All posts by h716a5.icu

Arsenal are interested in a summer deal for Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling, according to a report.

The Lowdown: Arsenal eyeing winger

Mikel Arteta has recently tied down Gabriel Martinelli to a new contract, with the Brazilian signing a deal that will keep him at the Emirates Stadium until 2027, and agreeing new terms with Bukayo Saka is the next thing on the agenda.

Even so, the Gunners are still trying to bring in a new wide option in the summer transfer window, recently being linked to Nico Williams, with Arteta wanting to add a top-quality back-up to Saka on the right.

The Latest: Monitoring Sterling

According to a report from 90min, Arsenal are monitoring Sterling for a move this summer, with the manager keen to bring in players with European experience.

Arteta is said to be a huge fan of the winger, who he worked with during his time at Manchester City, with the Gunners boss particularly impressed by his ability to play across the frontline.

That said, the player himself is not believed to be looking to leave Chelsea, which could make a deal more difficult to orchestrate.

The Verdict: Get it done?

If the 28-year-old does become available this summer, he would be an excellent addition, capable of helping Arsenal to cement their place as one of the dominant forces in the Premier League.

Hailed as ‘world class’ by members of the media, the former City man was fantastic during his spell in Manchester, hitting double figures for top flight goals in his last five seasons with the club, even managing to get as many as 20 in the 2019/20 campaign.

Unfortunately for Sterling, his current season has been blighted with injury issues, suffering hamstring and knee problems which have forced him to miss a total of nine games, meaning he has been unable to properly settle in at Chelsea.

When he is fully fit, however, the 82-time England international is a top class player, and Arteta should continue to monitor his availability.

Manchester United winger Antony was ‘having a go’ at right-back Diogo Dalot during the club’s 7-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday, according to Samuel Luckhurst. 

The Lowdown: Unbeaten run comes to an end

Erik ten Hag’s side were 11 unbeaten heading into the trip to Anfield and were looking to strengthen their hold on third place. However, despite a promising first-half display, the Red Devils fell to a heavy defeat, with most of the damage coming in the second half.

Dalot was making his fourth successive Premier League start and 30th appearance of the season but was on the receiving end of some criticism from his teammates and manager.

The Latest: Luckhurst’s post

Luckhurst, chief Manchester United writer for the Manchester Evening News, took to Twitter during the game to share what he spotted regarding Dalot in the first half.

He said that Antony was ‘having a go’ at the full-back ‘for his use of the ball’, adding that ‘Fred and Ten Hag were also on his case’.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-man-utd-news-11/” title=”Latest Man Utd news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Afternoon to forget

It was an afternoon to forget at Anfield, but Dalot was actually United’s best-rated defender with a SofaScore match rating of 6.6/10. He actually outperformed Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw and even Antony who was quick to show his displeasure at the Portuguese defender in the early stages.

Ten Hag will surely look to put this result behind him and his squad as soon as possible, starting against Real Betis in the Europa League on Thursday, where a number of starters could well be dropped following their disappointing displays on Merseyside.

Tottenham Hotspur are looking at a number of goalkeepers ahead of the summer transfer window as potential options to become Hugo Lloris’ long-term successor.

How long left does Hugo Lloris have on his contract?

The French captain put pen to paper on a contract extension last year which will see his contractual stay in north London up until the end of next season.

However, there have been some major question marks cast over the 36-year-old this season following a run of poor form which has seen him make numerous mistakes.

Lloris has now been playing his football at Tottenham for over 10 years but it seems as if his time as their number one could be coming to an end in the coming months.

And looking ahead to the summer, journalist Alasdair Gold has shared a number of names which he is aware Spurs have looked at as potential options to succeed Lloris:

(1:01:15) “Some of the names that I know are on their shortlist. So you’ve got the Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. I remember I mentioned him before not being able to remember his actual name. So Mamardashvili. David Raya at Brentford, very good keeper as well. Robert Sanchez at Brighton as well. I think he and Raya both qualify as homegrown, I think because of when they arrived in England as young goalkeepers.

“Mike Maignan, AC Milan, who I think is back now, so he’ll be back for the second leg as well. I know they’ve also looked at some older keepers in recent seasons, Emiliano Martinez, which would be an interesting one, he’s a former Arsenal guy, but obviously will know [Cristian] Romero very well.

“Jan Oblak from Atletico Madrid as well is another one of the older players. They’ve looked at homegrown options. Dean Henderson definitely I know they’ve looked at. Jordan Pickford was another they’ve looked at. Obviously, he’s now signed a new contract at Everton. Mamardashvili is the one I keep hearing.”

Should Spurs replace Hugo Lloris?

There is quite a variety of goalkeepers in the list of options suggested by Gold with a lot of them not holding any Premier League experience.

However, Lloris arrived at Spurs from France and has proven himself to be a superb servant for the club over the years and becoming a World Cup winner along the way.

One name which can probably be taken off the list is Jordan Pickford who has recently put pen to paper on a new deal with Everton despite the club’s serious battle against relegation.

But it will be interesting to see whether that contract does hold a relegation clause which could still see him leave if they are to face the drop over the coming months.

But it does feel as if it could be time for Spurs to move on from Lloris in the summer given his mistakes seen throughout this season which have proven costly.

No other player in the league has been at fault for more than two errors which have led to a goal this season – apart from Lloris.

The Frenchman has been at fault on four occasions this season in actions that have led to him picking the ball out of the back of the net.

And when Tottenham’s defence has not exactly been rock solid this season anyway, having a goalkeeper which is proving somewhat unreliable is the last thing the club need.

Tottenham Hotspur are likely to be gearing up for what could be another summer transfer saga involving record goalscorer, Harry Kane, with the 29-year-old facing an uncertain future in north London as the end of his current deal looms large.

The England skipper – whose existing contract is set to expire in 2024 – is said to be ‘open’ to extending his deal at the club, although speculation is rife that the 80-cap sensation could be bound for pastures new, amid interest from Premier League rivals Manchester United.

It was just over 18 months ago that the prolific marksman was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City and had even attempted to force an exit to the Etihad, albeit with the typically stubborn Daniel Levy having thwarted that interest with his reported valuation of more than £120m.

That failure to seal a departure has hardly made an impact on the experienced striker as he has remained the go-to man for the club since then, notably bagging 18 league goals already this season as well as 20 goals in all competitions – ensuring he is the only member of Antonio Conte’s squad to reach double figures this term.

Evidently a crucial figure for Spurs, it would be an obvious blow if Kane were to move on any time soon, with it likely to prove an almost impossible task for Conte and co to be able to replace him.

As such, rather than taking the risk of splashing the cash on a high-profile new addition that may not ultimately be a success, Tottenham could potentially save themselves millions by looking to the youth ranks to find a suitable candidate – with teenage starlet Jamie Donley no doubt one such option.

Who is Spurs starlet Jamie Donley?

The promising Northern Irishman – who has represented England at youth level – could well be the next gem to emerge from Spurs’ academy set-up, having even been branded as the ‘new Harry Kane’ in recent times, as per the Belfast Telegraph.

The eye-catching 18-year-old – who signed his first professional contract just over a year ago – has been a real standout figure in the youth ranks of late after bagging 24 goals and nine assists in just 39 games for the U18’s, while he boasts 11 goal involvements in 27 games across all fronts this season.

Clearly a real ruthless presence in front of goal, Donley was recognised for his talents by earning an inclusion in the Guardian’s Next Generation list for 2021 – showcasing the top 20 youngsters across the Premier League – with journalist David Hytner writing that the young dynamo has been ‘noted for his tenacity and finishing ability’.

The exciting left-footer was also the recipient of notable praise from journalist Josh Bunting back in November, with the respected source having stated: “Jamie Donley what a talent he is, 17 years of age and I have no doubt if he keeps his head down he’ll have a bright future in the game. Natural finisher but his work-rate is really good, has a nice attitude and will get better as he matures. Could see a loan really benefit him.”

As Bunting acknowledged, Donley may have to follow Kane’s path in trying his luck out on loan before making the grade in the first-team, although the hope will be that he can eventually rise to become the club’s leading figure in attack.

Chelsea could be heading for a disastrous repeat of their Kevin De Bruyne nightmare as reports are suggesting that Mason Mount could depart Stamford Bridge in the near future amid an ongoing contract dispute.

Could Mason Mount leave Chelsea?

The 24-year-old midfielder is out of contract with his boyhood club in 2024 and is yet to sign a new deal with the Blues, with Graham Potter speaking about the dispute last week.

He said: "My feelings for Mason are clear. I think he's a fantastic person, but sometimes these things happen," Potter said. "They are just complicated and it's best that I speak little about it and let both parties get on with it.

"I am not naive. It's an important time for him, it's an important contract. These things have to be right for him and his family and it's important he makes his decision on that basis."

Fabrizio Romano has also claimed that there is still a big gap between Mount and Chelsea in discussions over a new contract, and if the two parties cannot agree on a deal before the summer, then the England international will be on the market in the summer.

Liverpool are one side said to be extremely keen on signing the former Derby County loanee, who has been a regular at Stamford Bridge after impressing under Frank Lampard with the Rams in the Championship.

After hitting 11 goals and six assists in the second tier with Derby, Lampard felt he was ready for a starting role in the top flight and he has gone on to make 192 appearances, contributing 33 goals and 37 assists.

Joe Cole would label Mount a "manager's dream" in 2021, and he lived up to that praise in the 2021/22 campaign, as he notched 11 goals and ten assists in the top flight, but he has sadly been unable to match those numbers in the current season and has lost his regular starting spot following the influx of attacking signings in the January transfer window.

Although his return of three goals and six assists so far this term has been disappointing, a fresh start could be what the Englishman needs to reach his true potential, with Chelsea potentially set to find themselves in another De Bruyne situation if the £80k-per-week Mount starts to shine with a top four rival.

The Belgium international would fail to make the grade at Chelsea after limited opportunities – playing on just nine occasions while registering a solitary goal involvement.

Since then, he has gone on to establish himself as one of the best in the world with Manchester City, contributing a remarkable 91 goals and 139 assists during his time at the Etihad.

Chelsea already look foolish for their decisions on De Bruyne and a certain Mohammed Salah too, but to lose a promising academy graduate to a Premier League rival over a contract dispute would surely be unforgivable.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed Arsenal are still interested in signing Declan Rice this summer.

The Lowdown: Arsenal will look to strengthen in the summer

Earlier this year, Arsenal were credited as one of the frontrunners to make a move for Rice as he was seemingly interested in the Gunners’ project and what Mikel Arteta has been able to build at the Emirates Stadium.

Rice has long been linked with a move away from West Ham United,

with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea also said to be keen on the England international, but given they’ve recently signed Casemiro and Enzo Fernandez respectively, Arsenal could now be in pole position.

The Gunners could be on their way to lifting their first Premier League trophy since 2004 under Arsene Wenger, but to be continuously playing at the right end of the table for all of the top honours, including the Champions League, this squad will need to be improved upon in the transfer market.

The Latest: Rice will leave West Ham at the end of the season

Romano has been speaking about Rice’s future on his YouTube channel, where he confirmed the midfielder will be looking to leave this summer amid Arsenal’s continued interest in the star.

He said: “Many of you are always asking me about him, because I can confirm it’s true that many clubs still love Declan Rice; he is super appreciated on the market.

“Arsenal, internally, they really appreciate the player and discussed Declan Rice as one of the players they like in that position.

“At the moment, nothing has been discussed with West Ham, and a lot will depend on West Ham how much they will ask [for] in the summer.

“Summer 2023 is going to be the opportunity for Declan Rice to try something different.”

The Verdict: Arteta could land gem in Rice

If Arsenal were able to add someone of Rice’s experience, ability and pedigree in the game to their midfield alongside players such as Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka, it would be a monumental piece of business.

Rice is a very experienced midfield general despite his age, which can only be a good sign of what his potential could be for this Arsenal side thriving under Arteta compared to being part of a struggling West Ham outfit.

However, he certainly won’t come cheap, with David Moyes previously claiming that Rice would cost any potential suitor a British transfer record fee – and this would go well beyond the most Arsenal have ever paid for a single player, so this deal could test Edu’s resolve.

Alex Iwobi may reportedly now not sign a new contract at Everton, leaving his future in doubt.

The Lowdown: Contract offered

Iwobi has reportedly been offered a new deal by Everton, but he has not put pen to paper on it as of yet.

As such, a number of clubs in the Premier League are thought to be keeping an eye on the situation, as they weigh up a potential move this summer.

The Latest: May not sign…

As per Football Insider, the Goodison Park outfit are ‘confident’ that Iwobi will sign a new contract, but he is not expected to put pen to paper on it until at least the summer, as he has ‘doubts’ over whether they can avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Discussions are ‘advanced’, but it is thought that Iwobi’s head could be turned by a concrete offer in the summer.

The Verdict: Worrying

It will be certainly be worrying for Toffees supporters to hear that Iwobi is having doubts over his future, which could depend on relegation as a distinct possibility with them only two points above the drop zone.

The Nigeria international has really turned into a key player for the team, with former manager Frank Lampard lauding his development as ‘brilliant‘.

Indeed, Iwobi has not missed a game in the league so far this season, and his fine form has continued under Sean Dyche, as he is currently the highest assister in the squad and has averaged more key passes per game than any of his team-mates (WhoScored).

The £120,000-per-week maestro will not want to be playing in the Championship though, and so the Blues must make sure that they stay up come the end of the campaign, where talks over a new deal should become a lot easier.

Tottenham Hotspur are far from the only club in the Premier League to have struggled this season, and should they dismiss Antonio Conte he would be the 11th manager to leave their post since the start of the new campaign.

Fierce rivals Chelsea are one of the most high-profile examples, as their new ownership sought to stamp their authority on the club by replacing Thomas Tuchel with a long-term boss in Graham Potter.

This shake-up has seen the Blues endure plenty of tough times, but a process is now in place after snatching the young highly-rated coach from Brighton and Hove Albion.

Surprisingly, one team this move did not affect was the Seagulls themselves, who simply found his replacement with ease and welcomed Roberto De Zerbi in his place.

The Italian has merely continued the good work that was already being done at the club with little fuss, arguably even elevating them to another level as they currently sit seven points from fourth spot with three games in hand.

Perhaps sporting director Fabio Paratici could take a leaf out of Chelsea's book and steal another manager from the south coast, given how the 43-year-old has performed. That is at least what is being suggested by The Athletic, that a move could very well be on the cards.

What is Roberto De Zerbi's play style?

Although unlikely that Brighton would sanction the exit of two managers in one season, it stands as an immaculate testament to their continued good work, that their players and staff alike all draw such widespread interest.

A clear free-thinker, De Zerbi moved to the Amex Stadium following a spell at Shakhtar Donetsk that was cut short due to the Russian invasion.

Wherever he has gone the 5 foot 9 Italian has stuck by a very specific set of principles that suggest he very well could surpass the legacy left at the club by Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentine's reign will be remembered for their beautiful football that could just not quite get them across the line, but in this potential Conte successor, they would gain that killer instinct outlined in his philosophy.

He demands that everyone in his team be comfortable with the ball at their feet, seeking to invite pressure so that his side can cut through them with immense technique. However, the emphasis remains on possession, as his side often seeks to strangle their opposition by dominating them with the ball and then smothering them without it.

Upon joining the Premier League, a list of high-profile fans sang his praises including Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp. But it was his former teammate Christian Bucchi who reserved the greatest praise, stating: "De Zerbi is kind of a football genius in Italy. He was a bit of a rebel as a footballer."

He would then very describe his philosophy as "Guardiola-esque in terms of having the ball, getting to the opposition half through combination play."

Whilst Pochettino still remains a well-liked figure around north London, De Zerbi clearly boasts the potential to take them to another level should he be willing to take on that challenge.

Newcastle United are currently gearing up for what could be a potentially pivotal game in the battle to secure a top-four berth, with the Magpies making their return from the international break at home to Manchester United on Sunday.

That Premier League encounter comes just over a month on from the meeting between the two sides in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, with the Red Devils ultimately running out 2-0 winners to ensure that the wait for silverware goes on at St James' Park.

One potential regret that manager Eddie Howe may have from that showpiece defeat is the decision not to include club-record signing Alexander Isak in the starting lineup, with the Sweden international having been "electric" after entering the fray off the bench, according to his manager.

While Howe had seemingly found it a "tough" decision to choose between the former Real Sociedad man and fellow forward, Callum Wilson, it would appear that the choice should be far simpler this time around, with Isak undoubtedly the man of the moment at present.

After netting three goals across his last two league games prior to going on international duty, the 6 foot 4 striker has continued that momentum for his country – despite not scoring over the past week – having notably produced a standout display against Azerbaijan on Monday evening.

How did Isak perform for Sweden?

There is no doubt that it has largely been a season of frustration for the 23-year-old due to injury, although with the one-time Borussia Dortmund man now boasting six goals from just ten league appearances, it does look as if Newcastle are finally beginning to reap the rewards of their £63m investment.

As pundit Jermaine Jenas noted, it looks as if Isak "could be the one to get them into the top four", with the 39-cap sensation having proven himself a real "handful for defenders" due to his all-round attributes, as per former Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth boss, Harry Redknapp.

During his recent outing with Sweden, the dynamic ace proved that he can offer much more than just putting the ball in the back of the net, having registered an impressive haul of three key passes from just 23 touches during that 71-minute outing, illustrating his creative potential.

The all-action ace also showed his dynamism after completing one of his two dribbles as well as putting in a shift defensively, having won 75% of his total duels – including winning both of his aerial duels.

While the pacy marksman was unable to contribute with a goal of his own – having seen three shots blocked – he was able to play a key role in his side's second of the night, after surging into the opposition penalty area before seeing his clever pullback deflect in for an own goal.

The manner in which Isak was able to burst clear in behind was another example of just what a 'handful' he is, with Howe likely hoping that the £120k-per-week man can continue to shine on a consistent basis over the coming months.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag appears keen to put his stamp on the current squad by overseeing a mass exodus from Old Trafford this summer, with recent reports having suggested that as many as 13 players could be shown the exit door.

While not among that list, one man who also may have an uncertain future at the club is polarising midfielder, Fred, with The Guardian revealing earlier in the season that the Brazil international could be one of those to depart at the end of the campaign.

The former Shakhtar Donetsk man – who was signed during Jose Mourinho's tenure on a £52m deal in 2018 – currently has just over a year to run on his existing deal, with United having triggered a 12-month extension on the midfielder's contract back in December.

Whether the Red Devils are to cash in on the 30-year-old this summer remains to be seen, although if they are to part ways with the £120k-per-week man, it is unlikely that they will be able to recoup anywhere close to the player's initial cost.

How much is Fred worth now?

While potentially impacted by Fred's age and contract status, the 5 foot 7 playmaker has seen his value decrease significantly since the Premier League side splashed out that £52m fee, with CIES Football Observatory now valuing him at just £18m.

That decline is an indication of the one-time Internacional man's inability to perform on a consistent basis, with Daily Express journalist Alex Turk summarising that frustration best by stating that "the occasional stand-out games aren’t enough", with Fred largely something of a "liability".

Although the diminutive midfielder can thrive at times, as Turk alluded too, having been hailed as like a "mosquito" by Ten Hag after proving a real pest in the Europa League win over Barcelona, such outings have been few and far between over the years.

The 32-cap menace has been described as "not good enough" for the club by ex-United skipper, Roy Keane, while the former Republic of Ireland international also dubbed the player as "sloppy and lazy".

It is, at times, difficult to see just what the experienced dud is able to offer to the side as defensively he can be rather weak – winning just 49% of his total duels in the Premier League this season – while also proving somewhat underwhelming in an attacking sense, with just 14 goals and 18 assists to his name in 201 games for the club.

For Fred to have even reached that double-century for appearances is to his credit, although that will not shake the feeling that Mourinho and co vastly overpaid in bringing the player to England just under five years ago.