All posts by z3u9t.icu

A number of Manchester City fans lambasted Nathan Ake during their Premier League clash with Arsenal on Saturday afternoon. 

City travelled to the Emirates Stadium looking to extend a run of 10 consecutive victories and move 11 points clear at the top of the table for 24 hours at least. However, Arsenal were on a hot streak of their own, having won their last four matches by an aggregate of 14 goals to one.

Pep Guardiola made three changes to the team which beat Brentford in midweek. Rodri, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez replaced Fernandinho, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish respectively.

Ake’s Emirates struggle

Ake was making back-to-back league starts for the Cityzens for the first time in 2021/22, but The Athletic’s Manchester City correspondent Sam Lee described him as ‘pretty passive’ in the move which led to Bukayo Saka opening the scoring for Arsenal.

The Netherlands international lost both of his ground duels, failed to complete the only dribble he attempted and did not make a successful tackle on the day (via SofaScore), although he did pull off a remarkable goal-line clearance to somewhat atone for his otherwise tepid performance.

Nonetheless, some City supporters weren’t pleased with his overall display, with one fan likening him to a “training cone” following Saka’s opener.

These Man City fans slam Ake

“We’re absolutely terrible. Cancelo and Ake are getting torn apart”

Credit: @mtmcfc

“Ake is horrendous”

Credit: @CalMCFCWhite

“We have Saka turning Ake like a training cone multiple times and but hey who needs a left back eh?”

Credit: @AarxnMCFC

“Why did we even sign Ake?”

Credit: @WunzinhoMCFC

“Ake is leg the bad leg on a dodgy chair. Unsteadies the whole back 4.”

Credit: @NMagennis

“I can’t like, Ake is not it”

Credit: @MCFC_RMBO

In other news, lots of City fans react to this player’s intriguing interview

Manchester United are yet to make a signing during this transfer window, but have been in the spotlight as it was revealed last week that as many as 17 players are rumoured to want a move away from the club and now talks have opened to offload a player.

What’s the word?

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Manchester United have opened talks with AC Milan about their interest in signing Eric Bailly on loan this January.

The Italian transfer insider tweeted:

“Eric Bailly future will be decided soon. AC Milan are interested in him as potential new centre back on loan, talks opened – no final decision has been made yet.

“Manchester United are waiting for further direct contacts with AC Milan in the coming hours/days.”

The £87k-per-week gem was named as one of the players rumoured to be looking for an exit from Old Trafford, so with that being said, there could be a mid-season departure on the cards.

Fans will be fuming

The announcement from Romano has been met with a furious response from fans of the Red Devils, with many tweeting their criticism of the potential move for the defender.

Some fans used the opportunity to scathe Manchester United defender and captain, Harry Maguire, with one fan tweeting in reply to Romano:

“Imagine selling Bailly and keeping Maguire… This club is truly finished.” Another replied: “What do you do when you’re short in a certain position? You sell a player who plays in that exact position. My club.”

Bailly hasn’t been given the opportunity to make an impact on the side this season so far, with only seven appearances in all competitions, so it is no wonder that talks have opened for a move for the 27-year-old defender, as he has spoken out in the past about his desire to play more football and be a starter in the team.

Ralf Rangnick must make the right decision on Bailly’s future, especially going into the rest of the season where he sits in a vulnerable position in the league, currently seven points adrift of a Champions League spot in fourth place.

The club is also still involved in the FA Cup and the Champions League round of 16 knockouts this season, and will need to maintain experience and availability of players to see out the season with a much better outlook and position than the one they are currently in.

Although he’s very rarely played this term, Bailly can potentially offer this in his position which he has been a part of for five years at Old Trafford.

With so much football left to play this term, letting valued members of the team leave would be a puzzling first step in the transfer window from the club’s German interim manager. It would also be an eventuality that leaves a number of supporters at Old Trafford rather confused and angry at the transfer policy from upstairs once again.

They haven’t got things right in the past and they are hardly heading in the right direction this winter either.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano reveals Rangnick’s stance on Zakaria

Wolves would love to complete the permanent signing of attacking loanee Hwang Hee-chan this month, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Hwang impressing at Wolves

The South Korean joined Wanderers from RB Leipzig last summer, seeing it as an opportunity to earn more regular playing time elsewhere.

Hwang has impressed at Molineux, scoring four goals in 11 Premier League starts and being hailed by Ian Wright as a player who has ‘got everything’.

Wolves have the option to sign the attacker on a permanent deal at the end of the season but other clubs could swoop in before then, highlighting why the Old Gold may need to act fast.

The Latest: O’Rourke backs permanent Hwang move

Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke confirmed that Wolves want to make Hwang’s loan move permanent, with a reported £14m option to purchase him outright.

The journalist claimed: “They would love to tie up a deal for Hwang. He’s really impressed since his loan move from Leipzig, so that would take up a bit of their finances if they were to do that.”

The Verdict: No-brainer for Wanderers

Hwang’s goalscoring form has dropped off of late, partly due to being sidelined through injury, but it makes complete sense for Wolves to snap him up for good.

The South Korea international has shone in a left-sided role, not only linking up well with Raul Jimenez but also showing a strong work ethic, winning 0.9 tackles and 1.4 fouls per game in the league.

It could be that the exit-linked Adama Troare needs to leave in the January transfer window in order for the funds to be available – Hwang far outstrips his team-mate in terms of goal contributions this term, so the hope is that it will happen.

In other news, Wolves have suffered a potential blow regarding one transfer target. Read more here.

West Ham are keen on signing Aston Villa defender Kortney Hause this month.

That’s according to reliable Hammers source ExWHUemployee, with the rumours receiving plenty of attention from a number of Villa supporters on social media.

Steven Gerrard has already lost one centre-back this month after Axel Tuanzebe cut short his season-long loan to join Napoli. That has left Tyrone Mings, Hause and Ezri Konsa as their only senior options in that position, with the latter of the three going off injured against Manchester United on Saturday.

According to ExWHUemployee, West Ham are looking at a move for the 26-year-old, who fits the wage structure at the London Stadium.

Described as a player with pace by journalist Pat Rowe, Hause has made eight appearances this season, with talks over a move to West Ham at a ‘primary stage’.

Villa fans react

The AVFC Faithful shared the links regarding Hause and West Ham on Twitter. Here is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with the majority against the move due to the shortage of centre-back options at Villa Park.

“Lol as if this would happen when we currently only him & Mings fit”

Credit: @Villaste1

“No chance until we’ve signed a couple of replacements, which is unlikely in this window”

Credit: @K_ribensis

“Not happening, Konsa injured, option to extend contract”

Credit: @DeadlyDoug

“£25m”

Credit: @JoshLocke23

“No, we need to buy another centre back let alone go down to just 2 senior options”

Credit: @ajbyrne_avfc

“I like Hause a lot so no thanks”

Credit: @ZM_AVFC

In other news: Shares agent with Gerrard – Villa now after midfield ace ‘like’ Gascoigne.  

Tottenham Hotspur have made Adama Traore their “priority” this month…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Daily Mail reporter Sami Mokbel, who delivered an exciting claim to GIVEMESPORT surrounding Spurs’ interest in the Wolverhampton Wanderers winger.

“It’s a priority for the club. Everyone from the boardroom right down to the football staff are on board with it. They can see the merits of that deal being done,” he said.

Earlier this week, reports from the BBC suggested that the north Londoners had a bid of £15m rejected for the Spain international, whilst the Midlands outfit are said to value him at around £20m, all upfront.

Exciting claim

Spurs manager Antonio Conte believes Traore is the perfect solution to his problems at right wing-back, where he doesn’t have much faith in Jose Mourinho flop Matt Doherty or summer signing Emerson Royal.

Their lacklustre displays, particularly in the final third in helping provide the likes of Harry Kane, Heung-min Son and Lucas Moura with chances.

The 25-year-old dynamo, valued at £25.2m by Transfermarkt, has the ideal attributes to thrive in this role in Conte’s system. It’s almost as if he’s finding another Victor Moses, only this time, Traore is a much bigger and more experienced threat.

Indeed, the 5 foot 10 powerhouse has previously played in the position during his time at Molineux, particularly under former Spurs boss Nuno Santo when he was managing the Old Gold.

[snack-amp-story url = “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-news-transfer-gossip-rumours-conte-paratici-levy-premier-league” title=”Read the latest Spurs news, transfer updates and much, much more!”]

Traore’s physical and dribbling attributes make him a nuisance to play against. He leads the entire division for the latter, averaging 4.3 dribbles per game, meaning he’s not afraid to take on his man and get up and down the wing. Exactly what Conte needs from his right-sided defender.

Throw in his imposing stature, then he’s undoubtedly a scary prospect to try and combat.

“He’s a machine. I was watching him pre-game and he could be a powerlifter or a cruiser-weight boxer – he’s huge,” Rio Ferdinand once told BT Sport (via BirminghamLive).

On the above evidence, he’s a player that Conte badly needs in north London before deadline day, which is just over a week away now.

AND in other news, Paratici could land Conte his next N’Golo Kante in Spurs swoop for £22.5m-rated “rock”…

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Newcastle United are one of the teams interested in signing Bologna defender Aaron Hickey.

What’s the story?

Posting on Twitter, Romano claimed: “Newcastle are interested in signing Bologna fullback Aaron Hickey. Potential fee £15-20m not an issue, he’s considered a top talent – but other clubs monitoring closely. #NUFC Hickey has played more minutes than any other teenager in Europe’s top five leagues this season.”

Part of Newcastle’s future

Able to play anywhere across the back-line, the £13.5m-rated Hickey has already shown incredible versatility, and it’s something that Eddie Howe would surely embrace.

The 19-year-old has been a regular presence for Bologna, making 27 appearances in Serie A, scoring four goals and providing one assist.

With stints at left-back, left-midfield, right-back and right-midfield, Hickey is getting a footballing education in Italy, and it’s no surprise that he has been tipped to transition into midfield more permanently in the future.

Craig Levein, the man who gave the teenager his senior debut, pointed out: “He’s got really good defensive qualities but I don’t know if he’ll end up being a full-back, he might end up going back into midfield. He could be a fantastic holding midfielder with his great awareness of danger and his ability to get out of tight situations with the ball at his feet.”

With a passing accuracy of 84.1% in Serie A (the fourth-best of any Bologna player to have started more than ten games this season), and averaging 1.4 tackles per game (again, the fourth-best among his teammates), he certainly has the ball-playing skills and reading of the game to thrive in central midfield in the future.

At just 19, Hickey is already building up considerable experience in playing at the highest level for a side competing Italian football’s top-tier, while he should find it easier to acclimatise to the Premier League given his stint in Scotland.

The teenager’s arrival would surely have supporters excited.

AND in other news – Sold for £36.9m, now worth £720k: Newcastle enjoyed a blinder with “unplayable” flop

As per Football Insider, Tottenham youngster Dane Scarlett has opened talks with the club over a new contract.

The Lowdown: Scarlett’s Spurs career

The 18-year-old has experienced a rapid rise to first-team football with the Lilywhites. The striker graduated from Spurs’ under-18s in the summer of 2021, duly linking up with the under-23 side in Premier League 2.

Furthermore, Scarlett has now made 10 appearances for the first team. Indeed, Conte is also a keen admirer of the young striker – in February, the 52-year-old publicly labelled him “the best prospect from the academy”.

As a result, he has been included in the Lilywhites’ first-team matchday squad 18 times this season, coming off the bench in the 4-0 win over Leeds in late February and the subsequent FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough.

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

The Latest: Scarlett and Spurs in contract talks

According to a fresh report by Football Insider, Tottenham are looking to tie down the 18-year-old to a long-term deal, even though he only signed his first professional contract when he turned 17 in March of last year.

As a result, negotiations have opened between the north London club and Scarlett. As a reward for his rapid development, he is set to receive a huge pay-rise on top of his current £3,400 weekly salary.

The Verdict: Huge prospect

Last year, Mourinho asserted that the Spurs gem “is going to be phenomenal”. This has been backed up by Conte, who claimed that “he is a really important prospect for Tottenham”, adding that Scarlett has “a brilliant future” ahead of him.

With the rave reviews received from multiple managers with glittering CVs, it is easy for Tottenham fans to get excited over this particular long-term prospect. if Scarlett does extend his deal with the club, fans will have every right to be thrilled.

We could be seeing plenty more of this bright young gem in a Spurs shirt over the coming years, judging by this development and the aforementioned endorsements from two managers who have worked with him.

In other news: One player could soon be set to leave Tottenham permanently

Aston Villa left-back Lucas Digne could miss the rest of the Premier League season after sustaining a collar bone injury in Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to Tottenham at Villa Park.

What’s the story?

The Frenchman suffered a nasty-looking collarbone injury in the defeat to Spurs that manager Steven Gerrard fears could sideline the 28-year-old for the remainder of the campaign.

Gerrard said to the media after the game: “I’m concerned and worried about it because he’s in a sling right now. We’ve got a collarbone issue rather than a shoulder issue. If it’s what we fear, it could be season over.

“We’ll analyse it in the next 24 hours in terms of scans and we’ll have a medical report on it but the doctors have said they are worried and concerned and that tells you the story.”

It’s not the first injury Digne has suffered since making the move from Everton in January with the Frenchman’s whole campaign being full of setbacks.

Supporters will be gutted

Although Digne was omitted from the Everton team by former manager Rafa Benitez for the final four games of his time at Goodison Park, the signing of the left-back was certainly exciting for Villa fans.

The Frenchman, who was purchased for £25m, has an excellent pedigree having earned 44 senior caps for France as well as playing for both PSG and Barcelona.

Moreover, Digne averages 1.7 tackles, 1.1 interceptions and 1.9 clearances per game as well as having a 77% passing accuracy.

However, since making the move to the West Midlands, a tricky season for the 28-year-old has been made worse with numerous injury setbacks, making settling into the side tricky for Digne.

Saturday was the third time the left-back has had to be withdrawn from a game due to injury since joining Aston Villa, all of which being separate issues.

Moreover, with Matt Targett currently on loan at Newcastle United, Gerrard is now short of options at left-back with 36-year-old Ashley Young the only other alternative.

Villa have already lost their last four matches in the league so without Digne, it could mean dire consequences for the rest of the season.

In other news: Forget Martinez: Villa dud who lost the ball every 3.6 touches failed Gerrard’s test

Leeds employee Noel Whelan has been left extremely impressed by the durability of goalkeeper Illan Meslier, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Meslier’s recovery

Meslier has kept up his record of starting every Premier League game this season, despite suffering an injury against Wolves last month.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates/” title=”Latest Leeds United updates!” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-04-02T155252Z_391313781_UP1EI421841M9_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-SOU-REPORT.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The 22-year-old, who has made the most saves in the Premier League this season, has featured against Southampton and Watford following the international break.

He was going to miss the win at Vicarage Road due to his hip issue, however, Jesse Marsch revealed after the win that Meslier made a ‘miraculous’ recovery 24 hours before the game to start.

The Latest: Whelan’s comments

Former Leeds striker Whelan, who is now an employee of the club, labelled Meslier as ‘an important player’ and hailed his mentality regarding that miracle recovery.

“He’s a really young, talented player.

“It’s good to see him hungry to play, no matter what the circumstances – and that’s the mentality with the young players all through this squad.

“Everyone wants to be a part of this because they know that Jesse Marsch will be taking stock ahead of next season.

“He’s such an important player for us, and it’s good to see him out there after that injury worry and getting a clean sheet.”

The Verdict: Fine for Palace?

Leeds aren’t in action now until April 25 when they travel to Crystal Palace, so the enforced break appears to have come at a good time for Meslier and the Whites.

Adam Forshaw missed the win at Watford with a calf strain, while Junior Firpo and Jamie Shackleton appear to be close to making a return to training.

Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips will also get the chance to build up their fitness with no game this weekend, so it does look as if Marsch could benefit from having no fixture this weekend.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano reveals big transfer blow for Leeds as key 21 y/o target now set to move elsewhere

Carlton Palmer has slammed the West Brom board for allowing Sam Johnstone to leave the club as a free agent. 

The lowdown: Johnstone attracting interest

A report from the Daily Mail has claimed that the 29-year-old goalkeeper is a target for Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and Southampton this summer.

Set to become a free agent in July (Transfermarkt), Johnstone seems certain to end a four-year permanent spell at The Hawthorns at the end of the current campaign. Indeed, Steve Bruce has acknowledged that the ‘keeper will be on his way out of Albion once the season ends.

The anti-climactic ending to Johnstone’s West Brom career has been criticised by one former England international…

The latest: Palmer criticises West Brom

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Palmer – who works as a pundit for the BBC – has slammed the club’s decision to allow the England ace to leave for nothing.

He fumed: “They’re going to lose Sam Johnstone on a free, which is crazy business. Why not let Sam Johnstone go last season if you’re not going to get him to sign a new contract? Why not let him go and get £10m-£12m for him rather than let him go on a free, it’s just crazy.”

The verdict: Bang on the money

Whilst keeping the three-cap England goalkeeper was perceived as a positive having suffered relegation last year, without the prospect of an instant return to the top flight it now appears to be a major oversight from the West Brom hierarchy.

Last summer, West Ham saw a reported £10m bid for the stopper rejected by the Midlands club, money which would now go a long way towards funding a much-needed squad overhaul.

Moreover, Bruce may need to replace Johnstone as first-choice at The Hawthorns, with neither David Button nor Alex Palmer seemingly up to the task based on the concession of 20 goals in their 10 combined Albion appearances so far this season.

In other news, West Brom have been backed to sign a Premier League midfielder. Read more here.