All posts by z3u9t.icu

[ad_pod ]

Liverpool fans on Twitter are absolutely delighted with Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot, with the Frenchman reportedly preferring a move to Liverpool instead of Tottenham should a Premier League switch materialise, according to Paris United.

The 23-year-old midfield star has been the subject of strong interest from Spurs and boss Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly even spoken to the player in a bid to get him to north London.

He would be teaming up with his former teammates in Lucas Moura and Serge Aurier if he were to arrive at Spurs, however Rabiot appears to be more interested in linking up with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

Are the media letting Jurgen Klopp off lightly for his lack of silverware? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

Naturally, fans of the Merseyside-based club loved this news, and find it a source of enjoyment for a couple of reasons. Firstly, they would be getting an exceptional young player on a free transfer, as he has just six months left on his contract with the Parisians.

Secondly, they would be beating a title rival to a marquee signing, signalling a change from the days when they’d have their best players pinched from them by fellow Premier League clubs, such as when Raheem Sterling moved to Manchester City.

Let’s see how fans of the Reds reacted on Twitter…

According to Spanish source Estadio Deportivo, West Ham United may have been handed an Isco transfer hope with GSB apparently in the mix for his signature.

The Lowdown: Big name free agent…

As things stand, the former Malaga sensation appears set to become one of the ‘big name’ free agents of 2022 with his contract expiring on June 30.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-newest-updates/” title=”West Ham newest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Clubs will be competing to sign Isco ahead of the transfer window given his soon-to-be Bosman status and it is believed that West Ham are one of them.

The 29-year-old is also said to be attracting interest from the likes of FC Barcelona, ​​Milan, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Fiorentina and alleged overwhelming favourites Sevilla.

The Latest: West Ham in mix…

Indeed, Estadio Deportivo claim that while ‘everything indicates’ he will join Sevilla, they also say ‘some surprises should never be ruled out’ – namedropping West Ham as suitors.

The playmaker, despite his heavy links to Sevilla, has also been pictured in Florence recently with La Viola one of the interested parties.

The Verdict: Fresh hope?

This report hints at some hope for West Ham if they do indeed wish to sign Isco on a free deal, but should manager David Moyes and co make his signing a priority?

Once valued at around £100m by the Galacticos, any club signing the attacker for free could just highlight his real decline in recent seasons.

His market value is now estimated by Transfermarkt at around £6.75m, a real drop off from his once-marquee price tag.

Isco’s best season at the Bernabeu, where he notched ten goals and eight assists in La Liga over 2016/2017, was a long time ago and it would arguably come as a gamble to see if he could resurrect his career in east London.

In other news: Bigger and bigger: Insider now shares very promising off-field development out of West Ham, find out more here.

Wolves are looking to open talks with centre-back Romain Saiss regarding a new deal at Molineux, according to a recent update.

The Lowdown: Saiss a key man for Wolves

The 31-year-old has been an excellent servant for Wanderers since joining from Angers back in 2016, helping them return to the Premier League in the process.

Saiss has made a total of 194 appearances for Wolves, scoring 15 goals in that time and thriving in a back-three under Bruno Lage this season.

The Moroccan is currently on Africa Cup of Nations duty, but with his current deal at Molineux expiring at the end of the season, swift action is required regarding his future.

The Latest: New contract on the cards?

According to The Athletic [via Talking Wolves on Twitter], Wolves are hopeful of opening talks over a new contract in the near future, acting as a boost.

Saiss had started all 19 of his side’s Premier League games this season before leaving for AFCON, helping them concede just 14 goals in that time.

The Verdict: Makes total sense

Saiss has been a top player for Wolves and extending his stay at the club makes perfect sense, considering he should still have a number of years at the top.

Some may point to the fact that he is 31 but that can still be peak age for centre-backs, so a relatively long-term deal shouldn’t be seen as a risk, looking at the likes of Thiago Silva, who remains an excellent player at 37.

Saiss has been compared to Italian legend Paolo Maldini by Lage, which speaks volumes about his presence and experience in the side, and it would be a huge shame to lose him for free at this point in his career.

In other news, Wolves are reportedly willing to snub a move for one player. Find out who it is here.

Rangers are monitoring Racing Santander’s Pablo Torre ahead of the January transfer window, according to The Daily Record. 

The lowdown

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder has featured five times for Spain at under-19 level, along with scoring three goals and providing five assists in 15 appearances in the Spanish third tier this season.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig has raved about the teenager, labelling him an ‘amazing talent’ and a ‘magician’; and he has already been compared to the likes of Euro 2020 winner Marco Verratti and Ballon D’Or recipient Luka Modric.

The latest

According to The Daily Record, Torre has apparently been recommended to Rangers’ scouts, who will now be watching him.

His contract, which runs until 2025, contains a £4m release clause, but Racing are said to be in financial trouble and could therefore possibly accept a lower offer.

The Gers aren’t the only club interested in the teenager, though, with Spanish giants Real Madrid also admirers of his, along with clubs in Italy.

The verdict

If Torre is to live up to his evident potential, £4m could end up looking like a massive bargain, and that’s assuming the club who sign him are forced to pay the full extent of his release clause.

Rangers could theoretically end up selling him on for a huge profit after a few years at Ibrox, which might factor into the club’s thinking.

Real Madrid represent daunting competition, but perhaps there’s a scenario where Los Blancos sign him and then loan him out, as they have done with a whole host of their Castilla players this season.

In other news, could this Gers forward be lured south of the border?

A new loan ruling that is set to be implemented next season could have a big impact on Wolves, according to reliable journalist Tim Spiers.

The Lowdown: New loan ruling

According to The Athletic, clubs will be limited on the number of international players they can have out on loan in the future.

From next season, teams will only be allowed to have eight players on temporary moves elsewhere and that number will drop to six by 2024.

Wolves currently have ten players out on loan, highlighting how clubs will be affected by the new venture moving forward.

The Latest: Spiers reacts to claim

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Spiers gave his thoughts on the news, discussing how it will impact on Wanderers’ business:

“New loan rules coming in next season which will impact Wolves, who had 10 players on loan overseas in the first half of the season (max of 8 next year then max 6 from 2024) and four at Grasshoppers (max 3 at one club).”

The Verdict: Good decision

In truth, it is healthy to see this ruling introduced, with the report correctly stating that it is a good way of preventing clubs from ‘stockpiling talent’.

It is good to see that players aged 21 and under won’t be affected, however, as loan moves can be healthy for their development, such as Wolves forward Theo Corbeanu, who is currently at MK Dons.

It will make teams think more about recruitment in general and potentially ensure they get the most out the players already in their ranks, rather than stockpiling players for purely financial reasons.

In other news, some Wolves fans have reacted to an exit rumour regarding one player. Find out who it is here.

Many Everton fans were left fuming over some early team news ahead of their game away at Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match, Rafa Benitez revealed (via Phil Kirkbride) that Salomon Rondon is now back for the Goodison Park faithful after he was not in the squad for their 2-1 win at home to Arsenal on Monday night.

Richarlison played the striker role that night, and got himself on the scoresheet, while he also had two other goals ruled out for offside narrowly by VAR (BBC).

On the other hand, Rondon himself has not managed to score in 11 matches in total for the Merseyside club so far this season, and so his return to the team may actually hinder the Toffees rather than help them.

Everton fans on Rondon news

These Blues fumed as the news was shared on Twitter, with one EFC supporter even going as far as to claim that it was a ‘blow’:

“Have you ever seen a worse statement than “Rondon back”?”

Credit: @taylor_davies77

“Rondon back that’s a blow”

Credit: @askEvertonian08

“NO ONE CARES ABOUT RONDON”

Credit: @Vicaz22

“We don’t care about Rondon and Delph”

Credit: @meeet_sam

“Rondon is healthy? Another losing streak for the Toffees”

Credit: @jack_kweder

“Rondon is out even when he’s in. Fraud of a player.”

Credit: @Bonesy68

In other news, find out what transfer news has Evertonians talking here!

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Wolves striker Hwang Hee-chan, with Manchester City also thought to be keen on a move for the South Korea international.

The Lowdown: Hwang excels on loan

The 25-year-old moved to Molineux in the summer transfer window, joining on loan from RB Leipzig in order to earn more playing time.

Hwang has taken to the Premier League with ease, scoring four goals in six starts and forging a strong partnership with Raul Jimenez, as well as being hailed as a ‘top player’ by his manager Bruno Lage.

While Wolves are clearly keen to make his temporary move a permanent one, Liverpool may have something to say about that.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375258″]

The Latest: Liverpool eye up move

According to The Mirror, the Reds and Man City are both interested in acquiring the 41-cap South Korea international’s signature.

Both clubs are reported to have watched him in action ‘several times’ and see him as someone who can provide an extra attacking option in their respective squads.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-11/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Perfect squad player

Hwang is the perfect type of signing for Liverpool – another attacking option to ease the workload of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota, particularly with injury concerns over both Mane and Firmino.

Not only is the Korean proving to be a guaranteed scorer of goals in the Premier League, he also possesses a strong work ethic, averaging one tackle and 1.5 fouls per game in the top flight this season. It should also not be forgotten that Hwang scored one goal and set up another for Salzburg against Jurgen Klopp’s side back in 2019/20, with Liverpool eventually winning 4-3 at Anfield in a thrilling Champions League clash.

The Merseysiders’ failure to sign an extra attacker felt problematic in the summer, but if the Reds could potentially sign Hwang in January, it could solve that issue and give Klopp’s squad another Premier League-proven goalscorer.

In other news, Fabrizio Romano has provided a key update on one rumoured Liverpool target. Read more here.

Moussa Niakhate is reportedly now ‘attracting interest’ from Newcastle United ahead of a potential move in the summer.

The Lowdown: Solid season

Niakhate is having a solid season at Mainz, where they currently hold the joint-third best defensive record in the Bundesliga.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-4/” title=”Newcastle news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The captain and leader of his side, the six-foot-three colossus has been hailed as a ‘key player’ and a ‘role model’ by sporting director Christian Heidel and head coach Bo Svensson, and so may not be easily let go, valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt.

The Latest: Newcastle interest

As per The Daily Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath, Niakhate is now ‘attracting interest’ from the St. James’ Park faithful, as well as both West Ham United and Everton.

However, the latter will only be in the running for him if they manage to stay in the Premier League for next season.

The Verdict: Upgrade

Niakhate would seemingly be an upgrade on Eddie Howe’s current centre-back options.

He is currently averaging more tackles and interceptions per game than Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and Jamaal Lascelles in their respective domestic leagues this season, and offensively, he has scored three goals and makes more key passes than the Magpies trio (WhoScored).

Clearly then, this is an up and coming defender with the ability on the ball to fit like a glove into Eddie Howe’s system, which relies far more on progressive build-up from the back than previous manager Steve Bruce.

Of course, the top flight is different gravy, but he has already shown his worth against Liverpool superstar Mo Salah, who ‘didn’t enjoy’ playing against Niakhate in pre-season.

A senior call-up to the France national team is surely in the pipeline, and at 26 years of age, the North East club would be signing him just as he enters his prime.

In other news, find out who NUFC are now in the ‘driving seat’ to sign here!

An exciting Newcastle United transfer claim has emerged regarding Lille defender Sven Botman…

What’s the talk?

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Magpies’ pursuit of the centre-back is not dead in the water despite failing with an initial offer of €35m (£29.2m).

He tweeted: “Lille turned down €35m permanent move bid for Sven Botman from Newcastle. French club plan still to try to keep Botman even if they’re in difficult financial situation. No way for loan deal. #transfers Newcastle will try again – AC Milan are interested but no official bid.”

Fans will be delighted

Newcastle fans will surely be delighted with this news as it suggests that there is still a chance that Botman could end up at St James’ Park this month. They will also be buzzing as it shows that the club are serious about a deal for the Dutchman, given that they have been willing to submit a £29.2m bid for his services.

The Toon Army will be happy to see big-money offers going in for players, instead of lowballing clubs and waiting until the last few days of the window to make any moves. PIF are clearly working hard to try and make things happen, and irrespective of the end result, fans will surely be reassured to know that the powerbrokers are doing their best to supplement Eddie Howe’s squad.

Supporters will also be delighted with the prospect of another offer being made to sign Botman before the end of the transfer window. He could be an excellent addition to the squad who would bolster Howe’s defensive options, and that is why they must persist – as they appear to be doing – with a swoop for his services.

This season in Ligue 1, the Dutchman has averaged an impressive SofaScore rating of 7.02. This shows that he has what it takes to perform to a high level on a consistent basis whilst playing in a top European league, which suggests that he could be a success for Newcastle if he is able to adapt to English football.

Meanwhile, no Magpies centre-back has averaged a rating higher than 6.77 from Sofascore this term. Therefore, if he can translate his form over to the Premier League, Botman could be a significant upgrade on Howe’s current options and improve the side considerably. In turn, Newcastle fans will be quite pleased with the club’s concerted efforts to bring him in from Lille.

AND in other news, “Conversations on the phone” – Luke Edwards transfer update will have NUFC fans elated…

As per reliable reporter Jack Rosser of The Evening Standard, some news has emerged on West Ham and their hunt for a new striker.

The Lowdown: West Ham still in the market…

The Irons’ centre-forward pursuit can be stretched all the way back to January, when David Moyes confirmed that offers had been made for Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-developments-2/” title=”West Ham developments” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

This is to solve the lack of cover for star striker Michail Antonio, especially taking into account his injury history, and despite the club’s efforts, they still haven’t managed to land an alternative to the Jamaica international.

The search is still on, however, as Rosser brings an update involving FC Copenhagen striker Jonas Wind.

The Latest: West Ham weigh bid…

As per The Evening Standard, West Ham – and by extension head of recruitment Rob Newman – are ‘weighing up a move’ for the prolific Dane, who has bagged a senior career total of 45 goals for his current club.

Indeed, a striker apparently ‘remains high’ on Moyes’ shopping list ahead of January as he looks to maintain the Hammers’ head-turning start to the 2021/22 campaign.

The Verdict: Good option…

Over his appearances for Copenhagen this season, Wind has showcased a real proficiency in front of goal with 10 across all competitions already, along with six assists (Transfermarkt).

He’s also a towering presence at 6 foot 2 and could possess a physicality suited to the tough nature of Premier League football.

In a further incentive for West Ham to move for him, it is believed that the 22-year-old could leave his current club for as little as £11m in January, as recently claimed by Ekstra Bladet (via Sport Witness).

Amid the Irons’ links to Andrea Belotti and Adam Hlozek, Wind could come as a shrewd alternative.

In other news: ‘I’m alive’, ‘We baaaccckkk’ – Many West Ham fans react as Irons set for striker swoop, find out more here.