All posts by z3u9t.icu

West Ham United are now interested in signing Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson, according to journalist Steve Kay.

The Lowdown: Nelson lacking game time

Nelson has made just seven appearances in all competitions for Arsenal this season, and the arrival of Leandro Trossard in January indicates that his game time is going to be even more limited in the second half of the campaign.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the winger would love to stay at the Emirates Stadium, but with no contract offer on the horizon to extend his stay beyond the summer, he may have to start thinking about moving elsewhere.

The Latest: West Ham interested

According to Kay, West Ham are interested in bringing the 23-year-old to the London Stadium in the summer transfer window, although they may face competition for his signature, with Sassuolo also named as potential suitors.

The Arsenal academy graduate’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, meaning that he will be able to join on a free transfer.

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The Verdict: Get it done?

Despite only receiving limited minutes in the Premier League this season, the Englishman has impressed whenever he has been given the opportunity, scoring a brace in a 63-minute cameo against Nottingham Forest in October.

The speedster has displayed his creative side in the EFL Cup, picking up an assist in the 3-1 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion, while his dribbling ability has also been on show.

Hailed as ‘explosive’ by football scout Jacek Kulig, the Arsenal ace ranks in the 95th percentile for successful take-ons per 90 over the past year, averaging 2.93, while he also places in the 97th for touches in the attacking penalty area, highlighting his ability to get on the ball in dangerous areas.

Nelson needs a fresh start if he is going to fulfill his lofty potential, and West Ham should definitely look to sign him in the summer window.

Tottenham have identified Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi as a possible replacement for manager Antonio Conte, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Conte contract winding down…

The Italian took over from Nuno Espirito Santo in November 2021, thereafter guiding Spurs to a top four Premier League finish at the end of 2021/2022.

However, with Conte yet to sign fresh terms, rumours have come to light on the 53-year-old potentially leaving north London despite Tottenham having the option to extend by a further year.

Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly an option for chairman Daniel Levy if Spurs need to replace their current boss with news now coming to light on a new manager target.

The Latest: Spurs eye De Zerbi…

According to Football Insider, De Zerbi is now ‘firmly’ on the radar of Spurs to succeed Conte with odds being the latter man leaves as things stand.

The Seagulls manager has ‘immensely impressed’ Lilywhites chiefs with Tottenham now ‘now more likely than not’ to find themselves hunting for a new head coach.

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The Verdict: Ideal man…

The Italian has been an arguable for contender manager of the season with Brighton sitting just outside a Europa Qualifying place as things stand.

The south coast side are just four points behind Conte’s Tottenham with De Zerbi earning plaudits from the likes of Man City boss Pep Guardiola among others.

Guardiola branded De Zerbi ‘incredible’ for his style of play and it’s arguable he would be a popular appointment among Spurs fans for his attacking style of play.

If Conte does leave then Tottenham could have a very ideal Pochettino alternative in De Zerbi.

Glasgow Rangers are reportedly not expected to make James Sands’ loan move a permanent one this summer.

The Lowdown: 18-month loan

Rangers signed Sands on an 18-month loan deal in January 2022, which will expire in the summer.

There was plenty of excitement when he initially signed, with manager at the time Giovanni van Bronckhorst calling him a ‘talented young player’, and sporting director Ross Wilson said that he has ‘brilliant’ character, personality and leadership qualities.

However, Sands has been limited to just 13 starts in the Scottish Premiership.

The Latest: Permanent move unlikely

As per Football Insider, the Gers are not expected to make Sands’ loan deal into a permanent one this summer.

There have been no talks between him and the club over his future, with the buy option in his contract thought to be £4m.

The Teddy Bears see this as a ‘huge outlay’, and if they signed him, they would have to move away from other targets.

The Verdict: Move on

While Sands was initially seen as a signing of promise, he has not really lived up to expectations.

The USA international has been criticised for some of his performances this season, while Rangers hero Brian Laudrup has even gone as far as to claim that he is ‘error-prone’.

Nonetheless, Sands has not been able to cement a regular starting place since his arrival, playing only two minutes in the 3-0 win away at Livingston in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday afternoon, and so Michael Beale’s side can afford to let him go.

Glasgow Rangers are trying to beat a Premier League giant to bring 19-year-old sensation Kevin Mantilla to Ibrox this summer.

The Lowdown: Mantilla profiled

Mantilla is a central defender that plays for Colombian top-flight side Independiente Santa Fe, who he has featured 26 times for them since 2022.

He has also earned 15 caps for Colombia’s U20 team, and looks to be a star for the future.

The Latest: Talks opened

As per Football Insider, Rangers have opened preliminary talks over a potential deal for Mantilla this summer, and are trying to beat Premier League giants Liverpool to his signature.

The sensation ‘dazzled’ at the South American U20 Championship earlier this month, and the Gers are now laying the foundations for a summer move.

Mantilla is also capable of playing at right-back, and has been scouted by some of the world’s top talent spotters.

The Verdict: Exciting move

Mantilla would certainly be an exciting player to add to the club, perhaps starting off in the B team before pushing to be included in Michael Beale’s first-team squad.

As a Colombian, he could settle in well with Alfredo Morelos already there, assuming that the striker stays at the Light Blues beyond this campaign with his contract expiring.

Mantilla is already playing men’s football, so could push the other centre-backs in the first team, and if they were to beat Liverpool to his signature, it would be seen as a real coup for the Teddy Bears.

Everton boss Sean Dyche was unable to make a single addition to his first-team squad in the January transfer window and will now have to avoid the drop without any reinforcements.

The Toffees are currently 18th in the Premier League table and have a real battle on their hands to avoid dropping down to the Championship next season.

However, the club already have one eye on what they could do in the summer if they are able to retain their top-flight status as Nottingham Forest left-back Renan Lodi is reportedly a target.

Steve Cooper’s side have an option to sign him permanently from Atletico Madrid for €30m (£26m) at the end of his current loan spell but are said to be set to pass up on the chance to exercise it, with the Spanish side willing to negotiate with the Toffees over a deal if that comes to pass.

Could Renan Lodi replace Vitaliy Mykolenko?

Dyche must now swoop to sign the Brazilian defender as it may allow him to brutally ditch current left-back Vitality Mykolenko from the side heading into the 2023/24 campaign.

Journalist Richard Buxton recently criticised the full-back, dubbing him the “defensive weak link” in the side, whilst stating that he is “getting turned over so regularly.”

The Ukraine international has been dribbled past 19 times in 24 Premier League appearances with that an indication opponents are finding it too easy to get past him out wide, as they are dribbling by him 0.8 times per game.

Mykolenko has not made up for his defensive shortfalls with attacking quality as the defender ranks in the bottom 26% or lower of players in his position in Europe’s top five leagues over the last 365 days for successful take-ons and assists per 90.

Lodi, whose “lung bursting” runs were hailed by journalist Josh Bunting, ranks in the 32nd and 69th percentiles in assists and take-ons per 90 respectively, suggesting that the Brazilian, who scored six goals and provided ten assists in 118 games for Atletico, would offer more at the top end of the pitch.

The 24-year-old has also won 54% of his duels in the Premier League this season, whereas Mykolenko has lost 53% of his. That is proof of the Forest man being an upgrade on the Everton defender in terms of the defensive strength he offers on the pitch.

Therefore, Dyche could brutally ditch the left-back by signing Lodi from Atletico in the summer as the Forest loanee could offer more at both ends of the pitch.

Indeed, the “attacking threat” – as Josh Bunting once lauded him – is far more efficient in winning possession back and providing more quality in on the ball to make things happen going forward.

Liverpool supporters have slammed the news that UEFA are set to refund Reds ticket holders from the 2022 Champions League final.

The Lowdown: Disaster in Paris

Jurgen Klopp and his side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid at the Stade de France last May, but the bigger story came before the game had even kicked off.

Merseyside fans were the subject of abuse as they attempted to enter the stadium, being tear gassed by local police and attacked by gangs to name just a few situations, with many missing the game only to see UEFA announce it was their own timeliness to blame.

Well, European football’s governing body have finally done something about it…

The Latest: Liverpool fans react…

Taking to Twitter, Liverpool journalist James Pearce confirmed that UEFA have agreed to offer refunds to all the Premier League fans who were in Paris that night, to which supporters have made their opinions known.

They said:

“Refund is not good enough.. UEFA board have to resign or [be] taken to court, any other profession the demand would be an immediate sack of the board.” – @uka8

“Big wow. I want a refund for all my travel and accommodation too.” – @Redpedro38

“Should tell them to stick it. Heads in UEFA need to roll, proper apologies and compensation for the trauma it caused people.” – @ClydaMan

“It wasn’t only LFC fans btw, it was Real Madrid fans too. Disgraceful organisation.” – @stopbaggingmee

“We should not take a penny until Real Madrid fans are also part of the refund.. we will not be bought off.” – @ifill_james

“Too little too late but better than the kick in the teeth UEFA would rather give out.” – @quid4trolley

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The Verdict: Better than nothing

UEFA offering Liverpool fans refunds is completely the right decision, and whilst it will never be able to make up for the personal trauma that people went through, it’s better than nothing.

The Anfield outfit have a three-goal deficit to overcome when they face Madrid for the second leg next week and the boss will be hoping his team can get revenge for the previous 5-2 defeat.

Liverpool are interested in signing Gavi from Barcelona, with the Spanish La Liga giants facing uncertainty over the signatures of several first-team stars following their financial struggles.

What’s the latest on Gavi to Liverpool?

According to The Times, Liverpool are joined by Premier League rivals Manchester City in standing to attention following La Blaugrana’s strife, with Gavi possibly becoming available for a free transfer at the end of the campaign as a result of the club being unable to afford to register him.

The prodigy has burst into prominence over the past two years, playing at a level that calls his 18-years-of-age into question, such is the quality of his play.

At the start of the current term, Gavi signed a new long-term deal with his Catalan club, boasting a reported €1bn (£865m) release clause, which appeared to end the Reds’ former interest, but the new revelations mean an audacious swoop could now be forthcoming.

Should Liverpool sign Gavi?

Having made 42 appearances in La Liga and the Champions League last year, scoring two goals and providing six assists, one of football’s brightest diamonds was unearthed, with the phenom already valued at £90m by Football Transfers.

This season, Gavi has been integral in his resurgent side’s success, forging 35 displays and scoring two goals and five assists from his robust central role, with Barcelona currently nine points clear atop the division.

Once hailed as an “erupting volcano” by former Barça boss Luis Enrique, the 17-cap Spaniard certainly brings the fire to his game, ranking among the top 15% of midfielders in Europe's top five leagues for successful take-ons, the top 17% for progressive carries and the top 2% for touches in the attacking box, as per FBref.

Such impressive statistics are an illustration of the prowess laying at the precocious talent’s feet, with an almost intrinsic transitional and combative nature perfectly suited to Klopp’s system.

Indeed, Liverpool have fallen by the wayside this season, languishing in fifth place in the Premier League and facing a Herculean effort in defeating Real Madrid in the Champions League after succumbing to a 5-2 Anfield mauling in the first-leg of their last-16 tie.

Gavi’s dynamism and energy could pay dividends in ensuring a return to former vigour is achieved, mirroring the impact of fellow 18-year-old compatriot Stefan Bajcetic, who is already making waves at Anfield despite his outfit’s turmoil.

Bajcetic has been a revelation, making 19 senior appearances across all competitions this term, scoring one delightful surging goal against Aston Villa, and is now a regular presence in Klopp’s match-day squad.

Dubbed an “incredible prospect” by journalist Tom Barnes, Liverpool’s shining starlet could find the perfect partner in Gavi, who possesses so supreme a skill set that the red half of Merseyside would be roaring in adulation for many years to come.

The cohesive partnership that the Reds could craft in the future by succeeding with a swoop for Gavi is tantalising in its entirety, and Klopp must throw the kitchen sink at securing the maestro's signature.

Klopp might even unearth his own Federico Valverde with a successful swoop, with Gavi listed as a comparative player to Madrid's Uruguayan star on FBref.

Valverde has been a revelation for his outfit over the past several seasons, ranking among the top 8% of positional peers for goals, the top 5% for progressive carries and the top 18% for shot-creating actions per 90, as a market of his Gavi-like qualities.

With Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti dubbing the 24-year-old as "untouchable", the Reds' German boss might be prudent to clinch a coveted gem of his own to turn the tide on the club's fortunes.

It might just pave the path for a silver-laden future…

Tottenham Hotspur players are said to have enjoyed the break away from Antonio Conte when the Italian returned home to recover from his recent surgery.

Will Spurs part ways with Antonio Conte?

Spurs were sent packing in the Champions League on Wednesday night and now face another season without getting their hands on any silverware.

And in turn, their recent form has cast a dark shadow over N17 with the future of the Italian manager now in question ahead of the summer.

However, over recent weeks, the Spurs manager had missed a number of the club’s games as a result of his recovery in which Cristian Stellini led them on a positive run.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, journalist Alasdair Gold has suggested the mood around Hotspur Way was much more positive with Conte back home in Italy:

“I know, because I speak to a lot of people around the club; I also speak to people around the players. And the one thing I keep hearing was that while he was away, Conte, Hotspur Way was just kind of a more relaxed place.”

Should Tottenham sack Antonio Conte?

No silverware is on the table for the Lilywhites this season, however, the prospect of Champions League football for next season is still there to be clinched.

Some fans may be wondering what the point of the top four is when the club put out performances as they did in the last 16 against AC Milan, however, ahead of the summer, it provides the club more room to spend.

Again, some fans may scoff at the notion of the owners investing in new players, however, the reality is the club have spent fairly significantly over the last few windows.

Whether that has been on the right players or not is another question but, ultimately, that does not necessarily land solely at the feet of Daniel Levy.

But what the chairman now has to decide is whether Conte is the right man to guide this struggling side over the line and into the Champions League for next season – even if he is not going to be there.

Looking ahead, Spurs have a favourable run of games ahead of them which include trips to Newcastle United and Liverpool – their main top-four rivals – which means they do have the say in their own destiny.

But with Conte seemingly not wanting to be at the club any longer, you have to question whether he is motivated to get the best out of this side when he, seemingly, is not going to be there next season.

Spurs have two games against Nottingham Forest and Southampton coming up before the international break and it does feel like that could be the opportunity for Spurs to potentially make their move.

Newcastle United may reportedly be offered a shock swap deal involving Bruno Guimaraes and Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

The Lowdown: Contract talks

Newcastle reportedly want to tie Bruno down to a new longer-term contract, with his current deal at St. James’ Park set to expire in 2026.

However, while a new contract has not been signed, the midfielder is sure to attract plenty of interest from some big clubs in the summer, as he has been a standout performer in the Premier League for a Magpies side looking to chase a UEFA Champions League spot for next season.

If they fail to qualify for Europe’s elite competition, then Bruno’s head could well be turned by a club playing in it.

The Latest: Swap with Phillips?

As per The Sunday Mirror (19/03, page 78) via HITC, Man City are interested in signing Bruno this summer, and could offer England international Phillips as part of a shock swap deal.

The deal would be in a part-exchange, as City would also offer £80m up front, while Real Madrid are also thought to be interested in his signature.

The Verdict: Forget it!

Of course, City are offering a lot of money for Bruno as well as a player in exchange, which would equate to the North East club’s biggest sale by far.

However, the Brazil international has shown just how important of a player he is to Eddie Howe’s side, and if the Tynesiders have any ambitions of catching up to City in terms of success with trophies in their long-term project, then giving them Bruno is simply a no-go.

On the other side, Phillips is certainly a quality midfielder, as journalist Paul Brown has previously hailed him as a ‘Rolls Royce’. However, he has shown himself to be injury-prone over the last couple of seasons, dating back to his time at Leeds United as well as at the Etihad Stadium.

Nonetheless, Bruno is also a couple of years younger than the 27-year-old at 25, and so has a higher ceiling to reach, and being under contract until 2026, the Toon should be under little pressure to sell him right now.

Overall, the prospect of losing Bruno outweighs the potential of bringing in a large cash sum as well as Phillips, and so the Tynesiders should be looking to walk away from this deal, should it be proposed to them by their rivals City in the summer.

Tottenham Hotspur may have been handed a potential boost in their pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye Glasner…

Recent reports have suggested that the Austrian tactician is on Fabio Paratici’s shortlist as a long-term replacement for Antonio Conte.

Claims from Germany suggest that Glasner has already been contacted by Spurs ahead of a possible move for the Austrian, coming as his Frankfurt contract is slowly winding down.

Spurs are reportedly on the lookout for Conte’s replacement after the Italian’s scathing post-match rant against Southampton last weekend, with Glasner mentioned alongside the likes of Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel and Luis Enrique.

The Premier League top-four hopefuls squandered a 3-1 lead late-on to share the spoils 3-3 at St. Mary’s, a result which culminated in Conte’s wrath.

Indeed, Conte attacked the very culture of Tottenham, his squad and even the board – stating:

“We are 11 players that go into the pitch. I see selfish players, I see players that don’t want to help each other and don’t put their heart (in).

“Why? Because they are used to it here, they are used to it. They don’t play for something important yeah. They don’t want to play under pressure, they don’t want to play under stress.”

The Latest: Spurs handed Glasner boost?

Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, sharing news from across the continent, has an update on Glasner’s situation at Frankfurt.

Amid Tottenham’s interest, it is believed the tactician is stalling on a new deal and wants to take his time.

Glasner apparently now wishes to assess his options, with Plettenberg explaining:

“He wants to take his time in order to take a decision about a contract extension beyond 2024. Good relation with Krösche but still a strong interest from [England]. No concrete negotiations with Frankfurt at this stage. Should follow next weeks. Top coach!”

The Verdict: Make the move?

If Spurs could tempt Glasner into swapping the Bundesliga for English football, he could come as a fairly solid candidate and potential alternative to the likes of Mauricio Pochettino.

The latter man, given his credentials and status as a free agent, should be viewed as Daniel Levy’s top managerial priority in our opinion.

However, if Spurs are unable to agree the Argentine’s return, Glasner has been praised for his ‘intense’ and ‘aggressive’ football.

The former Wolfsburg boss also has experience winning silverware, clinching the Europa League title last year at the expense of Scottish giants Rangers.