it could be for the club in this transfer window.

AND in other news, West Ham close in on 2nd deadline day signing, it’s another Moyes transfer masterclass…

Manchester United could land their own Virgil van Dijk in the form of Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane this summer.

What’s the story?

According to Spanish outlet Marca, the 28-year-old defender could depart Los Blancos over the coming months, with a €60m (£51.5m) price tag mooted.

The report claims that Varane sees his future away from Madrid and, as he’s set to enter the final 12 months of his current contract, the club are willing to sell him in to avoid losing the World Cup winner on a free transfer.

Earlier this month, Manchester Evening News reported that United were holding talks with the Frenchman’s camp amid the uncertainly over his future in the Spanish capital.

United’s own Van Dijk

United made solid progress throughout 2020/21, recording consecutive top four finishes in the Premier League for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

However, a group stage exit in the Champions League, a hugely disappointing defeat to Villarreal in the Europa League final and a 12-point gap to Premier League champions Manchester City showcased the progress still to be made for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.

One key area of weakness for the Red Devils over recent years has been at centre-back. The likes of Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe have failed to convince alongside Harry Maguire, with Wednesday’s final defeat the latest illustration of their shortcomings.

While club captain Maguire may be comfortable with the ball at his feet (87.3% passing accuracy), a dominant force in the air (wins four aerial duels per game) and a natural leader, the England international is occasionally exposed for his lack of pace.

The arrival of Varane would ensure that particular problem would be all but eradicated, and the towering Frenchman has earned significant praise from departing Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane in the past.

“He’s won a lot and shown his ability to be a leader, help others and show what he’s capable of doing out on the pitch. He deserves the two goals in the last game and the character to give us the win,” said Zidane back in February.

Another admirer of the defender is Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, who compared Varane to Liverpool powerhouse Van Dijk in the past. The Dutchman transformed the Reds from top-four contenders to Premier League and Champions League champions almost overnight, but the ex-United man holds Varane in higher regard.

“That’s why I put Raphael Varane ahead of Virgil van Dijk. He’s won so many European Cups, a World Cup, he’s an amazing player,” revealed Neville.

United could secure their own transformative, dominant, world-class centre-back this summer in Varane, and it’s an opportunity that they can’t afford to let pass them by.

In other news…Woodward must seal MUFC swoop for 6 ft 5 colossus with “extraordinary skills”

Leeds United correspondent Beren Cross has provided a positive injury update regarding star striker Patrick Bamford.

The Lowdown: Bamford’s season to forget

Bamford has managed just seven starts in 2021/22 due to ankle, hamstring and foot problems, with the 28-year-old completing 90 minutes on just four occasions.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-42/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” 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”]

He netted 17 times last season compared to just two goals during the current campaign, with his latest setback coming last month.

The forward ruptured his plantar fascia against Wolves on March 18, but it looks as if he is making positive progress ahead of a return prior to the end of the season.

The Latest: Cross shares Thorp Arch update

Jesse Marsch has previously stated that he is ‘optimistic’ Bamford would be able to return for the final two games against Brighton and Brentford, fixtures which could be huge in the club’s attempts to avoid the drop.

Cross shared a story regarding Bamford on Wednesday morning, suggesting he ‘is due out on the pitches again this week’, describing a return to the training ground as the ‘breath of fresh air’ Marsch needs.

The Verdict: Fingers crossed

Hopefully, Leeds will manage to pick up some unlikely points over their next three games with Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea, three of the current top four, to take them close to the magic 40-point mark.

They currently have a five-point gap over Everton and are three points clear of Burnley, so there’s every chance Leeds will still need something against Brighton and Brentford.

Bamford could well be involved if that is the case, and it looks as if he is on track for a May 15 return, should he take to the Thorp Arch training pitches over the coming days.

In other news: Radz and 49ers will now reward Marsch if he keeps Leeds up by moving for 29-goal forward.