All posts by z3u9t.icu

Everton have already had an active transfer window, signing two new defenders in Nathan Patterson and Vitaliy Mykolenko during the first week of the transfer window, and continue to be linked to a number of players as Rafa Benitez tries to change the direction that Everton are heading in with them currently 15th in the Premier League and just six points away from the relegation zone.

What’s the word?

According to Brazilian news outlet, UOL Deportes, a €15m (£12.5m) bid from Shaktar Donetsk for Everton transfer target, David Neres, has been rejected by Ajax.

The report claims that Ajax value the 24 year old midfielder at, at least €20m (£16.6m), with his contract running out in June 2023.

Everton were linked to Neres over the weekend, with Jeunes Footeux reporting that the Merseyside club were one of many that were interested in securing his signature, including Newcastle United.

Neres was hailed “quality” by his current manager, Erik Ten Hag, who previously spoke about interest from other clubs who wanted to sign the player in 2019:

“It’s so complex and there are so many people involved in Ajax at the moment that it may happen,

“But technically I don’t want to lose a quality player like Neres, because we need him. ”

Rafa must swoop

Now that Shaktar Donetsk have made a bid and had it rejected, it could be time to step up the chase for the Ajax forward, if Benitez is serious about signing him.

The £18m-rated star has been drawing attention to himself in the Eredivisie, with four goals and two assists so far this season, and could definitely help Everton with their attacking output if they were able to beat their competitors to the signing of the striker.

Everton have been struggling to control games and not scoring enough goals to take three points, with the side conceding 1.78 goals, but only scoring 1.28 goals per game this season according to FootyStats, which has as a result seen the side struggle to climb the league table into a comfortable position in the top half of the table.

The Spanish manager must look for ways to seize the opportunity of the transfer window, by making signings in key areas during the transfer window, and adding a young forward into the attacking line would surely give Benitez options for a fresh perspective.

That’s especially when the side is struggling to find chances to score during the second half of the season and beyond. Thus, Neres would be the perfect signing for this particular issue that Everton will need to fix if they want to rewrite the story of their campaign so far.

Words from a certain Jose Mourinho also add to the viewpoint of why Everton have to sign him.

Speaking about his heritage and performances, the Portuguese commented: “David Neres fully reflects what a Brazilian player should be. For me, he is the best of the new generation.”

As a result, he is a player that would surely light up proceedings at Goodison Park.

In other news: Journo gives perspective on potential Barkley signing

Newcastle United finally got their first win of the Premier League season with a 1-0 victory at home to Burnley on Saturday afternoon.

Callum Wilson pounced on some spillage from goalkeeper Nick Pope to calmly slot the ball into the back of the net and give his team all three points at St. James’ Park.

There were some spirited performances from Eddie Howe’s side on the day, but some may have been disappointed with their own individual displays.

As such, The Transfer Tavern have used statistical experts SofaScore to analyse who the three worst players (to have played at least 45 minutes) for the Magpies were:

Fabian Schar

Schar may count himself unlucky to have been ranked third given that he got the assist for Wilson’s goal, but nonetheless SofaScore decided to give him a 6.6 overall rating.

The central defender lost out on 11 of his duels in total, the third-most out of any of his teammates, as he also failed to record a single interception or tackle in the game.

Schar was also guilty of giving the ball away on no fewer than on 20 separate occasions in the match, the most out of any Toon player.

Joe Willock

Willock was also given a 6.6 rating by SofaScore, but ranks in second here courtesy of Schar’s assist.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-2/” title=”Newcastle news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The former Arsenal man lost five duels, and also never managed a shot on target, interception or tackle, while he lost possession a total of 11 times.

Allan Saint-Maximin

So often the bright spark in the North East, Saint-Maximin was lively as usual, but nothing really came off for him. As such, SofaScore decided to give him just a 6.1 rating.

The winger lost out on nine duels, and failed with three of his shots on goal, while he also failed to put in an accurate cross or long ball.

Saint-Maximin also gave the ball away on 18 different occasions, the joint-third most out of any of his teammates.

In other news, find out which Gazza-like technician NUFC now have ‘the opportunity’ to sign here!

Celtic centre-back Cameron Carter Vickers has dropped an update on his future at Parkhead.

What’s been said?

In recent comments cited by Football Scotland, the 23-year-old stated his belief that, while he is thoroughly enjoying life at Celtic after joining the club on a season-long loan deal this summer, it is a little too early to be discussing a permanent switch from Tottenham Hotspur to the Premiership side – although the Bhoys are reported to have an option to buy the defender for a fee of around £6m.

Speaking about his future, the USA international said: “I am enjoying my time up there and it is all going well. But I think it is a bit too early. It’s not fully down to me as well. So it is obviously discussions that will have to be had at the end of the season.”

Carter-Vickers can finally replace Van Dijk

Considering just how important a part of the Celtic side Carter-Vickers has become since his temporary switch to Parkhead this summer, the prospect of signing the centre-back on a permanent basis is sure to be one that excites the Bhoys fanbase.

Indeed, over his 13 Premiership appearances this season, the £1.8m-rated man has helped his side keep six clean sheets, scored two goals and provided his teammates with one assist, as well as making an average of 1.5 interceptions, 0.7 tackles, five clearances, 81.4 passes and winning 73% of his duels per game.

These returns have seen the £20k-per-week defender who Jan Vertonghen dubbed an “absolute beast” average a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.45, ranking him as the fourth-best performer in the entirety of the Scottish top flight.

And, while there is still a very long way to go in the current campaign, Carter-Vickers’ returns so far in a Celtic shirt very much appear to be on course to match those of Virgil van Dijk’s during his own first season at the club, when the Netherlands international helped his side keep 20 clean sheets, scored five goals and registered one assist over his 36 Premiership appearances.

As such, should Celtic indeed go on to make the Tottenham defender’s temporary switch a permanent move at some point this season, it would certainly appear as if Ange Postecoglou has finally found an apt replacement for the club’s former star centre-back – something which would undoubtedly bode incredibly well for the future of the Hoops.

In other news: Ange must brutally axe “rattled” £17k-p/w Celtic liability who can be “Sunday League”

West Brom have the chance to get their season back on track this weekend with an away clash against Huddersfield Town next up for the Baggies after a mixed bag of results in October and early November.

In terms of which players Baggies manager Valerien Ismael could select in his starting XI for the game on Saturday, one man who should be in the team on this occasion is Jayson Molumby.

Why Molumby must start

Since joining the Midlands club on a season-long loan deal from Brighton & Hove Albion, the midfielder has only started in three of his seven Championship appearances for the Baggies.

His previous appearance for West Brom saw the 22-year-old, who is currently valued at just £900,000 according to Transfermarkt, start and complete the full 90 minutes in their 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough as he managed to show what he can offer to Ismael’s side.

On that day, Molumby had 51 touches of the ball, completed 31 out of his 34 passes, won seven of his 14 duels and completed both of his dribbles. He also proved to be a helpful defensive figure by making one tackle, two interceptions and two clearances, ultimately earning himself an overall match rating of 6.8/10 according to SofaScore.

Furthermore, Birmingham Live said that Molumby was the “industry, energy, mobility and bite that Albion desperately needed” in the game against Middlesbrough, and those traits could terrify Huddersfield if he manages to demonstrate them again on Saturday.

The 22-year-old, who has previously been described as a “feisty” player by Millwall boss Gary Rowett, has racked up a passing accuracy percentage of 83.9% so far this season, the second-highest of any West Brom player below Robert Snodgrass. That highlights how adept he is at moving the ball around the pitch, which could be useful at the weekend even though Huddersfield are currently in the middle of the possession table with an average percentage of 48.7% compared to West Brom’s 52.7%, according to WhoScored.

With Molumby only on loan for the season, it would make sense for Ismael to get the most out of him while he’s at The Hawthorns. The 45-year-old should definitely consider keeping him in the team for the match against Huddersfield, especially since the midfielder showed what he’s capable of in his latest appearance for West Brom.

In other news: Lai could deliver WBA’s first January signing with “intelligent” £27k-p/w machine

Many Everton fans have been slamming some transfer news involving Dusan Vlahovic.

As per 90min, the Goodison Park outfit are one of seven Premier League clubs who are now eyeing up a move to sign the Fiorentina striker, with the others being Newcastle United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, while Juventus are also named as having an interest.

The player’s agents were in England earlier this month to engage in talks with top-flight clubs, and their client is likely to be available for around £70m.

However, given the Toffees’ problems with Financial Fair Play (FFP), it does seem rather unlikely that they would pay that kind of money for a player.

Vlahovic is also one of the emerging superstars of the beautiful game at just 21 years of age and has scored 12 goals in just 14 matches across all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt).

Therefore, it seems unrealistic that he would move to the Toffees anyway, with the likes of City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Juve, all of whom are currently competing in the Champions League, all likely to be preferred destinations for the Serbia international.

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

Everton fans on Vlahovic transfer news

These Everton fans slammed the transfer news as it was shared on Twitter, with one supporter going as far as to claim that it was ‘laughable’:

“In no universe would a lad with this much talent and potential even step foot in Goodison except to put about 5 past us”

Credit: @Jord_Thom00

“More chance of me playing against Brentford”

Credit: @keiranEFC_

“Like he’d ever come to us ahahahh”

Credit: @Jack19EFC

“Laughable to suggest he’ll come. His next destination will likely be an elite club or a German team to prepare him for his big move.”

Credit: @rlfansSaddened

“Why should he sign? There‘re better options for him. No chance imo”

Credit: @timnsno

“So we are completely out the picture, why even bother printing it lol”

Credit: @ianlawton7

In other news, find out what Benitez claim has shocked many Evertonians

A new name has emerged in the Newcastle manager hunt that many Toon fans won’t be particularly familiar with – San Jose Earthquakes manager Matias Almeyda.

The Lowdown: Fresh name in the mix

The likes of Paulo Fonseca, Unai Emery, Roberto Martinez and Steven Gerrard are all thought to be in the frame to replace Steve Bruce on Tyneside, so it would certainly be a shock to see someone with no experience managing in Europe rock up instead.

Perhaps that is exactly what will happen though, with Sky Sports’ Keith Downie confirming on Friday that the Magpies are scouting ‘other candidates’ after initial talks with Fonseca, and now Almeyda’s name has emerged.

The Latest: Almeyda wants to test himself

According to Italian outlet TMW, the Magpies’ new owners have ‘probed the availability’ of the former Lazio, Parma and Inter Milan defensive midfielder.

Almeyda has been in charge of MLS outfit San Jose since 2018, but the report claims he would like to challenge himself in a more competitive league.

The Verdict: One to watch

Aforementioned, the former midfield maestro has yet to test his mettle as a manager in Europe, operating in Argentina and Mexico before his move to the United States.

The 47 year-old has an impressive resume in his short time as a manager however, winning domestic league titles with his three previous clubs before San Jose – River Plate, Banfield and Guadalajara.

Well-respected transfer guru Fabrizio Romano is a huge fan, admitting earlier this year that Almeyda and fellow Argentine Juan Sebastian Veron are his favourite ever Lazio players.

He’s certainly got plenty of fire left in his belly too – he was suspended by the MLS last month for his behaviour towards an official – and perhaps this could be a name to keep an eye on as the Magpies’ manager chase heats up in the coming weeks.

In other news, Amanda Staveley could be “fuming” after the latest development on a new chief executive at Newcastle…

As per an update from The Express & Star, West Ham United are still among the pack believed to be ‘interested in signing’ colossal West Bromwich Albion keeper Sam Johnstone.

The Lowdown: West Ham eye move…

Over the summer, reliable sources claimed that the Hammers made an attempt to sign the England international for manager David Moyes – with Football Insider even saying that Johnstone himself was ‘very keen’ to join.

According to The Athletic, West Ham lodged a bid for the 28-year-old but it fell ‘considerably low’ of the Baggies’ valuation of  a fee ‘well in excess’ of £10 million.

Their interest has remained since then even despite the signing Paris-Saint Germain keeper Alphonse Areola on a season-long loan with the option to buy.

Recent reports from journalist Ekrem Konur and The Sun state that West Ham, and by extension new head of recruitment Rob Newman, are very much keeping tabs on Johnstone with the latter source even claiming they already have an offer ‘pencilled in’ if he decides to leave on a free next summer.

The Latest: West Ham still interested…

Amid West Brom boss Valerian Ismael’s contract update, with Johnstone’s deal set to expire in 2022, reliable Express & Star reporter Joseph Masi backs that the Irons and Southampton are ‘believed to be interested’ in signing the keeper next summer.

The Baggies manager, meanwhile, wants to keep one of his prized assets and confirms that talks over a new deal will intensify in January.

“There’s nothing new. It’s a patient game now, like a chess game. He wants to see,” Ismael admitted.

“For sure, we want to extend. At the minute, I’m not worried, it’s a normal process.

“From January we will start to go more intensively in the discussion but at the moment we’re all focused on the pitch, on the performances.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

Depending on the future of current West Ham number one Lukasz Fabianski amid his ‘preliminary talks’ over a possible extension, signing Johnstone as his heir would be a wise bit of business from the club.

The Englishman enjoyed a fine Premier League season last year and attracted Gareth Southgate’s attention at international level, reinforcing the fact he is proven at the top level and may well be a bargain on a free deal next summer.

Lauded as an ‘unreal’ player by pundit and former top flight shot-stopper Paddy Kenny, it remains to be seen whether West Ham do win the race or if Johnstone puts pen to paper on a Hawthorns extension, but he certainly seems like the best option to target between the sticks.

In other news: ‘Huge’, ‘Don’t gas me’, ‘Announce league title’…ExWHUemployee’s ‘exciting’ striker claim has many West Ham fans buzzing, find out more here.

Even though Wolves currently have the joint-second lowest number of players in their squad with just 24 across the current crop of Premier League clubs, it’s surprising that they have a significant number of players currently out on loan deals with other teams.

One Wolves player that is currently out on loan is 23-year-old attacker Patrick Cutrone who is spending his season with Italian club FC Empoli.

Despite being rather familiar with going out on loan away from Molineux, having spent temporary spells at clubs such as Fiorentina and Valencia, Cutrone finds himself back in Serie A to show what he can do. He signed for Wolves on a permanent basis back in the 2019 summer transfer window from AC Milan for a fee of £16.2m but hasn’t exactly set the world alight.

Things have not exactly been plain sailing for the Italian so far this season either. With seven appearances across all competitions and a total of 373 minutes under his belt for Empoli, Cutrone has yet to score a goal or provide an assist for them.

Cutrone’s last start for Empoli in Serie A saw him substituted in the second half of their 3-0 defeat against Sampdoria at home after the striker failed to register a single shot at goal and lost possession on ten occasions, ultimately earning him a rather uninspiring overall match rating of 6.6/10 according to SofaScore.

Taking this into account and the fact that Wolves manager Bruno Lage urged Cutrone to stay at the Midlands club this summer and prove himself there, he won’t be happy to see that his latest loan spell has gone the way it has so far.

Since joining Wolves, Cutrone, who is currently valued at £8.1m via Transfermarkt, has made 28 appearances for the Old Gold across all competitions in which he has managed to score only three goals and provide four assists in the process.

In our view, it’s safe to say that while Cutrone’s latest loan spell away from Wolves has not got off to a great start as of yet, there’s still a significant time left in the season for him to turn his form around and make the best use of the time he has there.

However, if the player doesn’t manage to do this, then he will put his place at Wolves at risk if they don’t feel like he’s good enough to be a regular figure for them in the Premier League.

On the evidence he’s provided over the last few years, they must get rid. Lage simply has to wield the axe on his Molineux career.

In other news: Forget Hwang: “Special” £41k-p/w Wolves ace who made 3 key passes ran the show vs NUFC

There is ‘no doubt’ that Steve Bruce will be relieved of his duties at Newcastle United in the wake of Sunday’s defeat against Tottenham Hotspur, according to The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope on Twitter.

The lowdown

Newcastle were beaten 3-2 in their first game under the club’s new ownership, leaving them second from bottom in the Premier League table. Furthermore, their tally of 15.47 expected goals against ranks as the worst in the division (via Understat).

The expectation had been that Bruce would be sacked in the build-up to the game, a move which would have pleased many on Tyneside. In a recent survey conducted by The Athletic, 97% of Newcastle fans interviewed called for his dismissal.

The latest

In a tweet shortly after the final whistle of the Spurs game, Hope did not hold back in outlining how poorly Newcastle had played, insisting that the players must take their share of the blame, and added that he thinks it won’t be long before Bruce’s managerial tenure comes to an end.

The journalist said: “For 10 minutes NUFC looked like a team re-energised. For the remainder they reverted back to what we’ve seen for so long under Bruce. Players also need to look at themselves after that. No doubt change of boss will happen quickly. It all felt a bit ugly towards Bruce at end.”

The verdict

You could argue that Newcastle ought to have made the change already, as it certainly felt as if Bruce was on borrowed time.

On the other hand, perhaps the club are waiting until they have a successor ready to step in before they pull the trigger, as otherwise they could be left with an inexperienced caretaker in the midst of a season where their Premier League future already appears to be on the line.

The longer they wait to act, the more they may need to fork out in January to build a relegation-proof squad. As Hope has said, it’s hard to escape the sense that Bruce is merely seeing out time at St James’ Park before he is replaced.

In other news, Newcastle have received a ‘massive’ boost over one player

Jack Clarke’s Tottenham Hotspur struggles look set to take to another blow as a different young attacker impresses Nuno Espirito Santo.

The Lowdown: Worries for Clarke

After bursting on the scene with Leeds United, Clarke was signed by Tottenham Hotspur as a player for the future, but he has only featured four times for the club as he has struggled to rise to the expectations.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Championship side Stoke City, where he failed to find the net in 14 appearances and he wasn’t part of the Potters’ squad for the final two months of the season due to an ankle injury.

Clarke has appeared in the last three Premier League 2 games, grabbing an assist in the young Lilywhites’ recent 2-1 win over Liverpool, but it seems another wonderkid has caught the eye of Nuno.

The Latest: Breakthrough talent bad news

According to Football London, Dilan Markanday could feature in Thursday’s Europa Conference League tie with Rennes, alongside Nile John and Dane Scarlett, after impressing with the under-23s this season.

Markanday, who was an unused substitute in the 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, has scored four goals in three games for Spurs’ under-23s, including a hat-trick over Leeds United.

The report states that Clarke’s decision to remain at Spurs and fight for his place rather than seeking first-time football elsewhere on loan doesn’t appear to have gone well, and the fact that he didn’t make the bench at the weekend shows he has fallen further behind.

The Verdict: Huge challenge on hands

Clarke currently has Heung-Min Son, Steven Bergwijn, Lucas Moura and Bryan Gil already ahead of him in his position and with Markandy now appearing to be above him, the signing from Leeds doesn’t seem to have worked as both parties would have hoped.

With loan spells at Queens Park Rangers and Stoke not working as Spurs would have wanted either and Clarke not hitting the same numbers as Markandy for the under-23s, the decision to exclude him from the Palace squad is warranted.

A potential loan move in January to boost his confidence and give Nuno a reason to re-visit the situation would be the best move for Clarke, whose contract runs out in 2023.

In other news, a former England midfielder has made a claim about Harry Kane. Find out more here.