All posts by n8rngtd.top

This summer has not been ideal preparation ahead of the new campaign for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Wolves have been severely impeded by a lack of finances available to them during the transfer window and consequently, they’ve not been too active in the market.

On the chalkboard

This summer could have been a lot different for the Old Gold, particularly from a negative point of view. They began the market searching for possible replacements for Adama Traore and Ruben Neves, who both looked certain to leave.

However, they’ve kept the pair of them at Molineux, which is vitally important if Bruno Lage wants to guide Wolves back into the top half of the table.

The returning Raul Jimenez will help them no end but one player who could inject a new sense of purpose to the team is Francisco Trincao.

With Pedro Neto still out injured while he recovers from a broken kneecap, the Portuguese sensation on loan from Barcelona could help supporters forget all about their Player of the Season from 2020/21.

The 21-year-old loanee is technically astute, quick and an incredibly tricky player for opponents to handle. Although he only started three times in La Liga last season, his form during a more productive loan spell at Braga tells you everything you need to know.

The winger racked up eight goals and six assists for the Portuguese club in 2019/20, numbers which would have usurped every player at Molineux last season.

Like Traore and Neto, he is a wonderful dribbler of the ball, completing as many as 2.3 per game during that temporary stint away.

If he can replicate those types of numbers while in England, Wolves’ fortunes in the attacking third should improve greatly. The following review from former Braga academy coach Jose Carvalho Araujo explains why Trincao could terrify Leicester on Saturday.

“He is not so fast or intense but I think he has a little more magic,” Araujo began.

“He was an amazing kid, very skinny. Physically, he was very poor but with the ball he was magic, doing tricks, so skilful.”

Although Trincao didn’t score or provide an assist in pre-season, he is a player who could set the Premier League alight this term.

Lage needs to harness the £22.5k-per-week attacker’s remarkable talent from the off against Leicester at the weekend.

AND in other news, “I understand” – Liam Keen issues Wolves transfer update which should leave fans aghast…

According to le10sport, West Ham United have now entered the race to sign Clermont Foot 63 striker Mohamed Bayo alongside the likes of Lille and Bordeaux – but GSB may have an advantage.

The Lowdown: West Ham in striker hunt…

It is no secret that manager David Moyes wishes to add a striker before the transfer window deadline in 10 days time.

The Scotsman even confirmed as much in a recent press conference, but also warned it may not even happen due to the limited number of targets available at this moment in time (TEAMtalk).

Now, le10sport have brought some news regarding West Ham and their continued chase for a forward.

The Latest: West Ham join Bayo race…

As per le10sport, the Hammers have now joined the race to sign Bayo this summer as they compete with Lille and Bordeaux for his signature.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-news-3/” title=”West Ham latest news…” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Indeed, West Ham have ‘swung into action’ and even contacted ‘the management of Clermont’ earlier this week to find out the conditions for a transfer.

As well as this, it is hinted that GSB may hold an advantage over other interested parties – with the report claiming West Ham have a ‘much more impressive financial power than the French clubs’.

The Verdict: Good option?

Scoring a career total of 42 goals, the 23-year-old enjoyed a rather impressive Ligue 2 campaign for Clermont last season and was a big reason for their promotion to the French top flight.

He bagged 22 strikes and seven assists over 2020/2021, spearheading their charge to the big time and potentially attracting West Ham’s interest as a result.

Still at a fairly young age, he could also arrive at the London Stadium with plenty of sell-on value and Moyes is hardly spoiled for choice when it comes to alternative striker targets.

Is it time for West Ham to take a gamble and snap up the Guinean forward?

In other news: ‘Top class’, ‘No brainer’, ‘Too good to be true’…West Ham fans excited as striker news emerges, find out more here.

When a team comes calling from south of the border Celtic supporters must throw out a collective groan.

Their supporters know that more often than not, the player will take the juicy pay increase and walk through the Parkhead exit door.

It’s an eventuality that’s fallen at the feet of Fraser Forster, Victor Wanyama, Stuart Armstrong, Kieran Tierney and Virgil van Dijk to name a few.

Sadly, however, they’re now in danger of losing their young stars to English football too.

The latest figure who could move south is someone who’s yet to earn a first-team appearance; Leo Hjelde.

He’s fielded interest from Leeds throughout the summer and now a deal is on the verge of completion.

It will be a huge disappointment to lose him, especially after he was compared to Virgil van Dijk.

Yet, Ange Postecoglou can soften that blow by nurturing and unleashing Dane Murray. The 18-year-old broke into the first-team during pre-season and even played in Champions League qualifying.

Originally a central midfielder, the teenager has now become a centre-back and it’s in that role that Postecoglou entrusts him.

Speaking about playing him against Midtjylland, the boss said: “I watched him in training and he is a young kid, not just with football potential but personality and character that belies his age. I was quite happy to trust him out there and it was an important stage, we were down to ten men and we had to work very hard.”

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/postecoglou-hoops-bhoys-jenz-larsson-nisbet” title=”Check out the latest Celtic transfer news!”]

Calm and composed, Murray looks to be an exceptional young player with a high ceiling. Another man effusive with his praise is Stephen Welsh: “Dane was fantastic, both on the ball and defensively… he made me feel old,”  the defender commented after the draw with Midtjylland.

He completed 87% of his passes during that match and also prevailed in 100% of his aerial duels. Clearly unfazed by the big occasion, Hjelde’s departure should enable a clearer pathway for him at first-team level.

The new manager has already spoken of how keen is to integrate home-grown talent and that should start with Murray.

Alongside a player like Carl Starfelt, he certainly has the ideal player to craft his game with. Celtic supporters should be extremely excited about his future.

AND in other news, Celtic keen on signing “incredible” SPFL talent, he could be their new Ajer…

Crystal Palace and Aston Villa have joined Tottenham in the race to sign Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, according to Tuttosport, cited by MondoBiancoNero.com.

And, as to be expected, a number of Palace supporters have been reacting to the update on social media.

Juventus are looking for cash offers for the USA international, with Spurs failing with a swap deal involving Tanguy Ndombele.

Tuttosport, cited by MondoBiancoNero.com, claim that Palace and Villa may have made bids for the 22-year-old, with the Italian giants looking to trim their midfield ranks in the final days of the window.

McKennie is valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt and Fabrizio Romano revealed earlier in the week that it would take an ‘important bid’ of more than €25/30m for his services.

The Eagles are after a midfielder before the end of the month, so McKennie could be an alternative option to Watford’s Will Hughes.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the recent claim on McKennie on Twitter. This is what these Palace fans had to say in reply, with one describing a possible transfer as ‘absolutely incredible’.

“Imagine”

Credit: @_joecpfc

“no way”

Credit: @biIIysoo

“This would be unreal”

Credit: @Matchday365

“would be absolutely incredible”

Credit: @CPFC_Ollie_

“If we get him it’s over”

Credit: @cpfckcl

“Loool we can dream”

Credit: @ReeceJMT

In other news: ‘On my knees’, ‘Get this done’ – Lots of CPFC fans erupt as ‘class’ transfer news emerges.

Celtic were linked with a late swoop for Linfield teenager Trai Hume on deadline day, Belfast Live report.  

The Lowdown: Three in

Dominic McKay was a busy man on his first deadline day as Celtic CEO.

Leigh Griffiths, Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard all completed moves away from Parkhead, while Georgios Giakoumakis, Filipe Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers all finalised Glasgow moves with hours to spare.

It seems as if McKay may have had his eye on a fourth late addition for the Hoops, though, going off reports late on Tuesday evening.

The Latest: Hume links

According to Belfast Live, Linfield turned down a number of big-money offers for Hume in excess of £100,000, who can play as a right-back, centre-back or centre-midfielder.

Celtic and English League One side Lincoln City were name-checked with the late interest in the 5 foot 9 teenager, who is reportedly under contract until 2023.

The Verdict: Another Scales?

Celtic recently sealed a move for versatile defender Liam Scales from Shamrock Rovers, so it’ll be interesting to see if the Hoops go back in for Hume further down the line, with there clearly being a focus from McKay on up and coming defenders.

He’s been described as one of the Irish League’s hottest properties, similar to Scales earlier in the summer.

Hume’s versatility could attract Celtic in the next transfer window, as it did with Scales, so it could be a name to keep an eye on over the next 12 months.

In other news: Greek journalist drops late Celtic transfer news; ace didn’t want to move.

Aston Villa must land Liverpool starlet Curtis Jones in the January transfer window amid Alan Nixon’s recent claim.

What’s the story?

In a tweet posted just before transfer deadline day, Nixon said: “Aston Villa. Big interest in Curtis Jones at Liverpool. A bit of the Grealish about that talented lad. Might be one for next window. Not in squad yesterday…”

In response to that news, former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has suggested that Jones could be a very intriguing transfer target for Smith if the club are having a disappointing season.

He said: “It’s going to be an interesting few months, January especially. It depends how Villa do, if they do ok they might wait until the end of the season.

“If they aren’t doing as well as they want to, they will have to really push for Curtis Jones. Villa like young players and Jones is exactly that, he’s got real quality. Villa are looking to buy smart, buy young and looking to buy players with something to prove which is smart.”

He has shades of Jack Grealish

While Jack Grealish may not be Villa’s darling anymore following his big-money move to Premier League champions Manchester City, there’s no questioning that he is a massive loss on the pitch.

In Jones, Smith could get someone who has all the intangibles to bring that same level of excitement that Grealish brought to the table, while he’s already amassed more big-game experience by playing in the Champions League unlike his older counterpart.

Indeed, after Liverpool’s win over Everton in January 2020, when the teenage talent scored a stunning decisive goal, Jurgen Klopp sang the 19-year-old’s praises and tipped him to reach the big time provided that “nothing strange happens”.

He said: “It was an absolutely sensational goal, I love it. Let me speak about Curtis. Unbelievable player, Scouser, very confident, can’t wait to play in the first team. Rightly so. He is in a very good way, I’ve known him for three-and-a half years. He has made big steps, he will be a Liverpool player if nothing strange happens 100%. You sometimes forget, and we forget it in training, that he is only 18. Unbelievable.”

The Liverpool boss went so far as to dub Jones an “exceptional talent”, and that kind of praise is indicative of the kind of lofty heights Klopp expects the talented starlet to reach.

The £27m-rated ace’s ability to come up with something spectacular, like he did against Everton 20 months ago, has real shades of Grealish.

Jones steps up when the spotlight shines brightest, reserving his best performances for Liverpool last season in the Champions League. As per WhoScored, he averaged an impressive 7.37 match rating, scoring one goal and providing two assists in five games – no other Liverpool player bettered his match rating out of those who featured more than three times in the competition.

If Smith goes in for Jones in the January transfer window, they could move quickly to replacing Grealish in this team.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has confirmed a major Aston Villa boost…

Wolverhampton Wanderers are finally up and running under Bruno Lage as the Old Gold scored their first goals and points of the season last weekend.

It has been a long and arduous few weeks for Wolves but they finally have something to savour.

What’s the word?

The transfer window has only just ended but already we’re seeing rumours resurface about Adama Traore’s future at Molineux.

He was linked with a move away from the Midlands on a regular basis this summer but Lage eventually managed to keep him at Wolves.

Traore had attracted the interest of Spurs who lodged a loan bid before submitting an offer in the region of £30m.

That was ultimately knocked back by his club who wanted to keep their best players unless a seismic offer came in.

That said, reporter Dean Jones has delivered a potentially crushing blow in an interview with GIVEMESPORT.

Speaking about events behind the scenes, he said: “I think Traore himself certainly has certain expectations bigger than Wolves in his career.”

Crushing blow

It is natural for a player of Traore’s calibre to see himself at a large club; he did come through Barcelona’s famous La Masia after all.

The Premier League’s big six have already registered their appeal in the dazzling winger with Liverpool having an interest in the past and Jurgen Klopp calling him “unplayable.”

That quote explains in a nutshell why he’d be such a huge loss to the Wolves squad.

The Spain international struggles for goals – he netted just twice last term – but on his day he is an electric ball of fun, capable of tearing apart the sternest of defences.

He has registered a whopping 9.5 dribbles per game from his four top-flight outings this campaign, a number that no other player across Europe’s top five leagues can usurp.

Wolves have had issues in attack this term and it took Lage’s side until the fourth game in the league to finally find the back of the net.

Traore hasn’t beaten the goalkeeper himself but he’s played a crucial part in some vibrant performances in the early days of the new manager’s tenure and he can change a match instantly.

They do have Pedro Neto to return from injury in the coming months but it’s evident that for the time being, their human roadrunner is one of the first names on the team sheet.

Based on that, Wolves can’t afford to lose him in January or beyond. It is a huge blow if Traore really does see his future away from the Old Gold and Lage will have every right to feel gutted.

He is undeniably the Portuguese coach’s main man right now.

AND in other news, Lage could unearth Wolves’ next Joao Moutinho in “intelligent” rarely-seen 19 y/o…

As per Italian news outlet JuveLive.it, there may have been a big development involving Tottenham Hotspur and their chase for AC Milan star Franck Kessie.

The Lowdown: Paratici in Kessie hunt…

Amid his ongoing contract saga, the 24-year-old has been linked with a Premier League swap to Spurs as Milan face losing one of their key players on a free transfer next summer.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-news-2/” title=”Spurs latest news…” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Indeed, the Ivory Coast international could even be free to negotiate a free agent summer transfer as early as, January with managing director Fabio Paratici taking firm note of the situation.

A fresh development has now emerged as the Italian transfer chief eyes a possible coup for Spurs.

The Latest: Paratici ‘ready to satisfy’ Kessie and Milan…

As per Juve Live, Spurs and Paratici have ‘moved eagerly’ for Kessie and their request is ‘already advanced’.

In another enticing claim, it is believed that Tottenham’s new transfer chief is ‘ready to satisfy’ both the player’s and Milan’s demands in the winter market, potentially meaning they could even pay a fee.

It it also believed that Kessie is ready to leave the San Siro ‘immediately’ as Tottenham potentially jump ahead of Spurs in the race for his signature.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Lauded as ‘invaluable’ to Milan by Serie A writer Chloe Beresford, we believe that signing him in the winter market for a fee could be a great bit of business by Paratici.

Even though they could secure him on a free next summer as it stands, Spurs will arguably be paying a lot less in January given his contract situation.

The Rossoneri will want to make every penny they can from Kessie if they’re resigned to losing him, potentially putting Paratici in a very strong negotiating position.

In other news: Levy could now agree blockbuster new deal for another ‘magnificent’ Spurs player…find out more here.

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans were left underwhelmed with the performance of summer signing Nikola Vlasic as they strolled to a comfortable 2-0 win in their Europa League group stage opener vs Dinamo Zagreb.

David Moyes’ men enjoyed a solid evening against Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb, making the perfect start to their European campaign.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-developments-2/” title=”West Ham latest news…” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Star striker Michail Antonio pounced on a back pass to gift West Ham the lead before Declan Rice all but secured the three points with a wonderful solo goal.

As Moyes aims to guide his side to top of Group H, which is now an automatic right of passage to the Last 16 due to the competition’s new format, yesterday evening comes as a real booster.

There were plenty of brilliant performers on the night, but one man who has attracted criticism from West Ham fans is summer signing Vlasic.

The attacker, who came in as West Ham’s lowest-rated player by some distance on SofaScore (6.3), couldn’t quite showcase his full ability – making zero key passes, winning just two out of his seven ground duels and having two pops at goal before being taken off by Moyes.

As a result, it’s little wonder these Hammers supporters weren’t particularly impressed with the £25 million man – though it is still very early days.

Find all of their verdicts down below.

West Ham fans slam Vlasic

“Vlasic showing Everton form”

Credit: @terryoleary1

“Not yet impressed with Vlasic tbh. Not for that money”

Credit: @Dexxter34016405

“Vlasic wake up”

Credit: @jonathankxnnedy

“Vlasic gonna get the benrahma treatment from moyes if he doesn’t stop losing the ball every time he has it…”

Credit: @brad_hass4

“vlasic might be a scrub”

Credit: @wideasleep

“Vlasic has been the worst player for us tonight. Given the ball away a lot and doesn’t seem on the same wavelength as other players.”

Credit: @Paulthehammer79

“Hopefully spoken too soon but Vlasic looks average.”

Credit: @PatrickWHUFC

“If we’re being completely honest vlasic was only decent in the first 30 mins then he was pretty poor for the rest of it”

Credit: @NBroomby

In other news: ‘No brainer’ – Sky pundit reacts as West Ham eye ‘massive signing for Moyes’, find out more here.

Manchester United are ‘monitoring’ Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, according to reports this week.

The Lowdown: Unhappy at Spurs

Ndombele’s move to N17 from Lyon hasn’t worked the way both parties would have hoped for but after missing the entire pre-season and the opening three league games, the Frenchman is back in Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad.

He started in the draw with Rennes last Thursday and Sunday’s defeat to Chelsea, but his future remains unclear after rumours of him wanting to leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium emerged in the summer.

The Latest: Pogba replacement

According to Calciomercato, United have started to put plans in place in case Paul Pogba departs the club, and Ndombele is on the list of players who could be brought in.

It is stated that a new deal hasn’t yet progressed between United and Pogba, with the France international free to talk to foreign clubs from January about joining on a free next summer.

Ndombele has three years left on his contract, and having been hailed as ‘magnificent’ by Jose Mourinho, one would think it would cost the Red Devils a big sum to pry him away from north London.

The Verdict: Blow for Nuno

Nuno has only just begun to utilise the midfielder, with Oliver Skipp and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg starting in the opening three league games of the season, so it would certainly be a blow to lose such a talent just when he is on the cusp of forcing his way back in.

A move to Manchester United, a chance to reignite his career at club currently performing better, may be exactly what he needs, but for all the struggles the midfielder has had at Spurs, it’s hard to imagine finding Nuno a more talented replacement in the transfer market – just ask his Tottenham teammates, who reportedly gushed over his talents to West Ham man Declan Rice while on England duty.

To lose the man dubbed ‘unbelievable’ by Rice before the manager has really even had a chance to utilise him would be a real shame.

In other news, Spurs scouts have rivals winger on their radar after impressing display over the weekend. Find out more here.