All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Newcastle United have the perfect chance to cut their losses on Miguel Almiron amid a recent transfer update.

What’s the story?

The Paraguay international has endured another difficult Premier League season thus far, scoring no goals and providing no assists whatsoever in the nine games that he has played in all competitions.

Now, ABC journalist Bruno Pont has relayed information from Miguel Angel Caceres that the Magpies ace likes the owners of La Liga side Elche, and that he could be one of the players the Tyneside club lets go next season.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “Almirón likes the owners of Elche de España, the 27-year-old Paraguayan footballer has been performing at a high level in the Premier League for several seasons. However, he could be one of Newcastle’s sacrifices for next season.”

Get rid

Speaking last summer, former Premier League goalkeeper Chris Kirkland exclusively told FFC that Almiron’s struggles to adapt to life in England has been one of the main issues behind why the Paraguayan has yet to hit the heights.

He said: “Well he’s struggled. He hasn’t adapted, has he? It’s a risk when you’re buying players from abroad. It is a big risk because they can be very good players but moving abroad, moving away from your family, bringing your family over, the different language, all of it has a massive effect.”

The £75k-a-week earning ace’s appalling record of just 13 goals and five assists in 100 games for Newcastle, is simply not good enough, especially in this new PIF-led era at St James’ Park.

The Magpies will no doubt be embarking on a massive spending spree in the upcoming transfer windows, and getting rid of the deadwood and under-performing players will surely be on the agenda too.

Almiron fits into that category of players at Newcastle, and quite frankly, has become just a passenger and liability at the club given his inability to provide any kind of real end product or consistency.

PIF must make a ruthless call and get rid at the earliest possible opportunity. If the club are serious about taking that next step and moving forwards, then axing below-par players like Almiron is the logical decision to make, and ensure they aren’t being held back.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are eyeing a move for this record-breaker…

Everton shared a post-match interview with Rafael Benitez on their official Twitter channel shortly after the 5-2 defeat to Watford on Saturday afternoon.

As to be expected, a number of Toffees fans were quick to interact with the post following the calamitous result.

Benitez made two changes from the defeat to West Ham last time out by bringing in Tom Davies and Anthony Gordon for Abdoulaye Doucoure and Alex Iwobi.

It looked as if the home side were on course for three points when Richarlison restored Everton’s lead after the hour mark, but a crazy final 15 minutes saw the visitors net four times, with former Toffees striker Josh King sealing a hat-trick.

Benitez gave his assessment to the club’s media team after the defeat in a four-minute interview, which is available to view here.

Everton fans react

One of the points which unsettled supporters was when Benitez revealed that Gordon wasn’t fit enough to play the full 90 minutes, with one labelling that as ’embarrassing’.

“An absolute waste of time. Soft ball questions. Why didn’t he bring Gbamin or Holgate on after 2-1? Why bring Gordon off because he doesn’t have 90 mins in his legs but keep Rondon on who doesn’t have any minutes in his legs? Joke interview.”

Credit: @IfYouKnowYourH1

“Good to hear him calling out the lack of character in the squad as it’s stank for decades but saying Gordon hadn’t got 90 mins in him whilst leaving Rondon on… Really ?!?!?!”

Credit: @ianspeny

“Might be harsh but embarrassing interview from @rafabenitezweb imo, talking about match fitness numerous times when he’s gone and signed a slug with no ability and played him for 6 weeks, absolutely deluded he is. Never mind conceding 5 against a poor side”

Credit: @g4j4s4

“‘We know Gordon doesn’t have 90 mins in his legs’ Pretty certain Gordon (20) has more legs in him than Rondon who looks like he’s running on quicksand whenever he plays. Shambles.”

Credit: @FureyEthan

“So Gordon doesn’t have 90 minutes in his legs, but Rondon does?????????”

Credit: @KxtHxrington

“Pointless listening to this. All the man does is fail and he’ll fail here. And I told you that months ago.”

Credit: @easyluckyfree84

In other news: ‘Don’t make me cry’ – Many Everton fans buzzing over ‘great news’

Gabriel Jesus has enjoyed a superb start to the season for Manchester City and is flourishing in a new role in Pep Guardiola’s side.

The Brazilian forward had to endure a summer of hearing that, following Sergio Aguero’s exit, Manchester City didn’t possess a striker in their squad and needed to add someone such as Harry Kane.

He was linked with a move to Juventus as the Citizens looked to raise transfer funds earlier in the summer but he ended up staying at the Etihad Stadium and has certainly proved his worth in recent games.

After starting on the bench in City’s opening Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur, the 24-year-old has started each of the last two matches on the wing and has seriously impressed in the 5-0 wins against Norwich City and Arsenal, contributing one goal and three assists.

According to WhoScored, only Rodri has a higher average rating for the champions so far this season, with Jesus tied with Jack Grealish in second after averaging a superb 7.85 rating in his three appearances thus far.

In the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, City have needed a creative outlet in their team and the Brazilian has certainly stepped up, averaging 2.7 key passes per game so far this season, a huge improvement on the 1.1 key passes per game he averaged last term.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-manchester-city-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Manchester City transfer rumours and news!”]

With Ferran Torres likely to feature at centre-forward this season, Jesus has moved out to the wing with great effect and looks set to be a key player in Guardiola’s side, keeping the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling out of the team against Arsenal.

The former Palmeiras man has come under criticism for his finishing in the past but looks much more dangerous in a wide position where he can best showcase his ability on the ball, so it looks like something of a masterstroke by Guardiola to alter his position.

The Spaniard certainly rates Jesus highly and sang his praises last season, dubbing him the “unsung hero” in Manchester City’s side.

[freshpress-quiz id=“577936”]

Certainly, after what will have undoubtedly been a tough summer for Jesus, it is good to see him earning due plaudits for his superb performances in the early weeks of the season.

In other news… Pep may already have his next David Silva at Man City in “very intelligent” 18 y/o

Everton have reportedly entered the race to sign Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier as manager Rafa Benitez looks to bolster his depleted backline.

What’s the story?

According to 90min, the Toffees are one of several Premier League clubs who have asked to be kept informed of the 31-year-old’s situation, with Newcastle United, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace also listed as potential suitors.

Previous reports have claimed that Atleti are set to demand £25m for Trippier over the coming months, with the player keen on a move back to his homeland, although there is no guarantee the Atletico Madrid defender will move in the new year.

Forget Seamus Coleman

With current first-choice right-back Seamus Coleman set to turn 34 at the start of next season and understudy Jonjoe Kenny failing to get many minutes, Benitez may prioritise that position in the transfer market over the next couple of windows.

And Trippier could be an ideal candidate. Throughout his career, the England international has showcased his quality for both club and country, catching the eye with several impressive performances.

His national team boss Gareth Southgate has often kept faith with the experienced full-back, selecting him on either side of the defence and labelled him a ‘warrior’ earlier this year.

“He (Trippier) is a very underrated player,” said Southgate. “People are still looking at the player from a few years ago and not at the one who is at Atletico Madrid and playing like a warrior in the last few seasons. He is a big part of what we’ve done over the last few years and he gave a really good performance.”

Southgate has also lauded Trippier’s “outstanding quality” from set-pieces in the past and his underlying numbers illustrate why the Three Lions coach holds him in such high regard.

As per WhoScored, Trippier received a season rating of 7.20 for his 28 La Liga appearances last season – the second-highest in the first-team squad, and it’s easy to understand why.

The former Tottenham Hotspur star averaged 2.2 tackles, 1.4 interceptions and 1.2 key passes, placing him in the top two compared to his teammates for each metric as Atleti claimed the top-flight title.

Therefore, Trippier could become the ideal heir for Coleman on Merseyside, and the Everton supporters will surely be hoping Benitez can see off the extensive competition for his signature.

And, in other news…Everton could discover their new Rooney by signing “first-class” 20 y/o with “no fear”

Paul Stewart is adamant wantaway Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is set to join Manchester City and a deal could be wrapped up in a matter of days.

England captain Kane has made no secret of the fact he wants to leave Spurs in a bid to win more silverware.

Kane also ramped up speculation he is looking to force his way out of the club after failing to report to Hotspur Way for the start of his pre-season preparations.

Last season’s Premier League Golden Boot winner, after finding the back of the net 23 times in the top flight, is coveted by Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola, the reigning Premier League champions’ boss, confirmed City’s interest in Kane after their Community Shield defeat to Leicester City at the weekend.

It comes after City already broke the British transfer record thanks to the £100million signing of Aston Villa talisman Jack Grealish last week.

Stewart, who featured for City and Spurs during his playing career, is certain Kane will follow Grealish to the Etihad Stadium.

He exclusively told Football FanCast: “I think he’ll go now. I don’t think there’s any way he can turn back. He will have left by the end of the transfer window.

“I have no doubt he will go to Manchester City and I don’t think he will be at Spurs when the season kicks off.”

Serie A expert Conor Clancy doubts Euro 2020 star Mikkel Damsgaard has the ability to replace either Mo Salah or Sadio Mane at Liverpool.

Damsgaard impressed during the tournament, reaching the semi-finals with Denmark and scoring twice along the way, including a world-class free-kick against England in the last four match at Wembley.

He has now returned to Sampdoria in Serie A and there are various reports suggesting that he could move on in this transfer window for a significant fee.

Liverpool have been linked with a potential move, that would cost in excess of £30m, but Clancy has his doubts as to the viability of the 21-year-old being a hit at Anfield.

Damsgaard remains a young player and he has had just one season in the top-flight, moving to Sampdoria from FC Nordsjaelland at the beginning of the most recent campaign.

He went on to make 35 appearances, scoring twice and registering four assists, and Clancy, the editor in chief of Forza Italian Football, does not think that he would be able to match the output of superstars Salah and Mane.

He said: “I’m not sure. I’ll never see Damsgaard scoring the number of goals that Mane scores or Salah scores.

“And I’m not sure if he’s as bustling as Mane would be off the ball but he’s more of a playmaker rather than one of the players in that front three.”

According to a report by Football Insider, West Ham United are now weighing up whether to reignite their interest in Odsonne Edouard, with many fans on Twitter flocking to the transfer claim. 

Edouard, who bagged 22 goals in all competitions for Celtic last season, has attracted plenty of interest for his proficiency in finding the net.

At one point, Leicester City seemed favourites to secure his signature this summer and were in advanced talks to seal a deal at one point (Fabrizio Romano). However, with Patson Daka now looking likely to join the Foxes, that has seemingly opened the door for West Ham to return for Edouard, as Football Insider claimed that the Hammers are now weighing up a move for the 23-year-old.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest/” title=”West Ham latest!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Flocking to this transfer claim, many Irons fans had no shortage of opinions on social media, with the majority appearing excited. Given his 83 goals in four years for Celtic, it’s little wonder there was plenty of reaction.

Check out a flavour of the fans’ verdicts in reply to West Ham Fan Zone and West Ham Central below.

West Ham fans flock to Edouard claim…

“£15m get him in”

Credit: @arrrrrrrrchie

“PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD @WestHam THIS MAN IS TOP CLASS ‼️”

Credit: @kbrumby_

“Just sign a striker I beg”

Credit: @Landsy2710

“Please @WestHam x”

Credit: @reders_66

“£10-15m would be clever buy”

Credit: @1bbyWHU

“I’m all for this”

Credit: @whualfie_

In other news: ‘Have started negotiations’…Journalist drops exciting West Ham transfer claim, find out more here.

Former Leeds United midfielder Carlton Palmer has backed Rodrigo to have a good season if Marcelo Bielsa’s side can maintain their standard from the previous campaign.

The Whites impressed last term following their promotion from the Championship, finishing in ninth, but individually, Rodrigo had his struggles.

The 30-year-old was far from proficient in front of goal in the early stages of his Leeds career, not coming to life until the end of the season.

However, having had time to adapt and now free from injury, The Athletic’s Phil Hay believes Rodrigo could end up being a star for the Yorkshire club by the end of this campaign. And Palmer shares a similar sentiment, suggesting that the Spaniard will deliver if the team plays well as a whole.

“People don’t realise how tough the Premier League is until you actually come and play in it and experience it week in, week out,” the ex-Leeds player told FFC when discussing Hay’s Rodrigo prediction. “It’s a tough league.

“A player like Rodrigo will depend on how Leeds United do. I think it’s going to be a difficult season for Leeds United in terms of the standard they set last season, people knowing the way they play, getting used to the way that Leeds United play. They’ve got to dig in.

“Players like Rodrigo, if Leeds are having a good season, I’m sure he’ll have a good season.”

The Whites have had a slow start to the campaign, taking two points from their first three games. From their point of view, hopefully Rodrigo can start firing soon to give that attack a boost and Patrick Bamford some respite.

As explained in the Athletic’s scout report for Euro 2020, West Ham United are now one of the teams interested in signing VFL Wolfsburg striker Wout Weghorst this summer.

The Lowdown: West Ham in the striker hunt…

Manager David Moyes reportedly has three priorities for West Ham this summer in a new central defender, permanent deal for Jesse Lingard and a fresh centre-forward (Claret & Hugh).

Striker Michail Antonio suffered his fair share of injury problems over 2020/2021 and the Hammers are on the look out for fresh additions to their forward line.

West Ham have been linked with a host of attackers as another name now enters the fray.

The Latest: West Ham want Weghorst…

As explained by the Athletic in their scouting guide for Euro 2020, Weghorst is now attracting interest from West Ham.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-news-2/” title=”West Ham latest news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

There is also an understanding that he will be allowed to leave if ‘certain conditions’ are met, namely his €30 million (£25.9m) price tag.

Wolfsburg are expecting concrete offers for their talismanic striker this summer, and with such a reasonable price tag, a move to the Premier League could beckon, as explained in the report.

The Verdict: A must…

Scoring a fantastic 25 goals in all competitions last season for the Bundesliga side, all while assisting nine of his teammates, it’s safe to say Weghorst is a monster up front.

Austrian tactician Oliver Glasner, who coached the 28-year-old last season, lauded him as the ‘most dangerous player in front of goal’ he has ever coached (Bundesliga).

Meanwhile, in an interview with FootballFanCast, Get German Football News editor-in-chief Daniel Pinder explained how he is ‘similar’ to legendary Premier League forward Ruud van Nistelrooy.

At around £25m, he could be a real steal for the Hammers.

In other news: Barry Fry makes claim on potentially ‘great news for West Ham fans’…find out more here.

Divock Origi will definitely leave Liverpool in the summer transfer window, reports reliable journalist James Pearce.

The Lowdown: Origi exit expected

The Belgian has enjoyed a truly memorable Reds career, rarely being a key player but popping up with a long list of massive goals along the way, both in the Premier League and Champions League.

With Origi out of contract at the end of the season, he is expected to move on, with AC Milan looking highly likely to be his next destination.

It will allow the 27-year-old to be a regular elsewhere, potentially further fulfilling his promise, having been described as ‘world-class’ and a ‘monster’ by Jurgen Klopp.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-30/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

The Latest: Pearce confirms imminent move

Taking to Twitter on Monday, Pearce confirmed that Origi would definitely be moving on once this campaign reaches this conclusion:

“Divock Origi will leave Liverpool this summer.”

The Verdict: Undisputed Liverpool legend

When the time finally comes for Origi to leave Liverpool, he will receive a wonderful and deserved send-off from the supporters, having become a Reds legend.

His cult hero status can almost work against what a top-quality attacker he is, though, with the forward scoring 41 goals and 173 appearances in total, not to mention registering 17 assists.

It makes perfect sense for Origi to move on, given his lack of playing time, and it would be heartwarming to see him performing as a key man elsewhere.

In other news, David Ornstein has confirmed some key Liverpool news. Read more here.