All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

When you think of great goal scorers in the Old Gold, several players will come to mind.

Raul Jimenez has been a remarkable asset to Wolves in recent years but he still has a long way to go in order to replicate the achievements of a certain Steve Bull.

He is the club’s all-time record goalscorer and will remain so for decades unless they stumble on a very special talent.

Another striker who deserves plenty of praise for his efforts in Wolves colours is Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, a man who was in imperious form during his opening few years at Molineux.

With 37 goals in his first 61 appearances for the club, he was their most successful striker since Bull.

Ebanks-Blake fired Wolves to the Premier League but found it more difficult to score goals upon promotion, firing in just ten in 76 appearances.

A mix of injuries and ultimately a broken fibula ensured he never hit the dizzy heights of Bull as Wolves eventually slipped down the divisions and ended up in League One.

That said, Ebanks-Blake will be remembered fondly for his spell in the Midlands. The stocky forward netted 62 goals in 193 outings for the Old Gold, providing relentless power to the forward line.

Speaking about him 13 years ago, Ian Holloway said: “He’s got power, he’s got pace, he’s hungry to make a reputation.”

But why is this relevant in the current day? Well, Wolves are eyeing a move for a very similar player in Daryl Dike.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-wolves-transfer-news-guedes-toney-shaqiri-neves” title=”Read the latest Wolves transfer news!”]

The American enjoyed a fabulous loan spell in the Championship with Barnsley this term, scoring nine goals in 22 matches for the Tykes.

He’s now moved back to Orlando City but is an £18m target for a number of Premier League clubs including Wolves.

Like Ebanks-Blake, Dike has already proven himself in the second tier of English football but it’s their style of play that has plenty of similarities.

Standing at 6 foot 1 and weighing 220 lbs, he is an absolute brute against opposing defences and can strike a football in sweet fashion.

Former Barnsley team-mate Jordan Williams commented: “Daryl has got a rocket of a right foot. I think he’s similar to Lukaku. He hasn’t scored as many goals yet, but he can hit a ball just as hard.”

He is efficient in the build-up phases of play, bringing others into play and holding the ball up astutely.

That was something that Ebanks-Blake made a living out of at Wolves, scoring goals on a regular basis and taking them to the top-flight.

The striker’s spell ended in injury torment but he was a powerful phenomenon. Wolves will be hoping Dike can provide a similar bullish nature.

AND in other news, Forget Vitinha: Wolves must eye summer swoop for “exceptional” 19 G/A magician…

Aston Villa are thought to be in advanced talks over a permanent move for goalkeeper Robin Olsen, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Olsen’s loan move

Olsen was one of four senior signings made by Steven Gerrard in his first transfer window in charge at Villa Park.

The 32-year-old arrived on loan from AS Roma and has been on the bench for every Premier League game since moving to the Midlands.

Olsen has served as back up to Emiliano Martinez, and it looks as if the pair will continue to work closely together at Bodymoor Heath beyond the summer.

The Latest: Source shares update

FI shared a story regarding Villa and Olsen on Thursday afternoon after being informed by a recruitment source.

They revealed that Olsen has impressed Gerrard since joining and talks over a permanent move are now at an advanced stage.

The Verdict: Good news

Although Olsen is yet to turn out in a Villa shirt, it is good news that he looks set to make his Villa stay a full-time one.

Labelled as ‘monstrous’ by the Spanish press following a performance for Sweden, Olsen has plenty of experience across Europe and on the international stage, winning seven trophies during his career.

He appears to be happy as second choice to Martinez, so it looks as if Villa will now have two high-quality shot-stoppers on the books heading into Gerrard’s first full season.

In other news: ‘What a signing he would be’ – Journalist buzzing at ‘fantastic’ Aston Villa transfer ‘reveal’. 

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has warned his old side that a Jack Grealish sale this summer could force John McGinn to consider his options.

Grealish is attracting interest ahead of the next transfer window, with Manchester City said to be in hot pursuit of the 25-year-old.

It is a move that would give Grealish the chance to challenge for the Premier League title and compete in the Champions League, and Hendrie fears McGinn could decide to look for something similar.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about the futures of Grealish and McGinn, the ex-Villa player said:

“I don’t know how it’s going to affect the players [a potential Grealish sale] and that’s my big worry. I hope that if Jack does end up going, that it doesn’t affect the McGinns and he wants to go because I know that he’s been linked away from the club as well.”

One of those clubs that McGinn is being linked with is West Ham, who may very well be welcoming Champions League nights to the London Stadium next season.

According to West Ham insider ExWHUemployee (via Hammers News), David Moyes is a big fan of his compatriot.

Rangers have been linked with a move for Gary Cahill recently and if he were to arrive at Ibrox, it could spell the end for Nikola Katic in Steven Gerrard’s side.

What’s the word?

According to The Sun, Rangers are interested in signing the veteran centre-back following his exit from Crystal Palace earlier this summer, and are prepared to offer him a significant wage in order to bring him to Ibrox.

Should the 35-year-old arrive, it would leave Gerrard with a plethora of options at centre-back, which suggests that at least one from his current squad would leave, with Katic one of the most likely options.

The Croatia international missed the entirety of last season through injury and whilst he made his return in the pre-season game against Brighton recently, it is difficult to see him reclaiming a regular first-team spot in Gerrard’s side, when you consider the superb performances of Connor Goldson and Filip Helander last season.

Rangers would concede 13 goals in the Scottish Premiership, with their superb defensive record key to them finishing the league season unbeaten, which suggests that Gerrard won’t make too many changes at the back as he prepares for the season opener later this month.

Should Rangers swap Cahill for Katic?

Katic has been linked with a loan move to Italian side Spezia in recent weeks and sending him out on loan could be the ideal way for him to regain fitness and prove to Gerrard that he has a future at Ibrox, as before his injury he was a key player in the 41-year-old manager’s side.

Therefore, bringing in someone of Cahill’s experience could be an excellent short-term option for Gerrard and Rangers, as he will add some Champions League know-how ahead of the Gers’ return to the elite club competition.

The former Chelsea man was a regular for Crystal Palace in the Premier League last season, which suggests that he has what it takes to play consistently in the Scottish Premiership, and former manager Roy Hodgson praised his leadership qualities, saying:

“He’s also brought us leadership qualities, he’s been very good leadership-wise. He’s the best type of leader; he’s the quiet leader people don’t see from Row Z in the stand. He’s the leader we see in training week to week.”

[freshpress-quiz id=“593776″]

This certainly sounds like the type of player any manager would love to have in his squad, and therefore it would make a lot of sense if Ross Wilson were to sign him on a free transfer this summer and then perhaps send Katic out on loan to regain his fitness and confidence after his terrible injury problems last season.

And, in other news… Wilson can sign Rangers’ next Defoe with swoop for “exciting” wonderkid

Crystal Palace have suffered a major blow in their pursuit of Blackburn Rovers striker Adam Armstrong.

What’s the story?

The Eagles have been linked with the highly-rated 24-year-old in recent weeks as new manager Patrick Vieira looks to bolster his attacking options.

However, according to HampshireLive reporter Tom Leach, Rovers have accepted an offer worth up to £15 million from Southampton for Armstrong, meaning a move to Selhurst Park could be off the cards.

Fans will be gutted

The former England Under-21 international enjoyed a stellar 2020/21 campaign, bagging 29 goals and providing five assists in 43 appearances for Tony Mowbray’s charges.

His outstanding displays for the Lancashire outfit caught the eye of several impressed onlookers, including his current manager at Ewood Park.

“Adam does (make a difference) as he has done all season. I think Adam has matured, and he’s only 23,” Mowbray told FourFourTwo last term.

“He’s a boy really, but his explosive pace at the top end of the pitch allows you to play both ways, to not be overly concerned if you’re pinned back around the edge of your box because one pass releases pressure to someone like (Harvey) Elliott to play the pass that he can hit just leaving it in the space for the speed and dynamic movement of Armstrong – it’s a devastating effect for the team.”

Despite Armstrong only having one year remaining on his current contract, the Championship outfit are keen to secure a good deal for him as Newcastle United are due to receive 40% of their profit on the diminutive forward, agreed as part of the deal when they sold him to Blackburn for £1.8m back in 2018.

While personal terms have yet to be agreed between Southampton and Armstrong, a large section of Palace fans are still likely to be gutted at this latest revelation.

The Eagles have added several exciting, young acquisitions to their first-team setup this summer, but the arrival of a proven goalscorer would have been welcomed with open arms by Vieira.

Doubts reportedly remain over the quality of on-loan hitman Jean-Philippe Mateta, who scored just one goal in seven top-flight appearances for the capital club last term, and the need for extra firepower at Selhurst Park remains.

And, in other news…Imagine him and Gallagher: Parish must sanction Palace swoop for £4.5m-rated monster 

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Norwich City defender Jon Newsome has suggested that the likes of Emiliano Buendia and Max Aarons could remain at Carrow Road this summer.

Both Buendia and Aarons have been heavily linked with moves away from Norwich after strong campaigns in the Championship.

Buendia was excellent in attack as Daniel Farke’s side strolled to the title, scoring 15 goals and providing 16 assists.

As for Aarons, he also showed some attacking initiative from that right-back position, averaging 1.4 key passes per league game – the fourth highest average in the Canaries’ squad (via WhoScored).

Furthermore, it is not a surprise that both players are attracting interest from other clubs. Newsome, however, thinks Farke has a good chance of keeping hold of two of his most prized assets.

Discussing the futures of Buendia and Aarons with FFC, the ex-Norwich player said:

“For me, I don’t think the players will want to leave, you know. They’ve had a really tough campaign, they’ve gone up as champions. 

“Financially, yes, if they move, they will be rewarded obviously bigger and better than what they might get at Norwich City at this moment of time.

“But that money will come to them anyway even if they have a season at Norwich and prove themselves in a team that they’re comfortable in, happy with, they’ve got confidence in.”

Last time Norwich were in the Premier League, the club really struggled, so Farke will probably be desperate to keep all of his key players to bolster the Canaries’ chances of survival.

West Ham United will soon need to find a long-term successor to Mark Noble.

The long-serving Irons skipper will retire at the end of next season, drawing the curtain down on a phenomenal 18-year career in East London, where he has racked up over 520 appearances for his boyhood club.

At the age of 34, the midfielder has found game time hard to come by in recent months, starting only eight Premier League matches during the 2020/21 season but it’s believed his influence off the pitch is just as important as on it.

Even if he’s not featuring on the pitch, he’s going to be a very hard man to replace this time next year.

And it seems like David Moyes is already planning ahead as the Hammers have been linked to several central midfielders this transfer window, including another Czech sensation in Alex Kral.

Whilst other names include Manchester City unseen gem Yangel Herrera and Israeli international Dor Peretz.

But could the Scot have the perfect heir already at the club?

According to The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas, promising academy starlet Conor Coventry ‘will be looked at’ during pre-season and whilst it’s likely he is shipped out on loan to get valuable game time, he could well return at just the right time to succeed the retiring Irons legend.

The 22-year-old dynamo has been highlighted as a player with big potential by the Daily Mail’s secret scout in the past, claiming that he is ‘forceful in the tackle with a good range of passing’ and that he isn’t afraid to get forward either.

This very much draws some similarities to Noble in his prime.

Thomas has waxed lyrical about Coventry before, too. He described him as an “exciting talent” to The Athletic’s ‘U Irons’ podcast back in October.

“Obviously, when I was at the Southend v West Ham Under-23 game, David Moyes was there – and obviously Conor Coventry scored in that match, so he’s definitely someone Moyes is aware of and I think this is one of the reasons why they allowed Josh Cullen to leave.

“They’re looking at it like, ‘hey, we’ve got someone like Josh Cullen, younger, perhaps much better in terms of career prospects. So, we’re putting all our focus on him right now.'”

Furthermore, well-known fan page West Ham Central dubbed him the “next best thing” from the academy system to the Irish Post, adding that he has “excellent composure and leadership” and is “a real old head on young shoulders.”

All of which provide further positive signs as to why he may be able to fill the void left behind by Noble next year.

One more loan spell, then it could be time to promote Coventry into the first-team full-time.

AND in other news, ExWHUemployee drops crushing transfer claim that’ll leave fans truly gutted… 

While West Bromwich Albion have started life under Valerien Ismael well, with the Baggies having lost just one of their 11 Championship fixtures under the Frenchman, there have nevertheless been questions raised regarding Albion’s lack of an out and out goalscorer.

Indeed, while Ismael did secure the services of Norwich City centre-forward Jordan Hugill on a season-long loan deal this summer, the 29-year-old is yet to find the back of the net over his seven second-tier appearances for the club.

That’s something that has caused West Brom problems at times, none more so than when the Baggies failed to win three consecutive fixtures against Millwall, Derby County and Preston North End – with Albion scoring just two goals in these games.

As such, it would appear likely that Ismael is already starting to consider entering the January market for further additions up top, however, perhaps the 46-year-old could find a solution to his problem much closer to home.

Lukaku 2.0

West Brom have developed something of a reputation for developing promising young players in recent years, with the likes of Aston Villa’s Louie Barry and Crystal Palace’s Nathan Ferguson both being graduates of the Baggies academy.

However, unfortunately for the Championship side, they have often been unable to keep hold of their most exciting prospects, with many leaving The Hawthorns on free transfers, while others have been picked up by Premier League teams for a relative snip.

And, it would now appear as if West Brom have yet another diamond on their hands, this time in the shape of 17-year-old Reyes Cleary – who is already reported to be attracting the interest of Borussia Dortmund as well as many others.

Indeed, it is not difficult to see why there is significant interest in the teenager, as, over his four U18 Premier League appearances for Albion this season, Cleary has scored a brace in each fixture – which just so happen to have been against Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur.

The teenager has also bagged two goals over two appearances for the Baggies’ U23 side, taking his total haul so far this season to ten goals – in addition to one assist – in just six games.

Furthermore, it is not only transfer interest that Cleary is attracting, but also extremely high praise, with West Brom’s U18 coach Peter Gilbert dubbing the striker a “powerful” player who is an “excellent” finisher – while the youngster has also been compared to former Baggies loanee and current Chelsea star, Romelu Lukaku.

Considering Ismael’s reputation for involving up and coming talents in his first-team squad, in addition to Hugill’s distinct lack of goals, it would seem a wise move for the Frenchman to begin exposing Cleary to senior football before potentially dipping into the transfer market this winter – as the teenager could well go on to save Albion millions in transfer fees.

In other news: “In talks” – Journo drops fresh West Brom claim on £30k-p/w beast, Ismael must act

A number of Liverpool supporters are excited after it was claimed that the Reds are interested in signing Leeds United winger Raphinha.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have had nearly two weeks without a game but they return to Premier League duties this weekend.

Liverpool make the trip to Watford for a potentially tough game on Saturday lunchtime, looking to go top of the table in the process.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375258″]

It was a quiet summer at Anfield, with Ibrahima Konate the only signing, but it could be that a number of new faces arrive at the end of this season.

Speaking to Globo Esporte, former Barcelona star Deco, who is Raphinha’s agent [via Sky Sports News on Twitter], claimed Liverpool are keen on snapping up the Leeds star.

He states that the Reds ‘like’ the Brazil international, eyeing him up as a potential long-term replacement for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-7/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

These Reds had plenty to say about the news, which one fan called ‘quality’…

Liverpool fans react to Raphinha claim

“What a signing this would be man he is electric”

Credit: @ChrisLiverpool1

“Would love this to happen”

Credit: @markoconnor47

“I’d love to get Raphinha he’s brilliant and a perfect Klopp system player”

Credit: @aaronjacko

“I’d love to see him at Liverpool, great player”

Credit: @Johnken52342534

“Sign him @LFC”

Credit: @dan_onaolapo

“Sign him up, quality”

Credit: @R31CRR

In other news, some Liverpool fans have reacted to some ‘massive news’. Read more here.

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan believes the Whites will continue in their attempts to sign Rangers winger Ryan Kent this summer.

The Lowdown: Leeds show Kent interest

Marcelo Bielsa is believed to be interested in signing the former Liverpool man, with Leeds tipped to sign him a number of times in recent months as well as a rejected bid last summer.

Kent has been a key player for Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side, scoring eight goals and registering seven assists in last season’s title-winning campaign, not to mention being hailed as ‘sensational’ by his manager.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359346″]

The Latest: Whelan makes bold call

While the Englishman is yet to agree a move to Leeds, Whelan, who recently found new employment at Elland Road helping in the community, told Football Insider that his club will persist in their interest in the wide man:

“This has been rumbling on now for what, three years?

“Bielsa, Leeds, they’re not going anywhere. They still want this man to be playing for Leeds United. He’s had three more years of experience under his belt at Rangers.

“He’s been under a good manager and in a successful team, which will only bring a bit more confidence to the player. He’ll have that experience you need in big games and playing in front of fans.

“He is a special player, there’s no doubt about that. That’s the reason why Steven Gerrard went out there to bring him in. He wasn’t just picking Ryan Kent because he was available.

“He picked him because he was going to improve the team that he was managing. No different to Marcelo Bielsa. We’ve got great wingers there.

“I do believe there’s a place up (for grabs) because I don’t think Helder Costa has been doing it for me. I do believe we need another winger there to just test the waters of the other players. See how they react by putting that competition directly in their faces.

“He could be one that can play a number 10, out on the wings, in the central midfield area. A player that’s versatile. That versatility that he brings to the team could put him in a number of positions in that forward line.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-9/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

The Verdict: Ideal squad player

Kent may still be unproven in the Premier League, which does make a potential move risky, but he could be an ideal squad addition ahead of next season.

Raphinha and Jack Harrison could do with more competition and a chance to rest and rotate, in order to keep them on their toes, and the Rangers man’s pace, directness and work rate could all suit Bielsa’s style.

While Kent is most known for his on-the-ball ability, he still managed to average 0.8 tackles and 0.6 interceptions per game in the Scottish Premiership last season, showing he also has the ability to press from the front in Bielsa’s system.

In other news, one Leeds player is reportedly close to leaving the club. Find out who it is here.