All posts by z3u9t.icu

Newcastle United are thought to be closing in on signing Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer.

The Lowdown: Newcastle’s previous interest

Ajer was first linked with a move to St James’ Park back in March, with the 23-year-old setting his sights on a Premier League switch.

The towering defender was a regular for the Hoops during the 2020/21 season, making 46 appearances in all competitions.

Celtic signed Ajer for just £540,000 in 2016, and it seems they will make a big profit this summer.

The Latest: Magpies close to landing Ajer

According to the Sunday Mirror (30/05, pg 76), the Norway international looks set to become Steve Bruce’s first signing of the summer window, with a deal reportedly costing Newcastle £6m.

The Magpies were thought to be advancing with an £8m offer earlier this month, despite the Hoops wanting double that, so this latest update does appear to be slightly low on the valuation.

Nonetheless, it seems as if Newcastle have managed to knock £2m off the fee, with Ajer having just over 12 months remaining on his Celtic contract, which is thought to be worth around £14,000-a-week.

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The Verdict: Postecoglou to face an early problem?

Celtic are hoping to conclude a deal for Ange Postecoglou next week after talks with Eddie Howe collapsed on Friday, so the 55-year-old could be faced with an early problem as Hoops boss.

Should Ajer depart, Postecoglou would be left with Stephen Welsh as the club’s only recognised fit centre-back, with Christopher Jullien currently sidelined through injury.

The versatile Nir Bitton could fill in if required, but having a lack of central defensive options ahead of Champions League qualifiers in July may not be ideal.

Postecoglou will surely now identify a new centre-back as a key area to strengthen, so Hoops fans may well be in for a busy summer.

In other news: Celtic closing in on landing director of football, find out more here. 

According to Football Insider, Liverpool have been informed by Borussia Dortmund that Jude Bellingham is not for sale this summer. 

The lowdown: Interest building

Since making the switch to Germany, Bellingham has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence and is now a regular for the Bundesliga side and England despite his tender years.

The Reds have been extensively linked with the 18-year-old midfielder for some time now and a big-money swoop had appeared to be on the horizon.

However, an immediate move may well have been taken off the cards if this latest update is anything to go by.

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The latest: FI drop a major update

As per an FI recruitment source, Dortmund have informed both Liverpool and Manchester United that the teenage sensation ‘will not be sold’ this summer.

The report claims that the Anfield club and arch-rivals United have made contact about signing the 12-cap England starlet.

But, as Jurgen Klopp’s former employers prepare themselves for the departure of Erling Haaland, there is said to be ‘no intention’ of allowing the midfielder once hailed as ‘phenomenal’ by Gareth Southgate to follow suit.

The verdict: Worth the wait

The prospect of no summer move being forthcoming for Bellingham is undoubtedly a disappointing one for Liverpool as Klopp and incoming sporting director Julian Ward are likely to attempt to strengthen the midfield department.

With current incumbents, James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Thiago all over 30 and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain stuck on the periphery of matters, signing a truly supreme star of the future such as the ex-Birmingham academy prospect – who can operate in various roles – would’ve been the ideal option to bolster the Anfield ranks.

Now the recruitment team and indeed FSG face the dilemma of whether to move on to different targets or wait for the Englishman.

Statistics on this don’t lie and Bellingham has scored six times and registered 11 assists in 40 appearances this season – we feel he would be worth the wait.

In other news, one Liverpool player has been backed to leave this summer. Find out who it is here.

Reliable reporter Alan Nixon has given an update on Celtic Director of Football target Fergal Harkin.

Reports last week suggested that the Hoops were closing in on the Manchester City man and were even willing to defy target Eddie Howe in getting a deal over the line.

However, a move to Parkhead for the ‘massive’ Celtic fan is yet to be announced, and Nixon was quizzed on any off-field Hoops developments on Tuesday.

Nixon, who writes for The Sun, was asked by a Hoops fan if there were any updates in Celtic’s pursuit of a manager and director of football.

He replied, claiming Harkin was working for the Premier League giants at a League One fixture on Tuesday.

“Well Fergal Harkin is working for Man City and currently at a League one game tonight.”

Transfer Tavern take

Celtic were first linked with Harkin at the beginning of February, so a potential move is taking its time.

It seems as if the Hoops are committed on bringing Harkin to Glasgow, though, and hopefully, it’s just a matter of time until a deal is officially announced.

However, Harkin’s whereabouts on Tuesday could well mean a Celtic deal still needs plenty of work, but with Dominic McKay now in the building at Celtic Park, surely off-field developments will start to pick up ahead of a vital summer window.

Should he seal a move to Scotland, one of Harkin’s first jobs could be to help bring in Neil Lennon’s long-term successor before working with the new boss on several player incomings and outgoings ahead of the 2021/22 season.

In other news: Pundit believes Aston Villa man could be keen on Celtic move this summer, find out more here. 

Journalist Phil Hay has confirmed that Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw has only picked up a minor injury, hailing the update as ‘good news’.

The Lowdown: Forshaw limps off at West Ham

The Whites secured a brilliant 3-2 win away to West Ham on Sunday afternoon, in what was arguably one of their best results of the season.

Forshaw limped off in the first half at the London Stadium with a hamstring injury, however, and it was feared that he would be missing for a chunk of action given his previous woes.

With Kalvin Phillips already sidelined, as well as numerous others, it was a blow that Marcelo Bielsa could do without.

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The Latest: Hay confirms positive news

Thankfully, Forshaw took to Instagram on Monday to confirm that the issue is only a minor one, with Hay reacting to it on Twitter:

“Good news from Forshaw on the hamstring front. Looks to have avoided a bad one.”

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The Verdict: Big boost for Leeds

This is a rare positive in the injury department for Leeds this season, with Forshaw claiming in his post he could potentially even be back for Saturday’s visit of Newcastle United in the Premier League.

The 30-year-old has been a revelation since returning from an extremely lengthy injury absence, starting ten league games and averaging 2.3 tackles per game, a tenaciousness in midfield they would be desperately lacking without him and Phillips.

Forshaw will remain a crucial figure in the middle of the park until the England star returns, as his hugely pleasing comeback from a career-threatening situation continues.

In other news, Hay has also given another positive Leeds injury update. Read more here.

Bundesliga expert Daniel Pinder has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that he cannot see Wout Weghorst leaving Wolfsburg for Tottenham this summer.

The 6 ft 6 Dutch striker has been linked with a move to the north London club amid a stunning campaign.

Weghorst has managed to reach the 20-goal mark in the Bundesliga this season, showing that he could perhaps be a reliable alternative to Harry Kane if the England captain remains at Spurs.

Pinder, however, believes Kane’s presence at Tottenham is actually likely to detract the 28-year-old from wanting to join the club.

On Weghorst, who is currently valued at £27m by Transfermarkt, the editor-in-chief at Get German Football News told FFC:

“I think he’d only consider it if Kane leaves. Wolfsburg are third in the Bundesliga, so the chance of them getting Champions League football next season is extremely high. So unless the offer’s right, the team’s right, I don’t really think he has that desire to leave Wolfsburg.”

Loanee Carlos Vinicius is the other striker currently in Tottenham’s squad, but recent reports suggest that the Premier League outfit do not want to activate the £36m option-to-buy fee they have in place with Benfica.

It means Spurs will likely need to sign a new No.9 whether Kane stays or not.

An arbitrator has dropped some insight on the chair taking on Newcastle United’s upcoming takeover case against the Premier League, via The Chronicle.

The Lowdown: Arbitration looming

The arbitration proceedings between the St. James’ Park faithful and the Premier League over the failed deal between Mike Ashley and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium is set to take place in the coming months.

The chief executive of Sports Direct has also launched a separate anti-competition lawsuit against the English top flight with regards to their decision-making process in the failure of the bid.

The Latest: Beloff insight

Michael Beloff is set to chair the panel that will take on the arbitration hearing between the Magpies and the Premier League, and Jeffrey Benz, who is an arbitrator who has sat on a number of arbitration panels with Beloff, has dropped some insight on him ahead of the case.

Speaking to The Chronicle, he said with regards to Beloff that he is a ‘very practical and contextual thinker’, and is ‘widely considered’ to be the ‘dean of the modern international sports law bar’.

Beloff has also been ‘known to be persuaded’, and has ‘copious experience running successful arbitration proceedings’.

The Verdict: Newcastle must win Beloff over

Given that he is the chair of the arbitration panel, the Toon must win Beloff over to have any hope of winning their case.

A positive result for the North East club would be a big step in the right direction in terms of trying to push the proposed takeover through, and Beloff will very much have a big say on whether that can happen.

Although the timing of the hearing is certainly not ideal, given that the summer transfer window has already begun and the new 2021/22 season is set to start in August, the Tyneside club will no doubt want the proceedings done as quickly as possible so that they can be best prepared for any potential acceleration in the takeover process.

In other news, find out who may be used in a potential Joe Willock swap dal here!

Aston Villa have now registered their interest in Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe amid a potential summer transfer move.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have claimed that the centre-back could be set for a reunion with Dean Smith, having, of course, played under the Villa boss during their time in the Championship.

And now, Football Insider have revealed that Villa have now made an approach for the defender by registering their interest in him and that they will make an official move for him if given the encouragement to do so.

It’s added that: “Smith wants a young defender with Premier League experience to provide cover and competition for first-choice duo Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa. Tuanzebe has been targeted as he fits the profile of the recruitment team and has the potential to develop.”

Fans will be buzzing

The £7.2m-rated centre-back has earned rave reviews for his performances for United last season, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer waxing lyrical about him after he stopped PSG and Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League.

He said: “Axel’s a tremendous defender, a great leader. He’s come through the academy and we’ve known for years that he’s going to be a top player for us and he’s got the character and the attitude that a Man United player should have. Sometimes you’ll get in a foot race with Mbappe and you have to run with him and we know Axel’s qualities, he’s a top defender.”

Given the £50k-a-week earning ace has already played under Smith, he should be able to hit the ground running, especially with his experience of Premier League football at United too.

Tuanzebe featured 35 times in his one season at Villa, including starting in the club’s Championship play-offs run that earned them promotion back to the Premier League.

Villa fans will surely be buzzing at the prospect of another, young English talent heading to Villa Park and joining the likes of Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa as Smith’s impressive centre-back options, especially with Bjorn Engels’ recent departure.

Meanwhile, Villa could sign their new John Carew in this man…

Phil Hay has dropped an update on Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, regarding his injury status heading into the international break.

What’s the latest?

According to The Athletic’s Leeds correspondent, Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has withdrawn from the England squad with a minor knock.

However, despite that blow, the reporter confirmed a big boost for Leeds in the process.

Hay claims that Phillips has a ‘good chance’ of being fit enough to face Southampton after the international break, with his injury not set to rule him out for a prolonged period of time.

Big boost

This news will leave fans feeling delighted as it is a big boost for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Losing Phillips for the clash against Southampton, and possibly beyond that, would have been a sizeable blow to the squad and would have left the Argentine coach needing to tinker with his XI to compensate for Phillips’ absence.

The defensive midfielder has been a crucial figure in the Leeds team under Bielsa, with 34 Premier League starts to his name since the beginning of last season. He averaged a sublime WhoScored rating of 7.01 as he bossed the midfield in the top-flight, earning himself recognition for his country in doing so.

England manager Gareth Southgate admitted that he had faith that Phillips would be able to become an important member of his squad at international level. He said.

“He’s been excellent. The way he has taken to international football, it hasn’t surprised us because what we’d seen with Leeds, even in the Championship, we felt could convert into our team.

“We felt he could play an important role with us. To play in the enormity of the matches he did in the summer and play as well as he did is massive credit to him.”

This played out in the summer as the Leeds man played seven times in the European Championships as England lost the final on penalties to Italy.

Whilst this illustrates his quality and shows why his fitness will come as a big boost to Bielsa and leave fans delighted, there is also a lack of depth in his position. Phillips was absent on the opening day of the season against Manchester United and Robin Koch was forced to operate in the holding midfield role, with Leeds losing 5-1 at Old Trafford.

The Whites do not have a natural holding midfielder to cover for Phillips when he is not on the pitch and that is another reason why this injury only being a minor one will delight supporters.

This could also be an area for Victor Orta to look at in the January window as signing a back-up in his position could ease any fears over his availability in the future.

AND in other news, Leeds must sanction swoop for £8.5m gem with “crazy technique”, he’s Raphinha 2.0…

Newcastle United may not be able to permanently offload Yoshinori Muto to his Greek Super League suitor Aris Thessaloniki, according to The Athletic’s Chris Waugh. 

The lowdown

Greek outlet Sportime reported on Sunday that Aris, who finished third last season, were in ‘advanced contacts’ with the player.

Newcastle paid £9.5million to sign Muto from Bundesliga outfit Mainz in 2018, committing him to a four-year contract.

He’s now into the final 12 months of the deal, having scored only five goals since for Newcastle and SD Eibar, where he spent 2020/21 on loan (via Transfermarkt).

Newcastle have trimmed four players from their squad so far this summer. Andy Carroll and Henri Saivet were released, Cristian Atsu sealed a move to Al-Raed and Florian Lejune joined Alaves for an undisclosed fee.

The latest

Waugh reports that ‘NUFC are hopeful’ of arranging the forward’s exit this summer after Aris expressed ‘concrete interest’.

Newcastle ‘ideally’ want to sell Muto, but Aris’ preference is a loan move, which would see his wages split.

They’re willing to cover around 40% of his roughly £50,000-per-week salary, leaving the Magpies to make up the rest themselves. There’s ‘optimism’ on their side that a deal can be reached.

Muto returned to training on Monday, but that doesn’t herald a change of heart from the club. He has ‘no future’ at St James’ Park.

The verdict

It would be somewhat frustrating if Newcastle had to agree to a compromise here. While selling Muto probably wouldn’t have generated a big transfer fee given his contract situation and lean goal return, it would at least have cleared his substantial wages off the books.

Interest in Muto may not be plentiful, and so the Magpies may have to accept Aris’ proposal. If they were hoping to raise funds for incomings through sales, it seems they’re yet to make significant inroads.

In other news, could this midfielder arrive in addition to Willock?

Noel Whelan has now urged Newcastle United not to let go of Matty Longstaff after an update on the future of the central midfield player.

The Lowdown: Longstaff can go

As cited by The Northern Echo, Steve Bruce has confirmed that Longstaff can go out on loan before the summer transfer window ends.

He has reportedly been targeted by both Sheffield United and Huddersfield Town ahead of a potential move.

The Latest: Whelan on Longstaff

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan, who is now a pundit after playing as a striker for the likes of Leeds United and Coventry City, has now urged the St. James’ Park faithful to keep hold of Longstaff before the window shuts, given the size of their current squad at the moment:

“You can’t do it, don’t allow players to leave when you have a squad the size of Newcastle’s.

“They’ve not really been active in this window, it’s a really difficult situation that Steve Bruce is in.

“You’ve got to look if Newcastle have got players coming through the ranks who can replace him, or whether they are willing to go into the market to replace him.

“They’ve not started the season well, so to lose a home-grown player is a bit of a kick in the teeth.

“But he’s another young player who needs to be playing regularly to get the best out of him, and maybe Matty has realised that.”

The Verdict: Keep for now

To be fair, the North East club have a decent amount of options in the middle of the park, including the likes of Longstaff’s brother Sean, Isaac Hayden, Jeff Hendrick, Jonjo Shelvey and new arrival Joe Willock (Transfermarkt).

However, unless they can find a replacement for him with just a few days left of the window to go, they should be looking at keeping Longstaff for now as they may need a big squad deeper into the new season.

Described as a ‘talented’ player by Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell back in June, he certainly has potential, as exemplified by scoring a memorable goal on his senior Premier League debut for the Tyneside club in a 1-0 home win over Manchester United (BBC Sport).

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Nonetheless, Longstaff is a local boy as well, and so the Toon Army will want him to do well for them.

In other news, find out which three top-flight players Bruce is eyeing here!