All posts by z3u9t.icu

Newcastle United are eyeing an 'ambitious' swoop for AC Milan defender Theo Hernandez as Eddie Howe steps up his recruitment drive in 2023/24 and their interest is symptomatic of their ambition under their new owners, according to Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor.

What's the latest Newcastle transfer news involving Theo Hernandez?

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Newcastle United are keen on Hernandez this summer, though they face competition for his signature from Atletico Madrid.

The report states that any deal will be 'complicated to negotiate' and also details that Juventus star Federico Chiesa is another target for the Magpies, who have already raided Serie A to sign Sandro Tonali from AC Milan.

France international Hernandez, who has been hailed as a "beast", enjoyed a productive campaign on the left-hand side of defence for AC Milan, registering four goals and five assists in 45 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

Hernandez also offered a prominent threat going forward for AC Milan, taking 1.6 shots and threading 1.2 key passes per match in Serie A, according to WhoScored.

As per Capology, the 25-year-old is understood to rake in around €98,654 (£84,384) per week on the books at San Siro on a contract that runs until June 2026.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Daily Express journalist Taylor has signalled his belief that Newcastle United's interest in Hernandez is a statement of the ambition held at ownership level at the club.

Taylor stated: "The number 10 [position] is somewhere that I would expect Newcastle to be looking at. There are a few other options as well.

"At left back links to Theo Hernandez, I think the fact there's even interest in Theo Hernandez shows how ambitious Newcastle are and how serious they're going to be in the market in terms of finances. So I would say although there's no real names out there, keep an eye on them."

Who else are Newcastle United targeting this summer?

Newcastle United are in the market for several reinforcements as boss Howe prepares his side for a tilt at the Champions League in 2023/24.

As per Football Insider, Newcastle United are in 'pole position' to sign Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney following the news that Fulham ace Antonee Robinson has penned a new five-year deal in west London, elevating the Scot to become the Magpies' first-choice left-back target.

The Premier League outfit are also keen to offer Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes an immediate route back to the English top flight and are willing to offload out-of-favour wideman Allan Saint-Maximin to raise funds to initiate a swoop, as per Telegraph Sport.

Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano has issued an update on Twitter confirming that the Magpies are admirers of Monaco defender Axel Disasi, stating: "Newcastle and Manchester United are both exploring Disasi deal, no bids yet. Newcastle approached player side this week, expected to make contact with Monaco. Ten Hag approved Disasi — talks for weeks on player side but still waiting for approach with Monaco. More to follow."

More rumours will appear and then some will subsequently begin to gain momentum in the next few weeks and it wouldn't be surprising to see some real high-profile signings grace the St James' Park turf come the start of the season.

Like with any managerial change, the arrival of Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham Hotspur has offered the potential of a fresh start for those at N17, with there a chance for all members of the first-team squad to stake their claim for a regular role under the new regime.

According to reports in France, one man whom the new boss could look to bring in from out in the cold is £63m man, Tanguy Ndombele, with the mercurial Frenchman having spent the last 18 months on loan at Lyon and Napoli, respectively.

As per L'Equipe, (via Sports Witness) the belief is that Postecoglou instructed the Lilywhites to reject a €20m (£17m) offer from the Serie A champions for the midfielder, with the 57-year-old potentially set to find a space for the 5 foot 11 ace in his side next term having been a 'long-time admirer' of the playmaker.

With Ndombele now back in pre-season, the 26-year-old has the chance to showcase why he deserves to be handed a show of faith from the ex-Celtic boss, albeit with it yet to be seen if the seven-cap international warrants another chance to impress in north London, following his minimal impact over the last four years.

As pundit Darren Bent previously stated, "it's just not worked out" for the £200k-per-week asset in a Spurs shirt to date, hence why it could be a bold call for Postecoglou to give him yet another opportunity ahead of next season.

Perhaps instead of looking to Ndombele as a midfield solution in his 4-3-3 formation next term, the one-time Australian head coach could instead look to the transfer market in order to find a better alternative, with Hoops star Reo Hatate a player whom the experienced tactician is certainly familiar with.

As per a previous report from the Daily Mail, the Japanese international is believed to be being monitored by Spurs ahead of a possible summer move, with the 25-year-old having sparkled under Postecoglou at Parkhead over the last 18 months or so.

There may be a case to make that rather than taking a gamble on Ndombele, the Greek-Aussie could recruit a player who has already blossomed under his tutelage…

Who is Reo Hatate?

Described as the "Japanese Luka Modric" by one Athletic employee, Hatate has been a standout figure for the Old Firm outfit since signing on a £1.4m deal back in January 2022, having scored 13 goals and laid on 14 assists in 66 games in all competitions – a better record than Ndombele has enjoyed at Spurs (nine goals and ten assists in 91 games).

Lauded as a "beast" in the centre of the park by journalist Sacha Pisani, the 5 foot 8 maestro has caught the eye due to his all-action and tireless displays for the Scottish champions, with pundit Alan Hutton praising the £12k-per-week man as a player who is "everywhere" on the pitch.

The same can seemingly not be said of Ndombele, however, with the fleet-footed enigma having been described as a "disgrace" in the past by Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher due to his lack of effort off the ball.

In Serie A last term, the Frenchman notably averaged just 0.7 tackles and interceptions per game from his 30 league outings, while also laying on just one goal contribution, while Hatate, by contrast, was far more impressive at both ends of the pitch, having averaged 1.8 tackles and interceptions per game from his 32 Scottish Premiership appearances, while contributing 14 goals and assists.

While it may not be easy for the latter man to replicate that form in the Premier League, it may be worth the risk for a player whom Postecoglou knows all about, rather than potentially making an ill-judged decision to rely on a player who has largely been unreliable in north London to date, in the form of Ndombele.

Celtic forward Jota has “already spoken” to Al Ittihad manager Nuno Espirito Santo regarding a move to Saudi Arabia, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

When did Jota join Celtic?

The Hoops’ left-sided winger permanently arrived in the Scottish Premiership last summer following a successful loan spell the season before from Benfica, as per Transfermarkt, and across both periods north of the border he’s clocked up a total of 83 appearances to date.

During the 2022/23 campaign, the Portuguese starlet firmly established himself as Ange Postecoglou’s overall top-performing player with a WhoScored match rating of 7.48 which highlights the significance he has, but with the boss now having left and Brendan Rodgers back in charge, his future is up in the air.

Sky Sports reported just days ago that the 24-year-old had entered advanced talks with Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ittihad, with discussions ongoing in regard to the initial fee and structure of payments – where it was stated that personal terms shouldn’t be an issue – and it sounds like all parties are now confident that a deal will go through.

Is Jota leaving Celtic?

Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Romano revealed that Jota is expected to leave Celtic and has even personally chatted to his prospective new manager about the move. He wrote:

“Understand Al Ittihad coach Nuno has already spoken to Jota about his transfer considered imminent and set to be completed next week. Fee gonna be around €30m (£25m), discussions ongoing.”

Whilst Rodgers hasn’t personally worked with Jota, he will have seen the positive impact he’s made since joining from afar – the type of impact which has seen him hailed a “revelation” by Alex McLeish – so trying to retain his services is a no-brainer of a decision.

The Gestifute client posted a remarkable 21 goal contributions (11 goals and ten assists) in 29 Scottish Premiership outings last season which saw him receive five man-of-the-match awards, not to mention that he recorded 80 shots over the campaign which was the second-highest total in Glasgow, as per FBRef.

The Lisbon native also adds wonderful versatility to the manager’s ranks with his ability to operate in six different positions across the pitch, including all across the frontline and even two roles in the midfield, which is yet another great attribute to have at your disposal.

Finally, Celtic have won five trophies following Jota’s arrival which is no coincidence and he’s certainly helped to play his part in the club’s success, so there’s no doubt that this number would only continue to increase should he stay beyond the summer.

West Bromwich Albion's focus heading into the summer transfer window was to offload players before even thinking about recruiting as they looked to balance the books.

However, after getting a lot of deadweight out of The Hawthorns in the early stages of the summer, and bringing in £7m through the sale of Dara O'Shea to Burnley, the Championship outfit can perhaps now start to bring in some of Carlos Corberan's targets.

Who is West Brom target Josh Key?

According to Football Insider reporter Pete O'Rourke, West Brom are in talks to sign versatile star Josh Key from League One side Exeter City.

Key is out of contract with Exeter and is therefore available on a free transfer, making him an ideal option for Albion as they look to strengthen in multiple positions.

Given his performances in the third tier, plus his contract situation, Key is understandably attracting plenty of interest. It is claimed that Championship pair Plymouth Argyle and Swansea City are also in for the 23-year-old, with the latter already making a compensation payment offer to Exeter.

Where would Josh Key fit in at West Brom?

Whoever wins the race for Key will be signing an extremely versatile player. The youngster started his career at right wing-back and featured there seven times last season, as per WhoScored, but he is also comfortable playing at centre-back (10 appearances), where a position has opened up at West Brom.

Key's versatility does not stop there, though, as he was also used in more advanced positions under Gary Caldwell last season, featuring on both the right and left wings, as well as in central attacking midfield and even as a striker.

"He is an amazing football player who can play in a number of positions and it is about how we utilise him in different games," Caldwell said in December.

Caldwell also praised Key's ability to get past an opponent, which is reflected in the fact that no City player attempted more dribbles (1.6) per game last season.

Key ultimately started out as a defender, and it may well be that it is at the back he finds himself should he join Albion, with Corberan feeling the need to overcome the exit of O'Shea. The Torquay native is just as strong in that side of the game, highlighted by his 1.6 tackles per game – only Alex Hartridge (1.8), who played exclusively at centre-back last season, could better than among Exeter regulars.

Should he arrive, it is clear that Key would not exactly be a like-for-like replacement for O'Shea. However, the former Tiverton Town loanee more than holds his own in certain areas when compared to the now-Burnley man.

For example, O'Shea averaged 1.1 tackles per game last season, while Key averaged 0.5 dribbles to the Irishman's 0.2. The latter did come out on top in terms of interceptions (1.8 v 0.7), but that can partly be explained by Key playing out wide and further up the field last season.

The pair are also different in stature, with Key – on a reported weekly wage of £1.1k per week during his time at Exeter – measuring in at 5 foot 10 and O'Shea at 6 foot 1.

Whether it is as a centre-back, right-back, on the wing or attacking midfield, it might just be that Joshua holds the key to unlocking a promotion-winning team under Corberan.

Newcastle United hold a summer interest in the AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali as they look to bolster Eddie Howe's squad.

How old is Sandro Tonali?

The Toon now have Champions League football to plan for this summer and it seems as if PIF are keen to make the most of their European status.

Indeed, the Magpies have already been linked with a potentially sensational deal for the Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella.

However, reports since the story broke have casted some doubt over a potential deal for the Italian with his asking price believed to be well above the reported £50m offered.

But it seems as if Dan Ashworth may have turned his attention to the other side of Milan with another midfielder who plays his football at the San Siro.

It is now believed the Toon hold a strong interest in Tonali this summer with a new midfielder seemingly on the radar for Howe.

There have also been links to the likes of Scott McTominay ahead of the summer transfer window, however, it seems as if Newcastle are looking to some of Europe's biggest names.

And speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has claimed the Tyneside club are keen on bringing the 23-year-old Italian to St. James' Park:

"What we can say guys is, is that it's a reality. Newcastle like Sandro Tonali, Newcastle have Sandro Tonali in their list."

"To convince Sandro Tonali is going to be absolutely difficult, same as it was for Nicolo Barella. So this is the situation, let's see how the conversation will go. But for sure, this is a situation around Newcastle and Tonali. Interest, yes. Intention to bid too but the reality is that the player's side is absolutely crucial for Barella and for Tonali."

How much does Sandro Tonali earn?

The Italian has only just turned 23 years old but has become one of Milan's most-used players at the San Siro having made 30 starts in Serie A alone last season (via Transfermarkt).

On top of that, the Italian midfielder made 12 starts in their Champions League campaign as Milan made their way to the semi-finals.

Despite being still so young, Tonali has already racked up 130 appearances for Milan in total which only indicates how important he has become to this side.

And this may not bode well for the Toon if they are looking to land Tonali this summer for a reasonable fee given he still has four years remaining on his current deal at the San Siro.

Reports have suggested the Toon are looking to lodge a bid worth in the region of £50m, however, as Romano has claimed, that will be nowhere near enough.

And with that in mind, it will be intriguing to see how much it could potentially take to see the £76k-per-week midfielder prised away from the San Siro.

Aston Villa could complete the signing of Napoli winger Hirving Lozano in the summer transfer window, according to his former advisor Alessandro Monfrecola.

Are Villa linked with Lozano?

The £97,000-a-week Mexican has enjoyed a hugely successful season at club level, winning the Serie A title with Napoli and becoming an instant hero along with his teammates, considering it is their first league crown since 1990.

That being said, Lozano wasn't actually a guaranteed member the starting lineup throughout 2022/23, invariably having to settle for a squad role and starting only 20 of his side's 38 league matches.

In recent times, the winger has been linked with a summer move to Villa, as the club look to make a number of significant signings to strengthen an already-impressive squad.

What's the latest transfer news on Lozano?

Speaking to Area Napoli [via Sport Witness], Monfrecola admitted that he could see Lozano joining either Villa or West Ham as he enters the last 12 months of his contract:

"West Ham’s proposal for Lozano? I believe that if Lozano leaves Napoli he will do so for an English club. The rumours coming from Mexico tell me that there is interest from English clubs. I think Aston Villa or West Ham will be the solution for Lozano.

"He’s had a year below his expectations, so such a large salary in De Laurentiis’ view is not good. When Raiola died, he was one of the few to change agency, moving towards an agency developed towards buying and selling in England, this is his dream, the boy’s signal is clear. He is fine in Napoli, but his dream is to play in the Premier League."

Lozano could be an excellent signing for Villa, possessing real pedigree at both club and international level, considering he is now a Serie A champion – he won the Erdedivisie with PSV in the past, too – and has also scored 17 goals in 64 caps for Mexico, including one at the 2018 World Cup.

The 27-year-old would add a spark out wide that has arguably been lacking, with someone like Leon Bailey not a consistently strong performer – he only scored four goals in 33 Premier League appearances last term – with his speed and directness having the potential to cause opponents nightmares.

These are exactly the type of signings that Villa need to be making, in terms of taking them to that next level, and bringing in Lozano would feel like a big statement of intent.

Manchester United have had a £40m offer for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount rejected, according to Sky Sports.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news involving Mount?

The Red Devils have been heavily linked with a move for the England international in recent weeks, with Mount entering the final 12 months of his Stamford Bridge contract.

Reports suggested at the beginning of the month that personal terms were agreed between United and the player ahead of an Old Trafford transfer, with United making an approach days later.

However, United’s Premier League rivals have set a whopping £70m transfer valuation on Mount’s shoulders, but that hasn’t stopped the Red Devils making a big money offer below that asking price.

According to Sky Sports, Manchester United have made a £40m offer for Mount which has been "immediately rejected". There is a feeling that Mount wants to make the move to join Erik ten Hag’s side, however, there is a gap in valuations and United would be willing to walk away from a deal if a fee cannot be agreed.

How much is Mason Mount worth?

Chelsea have placed a £70m price tag on Mount, however, his Transfermarkt valuation stands at €65m (£55m). Meanwhile, Football Transfers have his value at €68.9m (£58.9m), and due to his contract situation, a £70m asking price seems high.

Should United and Chelsea reach an agreement, though, Mount, on £80,000-a-week, could be a shrewd addition. Dubbed a "mad player" by Red Devils legend Rio Ferdinand, Mount is primarily an attacking midfielder but can also play in a deeper role so could provide competition to Bruno Fernandes.

Sky Sports’ Paul Merson can’t believe that Mount could be leaving the Blues, so their loss could be United’s gain in the long run.

"I cannot believe Chelsea are letting Mason Mount go. We saw it last season with Antonio Rudiger, who was outstanding and one of the best defenders at the club. He asked for more money and they didn't give him it and then they buy Kalidou Koulibaly for £33m on a four-year contract which works out as more money than what they'd give Rudiger.

"Now they're doing it with Mount. He's one of their own, he hasn't had a very good season but they're judging it just on one season. The year before he was Chelsea's best player. He was one of the first names on the teamsheet for England. Now they're letting him go. It's mind-blowing.”

A move could still be one to keep an eye on, but with an agreement over a fee proving to be tricky, United may end up putting a move on hold for now.

For all the disappointment of Saturday's FA Cup final defeat, Manchester United can reflect upon what was largely a positive campaign under Erik ten Hag, with the Dutchman having steered the club to Champions League qualification and Carabao Cup glory in his first season at the helm.

The United players appear to have benefitted from the arrival of the former Ajax boss, with Marcus Rashford, in particular, having looked rejuvenated after netting career-best figures of 30 goals in all competitions – after scoring just five goals in the previous campaign.

Another major success story for the 53-year-old has been that of teenage winger, Alejandro Garnacho, with the young showman enjoying a real breakout campaign after bagging five goals and five assists in 34 appearances across all fronts.

Having initially caught the eye after playing a key role in the club's FA Youth Cup success in the 2021/22 season – having netted twice in the showpiece win at Old Trafford – the 18-year-old has shaken off early concerns over his attitude to establish himself as a vital part of the Red Devils squad, notably being hailed as a "game changer" off the bench by journalist Samuel Luckhurst.

How much is Garnacho worth now?

That early promise has shown just what a bargain it was to snap up the Argentina international for a minimal fee of just £100k from Atletico Madrid back in 2020, with transfer insider Dean Jones suggesting that the Madrid-born starlet could now be worth in the region of £50m.

Asked about the wide man's current worth – in an interview with Football Fancast – the respected source stated:

"You've just got to compare to what players are worth in that position. Almost immediately – as a player that's playing in the first team at Man United, getting outings – as an exciting player, you're straightaway worth £50m. There's not really any question about that.

"So Garnacho will already be in that bracket. So how high can he go? That's the question."

As Jones alluded to, it remains to be seen if the "dangerous" asset – as hailed by club legend Paul Scholes – can kick on over the coming years, although it is clear to see that the 5 foot 11 ace is already being tipped for big things despite his relative youth.

Argentina legend Mario Kempes has notably hailed the "personality" of the teen speedster, while also going as far as to state that Garnacho "reminds him of [Kylian] Mbappe".

While that may be a bold comparison to make, the fact that the United ace is already making an impact at such a young age is a testament to his quality, with Mbappe – who now boasts 239 club career goals – notably making his Monaco debut at the age of just 16 back in 2015.

Somewhat like the 24-year-old Frenchman – who scored a hat-trick in last year's World Cup final – Garnacho has also shown he can be the man of the big occasion, having netted away to Leeds United at Elland Road, while also popping up with an assist in the victory over Manchester City back in January.

Even in the recent meeting with City at Wembley, the exciting prospect showed no signs of nerves after entering the fray late on, having 'looked like United's only hope' in the second half, according to GOAL's Richard Martin.

To think that just a year on from his FA Youth Cup heroics the youngster is now something of a difference-maker in the first-team is truly impressive, with that £50m price tag arguably more than justified.

Manchester United will be confident that they can tie down Marcus Rashford on a new deal for the coming years at Old Trafford, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest news involving Marcus Rashford?

Cited by Viaplay quoted by The Manchester Evening News, Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag has signalled that he expects Rashford to renew his £200k-a-week contract at Old Trafford, which is set to run out in the summer of 2024. The 53-year-old said: "I expect Marcus Rashford to renew. He wants it. Manchester United wants it. He is a child of this club, so I assume this will happen."

The Red Devils are said to be making 'good progress' in their efforts to extend the 25-year-old's stay at Old Trafford and could make him Manchester United's best-paid player to ensure he stays at his boyhood club, as per The Telegraph.

Rashford has enjoyed a fantastic season at Manchester United and has been recognised for his consistent performances, being awarded Manchester United's Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year award.

In 2022/23, the England international has racked up 30 goals and 11 assists in 50 appearances across all competitions for the Red Devils, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones thinks that Manchester United will offer Rashford a contract that will reflect his status as a key player at the club.

Jones said: "They need to build around Rashford, they need to make sure that he is somebody the crowd can attach to; you've got to have that when building a project like this.

"Rashford doesn't want to leave, he's never wanted to leave, but it's just a case of making sure that he gets the right deal for where he is in his career right now. So I think the excitement will be pretty big.”

Should Manchester United build their team around Marcus Rashford?

It's hard to argue otherwise given his contribution to Manchester United this term and Ten Hag will be keen to see more of the same from his star man in 2023/24.

The Dutchman has tipped Rashford to hit the 40-goal mark next season, as per The Independent, stating: he can improve but I am happy from where he was last season to what he did now, that he brings himself back. We supported him where we could, with the way of play but also in his mental mindset, so we are happy with that. But, yeah, we have to push for more and I am sure he’s capable to score 40 goals in a season, to make also for him the next step.”

WhoScored note that Rashford has been Manchester United's third-most consistent performer behind Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, earning an average match rating of 7.08/10 for his performances.

Rashford has also recorded 120 shot-creating actions in all competitions, as per FBRef, demonstrating his ability to be a chance provided as well as a goalscorer.

It is clear there is more to come from Rashford and Manchester United fans will be desperate to see him sign a new deal at Old Trafford.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou could dip into the market in the summer transfer to bolster his squad in spite of their domestic success this season.

The Hoops can complete the treble on Saturday if they beat Inverness in the final of the Scottish Cup, after already securing the League Cup and the Scottish Premiership.

However, they are reportedly looking to bolster their attack and midfield in the coming months ahead of the 2023/24 campaign and winger Ryotaro Ito is said to be a target.

The Daily Record claimed that the Albirex Niigata talent is one of the names on Postecoglou's radar heading into the transfer window, as the head coach looks to raid Japan once more.

Celtic's manager could now brutally ditch winger Liel Abada from Parkhead by swooping for Ito as the 25-year-old arriving in Scotland would open the door for a player in the forward areas to depart.

In April, Football Insider reported that the Hoops could cash in on the attacker this summer and that they could rake in a fee of up to £10m for his services.

How has Liel Abada performed this season?

The 21-year-old scored ten goals and provided five assists in 34 appearances in the Premiership and failed to contribute directly to a goal in five outings in the Champions League.

He averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.01 and created 1.1 chances per game in the Scottish top-flight and these statistics show that the wizard was a consistent threat for the Hoops domestically.

The dynamo provided a big goal threat and regularly provided his teammates with opportunities to score from, which shows that the youngster made a significant impact in the final third for Postecoglou.

However, Ito, who can play out wide or through the middle, could come in as a potential upgrade on the Israel international, which would allow the club to bin the current Hoops star.

Who is Ryotaro Ito?

He is a 25-year-old phenomenon who has been in exceptional form in the J1 League in 2023 since earning promotion from the second tier in 2022.

Ito has racked up seven goals and two assists in 15 appearances in the division. The whiz has averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.47 and created an eye-catching 3.2 chances per match, which shows that the gem is capable of slicing open the opposition's defence multiple times in each game.

Japanese author Yatao hailed the maestro as a "tremendous talent" and that comment is backed up by the attacking midfielder's sensational form in the J1 League.

Ito has proven himself capable of scoring goals and creating chances on a regular basis whilst maintaining a high standard with his average performance level.

This means that Postecoglou could ditch Abada this summer and not have to worry about losing his production in the final third as the Niigata star could come in and offer more at the top end of the pitch if he is able to adapt to Scottish football.