English Premier League
Aston Villa keen on signing 26-year-old with 15 goal contributions before pre-season – report
Aston Villa are eager to land the signature of Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse before the beginning of pre-season, Football Insider reports. The Midlands outfit had an impressive 2020/21 Premier League campaign, finishing 11th in the standings with 55 points on the board. The focus is now on pushing for the European places, and the club have already shown ambition in the transfer market this summer. They recently beat Arsenal to the signing of Emiliano Buendia after agreeing to a club-record deal with Norwich City, which could rise to £38 million. It is now reported that the club’s owners are prepared to back manager Dean Smith with additional funds to strengthen the squad. Villa have their sights on Ward-Prowse and are looking to sign him before pre-season so that he can familiarise...
‘Extremely tough December’ – Some Leeds fans react to their fixtures for the 2021/22 season
Leeds United’s Premier League fixtures for the 2021/22 season have been revealed and the Whites will begin their campaign with a baptism of fire. Marcelo Bielsa’s side will face Manchester United on the opening day away from home. That is followed up with a home game against Everton. Leeds have been fearless this past season and they are unlikely to be affected by the tough start to the season. They have what it takes to beat any side on their day and they will fancy their chances at Old Trafford as well. Meanwhile, December seems brutal for the Whites as well. They will be facing the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool back to back, with three of those games away from home. Leeds will face Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal in three of their last six games of the se...
Aston Villa have been in contact with 39-cap international regarding summer transfer
Aston Villa are interested in signing Ashley Young from Inter Milan this summer. According to The Athletic, the 35-year-old will be allowed to leave the Italian champions this summer when his contract expires. Watford and Burnley have shown interest in the player as well and Young would like a return to the Premier League. Apparently, Dean Smith wants experienced and versatile cover for his full-back positions and Young has been identified as a target. The report further states that the Premier League club has already been in touch with the player regarding a potential return to Villa Park. The likes of Ahmed Elmohamady and Neil Taylor have left the club the summer and Villa could certainly use someone like Young at their disposal. The 35-year-old can operate as a winger as well as a full ...
Celtic aiming to beat Arsenal to signing of Premier League star with 58 international caps
Celtic are aiming to beat Arsenal in the race to sign Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Mat Ryan this summer, Football Insider reports. The Australia international fell out of favour with the Seagulls during the first half of last season, where Robert Sanchez jumped ahead of him in the pecking order. He was subsequently loaned out to the Gunners in January. Ryan made only three appearances for the north London club as the back-up shot-stopper. They are keen on re-signing him permanently, but the Hoops are aiming to beat them by offering Ryan a long-term contract and the number one role. Ryan has just one year remaining on his Brighton contract, and he could be available for a fee between £3-5 million during the summer transfer window. Sportslens view: Ryan barely played for the Gu...
Southampton and Norwich City leading race to sign 24-year-old with 34 goal contributions last term
Southampton and Norwich City are leading the race to sign Blackburn Rovers striker Adam Armstrong this summer, Football Insider reports. Armstrong had a superb 2020/21 campaign for Rovers, registering 29 goals and five assists from 43 appearances across all competitions. He was recently rewarded for his efforts with the Championship PFA fans’ Player of the Year award, beating the likes of Emiliano Buendia and Ivan Toney. Armstrong will enter the final year of his Rovers deal next month, and it is reported that they are willing to sell him for £15 million rather than losing him for free next summer. Owners Venky’s previously slapped a £25m price tag on his head, but it appears they may be willing to do business for less due to his contract status. Sportslens view: The Saints currently have ...
Report: Euro giants join Liverpool in the race to sign £70m star
Juventus have joined the race to sign Leicester City winger Youri Tielemans in the summer transfer window. Tielemans is a key player for Brendan Rodgers’ side, but the Belgian international has been linked with a move away from the club. Liverpool are one of the clubs looking to sign the 24-year-old, but Leicester are unlikely to sanction a sale unless they receive a ridiculous offer. The Reds are looking to bolster their midfield options this summer, and Tielemans would be a superb addition to the side. However, fresh reports from Italy suggest that Juventus are also looking to lure him away. The Old Lady have been following the Belgian for a long time, and they now want the FA Cup winner. Juventus have already made contact with the player’s representatives. Should Liverpool move quickly?...
Manchester City sign another South American starlet
Manchester City are set to complete the signing of Brazilian midfielder Metinho in the same deal that will see them sign Kayky, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 18-year-old will likely be sent to City’s youth set-up or out on loan to continue his development. Born in DR Congo, Metinho has been living in Brazil since the age of one after his family moved there to flee religious persecution. Manchester City are set to sign also Metinho [2003, Brazilian midfielder] from Fluminense in the same deal with Kayky. The agreement has been reached for €5m + add ons. 🔵🇧🇷 #MCFC Metinho will sign a 5-years contract with City Group and then join Troyes on loan. 🇫🇷 https://t.co/zqmfeN4BZX — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 23, 2021 A product of Madureira, he...
Arsenal face fresh competition from Premier League rival for 25-year-old star – report
Arsenal are facing competition from a Premier League rival for Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana, Goal.com reports. The Cameroon international recently had his FIFA-imposed ban reduced by three months after an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. He is still banned from playing competitive football until November but can resume team training from the first week of September. The Gunners have been heavily linked with his services, and it was recently claimed that they could sign him for around £7 million. They are now facing competition from a club that finished in the top eight of the league while there is plenty of interest from Ligue 1 clubs. Sportslens view: The Gunners have already held talks with the player’s representatives, but they have yet to make a formal approach to Ajax...
Everton and West Ham linked with a summer move for 64-cap international
Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey has been heavily linked with a move away from Turin this summer. Premier League clubs Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Everton are reportedly keeping tabs on his situation. According to Calciomercato, Ramsey’s suitors are in constant contact with Juventus regarding a summer move. The 64-cap Welsh international earns around €7.5 million per year and has a contract with Juventus until the summer of 2023. Ramsey has failed to establish himself as a key player for the Italian giants, and his wages have now become a burden. It appears that Juventus are willing to cash in on the player, and a return to the Premier League would be ideal. SL View: Return to the Premier League would be ideal for Ramsey Ramsey has not been at his best since leaving Arsenal, and he...
Championship club keen on appointing highly-rated Fulham manager
Bournemouth are interested in recruiting Fulham’s Scott Parker as their next manager, according to The Guardian. The 40-year-old was most recently relegated from the Premier League with Fulham. However, his stint at Craven Cottage has been impressive in context, and it is hard to fault him for the club’s relegation from the top-flight. Keeping the Cottagers in the Premier League was always going to be a challenge considering the club’s lack of resources and players who are proven performers in the upper ranks of English football. After being appointed as permanent first-team boss of Fulham in 2019, Parker impressively guided the club back to the Premier League after they were relegated the previous season. Due to the structural changes that unfold at clubs after relegation, it is always im...
Brighton & Hove Albion in contract negotiations with two-time FA Cup winner – report
Brighton & Hove Albion are in negotiations with Danny Welbeck over a new contract, according to The Argus. The England international joined the Seagulls on a free transfer last summer after the termination of his contract with Watford. Welbeck was restricted to only 24 Premier League appearances due to a knee injury but still impressed with six goals and three assists. He ended the campaign on a high with four goals and two assists from the final 10 games. The club are now eager to extend his deal. Sportslens view: Welbeck was only handed a 12-month contract last summer, which was justifiable considering his injury troubles over the years. He suffered a knee injury that kept him on the sidelines for five weeks this year but proved his worth with a fine end to the season. It appears a n...
Report: Spurs join the race to sign 24 y/o after Liverpool submit £25m bid
Tottenham Hotspur have joined the race to sign Lorenzo Pellegrini this summer. According to reports from La Repubblica (h/t The Express), the north London club are keen to sign the highly-rated Roma playmaker. A change in transfer strategy is expected from Spurs under the guidance of managing director of football Fabio Paratici, who was officially appointed to his new role last Saturday. Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will be hoping that Paratici can bring in the right quality of players to improve Spurs’ fortunes/ The north London club are close to appointing Paulo Fonseca as their next manager. He was replaced by Jose Mourinho at Roma earlier this year, and it looks increasingly likely that he will occupy the vacant managerial role at Spurs. The report claims that Fonseca is lo...
