All posts by z3u9t.icu

Swansea City are considering a move to bring Eddie Howe to the Liberty Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Times, who claimed that, following Steve Cooper’s surprising departure from the club earlier this week, Howe has emerged as one of the leading candidates to take over from the 41-year-old at the Championship side.

The report goes on to mention that, after failing to land the Crystal Palace job earlier this summer, it was felt that the relationship between Cooper and the Swansea hierarchy had run its course, although the Welshman nevertheless remained at the club.

However, with just two weeks remaining until the start of the new Championship season, it was mutually decided that Cooper and the club would go their separate ways.

Howe would be Cooper’s perfect replacement

With Swansea’s parachute payments from the Premier League ending this year, co-owner Jason Levien is believed to be interested in appointing a manager who will continue Cooper’s impressive work of developing youngsters. However, as a result of the club’s financial situation, this is now a requirement rather than a choice of style.

With Howe having both a history of developing a club’s youth prospects, as well as boasting the record of having taken a cash-strapped Bournemouth side from League Two to the Premier League via three promotions in six seasons during his time in charge of the south coast club, the 43-year-old dubbed an “exciting” coach by Jurgen Klopp would very much appear to be Cooper’s perfect replacement at the Liberty Stadium this summer.

However, with it being widely reported that John Eustace now looks set to be named as the new Swans manager, it would appear unlikely that Howe will indeed be making a move to Wales this summer. Levien’s rather rapid decision to make a move for the Queens Park Rangers assistant manager very much seems to be a decision which has the potential to come back to haunt the co-owner, particularly with a candidate such as Howe freely available on the market.

In other news: Swansea handed transfer boost over “unbelievable” £9m-rated gem, Cooper surely buzzing

James Forrest, Callum McGregor and David Turnbull are all expected to stay at Celtic this summer.

The Lowdown: Postecoglou has a busy few months

New Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou looks set to take Hoops training next week after making progress in regards to quarantine protocols.

John Kennedy, Gavin Strachan and Stephen McManus will take Celtic’s first day of pre-season on Friday, but Postecoglou should have time in charge before the club’s training camp in Wales next month.

He looks set to be a busy man when it comes to recruitment ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, but it seems he’ll have three Celtic stars available to him going forward.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-5/” title=”Celtic updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Latest: Devlin drops update on Scottish trio

The Athletic’s Celtic correspondent Kieran Devlin shared a story on Postecoglou on Wednesday and how his Hoops side could line up.

Devlin suggested that the 55-year-old could look at a 4-3-3 system, with McGregor and Turnbull as two No 8s and Forest as a right-winger.

He claimed that the Scottish trio are ‘among the few first-team quality players expected to stay’.

The Verdict: A worrying time for the Hoops?

Although the news on Forrest, McGregor and Turnbull expecting to stay is a positive one, it appears to be a worrying time for the Hoops.

Devlin suggests the three are ‘among the few first-team quality players expected to stay’, which points at a number of exits to other Hoops stars.

The likes of Kristoffer Ajer and Odsonne Edouard have both confirmed their desire to quit Parkhead recently, and there appears to be no real desire to get additions through the door.

Celtic need to get a move on when it comes to their transfer business, especially at the back and in attack, as they have just over a month until their Champions League qualifier against FC Midtjylland.

They could give themselves the best chance to progress if they can get bodies through the door quickly, but at this moment in time, it doesn’t look likely.

Should no additions arrive and Ajer and Edouard leave, Postecoglou could be left with Stephen Welsh as the only fit senior centre-back due to Christopher Jullien’s injury and Albian Ajeti as the only recognised centre-forward, if Leigh Griffiths fails to earn a new deal.

Very worrying indeed.

In other news: Trophy-laden club captain wanted by Postecoglou; he is a big fan of Celtic coach, find out more here. 

Noel Whelan remains bullish about Leeds United’s chances of signing Rodrigo de Paul this summer despite interest from Atletico Madrid.

The Lowdown: Leeds keen on De Paul

The Whites look to set for a busy transfer window as Marcelo Bielsa looks to bring undoubted quality into his squad.

One player who has been continually linked with a move to Elland Road is De Paul, having shone for Udinese in recent times. The £34.2m-rated Argentine registered nine goals and nine assists in Serie A this season, catching the eye with his class in the final third.

[freshpress-quiz id=“355458″]

The Latest: Whelan provides update

Speaking to Football Insider, former Leeds striker Whelan discussed the current situation regarding Atletico, remaining relatively confident that De Paul will pick the Whites instead:

“It depends where he wants to play his football. Does he want to play in the best league in the world or go to La Liga and finish and second or third next year?

“That’s what it is. He would be in the Champions League but there will be a reaction from Barcelona and Real Madrid next season.

“They’re the giants. They will be strengthening. It’s entirely up to him and where he feels better suited. It means someone at Leeds is doing a good job because if Atletico are interested then Leeds’ scouting network is working.

“We need to watch this space, he has two massive clubs looking at him and it looks like he has a choice.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-4/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

The Verdict: Game-changing signing

De Paul is a player who could take Leeds up another level, possessing game-changing ability (as evidenced by his goal contribution figures) and standing out as a Bielsa-type player.

The 27-year-old’s aforementioned quality in attack would no doubt appeal to the Leeds manager, but perhaps most importantly, an average of 1.2 tackles per game in the league last season shows he is also happy to muck in defensively, a trait which is non-negotiable for Bielsa.

It isn’t going to be easy for Leeds to get their man, but if they can pull it off, it could feel like a truly significant piece of transfer business should they beat La Liga champions Atletico Madrid to the chase.

In other news, a pundit has provided a bleak outlook for one Leeds player – find out who it is here.

Plenty of Crystal Palace supporters have been giving their thoughts to the club’s Premier League released list, which was shared online on Friday.

The Eagles have 22 players on the list, including 11 senior players. The likes of Gary Cahill, Andros Townsend, Patrick van Aanholt, Joel Ward and Connor Wickham are all included, and it’s safe to say it has got a lot of Palace fans worried.

The Premier League confirmed that players signified as a “free transfer” or released by a club could still remain at that club next season.

Their respective deals don’t expire until the end of June, so a number of Eagles players on the list currently may end up remaining at Selhurst Park for the 2021/22 campaign.

Palace fans react

@cpfc_xtra shared a screenshot of the club’s released list and posted it on Twitter on Friday evening.

This is what these Palace fans had to say in reply, with one labelling some of the players on the list as ‘stunning’.

“Surely not”Credit: @RossNic98″You are joking no way”Credit: @thelankiest”Noooo”Credit: @georgiehalford1″There’s some stunning names on this list…”Credit: @erictwigs”Ok what is this???”Credit: @Bunds_”Townsend, Ward, Cahill. Hope that’s not true”Credit: @Jamezy166

In other news: Fans love eight-word update on Palace’s pursuit of Chelsea midfielder, find out more here. 

Danny Mills reckons that Aston Villa may be plotting to replace Jack Grealish after their bid for Arsenal winger Emile Smith Rowe was rejected in midweek [Football Insider].

The Lowdown: Aston Villa get ready for 2021/22

As Aston Villa gear up for 2021/22, many will be intrigued to see how they go about bettering their impressive 11th-placed finish last term.

Already very active in the transfer market, the Villans have been successful in their bids to acquire Emiliano Buendia and Ashley Young respectively as they build for pre-season.

However, it is a failed pursuit which has caught Mills’ attention as Arsenal turned down a bid of £25m for Smith-Rowe from Aston Villa earlier this week [BBC].

The Latest: Mills issues honest Grealish rebuttal

Asked whether he thought this bid could signify an impeding Villa Park exit for Grealish sooner rather than later, Mills issued an honest reply in an exclusive interview with Football Insider, stating: “Quite possibly, yes.

“You always have to plan for that. At the moment, they’re bringing in players that can enhance their squad and their first XI and there’s no harm in doing that whatsoever.

“But there will be in the back of their minds that if suddenly something happens and there is a huge offer for Jack Grealish and he wants to go then they have enough players to cover those positions.

“Obviously they won’t be as good as Jack, not right now. But with a few tweaks here and there the aim will be you don’t miss.”

The Verdict: Villa’s swift recruitment will stand them in good stead

The former Leeds United defender makes an informed point regarding the difficult predicament in which Aston Villa find themselves.

Grealish has been a stand-out performer for Aston Villa in 2020/21, registering 19 goal contributions from 27 outings, with seven goals and 12 assists [Transfermarkt]. Earning adulation left, right and centre, the 25-year-old was deservedly nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season award at the beginning of this month [avfc.co.uk].

Villa will be doing everything in their power to keep the talented winger at Villa Park. Conversely, if Grealish decides to move on to pastures new within the transfer window, quality recruitment will be key in order to replace the offensive quality the Villa captain possesses.

Judging by the Clarets early summer transfer surge, they may be well stocked to handle any prospective departure.

In other news, many Aston Villa fans react with horror to this transfer report.

After thrashing Burnley last time out in the Premier League, Leeds United will be desperate to pick up where they left off when they take on Southampton on Tuesday night.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side ran riot at Turf Moor, beating the Clarets 4-0 thanks to goals from Mateusz Klich, Jack Harrison and a brace from summer signing Rodrigo.

However, one man who struggled over the course of the game, unlike his teammates, was Patrick Bamford.

The striker netted in the 3-1 victory over Spurs recently but that was his only goal in his last seven Premier League games, and he just seems to have gone off the boil in recent weeks.

His display at Brighton earlier this month was a case in point, with Bamford unable to get himself involved in the game, with Bielsa eventually deciding to replace him with Rodrigo before the hour mark. His tallies of 15 touches and 12 successful passes were the lowest among Leeds’ starting XI at the Amex Stadium.

Writing in his post-match player ratings for Leeds Live that day, Beren Cross gave him a 4/10, adding: “Barely had a kick. As he was in the first game, he was swamped by the three centre-backs. The latest in a long line of frustrating matches for the striker with any Golden Boot hopes long gone.”

That anonymous showing was replicated again at the weekend, with the £16.2m-rated man struggling massively to get himself involved, with Burnley’s two centre-backs snuffling him with ease.

As per Sofascore, he had just nine touches of the ball in the entire time that he was on the pitch, making only five successful passes, which unsurprisingly was by far the lowest of any starter. He also had one shot on goal, provided no key passes and – perhaps most tellingly – lost all four of his duels, with Burnley physically overpowering him time and again.

Cross gave him a five in his player ratings, adding: “Difficult afternoon for the striker, who would have craved the space which opened up later in the second half. James Tarkwoski and Ben Mee had him pocketed and isolated.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Leeds transfer rumours and news!”]

After eventually being hooked in the 58th minute, Bamford has now been taken off just before the hour mark in two of his last three Premier League games; and with the season now winding down, it’s surely time for Bielsa to make the ruthless call and drop him from the starting line-up.

With Rodrigo netting two goals on Saturday, and Joe Gelhardt also waiting in the wings, it’s time for Bamford to make way after some shocking performances of late.

Meanwhile, a journalist has dropped a major Leeds United update…

After only managing to rescue a draw against West Brom last week thanks to a last-gasp equaliser from Keinan Davis, Aston Villa manager Dean Smith will be desperate to try and breathe new life into his team on Saturday night.

Villa take on Everton at Goodison Park in the late kick-off, and with the kind of disappointing run they’ve been on in recent weeks – they’ve won just once in their last eight Premier League games – Smith could really do with just making some bold calls and changes; starting with dropping Ross Barkley.

The England international has been in shocking form for quite a while now, with no goals in the Premier League since the end of January when he bagged in a 1-0 win over Southampton.

Villa podcaster Simon O’Regan slammed the 27-year-old’s recent performances last month, saying: “I think what’s sort of annoyed me as well over the last few weeks is Ross Barkley, and I’m not trying to single him out because I think he has been really heavily criticised more than he probably should have been, especially when other players haven’t exactly stepped up either.

“These last few weeks were a real opportunity I think for him to really shine and play his way into getting in a decent move and he hasn’t really done that.”

With Jacob Ramsey knocking on the door, and still only 19, surely it’s the perfect time for the Villa manager to be starting one of the club’s brightest young academy graduates.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Villa have already made the decision not to sign Barkley on a permanent basis. Given his form, and his likely future, there is absolutely no reason for Smith to persist with the woefully out-of-form midfielder.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-aston-villa-transfer-rumours-and-news-copy-copy” title=”Latest Aston Villa transfer rumours and news”]

The £18m-rated ace simply shouldn’t be starting against his former club Everton on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, Villa must avoid selling this star; it’s not Grealish…

Mick McCarthy’s star loanee signing at Cardiff City, Harry Wilson, has been tipped to make a move to Scotland this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to the former Rangers defender Michael Ball, who, speaking recently to This is Futbol, claimed that Steven Gerrard’s relationship with the Liverpool winger could see him make a switch from Merseyside to Ibrox in the upcoming transfer market.

He said: “Steven’s got that connection with him. He knows of him, so that personal relationship could be a bonus. The money, we’re not too sure what they have to spend, so it all depends if any players move out as well at Rangers. If [Alfredo] Morelos moves on, the big money that they’ll get would give Rangers the opportunity to bring Harry, and maybe a few others, in.”

Tan must move

While Wilson himself has recently spoken out regarding his desire for a shot at first-team football with Liverpool, in addition to the fact that Mick McCarthy has claimed he believes it would be unlikely that the 24-year-old will return to the club this summer, on top of the winger’s links with a move to teams such as Rangers, there is no reason why Vincent Tan should not put a considerable amount of effort into bringing the Wales international back to Cardiff ahead of next season.

After making the temporary move to the Bluebirds last October, the £14.4 million-rated man was in exceptional form over his 37 Championship appearances, scoring seven goals, providing 11 assists and creating 11 big chances, as well as averaging a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.20 – ranking him as the club’s second-best performer in the second tier.

And, with the £15,000-per-week Welshman’s returns helping the Bluebirds to an impressive eighth-place finish in the Championship standings, there would appear no real reason that, with the addition of a couple of new signings in the summer, Wilson could not achieve his ambition of playing at the highest level with Cardiff – albeit after a season in which the winger could prove to be the difference in the club’s push for promotion.

As such, Tan should be doing all he can to convince Wilson of a move back to the Cardiff City Stadium this summer, as, if the owner really wishes to see McCarthy guiding his side back to the Premier League, Wilson – whom current Rangers coach Michael Beale dubbed as “outstanding” – would undoubtedly prove a crucial part of the 62-year-old’s side.

Whoever the new manager at Celtic is, they will face a huge rebuilding job in order to take the Hoops back to their former glories.

They will, however, potentially have to do that without players like Odsonne Edouard.

The Frenchman is one of a number of individuals at Parkhead touted with the exit door.

On the chalkboard

Another face who will definitely be heading for the departure lounge is Scott Brown.

The 35-year-old’s time at Paradise is coming to an end this summer as the midfield veteran winds down his career in Glasgow and heads to Aberdeen.

Brown will become a player coach under Steven Glass at Pittodrie but will leave behind a considerable void in the middle of the park.

The Celtic skipper’s performances were mediocre this term but one area of his game that remained unquestionable was his leadership.

Even if now feels like the perfect time for him to depart, the Hoops will miss his tough tackling nature and his commitment to the cause.

The replacement

The natural successor in the middle of the park feels like Ismaila Soro.

The Ivorian has struggled for game time since penning terms in January 2020 but like Brown, his tenacious attitude is infectious.

There are few better tacklers in the entire Celtic squad with Soro registering as many as ten successful challenges in one game against Lille last year.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-howe-favre-mcgregor-mccann-tierney” title=”Read the latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

Liam Shaw could also arrive and fill the spot in midfield but there are other unorthodox options that the incoming Hoops boss has to consider.

One of them needs to be Kristoffer Ajer. The Norwegian could leave for the Premier League this summer but if he stays, he should be well suited to stepping up into midfield.

Ajer came through the ranks as a defensive midfielder and although he’s now been moved into the backline, he could become a genuine star playing further forward. After all, it’s a position he’s played in on 19 occasions throughout his career to date.

The 23-year-old is a marauding figure from centre-half, ploughing forward with an unrelenting amount of energy. He can beat players for fun and push them over in a devastating fashion.

In the words of ACSOM presenter Paul John Dykes, Ajer is a “man mountain” at the back for Celtic but it feels like he’s more than equipped to play further forward.

A commanding figure, his defensive attributes would still be important but it would give Ajer more of a platform to rampage forward and carry the ball; two attributes that define his play style.

The 6 foot 6 pillar would also be allowed to do so knowing he has cover behind him, something that evidently isn’t the case when he plays at centre-back.

With a pass success rate of 87.5%, he’d also be able to keep things ticking over safely. If there’s one area that never fails to let him down, it’s his ball-playing capabilities.

The Norway international might not be as tough in the tackle as Brown but his tall figure would do enough to scare plenty of opponents. He’d be a perfect fit for the midfield.

AND in other news, Celtic must sign “outstanding” 21-goal animal, he terrorised Scott Brown this season…

Sunderland suffered their first defeat in 15 games (Sky Sports) on Saturday against Charlton Athletic in League One, and the fans were far from happy with the performance of Josh Scowen.

The Black Cats are currently fighting for promotion to the Championship, but their 2-1 defeat against The Addicks is a huge blow to those hopes. Unfortunately, despite spending much of the match in control, they were unable to beat an opponent who themselves are also eyeing one of those coveted promotion spots.

The performance of Scowen was particularly disappointing for the fans. He actually put the ball into his own net to give the London outfit the lead, and struggled throughout the game in the middle of the park. Lee Johnson will be expecting more from him during the remaining few weeks of the season, even though he did grab what turned out to be a consolation goal.

The fans took took to social media platform Twitter in their droves to share their thoughts on his display.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Scowen below

“Scowen is a waste of space”

Credit: @SafcF1Fan

“Got nowt to do with that, when we play the right team we can create and score. Scowen in midfield totally ruins the team”

Credit: @DavidHindmarsh7

“Scowen is virtually on the line. It’s absolutely pathetic 4th division Sunday league clearance. If he can’t kick a ball like that properly then he needs to find another sport”

Credit: @SafcMod

“Scowen is embarrassing but making that save look like is shocking, he’s dove past the ball and then parried it back into the goal, embarrassing”

Credit: @BradfordGavin

“Get Scowen off I am not sure what he actually does full stop.”

Credit: @GuyAllison73

“How is Scowen still on the pitch? Dreadful”

Credit: @mgsmith95

In other news, Sunderland fans slammed this man against Peterborough on Monday.