All posts by z3u9t.icu

Southampton striker Danny Ings will find the chance to play up front with Harry Kane at Tottenham attractive, claims Evening Standard journalist Jack Rosser.

With Kane continuing to be linked with a move to Manchester City, it looked like Ings could be brought in as a replacement.

However, according to The Telegraph, the 29-year-old has been earmarked as someone who can come in and play alongside the England captain.

The same outlet also claims that Ings is Tottenham’s top target this summer, so you would expect the north London club to do everything they can to sign the Southampton man. And Rosser is convinced he would relish the opportunity to partner his compatriot in attack.

“It’d be attractive for any striker,” Rosser said in a chat with TT when discussing the topic of Ings potentially playing next to Kane at Tottenham.

“A lot of strikers have turned down Spurs because they don’t want to be stuck behind Harry Kane, which is completely understandable because he’s someone who wants to play every minute.”

While Kane is obviously an elite goalscorer, he also proved to be a very good playmaker last season. No player provided more Premier League assists than the 27-year-old’s 14, so Ings must be licking his lips at the prospect of playing up front with his countryman.

Former Rangers man Fabio Cardoso looks set to join Porto this summer, which suggests that he may have been judged too soon during his time at Ibrox.

The Portuguese defender was perhaps a victim of Pedro Caixinha’s lack of success during his time with the Bears, as he made just 18 appearances during his singular season with Rangers, before completing a move to Santa Clara in Portugal.

After Caixinha’s sacking in October 2017, he would make just four appearances totalling 209 minutes under caretaker boss Graeme Murty, and whilst that was undoubtedly impacted by the horror injury he received in the Betfred Cup semi-final, it was perhaps no surprise to see him axed the following summer.

The £1.8m-rated centre-back was signed from Vitoria Setubal in the summer of 2017 and agreed to a three-year contract at Ibrox. However, he would last less than 12 months with the Gers, as he was allowed to join Santa Clara on a free transfer the following summer, as he failed to win over newly-appointed manager Steven Gerrard.

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Since then, he has made 97 appearances for Santa Clara, contributing an impressive 11 goals and five assists from centre-back, which was clearly enough to attract the interest of Portuguese giants and two-times Champions League winners Porto, who are reportedly set to sign him for £2m this summer.

After finishing second in the Portuguese top-flight next season, Porto will be taking part in the Champions League next season, so Cardoso could well be reunited with his former Rangers teammates should they meet at any point in the competition.

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If he is a success with the Dragões, then you could definitely argue that Rangers were too quick to let him go, as given more time and the coaching of Gerrard, who has helped turn Rangers into clean sheet kings during his time at Ibrox, Cardoso could have proven himself to be an important player for the Bears.

And, in other news… Gerrard must axe “easily expendable” Rangers dud this summer, he’s not good enough

There is no agreement yet between Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The lowdown

Madrid are on the hunt for a new manager after the departure of Zinedine Zidane.

Ancelotti has already had a spell in the dugout at the Santiago Bernabeu, taking charge between 2013 and 2015.

He didn’t manage to win the league title with the Spanish giants, but did lead them to the Champions League and the Copa del Rey in 2013/14 (via Transfermarkt).

They then followed that up with the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup later in the year.

Ancelotti joined Everton on a four-and-a-half-year contract in December 2019 after the sacking of Marco Silva.

The latest

Romano confirmed that Real Madrid are ‘in talks’ with the Italian and are ‘pushing’ for his return.

But that’s as far as the proposed deal has got for now:”No agreement signed yet as he’s under contract with EFC,” he tweeted, ten words which are surely music to the ears of the Toffees faithful.Â

Romano also added that a potential alternative to Ancelotti, former Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte, has yet to be directly contacted.

The verdict

It would be an almighty blow if Everton lose Ancelotti. Appointing him was a statement of the club’s ambition, and so losing him after so little time would be seen as somewhat of an embarrassment for the club.

Supporters will have to hope that Real Madrid’s financial difficulties prevent them from buying out the 61-year-old’s contract, with Romano seemingly confirming that his current deal at Goodison could prevent a stumbling block for a possible return to Spain.

Given the fan reaction – Everton News Feed called it ‘devastating’ – when news broke that Ancelotti could leave the club, perhaps Romano’s update can serve to calm the waters.

In other news, fans reacted to this star’s omission from his country’s Euro 2020 squad.Â

Keith Downie has dropped a big update on Newcastle United’s arbitration case against the Premier League over the failed takeover.

The Lowdown: Arbitration reportedly in July

There have been various reports that the arbitration hearing between the St. James’ Park faithful and the English top flight over the failed deal between Mike Ashley and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group is set to take place in July.

The timing is not ideal given that the summer transfer window has officially opened and that the date is close to the start of the new 2021/22 season, but a positive result for the North East club could accelerate a potential revival of the original bid.

The Latest: Arbitration update

Downie, who is a North-East based football journalist for Sky Sports, has since given an update on the date set for the arbitration proceedings, claiming: ‘We expect the independent arbitration to begin at the end of the month’.

Given that previous reports had stated that arbitration was set to take place in July, it now appears it could be brought forward by a week or so to the end of June, news which will boost the club’s transfer plans.

The Verdict: Positive if arbitration pushed forward

It can only be seen as a positive if the arbitration case has been pushed forward from July to June, regardless of how small the change is.

If the results of the hearing go in the way of the Tyneside club, then in theory it could pave a path for the takeover to be quickly completed, as the separate anti-competition claim made against the division would no longer be needed, and the Magpies could then start to work with the PL over a solution.

In a dream scenario, if the takeover were able to be completed shortly after the proceedings are finished, then it would give the new owners more time to work on transfers and thus prepare themselves a lot better for the new campaign.

Nonetheless, the results of arbitration will no doubt be key to see the direction in where the deal is heading, and the sooner it is done the sooner the Magpies can begin their summer transfer activity, rather than be left in limbo.

In other news, find out what big claim Ben Jacobs has dropped on the potential takeover after Premier League news emerged here!

Crystal Palace’s proposed move for Lucien Favre fell through on Thursday evening.

And, as to be expected, a number of Eagles fans have been giving their thoughts on social media.

According to The Athletic’s senior writer Dom Fifield, Favre was supposed to sign a three-year deal at Selhurst Park on Thursday morning.

However, the 63-year-old informed the club he doesn’t feel ready to return to top level management, with his last job coming with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.

He was sacked by the German side in December, but it seems as if he still wants more time before returning to the dugout.

Favre insisted that he doesn’t have another job lined up, but it’s back to the drawing board for Steve Parish as he looks to bring in Roy Hodgson’s long-term successor.

Palace fans react

Fifield shared the news late on Thursday evening on social media. Here’s what some Eagles supporters had to say in reply, with one describing the update as ‘unreal’.

“So we’re back to square one now? This is utterly mental? How can he lead us along this much, get us this close, then get cold feet? Dom is there anything at all to be positive about?”Credit: @liamb0117″For someone to pull out at the last minute once is regrettable, for it to happen at the last minute again with a different manager? Something isn’t right.”Credit: @NadsShad”Unreal. What an absolute mess. “Credit: @CHSCPFC”This is an absolute nightmare.”Credit: @Johnelsom6″There’s no way we get to the point where his contract is ready to be signed and he says this. I refuse to believe this is true”Credit: @amancpfc”People think this gets Parish off the hook. We still look like idiots and it’s ultimately his fault for not getting a manager in”Credit: @Bunds_

In other news: Some CPFC fans think one man might be staying at the club following official post, find out more here. 

Everton struggled this season when Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not been firing on all cylinders and Michael Ball, who Transfer Tavern that Moise Kean isn’t able to cut it at Everton despite performing well for PSG.

Calvert-Lewin was in the form of his career at the beginning of the season when he netted 11 times in 11 games, but since then he has only scored five more league goals which has seen Everton’s European push fall off a cliff.

The 21-year old arrived for £25 million from Juventus but after managing just two goals in 31 league appearances for Everton last season, he was loaned out to PSG for this campaign and he has impressed with 13 goals in 26 Ligue 1 appearances and the Parisians reportedly want to make his deal permanent this summer.

Despite Everton struggling for goals without Calvert-Lewin, Kean does not appear to have a future at Goodison Park, despite having a 6.95 WhoScored rating at PSG, that is according to Ball who spoke exclusively to The Transfer Tavern:

“We had Moise Kean and he arrived at the club with high expectations and the fans were trying to pull the ball into the back of the net every time he came onto the pitch.

“Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out for him at Everton but he’s gone out on loan to PSG he seems to be doing pretty well over there.”

Heading into the final two games of the season, Everton must pick up maximum points against Wolves and Manchester City to stand any chance of qualifying for Europe next season as they currently sit eighth.

Carlo Ancelotti brought in several high profile players last summer in James Rodriguez, Allan and Ben Godfrey as he spent £67.38 million in total on transfers last summer but once again, the Toffees have failed to cement a place amongst Europe’s elite.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans are livid at comments from Charlie Nicholas, who slammed the Gers’ achievements this campaign after their Scottish Cup defeat at the weekend.

The Gers romped to the Premiership title this term – they remain unbeaten in the league (BBC) – but they were unable to match that level of success in the cup competitions. A run to the Europa League round of 16 was impressive, but defeats to St Mirren and St Johnstone in the Betfred Cup and Scottish Cup respectively will no doubt have disappointed Steven Gerrard.

However, while the Ibrox outfit managed to get their hands on their first major trophy in 10 years, Nicholas has called the 55-time Scottish champions “chokers” and suggested that Gerrard must make things right at the club (Daily Express via Daily Record).

As you can imagine, his comments did not go down well with some Gers supporters. These fans took to social media platform Twitter in their droves to criticise the former Scotland international’s quotes, wich one Ibrox supporter called “drivel”.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about Nicholas’ comments

“Whit??!!! Kent in particulars had a great season. If we had held on and won the other night he’d be singing their praises!”

Credit: @nicol_euan

“53 Goals and Assists between them this season, is he alright???”

Credit: @Robleghorn

“The zoomers are out in force today”

Credit: @matalihan123

“Printing drivel like this is why they don’t get access to the Rangers players & manager”

Credit: @AHW140

“Something else man honestly”

Credit: @DuckStaunch

“Defenders and goal our best players? I agree to an extent, but 81 goals scored in the league to say Morelos and Kent has been poor is embarrassing given they’ve both contributed to 53 goal involvements with goals and assists”

Credit: @Ross90141394

In other news, Rangers are eyeing up this in-demand winger.

According to a report by football.london journalist Alasdair Gold, free agent boss Massimiliano Allegri ‘certainly has his admirers’ within Tottenham Hotspur – backing up previous claims in the media. 

The Lowdown: Allegri on Spurs shortlist

Reports have emerged recently that Italian serial winner Allegri has entered the Tottenham shortlist for a possible new manager, with the Daily Mail claiming last week that he is indeed on the radar.

The 53-year-old has six Serie A titles to his name over the last decade and averaged a hugely impressive 2.27 points per match with Italian giants Juventus over a five-year stay in Turin (Transfermarkt).

Currently a free agent and possible cheap appointment, it’s little surprise that he is now being linked with the vacant Spurs managerial position.

The Latest: Gold backs reports of Allegri interest

Now, writing on Twitter and relaying his article for football.london, reliable correspondent Gold has shared ‘the fact or fiction as I understand it behind 20 managers linked with the vacant Tottenham job in the past couple of weeks,’ trying to break down the remarkable horde of names linked to the role.

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In his piece, Gold says that Allegri ‘certainly has his admirers’ in north London and comes as a potentially strong candidate for the job given he is currently out of work.

However, while interest from Spurs chiefs within the club is there, Gold also says there are concerns over the language barrier as well as his playing style – with Allegri apparently not quite ticking every box for their profile of new manager.

The Verdict: Yes please…

His glittering CV is evident and record in Italy stunning, having picked up 13 major honours with the Old Lady from 2014 to 2019 in an era of total domination (Transfermarkt).

There are drawbacks, with Spurs reportedly wanting a manager who will implement an attacking philosophy and bring back the Lilywhites way of playing football – not to mention a ‘young’ and ‘dynamic’ coach to put the Jose Mourinho era at Tottenham behind supporters (the Daily Mail).

However, Allegri has plenty of experience on the world’s biggest stage and comes as a possible bargain appointment given his free agent status.

He has also been described by Sky Sports news reporter Ben Ransom as ‘perfect for Tottenham’ – and we’re inclined to agree given his record of winning silverware.

Therefore, we believe Spurs moving for Allegri is an absolute no brainer.

In other news: Levy will be ‘jumping for joy’ after a development, says pundit…find out more here.

Newcastle United’s strong run of form at the end of the Premier League season has ‘doubled’ their merit payment from the Premier League, according to lawyer Paul Stothard. 

The lowdown

Newcastle were 17th in the Premier League after a dismal 3-0 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion prior to the March international break.

However, they moved clear of the relegation zone with a run of eight points from four matches, picking up commendable draws with Tottenham and Liverpool either side of back-to-back victories against Burnley and Newcastle.

Steve Bruce’s side suffered home losses against Arsenal and Manchester City in their last five games but also picked up another three wins. They impressively won at Leicester before downing Sheffield United in front of fans at St James’ Park and beating Fulham 2-0 on the final day.

That was enough for a 12th-placed finish and, between matchdays 31 and 38, the Magpies were fifth in the form table.

The latest

Finishing 17th would have netted Newcastle a merit payment of just £8.5m from the Premier League, but they are now set for a windfall of twice that amount. Stothard tweeted: “Moving from 17th to 12th with victories over Sheffield United and Fulham doubled Newcastle’ merit payment from the PL (from £8.5 to 17m).”

Shields Gazette journalist Liam Kennedy suggested that this may represent a ‘summer budget boost’ for the Magpies, adding that ‘the more in the pot the better’ given the effects of the global pandemic on the club’s balance sheets.

The verdict

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley will surely be reluctant to invest significant sums of his own money this summer given his reported desperation to sell the club, so this boosted influx from the Premier League could actually be quite important.

Bruce deserved to be criticised for leading Newcastle into the mire in the first place, but he also deserves credit for their fine finish to the campaign. The added £8.5m from those concluding victories over the last week may just finance one astute signing this summer which they may not have been able to afford had they lost both games.

In other news, Mark Douglas dropped this update on Newcastle’s Joe Willock chances. 

Speaking to Football Insider, after it emerged that GSB and West Ham are keeping tabs on Torino star Andrea Belotti (Corriere Granta), pundit and Sky Sports regular Paul Robinson has been wowed by the Irons and their progress as a club as they target more prestigious players.

Belotti, who has been at the centre of interest from the likes of Tottenham in recent years, is now reportedly on the radar of West Ham as GSB weigh up striking options for next season.

Scoring 27 goals so far over the last two Serie A campaigns (WhoScored), the Torino captain has a €100 million (£86.4m) release clause but Football Italia claim he could be made available for around £30m as he enters the final year of his deal.

Robinson wowed by West Ham as they eye Belotti

After it emerged that West Ham are now one of the clubs weighing up a move, Robinson heaped praise on the Hammers whilst believing it is evidence of how far they have come as a team this season.

“Belotti would be a great signing,” explained the former England international to Football Insider.

“The fact that we are even talking about this tells you that West Ham are a different proposition in the transfer market under David Moyes.

“They have an identity now, they look like a completely different team and they are no doubt an attractive proposition for any player.

“West Ham are a team that will be challenging for the top-five, top-six spots now and it means they will be looking at a different level of player.

“I think Spurs were looking at Belotti shortly before they signed Vinicius.”

Transfer Tavern take

Whether or not West Ham end up landing the 32-cap Italy international remains to be seen, but Robinson could be correct in his verdict about the Irons.

The fact they now seem to be targeting more prestigious players could come as evidence as to how well they have done under Moyes this season.

If they manage to secure the dream in Champions League qualification at the end of the campaign, we can expect more similar reports to emerge.

In other news: West Ham fans erupted at this ‘fantastic news’, find out more here.