All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Aston Villa have joined Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal in the race for Rangers full-back Borna Barisic, as reported by Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Aston Villa moving swiftly in the summer transfer window

Preparing the for 2021/22, the Villans have been one of the most active teams in English football as they aim to improve on a solid 11th Premier League finish last campaign.

Already acquiring former Norwich City talisman Emiliano Buendia for a club-record fee [Sky Sports], Villa have also been linked with a move for Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse [365 Football].

Wasting no time in identifying potential recruits, the Midlands side now look set to turn their attention towards 28-year-old Barisic.

The Latest: Villa, Arsenal, Wolves and Leeds all keen on the Croatia international

In the market for a new left-sided defender, Aston Villa have registered an interest in the Rangers talisman alongside Arsenal and Wolves [Football Insider].

He is currently on international duty with Croatia at EURO 2020. The Clarets have begun to plan a potential detailed scouting mission throughout his involvement within the tournament, to assess his capabilities as a potential acquisition [Football Insider].

Leeds United are also said to be monitoring the former Osijek left-back as a potential Ezgjan Alioski replacement [GIVEMESPORT].

The Verdict: Barisic won’t come cheap for Aston Villa; his contract runs until 2024

As the transfer merry-go-round escalates, Aston Villa will be desperate to build a side capable of pushing on next season,.

Undoubtedly, the Croat would represent a solid addition to the Villa Park fold following a season in Glasgow where he registered 19 goal contributions; five goals and 14 assists [Transfermarkt].

With pre-season firmly around the corner, Aston Villa will be looking to conclude any transfer dealings as swiftly as possible.

Rangers are unlikely to let Barisic go inexpensively due to his contract not expiring until 2024, meaning Villa may have to stump up a considerable sum in order to secure his signature [Transfermarkt], but for a player who influences games like the Croatian, it could be a wise investment.

In other news, Gabriel Agbonlahor calls for Aston Villa to swoop for a 22-goal striker.

Plenty of West Ham fans have praised Pablo Fornals on social media for his display against Southampton on Sunday afternoon.

David Moyes knew prior to kick-off that just a point will be enough for his side to qualify for the Europa League next season, and the Scot made two changes to the side which beat West Brom 3-1 on Wednesday evening, with Lukasz Fabianski and Jarrod Bowen coming in for Darren Randolph and Said Benrahma respectively.

However, it was Fornals‘ performance which had a number of Hammers fans talking on social media following his starring role at the London Stadium.

He was making his 31st start of the Premier League campaign and 36th appearance in all competitions. The Spaniard only scored three league goals this season prior to the final game of the season but he netted twice in the opening 45 minutes to put the Hammers on their way to the 2021/22 Europa League. He also won several tackles and duels, as well as having a high passing completion rate, to give an all-round stellar performance against the Saints.

West Ham fans react

Here is what these Hammers supporters had to say about the attacking midfielder, with one fan describing him as ‘brilliant’ and another excitedly comparing him to Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta, who was renowned as a passing maestro and had a decent scoring record.

“Pablo Fornals has turned into some player”

Credit: @joe200953

“Pablo Fornals you are something else man”

Credit: @ewansm38

“Fornals is the new Iniesta”

Credit: @FloydWHU

“FORNALS IS QUALITY WE NEED TO KEEP HIM”

Credit: @datwag1

“Fornals has been brilliant”

Credit: @1bbyWHU

“Pablo Fornals is such an intelligent player it’s always his end product that lets him down. Technically he’s terrific and that second finish was brilliant, he always has that knack of being in the right place.”

Credit: @AzamWHUFC

In other news: Hammers leading the race for Championship star, find out more here. 

Amid all the excitement of Leeds United’s superb finish to their first season back in the Premier League, there was one real moment of sadness and regret, with Pablo Hernandez now having played his final game for the club.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side confirmed that the veteran Spaniard would leave Elland Road following the conclusion of the season, and while the play-maker wasn’t exactly a key member of the first-team this past campaign, he will no doubt leave a major void.

And if Bielsa is looking for a player to potentially replace Hernandez in the long-term, both in terms of his attacking inspiration and quality, then academy starlet Sam Greenwood may well be that player.

The 19-year-old only joined the Whites’ youth system last summer, but he has been a revelation for the club’s U23s, helping them to the Premier League 2 Division 2 title.

He managed 12 goals in 18 games, and while he played as a number nine for the majority of the season, he was deployed as both a number ten and as a central midfield for several games too, and was far more effective.

In the six games he played as an attacking midfielder, Greenwood struck four times, while he also scored in the only game that he played in the middle of the park – it was quite telling, that Mark Jackson appeared to drag the teenager further back towards the closing stages of the season, perhaps so he could get on the ball more and then break into the box to score a la Hernandez.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has previously been very effusive in his praise of Greenwood, saying: “He’s started really well at Leeds and he was very well thought of at Arsenal, and they weren’t rushing to get him out (of) the door this summer. From what we’ve seen of him so far, his movement and his finishing and everything else, he looks like a very natural striker.”

But while he may have those “natural” striking instincts, perhaps Bielsa could pull off a tactical masterstroke and slowly mould him into a number ten, just like Jackson has done in some games with the U23s – particularly with the “movement” that Hay talks about.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/leeds-united-marcelo-bielsa-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-elland-road-rodrigo-de-paul” title=”Read the latest Leeds transfer rumours and news!”]

Greenwood could well end up being the Hernandez heir that Leeds fans may have thought they would never see again.

Meanwhile, Leeds United have been handed a major boost…

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa must wave goodbye to Pablo Hernandez this summer as a major transfer update emerges.

What’s the story?

The Spaniard has only played a bit-part role in the Premier League this season, with his 15 appearances in the competition only amounting to 347 minutes of football.

Now, The Daily Mirror claim that despite his lack of involvement, Bielsa is keen to keep Hernandez at Elland Road this summer, with the playmaker having just over a year left on his existing deal at the club.

The report adds that the Leeds boss values his experience, and that he is no hurry to see him leave.

Bielsa must move on

While Hernandez has etched himself into Leeds fans’ hearts with his exploits in the Championship and by helping them to achieve Premier League promotion last season, the time has surely come for Bielsa and the club to finally move on from him.

The Spaniard just turned 36 last month, and it’s been incredibly telling that the highest number of minutes he’s played in the top-flight this season is the 67 that he completed against Leicester way back in early November.

Dubbed as an “inspiration”, the £21k-a-week earning Hernandez has previously said that he wouldn’t want to overstay his welcome at Leeds if he felt like the time had passed him by.

He said: “If you talk about football tactically or technically, this is probably the best time of my career. Physically I feel good but obviously 10 years ago, I felt better. I can’t change this.

“I’ll play while I feel good. The day when I go onto a pitch, to a game, and I feel that the rest of the players run more than me, are faster than me, I arrive late to the ball or I’m not enjoying playing… on this day, I’ll say goodbye to football. But I don’t think this is that moment.”

And when you look at his key numbers from this season, they are all significant drop-offs from previous years.

As per Whoscored, he’s averaging career-lows in shots, key passes, dribbles and average passes per game, and it’s just improbable to say that he will do any better than that were he to remain at Elland Road.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Leeds transfer rumours and news!”]

The Spaniard has just been shocking all season whenever he’s been on the pitch with no goals and just two assists, and it’s fair to say that Father Time has just caught up with him. This summer is the perfect time for Leeds and Bielsa to move on.

Meanwhile, Bielsa must unleash this Leeds United starlet…

Reacting to a development that Tottenham have held ‘extensive discussions’ with Roberto Martinez as their next manager, but have now cooled their interest (Football Insider), pundit Noel Whelan has been left baffled by the news and has told Tottenham to reconsider their stance.

The Lowdown: Martinez out of the running?

Indeed, as per Football Insider, the Spaniard had been making a ‘huge play’ behind the scenes to become Tottenham’s next manager and was said to be eager on taking the role after Belgium’s European Championships this summer.

However, the same outlet then brought an update stating that Tottenham have now held extensive talks with the 47-year-old but cooled their interest as a result.

The Latest: Whelan tells Levy to reconsider Martinez as option

Speaking to Football Insider in reaction, Whelan cannot believe Tottenham have cooled their interest in the former Everton boss and has told Levy that Martinez is ‘ticks every box’ for Spurs.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-gossip/” title=”Spurs gossip” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

“I cannot understand it,” he explained.

“Have they got somebody better than Roberto Martinez? Who have they found that is better than him? That would be incredible. I have no idea.

“Martinez has been a fantastic manager for a number of years now and he is very well respected in European football. You don’t get the Belgium job for no reason. He has done incredible work there with top players. It is not easy to keep them all happy.

“Martinez ticks every box for me as Tottenham manager. He has the man-management skills, the intelligence, the right style of football and he speaks really well.

“I think he would bring out the best in the star players at Spurs. He can manage them the way they need to be managed.”

The Verdict: Whelan half right…

While we believe Martinez is arguably one of the more underrated managerial candidates, especially considering his run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals with Belgium and FA Cup victory with Wigan, there are better alternatives.

Brendan Rodgers is a name that arguably stands out over Martinez given his superior managerial record and experience.

The Northern Irishman, for instance, has won more games (325) over his managerial career than Martinez (217) whilst averaging more points per 90 (1.83 compared to 1.56).

While his appointment appears unlikely at this stage despite Tottenham’s interest, someone of Rodgers’ calibre is debatably worth the wait despite Martinez recently being lauded as a ‘world class’ candidate by former Scotland boss Alex McLeish.

In other news: 45 y/o now open to joining Spurs, find out more here.

Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing Stade Brest left-back Romain Perraud, as they look for a replacement for Ezgjan Alioski.

Marcelo Bielsa could have a busy summer transfer window on his hands, as he looks to make his Whites squad even more formidable.

Leeds have excelled on their return to the Premier League, sitting 10th currently, and the aim could be to finish in the European places next season.

Reinforcements will be required for that to happen, however, and left-back is an area of the pitch that needs addressing in the coming months.

[freshpress-quiz id=“351040″]

Perraud linked with Leeds move

Alioski is expected to leave Elland Road at the end of the season, and according to the Daily Mail, Leeds see Perraud as a possible replacement for him.

Lyon are also believed to be showing an interest in the 23-year-old, however, meaning the Whites face competition for his signature.

Transfer Tavern take

Perraud is enjoying a good season in Ligue 1 for Brest, scoring three goals and registering five assists, showing the attacking quality he possesses. In comparison, Alioski has just two Leeds goals and one assist this term.

This suggests he would be a shrewd signing by Bielsa, with the Argentine keen for his full-backs to display lung-busting energy and end product up and down the flanks.

Perraud is also averaging 1.8 tackles and clearances apiece per game, though, suggesting he is also adept in the defensive side of his game, something Alioski has sometimes struggled with.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly interested in signing a new centre-back – find out who it is here.

Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that he wants Callum McGregor to stay at Parkhead, but admitted he’s good enough to play in the Premier League.

Likes many of his Celtic teammates, McGregor’s form has dipped this season, although he’s still started every Scottish Premiership match, and has worn the captain’s armband in the absence of Scott Brown.

With Brown moving on at the end of the campaign, McGregor would be the obvious choice to take the armband on a full-time basis, but the midfielder has been strongly linked away from Parkhead.

Reports earlier this month have suggested that McGregor’s former manager and current Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers is plotting a summer move for the midfielder, which would see the pair reunite following their stint in Glasgow.

McGregor is currently tied down to a long-term contract at Celtic, although McAvennie told Football FanCast that he’s the only Celtic man that’s capable of making the step up to the Premier League:

“At the moment he’s the only one that could make it in the Premier League. We don’t know if he wants to leave or not, but it’s never come out too much about McGregor.

“He’s not played well since he got the captaincy, but I think he’s a wonderful talent and I want him to stay.”

Former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips believes Britt Assombalonga could be a good signing for Glasgow Rangers if a transfer were to go through.

Phillips discusses Assombalonga

£2.7m-valued Assombalonga (Transfermarkt), who currently plays for Middlesbrough in the English Championship, has been linked with a switch to Ibrox in recent weeks (Give Me Sport).

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips has suggested it could be a good move for the 55-time Scottish champions. He said:

“He’s blown hot and cold recently.

“It is a transfer that could pay off because on his day he’s dangerous but it could also not pay off because he has struggled for consistency.

“Britt, in spells, has done well but he has never had a season where he has done consistently well and that would be my concern.

“He has got great quality though so it could work out to be a good one. One to watch.”

Change of scenery

Assombalonga burst onto the scene at Peterborough United, scoring 33 goals in all competitions during the 2013/14 campaign (Transfermarkt). He then made the move to Nottingham Forest, scoring 15 goals in his first 29 Championship matches, but disaster would soon strike as a knee surgery kept him out for over a year.

Although he has 47 goals in 159 matches for Boro, he has arguably never recovered. A move to Scotland, though, could be just the change of scenery he needs. He is clearly a prolific goalscorer, and under Steven Gerrard he could well rediscover his previous electric form. Given he would be available on a free transfer at the end of this campaign, it could be a bargain signing for Ross Wilson and co.

In other news, Rangers fans react to this billboard vandalism.

Fabian Schar says that he hopes to feature for Newcastle in the final games of the season after issuing a positive update on his recovery.

The 29-year-old was expected to be out for ‘several months’ after sustaining a torn knee ligament in the 3-2 win over Southampton in February (via nufc.co.uk).

A Sky Sports report at the time speculated that he’d played his last game for the club given that the Swiss international is out of contract at the end of the season.

However, it seems his recovery may have exceeded expectations – Schar initially aimed to return in time for the European Championships in June, but now hopes he can have a say in keeping Newcastle up.

Schar: ‘I will do everything’ to return before the end of the season

“I’m quite happy where I am after seven weeks since my surgery,” he said in a Q&A on Newcastle’s Twitter account.

“The last five or six weeks I was working hard in Switzerland. The only aim I had was to do as many hours for the rehab as possible.

“I think I am on the right way. Still there is a bit to do and it’s going to be tight for some games this season.

“It’s my aim to help the team at the end of the season and I will do everything to try and do that but I can’t exactly say if it is possible or not.”

Schar has made 13 Premier League appearances for the Toon this season. He has averaged 1.6 tackles, 3.1 clearances, 0.8 blocks and 3.6 accurate long balls per match (via WhoScored).

Transfer Tavern verdict

The injury outlook is finally getting brighter for Newcastle. Miguel Almiron returned at Brighton, and Allan Saint-Maximin made his comeback off the bench in the draw with Tottenham at the weekend.

Most importantly, top scorer Callum Wilson looks to be back in contention for a critical visit to Burnley on Sunday.

Schar’s return can’t come soon enough, given that Steve Bruce had to deploy Emil Krafth and Paul Dummett, full-backs by trade, in a back three at the weekend.

In other news, Alan Shearer picked out an ‘excellent’ Newcastle performer against Spurs. 

Noel Whelan believes Glasgow Rangers could save millions by tying down goalkeeper Allan McGregor to a new contract.

Whelan urges McGregor deal

McGregor’s contract is set to run out at the end of the campaign (Transfermarkt), although reports have suggested that he is set to sign a new deal at Ibrox.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan believes the Gers could save a fortune if McGregor extends his deal with the 55-time Scottish champions. He said:

“He’s a player that knows the club inside out.

“To me, it’s a no brainer when you’ve got quality like that who’s still producing displays at the highest level. If you went out to get another goalkeeper now, probably not as good as him, what would you be paying?

“You’d be paying over the odds for what you’re going to get, unfortunately. You’ve got a player there who wants to be at the club. He’s still putting in performances, he has been a massive, integral part of the Premiership win this year.

“Goalkeepers can go on forever as long as they keep themselves at a certain fitness.

“They’ve got no need to spend millions in that department. They’ve already got a top-quality goalkeeper.”

Short-term

In the short-term, Whelan is correct. As he showed with a wonderful save against Slavia Prague in the Europa League on Thursday, McGregor is still capable of top-quality displays despite being 39 years of age. However, even if he does extend his deal, it is only delaying the inevitable.

Quite frankly, he doesn’t have too long left, certainly not as number one. At some point, the Gers will need to dip into the transfer market to replace him. A new contract this summer enables Ross Wilson and co to strengthen in other areas without worrying about spending on a shot-stopper, but that may change in 12 months’ time.

In other news, some Rangers fans are livid at this Old Firm confirmation.