General Football News
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. ...
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: Celtic plotting summer move for highly rated French defender
Celtic are interested in signing the French defender Brandon Soppy this summer. As per Foot Mercato (via HITC), the 18-year-old’s performances in the UEFA Youth League have attracted Celtic’s attention. The Scottish giants are not the only ones after the youngster this summer. The likes of Monaco and Leipzig are keen on the player as well. It will be interesting to see if the Hoops make their move for Soppy in the coming weeks. Celtic have benefited from signing talented young French players in the last few years and Soppy could develop into a star for them as well. The likes of Edouard, Ntcham, Dembele have all gone on to become Celtic stars and Soppy will be looking to follow in their footsteps if he joins the club. Celtic have a great track record when it comes to nurturing young player...
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: 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: Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves among clubs interested in £26m player
According to Transfer20, Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United are among the clubs who are interested in signing William Carvalho from Real Betis in the summer transfer window. The report has also claimed of interest in the Portugal international defensive midfielder from Leicester City and another club from the top six in the Premier League. It has been added that Betis will want a transfer fee close to €30 million (£26.18 million) as transfer fee for the 28-year-old. Tottenham head coach Jose Mourinho is reported to hold his Portuguese compatriot in high esteem. Stats According to WhoScored, Carvalho has made nine appearances in La Liga for Betis so far this season. During the 2018-19 campaign, the defensive midfielder made 26 starts and four substitute appearanc...
Report: Newcastle United identify a striker who is on loan at another PL club
According to Sky Sports, Newcastle United are interested in signing Odion Ighalo from Shanghai Shenhua in the summer transfer window. It has been reported that Newcastle could make a move for the striker this summer if their proposed takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund goes through. The 30-year-old striker joined Manchester United on loan from Chinese Super League club Shenhua in the January transfer window until the end of the season. Stats Ighalo has played 61 minutes in the Premier League, and has scored two goals and provided one assist in three Europa League matches for United so far this season, according to WhoScored. Underwhelming signing for Newcastle United? With Joelinton struggling to score goals for Newcastle this season, it is clear that the Magpies need to sign...
Reported Tottenham Hotspur target responds to speculation
Reported Tottenham Hotspur and Lille defender Zeki Celik has told DHA that he is happy at the club. According to BuzzSport, Tottenham are interested in signing Celik from French club Lille in the summer transfer window. It has been reported that Premier League club Spurs may have to spend as much as €30million (£26.18 million) as transfer fee to secure the services of the right-back. However, the Turkey international right-back has said that he is happy at his current club. Celik told DHA: “I have a four-year contract with my club. It is also said that there are suitors for the transfer, but I do not know. I am preparing for the new season and I am happy with my club.” Stats According to WhoScored, Celik made 23 appearances in Ligue 1 for Lille this season before the campaign was called of...
Report: How much Newcastle United manager could get to spend this summer
According to The Chronicle, Newcastle United could spend as much as £200 million in transfer fees this summer. It has been reported that the prospective new owners of Newcastle could potentially hand their manager a transfer kitty of £200 million to spend on players in the summer transfer window. According to The Daily Star, the takeover of the Magpies will be formally announced in the coming days. As reported by The Times, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) will own 80% of the Premier League club. Exciting times for Newcastle United fans It seems that it is only a matter of time before the takeover goes through, and Newcastle fans must be delighted and looking forward to the future. Although the Magpies are an established club in the Premier League, they could do much better, suc...
Bernd Leno says £22.5m-rated Arsenal star can become a world class player
Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno believes Gabriel Martinelli has the quality and talent to become a world class player in the long run. The teenager joined the Gunners from Brazilian fourth-tier side Ituano last summer and he was initially fancied to link up with the development squad. However, he managed to sufficiently impress during the pre-season tour of the United States and was therefore able to cement a first-team spot under then-manager Unai Emery. Martinelli scored a brace in his full debut against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup third round and he has since bagged another eight goals and four assists from 25 appearances. Speaking to Soccer AM, Leno was full of praise for the Brazil youth international and said that the 18-year-old has the potential to evolve into a wor...
