Liverpool are interested in Lyon’s hotshot youngster Mohamed Bahlouli, according to France Football.
What’s the story?
As if a potential £45m deal with Arsenal for Nabil Fekir wasn’t enough to grease the Lyon coffers, the French side may now cash in on the rapid rise of the highly rated 18-year-old.
Lyon’s highly successful youth academy has already been frequented by Liverpool scouts eager to make a move for midfielder Houusem Aouar, but the Merseyside club appear now to be more tempted by his teammate.
According to the report, Lyon are concerned about keeping the young midfielder at the club, but they may struggle to dissuade Bahlouli from chasing the Anfield lights.
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Would Lyon’s loss be Liverpool’s gain?
Liverpool have a fine history of producing midfield talent from their youth academy, and with perhaps their finest graduate of the last 25 years Steven Gerrard now involved with Liverpool’s youth setup, no time seems better than the present for the Reds to be nurturing their talent in the middle of the park.
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If Bahlouli turns out to be anything like his idol Philippe Coutinho, whose five-year tenure at Anfield ended with him being sold for a record £142m to Barcelona in January, then Liverpool would be crazy not to swoop for him.
Reports yesterday revealed that Manchester United are considering repairing their leaking backline with a sunning £40m move for Valencia’s Nicolas Otamendi. There’s no doubt that Louis van Gaal needs to do something about his rearguard in January, with week in/week out presence of Tyler Blackett testament to the lack of top quality options at the heart of his defence.
So, is Otamendi the right man? Well he’s a solid and dependable enforcer who has impressed with Porto, winning league titles and European honours. But let’s delve below the surface and find out a few things you may not know about the South American…
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CLICK ON THE MAN HIMSELF TO REVEAL THE SIX THINGS
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It could be worse Nando, you could be one of these guys…
If you don’t already know the name and you played Football Manager from 2010 onwards then your scouting has been below par! The Argentine is an absolute beast on the legendary PC game, with his defensive attributes and low cost (£5m-£10m if you were lucky in FM 2010) making him a quick fix for any moderately sized club.
It seems the makers of the fiendishly addictive disk were spot on once again, with Otamendi having lived up to the hype in real life.
He can play at right-back
Although a centre-back by trade, Otamendi has proven in the past that’s he’s able to shift across the backline and fill in on the right flank. He may not be a dynamic wing-back, but his robust frame and reading of the game mean he could be an upgrade on the often naïve Rafael.
He can also function well as a member of a defensive three – which may be of use to Louis van Gaal – while there has been talk of fielding Otamendi in a defensive midfield role, where he would offer more of a shield than Daley Blind.
Chelsea & Man City are interested
Football – AS Monaco v Valencia CF – Emirates Cup – Pre Season Friendly Tournament – Emirates Stadium – 14/15 – 2/8/14Nicolas Otamendi – ValenciaMandatory Credit: Action Images / John SibleyEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
It’s not just Manchester United who are watching Otamendi, with reports having been circulating since last year that both City and Chelsea are interested. The Londoners are thought to have been scouting him for some time, with rumours having suggested that Jose Mourinho’s close ties with Porto – whom he used to play for – had set up a first option deal. City were also tracking the South American at the same time, but with the purchase of Elaiquim Mangala their desire to land him is now unknown.
He’s a full Argentine international
Argentina is a country known for its production line of decent defenders, which bodes well for Otamendi. The 26-year-old made his full debut in 2009 and has since won 16 caps, with the competition levels within the squad having limited his chances.
The rugged enforcer missed out on a spot in the 2014 World Cup squad, but he was present four years earlier in South Africa, where he put in a noteworthy performance against Greece.
He’s a little bit like David Luiz…
Well, he’s more of, to keep the Chelsea link going, a Luiz / Branislav Ivanovic hybrid. Otamendi is very much a front foot defender, and a player who loves to charge into tackles and move forward. Naturally this style can leave him exposed at times, which could be an issue which will surface now he’s away from Portugal – he’s only been at Valencia for a short time.
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Unlike Luiz, Otamendi is fairly defensively responsible, making him a solid and dependable option at the back when on form.
He cost Porto just £3.5m
//www.youtube.com/embed/PklPJIH8hVo
With United thinking of triggering his £40m release clause, it’s interesting to note that Porto paid just £3.5m for Otamendi in 2010. The Portuguese giants’ scouting network is known for producing results, and the sale of the Argentine on the back three league titles and Europa League success for £10m was yet another piece of great business.
Everton manager David Moyes believes that Marouane Fellaini will leave the club unless they can qualify for the Champions League.
The Belgian has been in fine form so far this season, which has led to interest from the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.
It appears the speculation may have turned his head, as last week he admitted he could leave the club at the end of the season.
Moyes conceded that he will not keep the midfielder against his will and believes that if the Toffees qualify for the Champions League he may stay:
“I am not in the mood now to keep the fight going all the time because we have had to do this with a lot of players,” He is quoted by The Independent.
“But Felli knows what I think and I think that more than anything he’d love to take Everton into the Champions League.
“But I think I have got to that stage at Everton where I say: ‘Look, we have lost some really good players but I don’t think it has stopped us progressing as a team.”
“In fact, people might say that Everton have lost good players but they have improved.
“We sold Joleon Lescott, we sold Mikel Arteta and, though we have felt really down when we lost those players, we have had to pick ourselves up and find others.
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“The club will always be bigger than any player or manager and the players we have brought in are showing that.”
It’s believed that Everton are holding out for a fee in the region of £30m for their star man.
According to reports in The Sun, Everton are ready to launch a £12m bid for exciting Hull City forward Jarrod Bowen, and the Tigers’ Yorkshire rivals Leeds United should be watching developments closely.
What’s the word, then?
The Sun say that new Toffees boss Marco Silva, who worked with the 21-year-old during his time in charge at the KCOM Stadium, is ready to push ahead with a bid for the prolific winger – who netted 14 goals in 42 league games for the Tigers last term – despite the fact that he has been told that he needs to sell before he can buy.
The Sun report that Hull are desperate to hold on to Bowen who has two years remaining on his current deal – with the option of a third – but the player is keen to player in the Premier League and a bid of £12m could be enough to convince the Championship club to let him leave.
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If the youngster did arrive at Goodison Park, he would likely be competing with the likes of Theo Walcott and Nikola Vlasic, rated at £7.2m by Transfermarkt, for a spot on his preferred right flank.
Why should Leeds be monitoring the situation?
Well, new Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa, who has been urged to sign a 26-year-old South American World Cup attacker, will be keen to strengthen his own squad this summer in order to ensure they are well prepared for a serious promotion push during the 2018/19 campaign, and he may well want some effective wingers for his preferred 3-3-3-1/3-3-1-3 formation.
While Vlasic made 19 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees last term, the majority of those came from the substitutes’ bench and the arrival of Bowen could push him further down the pecking order, and ensure he is loaned out to get more regular minutes.
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The 20-year-old is pacy and full of tricks, and he could prove to be a brilliant addition for the Yorkshire club in their bid to finally secure a Premier League return.
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According to reports by ESPN FC, Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo is not a £30m summer target for Paris Saint-Germain at present, despite various stories to the contrary.
What’s the word, then?
Well, The Sun reported over the weekend that PSG were lining up a £30m bid for the Argentina international at the end of the season after negotiations over a new contract broke done, but ESPN FC claim that it is not the case that the Ligue 1 outfit are ready to make their move.
ESPN FC says that the French giants aren’t targeting any new players at the moment with manager Unai Emery’s future up in the air, and he could go if they fail to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League – they currently trail Real Madrid 3-1 after the first leg of their last 16 knockout tie.
However, the report adds that a place in the semis would add another 12 months to Emery’s contract, with the club also potentially having to sell players to stay in line with UEFA’s financial fair play rules.
How has Rojo done this season?
The 27-year-old only returned from a cruciate ligament injury in November, and since then he has been in and out of the team under Jose Mourinho, making 10 appearances in all competitions.
The Argentina international currently looks to be behind the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly in the central defensive pecking order at Old Trafford, and he missed the 2-0 win against Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup on Saturday because of injury.
Would United listen to offers for him in the summer?
Considering he will only have a year left on his contract come June an offer of £30m may certainly be tempting for Mourinho and United, with the Portuguese boss almost certain to target a new centre-back and with him having plenty of options in that position.
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That said, the fact that the 27-year-old can play at the heart of the defence or as a left-back or wing-back certainly makes him a useful member of the squad, and one that Mourinho may not want to lose anytime soon.
Leeds were ultimately unable to hold onto the star man and top scorer of last term’s in the shape of Ross McCormack, as relegated top tier side Fulham flexed their financial muscles to pay £11m for his signature.
With 67% of the Yorkshire side’s goals having come from the Scot last season, his influence will be missed, and a replacement will likely be coming through the Elland Road doors in the not too distant future.
Here are six players who may be snapped up…
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Britt Assombalonga
23 goals in League One has seen Assombalonga attract Premier League interest in recent times, but the big step to the top tier is unlikely to be on the cards just yet. Play-off defeat may be enough to convince the 21-year-old to look for pastures new, and Leeds might well be able to offer him the level of ambition he would like.
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Quick, strong and good in front of goal, the Zaire-born hit-man has the tools to be a top Championship forward.
Leonardo Pavoletti
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With Leeds’ new-found Italian connections, it would be no surprise to see the club head to the country to snap up a fresh striker. One man to have earned rave reviews in Serie B has been Pavoletti, who is firmly in his peak at the age of 25.
With 24 goals in just 36 appearances last season, Pavoletti looks to have the touch of class in front of goal, and would surely be available for a fraction of £11m McCormack fee.
John Guidetti
Maybe an outsider, but Manchester city’s Guidetti is one to consider. Since rising to prominence a few seasons ago with a loan move at Feyenoord, the big Swede has struggled to get game time and to make a major impact.
A loan move to Stoke for the end of last term ended in disappointment, which would suggest that he’s not quite ready for the big time yet. A switch down to the Championship may give him the platform needed to gain some confidence and get himself in the shop window.
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Sam Winnall
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League Two to the Championship may be a bit of a leap, but with 23 goals to his name in the fourth tier, Winnall could have what it takes. The 23-year-old Scunthorpe man was in great form last season, and would surely be tempted by a big move to prove himself to Wolves – who sent him out on a series of loan moves before sanctioning his exit last year.
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Andrew Johnson
Ol’ AJ may have only managed 10 outings for play-off winners QPR last term, but if he could be kept fit he still has some life left at the age of 33. The former Crystal Palace and Everton hit-man is now a free agent after the jump to the top tier was deemed to large for him nowadays, so another year in the Championship and one last push to get back to the big time may be an option for him.
//www.youtube.com/embed/o2v_V5YmIrg
Shola Ameobi
Another released forward knocking round is Ameobi, The Nigerian was a part of the furniture at St James Park, notching over 300 first-team outings since his debut in 2000. The 32-year-old is likely to be ready to stay in English football, with the Championship a genuine option for him. Leeds could use his experience, and his technical abilities may well be more visible outside of the Premier League.
Ryan Giggs future at Manchester United looks uncertain after the club put back contract talks with the long serving midfielder until the end of the season, reports Goal.com.
The United legend was set to start talks about renewing his existing one-year rolling contract within the next month but it is now understood that officials at the club will not open dialogue until May at the earliest.
The Welsh midfielder turns 39 at the end of the month and he recently admitted that the current campaign could be his last. He has made over 900 appearances for the Red Devils since making his debut in 1991 and scored twice in the Capital One Cup defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday.
Commenting on the midfielder’s fine display after the cup loss Sir Alex was keen to highlight his durability. “I think in Ryan Giggs, we saw a player of unbelievable proportions, in terms of playing the 120 minutes at 39 years of age next month and it’s a credit to himself.”
However Giggs missed out on selection in yesterday’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal and he looks set to play a bit-part role this season.
The veteran, who has featured in every Premier League season for the Old Trafford outfit, recently admitted that he realises that he is no longer a key player in Sir Alex Ferguson’s side and may now view it as the opportune time to retire while still on top.
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Liverpool are planning to battle Manchester City for the signature of Flamengo midfielder Lucas Paqueta, according to Premium Sport.
What’s the word?
Judging by the transfer speculation surrounding Liverpool, manager Jurgen Klopp is keen to strengthen his attacking midfield options.
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A deal for Lyon’s Nabil Fekir reportedly fell through, which has left the Merseyside outfit looking at alternatives.
According to Premium Sport, the Reds have an eye on Paqueta, who is also believed to be on the radar of Premier League champions Manchester City.
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The media outlet claims that the 20-year-old has a £40m release clause, but it is unclear whether Liverpool are willing to meet it.
Should the Reds pursue a deal?
There is no doubting Paqueta’s talent and it is very easy to understand why clubs would be interested in recruiting the young midfielder.
Last season, the young Brazilian, who has adopted the number 10 role, made 15 appearances in all competitions for Flamengo.
During that time, the talented starlet scored three goals and created four assists, which is a good return given the amount of game time given.
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However, Liverpool need to push up a level and in order to do that they require a finished product that can immediately add to the effort of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
They require a player that can provide service to the front three and also contribute with goals themselves.
While Paqueta certainly has it in him to be a huge star, at this moment in time, Liverpool should focus on the now rather than the future.
West Ham United forward Javier Hernandez has lavished praise on teammate Marko Arnautovic after both players scored in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Watford.
Hernandez opened the scoring in the 38th minute, before Arnautovic netted 12 minutes from time as the Hammers picked up a much-needed three points in the Premier League.
Arnautovic was back in the team following a muscular problem, and the Austria international netted his seventh league goal of the season against the Hornets.
There were eyebrows raised when West Ham paid more than £20m to sign the 28-year-old from Stoke City during the summer transfer window.
Arnautovic, however, has quickly become a favourite with the West Ham fans, and now Hernandez has hailed the attacker’s ability on the football field.
Hernandez told West Ham’s official website:
“Marko is an unbelievable, all-around player and it gives you a lot of confidence when you play up front with a player like him. We have a good understanding with each other.”
Arnautovic started his professional career with Twente in the Netherlands before a short loan spell at Inter Milan.
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The attacker then spent four years with Werder Bremen before joining Stoke in the summer of 2013.
Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood believes that if his side had kept hold of Gareth Bale they would be fighting for the Premier League title this season instead of scrapping for a Europa League spot.
The Welsh wizard became the world’s most expensive player after Real Madrid snapped him up from Spurs in an eye-watering £86m deal last year on the back of an impressive campaign.
Bale was English football’s top performer last term, with his 26 goals in all competitions almost enough to cap a positive season at White Hart Lane with Champions League qualification.
After a summer of transfer uncertainty Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy eventually accepted Real’s offer for the 24-year-old, replacing him with a series of stars from across Europe in a £110m spend.
Few of these big buys have settled well, and Sherwood – who replaced Andre Villas-Boas over the winter – has been unable to keep the Londoners in the battle for Champions League qualification.
Bale netted a dramatic late winner in the Copa de Rey final against Barcelona in midweek, and the now Spurs coach feels that if the club still had him they would be battling for English football’s top prize:
“We saw what he did last year: 21 goals and nine assists. He scored the winner in eight games.” He is quoted by Sky Sports.
“We could do with that now, by the way. If you put those points that he accumulated for us on top of what we have got we would probably be challenging for the title.”
Sherwood then went on to lament the loss of Luka Modric a few seasons ago – the Croatian now also plays for Real:
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“The two best players on the pitch (in the Copa del Rey final) were Gareth Bale and Luka Modric and that says everything.”
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