General Football News
Brendan Rodgers claims player wanted to leave Celtic… and he changed his mind
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has told Celtic’s official website that James Forrest was thinking of leaving the Glasgow giants when he arrived at Celtic Park. Rodgers was appointed the Celtic manager in the summer of 2016, and he was in charge of the Glasgow giants until February 2019 when he left for Leicester in the Premier League. Forrest has been on the books of the Hoops his entire professional club football career so far. Former Liverpool manager Rodgers has raved about the 28-year-old winger, and has claimed that the Scotland international was thinking of leaving Celtic back in the summer of 2016. Rodgers told Celtic’s official website: “Then you get Jamesy. When I first went in there, he was thinking of leaving but very quickly we worked together over the course of the pre...
Report: Jose Mourinho has doubts over player who wants Tottenham Hotspur move
According to The Express, Tottenham Hotspur head coach Jose Mourinho has doubts over Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser. It has been reported that Fraser wants to join Tottenham in the summer transfer window as a free agent. The winger is out of contract at Bournemouth at the end of next month, and The Mirror recently claimed that Spurs are interested in securing his services on a free transfer this summer, adding that the player himself wants to make the switch to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. However, according to The Express, although the Scotland international favours a move to Spurs, the North London outfit’s head coach Mourinho is not convinced of his pedigree for a top-six club. The Express has added that Palace want the 26-year-old former Aberdeen player as well and are ready to make an o...
‘An official announcement is imminent’ – Mirror journalist delivers huge update on NUFC takeover
According to Sunday Mirror’s John Richardson, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund’s £300 million takeover of Newcastle United has been given the greenlight by the Premier League, with an official announcement imminent. At last!! Reliable Middle East sources saying the Toon takeover has been given the go ahead. An official announcement is imminent. 🙏🙏 — John Richardson (@riccosrant) May 20, 2020 Former Magpies star Olivier Bernard had claimed that the takeover was due to be made official yesterday, and while it didn’t happen, it appears something official is edging closer. Olivier Bernard had this to say on last night’s programme and it’s some potentially exciting news on the #NUFCTakeover and lovers of #cans: “Hopefully tomorrow [today] it is official…” You can hear Olly&...
Report: Celtic and Rangers keen to snap up 24-yr-old long-term target on a massive bargain
Celtic and Rangers have been linked with a move for the Feyenoord midfielder Renato Tapia. The midfielder will be a free agent in June and the Scottish giants are looking to snap him up on a bargain as per reports (via Sportwitness). The 24-year-old defensive midfielder can play as a centre back as well and he could prove to be a decent addition to Rangers or Celtic. Both clubs could use some depth in their midfield and Tapia would make sense as a signing, especially on a free. It will be interesting to see if the Scottish giants manage to convince the player to join either of them this summer. A move to Scotland would be an interesting challenge for the midfielder. He has done well for the Dutch side so far and he will fancy his chances of shining in Scotland as well. Celtic and Rangers a...
Report: Mourinho wants 26-yr-old who would cost around €20m, Spurs very interested
Tottenham are very interested in signing the Monaco defender Guillermo Maripan. According to Todo Fichajes, Jose Mourinho wants to bring the 26-year-old to the Premier League this summer. Monaco are willing to sell the player for the right price and it will be interesting to see if Spurs can secure an agreement soon. Jan Vertonghen is expected to leave the club soon and youngster Juan Foyth could be on his way out as well. Spurs need to sign defenders this summer and Maripan would be a good addition. He has done well for Monaco so far and Mourinho could groom him into the ideal partner for Alderweireld next season. Apparently, Monaco could be open to selling the player for a fee of around €20m. In that case, Spurs should be able to sign him. It is a reasonable asking price and Spurs have t...
Miguel Delaney claims long-time Benitez colleague is confident of becoming NUFC director of football
According to the Independent’s Miguel Delaney, Newcastle United are sounding out candidates for key roles as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund’s £300 million takeover edges closer, with Luis Campos, Domenico Teti and Owen Brown all on the radar of the would-be owners. Brown is a long-term colleague of former Magpies boss Rafa Benitez and is said to be confident of a director of football role at Saint James’ Park, with Frank McParland involved. The 59-year-old once worked as a scout and player liaison officer at Liverpool, and was also an advisor to the Spaniard during his time at Anfield and SJP. Former Liverpool’s Academy Director McParland was onceNottingham Forest’s director of football, and is credited with recruiting Raheem Sterling and Jordan Ibe for the Reds, and Scott Hoga...
Report: Rangers discussing payment methods ahead of summer move for 21-yr-old
Rangers are interested in signing Ianis Hagi permanently this summer. According to reports via Scottish Sun, the Ibrox outfit are currently in talks with Genk regarding payment methods. The Scottish outfit can sign Hagi for a fee of around £4.5m this summer. The 21-year-old has had an impressive loan spell at Rangers so far and it is no surprise that they want to keep him at the club for the long term. Despite making just 12 appearances so far, Hagi has shown that he can be a match-winner for Steven Gerrard’s side. He has proven himself in the European games as well. In order to challenge Celtic for the title next season, Gerrard must keep players like Hagi at the club. The Romanian will add creativity and goals to the side. He has already adapted to Scottish football and Hagi can have a c...
9 goals & 6 assists this season: Ancelotti wants 27-yr-old, Everton have approached his agent
Everton are keen on signing the Benfica midfielder Rafa Silva this summer. According to Correio da Manhã (via Sportwitness), Everton have approached the player’s agent regarding a move. Silva has 9 goals and 6 assists to his name so far this season and he could prove to be a quality addition to Ancelotti’s side. Everton need to add more goals and creativity this summer and Silva seems like an ideal fit. It will be interesting to see if Everton make an offer for the player in the coming weeks. Rafa Silva has a mammoth release clause of €80m and Everton will have to negotiate a more reasonable fee. No club will want to pay Silva’s release clause and therefore Benfica will have to lower their demands in order for a transfer to go through. The report adds that Silva is interested in a move to ...
‘This means the takeover is done’ – Some NUFC fans react to report from L’Equipe
According to L’Equipe, Lille’s Sporting Director Luis Campos has turned down an astronomical offer from Newcastle United, but did inform them that he might be able to make recommendations to them via his Scoutly company, provided Lille President Gerard Lopez permits. Breaking | Luis Campos has turned down an astronomical offer from Newcastle United to become their Sporting Director, according to L’Équipe. He did inform NUFC that he might be able to make recommendations to them via his Scoutly company, if Lille President Lopez allows him to. — Get French Football News (@GFFN) May 19, 2020 Would-be Magpies owners are keen to make the Portuguese the club’s director of football post-takeover, but he has no intention of leaving Lille despite formally asking to leave on Monday, and he is rather ...
Lennon claims Celtic star’s lockdown decision ‘bodes very, very well’
Celtic have wrapped up nine-in-a-row following the decision of the SPFL to award them the Scottish Premiership title based on a points-per-game basis. Making it ten consecutive league titles is top of the Hoops’ plans for next season, and manager Neil Lennon will look to keep the core of his squad and further strengthen it during the summer and winter transfer windows. French striker Odsonne Edouard played a huge role in Celtic’s victorious league campaign, bagging 22 goals in 27 appearances, and suitors are expected to come after him this summer. However, Lennon isn’t looking forward to his exit just yet, with his decision to remain in Glasgow during the lockdown boding well with him. “I will have a lock on the doors,” the Celtic boss joked when asked about Edouard potentially leaving. “B...
Report claims Portuguese is set to become Tottenham’s director of football
According to French TV station Canal Plus (via GFFN), Luis Campos is set to become Tottenham Hotspur’s director of football following his departure from Lille. Canal + claiming tonight that they expect Luis Campos to join Tottenham Hotspur. — Get French Football News (@GFFN) May 19, 2020 The 55-year-old left the Ligue 1 outfit on Monday after three years in the role, and a reunion with Spurs’ assistant coach Joao Sacramento and goalkeeper coach Nuno Santos could be on the cards. The duo linked up with boss Jose Mourinho at the North London club last November and could now be joined by Campos. The Portuguese was linked with a move to Tottenham at the time, with President Gerard Lopez ruling it out. However, it appears that will be happening afterall, with Daniel Levy said to be a fan of the...
Report: NUFC in talks to land £36m winger as they look to beat Ancelotti to signing
According to Arena Napoli, Newcastle United are interested in bringing Napoli forward Hirving Lozano to Saint James’ Park this summer and have already started talks with the Serie A club. The Magpies aren’t the only English Premier League club interested in landing the Mexico international, though, with Everton and West Ham United also keen. Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti signed Lozano from PSV Eindhoven last summer after he bagged 40 goals in 79 appearances for the Eredivisie side, and is eyeing a reunion at Goodison Park. The Mexican has scored just thrice in 23 appearances for the Italian team, but that hasn’t stopped would-be Newcastle owners and Everton from registering an interest in him. Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis has insisted that 24-year-old won’t be sold for cheap, and suit...
