Tag Futebol

Ben Jacobs has dropped a behind-the-scenes claim on the potential takeover of Newcastle United involving the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium.

Writing as part of a Twitter thread in reaction to the emails between the Premier League and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) that showed how close the deal between Mike Ashley and the KSA group was, the journalist and regular takeover commenter tweeted:

“Can also reveal prior to withdrawing, & in mid-June, club & consortium considered releasing a statement putting pressure on EPL to conclude Test. They spoke openly about this tactic, only to instead withdraw in July. Very possible DCMS were aware of this potential statement, too.”

Newcastle takeover talk looming again

As was very much the case in the summer, when the emails were said to be exchanged before the KSA’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) eventually decided to withdraw their bid, the talk of a potential takeover of the St. James’ Park faithful has come roaring right back in recent days.

Jacobs’ claim from within the club seems to supply more evidence of just how desperate both the Magpies and the consortium were to get this done, given that they were willing to try anything to heap pressure on those making the final call.

Considering how close it was to being pushed through, it is very possible that the takeover will be revisited come the end of the 2020/21 term, when the fate of the North East club is sealed in terms of whether they manage to avoid being relegated from the top flight down to the EFL Championship.

Nonetheless, a path would have to be cleared for PIF to come back to the table, and the Premier League would surely have to hurry their Owners’ and Directors’ Test (ODT) given the growing impatience, with the results holding the key over whether the deal can be revived or not.

In other news, find out what revelation Craig Hope has dropped on the potential new owners here!

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been reacting to the club’s interest in PSV Eindhoven star Noni Madueke.

According to the Evening Standard, the Eagles, along with Leeds United and Bayern Munich, have already put feelers out over a potential swoop.

Madueke, 19, is currently with England’s Under-21 squad at the European Championships.

He’s starred for PSV in the Eredivisie this season, playing as a centre-forward and a right-winger.

The teenager, valued at £12.6m by Transfermarkt, has scored seven league goals and registered six assists.

Madueke was also involved in three Europa League goals this season, and his displays appear to be catching the eye at Palace.

Palace fans react

@cpfc_xtra shared the Evening Standard’s story on Monday afternoon, which, as to be expected, received plenty of interaction.

This is what some supporters had to say to the links, with some excited and others not exactly optimistic over the chances of Madueke heading to Selhurst Park.

“Highly doubt that but omg”

Credit: @BenM_CPFC

“would be a class signing”

Credit: @OwenQuick2

“Do I expect Noni Madueke to come to Palace? No. Is he the sort of player that I want us to be interested in? Absolutely.”

Credit: @TCPalacePod

“Not a chance”

Credit: @CPFCH10

“Would be brilliant if we could pull this off”

Credit: @LawonY60

“would be absolutely class but we’ve got no chance”

Credit: @s_cpfc

In other news: Many CPFC fans react to update on international midfielder with Palace ‘ready to get started’ on deal, find out more here. 

Some Wolves fans have been critical of an update from Jornal de Noticias (via Sport Witness) on a potential replacement for Nuno Espirito Santo.

As per the news outlet, former Benfica manager Bruno Lage is on the list of options to replace the Portuguese coach should he leave Molineux to manage Tottenham Hotspur.

Lage would reportedly welcome a return to English football after spells with both Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City. He is leading the list of candidates for the Molineux faithful given his connections with Jorge Mendes, and is apparently the type of profile that they are looking for should Nuno join Spurs. [Jornal de Noticias, via Sport Witness]

Nonetheless, this has caused a stir among some Wolves supporters given that, despite the relatively poor season they are having by their standards, Nuno took them up to the Premier League and two consecutive seventh-placed finishes, as well as a Europa League quarter-final.

Wolves fans on potential Nuno replacement

These Wolves fans slammed the update on Lage after it was shared on Twitter:

“No”

Credit: @Willfredinho8

“No thanks NUNO is stopping”

Credit: @RobertH48660018

“IF Wolves were to replace Nuno, probably because he wants to move on (pre-match interview wasn’t very assuring), the club would go for a manager with pedigree and gravitas to attract top players. Can’t see Lage being the answer. #wwfc”

Credit: @gjp12775

“If Nuno goes I don’t want another Portuguese manager”

Credit: @fvilz

“This is a like-for-like manager replacement, it’s a no”

Credit: @MichaelBibbWWFC

“Would be funny if we got rid of Nuno and got the Porto manager in, Lage is two steps back surely”

Credit: @__wa1877

In other news, find out what transfer update has been lauded by some Wolves fans!

أعلن نادي برشلونة الإسباني، خضوع لاعبه الفرنسي صامويل أومتيتي، لجراحة في مشط القدم، بعد الإصابة الذي تعرض لها أثناء التدريب.

أومتيتي أصيب في تدريبات برشلونة اليوم الإثنين، بكسر بالمشط الخامس بالقدم اليمنى.

طالع أيضًا | رغم تجديد عقده.. أومتيتي يرغب في الرحيل عن برشلونة

وأصدر النادي الإسباني بيانًا رسميًا أكد من خلاله إصابة اللاعب وخضوعه لعملية جراحية غدًا الثلاثاء من قبل الدكتور أنطوني دالماو، تحت إشراف الخدمات الطبية بالنادي.

وسيتم تقديم بيان جديد بمجرد خروج اللاعب من الجراحة، لتحديد مدة غيابه عن الملاعب.

أومتيتي جدد عقده مع برشلونة خلال الأيام الماضية، في ظل عدم مشاركته أساسيًا بسبب الإصابات، وذلك من أجل تسجيل فيران توريس.

Some Crystal Palace fans were left to slam the display of Christian Benteke in their 0-0 home draw with Manchester United on Wednesday night.

Roy Hodgson’s men put up a decent fight against the Red Devils at Selhurst Park, and while there were some very good performances in an Eagles shirt, Benteke’s flattered to deceive some members of the CPFC faithful.

The former Aston Villa and Liverpool striker lost out on no fewer than 16 of his duels in total in the game, by far the most lost out of any player to have set foot on the pitch, as he also failed to record a single shot on target (Sofascore).

He also lost possession of the ball 20 times in the match, the most out of any of his teammates (Sofascore), as the Belgian led the way in all the wrong categories.

Crystal Palace fan reaction to Benteke display

These Palace supporters slammed his performance on Twitter, with one fan even going as far as to say that playing the 30-year-old striker is a ‘waste of time’:

“Benteke proving tonight what a fluke that volley was. #cpfc”

Credit: @GaryTutton4

“Benteke has 50p feet #cpfc #CRYMUN”

Credit: @PJeevesie

“Has Benteke got the wrong boots on tonight? We’ve wasted so many good chances #CPFC”

Credit: @ScarKord

“Get Benteke off and bring on Mateta that’s 2 decent chances he’s messed up #cpfc”

Credit: @Cpfcem

“It’s very true. Benteke hasn’t got legs mate, he doesn’t offer anything in behind. Mateta offers more imo.”

Credit: @J_CPFC

“Too late and Benteke still on the pitch so a waste of time”

Credit: @cmbaker_

In other news, find out what injury update has delighted Palace fans here!

Marlon Harewood has urged West Ham United to sign Tammy Abraham after the Daily Telegraph reported that they are interested in the Chelsea striker.

Speaking to Football FanCast, the former Hammers forward thinks that the England international should be given a chance at his old club:

“That’s where West Ham should be looking, and I think Moysie [David Moyes] is that sort of person that he will be looking for a striker of that calibre, young, he’s ready to go, he’s been in the Premier League quite a while now. 

“I think he needs a chance, just like (Jesse) Lingard coming from Manchester United obviously not playing coming into the club, got a lot to show, and Tammy is one of them, got a lot to show [too] and would complement Antonio very well.”

West Ham should sign Abraham

If Abraham becomes available for sale in the summer transfer window, then the London Stadium faithful should absolutely jump at the chance to sign him.

The 23-year-old still has a lot of potential, and has scored no fewer than 12 goals and made a further six assists in 30 games in total over all competitions so far in the 2020/21 term (Transfermarkt).

It is not just this season that Abraham has proven himself to be a prolific goal scorer either, with a total of 91 strikes combined for both club and country at senior level.

With Michail Antonio currently being the only recognised senior striker at the East London club, he could definitely use some help up top, and Abraham could well be that man.

Currently valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, he certainly would not come cheap, but Abraham is most definitely a player that the Irons should seriously be looking at to sign should he be made available for transfer.

In other news, find out what big West Ham update has erupted fans here!

Speaking to Football Insider, former Tottenham Hotspur defender Alan Hutton expects Spurs to swoop for a ‘big signing’ to fill the ‘problem position’ of right-back – coming after the same outlet revealed that Daniel Levy is plotting to sell Serge Aurier in the summer.

Aurier, despite being much improved this season, could be offloaded at the end of the season – with a Tottenham source apparently explaining that a new contract offer is unlikely (Football Insider).

Matt Doherty, meanwhile, has struggled to nail down a permanent place in Jose Mourinho’s team this season.

Hutton touts possible ‘big signing’ for Tottenham

As a result, Hutton now expects Tottenham to swoop for a ‘big signing’ in order to fix that area of the squad for Spurs – claiming the right-back position will ‘definitely’ be ‘up for grabs’.

“I think it’s been a problem area for Tottenham this season,” explained Hutton to Football Insider.

“I genuinely thought Doherty would come in and make a difference.

“We know how well he played at Wolves. Yes, it’s difficult going from a 3-4-3 at Wolves to change into a four at Spurs.

“That position is definitely up for grabs and a big signing is likely.

“Whether they look at the summer to bring someone in or whether one of those two players really kick on and make it their own.”

Transfer Tavern take

Tipping a potential new arrival to succeed either Aurier or Doherty, it remains to be seen if a right-back does enter the Tottenham radar.

Spurs have been linked with a move for Max Aarons recently, but only time will tell who they opt to target in the summer.

In other news: Tottenham offered a contract to this rising starlet, find out more here.

Liverpool were held to their second successive draw in the Premier League as they played out a stalemate with Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Wednesday.

However, the return of Spanish midfielder Thiago is a huge boost for Jurgen Klopp’s side, with the 29-year-old having been limited to just two appearances in the Premier League since his summer arrival from Bayern Munich before his substitute appearance against the Toon.

The former Barcelona man has spent two months on the sidelines with a knee injury following a horror tackle from Everton’s Richarlison back in October but was still able to demonstrate his immense quality on his first appearance back against Steve Bruce’s side.

Thiago replaced James Milner in the 73rd minute of the game and the Reds looked much more threatening with him on the pitch, with the quality of his long balls causing problems for the Newcastle defence.

As per SofaScore, the £43.2 million rated midfielder completed 21/23 of his passes during his time on the pitch, resulting in a superb pass accuracy rate of 91%.

The Spanish international was accurate in all six of his long balls, whilst he also impressively won all six of the duels he was involved in during his brief time on the pitch, emphasising that he is not one to shirk away from the physical nature of the Premier League.

Following his cameo, Michael Owen was full of praise for the midfielder on Twitter, saying:

“We’ve only been treated to snippets of play so far but I genuinely get excited when @Thiago6 steps onto the pitch. He’s so different to anything in the @premierleague. A proper baller.”

Therefore, despite his lack of match fitness at the moment, Klopp should consider starting the Spaniard against Southampton in the Reds’ next Premier League fixture on Monday, as their last two results emphasise the need for a creative midfielder to try and unlock stubborn defences.

With the Saints having kept seven clean sheets in the top-flight so far this season, it certainly won’t be an easy task for Klopp’s side at St Mary’s, so Thiago should definitely be involved at some point next Monday.

And, in other news… Forget Jones: “Out of this world” LFC ace who lost possession 31x was Klopp’s worst performer vs NUFC

According to Football Insider, Leeds United are keen on signing Derby County starlet Louie Sibley.

What’s the story?

With the January transfer window now open, Marcelo Bielsa’s side will no doubt be on the lookout for some reinforcements as they bid to end their first season back in the Premier League on a high.

And as per Football Insider, the Whites are looking at bringing in 19-year-old midfielder Sibley, who has been in and out of the side at Championship side Derby this campaign, making 17 senior appearances.

The report claims that both Sibley, and his teammate Jason Knight, are both on the radar for Leeds for this month, but that summer moves may be more likely.

Imagine him and Shackleton

Incredibly versatile, Sibley’s arrival at Elland Road would give Leeds another injection of youth and energy, especially in that engine room where they already have Jamie Shackleton.

Kalvin Phillips of course has been linked with a move away in the past, whilst Mateusz Klich will turn 31 later this year. So Bielsa will surely be looking at potential ways of rejuvenating his midfield, and one way he could do that is partnering Shackleton with Sibley in the middle of the park.

Speaking after a 3-0 defeat to Manchester United, then Derby boss Philip Cocu remarked: “He played a great game. He’s a great character — he has a good mentality, he has the desire to win, to play, to find his positioning between the lines. He’s not scared of anybody. It was a pleasure to see him play.”

Leeds are already proving this season that they are one of the most fearless sides in the Premier League, going after teams right at the top of the table and not even thinking twice about it.

Sibley’s fearlessness would fit in perfectly at Elland Road, and give Leeds one of England’s up-and-coming young talents.

For Celtic, it couldn’t get much worse at the moment.

They are 11 points behind their old nemesis in the race to win the Scottish Premiership and heading to the Czech Republic on Thursday, they are bottom of their Europa League group.

Coming through a run of games against Lille, Milan and Sparta Prague was always going to be difficult but if the Hoops are to prevail, they simply have to win this week.

That’s not just for the sake of their European progression, but for the sake of Neil Lennon too – a man who is under pressure despite receiving the backing of the board.

Therefore, his team selection this evening will be incredibly vital. He made a big call with Odsonne Edouard against Hibernian and it didn’t pay off, so does he come back into the fray tonight?

Check out our predicted XI…

In this side, Lennon looks set to make three key changes to his starting XI.

Let’s start with the biggest of them all – axing Albian Ajeti. The £4.3m-rated forward has failed to score in eight games and there can be little justification behind starting him.

We wrote this week that Patryk Klimala should finally get a look in but in a must-win clash, it’s Edouard who we ultimately think Lennon will settle on.

Another change comes at right-back. Jeremie Frimpong has been a favourite under the current management but with Celtic’s defence not up to scratch – conceding ten more than Rangers in the league – it’s the right-back who is sacrificed. As a result, Hatem Elhamed comes into the XI.

The final change sees Nir Bitton dropped with Christopher Jullien returning after injury.

Lennon admitted this week that he was in contention to play so the Frenchman’s inclusion will be a huge boost to a faltering backline. He partners Kristoffer Ajer with Shane Duffy having to settle for a place on the bench again.

Meanwhile, here’s how Celtic can end their Lennoxtown PURGATORY with a new manager…