All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Jurgen Klopp has delved into the transfer market fairly quickly following the end of another incredible season, which saw Liverpool lift two trophies and also come close to winning both the Premier League and Champions League.

Following this success, many would believe that the squad is as strong as ever and doesn’t need to be overhauled, but Klopp and his diligent recruitment tactics could give the Merseysiders a boost ahead of next season.

With Fabio Carvalho and a club record £85m deal for Benfica striker Darwin Nunez already confirmed, and Scottish youngster Calvin Ramsay close to being announced, it would seem that the club are in for a busy summer in the market.

However, according to Paul Joyce of The Times (via Anfield Watch), Liverpool won’t be signing any other players during the summer transfer window, which would make the Ramsey deal the last until January 2023 at least.

With three signings made already this summer, Klopp has already gotten his squad in a position where he can spend all of pre-season working with them and building towards another important campaign.

However, this may come a disappointment to some Reds fans, especially considering some of the players who have been linked with Liverpool recently.

Darwin’s a Red! Get your special edition Darwin Nunez tee here.

A deal for teenage Spanish sensation Gavi looked like it was on the cards, while a move for French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni eventually stalled and he moved to Real Madrid.

With the likes of Thiago (31), Jordan Henderson (32) and James Milner (36) all on the wrong side of 30, some might have thought that Klopp would have moved to refresh his midfield options, but the update from Joyce suggests that it is highly unlikely now.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-liverpool-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-salah-gnabry-isak-romano” title= “Read the latest Liverpool news!”]

There will likely be outgoings as the German looks to clear some deadwood from the wage budget, although Sadio Mane’s move to Bayern Munich isn’t one that the manager would have wanted. However, there’s no doubt that a fee which could reach £35m is good business for someone who is out of contract next year and wants to move.

With the transfer window only a week old, Klopp already looks all set and ready to go for next season as he aims for more glory.

However, it could well come as bad news for Liverpool supporters who might feel that the squad still needs strengthening in order to dethrone Manchester City as Premier League champions next year.

AND in other news, “To be completed…”, Romano drops major LFC transfer development, its great news

Alasdair Gold has dropped an update on the future of Tottenham Hotspur central midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

What’s the latest?

In a recent post on Twitter, the football.london journalist revealed that, despite recent reports suggesting that Antonio Conte could look to cash in on the central midfielder following Fabio Paratici’s £25m signing of Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yves Bissouma, Spurs currently have no plans to move the 26-year-old in the summer transfer window.

In his tweet, Gold said: “Spurs have no plans to sell Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer.”

Supporters will love Gold’s update

Considering just how impressive Hojbjerg has proven himself to be for Spurs ever since his £15m move to north London back in the summer of 2020, Gold’s claim that Conte and Paratici currently have no plans to sell the Denmark international is sure to be news the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium faithful will love.

Indeed, over his 36 Premier League appearances in 2021/22, the £60m-rated talent was imperious in the heart of Conte’s side, scoring two goals, providing two assists and creating four big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 0.9 shots, making 0.6 key passes and completing 1.2 dribbles per game.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-much-more” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, transfer rumours and more!”]

The £100k-per-week midfielder also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.3 interceptions, 2.2 tackles, 1.4 clearances, completing 63.1 passes – at a success rate of 90% – and winning 5.1 duels per fixture.

These returns saw the great Dane average a rather extraordinary SofaScore match rating of 7.19, ranking him as Tottenham’s fifth-best performer in the league.

As such, while it is true that the middle of the park is an area of the pitch in which Conte’s side is now incredibly well-stocked, the news that Hojbjerg will not be moving onto pastures new this summer is undoubtedly fantastic news for everyone involved with the club, as the 26-year-old more than proved his worth to Tottenham over the course of the last Premier League campaign.

AND in other news: Bid made: Paratici now working on fourth Spurs summer signing, Conte will be buzzing

Sky Sports reporter Angelo Mangiante now has some head-turning Tottenham Hotspur transfer news involving Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo.

The Lowdown: Paratici travels to Italy…

Lilywhite sporting director Fabio Paratici is said to have travelled to Italy as he continues to conduct Spurs business before the start of manager Antonio Conte’s first full campaign in charge.

After sealing a top-four Premier League finish, the pressure is on Paratici to deliver in the summer market and appease Conte – but it’s safe to say he’s made a brilliant start.

The signings of Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster and Yves Bissouma are tipped to be followed by yet more additions with Sky Italy journalist Mangiante now giving an update on Zaniolo.

The Latest: Spurs make move…

Indeed, according to his information, Tottenham’s scattergun approach to the market appears to have taken another turn.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-developments-2/” title=”Tottenham latest updates” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The reporter claims ‘first contact’ has now been made for Zaniolo as Paratici and Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto hold discussions.

In terms of advancements or an official bid, nothing has been disclosed as of yet, but it appears the north Londoners are now weighing a move.

The Verdict: Ambitious move…

The 22-year-old, tipped for stardom in Serie A over the last few seasons, has recently re-discovered his undoubted talent under Jose Mourinho.

Finishing 21/22 as one of Roma’s most threatening players, Zaniolo completed more successful take-ons per 90 than any of his teammates whilst attracting the most fouls – proving to be a real nightmare for opponents (WhoScored).

On top of this, the 6 foot 2 midfielder averaged their third-highest rate of attempts at goal last season – potentially motivating his side to slap an €80 million (£69m) price tag on his head.

It’s also little wonder members of the Italian media have deemed Zaniolo a ‘star’ across the continent (Kaustubh Pandey, GIFN).

Paratici, however, may have to pull out all the stops going by his reputation and value.

The agent of Leeds United transfer target Otavio is now in England ahead of a potential move for his client, according to The Mirror.

The Lowdown: Leeds linked with Otavio

The Whites have been heavily linked with a move for the ‘exciting’ forward (as dubbed by ESPN commentator Marc Lewis) in recent days, with reports suggesting that Leeds saw a £26m bid turned down.

Victor Orta and co were set to launch a new offer in the region of €40m (£34m), which would make the player the Yorkshire club’s most expensive signing of all time. However, it looks as if Leeds may have to rival Liverpool for the 27-year-old, with an update now emerging on that front.

The Latest: Otavio’s agent in England

The Mirror shared a story on Saturday evening regarding Otavio, with Leeds once again brought up in conversation.

They claimed that the player’s agent Israel Oliveira is in England trying to get a deal over the line, with Porto willing to do business at £38m.

Otavio has a release clause set at £51m, with the Portuguese champions expecting to receive an official offer from Liverpool and an improved bid from Leeds.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates-5/” title=”Latest Leeds United updates!” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Look elsewhere?

Leeds have never spent in excess of £30m on one player, but it looks as if they will need to do just that in order to land Otavio.

Not only that, they might also have to battle Jurgen Klopp’s side for his services, with the Reds offering Champions League football and the genuine possibility of winning major trophies.

Therefore, with a potentially lofty fee involved and Liverpool now in the race, it could be wise for Orta to look elsewhere for a potential Raphinha replacement in what could be a busy few weeks at Elland Road.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Ridvan Yilmaz to the Premier League this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Turkish publication Fanatik (via Sport Witness), who claimed that, despite Eintracht Frankfurt being heavily linked with a move for the 21-year-old in the summer transfer window, Spurs have now stepped in for the Besiktas left-back, with Antonio Conte said to have approved the signing of the Turkey international.

The report added that Fabio Paratici sent scouts to watch the full-back in action last season, with the Super Lig side believed to be demanding a figure in the region of €10m (£9m) in order to part with the six-cap Turkey international this summer.

“Incredible talent”

Considering just how exciting a talent Yilmaz is, and with Sergio Reguilon being linked with a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer, it is not difficult to see why Conte would be keen on a deal to bring the 21-year-old to north London ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

Indeed, over his 27 Super Lig appearances last season, the £5.85m-rated defender was a continuous attacking threat for Besiktas. He scored three goals, registered four assists and created five big chances for his team-mates, along with taking 0.8 shots, making 0.7 key passes and completing 1.1 dribbles per game.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-much-more” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, transfer rumours and more!”]

The £3k-per-week left wing-back also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, helping his team to keep four clean sheets, in addition to making 1.2 interceptions, 1.6 tackles and 1.1 clearances and winning 3.7 duels (at a success rate of 53%) per game.

These returns saw the player – who former Besiktas defender Adriano Correia dubbed an “incredible talent” – average a SofaScore match rating of 6.86, ranking him as Valerien Ismael’s joint 11th-best performer in the league last time out.

As such, considering Reguilon’s struggles at left wing-back under the management of Conte last term, it would appear as if a move for Yilmaz would be a very wise one for Paratici to make this summer, as it is clear that the 21-year-old would help to add an “extra dimension” – in the words of Aaron Armstrong – to the 52-year-old’s attacking build-up at Spurs next season.

AND in other news – “As things stand..”: Fabrizio Romano reveals big Spurs transfer twist, supporters surely gutted

Newcastle United have a plan in place to complete the exciting double signing of both Armando Broja and Moussa Diaby, reports The Northern Echo’s Scott Wilson.

The Lowdown: Diaby and Broja links

The chase for Diaby has been fairly well documented in recent weeks, with the Magpies identifying the Bayer Leverkusen winger as their number one target to reinforce the wide attacking position in Eddie Howe’s squad.

Broja has popped up as a target more recently after the Albania starlet was left out of Chelsea’s pre-season squad, with reports in recent days detailing interest from Tyneside, Everton and West Ham.

According to Wilson, Dan Ashworth and Co. have now set up a clever plan to secure both signings.

The Latest: Ashworth’s masterplan

The reporter writes on Twitter that ‘Newcastle want’ to secure a loan-to-buy deal for Broja, thus saving funds to put towards a deal for Diaby.

The France international is valued at £54m by Transfermarkt, has three years left on his contract at the BayArena and has Champions League football on offer with his current employers, so it’s fair to say Ashworth will need every penny he can get from the Magpies hierarchy in order to get a deal done.

According to Wilson, Newcastle are prepared to pay Chelsea’s loan demands in order to ‘divert more financial resources’ and lock up Diaby on a permanent deal.

The Verdict: Perfection

While there was plenty of excitement surrounding the arrival of Sven Botman, it’s fair to say this would be Ashworth’s finest work yet. Diaby ranked in the 91st percentile for non-penalty goals amongst attacking midfielders/wingers in Europe’s top five leagues last season, also hitting the 94th percentile for assists (FBRef).

Dubbed an ‘amazing player’ by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, the Frenchman would add the end product that his compatriot Allan Saint-Maximin has often lacked from the wing.

Broja meanwhile managed nine goals on loan at Southampton last term, a smart return for a player in his first full Premier League campaign, drawing praise for his ‘incredible pace and strength’ from Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp.

Valued at nearly £20m by Transfermarkt, signing the Blues starlet permanently now would take a massive chunk out of the transfer kitty, so a loan-to-buy deal, delaying the big payments until 2023, could be seen as a true master-class from Ashworth and the owners.

Tottenham Hotspur left-back Sergio Reguilon looks set to depart north London this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Spanish publication El Periodico Mediterraneo (via Sport Witness), who claim that, after Antonio Conte left the 25-year-old out of his squad for Spurs’ pre-season tour of South Korea, the Spain international has now been moved to Fabio Paratici’s transferable list this summer – with Sevilla reported to be keen on a move for the defender.

As a result, the report goes on to state that Paratici has now made contact with Villarreal CF regarding a move for Pervis Estupinan – the 24-year-old left-back who is believed to be available for a figure in the region of €15m (£13m) – with the Italian sporting director set to launch an official offer for the Ecuador international upon Reguilon’s departure.

“Underrated”

With Conte very much appearing to prefer Ryan Sessegnon to Reguilon on the left last season, it is easy to see why the Italian manager is reportedly willing to part with the 25-year-old this summer, while it is also not difficult to understand why Paratici is lining up Estupinan as the Spaniard’s replacement.

Indeed, over his 25 Premier League appearances – 16 of which came under Conte – in 2021/22, the £32m signing failed to impress at left wing-back, scoring two goals, providing three assists and missing three big chances in front of goal, as well as hitting the target with an average of 0.4 shots, losing possession 12.7 times and completing just 0.8 dribbles per fixture.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-much-more” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, transfer rumours and more!”]

These returns saw the £53k-per-week defender who Jonathan Woodgate dubbed “horrendous” average a disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.91, ranking him as Tottenham’s 12th-worst performer in the league last time out.

In comparison, Estupinan appears a much more promising prospect, with FBref ranking the 24-year-old in the top 3% of full-backs in Europe’s big five leagues for interceptions per 90, as well as the top 27% for tackles, the top 28% for aerial duels won, the top 30% for blocks and the top 40% for pressures over the last 365 days.

The £26m-rated talent is also impressive with the ball at his feet, with FBref ranking the defender in the top 31% for dribbles completed per 90, in addition to the top 34% for passes attempted, the top 39% for progressive passes, the top 40% for touches in the opposition penalty area and the top 24% for progressive passes received over the past 12 months.

As such, should Paratici be able to move Reguilon on for anywhere near the £32m fee Spurs paid Real Madrid for his services this summer, making a £13m offer for the “underrated” – in the works of Jacek Kulig – Estupinan very much appears to be something of a no-brainer for the sporting director.

AND in other news: David Ornstein reveals huge Spurs transfer development, supporters will be buzzing

Chris Smith has dropped an update on reported Leeds United transfer target Juan Mata.

What’s the talk?

In a recent post on Twitter, the 90min journalist revealed that, following the attacking midfielder’s exit from Manchester United on a free transfer at the end of last season, he has been informed that negotiations between the 34-year-old and Victor Orta regarding a summer switch to Elland Road are progressing slowly but are heading in the right direction.

Smith goes on to state that the former Spain international has also been linked with moves to both the MLS and to the Turkish Super Lig this summer, however, the playmaker would prefer to join a club in a top European league ahead of the 2022/23 campaign – with Real Betis, Marseille and either AS Roma or SS Lazio also believed to be interested in the midfielder.

In his tweet, the journalist said: “I’m told negotiations between Juan Mata & Leeds United are going slowly but ‘on the right track’. Mata was linked to MLS & Turkey but his priority is staying in a top Euro league. Real Betis, Marseille & one of the Rome giants also interested.”

Major coup

While it is true that Mata is well into the twilight years of his career at the very top of the professional game, it is nevertheless undeniable that, should Orta manage to convince the forward-thinking midfielder of a move to Elland Road ahead of the other interested parties this summer, it would be a major coup for Jesse Marsch and his side.

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

Despite the £2.25m-rated talent seeing his game time at Old Trafford become increasingly limited in recent seasons – making 41-cap international was one of the Red Devils’ most influential players in the four Premier League campaigns prior.

Indeed, the £160k-per-week Spaniard scored six goals, registered five assists and averaged a SofaScore match rating of 6.93 over 38 appearances in 2015/16, bagged six goals and then provided three assists and averaged a match rating of 7.11 over 25 fixtures in 2016/17.

Furthermore, he netted three strikes, supplied five assists and averaged a match rating of 7.09 over 28 outings in 2017/18 and scored three times, provided two assists and averaged a SofaScore match rating of 6.93 over 22 appearances in 2018/19.

As such, should Orta believe that Mata can replicate this level of form following a potential move to LS11 this summer, it is undeniable that the 34-year-old would be a huge asset in Marsch’s attacking arsenal ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign – not to mention an incredibly exciting player for the Whites faithful to watch in action at Elland Road week in week out next season.

AND in other news: Leeds could now seal “phenomenal” £34m signing after major development, Orta must act

An update has emerged on Newcastle United’s interest in Harvey Barnes in the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to The Sun, the Magpies are eyeing a swoop to sign the Leicester gem as Dan Ashworth looks to improve Eddie Howe’s squad.

The report claims that the Foxes are demanding a fee of £50m for the wizard and are not willing to budge on their valuation.

It is stated that the club are looking at Barnes after Everton set a £50m price tag on Anthony Gordon’s head, with the Toon valuing him at £25m.

Big upgrade on Ryan Fraser

By securing a deal to sign the Leicester attacker, Newcastle can land a big upgrade on current Magpies winger Ryan Fraser.

The Scotland international joined the club from Bournemouth on a free transfer in 2020 and he is yet to prove that he has what it takes to be a consistent starter in the Premier League.

In 2020/21, Fraser played 18 games for the Toon and registered two assists, whilst failing to score a single goal from out wide. He then followed that up with two goals and three assists in 27 outings last term, which shows that he has struggled to make a big impact in the final third.

Barnes, on the other hand, has been impressive for the Foxes in the last two campaigns as he has shown that he can be a reliable option at the top end of the pitch.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp previously heaped praise on the winger, saying: “Barnes is probably one of the biggest talents, I’m not sure if he is respected or appreciated as much as he should be, he is an unbelievable player to be honest, a proper Leicester product.”

His statistics suggest that he is deserving of that praise. In 2020/21, he produced nine goals and four assists in 25 Premier League appearances, before racking up six goals and ten assists in 32 matches the following season.

The 24-year-old has proven that he can make a bigger impact than Fraser in the final third, as he has a better record in terms of both scoring and assisting goals from out wide.

Therefore, Ashworth must work hard to get a deal over the line for the Englishman as he would improve Howe’s options in attack for the 2022/23 campaign by offering far more than the Scotsman.

AND in other news, Howe could land his own Dias for Newcastle in £38m deal to sign “underrated” colossus…

A major Sunderland claim has emerged on the club’s plans for the rest of the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

Alex Neil has confirmed that the Black Cats are far from being done in the market as they plot further additions to their squad.

He told the Sunderland Echo: “We’ve still got four, potentially five that we want to bring in before the window ends.”We need to make sure the squad is competitive and not only that, they brought four or five really fresh lads on who know the level, and that can really make a difference.”I think what you could see today is that it was a step up in intensity. I thought towards the end of the game our lads were dead on their feet, it really is difficult. Normally we score a goal in League One, the opposition gets a bit scared and they sink back into their shape. We control the ball and it’s basically a case of when will the next goal come.”At this level, Coventry came here thinking, ‘we’re better than Sunderland and we have better players, we’re coming to win’.” Supporters will be delighted

Black Cats fans will be delighted by this claim from Neil because it now promises to be a very exciting end to the window for the club.

Neil and Kristjaan Speakman have a month or so left to bring players into the club, with the market closing on the 1st of September, and supporters can now look forward to seeing a host of fresh faces coming through the door.

As the head coach said above, Coventry had quality in depth and that paid off in the latter stages of the game as they gained control towards the end of the match. They were able to overwhelm the Black Cats and forced them back into their own box – with their attacking momentum spiking in the final 15 minutes.

Whilst the equalising goal was a moment of individual quality from Viktor Gyokeres, Coventry put enough pressure on the hosts to deserve a point from the game.

This highlighted the step up in quality from League One and that is why supporters will be delighted to read that Neil is keen on four or five more players coming in as that will, hopefully, provide him with the tools he needs to avoid being overwhelmed in matches.

AND in other news, Sunderland “seem hopeful” of sealing major deal that’ll leave supporters buzzing…