All posts by z3u9t.icu

[ad_pod ]

According to the Daily Record, Celtic are close to completing a £1.75 million deal for Karpaty Lviv winger Maryan Shved.

What’s the story?

The Ukrainian right-winger has been in fine form so far this season. According to Transfermarkt’s statistics, the 21-year-old has scored eight goals and racked up three assists in seventeen appearances in the Ukrainian top flight, the Premier Liga.

Shved is clearly a player with plenty of talent and capable of producing end product. With so much of his career still ahead of him too, he could improve a great deal in the future.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

The once-capped Ukraine international would face a challenge in making the step up to the Scottish Premiership, but he could also provide the boost of quality and fresh attacking ideas that Brendan Rodgers’ side currently needs.

A much-needed boost

So far this season, the Bhoys have struggled to consistently show their best form. The reigning Scottish champions have at times looked stale and in need of an overhaul of their squad. Too many players have failed to regularly reach the required standard.

The likes of Scott Sinclair and Leigh Griffiths have failed to shine for the most part this season. Shved’s arrival could provide the level of competition that they need in order to get back to their best, or the young Ukrainian could usurp them in the starting XI at Celtic Park altogether.

For such a small fee, the gamble on Shved is one worth taking for the Hoops this month.

Transfer insider Dean Jones has expressed his shock whilst sharing what he knows as some Tottenham Hotspur transfer news comes out of N17 involving Leicester City star James Maddison.

The lowdown: Spurs linked

This comes following reports linking Spurs with a move for the 25-year-old when the market reopens at the end of the season.

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

As manager Antonio Conte and recruitment chief Fabio Paratici attempt to strengthen the squad at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, speculation is going to be rife with multiple names linked with a move to north London.

However, it would appear that Maddison is unlikely to be making the move anytime soon…

The latest: Jones rules out Spurs switch

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones was quick to dismiss the idea of the English attacking midfielder joining the Lilywhites, whilst also expressing his surprise at the development.

He explained:

“I don’t really know where that one’s come from, it seems a bit left-field that report.

“I’ve texted two people, and they basically said there’s no chance that Tottenham are going to sign James Maddison. So, it’s pretty much as we would expect.”

The verdict: An early blow

Although the deal was far from at an advanced stage, adding a player of Maddison’s quality to the Tottenham ranks was an exciting proposition.

So far this season the once-capped England ace has scored 14 times and provided nine assists in 45 appearances across all competitions and would’ve provided much-needed creativity to an otherwise workmanlike midfield department.

Should the interest in Maddison indeed be fanciful, Spurs supporters may be hoping Paratici and Conte have a signing of a similar ilk lined up.

In other news: Tottenham ‘insider’ urges club to target Premier League striker,  find out more here.

Scottish football pundit Michael Stewart was left stunned by what he’s seen from Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley. 

The lowdown: Major impact

The 21-year-old was introduced at half-time with the Hoops 3-0 ahead and well in command of the clash at Celtic Park.

However, the Danish youth international wasn’t content with the scoreline and set about impacting the performance in place of Tom Rogic. The January arrival from MK Dons scored twice in quick succession as well as providing one key pass in a 9.0 rated display (Sofascore), completing 89% of his passes and losing the ball just eight times, a good number for an attacking player.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/key-latest-celtic-updates/” title=”Key latest Celtic updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

O’Riley’s exploits certainly caught the eye of those watching on…

The latest: Stewart in awe

Speaking on BBC’s Sportscene, ex-Hearts midfielder Stewart was waxing lyrical about O’Riley’s talents.

“He’s very good. There’s stiff competition in the middle of the park at Celtic. Matt O’Riley has come in and done extremely well, these are two great goals.

“It’s a really nice header. The next one though, it’s just right out of the top drawer.

“The composure, the balance and the accuracy when it comes to him in such a tight area with so many players around him. The little shift, move and smash into the top corner.

“He’s a silky player – a classy player.”

The verdict: Money well spent

Signed for £1.5million plus add ons (Sky Sports), the addition of O’Riley to Ange Postecoglou’s squad already looks to be a shrewd one from the Hoops.

The former Fulham academy prospect has wasted little time adapting to life at Parkhead, scoring three times and proving two assists in 12 Scottish Premiership outings – all to add to an outstanding 12 direct goal contributions in League One prior to making the mid-season switch north of the border.

At just 21 and with a plethora of strong attributes in both an attacking and defensive sense (WhoScored), the one-cap Denmark Under 21 starlet certainly looks to be an exciting prospect for the Glasgow giants.

In other news, three Celtic stars standout in emphatic victory. Find out who here.

Newcastle United are interested in signing Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi this summer, according to German football journalist Christian Falk.

What’s the story?

According to Falk, Newcastle, as well as West Ham and Southampton, are interested in signing the 24-year-old this summer with the Nigerian having a release clause of €30m (£25m).

Awoniyi has scored 23 goals in 61 matches for the Bundesliga outfit, at a rate of once every 176 minutes, since making his loan move from Liverpool permanent last summer.

However, this term has been particularly prolific for the 24-year-old, netting 18 times and registering four assists in 39 appearances across all competitions.

The striker has been a serious contributor to the club from the capital side’s recent rise, with Union playing in the Europa Conference League this term and sat currently sixth in the Bundesliga, and could return to England this summer.

Howe will love Awoniyi

It’s no secret that a new striker will be high up the priority list ahead of the summer transfer window for Newcastle United with it being the first since PIF’s takeover of the North East club in October.

£25m January signing Chris Wood has found the back of the net just twice since joining from Burnley whilst Callum Wilson has been sidelined since December with hope that the Englishman will play again this term.

However, neither are long term options with both strikers aged 30.

Having failed to make it into the first-team picture at Liverpool, Awonyi will certainly be keen to make the move to a Premier League club to show English supporters what he’s capable of and potentially what the Reds missed out on.

Although, with Union Berlin on course for another season in Europe, West Ham may be the forward’s preference out of the aforementioned trio if the Hammers can once again qualify for Europe.

The Nigerian who journalist Lolade Adewuyi dubbed a “unicorn” has endured a plethora of loan spells during his career thus far, and was subject to serious praise when on loan at Belgian outfit Royal Excel Mouscron in 2019, with then-teammate Mergim Vojvoda saying: “He should stay his entire life here. We have to offer him a 20-year contract.

“He’s an excellent player with great qualities. If you ask me, it didn’t work with Gent because he was always in the box. Taiwo is a forward who needs to showcase his power and sometimes come deep to find the ball.”

Eddie Howe will need to add higher quality strikers to his ranks this summer and Awoniyi could certainly prove to be a shrewd purchase.

AND in other news: Howe and PIF are now heading for their first big NUFC error, it would be a disaster

Leeds United employee Noel Whelan has made a claim regarding midfielders Adam Forshaw and Kalvin Phillips, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Forshaw out, Phillips back

It has been a case of one in one out at Thorp Arch in recent weeks, with Phillips making a first start since December against Crystal Palace on Monday.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-42/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” 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”]

However, one man who didn’t feature at Selhurst Park was Forshaw, who will now miss the rest of the season after fracturing a knee cap in training.

That leaves Jesse Marsch with a shortage of central midfielders for the run-in, with Mateusz Klich and Robin Koch playing 45 minutes each alongside Phillips earlier in the week.

The Latest: Whelan’s comments

Whelan, talking to FI, labelled Forshaw’s injury at Thorp Arch as ‘unfortunate’ and ‘disappointing’.

He then added that Phillips is going to ‘have to step up and perform’ for the final five games, labelling his return from the off as a ‘massive plus’.

“Adam Forshaw was so unfortunate to get that training injury.

“He’s been one of the best players, for me, this season – and you can see what a difference he’s made since coming back in.

“It’s disappointing because we could have done with both Phillips and Forshaw. But now Kalvin is going to really have to step up and perform for these last games of the season.

“Everyone knows what is required of them, and Kalvin being back is a massive plus no matter how you look at it.”

The Verdict: Not ideal

Phillips and Forshaw featured together briefly against Southampton at Elland Road, and the duo may well have been Marsch’s first-choice pairing, making the latter’s setback a frustrating one.

That will have to wait until next season, and hopefully, Marsch will be able to find a solution in midfield with Phillips and one other between now and the end of the season.

Koch was Leeds’ worst-rated performer on Monday, as per SofaScore, so perhaps Marsch will go with Klich once again from the off when the Whites take on Manchester City on Saturday.

In other news: Radz and 49ers will now reward Marsch if he keeps Leeds up by moving for 29-goal forward. 

After succumbing to a disheartening 2-0 defeat against Preston North End in their latest Championship clash, West Brom are back in action again this afternoon with an away game against Millwall, who are currently ten places and 12 points below the Baggies in the league table. 

With Valerien Ismael revealing that Sam Johnstone will not be in the squad this afternoon but that Andy Carroll should be available, here’s how we feel West Brom will line up for today’s clash against Millwall with the likes of Kean Bryan, Dara O’Shea and Daryl Dike out injured and Semi Ajayi still away on international duty. 

In goal, with Johnstone still not involved, it seems likely that David Button will keep his place in the team to try and keep a clean sheet for the Baggies. 

In a back three, we think Ismael will keep Kyle Bartley and Cedric Kipre in the side but put Conor Townsend in the left wing-back position with Adam Reach, who is currently picking up a weekly wage of £23k-per-week according to Salary Sport, dropping out and Matt Clarke coming back in. 

For the right wing-back position, we can see Darnell Furlong keeping his place in the team to see if he can have any attacking impact on the team after providing an assist in their recent 3-0 win over Peterborough United.

In the two central-midfield positions, we predict Ismael will stick with the duo of club captain Jake Livermore and Alex Mowatt.

Then for the front three, we could see the duo of Karlan Grant and Grady Diangana keeping their places in the team on the wings but see Matt Phillips drop out in place of Callum Robinson, with Carroll on the bench to come on as a substitute to make his debut if needed. 

Whether Ismael goes with this exact starting XI that we have suggested or not, this is still an important game for the Baggies to secure all three points, climb a step closer to promotion and put their spotty run of form in recent weeks behind them. 

Also, with West Brom unable to make even one shot on target in their defeat against Preston, they will certainly need to show a bit more attacking intent this time around if they want to have any chance of securing a win.

In other news: Ismael must unleash £18k-p/w WBA gem who “gives his all”, his job could depend on it – opinion

There has been mounting speculation on the future of Brighton and Hove Albion loanee Matt Clarke at West Bromwich Albion, and there has now been an update on the situation.

What’s the latest?

According to West Brom reporter Steve Madeley (via The Athletic), the 25-year-old centre-back “would be keen” to stay at The Hawthorns this summer.

Madeley wrote:

“Clarke would be keen on a permanent move to The Hawthorns and there are reasons for which a deal would appeal to West Brom as it is likely that any deal would include a low up-front fee and would be weighted towards performance-related add-ons and sell-on clauses.”

Bruce will be buzzing

There is no doubt that Steve Bruce would be buzzing at the idea of the defender wanting to stay at the club after his comments about Clarke in an interview a few weeks ago.

Bruce told Express and Star:

“He has been, arguably, since I’ve walked through the door – he’s been our best player so I’m really, really, happy for him.

“All those conversations – it’s all about the future. What is going to happen in the future is the big thing and we’ll have those talks.”

The Baggies centre-back has featured 32 times in the Championship this season, with his effectiveness and influence in the backline a clear indicator as to why Bruce holds him in such high regard.

Clarke has made 1.9 interceptions, 3.2 clearances and 1.5 tackles on average per game, kept ten clean sheets, won the majority of his duels combined (63%) and has been successful in the majority of his dribbles (63%), proving to be a consistent force for West Brom throughout the season.

West Brom have now squandered their chances of picking up a playoff spot in the Championship this season, but will now need to focus on rebuilding and reflecting on the issues that have presented themselves this season to improve and hit the ground running to earn a place back in the Premier League next season.

Permanently signing Clarke could be a great step in their pursuit to return to top-flight football as he has proven he has what it takes to offer reliability and good fitness in the Championship for them, something many players in the team have struggled with throughout the current campaign.

AND in other news: In talks: WBA must brutally axe “powerful” £720k-rated gem after “important” update

Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi, who is currently on loan at Everton, isn’t wanted by either club in the summer, Football Insider have reported.

The Lowdown: Everton loan…

The 26-year-old hasn’t had the best of seasons, making just four Premier League starts, all of which came under former Villa boss Dean Smith.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/aston-villa-latest-developments/” title=”Aston Villa latest developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

El Ghazi was sent out on loan to Everton in the January transfer window, but he has played just 11 minutes of football under Frank Lampard.

Labelled as ‘inconsistent’ by Villa podcaster Aaron Clark, it now looks as if the Dutch winger will be on the hunt for a new home over the coming months.

The Latest: Source’s reveal

Football Insider shared an update on El Ghazi after being informed by a Villa source. They claimed that the attacker will be let go by Everton in the summer, with Villa looking to secure a permanent exit for the player.

Steven Gerrard does not see the 26-year-old in his plans ahead of his first full season in charge, with the player set to enter the final 12 months of his Villa Park deal in the summer.

The Verdict: Right call?

Gerrard has also given the green light over an exit for midfielder Morgan Sanson in recent days, so it seems as if there will be a major shake-up over the coming months.

A permanent move away for El Ghazi does seem to be the correct decision, though, with the winger clearly not in the manager’s plans after he agreed to a winter loan move.

Villa officials may well have been hoping that Everton would take up the option to make El Ghazi’s move permanent for €10m (£8.4m), but it looks as if Johan Lange will be on the phone looking to find a new permanent home for the winger.

In other news: Newcastle now keen on signing another Villa player as advanced update emerges

As Antonio Conte looks to rebuild this Tottenham squad in his own image in the coming months, the Italian will no doubt be keeping a close eye on some of the club’s brightest young academy prospects.

Marcel Lavinier is surely someone who will be at the forefront of his mind given the position he plays for the club’s U21s: right-back.

Conte has been desperately searching for a solution to his right wing-back woes from the moment that he came in, with Emerson initially handed the reins before Matt Doherty came back in from the cold to nail down the spot in recent weeks.

With Emerson hardly proving value for money and even being linked with an exit from the club, the Spurs boss will be keen for reinforcements in that position.

Indeed, according to The Times, Conte was keen to sign a new right wing-back in the January transfer window as he felt the Brazilian did not fit the profile he needs in the final third.

In Lavinier though, Spurs could finally an in-house answer to their problems.

The 21-year-old was part of Spurs’ 25-man squad for the UEFA Europa Conference League and has the kind of sheer pace and directness that marks him out compared to the likes of Emerson and Doherty.

The Daily Mail noted: “Lavinier loves to get forward and is very direct – often looking up and aiming to ping balls into the area, but he’s an equally competent defender.

“His confidence is boosted by how comfortable he is on the ball – he’s a decent finisher for a defender and has considerable technique, making him a great option as an attacking full-back.”

Lavinier left Premier League rivals Chelsea for north London a couple of years ago despite impressing for their academy sides, having contributed three goals and eight assists across the U18 and U21 squads.

Indeed, a player profile piece done by Octagon Soccer on the 6 foot 1 starlet noted that Lavinier “is a versatile and dynamic defender who is comfortable playing on the right or the centre of defence”, and it’s his ability to play as a full-back that should surely have Conte sit up and take notice.

This season has seen the versatile youngster make 17 appearances at Premier League 2 level for Spurs, notching four assists, including having stints playing at right-back, left-back and in holding midfield too – one of those assists coming in the Lilywhites’ last fixture against Leicester just a couple of weeks ago.

Lavinier’s breakthrough into the first-team would allow the Spurs manager to finally axe the “horrendous” Emerson and bring through an exciting Hotspur Way gem.

AND in other news – Paratici masterclass: Spurs now eyeing 6 ft “phenomenon”, he’s perfect for Conte

Taking to Twitter, reliable club insider ExWHUemployee has backed a development in West Ham United’s pursuit of Manchester United star and top target Jesse Lingard.

The Lowdown: West Ham ready to pay fee…

It is no secret that the 29-year-old is on manager David Moyes’ radar as he seeks to bolster his side’s options and give them a fighting chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

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

After his sensational spell on loan in east London over the second half of 2020/2021, West Ham, Moyes and recruitment chief Rob Newman have been targeting Lingard as his current deal at Old Trafford looks set to expire at the end of this season.

The England international, as a result, can either wait until the summer and leave for free or opt to join a new club in January if any suitors table a bid before deadline day.

Recent reports say West Ham are indeed willing to do just that with the Irons now apparently ready to pay a £3million fee to seal Lingard’s signing.

The Latest: ExWHUemployee backs Lingard development…

Taking to social media, reliable Hammers source Ex backed this development in the Lingard transfer saga.

Whilst stating ‘yes’ in reply to a supporter who asked if there is any truth to the £3m bid rumours, the insider did also provide a degree of caution – going on to claim West Ham’s willingness to pay doesn’t necessarily mean the player wants to make the move.

The Verdict: Get it done…

While the £75,000-per-week ace’s current stance on a move to West Ham remains the last major hurdle, if his mind is swayed, signing him would be a big boost for Moyes.

Scoring nine goals and assisting four others in 16 Premier League starts last season on a temporary spell, Lingard is a proven player under the Irons boss and could gift the club a different dimension going forward.

Taking into account his 2021 numbers at West Ham, with talkSPORT pundit Adrian Durham calling him ‘absolutely phenomenal’, £3m seems like a real bargain.

Hammers supporters may be hoping that there is a development on Lingard’s side that favours him joining West Ham permanently before January 31.

In other news: ‘Please please please’, ‘Baller’, ‘Perfect’ – Many West Ham fans rave as GSB eye ‘fantastic signing’…find out more here.