All posts by z3u9t.icu

West Bromwich Albion have been linked with a number of players and most of those rumours have been additions to the forward line, where the side are desperately lacking goals compared to their Championship competitors above them.

There has been one proven, prolific striker, and indeed a familiar face, with whom the Baggies have been linked for a number of months.

What’s the word?

Former West Brom midfielder Carlton Palmer has had his say on the potential signing and return of Dwight Gayle in the January transfer window, believing that the player “might be an option” for Albion.

The 56-year-old told GIVEMESPORT: “West Brom will need something in the transfer window, whether they let him go out on loan, assuming Newcastle can do good business and get their targets in, they may let him go out on loan from January until the end of the season, that might be an option.”

A loan deal to West Brom has been widely reported for the Newcastle striker over the last few months, and signing him would surely be the perfect remedy for the current situation in the goal-shy squad, given Gayle’s record in the Championship.

The £37k-p/w marksman was hailed a “natural finisher” by his former manager Steve Bruce, who gushed: “Dwight is a natural goalscorer. His instincts, his movement, all of it is a natural goalscorer’s. Left foot or right foot. Natural finisher.”

Is it the right move?

Gayle’s two most recent stints in the Championship saw him put away incredible numbers, for both his current club Newcastle and during his previous loan deal with Albion.

For the Magpies back in 2916/17, when they won automatic promotion as league winners, he scored 23 goals and bagged four assists. Then, after a season in the Premier League with the northeast club, he was loaned out to The Hawthorns in 2018, netting another 23 goals and bagging eight assists.

Some Baggies fans have been crying out for a player to come in and finish the chances which have been created for the side in the past few months given their abysmal conversion rate, especially when you consider that Grady Diangana, Jordan Hugill, Callum Robinson and Matt Phillips have just nine goals combined.

As a result, West Brom fans will surely be buzzing if they can secure a finisher like Gayle on a short-term deal to try and see Albion over the line to gain automatic promotion back to the Premier League for next season.

In other news: Albion starlet close to signing a new deal amid European interest

Chelsea are considering a loan move for Everton’s Lucas Digne during the January transfer window, The Telegraph’s Matt Law reports.

The reigning European champions are assessing potential cover options with Ben Chilwell potentially out for the rest of the season.

Digne has fallen out of favour at Everton after a row with manager Rafael Benitez in front of his team-mates.

He hasn’t played a minute of football for The Toffees since 1 December, though he was named amongst the substitutes for Sunday’s game against Brighton.

Everton have already signed a likely replacement for the Frenchman in the form of 22-year-old Vitaliy Mykolenko.

Why might Everton fans be opposed to a straight loan?

According to Transfermarkt, Digne is the third most valuable player in the squad, behind only Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.

Everton fans, then, may prefer their club to cash in and reinvest if he’s not part going to be part of Rafael Benitez’s plans going forward.

Supporters were furious when it emerged last week the club had placed a £25m price tag on the defender – below his Transfermarkt value – and they certainly aren’t any happier with the added news that a loan is now on the agenda.

Fan feed The Toffee Blues relayed Law’s report, and here’s what the Goodison faithful had to say.

These Everton fans fume over Digne proposal

“Cant see us doing a standard loan. If we do we might as well give up…!”

Credit: @kieranbuckley5

“Why on earth would Everton do this?”

Credit: @efac1878

“Surely we need to offload him completely. A loan isn’t what we need.”

Credit: @mightmj1

“Only Everton would loan one of their best players out to a superior club.”

Credit: @WAJG_96

“Dumbest piece of business going this. Go out of our way to sign a new left back so Chelsea can loan our original left back. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, so being Everton, it’s probably going to happen.”

Credit: @Everblue86

“We only want to sell him, not loan him”

Credit: @AndyVale27

In other news, Everton are interested in this winger.

Taking to Twitter, reliable reporter Matt Law has made a very promising Tottenham Hotspur transfer claim as he shares yet another update involving Wolves star Adama Traore.

The Lowdown: Spurs plotting Traore move…

The Lilywhites and their manager Antonio Conte have been heavily linked with the attacker over the last week, with solid sources claiming that their interest has evolved into negotiations.

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Indeed, The Times said that Tottenham are now in talks to sign the 25-year-old from Wolves as Conte already maps out a new role for him in the Spurs squad.

To cope with the right-wing back conundrum, it is believed that the Italian will re-mould Traore into a full-back for his system, with Law now making a promising claim.

The Latest: Traore signing now ‘pretty likely’…

According to the reliable Telegraph reporter, when asked how likely the move to Spurs is as things stand, Law claimed it is indeed ‘pretty likely’.

Sharing his take as Tottenham enter talks, as per his own information, the journalist also believes that supporters can get ‘excited’ as Spurs ‘hope’ to sign him in January.

He explained: “I’ve never been that fussed about Adama Traore. But I do look at him and think Conte could make him into a really top player. I’d be quite excited if I was a Spurs fan and they manage to get him, as they hope to do.”

The Verdict: Exciting first signing for Conte?

Averaging more dribbles per 90 (4.5) than any Spurs player and almost double Lucas Moura in the Premier League this season (WhoScored), it’s safe to say that the Spain winger poses a real theat.

Former Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo has raved over Traore’s ability in the past, calling him “special and unique”, while Wolves legend Steve Bull believes the 25-year-old is a ‘world-beater’.

In his piece for The Telegraph, Law claimed that Wolves could even sell for £20m as Tottenham now hope to complete an agreement before January 31.

Nine days into the January transfer window, sealing Conte’s first Spurs signing in Traore would certainly be the ideal start to the month.

In other news: ‘Quality’, ‘Hell of a player’ – Sky pundit thrilled as Spurs now set to table lucrative offer, find out more here.

With deals for Lucas Digne, Philippe Coutinho and Robin Olsen completed so far in this current January transfer window, Aston Villa have not been reluctant in bringing new players in to help strengthen Steven Gerrard’s side.

However, it seems as though one reported transfer target may not be making the move to Villa Park anytime soon.

What’s the latest?

According to Sky Sports (via Birmingham Live), despite recent reports from elsewhere suggesting otherwise, Villa are apparently not interested in signing Atletico Madrid and former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.

In 682 club appearances throughout his career, the 34-year-old has managed to rack up an impressive 433 goals and 240 assists, proving himself as one of the deadliest strikers over the past few years.

A big mistake for Lange

During his time at Liverpool where he played 95 games alongside Gerrard, Suarez made a total of 113 appearances across all competitions, scoring 82 goals and providing 47 assists along the way, showing the sort of Premier League experience that he’d be able to offer this Villa side as well as a winning mentality having taken home numerous trophies in his career.

Taking into account what Suarez would be able to offer Villa on and off the pitch under Gerrard’s management, it could be a real mistake for Johan Lange if he refuses to work out a deal to bring the Uruguay international back to the Premier League with the Midlands club.

Even though he would become Villa’s second-oldest player below Ashley Young if he were to join either this month or in the next summer transfer window when his current contract at Atletico runs out, it could well be worth the risk if Gerrard can get the best from him, scoring goals for Villa on a regular basis as he did during his Liverpool days.

If by the time the summer transfer window opens and Villa aren’t satisfied with having just Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings as their senior strike options, they should definitely reconsider their current apparent stance on Suarez and see if he would be willing to make a return to the Premier League under his former teammate.

In other news: Gerrard can finally axe £46k-p/w dud as AVFC eye bid for “extraordinary” £9m-rated gem – opinion

Flamengo are ‘close’ to agreeing a permanent deal for Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira, according to TNT Sports.

Pereira sealed a season-long loan move to the Brazilian outfit back in August, and now Flamengo have made an ‘official proposal’ to sign him long-term.

United apparently intend to ‘play hard’ in the negotiation, but should be willing to let the 26-year-old if they receive an offer of around €10million (£8.35million).

The player, for his part, is ‘happy and feels at home’ in Rio de Janeiro. His priority is securing regular first-team football, and that’s what he enjoys in his homeland. His contract at Old Trafford has 18 months left to run.

Time for United to cut ties?

Attacking midfielder Pereira has made 75 appearances for United but only managed to score four goals and provide five assists.

The 26-year-old has previously clashed with fans on social media after facing criticism for his performances.

Fan feed Utd Report relayed the news, and here’s what supporters made of it.

These United fans wanted Pereira sold

“A good 9 mil more than he’s worth, get it done Ed.”

Credit: @initiaxion

“get him gone now and buy zakaria”

Credit: @UtdPatrick_

“If we manage to get 10m for that player I’d be so surprised”

Credit: @UtdLeo98

“I genuinely forgot we still had him. Offload him now, and take the money!”

Credit: @captainmoldova

“Sell him, please, just take the money”

Credit: @kurlinse

“if that’s true then let him leave NOW”

Credit: @the_Batman1603

In other news, fans react to news about another potentially lucrative sale.

Fabrizio Romano has delivered an update on Everton’s pursuit of a new manager, with Vitor Pereira “still in England” amid his potential appointment at Goodison Park.

What’s the story?

The Toffees and Farhad Moshiri finally brought an end to Rafa Benitez’s disappointing time on Merseyside earlier this month, and Romano has now revealed that Pereira is keen on taking over from the Spaniard.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “Portuguese manager Vitor Pereira is still in England together with his staff members. He hopes to join Everton as new head coach – but still waiting for club final decision. #EFC Pereira would be prepared to accept 6 month deal with option for one more season – time to wait.”

Fans will be fuming

Currently lying in 16th in the Premier League table and only four points above the drop, Everton are firmly in the battle to avoid relegation this season from the top-flight.

The Toffees’ disastrous run under Benitez has seen them free-fall down the table, to the point where they are now seriously having to look behind their shoulders at some of the teams below them – not least a cash-rich Newcastle United, and a Burnley side who have a number of games in hand on their nearest rivals.

What they certainly don’t need now is an appointment fraught with risk, and that’s exactly what Pereira is.

The Portuguese boss has had the journeyman’s equivalent of a managerial career, going through seven different clubs across the entire world in the span of just ten years.

None of those of course have seen him lead a side in England, and given the perilous position Everton currently find themselves in, doesn’t exactly provide reassurances to Toffees fans that he has the know-how to dig them out of trouble.

Moshiri has already blundered several times when it comes to appointing a new boss, with his latest gaffe being Benitez. Handing the reins to a completely new face in Pereira, mid-way through the season where he has no pre-season to work with the players, and the pressure is already ramped up cause of the league table, seems like a disaster waiting to happen.

Everton fans will surely be fuming with Romano’s managerial update.

Meanwhile, Moshiri should look to hire this man…

Tottenham Hotspur have submitted an offer in a bid to bring Memphis Depay to north London in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo (via The Express), who claim that Fabio Paratici has now made Barcelona an offer for the 28-year-old, with the LaLiga side currently weighing up Tottenham’s bid.

The report goes on to state that the likes of AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan, Napoli and Lyon – as well as several unnamed English clubs – are also considering a move for the centre-forward, while Barcelona are believed to be open to the sale of the Netherlands international in order to help ease their financial difficulties.

“Can be as good as Ronaldo”

While it is true that, following his move to Barcelona last summer, Depay has somewhat struggled for game time at Camp Nou, it is undeniable that the forward would make an exceptional addition to Antonio Conte’s current attacking options.

Indeed, despite starting just 15 LaLiga fixtures this season – making a further five appearances from the bench – the £42m-rated hitman has still bagged ten goals, registered two assists and created five big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.4 shots and making 1.8 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the £158k-per-week dynamo who Marco van Basten dubbed a “special talent” and Leroy Fer claimed “can be as good as Ronaldo” average a quite breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.33, ranking him as Xavi’s fifth-best player in the top flight of Spanish football.

As such, should Depay go on to secure a switch to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer, and is subsequently able to refind this level of form in the Premier League next term, the potential of the 28-year-old adding to the current 12-goal haul of Harry Kane and the 13 goals of Son Heung-min is sure to be an incredibly frightening prospect for defenders up and down the country.

AND in other news: Conte can now axe “out of form” £91k-p/w dud as Spurs plot bid for 22 y/o “phenomenon”

Sunderland have had their fair share of transfer successes and disasters over the years as they have felt the wrath of the window as well as the joy of it.

Not all moves work out as it is impossible to guarantee that a player will be able to fit in with the squad and consistently perform on the pitch.

Whilst it is easy to look at the transfers that did happen and judge them, you can also look at prospective switches that didn’t go through in the end.

According to The Sunderland Echo, one player the Black Cats attempted to land was Brad Friedel for £600k in 1995 as Peter Reid looked to snap up the shot-stopper. The move fell through due to a work permit issue, despite him having played for Newcastle’s reserves earlier in 1994.

Instead of moving to Wearside, he sealed a transfer to Turkish giants Galatasaray. The giant kept 15 clean sheets in 37 appearances before moving back to the MLS with Colombus Crew, playing 45 times and keeping 13 clean sheets for the American outfit.

He then found his way to England as he secured a switch to Liverpool in 1997. This suggests that Sunderland did not get in quickly enough as soon as he was eligible for a work permit, as their interest in 1995 indicates that they would have had an advantage over their rivals as they already did their homework on the goalkeeper and had spoken with him previously to agree the £600k transfer.

Friedel endured a mixed time with the Reds as he kept eight shutouts in 31 outings across three seasons. Blackburn snapped him up from Anfield in 2000 and this is where his career exploded as he enjoyed a sublime spell with the Lancashire side. He played a whopping 355 matches for the club and kept the opposition out 118 times in what was a magnificent spell at Ewood Park.

The USA international ended his career with Aston Villa and Tottenham, making 198 appearances between the two clubs – keeping 55 shutouts.

Mark Bosnich previously lavished the veteran with praise, saying: “I remember talking to my then-agent Graham Smith and saying ‘this boy is really talented.’

“He then arrived at Liverpool, had a bit of a tough time, but since then his form for Blackburn and Villa has been absolutely outstanding.

“He is like a fine wine – as he’s got older he’s got better and better. Fair play, even when I first saw him he was very talented and he’s developed brilliantly.”

Overall, the monster ended his career with 450 appearances in the Premier League and 132 clean sheets between the sticks. He enjoyed a fantastic spell in England and Sunderland missed out on his talents, which is why this failed transfer was a blunder by the club as he was one that got away…

AND in other news, Sunderland heading for big disaster over £2.7k-p/w gem who’s “a dream for any manager”…

Wolves are firmly in the race to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha in the upcoming summer transfer window with the futures of midfield duo Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho in serious doubt.

What’s the latest?

According to transfer insider Dean Jones, the West Midlands club are in the hunt for Palhinha’s signature.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the journalist said: “Wolves are definitely in the hunt for people like that, and I think Tottenham were interested in Palhinha. But I would imagine that Wolves would probably have the jump on them for a player like that, to be honest.”

The Athletic’s David Ornstein had confirmed that Bruno Lage’s side are interested in Palhinha as well as Matheus Luiz Nunes last week with Neves and Moutinho’s respective futures in doubt.

Now, it seems that the Black Country outfit could have the upper hand in the race to sign the 26-year-old midfielder.

Lage must swoop for Palhinha

Already there’s an argument that Wolves need to add to their midfield but if Neves and Moutinho are both to depart then it will be absolutely vital to recruit in the middle of the park.

The latter’s contract is set to expire in June whilst the former has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United and there is an understanding that the 25-year-old will be allowed to depart for a bigger club after five years of excellent service if a suitable offer comes in.

At 26, Palhinha is at an excellent age to be a long-term replacement for either figure with the Sporting star regularly impressing on the European stage.

In fact, manager Ruben Amorim labelled the Portuguese as a “special player” amid links to Manchester United last season.

The £23.4m-rated defensive midfielder has 16 caps for Portugal as well as 212 senior appearances at club level but has never left his native Portugal.

According to SofaScore, the 26-year-old has averaged an impressive 7.14 match rating in the Primeira Liga, completing 87% of his passes and maintaining a 58% dribble accuracy.

From a defensive aspect, Palhinha has been excellent, chipping in with an average of 3.1 tackles per game as well as one interception and one clearance.

Compared to Neves, the current Wolves player slightly edges his fellow countryman in the Premier League, averaging a 7.2 rating whilst having a slightly lower passing accuracy at 84%.

Moreover, the 25-year-old is currently contributing 1.3 interceptions, 2.3 tackles and 1.4 clearances.

However, this shows that if Neves is to depart and Palhinha is the man to replace the loyal servant, Wolves’ midfield will still be in excellent hands.

In other news: Forget Trincao: Wolves can save millions with 18 y/o gem who is already a “top player”

According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, as shared by The Sun, a surprise Tottenham Hotspur transfer claim has now emerged involving free agent Carlos Tevez.

The Lowdown: Tevez searching for new club?

The former Argentina international, once a revelation at Man City under both Mark Hughes and Roberto Mancini, is now without a club after leaving boyhood side Boca Juniors in 2021.

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Tevez has been on a European tour as of late, spotted embracing AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli at the Serie A side’s training base, with visits also to the likes of Inter Milan and Juventus over the last week (The Sun).

Having not officially retired from football, despite the veteran being 38-years-old, Tevez now has another trip planned as surprise news emerges involving Spurs.

The Latest: Tottenham ‘shock’ contenders…

According to CDS, as shared by The Sun, Tottenham are now in the mix for City’s former star as they become ‘shock contenders’ to sign him on a free deal.

It is believed he is planning to a trip to Hotspur Way ‘next week’ to visit Antonio Conte in a ‘potential return to the Premier League’.

The Verdict: Pinch of salt?

Tevez’s quality in England’s top flight has been on full display before, most notably at Eastlands, where he managed an incredible 73 goals and 35 assists over 148 appearances for the Sky Blues.

However, potentially signing him on a free deal, like this report suggests, would be a questionable move.

The forward, according to a past claim by The Mirror, would have cost a staggering £100 million in June 2011 in terms of transfer fee and wages combined. A figure unheard of at the time, Tevez is now long-past being valued at such a lofty sum.

It’s been well over ten years since ex-Spurs boss Harry Redknapp admitted to the media he would’ve loved to sign City’s former star, and if Lilywhites supporters re-call, he even raved over the ‘special’ player (The Daily Mail).

However, Tevez’s best days are far behind him, and the ex-West Ham man’s visit to north London should be kept at just that.

In other news: In recent weeks: Tottenham step up chase to sign ‘incredible’ player as club brace for their bid! Find out more here.