All posts by z3u9t.icu

Liverpool are set for a disaster if £10.8m-rated striker Divock Origi departs the club for free when his contract expires this summer.

What’s the story?

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Reds star is set to leave Anfield when his contract expires in June and AC Milan are the club leading the race to sign him.

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He’s been used off the bench by Klopp many times during his tenure and has become a fan favourite at the club, with his boss even calling him a “legend”. He’s more of an important player to the squad than you might initially think so it’s important they do all they can to keep him.

He’s an important team player

One thing that Liverpool have had more of this season is squad depth, and when they are challenging on all fronts being able to rely on this and field different options is crucial.

That’s why Origi is a player who matters so much to their success, not only does he have a proven track record of coming off the bench and making an impact in games, but he also offers something very different up top from the other strikers at the club.

The 27-year old arrived from French club Lille in 2014 for £11.4m and is the second longest-serving player at the club currently, behind only the captain Jordan Henderson. He’s made 173 appearances in that time and been directly involved in 58 goals, his biggest coming in the 2019 Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur.

Because of this impact in big games, to see him leave on a free transfer would be a blow and it would also leave Klopp in a desperate search for a replacement.

His longevity is one of the things that has earnt him legendary status at Anfield, he proved key when he came on yesterday for their Merseyside derby victory over Everton, scoring the second goal. This took him six league goals against the Toffees at Anfield, with Steven Gerrard the only Liverpool player ever to have scored more in the derby at home.

Although he may not be a regular starter in Klopp’s side, he certainly is one of his favourite players and losing him will massively weaken Liverpool.

IN other news: Sources: Liverpool agree terms to sign “special” £36m-rated ace, Klopp surely buzzing – opinion

With James Rodriguez departing Everton last week, it has balanced the books somewhat and will allow the Toffees to be a bit more ambitious in the January window.

Rafa Benitez wasn’t too active throughout his first market at Goodison Park but their campaign has still been impressive.

What’s the word?

One player that Everton were rumoured with making a move for in the summer was Newcastle attacker Allan Saint-Maximin.

The winger was the subject of £60m interest but that fee seems completely out of the question at the moment.

The Frenchman is rated at £27m via Transfermarkt and if that’s the kind of price that would be involved, Everton must stump up the cash.

His name is being touted with Merseyside again but Benitez’s men aren’t the only ones that might find themselves in the race.

That’s according to Don Hutchinson who speaking this week tipped him with a move elsewhere.

He said this week: “I feel for Saint-Maximin. On a serious note, as a Newcastle fan, I am petrified we’re going to lose him.”

“He is far too good for us. Incredible player. He’s the type of player Tottenham should be looking at, or Everton. He’s better than us.”

Imagine him & DCL

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been injured over the last few weeks but on the field of play, the striker made an impressive start to the season.

He has scored three goals in three outings and has formed a vibrant partnership alongside the club’s new signings; Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray.

The offensive duo have been outstanding since signing for Everton, contributing seven goals in the royal blue of Everton.

They are wily and tricky characters but Saint-Maximin would be an undoubted upgrade on the pair of them, someone who could also help take Calvert-Lewin to the next level.

The Englishman has already enjoyed an exciting relationship with Richarlison, a player who uses mesmerising dribbling and pace to exploit defenders.

Those two qualities are typified within Saint-Maximin as well.

The Newcastle forward is a real livewire, combining pace and close touch control to terrify defenders. In the words of Steve Bruce, he is “scary” but “wonderful.”

He has enjoyed a scintillating start to the new campaign as well. Playing in a central role up front, the 24-year-old has found the net on two occasions and registered three assists.

His tally of 4.2 dribbles per game is also the third-best among every player in Europe’s top five leagues. He is ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe for that statistic.

With that in mind, just imagine the regularity at which he’d be able to open up space and fashion chances for Calvert-Lewin.

Naturally, Saint-Maximin drags players towards him, a quality that would undoubtedly help a striker as prolific as Everton’s star man.

Providing the price is right, this move feels like a no-brainer.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Gordon: Everton have a gem in rarely-seen 17 y/o with “great potential”…

Sky Sports’ Michael Bridge believes that it is only Manchester City who have the money to afford Robert Lewandowski.

Sky Sports were told that Lewandowski is happy at Bayern Munich but wants a move to another top European club before he is 35.

Lewandowski, who turns 33 on his next birthday (21 August), has been in fine goalscoring form for Bayern Munich, scoring 297 times in 331 matches. The Poland international is second on the all-time top goal scorers in Bundesliga, with 276 goals.

Last season alone he managed to score an incredible 48 goals in all competitions.

The Sky Sports report also says that Bayern Munich value Lewandowski at more than £100m, with Michael Bridge believing it’s surely only Manchester City who have the money for the striker, telling Football FanCast: “Is it only City? I mean, surely it’s only City and we know how much Pep loved him at Bayern Munich, but no other club has the money to pay.”

City have been linked with a move for Harry Kane throughout the summer and there were also reports of them being interested in Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic, but journalist Fabrizio Romano posted on his Twitter account that the Fiorentina president Commisso had said: “I don’t know what’s gonna happen but I’m planning to keep Vlahovic this summer, I want him to stay. But if we receive a bid of €100m, I’ll think about it.”

Tottenham Hotspur have made Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic their top target for next year, as news emerges from Italy, after failing to land the 6 foot 3 colossus this summer.

The Lowdown: Linked previously to Spurs

Vlahovic, 21, was heavily linked with a transfer to the Premier League this summer with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting that Spurs were willing to fork out £60million to sign the striker.

The striker has scored 34 times in 88 appearances for the Italian side since arriving from FK Partizan Belgrade and he has got the 2021/22 campaign off to the perfect start with three goals in three games – including two in the recent 2-1 away win at Atalanta.

Vlahovic, who is valued at £36million, also attracted interest from La Liga champions Atletico Madrid.

The Latest: Spurs remain keen

According to CalcioMercato, Vlahovic is Fabio Paratici and Spurs’ number one target next summer after their interest was made known for the forward already.

Fabrizio Romano claimed that Tottenham didn’t actually submit a formal bid for the striker in the summer, but it is now alleged that they will re-visit the situation at the end of the season.

Fiorentina were desperate to retain the services of their striker in the previous transfer window but could face an uphill battle to keep him if Spurs or Atletico come back in for him.

The Verdict: Massive potential

The signing of Vlahovic would be a massive step forward for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, whether that be to replace Harry Kane or to provide competition for the club’s record goalscorer.

One of Spurs’ main problems in recent years is having no back-up to Kane, with Vinicius Junior struggling last season, so Vlahovic, who has been hailed ‘incredible’ by Serie A expert Conor Clancy, could provide exactly this and eventually be a replacement in the future.

Bringing Vlahovic in at such a young age and then nurturing him to be the clubs leading man in attack – when Kane is either sold or retires – looks to be a smart strategy from Paratici and co. The 21 year-old gets better every season.

In other news, Paul Scholes has made a claim about Spurs man following Palace defeat. Find out more here.

David Moyes has received an encouraging squad boost at West Ham this week…

What’s been said?

Irons forward Michail Antonio, who is currently the Premier League’s third leading talisman, has withdrawn from international duty with Jamaica due to logistical problems, as revealed by co-owner David Gold on Twitter.

“MICHAIL ANTONIO has pulled out of the Jamaica squad for three qualifiers due to logistical problems. The news will be a welcome boost for boss David Moyes, who has concerns about the effect of travelling across the Atlantic would have on Michail who has been plagued by injury,” he revealed.

Moyes boost

Given the 31-year-old’s history with injuries, this news will undoubtedly leave Moyes delighted, even if his star striker is a little gutted to not feature for his national side.

Antonio has not started more than 24 of 38 league games in any of the last four Premier League seasons, and that’s largely down to constant injuries – for example, he missed 13 matches last season from a variety of problems and issues.

His importance to the Hammers is undeniable. The 5 foot 11 beast has scored five and assisted three in the English top-flight this campaign, adding to his ten goals and five assists from last season.

The former Nottingham Forest ace has already missed one game this term, though that wasn’t through injury, after he picked up a suspension and he was sorely missed as West Ham were defeated by Manchester United.

Antonio is above and beyond the standout performer under Moyes, earning a 7.84 average rating on WhoScored, which is way clear of the next best, who is Said Benrahma (7.43).

No Irons player is managing more shots (4.5) or key passes (2.5) than the Jamaican star after seven matches, further highlighting his importance.

Therefore, to have him around Rush Green this week, and not on the other side of the world is a massive, massive boost to Moyes and West Ham.

He will no longer be at risk of injury away from the club, nor will he have to quarantine, meaning he will be available for their first game back next week, a trip to Goodison Park to face Everton.

AND in other news, West Ham handed January transfer boost, Newman could seal instant masterclass…

Noel Whelan has been left lauding the news that Glen Kamara has been offered a new deal at Glasgow Rangers.

The Lowdown: New deal offered

As per The Athletic, Kamara is edging closer to signing a new contract at Ibrox that will keep him there for the long-term.

Leeds United have reportedly been linked with a move to sign the Finland international before the summer transfer window closes, and so Steven Gerrard would ideally like his future sorted out sooner rather than later.

The Latest: Whelan on contract offer

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan, who is now a pundit after a stellar career playing for the likes of Leeds United and Coventry City, has lauded the contract offer given to Kamara, as he feels that it is very important that the Gers keep him come the end of the window:

“It’s great news for Rangers if he signs a new deal.

“For Rangers, this summer was always going to be about keeping their best players and keeping their internationals and there’s no doubt about it, Kamara is one of them.

“He’s been vitally important to their recent success. I’d say he was one of their top five players last year.

“Gerrard will not want to lose any of his squad. It is about strengthening in some positions and keeping that core group, who have worked so hard under Gerrard, together so they can keep the Scottish Premiership title at Ibrox.”

The Verdict: Great news

As Whelan rightfully points out, it would be great news for Rangers if Kamara ends up signing the new deal.

Described as a ‘magnificent’ player by Gerrard back in December, the central midfielder was a key player in the Gers’ Scottish Premiership title triumph in the 2020/21 season, playing in a total of 28 games, scoring one goal and making one assist (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, if the Light Blues want to kick on again, then they need to keep a hold of their best players, and Kamara is certainly one of them.

In other news, find out what will be a ‘disaster’ for Rangers here!

An update has emerged on Rangers and their transfer plans, with a striker reportedly being lined up for a move to Ibrox by Giovanni van Bronckhorst…

What’s the talk?

According to the Sunday Post, the Gers are considering a deal to sign Colombian forward Frank Castaneda this month.

He is a free agent after his contract with Sheriff Tiraspol expired at the start of 2022 and Rangers are said to be one of a number of clubs interested in snapping him up.

Won’t cost a penny

Van Bronckhorst must ensure that the club are able to get a deal over the line for the attacker in the coming weeks as he could be a terrific signing.

From a financial standpoint, Castaneda could be a sensational addition as he will not cost a penny in transfer fees. He is currently a free agent and is allowed to join any club of his choice, with his wages being the only hurdle that the club would need to overcome to bring him to Glasgow.

In terms of what he could offer on the pitch, his record throughout his career suggests that he could be an excellent signing. He has produced 105 goals and assists in 139 career appearances for FK Senica and Tiraspol, including an incredible 33 goals and 18 assists in the 2020/21 campaign for the latter.

Of course, it is difficult to gauge the difference in quality between where he has played so far and the Scottish Premiership, but he can only play against what is in front of him and he has shown immense quality in those matches.

The predator has proven that he can score and create goals on a consistent basis and that suggests that he could be a top player for Rangers if he is able to translate his form over to Scotland.

That is why the Gers must work hard to beat off interest from elsewhere to land the 27-year-old on a free transfer to bolster van Bronckhorst’s squad. It is a worthwhile gamble for the club to make given the financial aspect means that they will not lose a huge chunk of money if the move does not work out and he flops at Ibrox. Furthermore, he also holds the potential – given his record for Tiraspol – to make a big splash in Glasgow.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Bassey: Rangers could pull off masterclass in £2m swoop for “calm” gem…

Crystal Palace are having a great start to their season, picking up points from 13 of their 20 Premier League games so far,

There is no doubt that they will be hoping to continue to climb the table for a top-half finish in Patrick Vieira’s first season in charge, and now they are rumoured to make a new addition in the transfer window that could help them achieve it.

What’s the word?

The Daily Mail are reporting, that Crystal Palace are interested in signing Arsenal star, Eddie Nketiah, battling with Premier League rivals, Brighton and Bundesliga side, Bayern Leverkusen for his signature.

However, in the report, SportMail understands that Bayern Leverkusen are out ahead preparing a pre-contract agreement for the 22-year-old, so if Vieira is interested in swooping for the striker, he should do so as soon as he can.

The £9m-rated forward labelled “extraordinary” by current manager, Mikel Arteta, has refused several contract offers from Arsenal, which suggests that the young attacker is interested in making a move from the north London club, especially now that his contract his ending in the summer of this year.

Imagine him & Edouard

Crystal Palace have turned the tide from having the oldest squad in the Premier League to appointing Vieira last summer and adding several new young players to the side, who have all made an impact, especially Odsonne Edouard.

The French striker joined the Eagles in the summer and has definitely made his presence known since arriving just over four months ago, scoring five goals and bagging three assists in just 17 appearances so far.

The Palace manager has claimed that the 23-year-old is “getting to his best”, and with that being said, giving him a strike partner like Nketiah could unlock a deadly attacking partnership, with star loanee, Conor Gallagher, just behind them in midfield.

Nketiah has been compared to Arsenal legend, Ian Wright, according to Tony Cascerino who told The Times:

“He is agile with quick feet, much like his hero Ian Wright, which denies defenders the time to settle.”

The Gunners forward is yet to start a Premier League game this season, however, he has been given the opportunity to showcase his prolific goal-scoring talents in the Carabao Cup, where he has netted five goals in three games already, securing a semi-final challenge in the league cup against Liverpool.

Vieira’s clear vision is to build a side for the future with young players, meaning 22-year-old Nketiah fits the bill perfectly for the Frenchman’s future plans for the club.

Palace should be looking for ways to kill off games after picking up eight draws so far this season. As a result, securing a player who can add more goals in games can elevate the side’s chances to take three points and climb comfortably into the top half for a high finish this season.

In other news: Vieira must keep hold of Gallagher for the rest of the season

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has revealed the “huge” under-the-radar Aston Villa blow that has been costing the club since the summer.

What’s the story?

While Jack Grealish’s exit to Manchester City was of course one of the biggest and most high-profile departures from Villa Park this summer, a couple of members from Dean Smith’s backroom team, John Terry and Richard O’Keilly, also walked out the door.

And now, Preece has indicated that the duo were both massive presences behind-the-scenes at the club, and that they have been “missed massively.”

He commented: “I said this in my talking points piece that JT and ROK leaving is looking bigger by the week. The pair have been missed massively around BMH. It’s down to the new group now to get things right. Villa were without Ings, Sanson, Douglas and Traore yesterday. It just can’t continue like this, surely. In terms of backroom staff, Villa are continuing to to add to Lange’s recruitment team ahead of the January window.

“The touchline is a hectic one now with MacPhee running out to players barking instructions. Smith tends to stick with Shakespeare during the game. There’s a lot of information being passed around which could be confusing. I said this, JT and ROK’s departures appear bigger by the week. The pair were huge for this group of players.”

Dean Smith’s priority

While making the right big-money signings are all well and good, one of the key things that Smith should have done over the summer, is ensure his backroom team was complete.

When news emerged of both Terry’s and O’Keilly’s exits, the Villa boss should have acted swiftly to address that and bring in the right people around him so that level of expertise and knowledge would not be missed too much.

Instead, he lost two of his biggest and most important lieutenants, and when such a change occurs, it’s inevitable that it’s on the pitch and on the training ground where it actually ends up hurting the most.

With the club now 15th in the table and with no win in four, they clearly could have done with those figures behind the scenes.

Villa fans will surely be concerned at how the club have still not managed to replace the duo adequately enough more than a few months afte they initially left.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has delivered the latest on Dean Smith’s future…

Celtic have not been shy when it comes to moving certain players out of the club over recent years, whether it be on loan or permanent deals.

With the benefit of hindsight, one figure that the Hoops got rid of a few years ago that they may now be regretting is Liam Henderson.

As a product of the club’s youth system, the midfielder made 37 senior appearances for the Hoops in which he scored three goals and provided two assists.

In the 2018 January transfer window, Celtic sold their youth graduate to Italian club Bari for a reported fee of £115k.

After joining Hellas Verona just a few months after he made his original move to Italy, the Scotsman signed to Lecce in September 2020.

The midfielder was on the move again in the previous summer transfer window after he signed to FC Empoli on a permanent deal after he had spent some time on loan there in 2020.

Since then, the former Celtic talent has appeared in every Serie A game that Empoli have played against the likes of Juventus and the two Milan giants, scoring one goal and providing four assists along the way.

To highlight what a useful player he has been for his current club in this campaign, no other Empoli player has made more pressures (197) in the midfield area of the pitch than the £24k-per-week gem, who also has the second-highest number of crosses made.

Also, only Nedim Bajrami (1.7) has racked up a higher average of key passes than the former Hoops youth starlet (1.1).

Praised for his “exemplary” behaviour by Lecce president Saverio Sticchi Damiani, Henderson is currently valued at £6m according to CIES, which is significantly higher than the transfer fee that Celtic picked up for him back in 2018.

With that in mind and how well the midfield talent is doing in Italy, it could be said that the Parkhead club were rather hasty in terms of getting rid of the 25-year-old on a permanent basis when they did.

Moving forward, unless the Parkhead club are of a mind to bring the midfielder back to Celtic Park at some point, they would be better off forgetting about him and not dwelling on their mistake.

In other news: £4.7m down the drain: £12k-p/w Celtic liability rinsed Peter Lawwell for 140 weeks