English Premier League
Arsenal clearout, last-ditch Liverpool – the best of January transfers across Europe
It’s been a rather quiet January transfer window. Previous years have seen the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Virgil van Dijk make big money moves, but nothing of that magnitude happened this time around. Nonetheless, while there wasn’t a headline-making move, there were still some exciting deals being made. Here’s a look at the best signings of the 2021 January transfer window. Mesut Ozil (Arsenal to Fenerbahce, free transfer) Ozil in his first training session at Fenerbahce Once one of the world’s best playmakers, Mesut Ozil’s time at the Emirates had gone sour, having been left out of Mikel Arteta’s 25-man squad back in October. Sitting on a contract estimated to be worth £350k-a-week, the World Cup winner couldn’t be left to sit in the reserves much longer. Along came Fenerbahce, who off...
Gareth Barry believes Aston Villa star would thrive under Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola
Former Aston Villa star Gareth Barry believes Jack Grealish would thrive under manager Pep Guardiola, should he make the move to Manchester City this summer. The Villans captain has transformed into one of England’s best attacking players and he has excelled this term with six goals and 11 assists from only 19 top-flight games. His form has led to speculation that he could pursue a big-club move to play in Europe, but Barry feels Grealish could still achieve the aim with the west Midlands outfit. He told TalkSPORT: “He knows where he is until the end of the season, he should try and get Aston Villa into a European spot. “He’ll want to be playing European football and if he can be doing that for Aston Villa next season then that would be fantastic for him and the club.” Grealish has been li...
‘Written in the stars’, ‘We’re genuinely cursed’ – Some Liverpool fans react to 29-yr-old’s injury
Premier League champions Liverpool have been dealt another major injury blow with Joel Matip ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with ankle ligament damage. According to Paul Joyce from the Athletic, the 29-year-old centre back picked up the injury against Tottenham Hotspur. Joel Matip to miss rest of season for Liverpool. — paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) February 1, 2021 The Cameroon defender has been exceptional since his move from Schalke but his career at Liverpool has been plagued with injuries. Jurgen Klopp will be thoroughly disappointed to have lost him for the remainder of the campaign given how important he is to the team. Matip is undoubtedly Liverpool’s best defender after Virgil van Dijk and it will be interesting to see how the Reds cope with his absence. The reigning Premi...
David Ornstein shares ‘deciding factor’ that made King choose Everton ahead of Fulham
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, manager Carlo Ancelotti was the deciding factor in Josh King’s decision to choose a move to Everton ahead of Fulham. 🚨 Deciding factor in Josh King choosing to join Everton from Bournemouth was said to be Carlo Ancelotti. #EFC boss personally convinced 29yo he’s a firm part of their plans. It’s a six-month deal for a fee + most likely further add-on to #AFCB if signs permanently @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/khPXOHpGMV — David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) February 1, 2021 Bournemouth accepted bids from the two Premier League clubs ahead of yesterday’s transfer deadline, and it was up to the Norwegian international to choose. Ancelotti personally convinced King that he is a firm part of Everton’s plans going forward, and that was enough to do ...
Barcelona legend jokes about moving to Newcastle United to replace Bruce
Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has joked about potentially managing Newcastle United and replacing head coach Steve Bruce. The Dutchman spent three years in the Premier League, managing Southampton and Everton before taking charge of the Netherlands national team. Koeman returned to manage Barcelona last summer after a successful playing career at Camp Nou that established him as a legend, and while he is currently enjoying his dream job, he does not rule out a return to the English top-flight in the nearest future. “Newcastle? Sorry, Steve Bruce! Sorry, Steve, I don’t know – I’m really happy now,” the Barca boss replied when Alan Shearer asked if he will ever be seen in the Premier League again. “I liked it very much in the Premier League, it’s a great place to be involved in. It’s perfect....
‘Spoken like a true failure’, ‘I despise him’- Some Everton fans fuming at Koeman’s comments
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has pissed off some Everton fans following some of his recent comments. The Dutchman was sacked in October 2017 after the Toffees fell into the relegation zone following a poor run. Everton had brought in around six players to join their first-team, spending around £150 million. However, Koeman could not get the best out of his team despite leading them to a seventh-placed finish in his first season. Romelu Lukaku – who scored 25 league goals in 2016-17 – left to join Manchester United, and Everton’s best attempts to land Olivier Giroud as his replacement did not work out. Koeman believes that played a huge role in his side’s struggle that season, but he reckons the club and the fans expected too much given their history. “It was difficult, that period, beca...
‘Serious option’ – Fabrizio Romano reveals Liverpool have made contact over Portuguese defender
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have contacted Portuguese top-flight side Braga today to make enquiries about centre-back David Carmo. Liverpool updates. Talks on to reach the agreement with Schalke for Kabak – discussion about option/obligation to buy. It’s getting closer, personal terms agreed.#LFC have also contacted Braga today for David Carmo, serious option in the list. Ben Davies, done. 🔴 #DeadlineDay https://t.co/LJQRQ35uFO — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2021 The 21-year-old is said to a serious option as the Premier League defending champions look to bring in a defender before the end of today’s transfer deadline. Sportslens View Liverpool have already sealed a move for Preston North End’s Ben Davies, and a move for Schalke 04’s Oza...
Report: Fulham close to signing 22-year-old West Ham target on loan
According to reports from The Atheltic, Fulham are close to agreeing a loan deal for Josh Maja on deadline day. The 22-year-old impressed during his time at Sunderland where he scored 17 goals in 49 games. The London-born striker has scored 11 goals in 48 games since he joined Bordeaux in the January transfer window of 2019. He is a former Fulham youth player and it seems the London club wants to bring him back to the club today. The report claims that manager Scott Parker is looking to bolster his attacking options, with Aleksandar Mitrovic currently seen as the only recognised striker in the squad. Fulham midfielder Jean Michael Seri has already joined the French side on loan until the end of the season, and it seems the two clubs could be involved in yet another transfer deal in th...
Report: Leeds United make loan decision on Sam Greenwood amid Swansea City interest
Leeds United have no plans of loaning out Sam Greenwood despite multiple approaches from Championship club Swansea City, Football Insider reports. The young forward joined the Whites from Arsenal last summer and he has since made his senior debut in the club’s FA Cup defeat against Crawley Town last month. Greenwood has yet to make the matchday squad for any Premier League game, but manager Marcelo Bielsa has no desire to send him out on loan. The Swans have made multiple loan proposals for the 19-year-old striker, but he appears set to remain at Elland Road for the rest of the season. Sportslens view: Greenwood has yet to make his breakthrough with the Whites, but he has impressed in Premier League 2 with six goals from nine games. The Swans are currently flying high in the Championship i...
Report: West Brom to sign 23-year-old midfielder on loan after he snubbed Southampton
West Bromwich Albion have reopened talks with Arsenal over Ainsley Maitland-Niles and expect to sign him on loan before tonight’s deadline, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports. Maitland-Niles has seen limited Premier League action for the Gunners this term, managing only 485 minutes of playing time to date. All of his appearances have come in the full-back or wing-back positions, although the 23-year-old prefers to play in central midfield. It is now revealed that the Baggies are favourites to sign him on loan for rest of the season after he snubbed a temporary move to Southampton. Leicester City have also expressed an interest, but the Gunners have refused to hold talks given that the Foxes are a direct rival to them for the European spots. Sportslens view: Maitland-Niles has largely fe...
‘Get this done!!!’, ‘On my knees’ – Some Hammers fans react to ‘brilliant transfer’ rumour
West Ham United have been linked with Spain international striker Diego Costa, with reports claiming he has been offered to the London Stadium outfit ahead of tonight’s transfer deadline. The 32-year-old has been a free agent since terminating his Atletico Madrid contract last December, and a return to the Premier League has been mooted. The Hammers are yet to replace Sebastien Haller since the Ivory Coast international joined Ajax last month, but they have been linked with plenty of strikers. It remains to be seen whether anyone will be signed before 11.00 pm, though, but the idea of having Costa up front has got some West Ham fans excited, and here is how some of them have reacted on Twitter to the rumour: Get him now! — Marcin Grzywacz (@GrzywkaWHUFC) February 1, 2021 Get this done!!! —...
Davies to Liverpool: Reds take odd approach to solving defensive issues – opinion
Liverpool’s acquisition of Ben Davies from Preston North has undoubtedly raised a few eyebrows across the football world. Opinion on the signing is divided, with some fans suggesting it could be an inspired bit of business while others are questioning Liverpool’s sanity. We take a closer look at whether a player with 129 appearances in the Championship under his belt can make the step up to the Premier League. Links with other teams Davies was close to signing for Celtic before Liverpool made their move. He had also been linked with Sheffield United, Burnley and Bournemouth – heady stuff. It is perhaps the proposed move to Celtic that should be most worrying for Liverpool fans. This is a club that thought Shane Duffy was a sensible defensive signing. Be afraid, be very afraid. The Robertso...
