All posts by z3u9t.icu

West Bromwich Albion have opened talks regarding a deal to bring Okay Yokuslu back to The Hawthorns this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Spanish media outlet Faro De Vigo (via Football League World), who claim that West Brom have held discussions with Celta de Vigo regarding the permanent transfer of the defensive midfielder.

The report goes on to state that the Albion hierarchy regret not inserting an option to buy clause in the 27-year-old’s loan deal last season, however, despite their relegation from the Premier League, are nevertheless attempting to complete a deal for the Turkey international in the summer transfer window.

It is also thought that a number of top-flight sides are interested in a move for Yokuslu this summer, although West Brom appear to be the most active club in the pursuit of the midfielder.

Ismael would love him

Having highly impressed during his loan spell at The Hawthorns last season, as well as performing admirably for Turkey at Euro 2020 this summer, it is unsurprising to learn that the Baggies are interested in a deal to bring Yokuslu back to the club ahead of their upcoming Championship campaign.

Indeed, over his 16 Premier League appearances for Sam Allardyce’s side last term, the £6.75m-rated defensive midfielder made an average of 2.2 interceptions, 2.4 tackles, two clearances and won a whopping 7.9 duels per game.

These metrics saw the man Kyle Bartley dubbed a “tenacious” player earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.99, ranking him as West Brom’s fourth-best performer in the top flight of English football.

Yokuslu’s fine league form also appeared to continue for his international side at Euro 2020, with the £31k-per-week man making an average of one interception, 0.7 tackles, 2.3 clearances and winning 3.3 duels over his three appearances, culminating in an average SofaScore match rating of 6.73 – ranking him as Senol Gunes’ eighth-best performer in the competition.

As such, with Valerien Ismael looking to build an Albion side in the summer transfer window that is capable of going on to secure an immediate return to the Premier League next season, the addition of an industrious midfielder such as Yokuslu would very much appear to be a signing the Frenchman would love to get over the line in the coming weeks.

However, with a number of Premier League sides also thought to be keeping a close eye on the 27-year-old this summer, just how likely a move back to West Brom is for the Turk is unclear at present.

In other news: Get it done: Ismael must sanction £8m West Brom summer swoop for “excellent” 23 y/o

Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish has been reacting to rumours of a permanent swoop from Celtic for loanee Jota, as per Football Insider.

The Lowdown: January move

Jota has proven to be an inspired signing for the Hoops, contributing to 14 goals in his 18 appearances in green and white.

The 22-year-old is currently out due to a hamstring injury, but as reported by Sky Sports, Celtic are expected to trigger their £6.5m option to make his loan permanent.

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The Hoops are set to do just that before the summer, so a January move is a real possibility.

The Latest: McLeish reacts

McLeish, who regularly contributes for BBC Radio 5 Live, was talking to Football Insider regarding the update on Jota.

Here is what he had to say in reply, admitting that he is ‘very surprised’ about a January move for the winger, who he called a ‘game-changer’:

“When he came in at first, I thought work in progress. Probably a work in progress for the Portuguese team to take him back after the loan spell.

“Very surprised that they’re willing to let him go in January, given the form that he’s been in. He really has expressed himself as a very good technical player. He’s taken people on, scored goals, worked hard.

“These are all the traits a manager loves in individual players, especially when he can change the game with his skills. As we say, a game-changer.

“If Celtic can buy him, he’s a very good, young, potentially great player.”

The Verdict: Celtic making their mark

Should Celtic complete a permanent transfer in the region of £6.5m, it would be the most expensive signing of the Ange Postecoglou era, surpassing Kyogo Furuhashi’s £4.86m move over the summer. However, even though it would take a relatively big fee, it could prove to be a steal in the long run.

You’d expect that Jota is still far from his prime at the age of 22, so a long-term deal could see his valuation increase past the £6.5m mark should he continue to impress in Glasgow.

Celtic could reap the rewards with impressive displays on the pitch and eventually go on to make a big profit on the Portuguese attacker when the time is right, in the likely event that wealthier clubs submit a tempting offer.

In other news: Celtic allegedly now looking at signing 34-assist ace in January; he’s his agency’s biggest star

Transfer insider Dean Jones expects Aston Villa to sign either Kalvin Phillips or Yves Bissouma this summer. 

The lowdown

According to The Guardian, Gerrard is keen to add a defensive midfielder to his ranks, as well as a striker.

And The Times recently reported that Villa are ‘leading the race’ to sign Phillips from Leeds United.

They’re apparently willing to break their transfer record with a £60million swoop for the Englishman.

Football Insider, meanwhile, claimed this week that Villa had been in contact with Bissouma’s camp ahead of the transfer window.

They allegedly made a ‘£20million-plus’ bid in January, which was rejected by Brighton.

The latest

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones said Villa could submit bids for both players but will ultimately only sign one of them.

“I think they’ll go for both players, but I only expect them to sign one,” he said. “I’ll be very surprised if they got both of those players through the door.”

The verdict

If Villa were to see bids accepted for both players, who should they prioritise?

Intriguingly, the duo are of somewhat different moulds. Phillips, described as a ‘quarterback’ by Rio Ferdinand, likes to launch long passes from deep, averaging 3.3 a game to Bissouma’s 1.9.

So Villa need to choose a stylistic direction, with Bissouma more of a defensive mind with the fourth-most tackles per game in the division, but there’s also a financial calculation to be made.

If Phillips is to cost as much as £60million, might it be more prudent to pursue Bissouma, who is out of contract in 14 months’ time, putting Brighton in a fairly weak negotiating position.

Signing the Malian could leave Villa with considerably more to spend on the striker position.

In other news, this Villa star is attracting interest from Arsenal.

Sheffield Wednesday’s previous League One match saw them secure a third consecutive draw with a 1-1 result against Lincoln City at Hillsborough.

Their next league outing sees Darren Moore’s side take a trip to face Cheltenham Town on Saturday to try and secure a win rather than another draw or even worse, a defeat.

On the chalkboard

Looking ahead to the weekend, one player that was in the starting XI against Lincoln that we feel should not be in the team to face Cheltenham is 28-year-old centre-forward Saido Berahino.

During the 62 minutes he was on the pitch against Lincoln before being replaced by Theo Corbeanu, Berahino only managed to have one shot at goal, complete just 12 passes of the 19 he attempted, failed to make one accurate cross or long ball, lost possession on 14 occasions and ultimately earn himself a rather uninspiring overall match rating of 6.6, according to SofaScore.

Not only this, but Berahino, who is currently valued at £1.35m according to Transfermarkt, has only managed to score one goal and provide one assist in eight League One appearances, which isn’t the best record at this moment in time.

In addition to this, Berahino, who has been accused of having the “wrong mentality” in the past by former Stoke City teammate Glen Johnson, has only managed to rack up an average of 0.5 shots on target per game in League One so far this season, as well as just 0.6 key passes per game and an average passing accuracy percentage of 69% per game, which suggests to us that he hasn’t been a particularly useful attacking figure for the Owls yet.

Looking ahead to the Cheltenham game, Wednesday would probably have a better chance of securing all three points on Saturday if Moore took Berahino out of the starting XI on this occasion.

In terms of who could replace the striker on Saturday if Moore decides to take him out of the team,  adding Callum Paterson in, who has two goals and one assist under his belt in the league so far this season, could be the way forward for this encounter.

In other news: Moore must now unleash Sheff Weds’ 22 y/o beast who has “great energy”, he needs him – opinion

The London Stadium now well and truly feels like home for West Ham United and the club’s supporters.

It has taken a long time for the atmosphere to boil fiercely at the old Olympic Stadium but with the Irons going deep in Europe, a carnival has arrived in east London.

The win over Sevilla a few weeks ago was nothing short of sensational and as Lyon entered town on Thursday evening, there was vast optimism in the crowd once more.

An extremely controversial red card to Aaron Cresswell threatened to spoil the party but when Jarrod Bowen found the net via a deflection in the second period, it looked as though the Hammers were taking a 1-0 advantage back to France next week.

However, the visitors fought back with Spurs loanee Tanguy Ndombele beating the ‘keeper late in the encounter.

It was an unfortunate goal to concede, specifically for Ben Johnson who was thrown in at the deep end.

The full-back has largely been impressive during his breakthrough campaign in the capital but he was particularly abject for the goal after being substituted on following Cresswell’s red card.

Lyon’s own substitute Tete beat him all ends up down the right flank for their goal, skinning him before delivering a teasing cross that was eventually fired home by Ndombele.

It wasn’t an ideal night for Johnson, who has recently been linked with a move away, but on this evidence, he still has plenty to learn about his game.

During his time on the field, he had fewer touches than goalkeeper Alphonse Areola (18) and only successfully completed one pass in the entire game at a success rate of a meagre 20%.

Lacking in composure with his passing and positioning for the goal, he was arguably the only minor downside to the draw on Thursday evening.

Cresswell will now miss the second leg so Johnson will have to improve considerably if he’s given a role to play in the second leg.

AND in other news, WHU may end up signing “electric” £50m gem this summer, he can finally replace Haller…

Liverpool scouts were in attendance at the Estadio da Luz on Wednesday night to witness Darwin Nunez scoring twice as Benfica thrashed Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League.

The Lowdown: Young, talented goalscorer

The 22-year-old Uruguayan came through the Penarol academy before moving to Almeria in 2019. In his only season in LaLiga2, he scored 16 goals in 30 league appearances as they were defeated 3-1 on aggregate by Girona in the promotion play-offs.

He became Benfica’s most expensive signing in 2020 for £21.6m and has continued his brilliant form with 20 goals in 51 appearances for the Lisbon club.

His performance against Barcelona would have had scouts licking their lips, with the Uruguay international raising his price tag after his Champions League exploits.

The Latest: 35 clubs had scouts in Portugal

The Independent’s senior football correspondent Melissa Reddy confirmed on her Twitter profile that Liverpool scouts were joined by compatriots from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund at Estadio da Luz.

As per This Is Anfield, as many as 35 clubs had scouts in attendance to witness Benfica compounding a miserable start to the season for crisis-stricken Barcelona.

Nunez, who is valued at £18m by Transfermarkt, scored twice and Rafa Silva also netted in a convincing win for Jorge Jesus’ side to put them second in their Champions League group.

The Verdict: He could be what the Reds need

At only 22, Nunez is destined for great things. Given the extensive list of clubs who sent scouts to watch him play, he looks set to be at one of the best teams in Europe sooner or later. His current boss Jesus has said that he ‘will be a world-class player’ and the Uruguayan is going about proving his manager right.

With both Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane having their critics in recent months, a new breath of fresh air in attack may be exactly what Liverpool need if they are to reclaim the Premier League title.

Aside from the mercurial Mohamed Salah, a consistent goalscorer is something the Reds have perhaps lacked in previous seasons, with Firmino often deployed in a deeper-lying false nine role. The potential signing of Nunez could add that clinical touch if Liverpool were to follow up on what is sure to be a glowing scout report.

In other news, Liverpool fans have been reacting to this contract news. Find out more here.

West Ham United could revisit their interest in Abdallah Sima before the transfer deadline…

What’s the word?

That’s according to the ever-reliable ExWHUemployee, who made the claim in a fresh transfer update to fans on his Patreon site ‘The West Ham Way’ earlier this week, saying:

“We could explore a deal for him [David Zima] and his fellow teammate Abdallah Sima. Not only do the names sound similar but he is also 20.

“Whilst he is a seen, as a winger as well as a forward, it could mean that he is [a] perfect alternative to [Michail] Antonio.

“In January, I spoke to the club chairman via Twitter and he told me that Sima would not leave in January to West Ham but there is a chance he could in the summer… we are in the summer and his team are no longer in the Champions League. We have dealt with the club before so there is a strong chance we will go in for a move.”

Perfect alternative

With a little over two weeks still to go in the transfer market, the Irons are still yet to find that new striker to pair up with Michail Antonio, which is currently a recipe for disaster considering the 31-year-old’s injury problems.

He has started 24 or more league games in only one season since he joined the East London outfit from Nottingham Forest in 2015.

The Hammers could well play more than 50 matches across all competitions this season, having qualified for the Europa League group stage. If Antonio picks up an injury against Newcastle United on Sunday, David Moyes would be in a hopeless situation.

However, the 58-year-old’s recent transfer success in dipping into the Czech league should provide further encouragement as to why a move for Sima makes the world of sense.

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The Senegalese gem enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season, providing 20 goals and eight assists in 39 appearances. He averaged a direct contribution once every 98 minutes, via Transfermarkt – near enough one every game.

Despite largely playing as a right winger, Sima’s future could lie in the middle, which is why he could indeed be the ideal foil to Antonio, who also started out wide before Moyes’ intervention.

If he’s out injured, then the 20-year-old could take his place up top. If he’s not, and the Hammers boss wants to play both attackers, then there’s still a likely role for him in the squad.

It’s also why he has earned lofty comparisons to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who also started his playing career as a winger before becoming one of the Premier League’s best-ever centre-forwards.

Sima has also been lauded as a “huge talent” after he impressed during Slavia Prague’s impressive Europa League showing against Leicester City, against whom he bagged a goal in the second leg of their round of 32 tie in February.

Time is running out, so West Ham really must accelerate their plans to secure a new frontman to bolster Moyes’ squad. Sima would be a fantastic and much-needed addition, whatever the cost.

Just as ExWHUemployee explains, he could be the perfect foil for Antonio at the London Stadium.

AND in other news, ExWHUemployee drops frustrating Nikola Milenkovic update…

Manchester United have sacked ‘club legend’ Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager with immediate effect.

The Norwegian has led the Manchester side during five seasons, joining the club as manager at the end of 2018.

After a shocking loss of 4-1 to Watford on Saturday afternoon, it was the final nail in the coffin for Solskjaer, and after an emergency meeting held in the hours after the game, the former Manchester United striker was relieved of his duties, with official confirmation on Sunday morning.

There seems to have been a common theme throughout the Manchester United managerial and coaching staff over the last five years, with ex-players taking key roles in important positions of influence to what is being translated onto the pitch every week in the team.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and Nicky Butt to name a few of the ex-players who have been working behind the scenes of Manchester United, with Carrick or Fletcher being likely to lead the current side out in the upcoming fixtures whilst the board looks for a suitable interim manager.

There have been many names thrown into the conversation to succeed the Norwegian at Manchester United, and one name that has been mentioned is yet another ex-player has been linked with the move, Laurent Blanc.

Blanc has been put into the conversation for the interim manager job that the Glazers and Man United board have outlined as their first priority who they will appoint for six months, until the end of this season when they will then look to appoint a long term solution.

The former Manchester United centre back has been managing in France, starting at Bordeaux, moving into the France job in 2010, and going to Paris Saint Germain following his two-year stint at international level.

Legendary Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, hailed Blanc as ‘intelligent’ when he spoke out on the 56-year-old manager’s work with the France international side;

“When Laurent played in Manchester he followed our training methods very carefully.

“That’s very intelligent and obviously he has qualities as a coach because he made Les Bleus a winning team again.” he told RMC Sport.

Blanc is currently managing the football team of Al Rayyan Sports Club in Qatar, but a move to such a high profile club with no long term expectations of success could be an attractive choice for the manager.

Surely, Manchester United and the Glazers would learn their lessons from the nightmare that has unfolded in the most recent months of Solskjaer, however, and avoid the emotive and difficult situation they have put themselves in by appointing another ex-player.

Combine that with his handling of egotistical players and it wouldn’t bode well. Sports Illustrated outlined the following about his spell in Paris: “Upon replacing Carlo Ancelotti, maestro of all things man management, Blanc was criticised for an inability to keep egos in check – a prerequisite for any big team – as well as persisting with a style that lacked verve and panache. He also seemed unable to change a game if it wasn’t going to plan.”

With that in mind, he has to fall low down in United’s list of potential replacements for Solskjaer.

The Red Devils will travel to Spain to play Villarreal in a Champions League decider on Tuesday and will need a win to secure their place in the round of sixteen, losing could be yet another blow in Manchester United’s bad fortune this season.

In other news: Proven winner Lopetegui could save Manchester United

Southampton have a very tough task on the horizon with a weekend trip to Anfield next up for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side to take on Liverpool in the Premier League after losing 2-1 to Norwich City last time out.

With Liverpool scoring more goals (35) than any other top-flight side so far this season, it’s safe to say that this will not be an easy match for the Saints, despite managing to beat them and keep a clean sheet against them in their 1-0 victory at St. Mary’s last season.

However, one player that has contributed to a significant number of those 35 goals that will be on the hunt to add more to his tally is Reds winger Mohamed Salah, who has a particular knack for scoring against the Saints.

In eight appearances against Southampton, Salah has managed to score seven goals and provide two assists.

With a total of 16 appearances under his belt across all competitions so far this season, the emphatic Egyptian has managed to net 16 times and supply six assists along the way, highlighting just how dangerous he has been in front of goal for Liverpool.

That’s exactly why Southampton will have to keep him contained if they want to have any chance of securing a positive result at the weekend to make up for their disappointing defeat at Norwich.

In addition to his incredible goals and assists record this season, the 29-year-old’s performances have earned him an overall season rating of 8.15/10, making him the highest-rated player in the Premier League according to WhoScored.

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Given how there has only been two league games that Salah, who has been labelled as a “top-class” player by Jurgen Klopp, has played in where he hasn’t scored a goal or provided an assist this season, Southampton’s defenders will have to be at the top of their game this weekend.

Assuming that Hasenhuttl will stick with Kyle Walker-Peters at left-back, he will have to make sure he puts in a better performance this weekend than he did against Norwich where he only managed to make one tackle and win 50% of his duels. If he performs like that again, then Salah could have a field day on the right flank.

If Southampton are able to keep their £90m-rated nemesis relatively quiet and off the scoresheet, this will give the Saints a great chance of coming away from Anfield with a positive result.

In other news: Ralph must unleash “quality” Southampton machine, he could give Klopp nightmares – opinion

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has revealed Aston Villa have moved on from Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe, and instead turned their attentions towards Bayer Leverkusen flier Leon Bailey.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks had suggested that Smith Rowe was a real target for Dean Smith’s side as they looked to add a bit more creativity to their side, and they had a couple of bids knocked back by the Gunners.

Now, it appears that Villa have finally admitted defeat in their pursuit of the England U21 international, but are instead eyeing up another talented attacker.

Writing on Twitter, Preece said: “Leon Bailey firmly on Villa’s radar now, as per the ace @TomCollomosse. The Jamaican, 23, is bang in form; 15 goals & 11 assists for Leverkusen last season playing predominantly on the right. LB can play across a front three; fits the profile #avfc want. Villa moved on from ESR.”

Fans will be buzzing

While Villa fans may be disappointed that their hopes of luring Smith Rowe to the club may have ended, they will be absolutely buzzing with the news that the scouting department at Villa Park have settled on Bailey as their next option.

The Jamaica international has enjoyed some fruitful campaigns in the Bundesliga with Leverkusen, and was particularly outstanding last season – he scored an impressive 15 goals and provided another 11 assists (out of Villa’s current squad, only Ollie Watkins scored more (16), and only Jack Grealish set up more (12)).

Bailey can play on either flank, and what perhaps sets him apart compared to Smith Rowe, and in fact, anyone else Smith has at his disposal right now, is his blistering pace.

Ajax’s former youth coach, Ronald de Boer, once said of Bailey: “He’s so fast it’s not normal. His speed, combined with his technique, is very rare. Exceptional. He has no weak points.”

Given the creativity that Villa now have with the likes of Grealish and Emi Buendia (the Argentine topped the Championship charts last season for assists with 16), they could do with that extra pace to run in behind and give those two a target to hit.

Smith’s side could be absolutely devastating on the counter-attack with Bailey and Watkins making those penetrating runs into the channels, and it’s exactly why Villa fans will be excited with this latest transfer news.

Meanwhile, Villa could land a transfer bargain in this ace who’s silenced them before…