All posts by z3u9t.icu

Speaking to talkSPORT (via West Ham Zone), former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has dropped a West Ham United transfer claim involving Manchester United star Edinson Cavani.

The Lowdown: West Ham in striker hunt…

Since the beginning of the year, West Ham have been on the lookout for a capable back up and alternative to star frontman Michail Antonio.

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Manager David Moyes even confirmed his desperation to bring a new striker to east London over the summer, but after looking, West Ham were unable to bring in a suitable option.

As such, with January just under three months away, all eyes will be on whether the Scotsman finally ends West Ham’s long and drawn out search for another forward.

The Latest: Parlour suggests Cavani…

Speaking to talkSPORT (via West Ham Zone), ex-Premier League star Parlour has claimed that West Ham could make a swoop for Cavani given his current situation at Old Trafford.

The Uruguayan has featured just three times for United so far this season, owing to the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo and fitness issues, with his contract expiring in 2022.

Now, in a debate with Alan Brazil live on air, Parlour has mooted a possible swoop from West Ham.

“If he did move on in January, Cavani, and said ‘I’m not happy, I want to play football’, would West Ham come in for Cavani?”, he asked.

“I would worry about the wages,” Alan Brazil replied.

Parlour: “Wages won’t be a problem for West Ham.”

The Verdict: Short term snip…

Amassing an incredible 358 goals over a long-winded career, Cavani certainly has experience in finding the net and could come as a prolific short term option for Moyes.

United could be eager to make some form of profit off the 34-year-old this January so it isn’t out of the question they could consider selling, either.

Gary Neville has also been vocal in his praise for the former Paris-Saint Germain forward, calling Cavani ‘absolutely sensational’ on Sky Sports (via The Metro).

In other news: ‘Perfect’, ‘I would cry’…Many West Ham fans erupt as talks held for ‘incredible signing’, find out more here.

West Brom could have done with improving their squad depth in the last transfer window, says Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield.

Valerien Ismael was able to make some good signings in the recent window, including midfielder Alex Mowatt, who has already made quite the impact at The Hawthorns after netting two goals in his first five appearances.

The Frenchman has also been able to keep hold of Sam Johnstone despite Premier League interest, so it has been a positive summer for the Baggies.

However, Hatfield does have some concerns over the size of their squad, though he thinks they could address that in the January transfer window.

“I think Albion are right in that top-two battle. The only thing you probably would’ve asked more for from the window was maybe a little bit more depth, but that’s something that they might address in January,” Hatfield told FFC.

“We’ll see come January how they’re holding up. If players are going down or struggling, then it may be one where they reinvest in January and try and get themselves over the line.”

As well as Mowatt, West Brom also brought in the likes of Adam Reach and Jordan Hugill, strengthening out wide and up front.

Perhaps squad depth is something Ismael does look at in January. But having just been relegated from the Premier League, the Baggies still have a strong team for the Championship, while retaining Johnstone’s services will also come as a huge boost.

A number of Rangers supporters are fuming after Steven Gerrard confirmed Filip Helander will miss his side’s Europa League clash with Lyon.

The Gers were knocked out of the Champions League by Malmo last month, meaning their attention now turns to Europa League action on Thursday nights.

Steven Gerrard’s men have an exciting clash with Ligue 1 giants Lyon to look forward to this week, with Ibrox hopefully rocking for the game.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday [via Rangers’ official Twitter account], the manager confirmed that Helander would be absent for the game.

The 28-year-old has started three Scottish Premiership games this season and could be a big loss for his side on Thursday evening.

Rangers fans react to Helander injury update

The news has unsurprisingly been met with plenty of negativity from some Gers fans – here are some of the best reactions on Twitter.

“Absolute disaster that. He was becoming one of the most important players in our team”

Credit: @J1872READY

“I am in pain”

Credit: @MrElite2

“Bad news”

Credit: @55Beats10

“That is a huge blow. Our best centre back by a distance for me. Still huge question marks over Jack Simpson. Goldson and Balogun are going to play a lot of football”

Credit: @BMCRangersRants

“League’s done, just hand Hibs the league title now”

Credit: @C_M286

“Body blow and it doesn’t half leave us short at the back”

Credit: @cozy1872

In other news, some Rangers fans love an official club tweet ahead of the Lyon game. Read more here.

West Bromwich Albion have been handed a double injury boost ahead of their Championship fixture on Saturday.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by the club’s official website, Valerien Ismael confirmed that both Grady Diangana and Matt Clarke look set to feature against Luton Town on Saturday, with each player having recovered from their respective injuries.

Diangana managed 64 minutes in Albion’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth last weekend before being withdrawn due to a knock, while Clarke missed the fixture after picking up a hip injury on the morning of the game.

However, both players now look ready to return to action, with the Frenchman stating: “Grady is ok. He’s recovered well and we’ve had a long week to prepare him for Saturday’s game.

“We managed him quite well at the start of the week and then he trained the last three days with the full squad. We’re happy he’s available for the game.

“Matt Clarke is also back after he suffered a very small injury before the game against Bournemouth last weekend. It’s great for me to have the choice and the players need to make it difficult for me to pick the team and the squad.”

Fans will be buzzing

Considering just how impressive Diangana was for Albion in their most recent Championship campaign, and that Clarke would very much appear to be an upgrade on his replacement last week (Cedric Kipre), West Brom fans must be buzzing that both players look set to play a part against Luton this weekend.

Diangana’s availability is a particularly big boost, with the winger having scored eight goals, registered six assists and created eight big chances over his 30 Championship appearances for the Baggies back in 2019/20.

These returns saw the £9m-rated man earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.06, ranking him as the club’s third-best performer in the second tier that season.

Meanwhile, over Clarke’s 42 Championship appearances while on loan at Derby County last season, the £2.7m-rated man helped his side to keep 12 clean sheets, as well as averaging 1.4 interceptions, 1.4 tackles and 4.3 clearances and winning a whopping 8.1 duels per game.

These metrics saw the £21k-per-week centre-back earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.05, ranking him as the Rams’ third-best player in the league.

As such, both players very much seem to have the ability to make a real difference in Ismael’s promotion push this season, with the manager undoubtedly hoping that Diangana and Clarke can help him secure his first Championship win with West Brom against Luton on Saturday.

In other news: West Brom in the running for “phenomenal” £5k-p/w goal-machine, he’d be a huge coup

Just Joe Football show presenter Joe Wainman doesn’t believe that Leeds United will sign a striker this summer.

Leeds have been linked with a move for CSKA Moscow striker Adolfo Gaich, who has one cap for Argentina, and TuttoMercatoWeb previously reported that the Whites had made an offer for the 22-year-old.

Last season Gaich featured in 33 games for CSKA Moscow and also Benevento Calcio where he had a loan spell and scored three goals in all competitions.

Whilst Leeds have been linked with Gaich, Wainman can’t see the club purchasing a striker this summer, telling Football FanCast: “Maybe in an ideal scenario if money wasn’t an object we could go and get another striker. 

“With Bielsa, he sees Tyler Roberts as being a backup to Bamford and of course Rodrigo can play there as well, and I just think in this current window any links to a striker are wide of the mark for me.

“I think the key areas Leeds are focusing on now after getting the left-back is centre-midfield and a winger.”

One midfield player that Leeds have been linked with this summer is Huddersfield Town’s Lewis O’Brien, with the Yorkshire Evening Post reporting earlier this month that they understand that the two clubs aren’t a million miles apart in their valuation.

If O’Brien does sign for Leeds, he will join Junior Firpo, Jack Harrison, Kristoffer Klaesson and Lewis Bate at Elland Road after all penned permanent deals with the club this summer.

Everton fans have been reacting to footage posted by the club’s official Twitter account showing Andros Townsend scoring a sublime goal in training.

In the video, Townsend receives the ball on the right side of the pitch, cuts inside onto his preferred left foot and bends the ball into the top left corner.

The Englishman joined Everton on a free transfer after leaving Crystal Palace at the end of his contract.

He made his unofficial debut in their recent Florida Cup clash with Colombian top-flight outfit Millonarios, and was denied a first goal in blue by the crossbar.

The 30-year-old has, of course, shown a penchant for the spectacular before. He landed the Goal of the Season award in 2019 after an extraordinary long-range volley in Crystal Palace’s 3-2 win at Manchester City.

Everton fans will hope Townsend proves a more consistent goalscoring threat this term after he netted only one goal in 35 appearances in his final season with the Eagles.

Everton fans buzzing over Townsend’s dazzling strike

“I don’t think we’ll ever lose again”

Credit: @plebberbounce

“He’s definitely scoring a worldie for us this season akin to that that city goal he got”

Credit: @tutes24

“Arjen Townsend at it again”

Credit: @LozEFC

“A winger that can shoot, playing for Everton? This can’t be true surely?!”

Credit: @SFenney

“We’ve signed the British Messi”

Credit: @ElliottB1878

“Can’t wait until we see these popping often”

Credit: @stevec1878

In other news, Rafael Benitez’s stance on this star has been revealed amid exit rumours.

Many Everton fans have been left buzzing as a transfer update emerged on Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.

As per Tutto Mercato Web, the Goodison Park faithful have targeted a move for the Fulham central midfield player before the summer window shuts.

Under contract at Craven Cottage until June 2023, he has reportedly turned down the chance to sign for Valencia, meaning that the Merseyside club are still in the frame for his signature.

Anguissa would be an upgrade on the current options in the middle of the park for Rafa Benitez’s team, as he averaged more tackles, interceptions, shots, key passes, dribbles per game in the Premier League in the 2020/21 season than Abdoulaye Doucoure, Andre Gomes and Tom Davies (Whoscored), despite the Cottagers finding themselves relegated at the end of the campaign.

Everton fans on Anguissa transfer update

These Toffees supporters buzzed as the transfer update was shared across Twitter, with one Blue even going as far as to claim that Anguissa would be a ‘fantastic’ signing:

“Come on Marco do us a solid”

Credit: @WackXBehz

“This would be a fantastic signing imo.”

Credit: @HarryMcKennyPT

“Yes please. The sort of midfielder we need”

Credit: @IgnacioPosada_

“All for this”

Credit: @smythy2

“I don’t get carried away with random speculation but he’s a player I’ve admired for a long, long time.”

Credit: @andystreacle

“If we could have him Allan, Doucs and Gbamin be hard to get through, well-stocked midfield that”

Credit: @CBobblers1878

In other news, find out what transfer update has Evertonians fuming here!

Celtic’s swoop for free agent Bosun Lawal is ‘done’, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Lawal spotted at Parkhead

Lawal’s contract at Watford expired earlier this month, making him a free agent. However, Celtic will have to pay a compensation fee to the Hornets.

The 18-year-old Irish midfielder was actually spotted at Parkhead on Wednesday in what has been a busy few days for the Hoops on the transfer front.

Celtic have signed winger Liel Abada and appear to be edging closer to a move for centre-back Carl Starfelt from Rubin Kazan.

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The Latest: Lawal deal ‘done’

According to Football Insider, who were informed by a Celtic source, the relative paperwork has been completed and a move for Lawal is ‘done’.

The Hoops are yet to officially announce a transfer but a move is wrapped up with a medical completed before he made the journey to Glasgow.

Celtic will pay Watford a six-figure compensation fee despite Lawal being a free agent, due to development costs.

The Verdict: Building for the long-term

Celtic have already signed Abada, Liam Shaw, Joey Dawson and Osaze Urhoghide this summer, and it now seems as if Lawal can join that list.

The oldest of those five mentioned is just 21 years of age, so it appears as if the Hoops are building for the future.

Troy Deeney hailed Lawal just two months ago, labelling his ability to go past a man as ‘effortless’. The forward tipped the midfielder to go on and have a successful career, and hopefully, he’ll hit his prime in Glasgow with Celtic.

In other news: Source drops Celtic transfer development after Starfelt update; McKay trying to work some magic.

According to a report by OwnGoalNigeria.com, West Ham United have held talks with the agent of striking target Paul Onuachu and detailed how much they are willing to pay Genk for his services.

The Lowdown: West Ham eyeing Onuachu…

Numerous claims from Nigeria have emerged over these last few weeks as manager David Moyes expands his net far and wide in search of a new forward.

Onuachu is apparently a name who has caught the Scotsman’s eye and allnigeriasoccer.com even claimed that he personally told West Ham hierarchy to table an official bid for the player.

OwnGoalNigeria also said last month that West Ham believed they were in ‘pole position’ to sign the player, with this same website now bringing a fresh update.

The Latest: West Ham approach agent…

As per the African source, GSB and West Ham have approached Onuachu’s agent with talks now held over how much they would be willing to pay Genk for his services.

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Indeed, the Hammers are apparently offering ‘in excess’ of €15 million (£12.8m), but this is €10 million (£8.5m) lower than what the Belgian club will ‘likely settle for’.

Preliminary talks have ‘taken place’ but it has now emerged that West Ham have threatened to walk away from a deal if an agreement can’t be reached by the ‘first week of next month’.

A source close to Onuachu’s situation, speaking to OwnGoalNigeria.com, describes it as a ‘mess’ – with his asking price apparently ‘scaring away suitors’ despite the fact he ‘wants to leave’.

The Verdict: Blow for the Irons?

Even though West Ham shouldn’t pay over the odds for a forward who has only scored prolifically in the Belgian and Danish top flights (Transfermarkt), he still arguably has the credentials to succeed under Moyes.

Lauded as a ‘huge’ and ‘very strong’ striker by Nigeria international teammate Kenneth Omeruo (omasports.com), he also notched a phenomenal 35 goals in all competitions for Genk over 2020/2021 (Transfermarkt).

He would, in our opinion, be the ideal striking signing to bolster West Ham’s options and provide sufficient cover for Michail Antonio.

However, as per this claim, the Irons appear to be that bit further away from securing his signature.

In other news: ‘What a day’, ‘On my knees’…ExWHUemployee’s update has some West Ham fans talking, find out more here.

Traditionally when a new manager is announced, the room is filled with euphoria and celebration but with Everton that is far from the case.

Rafa Benitez was finally confirmed as the Toffees boss on Wednesday but his appointment was met mass toxicity at Goodison Park.

Banners have been hung outside the Spaniard’s Merseyside home and even the confirmation of his arrival from club media had a tone of sorrow to it.

This is a controversial appointment, largely due to his allegiances with Liverpool and it will take some impressive work from the 61-year-old to get supporters onside.

An eye-catching transfer window would go down a treat but ultimately, Benitez will be judged quickly on the results that play out when the new campaign gets underway.

It remains to be seen who Everton sign in the window but as revealed by Football FanCast earlier this year, they want to sign a right midfielder.

Reports indicate they are also after a centre-back. They have been linked with a move for Wolves captain Conor Coady but it’s Merih Demiral who should be at the height of their agenda.

Everton have been interested in the Turkish centre-back for a while now with £34.5m being touted as the potential fee.

However, in a new report, it claims that Juventus might be willing to allow a loan move.

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If Benitez can seal that kind of agreement, it would be an instant masterclass and a fantastic start to his life at Goodison.

The experienced boss already has a fight on his hands to win over fans but the acquisition of someone as classy as Demiral would go a long way to solving the conflict.

The Juve defender was part of a disappointing Turkey side at Euro 2020 but that was not a fair reflection of his attributes.

Described as an “absolute beast” by scout Jacek Kulig, the 23-year-old would be an instant upgrade at the heart of their defence.

Everton didn’t lack goals with Dominic Calvert-Lewin finding the net on 21 occasions last term but they still lacked defensive solidity. Losing to Manchester City 5-0 on the final day of the season was fine evidence of that.

Demiral, however, could solidify them. He won a colossal 3.6 aerial duels per game during the last Nations League, a tally that usurps every single defender already at Everton.

He is also a high-class ball-playing defender. In Serie A last season, he was successful with 94% of his passes; the fifth-best tally in the division for players to have started more than one match.

With that in mind, he’d not only add a sense of ruthlessness to Benitez’s backline but he’d also provide an extra sense of composure.

With Everton still targeting a place in England’s top six, a player like Demiral would undoubtedly help them in their pursuit.

AND in other news, Everton eye swoop for “special” 34-cap beast, he’s a massive upgrade on Davies…