All posts by z3u9t.icu

Newcastle United still consider Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay a transfer target, according to renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: McTominay leaving United?

The Scot has had a frustrating season for United to date, suddenly finding himself struggling for regular playing time since the arrival of Erik ten Hag.

McTominay has only started seven games in the Premier League in 2022/23, with the arrival of both Casemiro and Christian Eriksen making it harder to be a key man, especially with Bruno Fernandes also a key figure.

Given how far down the pecking order that he has fallen down, it is hard to see the 26-year-old’s situation changing for the better moving forward, so it could be that he decides to move on.

The likelihood is that the Red Devils would endorse a transfer if he wants a fresh challenge, and with his current contract expiring in 2025, now could be a good time to earn a sizeable fee.

Newcastle have been linked with a move for McTominay in the recent past and now a fresh update has emerged regarding his future.

The Latest: Newcastle still keen on move

Taking to Twitter, Romano claimed that the Magpies remain keen on signing the United man this summer, having looked to snap him up back in January:

“Scott McTominay scored a brace with Scotland today… and he could be one to follow in the summer.

“Newcastle have his name in the list as target since January — ten Hag didn’t want Scott to leave two months ago but #NUFC keep following him.”

The Verdict: Strong midfield option

Newcastle need to make additions to their midfield this summer, and throughout the whole of the team for that matter, if they qualify for European football and look to fight on all fronts.

In McTominay, Eddie Howe could have a great option to bring in and bolster his options, with the 37-cap Scotland international someone who would add experience and box-to-box energy in the middle of the park.

He was once hailed for being a ‘special character’ by Jose Mourinho, which speaks volumes, and while he doesn’t necessarily make many headlines as a player, he is someone who could be a great foil for the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.

McTominay would arguably be an upgrade on Sean Longstaff, who is doing a great job currently but averaged 1.6 tackles and 0.7 clearances per game in the EFL Cup compared to the former’s tally of 2.5 and 2.3.

Liverpool are keen on signing Enzo Le Fee, according to a report from 90min, and the FC Lorient midfielder has recently announced he wants to leave.

Who could Liverpool sign this summer?

Central midfield is without doubt the main area Jurgen Klopp will need to strengthen in the summer transfer window, given that Fabinho has not been at his best, with pundit Scott Minto claiming "it's like his twin brother is playing" earlier in the campaign. Jordan Henderson has been a fine servant to Liverpool, making a total of 480 appearances for the club, however given that he is 32-years-old, it is about time a long-term replacement is phased in.

There have been a number of different midfielders linked with a move to Anfield, with Klopp said to be confident about landing Chelsea's Mason Mount, with his contract talks hitting a standstill. Jude Bellingham will be the dream signing for many, and agent Haydn Dodge has recently claimed the Reds have made an out-of-window bid of around £100m for the Borussia Dortmund starlet.

According to a report from 90min, Liverpool are also keen on signing Le Fee, who has recently made it clear he wants to leave Lorient, saying:

"I have a special bond with the club and that's why I wanted to extend my contract at the start of the season. I waited for a contract offer from Lorient until December. It never came. Now, I don't expect anything from the club and I won't extend my contract. I hope to leave this summer so that my transfer will bring money to Lorient."

The Reds are said to be admirers of the French midfielder, however they are not the only club monitoring him ahead of the summer, with the likes of Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur also interested.

Would Enzo Le Fee be a good signing for Liverpool?

Football scout Jacek Kulig has hailed the £12k-per-week maestro as "brilliant", and he has been one of Lorient's key performers in Ligue 1 this season, recording an average match rating of 7.27, the third-highest figure in the squad.

In all competitions, the 23-year-old has weighed in with five goals and five assists, most often being utilised in a central midfield role, but occasionally playing both further forward and in a defensive role, displaying his versatility.

It would be a big step up for Le Fee to move to Liverpool, but he is showing very promising signs in Ligue 1, and at 23, he is at an age where he can develop his game much further.

David Moyes will reportedly be sacked as West Ham manager if his side lose their vital Premier League clash at Fulham on Saturday afternoon.

How much pressure is Moyes under?

The Hammers have had a bitterly disappointing season, having started it with potential European aspirations but now finding themselves right in the relegation fight. Performances and results have both been below-par throughout the campaign and it now leaves the east Londoners fighting for their lives during the business end of 2022/23.

Wednesday's 5-1 humbling by Newcastle United at the London Stadium was arguably the lowest moment of the season so far and there is no doubt that Moyes now finds himself under the most pressure he has been under. The Scotsman will surely be aware that his job is now hanging by a thread.

Now, a new claim has emerged regarding the West Ham boss' future, with today's trip to Fulham looking pivotal for him.

Could Moyes be sacked this weekend?

According to Football Insider, Moyes is "expected to be sacked" by the Hammers if they suffer defeat at Craven Cottage this weekend. The report states that "club chiefs are demanding an instant turnaround" in fortunes after the humiliation against Newcastle, starting in west London on Saturday.

The 59-year-old's "support in the David Sullivan-led boardroom is dwindling" and it is even claimed that the club have been "sounding out alternatives" to replace him.

This only highlights how important Saturday's clash with Fulham is, not only for Moyes but also generally in terms of West Ham's hopes of survival. Granted, they have one game in hand on those around them, but they are still only out of the relegation zone by virtue of goal difference and they don't look like picking up consistent points at the moment.

The hope is that Moyes is able to inspire a big performance out of his players this weekend, though, both potentially saving his job and easing the nerves of supporters in the process. It won't be easy, however, with Fulham sitting 10th in the Premier League after an impressive campaign.

Marco Silva has done an excellent job in charge and they will prove to be a stern test for the Hammers, although one thing that could give the visitors hope is that fact that the Cottagers have lost their last four matches, in all competitions.

The London Stadium, with West Ham fighting for their lives, could be a tough test for Fulham.

Manchester United made it back-to-back Premier League wins with victory over a struggling Everton side on Saturday afternoon, with Erik ten Hag's men powering to a deserved 2-0 win following a commanding performance at Old Trafford.

That dominant showing – in which the "best team won" according to Toffees boss Sean Dyche – came despite the hosts having been without a handful of key men, with Raphael Varane having dropped to the bench, while both Casemiro and Luke Shaw were absent due to their respective suspension and injury woes.

The loss of the latter man, in particular, was ultimately not too great a blow such was the "brilliant" performance of summer signing, Tyrell Malacia at left-back, as per journalist Liam Canning, with the former Feyenoord ace proving that he is a more than capable understudy to the England international.

How did Malacia perform against Everton?

It was, initially, a tough opening for the Netherlands international yesterday, with the diminutive defender having been 'rash with his defensive decision-making and sloppy in attack', as per Manchester Evening News journalist, Samuel Luckhurst, after struggling to contain the likes of Alex Iwobi and Demarai Gray down his side.

Having also been somewhat culpable for allowing former United trialist Ellis Simms a free attempt on goal in what was a frantic and frenetic first half, the 23-year-old recovered well to produce a strong showing from then on.

The 5 foot 7 "pitbull"- as previously lauded by his former Holland boss, Louis van Gaal – was a typically tenacious and aggressive presence in his left-sided berth, having won eight of his 12 duels on the day, including winning both of his aerial duels despite his small stature.

While 'not nearly as strong going forward' as stricken teammate Shaw, as per GOAL's Richard Martin, Malacia was still able to make an impact in an attacking sense, having completed two of his three dribbles, while also registering one key pass from his 88 touches.

The £75k-per-week machine also made six passes into the final third as a marker of his willingness to spark attacks for his side, while also not neglecting his defensive duties as he recorded a solid haul of eight recoveries on the day.

That standout showing ultimately saw the eight-cap menace record a stellar match rating of 8.3, as per FotMob, with that the joint-highest of any player for either side, further showcasing just how impressively he was able to slot in for the more experienced Shaw.

Although the latter man is unlikely to be dislodged as the first-choice option at left-back any time soon after recently signing a new long-term extension, Malacia will certainly continue to push his defensive colleague in the years to come, having proven himself as Ten Hag's "Mr Reliable" once again – in the words of Statman Dave.

Tottenham Hotspur could be set to beat some of their Premier League rivals to the potential signing of James Maddison in the summer transfer window.

Could Maddison leave Leicester in the summer?

Leicester City find themselves in a seriously worrying position in the Premier League table with the prospect of relegation a real concern for the Foxes.

And this comes ahead of a summer window where Leicester are expected to receive a lot of interest in some of their players such as Maddison.

Last summer, the Foxes were able to battle off interest from the likes of Newcastle United for Maddison but the England international will go into the summer with one year left on his current deal.

There have been reports suggesting the Toon could potentially pursue him again over the coming months alongside the likes of Manchester City.

However, there have been claims that it is Tottenham who actually lead the race for the £110k-per-week midfielder ahead of the summer window.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, insider Jacque Talbot has suggested the north London club are certainly one of the sides who are most interested in the 26-year-old:

(2:15) "Maddison is liked a lot by Spurs and stuff and at the moment Leicester are just being a bit heavy with the price tag and so if that drops and there is a deal to be done then they'll [Newcastle United] look into doing it."

Do Spurs need a player like Maddison?

For a number of years now, Spurs have been playing without a creative midfielder with the likes of Antonio Conte looking for creativity from his wide players.

Since Christian Eriksen's exit, Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele have both come and go on loan but have failed to make a real impact on the side.

However, there has been little to shout about in north London in recent months and it seems as if the reset after sacking Conte could include the signing of a creative midfielder over the summer.

It is believed the Italian was not keen on the idea of signing Maddison during his time at the helm in north London.

But this is certainly a decision which will leave some fans confused given the seriously impressive form the 26-year-old has shown for a struggling Leicester side this season.

In the Premier League, Maddison has returned nine goals and six assists which dwarfs the return of the current batch of Spurs midfielders.

The Leicester midfielder has been hailed as a "magician" this season by Statman Dave and it is clear to see why when the £60m-rated star has offered over 4.5 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (via Fbref).

At a time when the likes of Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski are both struggling to provide and score goals, someone of Maddison's creativity could certainly offer a welcome addition in behind Harry Kane.

Leeds United have other managers in mind to replace Javi Gracia, with a 49ers takeover possibly impacting things at Elland Road, according to Ben Jacobs.

What’s Jacobs had to say about Gracia’s Elland Road future?

Gracia, who penned a flexible contract in Yorkshire back in February, has won just three of his 10 games in charge of the Whites.

April has been a month to forget for Gracia and Leeds, with heavy Premier League defeats to Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Liverpool. The latest loss came on Saturday to Fulham, which leaves the club just one point above the drop zone with six games remaining.

Talking to GiveMeSport regarding the club’s managerial situation, Jacobs said that the Whites “have other options in mind” and are open to changing manager if they are in the Premier League or Championship.

He added that the 49ers, who currently hold a 44% stake at Elland Road but could soon seal a full takeover from Andrea Radrizzani, will also have a say.

“Leeds have other options in mind and are keeping everything open at this stage.

“Those permutations are not only defined by Leeds’ current ownership and majority owners but also the 49ers Enterprises aspect in the backdrop. If they come in, they will also have their own opinion and say how they want to go forwards.”

Who could Leeds target?

Leeds looked at a number of managers prior to appointing Gracia, with the likes of Andoni Iraola, Arne Slot and Carlos Corberan all names linked.

You’d expect that the Whites will need to remain in the top flight to have a chance of appointing any of those managers, and they could end up swapping leagues with Corberan, should he guide the Baggies to promotion via the playoffs.

The Daily Express’ Ryan Taylor recently looked at four candidates to replace Gracia for the run-in should Leeds decide to make a change which included former Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.

It’ll be interesting to see what Leeds decide to do next, but Gracia’s focus now will be on Tuesday’s crucial home clash with relegation rivals Leicester City.

Newcastle United have enjoyed great success in the transfer market since PIF completed their takeover of the club and were able to invest in the squad over the last three windows.

The likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak, Kieran Trippier, and Sven Botman are just a few of the roaring successes to come from the owners' investment, which has led to the club sitting third in the Premier League as it stands.

However, maintaining a perfect transfer record is difficult for any club, no matter the finances involved, and the Magpies have had a few underwhelming signings in the PIF era.

How has Matt Targett performed for Newcastle?

One player who has not kicked on as some may have expected him to has been left-back Matt Targett after his £15m move to the club from Aston Villa last summer.

The English defender enjoyed an excellent spell on loan at St. James' Park in the second half of last season as he averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.99 across 16 appearances in the Premier League.

His form was rewarded with a permanent transfer and four-year contract with the Magpies but the ex-Southampton man's displays have been less than convincing since then.

Earlier this year, Eddie Howe described the defender as being "unfortunate" and a "victim" of the success of the team but, put simply, the left-back's performances when he has been given a chance to impress have left him with little chance of breaking into the team.

The 27-year-old has averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.40 across 14 outings in the top-flight for Newcastle this season, with Dan Burn – who has started 31 times – being preferred ahead of him from the start for the majority of the campaign.

Targett has gone from creating 1.2 chances per game in 2021/22 to 0.6 in the current term, along with his 4.2 tackles and interceptions dropping to 1.5.

How much is Matt Targett worth?

The full-back's disappointing showings in the Premier League in 2022/23 have led to his market value dropping significantly.

CIES Football Observatory value him at around €5m (£4m) with that indicating the Magpies have a depreciating asset on their hands, rather than one that is rising in value with the potential to make them a profit in the future.

They invested £15m to sign the defender from Aston Villa and his plummeting valuation coupled with a worrying lack of quality performances on the pitch suggest that they are unlikely to see much of that initial investment back if they decide to part ways with him in the near future.

Therefore, Newcastle dropped a clanger with their deal to sign the £100k-per-week enforcer, given the lack of return – from a footballing and financial perspective – on the signing so far. Indeed, the owners will want to focus on bringing in more players like Guimaraes and Isak, rather than repeating their apparent error with Targett.

Tottenham Hotspur's recent appointments have been uninspiring in execution but did admittedly seem like enthralling captures at the time.

To first tempt Jose Mourinho, and later Antonio Conte to north London, marked a huge coup for a side that have not won a trophy since 2008. These serial winners were expected to transform the mindset within the club, yet both have already moved on, and Daniel Levy's search has restarted.

Few could have predicted them both to fail so miserably, however the coach that came between them was a far less surprising flop.

Swooping for Nuno Espirito Santo, who had left Wolverhampton Wanderers that summer, the Lilywhites welcomed a hard-headed leader with little history of success in an effort to recapture their identity.

With a tenure lasting just 17 games, the Portuguese boss clearly failed in that venture.

Tottenham manager news – Ruben Amorim enters the frame

Now, with their search once again rumbling on, the Spurs chairman could be set to repeat this failure with his compatriot Ruben Amorim, who continues to be linked with the vacancy in Portuguese media.

Despite being widely regarded as one of Europe's hottest young coaches, his style of play draws fearsome similarities with the 49-year-old who now plies his trade in Saudi Arabia.

How does Ruben Amorim play?

Employing a 3-4-3, closely mirroring Nuno, the 38-year-old instead opts to defend the space rather than go man for man. Whilst this could leave gaps, if the players all subscribe to the method, it can prove incredibly fruitful.

Across his tenure at Sporting CP, which has spanned 158 matches, his team have waltzed to 106 victories, scoring 308 and conceding just 141. However, current Porto boss Sérgio Conceição gave his verdict on a style that might not be as free-flowing as these statistics suggest.

He claimed:

"Sporting is a very pragmatic team that knows what it wants. They are a team that defends with a lot of people, because the squad is aware that it is necessary to defend itself to win games. Sometimes simplicity is the most difficult to counter."

Whilst this has given way to a league title among other honours, it might not be enough for the Premier League, should he make the move this summer.

Spurs' squad have already proven that this kind of defensive solidity does not comply with them, and for all Amorim's successes, it might not be a perfect marriage to move to north London.

In fact, the similarities with Nuno will surely petrify supporters of the club, at the prospect that this fellow Portuguese manager could come in and enact similar horrors to their last one.

Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount could now a sign a new contract at the club in the near future, according to a promising new update.

Is Mount set to leave Chelsea?

The 24-year-old is yet to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge, and with his current deal expiring at the end of next season, there has been concern that he would leave this summer. Various reports have linked with him a move to Liverpool, with the Reds seeing him as someone who can bolster their squad after a disappointing season.

While Mount hasn't enjoyed his best season in a Chelsea shirt, losing him at this stage in his career would still be a blow, with so much still to come from him as the years pass. He has scored 33 goals and registered 37 assists for the Blues, also winning the Champions League back in 2021.

Now, a positive update has emerged from a Chelsea perspective when it comes to the Englishman's future.

Could Mount now stay put?

According to Football Insider, "confidence is growing" at Chelsea regarding Mount's future, with belief that he will now sign a new deal and commit to the club. The "imminent appointment of Mauricio Pochettino has given hope to those inside Stamford Bridge that Mount will stay put at Chelsea", with a top new manager potentially persuading him to stay on.

The report goes on to add that the Blues have "promised Mount more first-team action and a key role in the side as part of his contract negotiations", as they do all they can to keep hold of one their most prized assets.

This is big news for Chelsea, with Mount someone the club simply have to retain this summer, considering his long-term worth and the love and passion he has for the club. He has been at Stamford Bridge since he was a youngster and having him around is vital, in terms of knowing the club inside out and educating new signings on its traditions.

Most importantly, the £80,000-a-week England international is a top-quality footballer – Joe Cole has described him as "outstanding" in the past – and he could excel under Mauricio Pochettino, growing into even more of a leader and key man as the years pass.

Mount can be divisive at times, with some supporters wanting more from him, but the positives easily outweigh the negatives, so him signing an extension should be met with great optimism, if it happens.

Chelsea will look to pursue Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana this summer as they eye a new preferred option between the sticks, says journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Andre Onana?

As per LondonWorld, Chelsea, alongside Tottenham Hotspur, are set to compete for the signature of Inter Milan goalkeeper Onana this summer in a potential deal that could be worth in the region of £40 million.

The report claims that the Blues will move to replace both Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy, while Onana is seen as an ideal target due to his modest 'financial demands'.

According to TuttoMercatoWeb via Sport Witness, 27-year-old Onana's performances for Inter Milan ‘have not gone unnoticed’ and Chelsea ‘continue to monitor’ him ahead of the off-season.

Despite being seen as a 'pillar' at the Nerrazurri, it is said that an offer of €60 million (£52 million) may be enough to entice the Cameroon international to Stamford Bridge.

Capology understand that Onana earns roughly €74,038 (£64,310) per week on the books at the San Siro on a contract that runs until June 2027.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones believes that Chelsea will have a good chance of acquiring Onana this summer.

Jones said: "There's definitely potential for this one. We've known that he has been on Chelsea's radar for a while and obviously they have recruitment and scouting that goes on beyond whoever the manager is at that time. So it doesn't matter too much on the goalkeeping front what Pochettino makes of it. He'll obviously have a say, but the decision will always be made as a group over a decision like this and Onana is somebody that they’re certainly exploring.”

Would Andre Onana be a good signing for Chelsea?

Onana has been in good form for Inter Milan this season and has managed to keep 17 clean sheets in 36 appearances across all competitions before his side's Champions League semi-final first-leg clash against AC Milan, as per Transfermarkt.

WhoScored also notes that the Cameroon international ranks among the top ten most consistent performers for Inter Milan this campaign, registering an average match rating of 6.91/10 for his exploits on the pitch.

The 27-year-old has also recorded a save percentage of 76.1% in Serie A this season, demonstrating his presence as a reliable asset between the sticks, as per FBRef.

All things considered, Onana would be a safe pair of hands to assume the number one jersey at Chelsea in 2023/24 as the Blues look to freshen things up at Stamford Bridge.