All posts by z3u9t.icu

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Crystal Palace fans are already thinking about potential replacements for Aaron Wan-Bissaka after an agreement between the Eagles and Manchester United was reached on Wednesday, and they have made it clear that they want the club to sign Norwich City’s Max Aarons.

Wan-Bissaka will move to Old Trafford for an initial £45m fee according to the BBC, which should give Roy Hodgson plenty of cash to work with if he wants to bring in a right-back successor to the 21-year-old star.

Sky Sports reported earlier this month that the south London outfit would be interested in Aarons should they end up selling their academy graduate, and that situation has now arisen.

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Prising the talented 19-year-old away from Carrow Road will surely be a difficult task following the Canaries’ promotion to the Premier League however, with the teenager playing a key role in them going up with two goals and six assists from full-back in 41 Championship appearances last term.

That hasn’t stopped Palace supporters naming him as their preferred right-back signing though, with one saying he should be the club’s “number one target”, and another saying “he’d be incredible”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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Celtic striker scored Leigh Griffiths his second goal in two games on Saturday, helping the Hoops step up their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 win over Austrian outfit Wiener SC.

Neil Lennon’s side play FK Sarajevo in UEFA Champions League qualifying on July 9th, so time is running out to get up to the fitness required for the test against the Bosnian champions.

How can Celtic improve next season? A Hoops fan tells us how in the video below…

Griffiths missed the second half of last season after taking a hiatus from football but has wasted no time in getting back to what he does best – hitting the back of the net on a regular basis for the Scottish giants.

With Vakoun Bayo also getting on the scoresheet, Lennon now has a variety of options in the striker’s position, with first-choice forward Odsonne Edouard yet to be unleashed in pre-season.

Celtic fans are delighted with the 28-year-old’s progress, feeling he can still play a big part in the squad moving forward.

These supporters took to Twitter over the weekend to share their thoughts on his most recent contribution…

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Celtic fans are not keen on signing versatile Middlesbrough man Paddy McNair this summer.

It was reported last week that the Hoops were keen on making a move for the player, said to be valued at around £5m, with manager Neil Lennon later confirming to reporters that there is an interest in signing him.

The 24-year-old played 23 times for Boro last season and can perform a variety of roles, able to play in midfield, the centre of defence and even at right-back.

Celtic fans aren’t happy about Arsenal’s bid for one of their key players…

A product of the Manchester United academy, the 24-cap Northern Ireland man could be an effective squad option for the Hoops, who require competent back-up in the positions McNair is comfortable with.

It’s certainly debatable whether McNair is a direct improvement on any of the players currently at Celtic though, considering he’s never really held down a regular starting role, and as a result supporters have their misgivings about making a move for the player.

These fans took to Twitter over the weekend to share their thoughts…

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Tottenham Hotspur could offer Fernando Llorente a fresh contract this summer, per The Guardian.

What’s the word?

The Spanish World Cup winner played an integral role in Spurs’ run to the Champions League final, scoring the winning goal in the quarter-final second leg against Manchester City, and proved an adept back-up to Harry Kane throughout the 2018/19 season.

However, his contract at the club has expired and, while there has been no communication from the club, he is no longer a part of their squad.

However, The Guardian claims that Spurs would be open to keeping him if he is unable to find himself a new club, having entered into free agency.

Llorente, the report states, earned £100,000-per-week in north London but he would have to accept a pay cut to be kept on for next season.

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A no-brainer

Spurs should be keeping him around.

Llorente was an excellent deputy to Kane throughout the campaign and Spurs would never have reached the final without him.

He has rarely complained about a lack of playing time when the England captain is fit and he offers a completely different threat from the bench. Add to that the fact that the only possible alternative to Kane at this point is Vincent Janssen, and the case is only strengthened; Janssen made just three Premier League appearances last season.

A barrel-chested forward who is a genuine nuisance in the air, there are few strikers like him in England and he always gives opposition defences a headache.

His goal against City should have sealed the deal but he was then excellent in the semi-final second leg versus Ajax, as Spurs overturned a 2-0 deficit to book a final showdown with Liverpool.

Even if he only plays five games next season, keeping him around makes all the sense in the world, particularly if he is willing to take a hit on his old wages.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Following the exit of Ander Herrera, and the uncertainty surrounding Paul Pogba, Manchester United’s midfield could be set for a revamp ahead of the upcoming season. But, if reports are to be believed, the Red Devils could be set to bring in an international quality star to remedy that.

According to Le Parisien, Manchester United are interested in making a swoop for Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi this summer.

Whilst the report adds that the Bianconeri have no interest in selling the 32-year-old, if United could tempt their Italian counterparts into letting the France World Cup winner go, then they could be getting a man for the big occasions.

On the chalkboard

As United have long been witness to, certain games against the club’s toughest rivals and opponents needs a game-plan and a set-up designed to frustrate. You can’t be playing pretty, attractive football all the time.

It was why Sir Alex Ferguson used to love throwing the likes of Darren Fletcher and Park Ji-Sung into games, because he knew more than anything, they would be up for doing a ‘job’ and cancelling the opposition out.

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Though not necessarily limited to someone of that ilk, Matuidi is certainly cut from the same cloth of being able to play in different positions and different roles as the game or manager demands. The Frenchman has picked up incredible experience in his time with PSG and Juventus, and has achieved virtually everything in club and international football.

Whilst Matuidi is a bona-fide central midfielder by trade, his tactical versatility makes him a manager’s dream. In his 42 appearances last season, the ex-PSG star played 33 times in his favoured role, scoring three times and assisting a further two.

However, in the seven games Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri used him in a left-midfield role, the Bianconeri remained undefeated, and what is particularly telling is the teams those games were against.

The Frenchman played as a left-sided midfielder away against Napoli and Inter, and at home to Atalanta. Those three sides finished directly below Juventus in the Serie A standings at the end of the season.

Matuidi’s defensive discipline, work-rate and sheer selflessness means he can carry out the dirty tasks that nobody else wants to do in the big games. Hustling the opposition, tracking back, making tackles – 1.9 of them per game to be precise.

The Frenchman’s relentlessness is exactly what United need, and his ability to fulfil certain roles in the crunch games make him the ‘big-game’ signing that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could really do with.

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West Ham United fans are not happy with a new link to veteran midfielder Gary Medel.

Hammers insider Ex-West Ham United Employee claims that the Hammers are “keen” on the Chile international.

Medel is 31 and has some Premier League experience, having played for Cardiff City in the 2013-14 season as they were relegated to the Championship.

He made a total of 34 Premier League appearances but did not score a goal, while providing one assist.

Medel has since spent three years with Serie A giants Inter Milan as well as two years at Turkish club Besiktas.

Nevertheless, Hammers fans are not happy with the idea of acquiring Medel in this transfer window, even with Pedro Obiang nearing a departure to Serie A.

Watch West Ham United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Indeed, many fans believe that he will simply follow in the footsteps of Carlos Sanchez, who spent the majority of 2018/19 on the sidelines due to injury.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Roma are set to launch another bid for Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld before the transfer deadline, per Calciomercato.

What’s the word?

Alderweireld’s £25m release clause has expired, though that is no guarantee that he will stay at the club.

The Belgium international remains a target for the Serie A club, with Franco Baldini, a key figure behind the scenes at the Italian club, twice meeting with Spurs to discuss a deal for the defender.

However, Calciomercato reports that Spurs still want €28m (£25.6m) for the 30-year-old, a fee that is out of Roma’s reach.

Instead, the Italian club would like to pay €20m (£18.3m) for the player, because his contract expires next summer.

Decision time

This is a difficult one for Spurs.

One instantly feels that £18.3m is small change for a player of Alderweireld’s quality and is also £6.7m less than the clause that was available throughout the summer.

And yet, if Spurs opt against accepting such a proposal, they run the risk of him leaving next summer for nothing.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

At that point, negotiations are taken out of Spurs’ hands and he could go wherever he fancied; that could be Roma, it could also be a club like Arsenal.

Spurs do not have a lot of time to make a decision, with the English transfer window closing next week.

That is precious little time to buy a replacement if Alderweireld does leave – a conclusion will have to be reached soon.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

18-year-old Strahinja Pavlovic has admitted that he’s “flattered” by Celtic’s interest, after Neil Lennon personally scouted him.

What’s the story?

Lennon watched the Serbian during his Partizan Belgrade side’s 1-0 win against Connah’s Quay Nomads last week in Europa Leauge qualifying. The Celts boss would’ve been impressed with what he saw as the central defender strolled to a clean sheet.

The scouting trip was far from a secret and now the 18-year-old has had his say on the interest from the Premiership champions, saying: “I was flattered when I heard about Celtic watching me in Wales. But for me, I have to only concentrate on my immediate future and that’s at Partizan.”

A £4.5m figure is being touted by The Daily Record for the 6 foot 4 centre-back, so if the Bhoys were to bring him to Parkhead it wouldn’t be cheap. This figure came amid links to Juventus earlier in the window, although those rumours have since cooled.

Watch Celtic Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Encouraging signs

Despite previously admitting Juventus would be a “dream” move, along with Real Madrid and Manchester United, Celtic should be encouraged by the teenager’s comments.

Even though he’d love to play for the Old Lady, he did concede that it wouldn’t be easy to get a game there, as a potential move would seem him tasked with competing with the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci at the Serie A champions for game time.

It’s not particularly common for a player to entertain the mention of another side’s interest, yet to name the Bhoys specifically, and not rule them out, is definitely a sign that he could be persuaded to play his football in the green and white hoops.

With Kristoffer Ajer and, more obviously, Virgil van Dijk showing the way for developing centre-backs at Parkhead, the club can point to those two to show potential new arrivals that there is room to grow at Celtic.

With the youngster’s comments and the recent successes of European defenders thriving at the club, Lennon will be hopeful he can convince Pavlovic to move to Parkhead over some of Europe’s elite sides.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

As confirmed on the club’s official website, Arsenal academy product Dominic Thompson has joined Championship side Brentford on a permanent transfer.

What’s the word?

The 21-year-old featured prominently on the Gunners’ pre-season tour this summer and could have hoped to push for a role in the first-team squad for the upcoming campaign.

However, as reports continue to claim a move for Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney is approaching its conclusion, Thompson’s game-time would no doubt have been heavily impacted at the Emirates.

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The Telegraph journalist Sam Dean reports Unai Emery’s side will receive a fee in the region of £3m for Thompson, that could potentially rise to £4m.

Good business

Having joined the club back in 2012 as a youth prospect, Thompson mainly turned out for the Gunners’ U18 and U23 sides. So for the Arsenal hierarchy to get a decent sum of money for a player who hadn’t turned out for the first-team in a competitive fixture is some going.

Furthermore, Sam Dean’s claim that the north London side also have a sell-on clause inserted into the deal represents another shrewd piece of business from a club that has notoriously been questioned for its policy when it comes to moving players on.

The Gunners have spent big-money this summer, but selling players like Thompson for a sum of money when it appears evident that a first-team place was likely to be improbable, is another sign Emery’s side are heading in the right direction off the pitch.

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Ah, banter.

Aubameyang has a chance build on last weekend’s performance when Arsenal welcome Burnley to the Emirates on Saturday.

Who knows, we might even be treated to a whole new funky outfit, as well.

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