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‘Kept their powder dry’: Phil Hay delivers verdict on potential outcome for Leeds
Although the Premier League are determined to get their remaining games underway in the near future, there’s no assurance whether the EFL can take the same route. According to Dan Roan of BBC, League Two clubs are unanimous in wanting to end the season via PPG now. They have agreed to cancel the remainder of the season and instead settle the final table via a weighted points-per-game system with 2-legged play-off semi-finals and then a final. I think some are jumping the gun a tad on League Two. They’ve held an indicative vote. It was unanimous but it’s not final & binding yet. That requires an EFL vote, with a 50+1 majority AND a majority in Championship. I suspect that’s where we’re heading but we’re not there yet. — Matt Slater (@mjshrimper) May 15...
Player reportedly makes decision after training with Rangers and Manchester United
Rangers, West Ham United and Manchester United will miss out on Adrian Akande, according to All Nigeria Soccer. It has been reported that the 16-year-old has signed a scholarship deal with Swansea City. The winger trained with Manchester United, Rangers, West Ham and Hoffenheim, but he has decided not to move to these clubs as he aims to make his professional debut within two years, according to the report. All Nigeria Soccer has reported that Akande’s scholarship deal with take effect from July 1, 2020, and that the agreement will be made professional from October 22 when he turns 17 and will see him stay at Swansea until the summer of 2023. One for the future Akande may not have been given a scholarship deal by Chelsea, as reported by All Nigeria Soccer, but there is no doubt that the Ni...
Report: Newcastle United have opened talks for 5-time league champion
According to Calciomercato, Newcastle United are interested in signing Adrien Rabiot from Juventus in the summer transfer window. The report in the Italian news outlet has claimed that Newcastle have opened talks to secure the services of the former Paris Saint-Germain central midfielder. Two more clubs are also negotiating for the services of the France international, with Manchester United and Everton interested in him as well, according to the report. It has been claimed that Rabiot will cost between €20 million (£17.83 million) and €30 million (£26.75m) in transfer fees this summer, having joined Juventus as a free agent last summer after leaving PSG at the end of last season. Good signing for Newcastle United? Rabiot is a very good midfielder who is a serial winner, having won the Lig...
‘Fans may be disappointed’ – Keith Downie shares would-be NUFC owners’ transfer plans
Newcastle United could have new owners before the end of the month, with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund set to complete a £300 million takeover. The Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test is the only step delaying the PIF from taking over the club from Mike Ashley, with a £17 million deposit already with the league. Newcastle have been tipped to follow in the footsteps of Manchester City post takeover, with plenty of big players already linked with summer moves to St. James’ Park. The likes of Philippe Coutinho and Kalidou Koulibaly are reportedly on the radar of the would-be Magpies owners, but Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie has poured cold water on the reports, claiming there won’t be such types of investments anytime soon. “The biggest question mark for me over this who...
‘I recommend him going there’ – Playmaker’s father wants him at Rangers next season
Ianis Hagi’s father has urged the player to sign for Rangers permanently. Hagi is on loan at Rangers right now and he has impressed so far this season. The Ibrox giants have the option to sign the 21-year-old permanently this summer and it will be interesting to see what they decide. His father said (via Daily Record): “My son Ianis has a great talent, he is a No.10 who can do everything. When he was at Fiorentina, he was very young and there is little patience in Italy. But the experience helped him and he went to Genk. Now he’s working with Steven Gerrard at Rangers. Gerrard spoke to me and told me is doing exceptional things. I recommend him going there.” Hagi has proven to be a prodigious talent so far and he has made quite an impact at Rangers already. The midfielder has added creativ...
Report: Gerrard looking to lure 27y/o EPL striker to Rangers
According to Turkish newspaper Fotomac (via Sport Witness), Brighton and Hove Albion striker Florin Andone is on the radar of Rangers manager Steven Gerrard ahead of the summer transfer window. The Romanian international is currently on a season-long loan at Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray but he is expected to leave this summer after scoring just twice in 11 appearances, and is looking for a club with a return to Brighton not on the cards despite having three more years left on his deal. Gala are already scouring the market for a replacement with Andone keen on a fresh start elsewhere after a knee injury dented his chances in Turkey. Fotomac claims Rangers are willing to take a punt on the 27-year-old, with a significant chance that he could be plying his trade at Ibrox next term....
Report: West Ham considering summer move for 39-cap Int’l to improve their attack
West Ham are keen on signing the Napoli forward Hirving Lozano this summer. The Mexican hasn’t been at his best since moving to Italy and he has been linked with a move away from the club. As per Area Napoli, the Hammers want to bring in a forward and Lozano has been identified as a target. The 39-cap Mexican international can play anywhere across the front three and he could prove to be a very handy option for Moyes. Lozano will add pace, flair and goals to the Hammers’ attack. The Mexican has proven himself in PSV and for his country. If he can regain his confidence, he could transform West Ham next season. Napoli are unlikely to demand a lot for the player given his situation at the club. Lozano has not lived up to the expectations and he is not a key member of the starting lineup eithe...
‘It can take months’ – Keith Downie shares the latest on NUFC takeover
Newcastle United fans are eagerly looking forward to the end of owner Mike Ashley’s 13-year tenure at Saint James’ Park, but the £300 million takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund continues to drag on. A £17 million deposit is already with the Premier League, with the remainder of the funds to be transferred to Ashley once the takeover gets the thumbs up. The owners’ and directors’ test on the would-be Newcastle owners is taking more time than expected, and Sky Sports’ Keith Downie reckons it could take weeks and even months, with the coronavirus pandemic making it hard to work out when there will be a breakthrough. “In terms of the takeover going through, we’re pretty much at the final knockings. A lot of spade work has been done, certainly in the last two months, but even mor...
Report: Tottenham keen on 24-yr-old defender, Daniel Levy reportedly a fan
Tottenham are keen on signing the Atalanta full-back Timothy Castagne. The Londoners have been linked with the player for a while now and it appears that Daniel Levy is a fan of the defender as per Het Nieuwsblad (via HITC). Castagne would be a sensible signing for Tottenham this summer and it will be interesting to see if the Premier League side can convince the Italians to sell. Mourinho needs more depth in his full-back positions and the Belgian could push Serge Aurier for the starting berth. The competition for places will bring out the best in both players and it will help Spurs improve. Castagne might be tempted to move to the Premier League if a concrete offer comes along. Spurs won’t have to work hard to convince him. They are well equipped to offer him a better financial pack...
Player thinks 2 reported targets would be ‘great’ for Newcastle United
Jonjo Shelvey has said on The Beautiful Game Podcast that Philippe Coutinho and Kalidou Koulibaly would be good signings for Newcastle United. According to Le10 Sport, Newcastle are interested in signing central defender Koulibaly from Italian club Napoli in the summer transfer window. Mundo Deportivo has claimed of interest in attacking midfielder Coutinho – currently on loan at Bayern Munich from Barcelona – from the Magpies. Newcastle midfielder Shelvey believes that if the Magpies are able to bring the Senegalese defender and the Brazilian attacker, then it would be great for the club. Shelvey (jokingly) said on The Beautiful Game Podcast when asked about Coutinho and Koulibaly: “I’m packing my suitcase ready to go. “If it does happen it would be great for the club, and we’d hopefully ...
Report: Leeds remain keen on €12m defender, but face competition from PL duo
Leeds United remain interested in signing the Freiburg defender Robin Koch. As per Record (via Sportwitness), West Ham and Spurs are keen on the player as well. Benfica were thought to be keen on the player but they have backed out due to financial reasons. It will be interesting to see if Leeds can sign Koch this summer. The 23-year-old could prove to be a solid addition to Bielsa’ back four. Leeds will need better defenders if they are in the Premier League next season. Also, if they fail to sign Ben White permanently, they will need someone to fill his void. Koch is talented and Bielsa could develop him into a star. The young defender needs to join a club where he can play regularly and develop as a player. A move to Leeds seems ideal at this stage of his career. He might struggle to ho...
Newcastle want 28-yr-old at all costs, willing to pay €10m more than Euro giants
Newcastle have been linked with Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly for a while now. As per Area Napoli (via Sportwitness), the Magpies want to sign the player at all costs now. Apparently, the Premier League outfit have already been in touch with Napoli. They are aware of Real Madrid’ interest in the player and they have informed the Italian club that they are willing to pay €10m more than Los Blancos for the player. Koulibaly appears to be a top target for Newcastle this summer. Perhaps their new owners want to make a statement signing once the takeover is complete. The 28-year-old defender is a world-class player and perhaps the best centre back in the world right now after Van Dijk. He could totally transform Newcastle at the back next season. The Magpies will be hoping to bring European footba...
