English Premier League
‘No question about that’ – Martin O’Neill makes EPL title claims about Rangers & Celtic
Former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has claimed that Rangers and the Hoops would be challenging for the title within five years if they were in the Premier League. The Scottish Premiership isn’t highly rated by most fans of the English top-flight, with many quick to claim that the quality of the SPFL isn’t high enough. Both Celtic and Rangers have attempted to join the English Football League in the past, and Martin O’Neill is confident that they will be in the top-flight after four seasons should they begin their journey in the League Two. The ex-Hoops boss also believes the Old Firm duo will start attracting the best players in the world if they start playing in the Premier League as they will have more money to compete in the transfer market. “They would be contesting. No question abou...
Report: Newcastle keeping tabs on 26-yr-old ace who could cost around €60m
Newcastle are keeping tabs on the Benfica keeper Odysseas Vlachodimos. As per reports in Portugal (via 90min), the Magpies are looking at the player as a long term replacement for Martin Dubravka. The 31-year-old is Newcastle’s best player right now and he has still has a few good years left in him. That said, the Magpies could use a strong number two. Vlachodimos could be a decent addition to the side but he won’t come cheap. The keeper is highly rated at Benfica and he has a release clause of €60m. The Portuguese outfit are under no pressure to sell and Newcastle might have to trigger his release clause in order to bring him to the Premier League this summer. It will be interesting to see if Newcastle make their move for the player this summer. Apparently, the Magpies value him at €20m. ...
Report: Newcastle have identified their ‘first choice summer target’…he’d be a massive signing
According to reports from Spanish newspaper Marca, Newcastle United’s potential new-owners would consider making a move for Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale in the next transfer window. The report claims that the prospective new owners have earmarked Bale as their ‘priority summer signing’, as they are close to completing the £300m takeover this week. The prospective new owners are waiting for approval from the Premier League. There have been reports that the Saudi consortium group would be willing to spend around £200 million on recruitment and infrastructure once the takeover is complete. It seems they have lofty plans on players they want to buy. Marca claims that the Welsh winger is their first choice summer target and the potential new owners are confident they have ...
Man City star claims Liverpool ended interest in him after they signed 27y/o
Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez has revealed that Liverpool ended their interest in him after they signed Mohamed Salah in the summer of 2017. The Algeria international was with Leicester City at the time but was open to leaving for a bigger club, eventually joining Man. City the following summer. Despite already having Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino in the team, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was keen to further boost his attacking ranks at the time, and the club splashed a then club-record £34 million to bring the Egypt international from AS Roma to Anfield. Mahrez eventually got his wish, though, leaving Leicester and moving to the Etihad Stadium for £60 million. “Before signing for Manchester City, there was interest from Liverpool in me,” the City star told BeIN Sports journal...
Report confirms Tottenham’s interest in signing 22-yr-old Arsenal target
Tottenham are interested in signing the Brazilian midfielder Gerson this summer. As per Yahoo (via Football London), the player’s father has confirmed that the Londoners are tracking him. It will be interesting to see if Spurs make an offer for the 22-year-old in the coming weeks. Jose Mourinho needs to improve his central midfield options and the Brazilian would be a good addition. Spurs have Winks and Ndombele as their reliable midfield options right now and the Frenchman has been quite injury prone since his arrival. It is important to add more depth to the position and Gerson seems ideal. The 22-year-old is a prodigious young talent and he is highly rated in Brazil. Not only is he a good passer, but he can also create chances and provide defensive cover as well. Gerson is a complete mi...
Newcastle linked with PL forward, some of their fans react: ‘Bring back Rondon’
Newcastle have been linked with a move for the Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo. The former Watford ace is currently on loan at Old Trafford and he has made quite the impression already. If the Magpies signed him this summer, he could be a decent attacking option for them. Newcastle need to improve their attack considerably this summer and they will need more than one striker. If they can get a top-class striker to lead the line and Ighalo as his back up, it would be the ideal scenario for them. It will be interesting to see if they can convince the former Watford star to join them. The 30-year-old is unlikely to return to Shanghai Shenhua this summer and the Chinese outfit will look to cash in on him. Once the takeover goes through, Newcastle will have the funds to move for their ta...
Report: Chelsea eyeing summer move for former player who could replace 29-yr-old
Chelsea have identified Declan Rice as a target this summer. As per Mirror, the Blues are looking at him as a long term replacement for Kante. The 29-year-old Frenchman has been linked with a move away (Real Madrid are keen on the player) and if he does leave Stamford Bridge, Lampard will have to bring in a top-quality alternative. Rice has been outstanding for West Ham but he is not quite at Kante’s level yet. That said, he has the talent to develop into a Premier League star with the right coaching and experience. It will be interesting to see if Chelsea can agree on a fee with West Ham. The London clubs are bitter rivals and the Hammers might not want to sell a key player to them. Rice might be tempted to return to Stamford Bridge, but agreeing on a fee will be tough for Chelsea. Chelse...
Report: Chelsea may lose key asset to Serie this summer
Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been linked with a summer move to Lazio. The 24-year-old hasn’t played for the Blues this season after rupturing his Achilles tendon in a friendly game against New England Revolution a year ago. Loftus-Cheek had been working his way back to a return to first-team action, but the coronavirus pandemic delayed his return. Despite his prolonged absence, Il Messaggero have claimed that Lazio are eager to Loftus-Cheek to their squad this summer. The Italian media outlet say that the England international could be available for around £17.5 million. Lazio have had a long-standing interest in Loftus-Cheek, with the Serie A club viewing him as a potential replacement for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Loftus-Cheek has often flattered to deceive at Chelsea, scorin...
Report: Everton and Manchester United will need to shell out £44 million for this player
Everton and Manchester United will have to dig deep if they want to sign Napoli winger Hirving Lozano. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Serie A club will hold out for a £44 million fee for the 24-year-old. Lozano joined Napoli from PS Eindhoven last summer, but he has failed to make much of an impact since moving Italy. The Mexican has scored just three goals and created two more in 23 appearances for Napoli, sparking talk that they would be willing to him on. However, Napoli are believed to retain faith in Lozano’s ability and are unwilling to let him leave on the cheap. Both Everton and United have been linked with a move for Lozano, although it would be a big surprise if either were willing to shell out £44m to secure his services. Toffees’ boss Carlo Ancelotti is a known admir...
Report: Hammers star joining Real Madrid ‘is not entirely out of the question’
According to Sportsmail, West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice moving to Real Madrid this summer is not entirely out of the question after he was linked with the Spanish giants a year ago. Ex-Chelsea and West Ham defender Scott Minto claimed that Madrid contacted Rice’s family as they looked to push through a deal last April, and while nothing came out of it in the end, it appears a move shouldn’t be completely ruled out going forward. With Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane keen on reshaping his midfield, Sportsmail reckons Rice could still be on the club’s radar and turning them down will definitely prove very difficult should they come calling. The 21-year-old is valued £70 million by the Hammers, and while his English suitors might be reluctant to meet the asking price, Madrid may not. ...
Report: Liverpool and Manchester City on alert as club confirms asking price
Liverpool and Manchester City could be set for a summer transfer battle for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar. According to L’Eqiupe, the French club are willing to sell Aouar for £44 million. Lyon may have to cash in on some of their best players following the early curtailment of the Ligue 1 season. The club finished seventh in the table and will not be in the Champions League next term. Aouar has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League, with both Liverpool and City believed to be tracking his progress. The 21-year-old has been impressive for Lyon this season, scoring nine goals and creating seven more in 37 appearances for the club. Aouar’s performances have drawn admiring glances from across Europe and he would undoubtedly be an excellent addition to the Premier League. Desp...
Arsenal interested in signing £22.95m midfielder, Mikel Arteta contacted him in January: report
Arsenal have joined Manchester United in the race to sign midfielder Adrien Rabiot from Juventus during the next transfer window, a report from Calciomercato claims. The France international made the switch to Juventus from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer last summer but he has since struggled for regular gametime and has managed only 11 starts in the Serie A. As a result, he is understood to be unhappy with his situation at the club and Calciomercato reports that the Gunners have joined United and Everton in the pursuit of his signature. It is added that manager Mikel Arteta had spoken with the midfielder over a temporary move earlier in January but the deal failed to materialise as the Bianconeri chose to keep him. The north London side have been long-term admirers of the Frenchma...
