Aston Villa are interested in signing Stoke City defender Moritz Bauer before the end of the week, according to the Birmingham Mail.
Bauer, 27, has already been linked with a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers this month.
The Austrian made 15 Premier League appearances for Stoke in the second half of last season, as per Transfermarkt.
Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…
The right-back was effectively frozen out by Gary Rowett in the first half of the 2018-19 campaign, but has been recalled to the starting XI under new boss Nathan Jones.
There remains huge uncertainty surrounding the defender’s future, however, and according to the Birmingham Mail, Villa want a deal this week.
The Villa Park faithful have been offering their views on the situation.
And it would be fair to say that the majority are struggling to agree whether it would be a good move by the club, who are still hoping to secure a top-six position this season.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
Burnley have struggled to come to terms with Premier League football in the current campaign, which comes as some surprise after securing a European spot last season.
The Clarets will be desperate to enjoy a positive run of form after a disappointing start under Sean Dyche this season, with relegation being a possibility if they don’t start to improve. And, to make matters worse, it appears as if one of the club’s first team member is attracting interest, as according to Sun Sport, Huddersfield Town want to sign Burnley’s Tom Heaton in January.
Huddersfield Town want England goalkeeper Tom Heaton to help their fight to avoid relegation.
The 32-year-old is desperate to quit Turf Moor after being frozen out this season following the arrival of Joe Hart.
So, with the Terriers looking to bring the Englishman to the club in January, it looks as if his successful Burnley career is coming to an end.
THE VERDICT: The Clarets have relied heavily upon Heaton during his time at Turf Moor and will be forever grateful for his efforts over the years, but it looks as if his time in Lancashire is coming to an inevitable end.Sean Dyche will be more focused on getting the best out of his team and ensuring consistency before the January transfer window, with the opportunity to climb up the table.Burnley already have the likes of Joe Hart and Nick Pope at the club, so it won’t be too much of a disappointment.
Rangers have been heavily linked with a move for Kyle Lafferty, but if Steven Gerrard wants a target man he should really be looking at Derby County’s Chris Martin.
What’s the story?
According to Daily Express writer Bruce Archer, Rangers have once again had a bid rejected for Hearts striker Lafferty.
The towering Northern Irishman has been heavily linked with a move back to Ibrox, as Gerrard continues the hunt for a striker to support Alfredo Morelos.
Umar Sadiq was signed on loan earlier this summer, but the towering youngster is still very raw, so an experienced goalscorer to offer something different to Morelos is still needed.
While Lafferty knows the club and knows how to score goals in the Premiership, the Gers could grab themselves a real coup by signing Derby’s Martin.
The 17-cap Scottish international is unlikely to get any regular playing time at Pride Park, but his goalscoring record speaks for itself.
The big number nine is 13 months younger than Lafferty, has been more successful in tougher leagues, and could jump at the chance to revive his stuttering career under Gerrard.
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The man to get the best out of Morelos?
Martin and Lafferty could fulfil very similar roles at Ibrox, as both players would offer the target man presence that could help make Morelos even better after his positive start to the season.
However, Martin’s goalscoring record in the Championship is extremely impressive, and while his lack of pace has caused his downfall at Derby, it would be less of an issue playing alongside the pace and hungry running of Morelos.
The 29 year-old has scored over 50 Championship goals for the Rams, including a three-season run where he bagged 20, 18 and 14 league goals respectively.
Compare those numbers to Lafferty, who managed just two league goals in 31 appearances for Norwich between 2014 and 2017, and it’s pretty clear which is the more natural goalscorer.
Martin’s physical presence and ability to grab plenty of his own goals would take pressure off Morelos, and would help the 22 year-old build on his fantastic start to the season.
So, Rangers fans, which striker would you rather sign? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below…
Gareth Barry became the Premier League’s all-time leading appearance maker on Monday night when he turned out for West Bromwich Albion against Arsenal.
Indeed, 633 Premier League appearances saw Barry move ahead of Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs as the veteran midfielder made history at the Emirates Stadium.
Two of Barry’s former clubs – Aston Villa and Everton – have both paid tribute to the 36-year-old on social media, and the posts were certainly well received by the two sets of supporters.
On Tuesday morning, however, Villa went another step further in an article which argued that Barry was the club’s greatest player of all time.
As expected, the post brought a reaction from the Villa supporters, and it was not too positive as many argued that former centre-back Paul McGrath should be considered as the club’s finest ever player.
Barry made 365 of his 633 Premier League appearances at Villa, scoring 41 times in the process, but the now Championship club’s supporters do not agree that the midfielder is the best player to have ever pulled on the Villa shirt.
One season can be a very long time in football. Around this time in 2015/16, most were expecting Marcos Rojo to leave Manchester United in the summer, having struggled to impress since being brought to Old Trafford by Louis van Gaal after the 2014 World Cup.
But fast forward to present day and the Argentina international has made as many starts as any of Jose Mourinho’s centre-back options in the Premier League this season, seemingly gaining a keen admirer in the Red Devils’ new manager, and has kindled an unexpectedly strong partnership with the similarly once out-of-favour Phil Jones.
There’s even talk of United extending Rojo’s contract by twelve months at the end of the season, with his current terms due to expire in summer 2019. Bearing that in mind, we asked Red Devils fans earlier this week to vote for whether the defender deserved a new deal and the response was… a resounding yes!
As you can see, a staggering 83% of those who voted were in favour of Rojo extending his Old Trafford stay. Maybe United don’t need to spend big on a centre-back this summer after all.
With a new manager at the helm and untold millions to spend, it looks set to be a very exciting and expensive summer transfer window at Manchester United.
In fact, the Red Devils have already sealed one signing in the form of defender Eric Bailly, who arrives from Villarreal to become Jose Mourinho’s first official acquisition as United boss.
But who should follow Bailly to Old Trafford? Which target should Manchester United focus their transfer attentions on next?
Earlier this week, we gave you the chance to have your say on United’s summer by giving a simple thumbs up or thumbs down to 22 of their top targets – and we now have the results.
So Football FanCast are delighted to exclusively reveal the ten transfer targets Man United fans want their club to sign most before the start of 2016/17.
Agree with this list? Disagree? Is there someone we missed out? Let us know by commenting below!
10. MARQUINHOS
Ranking in at No.10 is defender Marquinhos, an apparent £40million target for Manchester United. The Brazil international hasn’t flourished as expected since signing for PSG in 2013, finding himself stuck behind countrymen David Luiz and Thiago Silva in the pecking order, but remains highly-rated through a mix of versatility, athleticism and natural Selecao technique.
9. TONI KROOS
United allegedly pulled the plug on a deal to sign Toni Kroos in summer 2014 and have been tipped to revive their interest amid rumours the German international is unhappy at the Bernabeu. Arguably the top deep-lying playmaker in world football, oozing intelligence and impeccable technique, he may be slightly beyond United’s reach this summer without the incentive of Champions League football.
8. MIRALEM PJANIC
Jose Mourinho reportedly wants to add Miralem Pjanic’s attacking flair to Manchester United’s engine room and a fair segment of Red Devils fans would appear to support such a swoop according to our poll. But rumour has it the Bosnian international, who bagged ten goals and twelve assists for Roma in Serie last season, is on the verge of signing for Juventus.
7. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
We expected Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to be a little higher on this list, having just come to the end of the most potent campaign of his career with 39 goals across all competitions. But Manchester United supporters may have been put off by news the Borussia Dortmund striker is in advanced talks to sign for bitter rivals Manchester City – not to mention his apparent £70million price-tag.
6. Saul Niguez
Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez narrowly misses out on a spot in the top six – by just 21 votes – following what has been a fantastic season for the youngster at Vincente Calderon. The Mattress Makers’ march to the Champions League final has springboarded the 21-year-old to superstardom following a superb assist against Barcelona and an incredible solo goal to help clinch victory over Bayern Munich. Manchester United are known admirers but the Spaniard has committed his future to Diego Simeone’s side – both verbally and in the form of a new contract.
5. John Stones
It’s been a difficult season for John Stones but the Everton defender still finds himself in our poll’s top five for obvious reasons. Manchester United need a long-term partner to Chris Smalling and the 22-year-old is one of the most exciting centre-backs in world football at the minute, laden with unique agility, technique and attacking flair. The Red Devils, Chelsea and City are all chasing the £45million-rated prodigy but recent reports suggest Everton will refuse to sell again this summer.
4. Antoine Griezmann
Capable of playing out wide or centrally, Antoine Griezmann would address a number of deficiencies in Manchester United’s attack. Another phenomenal season at Atletico Madrid has seen the France international bag 32 goals across all competitions and be repeatedly linked with Manchester United, who were reportedly willing to activate his £63million release clause. But recent reports claim the 25-year-old has just signed a contract extension with Diego Simeone’s side, suggesting he won’t be on the move this summer.
3. RAPHAEL VARANE
Football – France v Honduras – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Group E – Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, Brazil – 15/6/14Raphael Varane – FranceMandatory Credit: Action Images / Andrew CouldridgeEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Another potential partner to Chris Smalling and the most popular on this list with an impressive 925 up-votes. Jose Mourinho once dubbed Raphael Varane the best young defender in world football and has inevitably been tipped to swoop for the French centre-back this summer. He’s the total package at the age of 23, combining a fantastic reading of the game with physicality and confidence on the ball, but Real Madrid certainly won’t let him leave on the cheap.
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2. Zlatan Ibraimovic
Surprisingly enough, Zlatan Ibrahimovic didn’t top our poll, despite his move to Manchester United being seemingly a done deal. The Sweden international is set to arrive from PSG on a free transfer after firing the French club to four consecutive titles with 156 goals in 180 appearances across all competitions and even at the age of 34, remains one of the best strikers in the business.
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1. Paul Pogba
Pogba could be Chelsea’s new Frank Lampard…
Seeing Paul Pogba at the top of our poll is no great surprise, having flourished into arguably the top midfielder in world football since leaving Manchester United for Juventus back in summer 2012. Indeed, the France international is somewhere between Yaya Toure and Patrick Vieira on the goalscoring enforcer spectrum and United fans are undoubtedly scratching their heads as to why he was allowed to leave four years ago. Some sources claim the Red Devils have already tabled a £60million bid for the23-year-old, but they face competition from all across Europe and the Premier League.
Julia Roberts, the A-list Hollywood actress, has once again reiterated her devotion to Manchester United.
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Julia Roberts is a devoted Man Utd fanRevealed how she become supporterRoberts visited Old Trafford in the pastWHAT HAPPENED?
A guest on the the Graham Norton Show – alongside Cher, Timothee Chalamet and Tom Hanks – Roberts was questioned as to the reasons for her love of football and the club. The Hollywood actress saw United play Arsenal in a pre-season game in New York and has been a guest at Old Trafford previously.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT ROBERTS SAID
When Norton asked Roberts how she became a United fan, she replied: "I've been to Old Trafford, I'm a true fan… I have three children and when they were really little and started playing soccer they started watching it on TV. I didn't ever realise how exciting it was to watch it on television. We just got so into it and somehow Manchester United just became our team, the Moder family team. We became sort of possessed.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Rival Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has a deep admiration for Julia Roberts. He spoke of his hurt when Roberts chose to visit United, and not City, when she was in Manchester.
He said at the time: "Julia Roberts years ago came to Manchester – not in the 90s when Sir Alex [Ferguson] was winning titles and titles and titles. She came in the period where we were better than United, in these four or five years, right? She went to visit Man United. She didn't come to see us. That's why even if I win the Champions League it will not compare for the fact that Julia Roberts came to Manchester and didn't come to see us."
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?
Roberts' beloved United will travel to St James' Park this evening hoping to strengthen their efforts to secure Champions League football for next season. Newcastle boss, Eddie Howe, recently claimed everyone is against his side – sadly for him, so will the Hollywood star tonight.
Gremio boss Renato Gaucho admits it “will take a miracle” for his side to prevent Luis Suarez leaving for a reunion with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.
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Uruguayan striker in Brazil for nowSet to leave at the end of the yearReady to join all-time great in FloridaWHAT HAPPENED?
The veteran Uruguayan striker is in Brazil at present, but has been cleared to see his contract brought to a close at the end of the calendar year. The expectation is that Suarez will pack his bags at that point and head to the United States.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Inter Miami have made no secret of their interest in the former Liverpool and Barcelona frontman, with another familiar face set to be slotted into their squad alongside eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi – with deals having already been done for Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
WHAT THEY SAID
Gaucho sees Suarez heading for MLS, telling reporters after watching the 36-year-old net the only goal of the game for Gremio in their 1-0 win over Bahia: “It will take a miracle [for Suarez to stay]. He already has plans for 2024. He made that clear a few months ago and I’m not expecting a miracle. It’s his decision. I’d like him to stay, but we have to be honest with our fans. If he ends up staying, it’ll be a miracle, and that miracle comes down to him.”
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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Suarez is expected to agree a deal with Inter Miami ahead of the 2024 MLS season, allowing him to take on another new challenge in a career that has already taken him from Uruguay to Brazil via the Netherlands, England and Spain.
The managers will go head-to-head for the final time in the league this week. Goal looks back at the fierce words they have exchanged over the years
As Jose Mourinho paid respect to Arsene Wenger after his imminent Arsenal exit was announced, it seemed to confirm a recent shift in the relationship between the managers.
The Manchester United boss spoke of his "respect" for his Gunners counterpart when asked for his reaction to the news the Frenchman's reign in north London will come to an end at the end of the season.
At first, it sounded like a rare moment of diplomacy from Mourinho as one of his favourite verbal sparring partners bows out of the Premier League. However, having heard Wenger admit his "support" for the Portuguese and parise his team earlier this season, it could be that the animosity that has separated them over the years has died down.
United host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday in a game that will see the legendary managers go head-to-head on the field for the last time.
Here, Goal looks at the finest moments off of it.
Getty ImagesWenger's whatabouteryFacing criticism for fielding an all-foreign team against Crystal Palace in February 2005, Wenger hit back with a dig at Chelsea's policy under Mourinho: "Take what Arsenal and Chelsea have won in the past eight years. I go with reality, with the football we play and the challenge we have ahead. I don't see especially that Chelsea play more English players than we do. Who have they produced, homegrown? Just one, John Terry."AdvertisementGetty Images‘Mourinho is a danger!’
The following August, a more subtle hint was directed towards coaches of the Portuguese’s ilk, when Wenger took a stand against more defensive approaches in football.
"I know we live in a world where we have only winners and losers, but once a sport encourages teams who refuse to take the initiative, the sport is in danger."
Getty ImagesWenger The Voyeur?
Two months later, Mourinho sniped back, suggesting Wenger had a rather ominous obsession with the Blues.
“Wenger has a real problem with us and I think he is what you call in England ‘a voyeur’. He is someone who likes to watch other people. There are some guys who, when they are at home, have a big telescope to see what happens in other families. Wenger must be one of them – it is a sickness. He speaks, speaks, speaks about Chelsea.”
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BEN STANSALLThat’s stupid!
The Frenchman was irked by such a suggestion and hit out at Mourinho as "stupid", even considering taking legal action against him.
"I find it out of order, disconnected with reality and disrespectful. I will see if I take any action. I don't know yet but I will leave that door open. I don't know what I said that was malicious.
“When you give success to stupid people, it makes them more stupid sometimes and not more intelligent.”
A former member of the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) board has labelled the organisation “amateur” and called upon the ICC to take “strong action” to revive cricket in the USA
George Dobell11-Jun-2014A former member of the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) board has labelled the organisation “amateur” and called upon the ICC to take “strong action” to revive cricket in the USA.Brian Walters, who headed USACA’s Governance Review Committee, resigned from the board in March in frustration at the lack of change and in support of the former CEO, Darren Beazley, who quit amid similar frustration. By then it had become apparent that the USACA board would not embrace the recommendations of the review committee which advocated term limits for board members, independent board members and skill-based appointments.The timing of Walters’ intervention is intriguing. The ICC are expected to discuss suspending the USACA at the end of June and the critical words of a man respected as a moderate will demand the attention of those charged with deciding what can be done to exploit the vast untouched cricket market that exists within the USA. While Walters stops just short of recommending a suspension, it is hard to see how else his words can be interpreted.”The ICC has long espoused a ‘carrot’ approach instead of a ‘stick’ approach,” Walters told ESPNcricinfo. “And I would imagine that they might be contemplating that strategy right now.”If USACA continues to be the recognised governing body, there needs to be implementation of the Governance Review Committee recommendations immediately. And there needs to be elections that include as many leagues as possible within the next six months, which will allow the members to decide who they want as a leader.”USACA can only be taken seriously as a viable entity if real, tangible change takes place at the board level and at the constitutional level. It’s an amateur operation and they appear to want to keep it that way. They appear to not want professionalism, as evidenced by the fact that Darren Beazley was not granted the autonomy that is needed in that role; there needs to be a properly functioning CEO in place who is allowed to do his/her job. Darren was exactly the type of seasoned, competent professional who should have been empowered to run day-to-day operations.”But the board was actively hostile towards him and needs to go back to being an advisory board, and stay out of the functional areas of managing the sport. It needs to be a functionally operational board with emphasis on skill-based representation and term limits for all members.”While the American Cricket Federation (ACF), a rival organisation to USACA, has gained the support of around a third of the leagues around the country, Walters is reluctant to offer his support to the organisation fearing that their sometimes “confrontational” style will prove counterproductive.”Anyone who puts cricket kits in the hands of school kids in this country is doing a good thing,” Walters said. “But I don’t think that the ICC will recognise them. I am not interested at this time with being involved with the ACF.”The ACF itself has not really done much work with youth cricket, but Jamie Harrison did the work of distributing youth cricket sets in his capacity as president of the US Youth Cricket Association (USYCA) prior to taking on the role as chief executive with the ACF. He is currently serving a dual role with the ACF and the USYCA, leading to some confusion as to what he is accomplishing in an ACF capacity versus a USYCA capacity.While the deflection of that sizeable chunk of the country’s senior hard-ball leagues to the ACF could cause the USACA problems at the ICC level – under ICC rules, Associate membership is dependent upon a board proving that it is “the sole recognised governing body for cricket in the country” – Walters said he expected those leagues to return to the USACA fold should it clean up its act.”I also think it to be the case that if USACA were to get its house in order, the leagues that went to the ACF would come back to USACA,” Walters said. “But in order to gain trust in the community, the leadership of USACA needs to be different. It is not the fault of any specific board member; it is that the organisation itself is tainted. There needs to be a concerted effort to repair and rebuild confidence and goodwill with sponsors, member leagues, partners in sport and municipalities. There is serious remedial work to be done.”There is palpable frustration all over the country at the ineptness of USACA and it would take a gargantuan effort to fix that. It might be too late.”But what has to take place, in order to salvage anything, is that there simply has to be a change in leadership.”