All posts by n8rngtd.top

Leeds United have long lacked a Samuel Saiz-like presence in midfield, but that could soon change.

Last month, the Sunday People reported that the Yorkshire outfit were tracking RB Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson ahead of a potential move this January transfer window.

It’s thought that the USMNT international fits the athletic profile required to play under Marcelo Bielsa and he has impressed throughout his breakthrough in Austria.

Since then, further fuel has been added to the fire by journalist Pete O’Rourke, who delivered a fresh update to GIVEMESPORT this very week.

“With Aaronson at RB Salzburg, I know Leeds scouts have been watching him,” he revealed.

Of course, the priority at Elland Road appears to be in finding a new central midfielder before deadline day, and there’s a lot to like about the American dynamo.

Signed by Victor Orta in 2017, Saiz soon became a hit with supporters after scoring a hat-trick on his debut for the club. His tenacity and creativity in the engine room made him a very exciting talent but things just did not pan out.

He left after ten goals and 12 assists across 58 appearances (via Transfermarkt) and has never truly been replaced.

Enter Aaronson.

The Salzburg sensation, who former USA legend DeMarcus Beasley dubbed “silky”, has proven to be a major influence for both club and country. From midfield, he’s bagged five goals in only 15 caps, whilst in 51 appearances for the Austrian champions, he has delivered ten goals and 12 assists.

Valued at £10.8m by Transfermarkt, Aaronson has also been lauded as “young” and “exciting” by O’Rourke, and he could offer Leeds some valuable experience in the engine room, having featured in the Champions League numerous times now.

In his six appearances in the competition this season, the 21-year-old averaged two tackles, 1.3 dribbles, 1.2 shots and one key pass per game (via WhoScored), proving to be a major influence at either end of the pitch.

Also likened to Lionel Messi, Aaronsen has been dubbed the “future” of the American game by talent scout Jacek Kulig, who also touted him as “highly talented”.

On the above evidence, Orta could well discover his next Saiz with a move for the Salzburg sensation this month. It’s surely a deal that many around Elland Road would love to see happen, so he must get it done sooner rather than later.

AND in other news, Beren Cross drops positive Raphinha contract update…

After falling to a crushing 1-0 defeat against Queens Park Rangers in their latest Championship match due to an 87th-minute winner from former Baggies striker Charlie Austin, West Brom are back in action this afternoon with a home clash against Peterborough United. 

With Ismael revealing in his recent press conference that Kean Bryan and Robert Snodgrass will be unavailable for the match, while Sam Johnstone and Alex Mowatt will reportedly be back next week, here’s how we feel West Brom will line up for today’s clash against Posh. We anticipate four changes from the team which started in the midweek defeat in west London. 

In goal, with no Johnstone, it seems likely that David Button will keep his place in the team on this occasion for another attempt at keeping a clean sheet. 

In a back three, with Cedric Kipre and Kyle Bartley set to return, we can see both of them starting alongside Matt Clarke. Darnell Furlong and Adam Reach, who is currently picking up £23k-per-week according to Salary Sport, drop out as a result. 

For the wing-back positions, we think Conor Townsend will start on the left, moving from the centre of defence, with Taylor Gardner-Hickman on the right. 

In midfield between those two, with no Alex Mowatt, it seems likely that Ismael will stick with club captain Jake Livermore alongside Jayson Molumby. 

For the front three, Karlan Grant put in a good shift against QPR, so we think he’ll keep his place in the team on the left, while Grady Diangana comes in on the right to replace Callum Robinson. 

Finally, Ismael could give Daryl Dike, who has previously been described as a “special” player by his former Orlando City teammate Nani, his first start in a West Brom shirt after the 21-year-old joined the club earlier this month and played 31 minutes against QPR off the substitutes’ bench. Matt Phillips is the man to drop out for the American.

Whether or not Ismael goes with the starting XI that we have suggested, this is still a great chance for the Baggies to claim three points and climb a step closer to the automatic promotion places, given Peterborough’s struggles in the league this season. 

In other news: Sky Sports pundit drops worrying WBA January claim, it’d be a “huge blow” for Ismael

Leeds United fans will love Phil Hay’s latest claim…

What’s the word?

The Athletic reporter dropped an exciting 12-word update on the contractual situation of Raphinha to Twitter earlier this week.

“Leeds United are increasingly confident of finalising a new contract with Raphinha,” he said before going on to discuss his performance against West Ham United on Sunday in an accompanying column for the website.

Hay described his display as a “creative masterclass” as Jack Harrison’s hat-trick secured an impressive 3-2 win over the Irons at the London Stadium.

A matter of time?

It is surely only a matter of time before we hear official news from the club on this front as all the noises around Elland Road are positive – the fact that one of the most reliable sources associated with Leeds is saying so is massively encouraging.

Indeed, Sunday’s performance was another damning reminder of how important the Brazilian is to Marcelo Bielsa and the squad.

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As per SofaScore, he registered a whopping eight key passes, including an assist for one of Harrison’s three goals. He also accurately delivered 100% of his crosses, registered two dribbles and attempted three shots but could not add to his eight goals.

Before the weekend, he was the only player to have scored more than twice. He also tops the charts for average rating (7.27) by quite some margin, leading the way for key passes (2.1 per game) and dribbles (2.3 per game), via WhoScored.

‘Leeds have no interest in listening to bids for Raphinha in the present transfer window,’ Hay added in his piece for The Athletic. ‘They have received no offers so far and when it was reported in his native Brazil on Christmas Eve that Bayern Munich would sign him before the end of the month, Leeds poured water on the story quickly.’

Raphinha has been a real star for the Yorkshire giants ever since his £17m move from Stade Rennes in October 2020 – now valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, it has looked every bit like an incredible deal for the club.

Of course, United should be resigned to losing him at some point but him being around for the foreseeable future, thanks to an extension to his current £63k-per-week deal is surely going to leave the Elland Road faithful absolutely buzzing.

AND in other news, “This week”: Journo drops big Leeds transfer claim live on air, fans will be buzzing…

An exciting Newcastle United transfer claim has been made regarding their attempts to sign Jesse Lingard…

What’s the talk?

CBS journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed that the Magpies are closing in on a deal to bring the midfielder to the Tyneside club this week.

He tweeted: “Newcastle are confident of signing Jesse Lingard in the next 48 hours. Looks like a loan deal. Told Lingard isn’t against a permanent move to SJP but wants game time first and then to assess options.”

Pete Graves has since revealed that Newcastle are pushing hard to get this one over the line and are waiting for Manchester United to give the green light.

The Sky Sports reporter added: “#nufc pushing hard to sign Jesse Lingard on loan from #mufc BUT awaiting final decision from Old Trafford. Club will pay loan fee plus full wages. Lingard desperate to play and speak to Newcastle as he weighs up his options. This one could yet happen.”

Delight

Newcastle fans will surely be delighted by this news, as it suggests that this particular transfer saga is coming to a successful end for the club. With less than a week to go before the window slams shut, the Magpies need to start getting deals done quickly, and securing Lingard on loan in the next two days could be a major boost for Eddie Howe.

He could be a fantastic addition to the team and give the fans a much-needed lift, with their side still sat in the relegation zone despite the win over Leeds at the weekend. Lingard is a proven Premier League performer who has the potential to come in and be a key player for the Toon in the coming months.

The England international proved his quality during a loan spell with West Ham last season as he was directly involved in 13 goals in 16 matches for the Hammers. He produced nine goals and four assists to help David Moyes’ side to a Europa League finish, and he could hopefully provide a similar level of end product for the Magpies to help them stave off relegation to the Championship.

Lingard has also shown off his talent at international level, with two goals and two assists in six World Cup 2022 qualifiers. This shows that he can do it for club and country, emphasising the point that he could be an excellent prospective signing for Newcastle.

Therefore, their supporters will be buzzing with the prospect of him arriving at St James’ Park on loan in the next 48 hours.

AND in other news, “I’ve heard” – Keith Downie drops key Newcastle transfer update, Howe surely buzzing….

Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw is expected to return from injury for the Whites’ Premier League clash with Aston Villa next week.

The Lowdown: Forshaw absent again

The 30-year-old missed almost two years of action with a serious hip injury, having been a key figure during Leeds’ Championship days.

Forshaw made a triumphant return to action earlier this season, however, and he has started ten Premier League matches in 2021/22 to date.

Unfortunately, the midfielder has again been sidelined with a hamstring issue in recent weeks, but his return now appears to be imminent.

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The Latest: Back in time for Villa

According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Forshaw is expected to be back in contention to start next Wednesday’s taxing-looking trip to Villa Park.

Leeds go into the game sitting 15th in the table and just seven points clear of the relegation zone.

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The Verdict: Huge boost for Leeds

This is a massive boost for Leeds at a time when Kalvin Phillips is also missing with a hamstring injury of his own, therefore making Forshaw even more important.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side will come up against a strong Villa midfield featuring the likes of Douglas Luiz, John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey, so the returning Forshaw will need to be at his best.

He has won an average of 2.3 tackles per game in the league this season, which is only bettered by McGinn (2.9) in Villa’s midfield, suggesting he will be a good match for his opponents when the challenges start flying in.

In other news, Leeds are still thought to be plotting a deal for one player. Find out who it is here.

As per West Ham insider Claret & Hugh, sharing information they’ve heard from a Manchester City club source, it appears manager David Moyes may have been handed a potential Declan Rice boost.

The Lowdown: Rice in-demand…

After he rejected two new contract offers last summer, there have been no shortage of reports linking Rice with a mega-money move to one of the Premier League’s supposed big six.

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Chelsea, Man United and Man City have been most recently linked with the England international and it is believed that West Ham’s star man would be open to leaving London and joining one of the two latter clubs.

However, in a possible boost for Moyes, it appears he may no longer have to worry about the billionaire-owned Sky Blues tempting away his top asset.

The Latest: C&H share potential Rice boost…

According to C&H, sharing information from a City source, Pep Guardiola’s side have pulled out of the race to sign Rice due to cost and wanting to make a move for Erling Haaland.

Indeed, West Ham’s valuation of over £100 million means City cannot afford the Irons star alongside Haaland despite Guardiola being a big admirer.

As a result, the Eastlands club will now turn their attention to a ‘cheaper’ option.

The Verdict: Good news?

Given City’s financial backing, they appear to be one of a small handful of sides who could genuinely afford Rice’s fee and entice GSB into selling, so news of them pulling out could come as a real boost for Moyes.

The temptation to play under Guardiola and for one of the most in-form teams in Europe could also have been a huge lure for the 23-year-old, especially going by City’s imperious 5-0 away win over Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

As they take their hat out of the ring for Rice, Moyes and co could breathe a sigh of relief for now.

In other news: West Ham officials spotted in Europe as GSB now eye ‘very special’ striker signing, find out more here.

West Ham United manager David Moyes could be set to hand Conor Coventry a role in his first-team squad next season.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football League World, who claim that the 58-year-old Hammers boss has been extremely impressed with the performances of the central midfielder while out on loan with Milton Keynes Dons, so much so that the Scotsman is believed willing to give the Republic of Ireland U21 international a shot in his senior squad next season.

However, the report does also go on to suggest that, should it eventually be decided that the 21-year-old will be sent out on loan once again in 2022/23, MK Dons are one of the sides at the front of the queue for the midfielder’s services.

Moyes can save millions with Coventry

Considering the fact that Mark Noble is retiring at the end of the season, Alex Kral has done extremely little during his loan spell to suggest that West Ham will take up their £17m option to make his temporary stay permanent and Declan Rice is being heavily linked with a move away from East London this summer, it would appear as if Moyes could well be in need of several new central midfielders ahead of the club’s 2022/23 campaign.

And, while a more established option in the middle of the park will undoubtedly be required should West Ham wish to continue their quest to break into the top four, considering just how impressive Coventry has been out on loan this season, the 58-year-old Irons boss could well save himself millions of pounds in transfer fees by unleashing the Irish youth international in his first-team next time around.

Indeed, over the six League One appearances the 21-year-old has made for MK Dons since joining the club in January, the £270k-rated youngster has made an average of 0.5 interceptions, 1.5 tackles, 42.2 passes and won 4.2 duels per game.

Furthermore, the £5.4k-per-week youngster has also earned himself some glowing reviews during his time at Stadium MK, with ExWHUemployee stating his belief that the academy product was “absolutely brilliant” in the 2-1 win over Lincoln City, while The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas previously dubbed Coventry as an “exciting talent.”

Further still, MK Dons manager Liam Manning also appears extremely impressed with the midfielder, stating of the West Ham loanee: “I’ve known Conor a long time and knew exactly what I’d get from him. If it’s a footballing game, he can play, or if it’s a physical battle like at Wycombe, he can compete in that too.

“We’ve brought in someone who can add to the team and has settled quickly. In a battle, you saw what he could do, and in a footballing game, you know what he can deliver. When it’s a scrap, [he can] be physical – he can do that as well. When you look at him, he can adapt and impose himself on different types of games.”

As such, before West Ham go splashing the cash on a new central midfielder next summer, it would indeed appear an extremely wise move for Moyes to take a much closer look at the 21-year-old, as Coventry could end up saving the Hammers a fortune.

In other news: Moyes can finally axe “terrible” £40k-p/w flop as West Ham plot bid for £8.5m “animal”

Jesse Marsch’s potential appointment as the next Leeds United manager could provide the Premier League side with a boost in their bid to bring Brenden Aaronson to Elland Road this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim by Tom Bogert, with the MLS insider stating in a post on Twitter that, with the 48-year-old manager being heavily linked with a move to replace Marcelo Bielsa in the Elland Road dugout, Victor Orta’s talks regarding a move for the Red Bull Salzburg attacking midfielder are still very much alive.

Regarding the Whites’ interest in the 21-year-old, Bogert said: “On Jesse Marsch to Leeds reports & how it impacts the future of USMNT’s Brenden Aaronson: Leeds remain the favourite & expectation to sign Aaronson from RB Salzburg this summer… as long as they don’t get relegated, per sources. Regardless of Bielsa/Marsch/etc. Talks still on.”

Orta must land Aaronson

Having been linked with a move for the USA international in the January transfer window, with the club having reportedly seen an offer of £20m rejected for the Salzburg forward, should Marsch go on to become the club’s next manager, it would appear crucial for Orta to make the youngster the American’s first signing this summer.

Indeed, not only is the £10.8m-rated sensation an extremely exciting prospect – having scored 12 goals and registered 14 assists over his 55 appearances for the Austrian Bundesliga side – the midfielder has also played under the 48-year-old coach previously, having bagged seven goals and provided five assists over 25 outings during Marsch’s own spell at Salzburg.

Furthermore, the American maestro’s style of play would appear to suit Marsch’s own brand of high-intensity football perfectly, with Thierry Henry stating of the 21-year-old: “I like him a lot, Brenden Aaronson.

“I came across him when I was a coach with Montreal, and he killed us with Philadelphia Union. His activity, the way he sees the game. I’ve always been a big fan of him and I’m not surprised to see what he’s doing right now with Salzburg.

“He’s contagious. the way he plays, his energy. His intensity is second to none and he could have scored. He supports the team. He’s a good player. I always thought he was going to be a player. He’s still learning. Let’s not get carried away.”

As such, it would very much look as if the player who Salzburg manager Matthias Jaissle dubbed a “monster” would be a match made in heaven for Marsch’s Leeds side, leading us to believe Orta simply must do everything in his power to seal a £30m deal for the youngster this summer.

Should a deal be completed, it would surely leave fans buzzing. After all, the player’s numbers and appraisals, coupled with Leeds’ need for more quality and faces in the squad make him a particularly appealing prospect.

In other news: “The club are…”: Phil Hay drops huge 8-word Leeds update, fans will be buzzing

Patrick Boyland has now dropped a fresh injury blow for Everton before they play away at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Monday night.

The Lowdown: Godfrey recovering

Just over a week ago, the Goodison Park faithful revealed that Ben Godfrey was ‘making progress‘ in his attempts to recover from his latest injury setback, but the former Norwich City central defender has still not featured since the 4-1 win at home to Brentford in the FA Cup last month.

He had to watch from afar again as they won 2-0 at home to Boreham Wood on Thursday night to book themselves a place in the quarter-final stage of the competition.

The Latest: Still too soon

Taking to Twitter, The Athletic journalist Boyland has shared that Spurs will still come ‘too soon’ for Godfrey, but added that he will train with the squad next week, while Andre Gomes has already started training again Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to start training on Saturday.

The Verdict: Blow

It is certainly a blow for Frank Lampard and the Merseyside club not to have Godfrey available once more.

To give them the best possible chance against the European hopefuls, they would need as many of their key players fit and in the squad, and Godfrey certainly counts as one of those.

He is currently ranking highly among his teammates in terms of average tackles, clearances and blocks per match in the top flight so far this term (WhoScored), and so is clearly a good influence on the rest of the backline.

Nonetheless, the Toffees will now have to find a way to win without him.

In other news, find out who the Blues’ three worst performers were against Boreham Wood here!

Tottenham Hotspur will face a Brentford side in the Premier League this evening that doesn’t include Ethan Pinnock, with the centre-back ruled out with a hamstring injury.

What’s the latest?

As quoted by West London Sport, Bees manager Thomas Frank said to the media: “Ethan will, hopefully, be only a couple of weeks, so that means Manchester United is borderline, but let’s see.”

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The 28-year-old limped off in the first half of the west London outfit’s 2-1 win at Watford last Saturday whilst fellow defender Zanka will also be sidelined with Spurs set to face a side with limited resources at the back.

Conte will be buzzing

After last weekend’s slip up against Brighton, Tottenham can no longer afford to make mistakes if they are to secure Champions League football for next season with just six matches left this term.

Spurs have dropped out of the top four temporarily after Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United, although the Lilywhites will return to fourth place with victory at the Brentford Community Stadium.

However, their place is hanging by a thread with goal difference the only factor separating the two sides if Conte’s side are victorious at Brentford.

Therefore, the prospect of playing a side struggling for options at the back is certainly a huge boost for the north London outfit.

The Bees are in inspired form though, winning five of their last six which has ultimately extinguished any nerves regarding an instant return to the Championship.

Moreover, Pinnock has settled into the top flight expertly, playing in 32 of the Bees’ 33 league matches, keeping seven clean sheets in the process.

After Brentford, Spurs face three tricky tasks with Leicester at home as well as a trip to Liverpool whilst a home North London Derby that could ultimately decide who between them and Arsenal take fourth place.

As a result, victory this evening is crucial which means that Brentford’s injury woes will certainly leave Conte buzzing.

And in other news: Conte unleashes “amazing” £58k-p/w gem, “pathetic” £43m flop axed: Spurs predicted XI