English Premier League
Report: Sources told The Athletic what the mood was around Leeds training ground yesterday
Leeds United suffered a shock 3-0 defeat last week against League Two underdogs Crawley Town in the FA Cup third round. It was a humiliating defeat for the Whites, and a rare occasion where Marcelo Bielsa got his tactics completely wrong. Phil Hay of The Athletic reveals that Leeds players often get the opposite reaction of what they expect of the manager under such situations. The Argentine is a charismatic personality, and he is adored by the Leeds fans. He often engages in criticism when the performance is good and can be equally empathetic after a bad result. Sources at the club told The Athletic that there was ‘a calm mood’ around the training ground on Monday, and it was a ‘morning free of serious recriminations’ after the FA Cup defeat. SL View – Uncharacteristic from Leeds&nbs...
‘More to come’: Tanganga raves about ‘good player’ who is a ‘real spark’ in Spurs training
Tottenham Hotspur defender Alfie Devine has showered heaps of praise on youngster Alfie Devine after he made his debut in the FA Cup. Devine became the youngster ever player (at just 16 years and 163 days old) to represent the Spurs senior team when he came on in the second half during Tottenham’s 5-0 FA Cup victory at Marine on Sunday. The record was previously held by Devine’s academy team-mate Dane Scarlett who featured in the Europa League a couple of months back. Tanganga, who also came on in the second half for Spurs, has suggested that Devine has impressed everyone at the club. He has hailed the youngster as a ‘really good player’, and feels that there’s more to come from him. “He’s trained a few times with us and every time he’s come up he’s looked a real spark. He’s doing wel...
Report: Newcastle United tipped to make a move for ‘talented midfielder’
Ecuador international Moises Caicedo has been linked with a move to Newcastle United. The 19-year-old was previously in talks with Manchester United, but they shelved plans to sign him following messy discussions. However, journalist Fabrizio Romano has now told Sky Sports that the Magpies will rival Brighton & Hove Albion for his signature. “They (United) are not going for Caicedo, but I expect him to move to the Premier League although he did receive a bid from Italy and MLS,” he said. “His dream has always been to play in the Premier League and Brighton are trying. They made an official bid some days ago, while Newcastle have also tried to talk with his agent. It is an open race for Caicedo. “He’s a talented midfielder so a lot of clubs are interested. He’s not decided yet on his fu...
Islam Slimani set for medical ahead of Lyon move
Islam Slimani is set to have a medical tomorrow ahead of his proposed transfer to Lyon, as reported by journalist Gianluca Di Marzio. The Algerian joined Leicester City in the summer transfer window of 2016 following their title win, becoming the club’s record signing – although this has since been beaten by Youri Tielemans. Slimani underwhelmed at Leicester City His time at the King Power Stadium did not work out as planned, scoring just 13 times in 48 appearances in all competitions. The striker was sent out on loan three times by the Foxes, returning good numbers at Monaco, but failing to make an impact at Newcastle United and Fenerbahce. And now it seems like he is set for another spell in the French league, with Di Marzio reporting that Slimani is on his way to Lyon as a replacement f...
Report: Aston Villa linked with a move for 23-yr-old Championship playmaker
Aston Villa have been linked with a move for the Bournemouth attacker David Brooks. According to Sunday Mirror (h/t Birmingham Mail), Villa are also keeping tabs on Michael Olise. The Bournemouth attacker could prove to be a better value for money signing as compared to another potential target, Ross Barkley. The Chelsea midfielder is currently on loan at Villa and he has made quite an impression since moving to the West Midlands club. He has three goals and an assist to his name in seven appearances. There have been rumours that Villa could try and him on a permanent basis but reports claim that Chelsea are unwilling to let him leave cheaply. Apparently, Brooks could be a more reasonable investment for the Premier League club. The youngster was outstanding in his debut season (scored...
Journalist: West Ham ‘priced out of a move’ for 28 y/o Everton target
According to TalkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, West Ham have been priced out of a move for AFC Bournemouth striker Josh King. The Hammers are looking to sign a striker this month following the departure of Sebastien Haller who joined Ajax for a fee of £20 million. Michail Antonio remains the club’s only recognised striker at the moment, and the Hammers are exploring several options like King, Eddie Nketiah, and Boulaye Dia. David Moyes, the Hammers boss, is a big fan of the player and wanted to sign him during the summer. The Cherries are also open to selling him but only at the right price. He will be a free agent in the summer, but West Ham badly need a striker now. The 28-year-old has made only eight appearances in the Championship this season, and he is yet to open his account. Las...
Report: Hammers forward rewarded with significant pay rise following milestone
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen has been rewarded with a significant pay increase following his 30th Premier League appearance for the club. The 24-year-old joined the Hammers from Championship outfit Hull City last January for £22 million, ending the 2019-20 campaign with a goal and four assists in 13 appearances. Bowen has played 17 top-flight games so far in 2020-21, bagging four goals and two assists, and his latest top-flight appearance has triggered a sizeable increase in wages due to a clause included in the five-and-a-half-year deal he signed a year ago. Sportslens View Bowen has established himself in manager David Moyes’ starting XI, featuring in every league game of the campaign and he is proving to be a quality and excellent buy....
‘Yes, there is interest’: 23 y/o striker comments on future amid Rangers and West Ham interest
Rangers have been linked with a move for Fashion Sakala in the January transfer window, but it seems it will require a lot of convincing to bring him to Ibrox. Last week, the Daily Record reported that the Gers are interested in signing the Zambian international this month with his contract expiring. The Ibrox club are looking to sign the 23-year-old on a pre-contract deal. The striker has been attracting interest from a host of clubs including Anderlecht. Premier League clubs – Newcastle United and West Ham United – have also been credited with an interest. However, the player has made it very clear that he will move to a club where he will get regular games, and that he is not willing to warm the bench. “Yes, there is interest from other teams – at the same time, talks are ongo...
Report: Manchester United defender on verge of joining Bundesliga giants for just £1.5m
Manchester United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah is close to making the move to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, Manchester Evening News reports. The Netherlands international made his Red Devils debut more than four years ago, but he has not been able to establish himself with only 30 appearances in all competitions. The 23-year-old has had a tough time with injuries and missed nearly 11 months of action between 2019 and 2020 with a cruciate ligament damage. Fosu-Mensah started two of the club’s final three league games last season, but he has found himself down the selection order this term. The Dutchman has played the solitary game in the league while he has made only two substitute appearances in other competitions. With his contract expiring in the summer, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ...
Liverpool move for Upamecano “absolutely impossible”
Transfer window specialist Fabrizio Romano has ruled out the possibility of Liverpool signing RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano in the current January transfer window. Upamecano joined Die Roten Bullen in the January window of 2017 from RB Salzburg. He has since become one of the world’s most sought after youngsters, garnering plenty of attention for his performances in last season’s Champions League campaign as his side reached the semi-finals. Upamecano competes with Thomas Muller for the ball The Frenchman has been strongly linked with a move away from the Red Bull Arena, with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United among many rumoured to be interested in the centre-back. Meanwhile, Liverpool have been in the hunt for a central defender following this season’s injury crisis. Virgil...
‘There’s a possibility’: PL manager leaves door ajar for Leeds to sign £14k/wk player on loan
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has hinted that Fikayo Tomori could leave the club on loan during the January transfer window. Tomori – who came on for the final 10 minutes in the Blues’ FA Cup win against Morecambe – has struggled for game time this season, and he could be loaned out. The 23-year-old has made just one Premier League appearance this season, and his future has been a talking point for a while now, with Leeds United and Newcastle United being linked with a move. Earlier this month, BBC Sport claimed that Leeds are emerging as a ‘likely destination’ for Tomori. Leeds are fragile at the back following injuries to Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Liam Cooper, and a new defender in January on loan could be a smart move. However, the likes of Phil Hay and Graham Smyth – journali...
Report: Spurs in talks to sign £27m Leeds striking target
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Tottenham Hotspur have held recent discussions to sign Stuttgart winger Nicolas Gonzalez ahead of the summer transfer window, but all talks are at a preliminary stage at the moment. Juventus are also keen on the Argentine, while Leeds United were one of the teams linked with him during the transfer window last summer. Gonzalez helped Stuttgart seal promotion from the Bundesliga 2 last term, bagging 14 goals and three assists in 27 games, and his impressive form has continued in the German top-flight, with five goals and two assists to his name in 10 league games so far. With no release clause in his new deal, Stuttgart would be seeking a fee in the region of £27 million, and that shouldn’t be a problem for Spurs and co. Tottenham head coach Jose ...
