All posts by z3u9t.icu

Xisco Munoz’s Watford side are considering a move for Gael Kakuta this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Daily Mail, who claim that the Hornets, as well as Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and Fulham, are closely monitoring the RC Lens attacking midfielder ahead of a potential move in the upcoming transfer window.

It is then reported that the Ligue 1 side, who are only signing the 29-year-old on a permanent deal themselves this summer, would be looking for a fee of around €10 million (£8.6 million) in order to part with the DR Congo international.

Generational talent

While it would be a fair assessment to make that Kakuta has not quite lived up to the expectations one might assign to a footballer who remains Chelsea’s youngest ever player to feature in the Champions League, as well as one who was dubbed by a highly experienced scout as the “most gifted player of his generation” when he was just 16 years of age, the midfielder has nevertheless impressed this season for Lens.

Over his 33 league appearances for Franck Haise’s side, Kakuta has scored 11 goals, registered five assists and has created a whopping 13 big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 1.5 key passes and taking 1.5 shots per game, culminating in an average SofaScore match rating of 7.05 – ranking him as the club’s second-best performer in the French top flight.

When comparing these returns to those of the Watford players this season, only Ismaila Sarr’s haul of 17 direct involvements with goals scored betters Kakuta’s return of 16, demonstrating just how much the Hornets are in need of a midfielder with both the creativity and clinical edge of the 29-year-old, particularly when considering the step up in level the club are about to face following their promotion to the Premier League.

As such, Cristiano Giaretta should be doing everything he can to ensure that Watford win the race to sign the former Chelsea man this summer, and, with the Lens star available for a reported fee of just £8.6 million, this particular race is likely to be one that is very hotly contested.

In other news: Watford suffer huge blow in pursuit of “talented” £25k-p/w gem, Giaretta will be livid – opinion

Leicester City are set to enter contract talks with Caglar Soyuncu as the club look to extend the defender’s stay at the King Power stadium.

The 24-year-old has impressed since establishing himself in Brendan Rodgers’ starting XI last season, making 80 appearances for the Foxes in all competitions.

A serious injury issue and coronavirus has limited the Turkey internationals playing time throughout the current campaign, but Soyuncu has returned to full fitness in recent weeks, managing to rediscover his best form along the way.

According to the Daily Mail, Leicester are set to reward the centre-back for his solid displays with fresh terms. Soyuncu’s current deal expires in the summer of 2023, and the Midlands outfit are keen to keep any potential suitors at bay with a new contract.

The former Freiburg man played the full 90 minutes over the weekend as Leicester secured the first FA Cup triumph in their 137-year history and talk has now turned to their top-four hopes.

Qualifying for next season’s Champions League would propel Rodgers’ charges on the pitch as well as off it as they look to break the domestic dominance of the ‘Big Six’.

The 2016 Premier League champions have sold a key player every year since their incredible success, but securing a place in Europe’s elite cup competition could see that pattern come to an end.

Tying down their top talent like Soyuncu is essential if Leicester want to be considered one of the countries top teams on a long-term basis, and if Rodgers’ previous assessment of the tough-tackling defender is anything to go by, it’s clear he’ll be delighted at this latest revelation.

“He has been absolutely fantastic, and he is only going to get better with experience,” said the Northern Irishman. “He will go to Old Trafford. He will go to Anfield. He is not frightened of anything.

“He is quick, he is aggressive. He can defend first and foremost. He has absolutely no qualms whatsoever of just smashing the ball over the stand. He wants to defend. But he can play football, and that’s important if you want to be a top team. You have to be able to defend, but you have to be able to play, and he can do that.”

Soyuncu has quickly established himself as a cult hero at the King Power amongst the Leicester supporters for his full-blooded, passionate displays, and if new terms can be agreed between the two parties, it could be a significant show of intent from the club’s hierarchy.

And, in other news…Leicester handed significant boost with ‘top-class player’, Rodgers surely buzzing – opinion

Ben Godfrey has proved his versatility and ability this season at Everton having played as a centre back, right back and a left back which could put him in the frame for a place in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad, according to former Everton striker Marcus Bent.

The former Norwich City defender had to fill in as a full back for Carlo Ancelotti this season as he saw both Seamus Coleman and Lucas Digne experience an extended period of time on the sidelines, but his 6.82 WhoScored rating proves he has done a sufficient job in his firsts season with the Toffees.

Having been signed from the recently relegated Canaries, there were question marks over his head about whether he was good enough to fit straight into Everton’s team considering Norwich conceded 75 goals last season.

With Harry Maguire injured and potentially out of both the Europa League final and European Championships, there could be a spot in the defence and that could go to Godfrey, that is according to Bent, who spoke exclusively to Football FanCast:

‘You look at him, and for his age, his technique, and level of maturity, when he does play is great, you can clearly see that he’s going to be a top player.

“They’re definitely going to look at him for the future because he definitely has got talent. So I think, looking at what they’ve said, him making the squad for the Euros is questionable because Gareth has so many options in every position but will he give him a chance in a friendly before the tournament? Who knows.”

The £76,923 per week defender has featured nine times for the England U21s but is still yet to be handed his first cap for the senior side but if he keeps performing in several different positions for the Toffees it appears to be a question of when not if it happens.

Everton started the season well losing just four of their opening 15 Premier League games, however, just two home league wins in 2021 totally derailed their chances of qualifying for either the Champions League or Europa League.

This has been a torrid season for Wolves but, with Raul Jimenez set to return during pre-season, the Old Gold can be positive about their prospects in 2021/22.

It was wonderful news to hear the Mexican had now made a full recovery from the horrendous fractured skull he sustained back in November.

He has been a monumental loss to departing manager Nuno Espirito Santo this term, with the Molineux outfit struggling for goals. That’s hardly a surprise, though, especially when you consider that Jimenez returned 27 strikes in 2019/20.

Since his time on the sidelines, Fabio Silva has only found the net four times and Willian Jose has scored once. Therefore, to have their main man back will come as music to the ears of Wolves supporters.

It will also be welcomed by Pedro Neto, a player suffering from his own lengthy injury.

He was named the club’s Player of the Season this week and it was easy to see why. He is their joint-top scorer and has more assists than any other player in the squad. However, those numbers would be far better if their Mexican number nine was available throughout the campaign.

Providing Wolves can get him and Jimenez back fit, they could have a brilliant chance of breaking into the European places next season. Add Xherdan Shaqiri into the mix and their hopes become even brighter.

The Liverpool forward was tipped to be a good addition for Wolves by Football Insider pundit Noel Whelan earlier this year.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-wolves-transfer-rumours-and-news-soumare-dias-dembele-marques-nuno-santo” title=”Read the latest Wolves transfer rumours and news!”]

He commented: “Where would he end up going [from Liverpool]? You’re probably talking middle of the table. Maybe Wolves, that might suit a player like him. But I doubt the top six would take a chance on him. He’s got a great left foot but he hasn’t been playing regularly. He’s been a bit-part player.”

As a player blessed with plenty of creativity, a front three of him, Neto and Jimenez is a mouth-watering one. Shaqiri possesses what has been described as “breathtaking technique” and you can see that in the way he carves out chances for others.

Despite his limited game-time at Liverpool this term, he has still managed 1.4 key passes per match. That tally is only bettered by Adama Traore and Neto at Molineux.

The comparisons with Nuno’s front three are rife, possessing flair and trickery to beat defenders on a regular basis.

During an interview with Football FanCast’s sister site This is Futbol, Old Gold legend Steve Bull said: “Shaqiri is similar to Neto, Podence and Traore so he could actually fit in and I wouldn’t rule that out at all. He’s that type of player who is busy, small, light on his feet and a dead ball specialist.”

If a player is good enough for Bull, he should be good enough for Wolves’ new manager next term, and indeed Fosun.

Shaqiri’s salary of £80,000 per week is steep but he would add plenty to a Wolves squad who are in desperate need of more quality and options in the final third.

AND in other news, Wolves intend to buy “unpredictable” 23-goal Mendes client, he’s an upgrade on Podence…

With Eddie Howe approaching his Celtic coronation, the Hoops can finally begin preparing for the upcoming summer transfer window.

Until a new manager had arrived, it appeared impossible for the Bhoys to be able to plan who was coming or going.

What’s the word?

Unsurprisingly, we’ve seen a number of Howe’s former players linked with a move to Celtic.

Everton striker Joshua King has been in their crosshairs while Jack Wilshere has even been mentioned in the same breath as the Bhoys.

The most realistic option could be in defence where 30-year-old Steve Cook has been touted with a Howe reunion.

Following Bournemouth’s failure to get promoted, it could open the door for him to arrive at Parkhead.

That’s the word of Dean Windass who spoke exclusively to Football FanCast this week: “In terms of bringing Bournemouth players in, only time will tell. Yes, with Steve Cook and players like that, now they’re in the Championship, would Celtic be appealing to them? Without a shadow of doubt (with) the size of the football club.”

Natural leader

With Scott Brown heading to Aberdeen, Celtic will be in need of finding more players with leadership skills, individuals who are of captaincy material.

In Cook, Howe could find his perfect player.

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

The centre-back is currently the skipper of Bournemouth and leads by example with some titanic performances in the middle of defence.

This would help to kill two birds with one stone. Not only do Celtic need to find a new captain, but they could also do with someone who can improve their defence.

If there is one area to focus criticism on it’s in their backline. They shipped 16 more goals than Rangers in the Premiership this season, bemoaning some amateur mistakes.

You only need to look at the way they succumbed to a 4-1 defeat to their biggest rivals in the closing weeks of the season to understand how far the gap is.

Cook would give them a sterner resolve at the back and could complement someone like Kristoffer Ajer impeccably.

The Norwegian is a ball-playing defender by trade but Cook is the definition of a no-nonsense centre-half.

For Bournemouth this season, he won a whopping 177 aerial duels at a rate of 4.1 per game. That’s a staggering number but demonstrates exactly what he’d bring to Paradise; brute force and the ability to beat any striker in the air.

Described as “excellent” by Howe, Cook has played under the 43-year-old on 302 occasions. Thus, if the English manager is looking to find someone he’s familiar with, there are few better players.

They know what to expect from each other and the 6 foot 1 defender will provide Celtic with more leadership; this feels like a no-brainer for the Hoops hierarchy.

AND in other news, Celtic can axe Christie by signing 20-goal beast, Strachan dubbed him a “great talent”…

The career path of former Celtic star Shaun Maloney is a strange one.

For the Hoops, he was one of the most exciting players in the Scottish game, combining close-touch control with the ability to find the back of the net and create goals on a regular basis at Parkhead. During his stay at Paradise, the Scot played 135 times, scoring 30 goals and registering 31 assists.

Since then, he has gone on to win the FA Cup with Wigan and now he’s the assistant manager of Belgium, the number one-ranked international side in world football. It’s funny how things work out for some players in the game.

Another footballer with an intriguing story is Ryan Gauld. The midfielder left Dundee United for Sporting Lisbon as a teenager, moving to Portugal as one of the most vibrant young talents around.

He was dubbed the Mini Messi and it was clear to see why. Speaking about his game, his former coach Ian Cathro once said: “We don’t allow players to be technically brilliant in this country.”

Instantly, that was what set Gauld apart from everyone in Scotland. It’s also why he managed to attract suitors on the continent.

The attacker is now 25 years of age and, although he hasn’t lived up to the Messi hype, he’s beginning to flourish in Portugal.

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

Gauld only played five times for Sporting Lisbon before moving to Farense. Remaining in Portugal, the promising Scot has scored an eye-catching 20 goals in 71 outings for his current club.

His form earned shouts for him to be included in the Scotland squad for the European Championship, while Celtic have also been tipped to sign him.

“For me, it’s a no-brainer for Celtic to just inquire because he is now a massive person of interest,” Tony Haggerty told ACSOM this week.

In luring him to Glasgow, the Hoops could unearth their new Maloney. After all, the former Bhoys gem is a player to whom he has been compared by Gordon Strachan.

The former Celtic manager commented in 2014: “He’s a little bit like Shaun Maloney. Ryan has got things, he can see things on the pitch. He can execute passes and, invariably, he gives you a good weight of pass.”

In carving out 2.4 shots per and 2.3 key passes per game this term, there are clear similarities with the way Maloney played. The latter often rampaged forward before providing the finishing touches to a Celtic attack.

Another figure who has been effusive in their praise for Gauld is Sergio Vieira, Farense’s head coach, who remarked: “Ryan’s got quality in his passing and dribbling and he’s now shown he can score goals too.”

Vieira continued: “He’s aggressive and competitive, despite his smaller size and tactically very intelligent. I feel he’s the complete player and as a person, he’s humble, ambitious and self-determined. He’s been easy to deal with, always listening and ready to improve.”

Gauld may have ultimately missed out on Scotland’s squad for Euro 2020 but Celtic should jump at the opportunity to sign him if it arises.

AND in other news, Howe would have been an instant hit if Celtic signed 45-goal bully who’s “impossible to beat”…

Danny Ings has reignited his career at Southampton but that form has seen him attract interest from some of the Premier League’s top clubs, and if he was to depart former Saints vice-chairman Les Reed believes the striker would be heartbroken to leave the south coast.

The former Liverpool striker joined Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side in 2018 initially on loan and he has managed to find the net 46 times in 100 appearances, which has seen the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City linked with the 28-year old.

A lot of clubs will be on the hunt for a striker this summer and with Ings entering the final year of his current deal, the Saints may feel like they have their hands tied and have to sell him to bring money into the club.

Ings appears to have found his feet and best form at Southampton after struggling to ever get going at Liverpool due to numerous injurie,s and Reed believes that if Ings left he would find it tough, as he explained exclusively to Transfer Tavern:

“For Danny, there could be opportunities that open up in the last year of his contract and it will be heartbreaking for him to move but this is the time if he’s going to win a medal or achieve something bigger.”

Man City were credited with an interest in Ings earlier this year but now that Sergio Aguero has officially left they may step up their interest in the striker, especially if the likes of Harry Kane and Erling Haaland prove to be too expensive.

Ings is likely to have a lot of potential suitors both this summer and next year as teams up and down the Premier League will want someone who knows where the back of the net is.

According to La Republicca, Paulo Fonseca will look to sign Lorenzo Pellegrini if he is named the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur.

The Lowdown: Fonseca on verge of move to Spurs

As per The Guardian, Spurs are in advanced talks with Portuguese Fonseca to replace Jose Mourinho as their new boss.

Fonseca, who used to manage AS Roma, could therefore raid his former club for new players, with this latest report claiming Gianluca Mancini and Pellegrini will both be on his radar.

The Latest: Spurs eye Pellegrini

The report has suggested Fonseca could move for Pellegrini if he secures his ‘dream’ move to Spurs.

However, the outlet also believes the Italy international would be an ‘almost’ unattainable target – but there is a small chance Spurs could capture his services.

The Verdict: Top target

Pellegrini, who is the club captain at the Rome-based outfit, has grown into an important player for both club and country.

Last term, he made 47 appearances in all competitions, scoring 11 goals and providing 10 assists (Transfermarkt).

Francesco Totti, the Roma club legend, even called the 24-year-old “phenomenal” (dbasia.news).

Pellegrini is valued at £36m (Transfermarkt), and given Roma’s apparent desire to keep him, he could cost an awful lot more. Gonzalo Villar and Mancini are also said to be targets for Fonseca, but the capture of Pellegrini would send a real statement.

It remains to be seen, firstly, whether Fonseca does indeed join Spurs and, if he does, whether he can convince the midfielder to move to north London.

In other news, Tottenham eye this Juventus ace.

Everton will listen to offers for Moise Kean this summer, former Toffees striker Marcus Bent has told The Transfer Tavern.

Kean spent the 2020/21 season out on loan at Paris Saint-Germain, where he performed exceptionally well.

The 21-year-old forward scored just under 20 goals in all competitions and the Ligue 1 outfit now want to keep him for another year.

According to Fabrizio Romano, PSG are looking to do another loan deal rather than pay the £35m-40m Everton want for a permanent transfer.

However, Bent has suggested that if Kean is to leave again, the Merseyside club will look for a transfer fee based on what he has heard.

“We would consider it at the right price,” the ex-Everton player told TT when asked about Kean’s future. “He’s young, he’s a good player and he’s clearly talented – and that’s what I got from Everton people behind the scenes.”

It probably makes sense for Everton to hear from their next manager before selling Kean.

If he plays two up top, he could use the Italian alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who also had a prolific 2020/21 campaign.

Kean’s pace could complement Calvert-Lewin’s aerial threat – won 4.7 aerial duels per league game last season (via WhoScored) – pretty nicely.

Celtic icon Frank McAvennie has dropped a scathing verdict on Celtic defender Stephen Welsh after he commented on a potential Kristoffer Ajer departure [Football Insider].

The Lowdown: Celtic face mass change ahead of 2021/22; Ajer could potentially depart

Following a calamitous 2020/21 campaign at Parkhead, the Celts face the prospect of a mass rebuild as they attempt to reclaim the Scottish Premiership title in 2021/22.

Liam Shaw is currently the only summer arrival at Celtic Park before pre-season, however, exit links for star men Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer respectively have never been too far away.

In particular, the Norwegian has been at the forefront of attention in recent weeks after revealing his desire to leave Celtic [BT Sport]. In light of this revelation, Welsh stated that Celtic will “find a way” to replace his qualities should he depart amid interest from Newcastle United and Bayer Leverkusen [Daily Mail].

The Latest: McAvennie drops brutal Stephen Welsh verdict

This has prompted an explosive reaction from McAvennie, who was quick to condemn the youngster’s comments in an interview with Football Insider.

Speaking to the publication, the former West Ham striker stated:

“Some of those players, honestly, just don’t say anything. The boy Welsh saying ‘I prefer playing with Ajer’.

“You’re going to get yourself in trouble for saying things like that. Ajer wants to leave and he will.

“He’s in trouble. Just let him go and look after yourself. He’s only been in the team for five minutes.

“He has a lot more problems than Ajer. He needs to focus on just keeping his place under Postecoglou.” [Football Insider].

The Verdict: Welsh criticism may be viewed as harsh by some members of the Celtic support

Though McAvennie is right in pointing out that the central defender should focus on working his way into new manager Ange Postecoglou’s plans, Welsh will no doubt have to adjust should his positional counterpart leave Glasgow for pastures new, so it’s understandable to see why he’d like Ajer to stay.

Establishing himself in the first-team picture in 2020/21, the 21-year-old made 21 appearances for the Hoops; predominantly as part of a partnership with the Norway international [Transfermarkt].

Moving into 2021/22, the Coatbridge-born stopper will be hoping to build on his solid breakthrough campaign for the Celts.

In other news, Celtic legend Frank McAvennie comments on Peter Lawwell’s transfer involvement.