All posts by z3u9t.icu

Rangers’ hopes of signing Carlos Mendes Gomes this summer have taken a blow after Morecambe earned promotion to League One on Bank Holiday Monday, which will surely decrease the chances of him joining up with Steven Gerrard at Ibrox ahead of next season.

The Light Blues have been linked with a move for the Spanish winger ahead of the summer after his impressive performances in League Two for the Lancashire side, although a number of English Championship clubs were also said to be interested.

It had initially seemed as if he would be able to join Rangers on a free transfer as his contract is set to expire in the summer, but Morecambe boss Derek Adams confirmed that the club holds an option to extend his contract by another year, which they will surely exercise.

Mendes Gomes was the hero for the Shrimps once again on Monday as his penalty in extra time earned them a 1-0 win against Newport County and ensured that they would be promoted to the third tier of English football for the first time in their history.

This took his tally for the season to 16, whilst he also managed five assists, so he was clearly a key factor in Morecambe’s promotion and one of the standout performers in League Two this season.

Now that they have been promoted, and his contract will likely be extended by another year, it seems unlikely that Mendes Gomes will leave the Mazuma Stadium this summer unless an interested club makes an offer that Morecambe simply cannot refuse.

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It is a shame for Rangers that he seemingly won’t be making the move to Ibrox, as his performances this season have been superb, and he could’ve been an excellent addition to Gerrard’s squad ahead of their return to Champions League football next season.

Given that the “fantastic” Mendes Gomes predominantly features from the left as a right-footed winger who contributes effectively in the final third, he could’ve been the man to step up at Ibrox should Ryan Kent depart this summer.

The former Liverpool winger has unsurprisingly once again been linked with a move to Leeds United after his superb performances in the Premiership, and the prospect of Premier League football might be enough to tempt him away from Ibrox.

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Unfortunately, if the 24-year-old does move on, then it seems that Gerrard and Ross Wilson will have to turn their attentions away from Mendes Gomes as his potential replacement.

And, in other news… Rangers handed huge boost with “outstanding” 23 G/A dynamo, Wilson must deliver

Everton reportedly now risk losing Dominic Calvert-Lewin to Arsenal in the summer.

The Lowdown: Injury misery

Calvert-Lewin has endured an injury-plagued season, playing just 14 times in total over all competitions.

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In turn, the Goodison Park faithful have struggled massively, lurking just outside of the relegation zone.

There is no doubting his ability and how vital is to the team, after all, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hailed him as ‘one of the best’ in his position ahead of the Merseyside derby on Sunday afternoon.

The Latest: Arsenal lurking

Taking to Twitter, The Athletic journalist and transfer expert David Ornstein has revealed that Calvert-Lewin is now among the options considered by Arsenal to strengthen their attack this summer.

However, the Gunners are also considering signing Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City.

The Verdict: Keep

Yes, Calvert-Lewin has struggled with injuries this term, but he has already shown his worth to the Toffees and remains one of their key players.

The striker has 56 goals in total for the club over six consecutive campaigns, while also contributing a handy 17 assists (Transfermarkt).

At 25 years of age, the England international still has his best years ahead of him, and so Frank Lampard’s side will not want to let him go cheaply, especially to another club in the Premier League.

However, if they were to get relegated, they may not have a choice.

In other news, find out which Blues ace has been ‘clubbing too much’ here!

Whilst Southampton fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday evening, there was a promising display from young defender Mohammed Salisu in North London, something which will surely delight Ralph Hasenhuttl.

The Ghanaian defender has had limited opportunities in the Austrian’s side so far this season as a result of fitness and injury problems, making just seven appearances in the top-flight.

The partnership of Jannik Vestergaard and Jan Bednarek at centre-back has also undoubtedly been a factor in his lack of appearances this season, although Hasenhuttl seems to have found a potential solution, as he has featured as a left-back on a number of occasions since the turn of the year.

He was selected there again for the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday in the absence of Ryan Bertrand and was tasked with keeping Gareth Bale quiet.

Although the Welshman scored the equalising goal with a quality finish, the 22-year-old defender defended well for large parts of the game and was one of few bright sparks in the defeat.

As per SofaScore, Salisu would earn a solid 6.7/10 rating for his display and was able to keep Bale and Serge Aurier at bay for much of the game.

WhoScored also rated the defender a 6.73/10, which is his best performance in the Premier League for the Saints, so it is clear that he impressed despite the disappointing result.

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During the 90 minutes, the young defender would contribute six clearances and six tackles, which was the most clearances made by any player on the pitch, whilst only Aurier registered more tackles in the game (seven).

Considering he has averaged just 2.9 tackles and 1.7 clearances in the Premier League so far this season, it is clear that produced an impressive display in North London.

Although he was partnered by the inexperienced Nathan Tella on the left-hand side, Salisu did an admirable job with his defending and was also a threat going forward, as only a spectacular save from Hugo Lloris denied him the opening goal.

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Therefore, Salisu, who joined in a £10.9m deal last summer, deserves a lot of credit for his display and hopefully, he will continue to get better ahead of potentially becoming a regular in Hasenhuttl’s side next season.

And, in other news… Forget Djenepo: Saints flop who played 10 passes was Hasenhuttl’s worst vs Spurs

Wolverhampton Wanderers have entered into talks regarding a deal to bring Rafael Leao to Molineux this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report from Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), with it being claimed that Bruno Lage’s side have started discussing a deal for the AC Milan centre-forward with Jorge Mendes, the 22-year-old’s agent.

The report goes on to state that the Serie A side could be tempted into the sale of the Portugal U21 international this summer, while it is also believed that Wolves could lodge a concrete bid for the youngster over the weekend.

Finally, it is claimed that the Premier League side’s interest in a move for Leao appears to be becoming more serious, with the report mentioning that, due to the West Midlands club’s relationship with Mendes, Lage and his side look to have an advantage on the competition for the youngster’s signature.

Imagine him & Neto

Considering the raw amount of potential Leao appears to possess, it is easy to see why Lage appears so keen to get a deal over the line for the centre-forward – who can also play on the wing – ahead of next season.

Indeed, over his 30 Serie A appearances for AC Milan last season – 22 of which came as starts – the £22.5m-rated man scored six goals, registered six assists and created eight big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.4 shots and making 0.9 key passes per game.

These returns saw the man Tiago Fernandes dubbed a “champion” earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.95, ranking him as Stefano Pioli’s joint 10th-best performer in the top flight of Italian football.

Aside from his impressive displays, the 23-year-old’s versatility would also be a major boost for Lage, with the potential of a front three consisting of the proven Premier League goalscorer Raul Jimenez, the equally exciting Pedro Neto and Leao being something of a tantalising prospect for both the Portuguese coach and fans of the club alike.

As such, it would be difficult to argue that the signing of the £35k-per-week forward would be anything other than a huge coup for Wolves ahead of next season, with Lage undoubtedly hoping to improve on the club’s rather disappointing 13th place finish in the Premier League under Nuno Espirito Santo last time out in their upcoming campaign.

In other news: Lage must amend Wolves’ £63k-p/w Nuno disaster this summer, he’s “gone into oblivion”

Sunderland have been dealt a further blow in their bid to bring Jordan Jones back to the Stadium of Light this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football League World, who claim that Ipswich Town have moved ahead of Sunderland in the race for the Glasgow Rangers winger, with Wigan Athletic also thought to be keen on a move for the 26-year-old.

An earlier report had already claimed that the Black Cats could struggle to get a deal over the line for their former loanee, as Steven Gerrard is hoping to move Jones on permanently this summer, with Lee Johnson’s side looking unlikely to be able to afford Gers’ asking price for the forward.

Big miss

With Jones being one of Sunderland’s stand out performers during his loan spell at the club last season, missing out on the winger’s signing this summer would be a devastating blow for Johnson.

Indeed, over his 20 League One appearances for the Mackems last term – with only 12 of these coming as starts – the £540k-rated man bagged three goals, provided four assists and created two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.6 shots and making 1.9 key passes per game.

These metrics saw the player Steven Gerrard dubbed a “real threat” earn a highly impressive average SofaScore match rating of 7.08, ranking him as Johnson’s fifth-best player in the third tier of English football.

As such, should Kyril Louis-Dreyfus be unable to secure the signing of the 26-year-old once again this summer, it would be a huge opportunity missed for the Black Cats, with the owner having to turn his attention regarding attacking additions in the summer transfer market elsewhere.

Furthermore, should Jones go on to sign for one of Sunderland’s likely promotion rivals in Ipswich or Wigan, the possibility of the winger’s goals having a direct impact on the Mackems’ promotion chances would seem very real indeed.

In other news: Alan Nixon drops two-word Sunderland transfer update that will have fans buzzing

Newcastle must land Chelsea starlet Marc Guehi in the transfer window amid reports linking the Magpies with a summer move.

What’s the story?

Steve Bruce’s side have one of the worst defensive records in the Premier League this season, with their total of 58 goals conceded only better than three other sides.

It’s no surprise then that The Athletic claim that the Magpies have got their sights set on reinforcing the centre of their defence this summer, with the Tyneside club having watched Guehi this campaign.

The 20-year-old is currently on loan at Championship side Swansea, and has been a regular starter for them all season, with The Athletic adding that Newcastle are set to face significant competition to sign him.

Bye-bye Fabian Schar

Reports in recent days have suggested that Newcastle’s defence could face some upheaval, with the likes of Fabian Schar as one of the players whose contract is coming to an end this summer.

And if the Magpies do wave goodbye to the Switzerland international and opt not to renew his deal, then Guehi should absolutely be someone who they look to target.

The 6 foot centre-back has been a revelation at Swansea this season in the Championship, with his tally of 1.7 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per game in the league ranking him in the top four among all his teammates – a sign of someone who’s comfortable being a front-foot defender and being aggressive, and who can drop off and pick off passes.

It’s no surprise then that his teammate at England U21 level, Josef Bursik, has waxed lyrical about the kind of dominant presence that he is.

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When asked who the strongest player in the squad was, he said: “Easy, Marc Guehi. He’s an absolute tank. It’s like having a brick wall in front of you, he’s massive.”

At just 20, Guehi has got all the time in the world to kick on from the season he’s had at Swansea, and if the Magpies do want to move on from Schar and look to the future, then the Chelsea starlet should be near the top of their summer shopping list.

Meanwhile, this man was Bruce’s unsung hero in the win over Leicester…

Aston Villa could be set for talks with River Plate over winger Julian Alvarez, as reported by respected Radio Continental journalist Sebastián Srur on Twitter.

The Lowdown: Aston Villa gear up for 2021/22 with swift action

Looking to get their ducks in a row ahead of the 2021/22 season, many onlookers will be fascinated to see how the Villains improve on their 11th placed finish last term [Sportskeeda].

Of course, Villa have already been extremely active in the transfer window; acquiring Emiliano Buendia for a record fee from Norwich City alongside free agent Ashley Young [Birmingham Mail].

Intriguingly, they may now be well on their way to a third summer signing following latest reports.

The Latest: Srur drops intriguing update; Alvarez could have Villa talks ‘next week’

Speaking to his Twitter following, Srur, who has covered River Plate for nearly two decades, issued a promising update regarding Alvarez’s next move, which translated to:

“Aston Villa, interested in Julian Alvarez. It will be necessary to see if they advance with a concrete offer. There may be meetings next week in England”.

Alvarez is rumoured to be ready to take the next step in his career, viewing a switch to Europe as the correct option for his long-term future [Birmingham Mail].

The Verdict: Alvarez would be a great addition to Aston Villa

The Argentina international would be a real coup should Dean Smith’s attempts to bring him to Villa Park succeed – his compatriot and seasoned goalscorer Gonzalo Higuain revealed his ‘love’ for Alvarez back in March, praising him as a ‘huge’ player with a ‘lot of potential.’

Enjoying a dazzling 2020/21 campaign, the tricky wide-man notched an impressive 11 goal contributions from 20 appearances, with four goals and seven assists [Transfermarkt].

Already boasting an array of forward talent, the potential that Alvarez could team up with the likes of Ollie Watkins, Jack Grealish, Emiliano Buendia and Bertrand Traore is a mouth-watering prospect for the Villa support.

Capable of driving past players with ease, Alvarez has averaged 1.7 dribbles per 90 minutes this year [WhoScored]. Building the makings of a side that could push for continental football, securing his signature should be a priority for Aston Villa as they approach pre-season.

In other news, Aston Villa fans react to a Jack Grealish update.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire says events such as Anthony Joshua’s fight against Oleksandr Usyk could help Tottenham sell the naming rights to their stadium for the £250,000,000 they are looking for.

The Lowdown: Spurs host huge bout

Recently, Joshua’s heavyweight boxing bout with Usyk took place in front a full capacity crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Joshua lost the fight, but the glamour of the event can only be good news for Tottenham as a brand.

The Latest: Maguire impressed

Speaking to Football Insider, Maguire discussed Tottenham’s ability to attract naming rights offers for their stadium. He said:

“I think it helps Spurs from a negotiation perspective.

“It was a spectacular event, with the exception of the result. That can only enhance the club’s ability to broaden the global scope of what they can offer.

“That therefore makes it more attractive to a sponsor. But it seems a lot of money, however, £25m.

“Man City got more than that, but that was on the back of the stadium that people were looking for a name for.

“But they are calling it the Tottenham stadium deliberately. As soon as people start calling it White Hart Lane, it becomes much harder to get a deal.

“That’s because people will not refer to it by its new name. That means the sponsor doesn’t get as much publicity.

“If you can’t persuade people to use the corporate name, that is to the detriment of their negotiating position.”

The Verdict: Financial boost

It was recently revealed Tottenham are looking for £25m per year over 10 years, which would end up seeing Tottenham receive a fee of £250m. As per 90min.com, that would make Spurs’ ground the most lucrative in terms of sponsorship.

Of course, that is a huge amount. However, given the stadium is already luring in massive corporations like the NFL (nfl.com), it is clear it can be used for more than just football matches, which makes it an interesting proposition for plenty of companies. For Daniel Levy and co, therefore, a financial boost could be just around the corner.

In other news, this man has been urged to leave Tottenham.

Exciting West Brom youngster Reyes Cleary is being watched by a number of top clubs, according to reliable journalist Luke Hatfield.

The Lowdown: Cleary catching the eye

The Baggies have a hugely talented young player in their ranks, with Cleary impressing for the under-23s so far this season.

The 17-year-old has scored twice in four Premier League 2 appearances in 2021/22, as well as having an overall record of 16 goals in 20 games for the under-18s.

Cleary is still waiting to make his first team bow, but it may not be too far away if he continues to perform at his current level.

The Latest: Hatfield provides update on Cleary

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Hatfield of The Express & Star discussed the teenager’s future at The Hawthorns, admitting that he is regarded highly by Albion but other clubs are watching him closely. The journalist said:

“By the sounds coming out of the club, they rate him highly. He looks like a player who knows where the back of the net is at youth level.

“We’ll see how he develops, of course, because plenty of youngsters shine at that level, and maybe don’t kick on to the first-team setup and manage to do that.

“But we’ll see what happens with him. It can only be a good sign that clubs are interested and are being linked with him.”

The Verdict: Keep him at Albion

Cleary looks a hugely gifted talent with a bright future ahead of him, so it is vital that West Brom tie him down for as long as possible.

He is yet to sign a professional contract with the Baggies and it is important that that changes soon, ensuring that he has a large buyout clause in the process.

It may be tough for them to keep hold of Cleary forever, but for the time being, he should be viewed as a possible future regular at The Hawthorns.

In other news, some West Brom fans have hailed what one player did on international duty. Read more here.

Football Insider pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has been giving his thoughts regarding a possible Celtic return for Martin O’Neill as the club’s director of football.

The Lowdown: O’Neill links

Celtic have a new manager in Ange Postecoglou but are still looking to land a director of football after talks with Manchester City’s Fergal Harkin broke down at the beginning of June.

According to Football Insider, who were informed by a Celtic source at the end of June, O’Neill has informed the Hoops hierarchy he is ‘interested’ in the newly-created role.

O’Neill, who holds his UEFA Pro Licence as a coach, was Celtic boss for four years between 2001-2005, winning seven major honours at Parkhead, but it now appears as if he is keen on a position higher up in Glasgow.

The Latest: Agbonlahor reacts

Agbonlahor was talking to Football Insider about O’Neill and a potential return to Parkhead.

The 34-year-old seemed to be all for a move, describing it as a ‘perfect appointment’.

“I think it could be a good appointment.

“Martin O’Neill knows the club better than anyone. It would be a perfect appointment. He loves the club so he’s the sort of person who can get the right players in and the right system in place.

“He loves Celtic and he won’t want them to be losing the title to Rangers again.

“So, definitely, I think it would be a great appointment.”

The Verdict: A no brainer?

Having O’Neill in as DoF to work closely with Postecoglou appears to be a no brainer. The 69-year-old could help Postecoglou when it comes to settling into Celtic Park life during his first season, while also assisting in transfer dealings.

Celtic, if they still have their hearts set on a DoF, could do with filling the vacant role as soon as possible, with the transfer window open and time ticking until the new season.

O’Neill has made it clear he would be keen, so the ball seems to be in Celtic’s court. If it was down to Agbonlahor, he would be returning to Scotland.

In other news: Celtic may have completed some under-the-radar business on pre-season Wales tour, find out more here.