All posts by z3u9t.icu

Liverpool kicked off their summer spending on Friday with the signing of central defender Ibrahima Konate from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig.

The Reds activated a £36m release clause to land the French Under-21 international, but there may be other important areas to address as Jurgen Klopp’s side look to regain their Premier League crown from Manchester City after needing a late rally to secure a third-placed finish this time around.

With Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane set for Africa Cup of Nations duty in the New Year, the Reds might need another high-quality forward option to ensure that their title bid doesn’t stutter in the absence of their two top scorers from 2020/21.

With Georginio Wijnaldum poised to leave as he approaches the end of his contract at Anfield, another midfield signing may be needed to guard against a succession of injuries.

Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano was asked on Twitter if more additions were on the way after Konate’s arrival at Liverpool and he replied: “For sure… Liverpool will sign some players, don’t worry”.

His response sparked a frenzy of excitement from many Kopites on Twitter, with some wryly commenting that FSG could be set for a rare summer spending spree amid previous criticism from some fans for a conservative approach.

Liverpool fans flock to Fabrizio Romano’s post-Konate update

“LET’S GOOOO”

Credit: @TAASZN

“Some more signing, are FSG feeling okay?”

Credit: @littlejacko97

“Things you love to see”

Credit: @jwdk98

“Let the new era begin”

Credit: @ChampionsAnchee

“WE ARE WINNING THE TREBLE. FSG MUST HAVE WOKEN UP”

Credit: @LFC_Jaden15

“Mbappe confirmed…..”

Credit: @svk_lfc

“Oh yessss I’m gonna enjoy this summer”

Credit: @Auxanooo

In other news, many Liverpool fans reacted to this contract update on one of the club’s biggest stars.

Newcastle United have reportedly opened talks with Rangers over the potential signing of youngster Alex Lowry this summer.

According to Football Insider, the Magpies have held talks over signing the 18-year-old attacking midfielder, with current employers Rangers keen to extend the exciting prospect’s deal.

The Scotsman is currently contracted to the Scottish Premiership champions until 2024 and it is understood that Lowry has recently been offered an improved deal at £5,000 per week.

As the North East club prepare for their first summer transfer window under the ownership of PIF, it is expected that the Tyneside outfit are to spend big in an attempt to completely reform the look of the current squad.

However, the future definitely has to be considered and, in Lowry, the Toon Army could save millions on a prospect that’s rapidly gathering attention.

Imagine him & Bruno

Granted, given Lowry’s lack of game time in the Rangers first team the 18-year-old would be initially included in Newcastle’s U23s.

The attacking midfielder made his Premiership debut in January, playing the entire 90 minutes in a 1-0 win at home to Livingston whilst also scoring on his debut against Dumbarton in the Scottish Challenge Cup.

Moreover, Lowry has also netted in the 4-0 Scottish Cup victory against Stirling Albion and was an unused substitute in the 2-1 extra-time victory against fierce rivals Celtic that booked Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side’s place in the final.

As for where the youngster would fit in on Tyneside, Newcastle’s U23s have had a decent campaign, with the young Geordies sat seventh in the second division of Premier League 2 and would undoubtedly be able to accommodate a player with an abundance of potential.

Lowry’s former academy coach Graeme Murty claimed that the 18-year-old is “unlike any other player” at Rangers and has “a remarkable degree of self-confidence.”

When it comes to the first-team picture, Eddie Howe’s attacking midfield options are somewhat limited.

Just Joelinton and Miguel Almiron are the Magpies’ only recognised attacking midfielders, with the duo scoring a combined tally of just three goals this term; there’s certainly room for improvement in that area.

However, January signing Bruno Guimaraes has already proved to be a nuisance in the box, scoring three goals already for the Toon Army.

With the box-to-box ability of the Brazilian alongside Lowry’s forward-thinking play, Newcastle could one day unearth an electric partnership in the middle of the park.

AND in other news: Howe and PIF are now heading for their first big NUFC error, it would be a disaster

West Ham United dodged a bullet with their failed pursuit of Josh Maja in January as the Girondins de Bordeaux striker has proven to be a flop at Fulham.

The Irons were credited with an interest in a move for Maja before the Frenchman joined Scott Parker’s relegation-threatened Cottagers on loan, with the Sunderland product targeted as a replacement for Sebastien Haller.

David Moyes held a keen awareness in the 22-year-old as he faced an uncertain future in Ligue 1 after falling out of favour at the Matmut Atlantique, where Jean Louis Gasset had awarded Maja only 11 starts in 17 top-flight appearances this term.

Fulham eventually came to his rescue and offered Maja a move to the Premier League on Deadline Day, and would seal his signature on a half-season loan that carries a £9m option to purchase.

It remains to be seen if the south west Londoners intend to buy the one-time Nigeria international, but his form across the capital will have given West Ham confidence that they made the right decision by walking away from negotiations with Bordeaux.

Maja made his 11th outing for the Cottagers on Sunday as they held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw thanks to the London-born forward converting from the spot inside a quarter of an hour of the second half, after Gabriel Magalhaes was deemed to have fouled Mario Lemina.

It was only the third goal that Maja has scored for Parker’s side since his arrival after a brace at Everton in February, after being given the first start in the Premier League of his career at Goodison Park.

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He has since started just a further seven top-flight games but failed to have any direct involvement in the scoring, and has only helped Fulham to clinch nine additional points in their quest for survival.

Parker expected Maja to boost the Cottagers’ threat in the final third when his signing was finalised, as “the boy’s a finisher” and he settled into his new club quickly.

Parker said, via quotes by the Independent: “I’m very pleased we’ve got him with us and have got him on board, and I’m looking forward to seeing his qualities and working with him.”

But Maja has proven to be an underwhelming signing for Fulham that West Ham did well to avoid, having directed just 0.5 shots on target per Premier League game and offered little offensive creativity for his Cottagers teammates with 0.5 key passes, per WhoScored.

Haller may not have set the world alight in claret and blue with three goals in 16 Premier League games this term, but had offered West Ham a marginally superior option with 0.7 on-target efforts and 0.6 key passes on average a game.

Antonio, meanwhile, has seven goals in 21 appearances this term thanks to striking one of his average 2.4 shots on target per game, and has offered the second-most assists (5) at the London Stadium from an average of one key pass an outing.

If West Ham had been the ones to unveil Maja as a Deadline Day signing, he would likely have spent the following months sitting on the bench waiting for his chance, having proven to be a flop at Fulham where minutes have been more regularly forthcoming.

AND in other news, a £4.5m-rated West Ham enforcer is being lined up for a summer move out of east London…

A number of Liverpool supporters are happy with the news that Taiwo Awoniyi will complete a summer move to Bundesliga side Union Berlin.

Jurgen Klopp could have a busy summer on his hands, as he looks to perfect his Reds squad ahead of next season.

There is plenty of focus on which players could come in and make difference, but there are also individuals who will head the other way to clear up funds and make room on the wage bill.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

Awoniyi is one of them, with the Nigerian spending last season on loan in Berlin and Klopp seemingly not seeing a future for him at Liverpool.

Ironically, the 23-year-old has just been handed a UK work permit, but his permanent exit from Anfield is now almost complete.

According to Goal‘s Neil Jones on Twitter, Awoniyi will seal a £6.5million move to Berlin permanently, with a medical taking place on Tuesday.

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Liverpool fans happy with Awoniyi news

These Liverpool fans reacted positively to the news, seeing the forward’s exit as a way of generating more funds for new signings.

“Ok good start, now we need to get rid of Minamino, Origi, Shaq, Ojo, Wilson”

Credit: @Nabyesta

“How have we got £6.5MILLION for a guy that hasn’t stepped foot on the pitch once”

Credit: @YNWAMelly

“That is mad £6.5million yano, Edwards and Klopp are my heroes, keeping LFC alive”

Credit: @Tjtrxcxy10

“Add £10.5m for Grujic…Edwards is starting to get going”

Credit: @GarethCambridge

“The news I’ve been waiting for. Start the clearout”

Credit: @ShittaAMZ

“Great business”

Credit: @dhruv_reds

In other news, some Liverpool fans have reacted negatively to an exit rumour regarding one Reds player. Find out who it is here.

An update has emerged on Everton target Rafael Leao, regarding how much AC Milan want for his services.

What’s the talk?

According to Calcio Mercato, Milan are willing to listen to offers in the region of £26m (€30m) for Everton transfer target Rafael Leao this summer.

The report claims Mino Raiola is attempting to get him a move to the Premier League.

Richarlison 2.0

Marcel Brands and Rafa Benitez must work together to seal a deal for Leao this summer as he could be Richarlison 2.0 for the Toffees. The Milan forward is a quality young attacker who could come in and provide an extra option at the top end of the pitch to challenge the Brazilian and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Goalscoring was a big issue for the Blues last season, with Calvert-Lewin the only player who managed more than seven Premier League strikes. Richarlison and James Rodriguez provided seven and six respectively, with no other forwards managing more than one goal.

Therefore, Everton are in desperate need of an extra goalscorer to come in this summer. That is where Leao could be the perfect addition as he scored seven goals and provided six assists in just 24 starts.

This suggests that he could get near double figures for goals and assists if he is given more starts in the league by the Toffees than Milan were able to offer him.

Former striker Rolando Bianchi once lauded him as spectacular. The ex-forward also previously said that Leao was playing like a great player. He said:

“Leao is very young and is having a great season. Sometimes young people give the impression of mirroring themselves a bit, but his performances are that of a great player. I had seen him at the U20 World Cup with Portugal and he made spectacular plays. He has great speed, he has a touch of the ball.”

Richarlison is also a young talent, but the comparisons between the two do not end there. They are also both right-footed attackers who can play out on the left-wing or through the middle as centre-forwards. Both players are keen dribblers, as they like to run at players with the ball to create chances and score goals.

Therefore, Everton could land their next Richarlison by bringing Leao to the club for £26m. At the age of 22, he also has plenty of room for development and could improve over time, which means that he is a player Benitez could work with on the training pitch to continue his growth.

AND in other news, Everton must act swiftly to land dream deal for powerhouse who “towers above” players…

Celtic haven’t exactly had much luck on the injury front this season.

Of course, it would be hard to put the blame for the Hoops’ disastrous campaign on that alone. After all, their on-field displays at Parkhead have been rather pathetic.

That being said, make any team have to deal with an injury to a player as important as James Forrest and they’d struggle.

The Scot missed a period of 157 days and 35 matches with an ankle problem from September to February and has only just returned from another injury to the same part of his body.

It will be a welcome boost to have the winger in full flow again but one player they’ll definitely be without this week is Scott Bain.

The goalkeeper has been ever-present since John Kennedy was named interim manager but he will miss the clash with St Johnstone on Wednesday due to a finger issue.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Kennedy commented: “Scott Bain picked up a finger injury in the previous game against Rangers. We’re not taking any risks with that. There’s one or two others, again, who we won’t risk. But nothing major, we’re pretty much working with the same squad give or take one or two.”

Bain may not have been the most comfortable between the sticks this term but it still represents a huge blow to have him absent.

The stopper was at fault during Celtic’s battering in Prague during their dreary Europa League run while he could have done a lot better in the recent Old Firm derby.

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As Alfredo Morelos bullied Scott Brown to one side and sent a rasping effort towards goal, Bain was beaten all ends up. It was a powerful effort but it still crashed straight through him.

Unfortunately, his absence means that Vasilis Barkas will come into the XI. The Greek has deserved a second opportunity for a while now but he’s hardly been a consistent figure either.

Barkas has also been a calamity in goal and was another to pick up a slice of the blame in Europe.

When Celtic suffered defeat to AC Milan at the San Siro, the ‘keeper somehow let a Hakan Calhonoglu free-kick fly into the side of the goal that he was standing in.

Barkas has lacked authority and thus, the Bhoys defence shouldn’t be overly confident with him behind them either. This will his first start since January so expect him to be a little rusty too.

Kennedy will likely be gutted to lose someone he’s placed so much faith in since being handed the reins.

AND in other news, McKay must wield the axe on 5ft9 Celtic dud, Sutton dubbed him the “new Ryan Christie”…

Crystal Palace target Jon Moncayola is unlikely to leave Osasuna this summer, La Liga expert Euan McTear has told The Transfer Tavern.

Moncayola is reportedly on Palace’s shopping list, with AS (via Football FanCast) claiming last month that the south London club could make a move for him this transfer window.

The 23-year-old midfielder was one of Osasuna’s standout players in La Liga last season. He finished the campaign with the best pass success rate (81.7%) in Jagoba Arrasate’s squad and also averaged 1.7 tackles per game, only bettered by Raul Navas’ average of three (via WhoScored).

McTear, however, cannot see Moncayola moving to England this summer after he signed a 10-year contract earlier this month.

“He’s signed a 10-year contract to 2031, which is… I’ve never seen anything like that,” the Spanish football expert said. “That kind of tells me he’s not moving this summer.

“I mean, 22 million release clause, I think they made it low enough that if someone comes, he could still leave before the 10 years. But I don’t imagine him signing a 10-year contract, announcing that to the fans and then disappearing.

“He’s been really good for Osasuna. He’s very different to your normal kind of northern Spanish, tough, battling midfielder. He’s a bit more technical than what they’re used to.”

Considering all of that, Moncayola does look like he would be a good signing for Palace this transfer window.

However, given the small problem of that 10-year contract, even with that release clause, it is hard to imagine the Spaniard leaving the El Sadar Stadium anytime soon.

Manchester United have suffered a potential injury blow ahead of their Premier League clash with Leicester City on Saturday after Raphael Varane was forced out of the UEFA Nations League final before half-time.

What’s the word?

The France defender limped off the pitch after appearing to pull up while running and was seen with ice on his right thigh following his substitution on the 43-minute mark.

Varane initially received treatment on the pitch from the national team’s medical staff, but it soon became clear that he couldn’t carry on, leaving Didier Deschamps with no choice but to replace him with Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano.

Although the true extent of the centre-back’s injury is still currently unknown, it’s possible that he won’t be able to feature for the Red Devils over the weekend, leaving Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a real selection headache.

Solskjaer will be absolutely gutted

Club captain Harry Maguire was absent from United’s 1-1 draw with Everton last time out and has also played no part in England’s fixtures over the current international break.

It is currently unclear whether or not he will be available for United’s trip to the King Power Stadium, but if he is, Solskjaer may well be without both of his first-choice centre-back’s, leaving him absolutely gutted.

Varane has made seven appearances in all competitions for the 20-time English champions since arriving from Real Madrid over the summer, starting in each of their last five Premier League encounters.

Therefore, his possible enforced absence will come as a bitter blow to United, who will be aiming to get back to winning ways against the Foxes.

Solskjaer may be forced to turn to a duo of Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly if Varane is unable to recover in time, something which may be of cause for concern for the Norwegian tactician.

Maguire and Varane are both genuine international stars so to lose them would be a colossal blow to their chances.

Leicester haven’t been in great form but they still have the Premier League’s top scorer, Jamie Vardy, to contend with.

And, in other news…100% dribble success rate, 13 duels won: Man Utd gem shone on the international stage 

Emiliano Buendia is not a replacement for Jack Grealish, says Aston Villa journalist Luke Hatfield.

Villa signed the Argentine winger from Norwich City last month in a deal said to be worth £40m, a club-record fee.

Considering that, you could forgive fans for wondering if he had been bought to replace Grealish.

The Villa captain has been linked with a move away from the Midlands club for a while now, with Sky Sports reporting that Manchester City are readying a bid.

However, according to Hatfield, that is not the case. Instead, Buendia has been brought in to complement Grealish.

“It’s an interesting one and a lot of fans have kind of put two and two together with that,” the Express & Star journalist said as he discussed Buendia and Grealish in a chat with FFC.

“Buendia’s come in, obviously plays a similar position, albeit off the right as opposed to Grealish playing off the left. Villa are very much in the camp that he was brought in to be an addition to Jack Grealish and not a replacement.”

It will come as a relief to Villa fans, who will not want to see their chief creator, who provided 10 assists in the Premier League last season, leave this summer.

Of course, a lot could still happen before the transfer window closes, especially with Manchester City sniffing around. But the signs indicate that the Villans want to build around Grealish rather than sell him off for big money.

Derby County are believed to be interested in signing Brighton goalkeeper Christian Walton this summer, as Wayne Rooney eyes up  some late additions.

The Lowdown: Key week at Pride Park

It has been an up-and-down start to the season for the Rams, with Rooney’s side picking up five points from their opening four Championship matches.

Derby have a week left to sign players, with next Tuesday’s deadline day edging closer all the time and the squad still desperately short of any real semblance of depth.

The Latest: Derby keen on Walton signing

According to Football Insider sources, the Rams are in the race to sign Walton in the coming days, seeing him as someone who could provide more quality competition within the squad.

The 25-year-old’s current deal runs out at the end of this season, meaning Brighton may be willing to let him leave this summer.

Derby are one of a number of clubs keen on acquiring Walton’s signature, with the likes of Norwich City and Nottingham Forest also in the mix.

The Verdict: Solid addition for Rams?

Walton may not necessarily be a big-name signing, but he could be someone who gives Rooney a strong extra option between the sticks.

He has made 156 appearances in the Football League, including 83 games in the Championship, proving his experience and suggesting that he would be a safe pair of hands.

Given Walton’s contract situation, Derby could also get a good deal for him, acting as a further positive if they wish to sell him on for profit in the future.

In other news, one pundit has aimed a dig at Wayne Rooney – find out who it is here.