All posts by z3u9t.icu

Xherdan Shaqiri has said he will make a decision on “how to continue” at Liverpool after Euro 2020, as reported by This Is Anfield.

Signing from Stoke City for £13 million in 2018/19 [BBC], the Swiss international has been a sporadic contributor for the Merseyside giants; offering up eight goals and nine assists in 63 outings [Transfermarkt].

Enduring an infrequent season due to injuries, Shaqiri made 22 outings for the Reds in 2020/21, registering five goal contributions; one goal and four assists [Transfermarkt].

Speaking ahead of Switzerland’s crunch EURO 2020 clash with Italy on Wednesday night, the diminutive winger stated on his future: “At the moment I don’t really want to talk about it,”.

“I have a contract there and after the Euros, of course, I will talk to my agent and then we will look at the situation. Then we will decide how to continue.” [This is Anfield].

As you can imagine, loads of Liverpool diehards took to Twitter to express their opinion over Shaqiri’s future upon hearing the news.

Liverpool fans react:

Replying to popular Liverpool Twitter site This is Anfield, here is how some supporters summarised their feelings when asked if he should stay, with the Kop faithful seemingly desperate to keep hold of the playmaker for next season:

“Liverpool need this lad.”

Credit: @gmarrus”Yes!!”Credit: @Charlie56892354″Yes, he’s quality and cheap”Credit: @FPL_NZ”Oh my guy Shaq. Just adore him”Credit: @englishjen2″Hopefully gets more of a chance”Credit: @DazGwy”Liverpool should just keep him.”Credit: @gmarrusIn other news, Liverpool fans react to a Donyell Malen update.

Former Tottenham Hotspur star Paul Stewart has been left disappointed by Ryan Sessegnon’s time at the club thus far.

Spurs paid £25m to sign Sessegnon from Fulham back in 2019 but he has struggled to find his way into the club’s first team.

Indeed, he was signed under the management of Mauricio Pochettino but his sacking and the appointment of Jose Mourinho saw him fall even further down the pecking order.

In total, the 21-year-old, who can play as a left-back or as a left winger, has made just 12 appearances for Spurs.

He was sent on loan to Bundesliga club Hoffenheim at the beginning of the season and has played 29 times for the German club, scoring twice and laying on three assists.

It remains to be seen what the plan for the youngster will be upon his return to north London, given that the club are continuing to search for a new manager following Mourinho’s sacking back in April.

And Stewart insists he has not seen enough from Sessegnon during his time at Spurs.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “I think he plays on the same side as (Sergio) Reguilon, he’d be on the left side.

“I watched him at Fulham, and he did very, very well, and I thought he was going to be a great acquisition, but he never quite worked out.”

Southampton have often been known as a selling club given their great recruitment and academy system, but they will be desperate to keep hold of their captain James Ward-Prowse.

However, former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey believes it will take at least £60 million for the Saints to consider selling him.

It has been a hectic 2020 for Southampton as they have seen their star players all linked with a move away from the south coast with Ward-Prowse, Danny Ings and Jannik Vestergaard all tipped to leave this summer.

Ward-Prowse was not a guarantee to start under former manager Mauricio Pellegrino but since Ralph Hasenhuttl arrived, he has instilled confidence in the midfielder handing him the captain’s armband and he has not missed a single minute of Premier League football for two seasons.

When you look at reports suggesting that Aston Villa would demand £45 million for John McGinn who has only had one season in the Premier League, Howey delivered a stern verdict when asked if £30-35 million would be a fair price for Southampton to accept for Ward-Prowse, telling Football FanCast exclusively:

“I think they’d want a lot more than that. I think you’d be looking at double that for him.”

It was the £35,000-per-week midfielder’s best season for the Saints as he found the net eight times and registered seven assists, with the majority of them coming from dead-ball situations as he is undoubtedly on penalties, free kicks and corners.

If the Saints don’t look to make obvious improvements to their side this summer, players such as Ings and Ward-Prowse may feel like they have to move on for the good of their careers to try and win trophies.

West Bromwich Albion have been handed a huge boost in their bid to bring Kean Brayn to The Hawthorns this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Sun, who claim that the Sheffield United defender could be tempted by a move to Albion in the summer transfer window, as the 24-year-old is keen to link up with the new West Brom manager Valerien Ismael.

It has been reported that the Frenchman is keeping a very close eye on the situation of the £1.8m-rated centre-back ahead of a potential move this summer, with the 45-year-old looking to bring in a number of cost-friendly additions to his squad ahead of their upcoming Championship campaign.

Ismael will be buzzing

With a number of clubs believed to be interested in a move for the former England U20 international this summer, if the reports suggesting that Bryan is eager for a switch to West Brom to go through are true, it will undoubtedly leave Ismael buzzing.

Indeed, despite having featured sparingly for United since joining the club from Manchester City back in 2018, the centre-back showed glimpses of his potential towards the back end of last season.

Over his 13 Premier League appearances for Paul Heckingbottom’s side last term, Bryan helped his side keep two clean sheets, as well as making an average of one interception, 1.5 tackles, 2.7 clearances and winning 4.3 duels per game.

The £3k-per-week man also posed a threat for the Blades in an attacking capacity, scoring one goal and creating one big chance for his teammates, in addition to making an average of 0.3 key passes per league fixture.

These returns saw the man Chris Wilder dubbed a “talented” player earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.74, ranking him as the club’s 10th-best performer in the top flight of English football.

And, should the 24-year-old make a move to West Brom ahead of their campaign in the Championship, the drop in standard could provide Bryan with the perfect platform to flourish further in the heart of the defence, with his potential signing undoubtedly providing Ismael with a considerable boost to the chances of his side going on to secure promotion back to the Premier League next season.

In other news: West Brom plotting summer swoop for “special” 15 G/A bargain, Ismael would love him

Adama Traore and Daniel Podence are two Wolves players who could really benefit from Bruno Lage’s arrival, says Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield.

Following Nuno Espirito Santo’s departure at the end of last season, Lage was appointed as the new Wolves manager.

The ex-Benfica boss prefers a 4-4-2 formation, which is in contrast to Nuno, who favours a 3-4-3.

It means Wolves could be using more traditional wingers this upcoming season as opposed to wing-backs, and Hatfield thinks that could really suit the likes of £18m man Traore, and £17m star Podence.

“If you’re playing out-and-out wingers, I think it may suit them a bit better,” the Wolves journalist told TT.

“Traore was a player who was kind of tried out in a couple different positions at pretty much every club he’s been at. They played him at wing-back a couple times and you’re asking him to do a lot of defensive work.

“Podence probably struggled at the back end of last season. I think a lot of fans were getting a little bit frustrated with him. In a 4-4-2, which Lage has been known to play, it could be interesting to see how they do.”

Indeed, in a 4-4-2 with less defensive responsibilities, the likes of Traore and Podence really could thrive.

The former, in particular, is such a gifted individual, able to beat defenders like it is nothing. In the Premier League last term, he averaged 4.1 dribbles per game, more than any other player (via WhoScored).

As an out-and-out winger, hugging the touchline, he should be able to express that sort of talent on a more consistent basis.

According to The Sun, Southampton are interested in signing Isaac Hayden from Newcastle United this summer.

The Lowdown: Saints need to move

The Saints went through a mixed 2020/21 season as they finished 15th in the Premier League but also reached an FA Cup semi-final. As such, Ralph Hasenhuttl will be demanding improvement and will likely want to add to his squad.

However, Southampton have secured just one new arrival so far in the transfer window in Romain Perraud (southamptonfc.com).

The Latest: Saints eye Hayden

According to this latest report, Hasenhuttl and co are interested in taking Hayden to the south coast.

Newcastle would be willing to let him make the move to St Mary’s for a fee of £10m.

The Verdict: Experience

Hayden may only be 26, but he has plenty of experience in the top flight, managing 104 appearances for the Magpies in the Premier League (Transfermarkt). He came through Arsenal’s academy and impressed against Southampton last February, with Alan Shearer calling him “superb” following that display in a 3-2 win for the Geordies (premierleague.com).

A fee of £10m for a player with several years in the Premier League under his belt could well be a bargain for the Saints. As we edge ever closer towards the start of the 2021/22 campaign, the Saints must start making moves in the transfer market, and Hayden could be the next piece in the jigsaw.

In other news, many Southampton fans would be happy to see this man leave the club in the summer.

Paul Robinson believes that Odsonne Edouard will be concerned about getting injured at Celtic this summer during the current transfer window [Football Insider].

The Lowdown: Postecoglou gears up for challenging 2021/22 rebuild at Celtic

In the midst of a sizeable rebuild on the green side of Glasgow, newly appointed manager Ange Postecoglou will be under no illusions as to the scale of re-structuring necessary, in order to cultivate a Scottish Premiership title challenge this term with his side.

Some players have ambitions of departing from Parkhead this summer, including Kristoffer Ajer and Ryan Christie, who have both signalled their appetite for respective new challenges in recent times.

One man who Robinson also believes could fall into that category is Edouard, who has reportedly told friends he expects to leave Celtic this summer.

The Latest: Robinson details ‘massive concern’ for Edouard this summer

Speaking in an interview with Football Insider, the ex-England international detailed his apprehension surrounding the possibility of the Frenchman sustaining an injury during pre-season at Lennoxtown, stating:

“Injury is a massive concern for players in Edouard’s position.

“It’s such a blow if you are looking to leave and then get injured during the transfer window.

“You do not want to play with that at the back of your mind. It is very difficult playing and trying to avoid injury. You’re in fact more likely to get injured if you’re trying to avoid injury than if you are playing at your maximum.

“It is a very difficult situation for player and club and it is one that needs to be resolved quickly. If he is to stay at Celtic for another season then that needs to be ironed out this month.” [Football Insider].

The Verdict: Celtic should look to sell Edouard

Correctly, Robinson identifies that the 6 foot 2 maestro may face challenging thought processes, as he bids to stay injury-free and keep his chances of a move alive.

In 2020/21, the Hoops talisman enjoyed an extremely productive campaign as he registered 28 goal contributions in 40 appearances; 22 goals and six assists [Transfermarkt].

Furthermore, his capacity to regularly threaten opposition backlines is evident, recording a huge average of 3.5 shots per game in the Scottish Premiership last season [WhoScored].

Moving forward, the Celts should be working with the Frenchman to try and recuperate a profit as soon as possible, in order to avoid losing him for free when his contract in Scotland expires at the end of May 2022.

In other news, Noel Whelan has dropped his verdict on a Celtic winger.

As quoted in a football.london Q&A, reliable Tottenham Hotspur reporter Alasdair Gold has made a transfer claim involving France international star Jules Kounde.

The Lowdown: Spurs in Sanchez swap deal?

Over this last week, sensational reports have emerged from out of the woodwork detailing a possible Spurs swap deal for Kounde with defender Davinson Sanchez going the other way.

Indeed, Gianluca Di Marzio broke the news that there was even an agreement in place between the two clubs over a €30m (£25.6m) deal plus Sanchez in exchange.

However, it then emerged that Kounde rejected a move to Spurs, with Gold now providing a fresh update for supporters.

The Latest: Gold makes Kounde claim…

As quoted by football.london, when asked about the rumours involving Kounde, Gold dropped his own update and shared what he knows from within Tottenham.

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The journalist backs that Spurs ‘really like’ the France international and also doesn’t dismiss Sevilla being interested in Sanchez – an aspect of the possible deal which could help ‘enormously’.

“Spurs really like Kounde and it helps enormously that Sevilla are understood to be interested in Davinson Sanchez,” he explained (via football.london).

“I understand the player’s first choice would be a move to Real Madrid, but if that does not materialise then Tottenham would come into the picture.

“He’s an interesting target. He’s not the tallest but he does have an incredible spring to his jumps which negates it somewhat.

“He’s also worth a lot of money which is why the Sanchez element could be crucial, if the Colombian would like to move in the opposite direction.”

The Verdict: Sweating on Madrid…

Despite the France international’s priority being Real Madrid, there is arguably some encouragement to take from this update. Gold refuses to rule out Spurs entirely in the race to sign Kounde and says that they could still come back into the picture depending on how Los Galacticos fare.

News of Sevilla’s interest in Sanchez is also a boost, especially given Tottenham’s desire to offload in a sell-to-buy market.

There is little doubt that Kounde would come as a major defensive signing for Spurs given his performance levels, with Spurs pundit Paul Robinson saying he could be the ‘world class’ centre-half who they so ‘desperately’ need (Football Insider). Gold’s update suggests that Tottenham fans can keep their hopes up.

In other news: Bid made – Paratici swoops with fresh offer to sign ‘absolute beast’ for Spurs, find out more here.

The Transfer Tavern’s EFL spy believes that Charlton should target a move for Brentford youngster David Oyegoke.

Oyegoke joined the Bees from Arsenal earlier this month, but has linked up with the club’s B team, with the first-team now in the Premier League, meaning his opportunities may well be limited.

His only experience of senior men’s football during his time in north London came in an EFL Trophy tie for the Under-23s against Ipswich last August.

Oyegoke, an England youth international, can anywhere across the back-four despite predominantly being a centre-back, which means he would offer an impressive amount of versatility to Nigel Adkins’ squad.

And whilst Charlton only narrowly missed out on finishing in the top-six last term, Adkins’ men had the worst defensive record in the top-nine having shipped 56 goals in League One.

Oyegoke has scored just once at youth team level, but the EFL insider reckons the teenager can be effective at both ends of the pitch.

He exclusively told The Transfer Tavern:

“Charlton probably need to enter the market and potentially look to someone for a London loan.

“Brentford have a former Arsenal player in David Oyegoke, who has the size and presence for a young lad but goes past people for fun and is quick to get back and defend.”

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans have been in full debate following ExWHUemployee’s news on bright youngster Conor Coventry.

Coventry, who has featured often in pre-season as the Hammers gear up for what will be an interesting 2021/2022 season, has already garnered praise from fans for some of his West Ham showings.

The 21-year-old scored in wins against Northampton Town and Reading over this last fortnight whilst also featuring in West Ham’s 6-2 demolition of Celtic (whufc.com).

ExWHUemployee, sharing the latest on Moyes’ stance surrounding the exciting young midfielder, has dropped some information as to how the Scotsman has reacted to some of his brilliant performances.

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Speaking to the West Ham Way Podcast (via Patreon), the reliable club insider says Moyes has been left very impressed with Coventry over pre-season – coming amid some comparisons to star man Declan Rice.

Reacting to Moyes’ stance on the player, many supporters believe now is the time to play him whilst being left encouraged that the West Ham boss could finally hand Coventry his chance.

However, there are also a handful who believe the Hammers still need to strengthen in the midfield area as well.

Find all of their best verdicts, in reply to West Ham Transfers, down below.

West Ham fans flock to ExWHUemployee news on Coventry

“Finally, he deserved it for almost 2 years now , hope he finally gets his chance”

Credit: @joesoutham7

“Who hasn’t been? Very excited to see the lad progress in the first team”

Credit: @USA_WestHamWay

“saves us spending money in that position he’s like a young dec”

Credit: @GeorgeScales20

“Looks a very tidy player nobles replacement”

Credit: @danielmoore1987

“New mr west ham mate, he’s ready to take over the role from nobes.”

Credit: @xHappyHammerx

“Play him”

Credit: @Tommb22

“So have I but I still think we should get Yangel seems like a bargain”

Credit: @SebAlphaMale

In other news: ‘Beyond a joke’…West Ham fans fume in response to official club post, find out more here.