All posts by z3u9t.icu

French journalist Joris Crolbois has claimed that Aston Villa are the first club to enter negotiations with highly sought-after FC Metz midfielder Pape Metar Sarr.

The Lowdown: Villa’s summer spending spree

As the Villains continue to embark on their summer spending spree, they now seem to have turned their attention towards the Senegal international as they look to strengthen ahead of 2021/22 [One Football].

The Villa Park outfit have already agreed a deal for Emi Buendia and are linked with James Ward-Prowse as well.

Enjoying a fantastic start to life in Ligue 1, Sarr played 22 times in the top flight this term, notching three goals from midfield [Transfermarkt].

The Latest: Villa the only club to have ‘started talks’ with Sarr

Replying to Villa supporters on Twitter, sports journalist Crolbois (RMC Sport) remarked: “Milan has been following him since February but Villa is the only club to have started talks.”

This indicates that the Midlands side could be in pole position for his signature which will offer major excitement to the Villa Park faithful.

Crolbois continued to say that although ‘Villa is the first club’ to enter talks, ‘other clubs will certainly come’, but also offered some words of encouragement to Villa fans: “He is a player with enormous potential comparable to Camavinga of Rennes. He showed this season, especially against PSG, that he has the level of the biggest clubs in Ligue 1. Let’s see what happens in the Premier League.”

The verdict: Tackling machine

The 18-year-old may add some further bite to the Villa midfield on arrival. Comparatively to the current midfield options, the wonderkid has a higher tackling rate per 90 minutes that John McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Marvelous Nakamba and Morgan Sanson [WhoScored].

All in all, the midfielder would be an outstanding coup for Aston Villa if they were to successfully thrash out a deal. With Crolbois’ original report quoting a price tag as high as €30m (£25.8m), he wouldn’t come cheap, but Sarr is a beast in the middle of the park already, and at just 18, will surely only become better and even more valuable.

With the right coaching Sarr could be a Premier League star, potentially netting the Villains some serious sell-on value further down the line too, should his development continue at its current rate.

In other news, Villa fans react to an Emiliano Martinez update.

After the weekend’s results so far, Tottenham Hotspur could give their European hopes a major boost with a win in North London this afternoon.

Ryan Mason and his side welcome Wolves to N17 knowing that three points would see them leapfrog local rivals West Ham into sixth place, and that would put them just four points behind the top four, with six points left on offer.

Last time out, Spurs suffered an embarrassing 3-1 defeat to Leeds, so the interim head coach will want to see a reaction from that pathetic outing, though he could do himself a favour or two when it comes to team selection.

Up at Elland Road, Eric Dier suffered a disaster of an afternoon as Patrick Bamford ran him ragged throughout the 90 minutes and the England international was arguably at fault for all three goals.

Writing in The Athletic, Alan Shearer slammed the centre-back and questioned his involvement ahead of this summer’s European Championships. He wrote:

“We saw Tyrone Mings and Eric Dier make big errors at the weekend, but that hasn’t been uncommon this season. Dier was given the runaround during Tottenham Hotspur’s dismal 3-1 defeat at Leeds United.”

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Dier allowed Jack Harrison’s cross to fly past him for their opener, was stood like a statue for Bamford’s strike and was woefully out of position when playing Raphinha onside for the third.

Defensive problems and a lack of cohesion have been the defining theme of Spurs’ turbulent season.

No centre-back has started more games in the Premier League than Dier (26) and that comes as a surprise considering their issues and his performances.

In February, former midfielder-turned-pundit Jamie O’Hara urged Jose Mourinho to drop the 27-year-old, he told talkSPORT: “As a centre-half, he just looks lost around the box. In my opinion, he needs to be dropped.”

Indeed, just a few months later, Danny Mills was heard describing Dier’s mistake against the Whites as a “defensive calamity” during commentary.

The £26m-rated centre-back, who earns a reported £85k-per-week in North London, must surely be facing the axe this afternoon, especially with Joe Rodon waiting in the wings.

Mason may have provided a hint heading into kick-off, too.

“He’s trained well,” he revealed to reporters ahead of the match – will there be a change? Only time will tell but on the above evidence, the 29-year-old caretaker must show no mercy and chop Dier from his starting XI today.

He has let Spurs down for far too long now.

AND in other news, Levy could seal Spurs’ best signing since Son in £36m beast who’s “similar to Eriksen”…

Cristiano Giaretta has been handed a boost in his bid to bring Siriki Dembele to Watford this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Peterborough Telegraph, who claim that Peterborough United are yet to enter into contract renewal talks with the 24-year-old centre-forward, who is heading into the final year of his deal at the Weston Homes Stadium.

The report goes on to state that if the forward does not new agree on terms with this summer, he will be placed on the transfer list, as is club policy.

This is sure to have piqued the interest of clubs such as Celtic, Rangers, Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Watford, all of whom have been credited with an interest in the Posh star.

Giaretta will be buzzing

Considering just how impressive Dembele has been for Peterborough this season, if the forward does indeed go on to be placed on the transfer list this summer, Watford’s sporting director would undoubtedly be buzzing.

Over his 42 League One appearances for Darren Ferguson’s side this term, the 24-year-old has scored 11 goals, registered 10 assists and has created a whopping 17 big chances, as well as taking an average of 1.8 shots and making 1.5 key passes per game, culminating in an average Sofascore match rating of 7.06 – ranking him as the club’s joint seventh-best player in the third tier.

It was reported last year that Barry Fry would demand a fee of around £5m to part with the forward, however, with just one year left on his deal at the Weston Homes Stadium, and with Posh likely eager to sell in order to receive the largest fee possible, it is not difficult to imagine this figure being slightly lower in the upcoming transfer window.

As such, a move for the £2.6k-per-week man – whom Ferguson dubbed as “outstanding” – would seem to be extremely appealing for Giaretta both on and off the pitch, as Dembele appears to very much have the potential to prove a real threat within Xisco Munoz’s attacking arsenal, as well as being a transfer that would not break the bank for the newly-promoted side.

In other news: Watford dealt transfer blow over “excellent” £450k-rated gem, Giaretta will be gutted – opinion

Wayne Rooney’s reported Derby County transfer target Ronan Curtis recently spoke out regarding the apparent interest in him this summer.

What’s been said?

Speaking to The Sun (via The News), the Portsmouth winger delivered some news about the interest in his services ahead of the summer transfer window and admitted that there are other teams looking at him.

Curtis said: “I know there is a lot of interest from clubs above us right now. That’s encouraging but all I’m concentrating on is helping Portsmouth to go up. What happens at the end of the season will be taken care of. I just want to repay the faith Portsmouth showed in me by helping get us up.”

Rooney must act

Derby County were linked with a move for the 25-year-old last summer and they must look to complete a deal this summer.

Curtis has been one of the stars of a hugely impressive Portsmouth side so far this season, with the winger scoring 10 goals, providing seven assists and creating seven big chances over his 41 League One appearances, as well as averaging a SofaScore match rating of 7.1 – ranking him as the club’s best player in the third tier.

The £3,700-per-week star’s level of performance has also improved when Pompey needed it to most, as, throughout the club’s push to secure a top-six finish in the months of April and May, Curtis has averaged a SofaScore match rating of 7.2 and 8.5 respectively.

This overall level of goalscoring and creative threat, as well as turning up when most required by the club, is something that has sorely been lacked at Derby this season, as, aside from Colin Kazim-Richards, no other player at Derby has scored more than three Championship goals, while Nathan Byrne tops the club’s assist charts with a mere four.

Furthermore, with a single win being required in recent weeks to all but secure the Rams’ status as a Championship team, Wayne Rooney’s side have lost six games on the spin, with the club being dragged into a relegation shootout against Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the season.

As such, a player of Curtis’ ability and “selfless” character – as the winger was dubbed by Danny Cowley – is much needed within the Derby squad, and Rooney should be doing all he can to convince the 25-year-old to move to Pride Park this summer.

In other news: Rooney must avoid Derby swoop for 29 y/o flop who “plays like he’s on roller-skates” – opinion

Former England striker Kevin Phillips believes Patrick Bamford’s recent struggles are down to fatigue, with reinforcements needed this summer.

The Lowdown: Bamford experiences dip

Leeds United have had numerous star performers this season, but Bamford has undoubtedly been one of the key men, scoring 14 goals and registering seven assists in the Premier League.

The 27-year-old has suffered a noticeable dip of late, however, not finding the net in his last five appearances – his last goal came at Fulham on March 19th – and lacking his usual all-round influence.

The Latest: Phillips blames fatigue

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips claimed a long season has caught up with Bamford, saying it is why Marcelo Bielsa needs to sign another striker this summer:

“Bamford has played an awful lot of football this season and I think fatigue is setting in. He looks a bit tired to me. He has worked his socks off this season so there is no way I am going to criticise him because he has had a fantastic season.

“As a striker, you need to just keep believing. He will be watching videos and putting extra work in on the training ground.

“It is hard because he was on a hell of a run but the goals can dry up. He needs to keep putting himself in good positions and if he does that the goals will come.

“He has played a lot of football though so I think tiredness and fatigues is kicking in. They need to sign somebody in the summer who can share the burden.”

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The Verdict: No worries over Bamford

It is only natural that Bamford has dropped off a little recently, considering the relentless nature of this season and Bielsa’s physical demands of his players.

The Englishman has started all 34 league games, highlighting how much football he has played and why he may now be running on empty, even with Phillips suggesting he may actually be doing extra work on top of all that at Thorp Arch.

Bringing in an extra striker ahead of next season would ease the burden on Bamford, as Phillips alludes to, allowing him more of a breather and keeping him fresh for a whole campaign.

In other news, one Leeds-related transfer deal has reportedly been agreed – find out who the player in question is here.

A number of Liverpool supporters have been lauding Nathaniel Phillips after he won the club’s Player of the Month award for March.

This season has seen the Reds suffer a disastrous number of injuries at centre-back, playing a huge part in their overall struggles.

Virgil van Dijk’s campaign was ended way back in October, but if that wasn’t bad enough, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip have also joined him on the treatment table.

All three have been long-term absentees and it has forced Jurgen Klopp into playing Fabinho and Jordan Henderson at centre-back at times, as well as signing Ozan Kabak on loan.

Someone else who has filled in is Phillips, with the 23-year-old a relative unknown until recently, now producing a string of impressive performances.

The defender has done admirably in an extremely tough situation and his efforts have been rewarded, following the confirmation of his Player of the Month triumph.

It is something that most Liverpool fans would never have been able to see happening last summer, so Phillips deserves a huge pat on the back.

Liverpool supporters laud Phillips.

These Reds fans have taken to Twitter to hail the likeable Englishman.

“Hero”

Credit: @jonahs__

“Brilliant! Come through for us when we needed him. Well deserved”

Credit: @JamieHolme

“Maldini watches Nat Phillips compilations”

Credit: @hitmanharj

“Imagine seeing this at the start of the season”

Credit: @_lfcnick

“Is right lad”

Credit: @lfcSafsaf

“Absolutely love this. Underdog stories are the best”

Credit: @HenryJackson87

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting to an interesting transfer story – read about it here.

Leeds United are expected to be without three key players for their Premier League clash with reigning champions Liverpool.

The Whites are still basking in the glory of their 2-1 win away to Manchester City last weekend, in what was a famous top-flight victory.

Marcelo Bielsa and his players are now preparing for the visit of Liverpool next Monday, in what promises to be an entertaining contest, given the last meeting saw seven goals.

Leeds aren’t without their injury problems ahead of the game, however, and it looks as though several big players will be absent against the Reds.

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Leeds trio absent for Liverpool meeting

According to The Athletic‘s Tom Worville on Twitter, Liam Cooper, Raphinha and Rodrigo could all miss out on Monday night, acting as a blow to Bielsa.

Cooper is suspended after picking up a red card at City, while the two attackers are expected to be out for at least seven days, per The Athletic’s injury chart, which would of course rule them out also.

Transfer Tavern take

Cooper and Raphinha’s absences are particularly key for Leeds, with the former so consistent at the back this season and the latter one of the stars of the campaign at Elland Road.

Raphinha’s quality will be missed because it would have made Andy Robertson less likely to attack, as the Scot is playing alongside two inexperienced centre-backs, not to mention the Brazilian’s six goals and six assists.

Instead, it may give the Reds full-back more encouragement to push on, allowing him to link-up with either Sadio Mane or Diogo Jota down the left flank, and perhaps causing further trouble for a Leeds defence without their captain.

In other news, one Leeds player has been tipped to be a regular starter next season – find out who it is here.

According to a report by Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho ‘doesn’t survive’ in north London after having played ‘all his credits’ – with the Italian outlet explaining that chairman Daniel Levy is still keeping tabs on Julian Nagelsmann to ‘immediately’ replace him should he be sacked.

Nagelsmann, who has been very heavily linked to the potential manager’s job at Tottenham, coming amid mounting pressure on Mourinho, is now at the centre of another update linking him with the position – this time from Italy.

Tottenham eyeing immediate Jose successor in Nagelsmann

Corriere dello Sport explain that Serie A giants AS Roma ‘would have preferred Nagelsmann’ when commenting on their links to Massimiliano Allegri, but their fondness for the exciting RB Leipzig boss is thwarted by both Bayern Munich and Tottenham’s interest.

Sport Witness relay this report that Spurs are indeed still keeping tabs on the 33-year-old, recently hailed as ‘fearless’ and a ‘trailblazer’ in an ESPN profile, and it is shared that his appointment would be ‘immediately’ post-Mourinho.

Providing a bleak view on the Portuguese boss’ future in north London, this report believes he ‘doesn’t survive’ after having played ‘all of his credits’ – with these phrases painting a serious picture amid the pressure on Mourinho.

Transfer Tavern take

Tottenham are already out of the Europa League after a humiliating Last 16 second leg defeat to Dinamo Zagreb, blowing a fairly comfortable two-goal cushion as they crashed out 3-2 on aggregate.

There is hope for the Lilywhites, however, as they remain in contention for a Champions League qualifying place and have a Carabao Cup final against Manchester City in April.

A strong finish to 2020/2021 could turn the tide, but as it stands, reports continue to link Nagelsmann with Mourinho’s seemingly tenuous Tottenham position.

In other news: Levy is also plotting this Vinicius replacement for Spurs, find out more here.

Fans of Sunderland have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which the club confirmed that the Black Cats winger, Jack Diamond, has signed a new deal with the club. One supporter called the news ‘huge’.

So far this season, Diamond has been in decent form over his 18 League One appearances for Lee Johnson’s side, with the 21-year-old scoring one goal and registering two assists, as well as averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.75.

With the winger’s current contract expiring at the end of the season, the Black Cats confirmed in a statement on their club website on Wednesday that Diamond has penned a new deal that will keep the academy product at the Stadium of Light until the summer of 2024.

And, after the club relayed this news on Twitter, fans of Sunderland flocked to have their say on the matter, with many appearing delighted at the prospect of Diamond remaining at their club for the foreseeable future.

So, what exactly did these Sunderland fans have to say in reaction to the news regarding Jack Diamond?

“More good news.”

@SAFCGeorge6

“Love to see that. Great work.”

@Jamestweddell

“At last!!!”

@itsmarcroberts

“Brilliant news.”

@Noodle86stu

“Huge.”

@JamieSAFC_

“It just gets better.”

@Jensonnn17

“Mint move.”

@AlanBsafc

“YESSSSS.”

@leon88752755

In other news: loads of Sunderland fans were ecstatic after the club confirmed this ‘absolutely magnificent’ news – find out more here!

Carlo Ancelotti has been accused of lying about James Rodriguez and why exactly the Italian boss bought him for Everton in the summer transfer window.

Speaking to ESPN (via Sport Witness), former Colombia star Ivan Valenciano has claimed that Ancelotti is ‘totally lying’ about bringing the former Real Madrid ace to the Goodison Park faithful more for footballing reasons and added that he ‘is more about merchandising than football’.

He also went on to claim that the Merseyside club ‘invested more in advertising than in a player’, given that they would have gained a lot of fans from both his native country and on a more worldwide scale because of his previous pedigree in the beautiful game.

Rodriguez more than just an advertisement

The comments can be perceived as very harsh on Rodriguez’s actual footballing ability, especially given how well the attacking midfield player has done in adapting to the English game.

He has put in some very good performances for the Toffees in his debut season so far, with former Premier League striker Noel Whelan highlighting that the 29-year-old was especially ‘excellent’ in the 3-3 away draw against Manchester United back in February.

Rodriguez, currently valued at £31.5m by Transfermarkt, scored a very well-taken goal in that game, which is one of five strikes on top of a further eight assists that he has made in 21 matches in total over all competitions so far in the 2020/21 term (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, although his signing has certainly grown the fanbase, the Colombia international certainly offers a lot more on the pitch.

In other news, find out what early news before Burnley has left Blues fuming here!