English Premier League
Reported West Ham and Aston Villa target could now be available for £35m
Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham has been linked with the likes of West Ham United and Aston Villa in recent weeks. Apparently, the 23-year-old striker was valued at £40 million by the Blues but Chelsea are now prepared to reduce their asking price because of the current state of the transfer market. The majority of clubs are operating with limited resources because of the financial impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and the Premier League giants could lower Abraham’s asking price to £35 million. The report from Sun further states that the Hammers are open to paying a fee of around £30 million for the 12 goal striker. Both West Ham and Villa could use attacking reinforcements this summer and bringing in someone like Abraham could prove to be smart business. Dean Smith needs someone to support...
Arsene Wenger makes managerial decision amid Switzerland interest
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will turn down a potential return to management with Switzerland, The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath reports. The 71-year-old has been out of management since leaving the Premier League giants in 2018 after a hugely successful stint of 22 years. Over the past two years, he has been working with FIFA as their chief of global football development while also being involved as a TV pundit. He has been linked with a return to coaching on several occasions, and it has recently been reported that Switzerland could make an approach. The Swiss had an impressive Euro 2020 under Vladimir Petkovic as they reached their first-ever quarter-final after beating competition favourites France. After seven years, Petkovic has moved on to become the new head coach of Bordea...
Report names Liverpool as ‘unnamed’ club who now want to sign £35m ‘midfield sensation’
Liverpool are now in the race to sign Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli according to a report from Gazzetta dello Sport (print edition, July 30th, page 28). It was suggested earlier in the week that an ‘unnamed English club’ had joined Juventus and Arsenal in the race to sign the 23-year-old ace. And Gazzetta dello Sport now seem to think that Liverpool are that unnamed club. What an incredible signing Locatelli would be for the Reds. Jurgen Klopp desperately needs to bring in some central midfield reinforcements after Gini Wijnaldum left Anfield to link up with PSG on a free transfer. Liverpool could be lining up a move to sign Locatelli from Sassuolo – Copyright: xImago-Images/Emmefotox Liverpool moving in for Locatelli? GDS reckon that the Merseyside outfit are the latest club t...
Two Liverpool stars set to sign new contracts at Anfield
Trent Alexander-Arnold has signed a new long-term contract at Liverpool, the club have confirmed via their official website. Alexander-Arnold first broke into the Liverpool first-team near the beginning of the 2016/17 season, earning his professional debut in October 2016 as an 18-year-old. He made 12 appearances in all competitions that season, including two starts in the Premier League. The Englishman built on his early success and was soon a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s side, featuring ten times in the Reds’ run to the Champions League final in 2018. His performances earned him a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the World Cup in Russia, featuring once against Belgium in the group stage. It was in the following two seasons when he really established himself as one of the very best ful...
Liverpool’s pursuit of Franck Kessie suffered massive blow
Liverpool’s league title challenge hinges on a smart transfer window, and the bookmakers have them smartly pegged as second-favourites behind Manchester City. However, if you are going to use this Paddy Power promo code on the outright winner in the PL, it’s worth following all transfer moves throughout August. Unfortunately for Liverpool, the club could be set to miss out on their pursuit of AC Milan star Franck Kessie as the saga involving the player’s future took a new twist on Friday. There has been a breakthrough in negotiations between Milan and Kessie over the midfielder’s contract extension, Gazzetta dello Sport reports. The Ivory Coast international has less than a year left to run on his current deal at the San Siro, with the parties trying to negotiate an extension for months. A...
Arsenal should avoid £42.5m playmaker and sign 24-year-old star
Arsenal will head into the upcoming Premier League season eager to prove they can still mix it with the big boys. Four FA Cup successes in the last eight years have failed to mask the fact that the Gunners have slipped off the pace in the league. They won their last title in 2003/04 and haven’t finished higher than fifth in the table over the past five seasons. Two successive eighth-place finishes have left the fans feeling frustrated, and the pressure is on manager Mikel Arteta to turn things around. Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares are a promising start to this summer’s transfer business, while Ben White’s addition should help to shore up the defence. The news that Granit Xhaka may be offered a new contract is not as daft as it seems, particularly given the improvement he showed las...
Man Utd must ditch 28-yr-old – £35m target gives them better balance
Manchester United’s summer transfer business has raised hopes that the club can mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title next season. Jadon Sancho’s arrival resolves United’s lack of balance on the right flank, while Raphael Varane is the top-class defender the team has been crying out for. The potential addition of Kieran Trippier would fill another hole in United’s squad, leaving just one problem area to address – central midfield. The Red Devils generally used a 4-2-3-1 formation last season, with Scott McTominay and Fred the go-to duo in front of the back four. Compared with some of United’s title-winning midfield line-ups, it is a pairing that leaves a lot to be desired. In fairness, McTominay is a better player than many people give him credit for, and he hasn’t been he...
West Ham United agree fee for 56-cap international, personal terms being negotiated – report
West Ham United have finalised a transfer fee with Barcelona for the potential signing of Martin Braithwaite, Spanish publication Sport reports. The Denmark international has been heavily linked with the Hammers this summer, and they have eventually agreed a €15 million sum with the Catalan giants. A deal is still far from complete as they need to negotiate personal terms with the forward. The 30-year-old is reportedly dissatisfied with the salary proposal. The Hammers are likely to secure an agreement if they make an improved contract offer. Several clubs are keeping tabs to pounce on an uncertainty. Sportslens view: Braithwaite has not been a regular goalscorer throughout his career, but he has impressed with his strong aerial presence and tireless work rate. He has been restricted ...
Manchester United ready to offload Leeds United target
After completing a massive £72.9 million signing of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United are reportedly ready to offload Daniel James. The Red Devils have deemed the Wales international surplus to requirements following Sancho’s arrival and could sell him to Leeds United, ESPN reports. James moved to Old Trafford from Swansea City in summer 2019 but has struggled to hold down regular first-team opportunities under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The 23-year-old winger returned three goals and one assist from 15 Premier League appearances last season, four of which came from the substitutes bench. With Sancho now thrown into the mix, James’ first-team chances should be further derailed despite his impressive showings for Wales at the European Championships. Even though he headed int...
Aston Villa bid £25m for 26-year-old England international
Southampton have turned down a reported £25 million bid from Aston Villa for central midfielder James Ward-Prowse, according to The Athletic. Ward-Prowse has been at Southampton since 2003, coming through the youth ranks before making his professional debut in October 2011, aged just 16. Since then, he has made over 300 appearances for the Saints, scoring 33 goals in all competitions. Ward-Prowse celebrates a goal against Leicester The Englishman has become one of the club’s standout players in recent years. He has played every single minute of the last two Premier League campaigns and has gained a reputation for being one of the best set-piece takers in the world. Having earned eight England caps for his performances, the 26-year-old is a valuable asset to Southampton. And being rela...
Arsenal and West Ham United target makes £130,000-a-week salary demand – report
Tammy Abraham wants around £130,000-a-week if he leaves Chelsea during the ongoing transfer window, Football Insider reports. The England international has been heavily linked with a move away from the Blues with links from West Ham United, Arsenal and Aston Villa. The interest from Villa has faded in recent weeks, and it appears that the Hammers and Gunners could compete for his signature this summer. Abraham is currently on a weekly salary of £50,000. He is set to demand a significant increase of £80,000 if he secures a move elsewhere. The Blues value the striker at £40 million, but reports suggest that a fee of around £35m could be sufficient to seal the player’s transfer. Sportslens view: Abraham played just 16 minutes for the Blues between March and May as Tim...
Report: Tottenham now have a great chance to sign £26m man mountain
Fiorentina are waiting for Tottenham to make an offer for Nikola Milenkovic according to a report from TuttoJuve. Central defence is clearly an area where Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo wants to strengthen this summer. The north London outfit have been heavily linked with a move to sign Juventus centre-back Cristian Romero (CalcioMercato.it). Tottenham’s leaky back-line cost them a chance to finish inside the top four in the Premier League table last season. Milenkovic is an alleged transfer target for Tottenham – Copyright: xGiuseppexMaffiax It seems as though there is a far cheaper option out there for Nuno, however. Fiorentina waiting for Tottenham to bid for Milenkovic Tutto Juve claims that the Serie A club are now awaiting a concrete offer from Spurs after the north London...
