All posts by n8rngtd.top

According to a report by ESPN, Tottenham Hotspur could now be offered the chance to sign Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham in a player-plus-cash offer for Harry Kane this summer.

The Lowdown: Kane exit saga waging on

After Sky Sports broke the news of Kane and his reiterated desire to leave Tottenham, a plethora of clubs both domestically and abroad have been touted with a possible move.

Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are said to be watching closely in the Premier League, while Mauricio Pochettino’s Paris Saint-Germain have also been tipped as suitors from abroad.

The 27-year-old also spoke candidly over his future to Gary Neville recently and appeared to send a clear message to chairman Daniel Levy, pleading for a sit-down with the Lilywhites chairman (The Overlap).

The Latest: Abraham could be offered to Tottenham

Swap deals have even been touted as a potential solution to bring down Levy’s stunning £150m asking price for Kane, as also mooted by ESPN.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-gossip/” title=”Spurs gossip” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Football Insider recently claimed that Manchester United could even offer both Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial in exchange for Kane.

Bringing a development, ESPN have now touted another player-plus-cash proposal – this time from London rivals Chelsea. They claim that the Blues could table Abraham as a makeweight to bring down Levy’s price tag for Kane.

Chelsea are apparently mindful that Spurs will be looking to rebuild if they agree on a sale for the 27-year-old and they believe that Abraham would offer sufficient appeal. The forward is also valued at around £40m, a figure based on his form prior to the global pandemic when he found the net on 15 occasions between between August 2019 and March 2020.

The Verdict: Avoid…

Reports of United’s willingness to offer Lingard and Martial for Kane certainly come as far more enticing than this ESPN development.

It’s evident that Abraham has proved himself in the Premier League, having bagged 21 goals in 37 Premier League starts since the beginning of 2019/20 (WhoScored), but he isn’t quite on the Spurs striker’s level.

Also, the 23-year-old’s last Premier League goal came in December, with Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel often leaving him out the squad (Transfermarkt).

Despite recent events, former Scotland boss Alex McLeish is adamant that Abraham is still a ‘phenomenal player’, as he told Football Insider in March, but we still believe that Spurs must avoid this deal.

In other news: Manager dubbed ‘one of the best coaches in Europe’ now ‘listening’ to Spurs offer, find out more here.

Leeds United star Raphinha has lauded Robin Koch on social media following an excellent performance in the Whites’ impressive 3-1 win over Tottenham on Saturday.

The Lowdown: Leeds see off Spurs

Marcelo Bielsa’s side were looking to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat at Brighton last weekend and they did so in eye-catching fashion.

Leeds added Spurs to their recent list of big-name teams from whom they have taken points, with Stuart Dallas, Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo all finding in the net.

Koch started in midfield in the absence of Kalvin Phillips, shining in the role and playing his part in another brilliant result for the Whites.

The Latest: Raphinha hails Koch’s performance

Raphinha was absent through injury, but he was clearly impressed by what he saw from Koch, giving a perfect three-word response to the German’s performance on Instagram:

“What a player.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Koch stakes a claim for midfield role

There has been plenty of talk surrounding Leeds signing an alternative to Phillips this week, with others in the squad seemingly not deemed good enough to fill in for the England international whenever he’s unavailable.

Koch is certainly showing Bielsa that he can be a force in that position, though, even if centre-back remains his strongest role moving forward.

He enjoyed an 83% pass completion rate against Spurs, also winning seven duels, two tackles and nine recoveries, as he shone both on and off the ball. It’s little wonder that Raphinha was so glowing in his praise of the 24-year-old.

In other news, some Leeds fans have been hailing one specific player after the win over Spurs. Find out who it is here.

Some Liverpool fans have been reacting to the news that the Reds have lost a significant amount of money in the past year, with lots of negativity on show.

It has been an extremely tough year around the world, with the virus affecting day-to-day life to a level rarely seen in modern history.

Football, like nearly every other industry, has taken a major financial hit in that time, with fans largely not allowed inside stadiums and clubs losing huge amounts of matchday revenue.

[freshpress-quiz id=“350790”]

Liverpool have struggled both on and off the pitch since clinching their maiden Premier League title, missing having supporters inside Anfield and seeing the defence of their crown fizzle out in miserable fashion.

On Tuesday, the club announced their financial results over the past 12 months, with The Athletic’s James Pearce confirming a pre-tax loss of £46million.

Liverpool fans frustrated by £46m losses

It is no great surprise, considering the impact the virus has had, but that hasn’t stopped a number of Liverpool supporters voicing their frustration.

Here are some of the best reactions on Twitter.

“30 year old Thiago for £25m and £200k p/w, someone who is good at the economics please help me budget this. My football club is dying”

Credit: @NoSwearingHere7

“We are not signing anyone this summer lads”

Credit: @Gbemiga_A

“This is just letting everyone know we’re not signing a single player this summer”

Credit: @rinangelz

“Lost £46m already and that’s only 3 months of the pandemic”

Credit: @archielfc

“There goes our summer budget”

Credit: @RebelYelliex

“Well the success was fun for 3 years. No chance FSG will dip into their own pocket and fund anything this summer”

Credit: @JamieRamsey_

In other news, some Liverpool fans are desperate for the Reds to sign one exciting attacker this summer. Find out who it is here.

Conor Coady has taken criticism from some Wolverhampton Wanderers fans ahead of the trip to The Hawthorns for Monday’s Black Country derby.

Wolves head into the game in 12th place, a full seven points adrift of the top half. They are looking to make amends following a woeful 4-0 defeat against Burnley last time out.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have finished in a highly creditable seventh place in the last two seasons, but they have struggled this time around amid the long-term absence of last year’s top scorer Raul Jimenez.

What did Coady say about Wolves’ season?

Speaking to the club’s official website, Wolves captain Coady admitted that his side’s efforts hadn’t been ‘good enough’.

The £16,500-per-week centre-back went on to concede that they had regressed from their high-flying campaigns of the last two years.

Having led 2-1 when they last met Albion in January, Wolves were beaten 3-2 on home soil, but they know that gaining revenge on Monday would go some way to ensuring West Brom aren’t playing top-flight football next season.

Fan feed Talking Wolves relayed Coady’s comments, and here’s how some supporters reacted.

Wolves fans call for Coady to do talking on the pitch

“Obviously scripted words. I’m sure the whole club is disappointed in this season, it’s just talking for talking sake. Just win on Monday.”

Credit: @richierooster69

“Unhappy is putting it mildly!”

Credit: @MichaelPoulter3

“Cue another gutless performance Monday”

Credit: @David44809679

“I wonder how long it took the press office to write that for you Conor, you’re better off telling #nuno you, Saiss and Donk aren’t defenders”

Credit: @mark_mcgrane

“Talk is cheap”

Credit: @purplefirefly

“You are the problem”

Credit: @leaoinwolves

In other news, many Wolves fans want to see this man start at The Hawthorns

Rangers will be looking to continue their unbeaten run in the Premiership as they take on St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday evening, with Steven Gerrard’s side now just four games away from an invincible league season.

The Light Blues are fresh from success in the Old Firm derby after winning 2-0 at Ibrox at the weekend and will be in a confident mood ahead of the first of two games against Callum Davidson’s side this week.

So far this season, Rangers have recorded comfortable victories against the Saints, winning 3-0 twice in 2020 before a 1-0 triumph at Ibrox back in February. However, Davidson’s side have won four of their last five games and will undoubtedly be eyeing an upset on Wednesday night.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Gerrard to line up at McDiarmid Park, with two changes from the side which started the Old Firm derby on Sunday…

After another superb display in the Old Firm derby at the weekend, in which he saved a penalty from Odsonne Edouard, McGregor keeps his place in goal.

There is one change in defence as, despite another excellent performance against the Hoops, Nathan Patterson is dropped to the bench, with captain James Tavernier – hailed as “fantastic” by former Ibrox ace Graham Roberts – making his return from injury at right-back.

Joe Aribo reverts to midfield alongside Glen Kamara and Steven Davis, with Scott Arfield dropping to the bench as Gerrard goes with a more attacking line-up than last time out.

[freshpress-quiz id=“593776”]

This allows Ianis Hagi to start on the right wing, where Aribo had featured on Sunday, and the Romanian supports Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos in attack for this one.

In other news… Allen masterclass: “Terrific” Rangers beast’s value has risen 275% since joining 

Many Everton fans have been left to slam the display of Alex Iwobi in their 2-2 home draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Friday night.

Two goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson were not enough in the end as two defensive errors meant that Harry Kane was able to pounce and earn Jose Mourinho’s team a point at Goodison Park.

Nonetheless, Iwobi did not have the best of games for the Merseyside club and was subsequently hauled off just after the hour mark for Seamus Coleman, who immediately made an impact with an assist.

The former Arsenal man lost out on seven out of eight of his duels (87.5%), and also failed to record a single shot on target, successful dribble, key pass or accurate cross, all while losing possession of the ball on no fewer than on 12 separate occasions in the game (Sofascore).

Everton fans on Iwobi display

These Toffees supporters slammed his performance on Twitter, with one Blues fan even going as far as to claim that the Nigeria international is ‘awful’:

“How have we given Arsenal nearly £50 million for Walcott and Iwobi if you put them together you still wouldn’t have half a player. #EFC”

Credit: @Tezza_c1878

“Iwobi is stealing a living with us #EFC”

Credit: @Toffeeman2010

“Coleman doing more in 2 minutes than Iwobi done in 60. He offers us nothing #EFC”

Credit: @Ball86T

“Iwobi really doesn’t have a future at the club. Add him to the list #EFC”

Credit: @nickjones314

“A truly woeful signing gone off. Brands will do well to recover from Iwobi #efc”

Credit: @BlueDanEFC

“Iwobi must be like Ronaldo in training because he’s consistently awful on a match day! What’s he done to start?!!! #EFC #EVETOT”

Credit: @ridroberts

In other news, find out what transfer plans have left EFC fans fuming here!

Charlton Athletic return to League One action this weekend, looking to build on their unbeaten run under new manager Nigel Adkins and they’ll need to find a way past fellow promotion chasers Sunderland if they are to keep up their playoff hopes.

Last time out, the Addicks defeated Doncaster Rovers to move to within three points of the top six, whilst their Easter Monday encounter with Lincoln City was postponed.

The Black Cats need a victory if they are to move back into an automatic spot, so there’s certainly a lot at stake at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon.

Adkins will need to get his team selection spot on, and he could well aid Charlton’s chances of picking up a result if he unleashes Chuks Aneke from the off.

On the Chalkboard

The 27-year-old has been a major source of goals for the Addicks, particularly under the recently-departed Lee Bowyer, so it’s certainly a surprise to see the £360k-rated dynamo named on the bench in both of Adkins’ lineups thus far.

No player has scored as many goals as Aneke this term, with the former MK Dons man finding the net 12 times. He’s also averaging the highest number of shots per game (2.3) in this squad, via WhoScored, proving to be a dangerous threat in attack.

The Addicks’ second top goalscorer (11) Conor Washington was ruled out of the Easter period, so there’s certainly a void to be filled alongside Jayden Stockley.

Right before Bowyer left, Aneke bagged his 13th in all competitions against Wigan and it left the new Birmingham boss in awe. He told London News Online: “He was immense up there again today. He’s unplayable, on his day he’s unplayable. The only disappointing thing, if I’m him, is that he didn’t score more.”

That only makes Adkins’ decision to omit him recently a little more baffling.

Sunderland have the best defensive record in the division, having conceded only 29 times in 38 matches. And that’s exactly why Aneke must be unleashed as no other Addicks player has been a greater threat this campaign.

The former Arsenal graduate must start on Saturday afternoon.

AND in other news, Gallen heading for disaster over “important” Charlton “leader”…

Aston Villa must seize their perfect chance to sell Bjorn Engels amid reported transfer interest from Royal Antwerp.

What’s the story?

The £55,000-a-week centre-back has been a complete outcast at Villa Park this season, barely featuring for Dean Smith’s side in the Premier League – in fact, he’s yet to make a single competitive appearance in any competition in 2020/21.

His time at the club could soon be over, with Belgian publication Voetbalkrant saying (via Sport Witness) that Antwerp are eyeing a summer move for the 26-year-old as they look to bring him back to his native Belgium.

The report added that a deal for Engels to leave is “inevitable”, and that Antwerp are at the front of the line for a deal. It was even suggested that Villa would be prepared to sell him for very little just to get him off their books.

Sawiris surely buzzing

It comes as no surprise, then, that former Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has claimed that Engels’ career at the club is over, insisting that he just doesn’t have the qualities needed to succeed in the Premier League.

The 34-year-old said earlier this year: “It’s time for him to move on. The problem with the Premier League now is you have to have pace in defence. Unless you’re an unbelievable defender and you can read the game unbelievably you need to have the pace at the back.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-aston-villa-transfer-rumours-and-news-copy-copy” title=”Latest Aston Villa transfer rumours and news”]

“That’s what Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause allow you. If they make a mistake they’ve got the pace to make up for it. If they’re left one-on-one they’ve got the pace to stop the attacker.

“The problem with Engels is that if he’s left one-on-one he hasn’t got that pace so he’s going to get found out a bit. That’s what it is, it’s one of those things.”

With Antwerp now showing interest in taking him off Villa’s hands this summer, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens will surely be buzzing that one of the club’s highest earners could well be off their books way before his contract comes to an end in the Midlands.

Given that he’s yet to play at all this season for Smith, letting him go for whatever fee is presented just seems like the perfect eventuality for all parties concerned.

Meanwhile, Villa must sell this first team ace in the summer…

Some Manchester City fans have been reacting to the news that Borussia Dortmund reportedly want €150m (£128m) for their star striker Erling Haaland if they are to sell him this summer.

The Citizens have been heavily linked with a move for Haaland (The Mirror via BeSoccer), who has been in stunning form for Dortmund so far this campaign. In 30 games in all competitions, he has 31 strikes to his name, meaning he has 47 goals in just 48 matches for Die Schwarzgelben since signing for them in January of last year (Transfermarkt). Not only that, he has managed to hit the back of the net 20 times in just 14 Champions League games throughout his career.

It is common knowledge that the 20-year-old Norwegian has a €75m (£64.2m) release clause which comes into play next summer, but Dortmund would let him go for €150m (£128m) in just a few months according to German outlet Bild (via CBS Sports).

This news was shared by Twitter account @City_Chief, and it attracted plenty of attention from these City supporters, who took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Haaland news below

“Write that check!”

Credit: @MatthewShehorn

“That’s a steal, to us he is worth twice that. Just get it done!”

Credit: @FplVester

“Just pay what they want!”

Credit: @peko3141

“That’s it? Let’s get this going ASAP!!”

Credit: @DaOGMuffinMan

“pay it and get him signed up….”

Credit: @mcfc_matty

“Worth that price tag no point waiting for the release clause he will be gone by then”

Credit: @dkrobinson2398

In other news, some Manchester City fans slammed this player against Fulham.

Liverpool’s search for a new centre-back could take them back to RB Leipzig this summer, with Ibrahima Konate apparently available.

Having already signed Naby Keita from the Bundesliga outfit back in 2018, it is reported that the French defender is now of interest to The Reds, according to Sunday World.

Even more positively, AS report that the 21-year-old could be available for as little as £22m, which for a player who is rated at £31.5m at the current time, represents stunning value. Liverpool should waste no time and need to move now to secure the defender.

Konate has slowly but surely forged an excellent reputation in Germany as Leipzig continue to challenge Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga.

Since arriving from FC Sochaux-Montbéliard four years ago when he was just 17, the centre-back has gone on to make 89 appearances for the club, including eight in the UEFA Champions League – an extremely respectable count for a player so young.

Whilst he hasn’t played as often as usual in the past couple of seasons, with Leipzig boss Julien Nagelsmann preferring a starting pair of Dayot Upamecano and Willi Orban, his potential and promise are undoubted.

After all, with his tender years, the 11-time France U21 international is extremely likely to improve.

When compared to Liverpool’s current centre-back options, Konate is bettering both Rhys Williams and Joe Gomez with his 0.4 tackles per game, whilst he is also overcoming Gomez and Joel Matip in terms of interceptions, according to WhoScored.

Considering that he would likely be the partner for Virgil van Dijk, to be outperforming the England man on those counts is intriguing.

For a player so experienced then, with a reported price tag so low, it seems like it would make perfect sense for Michael Edwards to swoop for Konate and bring the Reds’ long search for a centre-back to a close. It’ll be a masterclass of a move if he does so.

AND in more news, take a closer look at another reported centre-back target who Liverpool could sign in the summer…