Premier League
Arsenal face big selection problems, Chelsea sweating on key player’s fitness
The new Premier League season continues apace this weekend, with some exciting fixtures scheduled to take place. The action gets underway on Saturday lunchtime, with Liverpool welcoming Burnley to Anfield. Jurgen Klopp’s side recorded a 3-0 win at Norwich City last weekend and are a banker bet to follow up against the Clarets. There are five more fixtures to follow, with the clash between Leeds United and Everton likely to be the pick of the bunch. Leeds crashed 5-1 at Manchester United on the opening weekend and will be desperate to bounce back at Elland Road. The Red Devils are in action on Sunday as they travel south to face Southampton at St Mary’s. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team were hugely impressive against Leeds and should continue in the same vein in this one. The two north London cl...
Report: Tottenham now on verge of signing £30m warrior, transfer imminent
Nahitan Nandez is imminently set to join Tottenham on an initial loan deal according to a report from Fanta Calcio. Central midfield is certainly an area where Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo will be keen to bolster before the transfer window slams shut. And Nandez would be the ideal addition for Tottenham this summer. The North London outfit were first linked with a move to sign the 25-year-old five days ago by Centotrentuno. It now seems as though Spurs are closing in on the Uruguay international. Nahitan Nandez is said to be closing in on a move to Tottenham – Copyright: xLiveMedia/EttorexGriffonix/xIPAx/xLiveMediax 0 Nahitan Nandez closes in on Tottenham move Fanta Calcio reckon that Spurs will pay an initial £4 million loan fee for the tenacious midfielder. The South American is v...
West Ham United handed transfer boost as £20m target is considering summer exit – report
Jesse Lingard is ready to leave Manchester United this month if he is not assured regular playing time by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, The Times reports. The England international was completely out-of-favour at United during the first half of last season before he was loaned out to West Ham United. The move proved a blessing in disguise for the attacker. He bagged a sublime tally of nine goals and five assists from just 16 games in all competitions. It is widely known that the Hammers want to re-sign him and it has recently been claimed that Lingard could be available for around £20 million. It is now reported that the 28-year-old will push for a move elsewhere before the deadline unless he is assured regular minutes under Solskjaer this season. Sportslens view: Lingard has entered ...
Manchester United have made £400,000-per-week contract offer to key player – report
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has yet to respond to the club’s lucrative contract offer on the table, The Athletic reports. The Frenchman has entered the final year of his United deal, and there has been no progress over renewing his stay at the club. It is now reported that United offered Pogba £400,000-per-week during the back end of last season to commit his future until 2025. The offer remains on the table, but there has been no response from the World Cup winner. Pogba is said to be eyeing a potential move to Paris Saint-Germain on a free next year. Sportslens view: Pogba made an excellent start to the 2021/22 Premier League campaign with a stunning four assists in the 5-1 thumping of Leeds United. He became only the seventh player in the competition’s history to achiev...
Report: Everton want to sell £12m Ancelotti signing and replace him with Argentina int’l
Everton will try to sell James Rodriguez before making a move to sign Lazio ace Joaquin Correa according to a report from Corriere dello Sport. Corriere dello Sport (print edition August 5, page 13) recently claimed that Toffees boss Rafa Benitez wants to bring the 27-year-old forward to Goodison Park this summer. Solo La Lazio claims that Lazio are demanding around £30 million for the Argentina international. It seems as though Rafa will have to move someone on before bringing the speedy attacker to Merseyside, however. Rodriguez in action for Everton – PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK ActionPlus12288387 RogerxEvans James Rodriguez out Joaquin Correa in? The 30-year-old needs to be moved on before Everton can sign the Lazio star according to CDS. Rodriguez joined the Toffees from Real Madr...
Thomas Tuchel makes transfer decision on Hakim Ziyech amid AC Milan interest – report
AC Milan are unlikely to land Hakim Ziyech this summer with Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel deciding to keep him, Calciomercato reports. The Moroccan had a disappointing debut season with the Blues last term, and it appeared that he could be heading for the exit door this summer. The Rossoneri had planned a loan deal with an option to buy, and they are set to miss out on him after his promising pre-season with the Blues. Tuchel considers the attacker an integral part of his plans, and the Milan giants are likely to focus on landing Nikola Vlasic before the end of the month. Sportslens view: Ziyech joined the Blues with high expectations but struggled to impress in his maiden campaign with six assists and four goals from 39 outings. However, the 28-year-old shown genuine signs of returning to...
‘I’m ready’: Chelsea star sends message to Thomas Tuchel ahead of Arsenal clash
Chelsea’s record signing Romelu Lukaku has said that he is ready to make his second debut when they face Arsenal on the road on Sunday. The Belgium international rejoined the Blues from Inter Milan for £97.5 million earlier this month, but he has been absent for recent games due to quarantine. He has been involved in full training with his teammates this week, and he could at least make the matchday squad for the London derby against the Gunners. Speaking in a special press conference, Lukaku said that he is delighted to have joined the European champions, and he has the hunger to keep winning trophies at the club. He said: “I’m really happy to be here, and it’s a good feeling to be joining the European champions. The guys are hungry for more, and they want to keep winning.” “In train...
Arsenal close to another summer signing, will pay £24m for 23-year-old – report
Arsenal are on the cusp of landing Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports. The Gunners have been in negotiations for Ramsdale for several weeks, and they are now on the verge of securing his signature. United initially held out for £40 million, but they are now set to accept an initial fee of around £24m for their academy graduate. The deal could eventually rise to £30m if Ramsdale becomes an established first-choice goalkeeper at the north London club. Sportslens view: The Gunners were linked with numerous goalkeepers this summer. Ajax’s Andre Onana was initially deemed the top target, but nothing materialised. It was then suggested that the club are prioritising a move for a homegrown keeper, and they have eventually landed their ...
Premier League legends question new defensive ethos
The art of defending has changed massively in recent years, with managers placing a much greater emphasis on playing out from the back. In fairness, the concept is not a new idea despite many people believing the tactic was invented by Pep Guardiola at Barcelona. Brain Clough was famed for encouraging his players to play expansive football at Nottingham Forest, while Bobby Robson’s Ipswich Town were also easy on the eye. Going further back, the magnificent Hungarian national team of the 1950s were not called the Might Magyars because they lumped the ball forward. However, the recent shift towards a possession-based style of play has not found favour with everyone, with some ex-professionals claiming that defensive standards have dropped. Former Arsenal full-back Nigel Winterburn is amongst...
Watford considering move for box-to-box midfielder with 16 goal contributions last season – report
Watford are keeping tabs on Fenerbahce midfielder Ozan Tufan with a view to a formal approach, Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur claims. The Hornets made an excellent start on their top-flight return last weekend with a 3-2 win over Aston Villa in front of their home supporters. Despite this, there is plenty of room for improvement, and they are reportedly eyeing another midfielder before the transfer deadline. Tufan has now emerged on their radar, and it is claimed that there may be ‘official contacts’ for the Turkey international in a ‘short time’. Sportslens view: Tufan is a central midfielder by trade, but he can also operate in the number 10 role. He has been a key figure for Fenerbahce over the years. Last season, he bagged six goals and 10 assists from 37 appearances in the Super Lig. ...
Report claims Everton can now sign ‘unbelievable’ midfielder for just £17.1m
Everton can sign Sporting ace Matheus Nunes for just €20 million (£17.1 million) this summer according to a report from Correio da Manha. Record (print edition August 17th, page 8) also back up those claims. In fact, it is suggested that the Toffees are showing the strongest interest in signing Nunes. Central midfield is certainly an area where Rafa Benitez will want to strengthen at Goodison Park this summer. And it seems as though the Merseyside outfit have a great opportunity to sign a top class player who plays in that position for a very reasonable fee. Nunes in action for Sporting last season – PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY xGerardoxSantosx Nunes could cost Everton just £17.1 million CDM and Record claims that the Toffees can sign the Sporting midfielder for a real b...
Arsenal make fresh move for 23-year-old star, club ready to accept £24m up front – report
Arsenal have revived negotiations with Sheffield United to sign goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, The Athletic reports. The Gunners have already failed with two bids for Ramsdale, and they were recently put off by United’s £35 million plus price tag for the shot-stopper. It appeared that they had switched their focus elsewhere, but it is reported that the discussions have restarted after contact between intermediaries. Ramsdale is eager to make the return to the Premier League this summer. The Blades are now ready to accept an initial fee of around £24m for his services. Sportslens view: The Gunners’ pursuit of Ramsdale has been met by criticism from some fans. A few of them were pleased that the talks had recently broken down. The club are set to face backlash if they secure an agreement fo...
