All posts by z3u9t.icu

With 11 Premier League games played so far this season, Southampton have only managed to find the back of the net on teen occasions, leaving only Norwich City (5) and Tottenham Hotspur (9) having scored fewer than Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

Taking this into account, it doesn’t come as a surprise that they have been linked with a transfer move for a fairly familiar Premier League attacking player.

What’s the news?

It has recently been claimed by journalist Ekrem Konur that Southampton, alongside fellow Premier League clubs West Ham United and Newcastle United are interested in signing Jesse Lingard, who Manchester United are apparently willing to sell for a fee of £12m.

After completing an impressive loan spell at West Ham last season where he managed to score nine goals and provide five assists in 16 appearances, the Englishman has made just eight appearances for the Red Devils across all competitions.

He has started just once but has managed to bag two goals and provide one assist in the process, even though United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said back in July that Lingard is in his plans for this season.

Dream move?

Given his lack of playing minutes this season at Old Trafford, it’s not surprising to see that reports linking the 28-year-old, who is currently valued at £19.8m according to Transfermarkt, with an exit.

However, Man United’s loss is Southampton’s gain and a move is something that the club’s sporting director Matt Crocker should definitely be looking to explore to add an extra attacking option to Hasenhuttl’s squad.

He is someone who has a total of 154 appearances Premier League appearances under his belt with 29 goals and 17 assists. That sort of offensive ingenuity, therefore, could make the difference during the back end of the campaign.

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Southampton had no hesitancy in splashing out a fee of £15m for Adam Armstrong, a player who had very little prior experience of playing the Premier League, in the previous summer transfer window.

Therefore, potentially securing Lingard, who has been described as a “unique” player in the past by Michael Carrick, for a fee of £12m would be a dream move for the Saints.

Unlike the aforementioned Armstrong a few months back, he possesses experience in the top flight and his attacking talents which would almost certainly make the team much more of an attacking threat as a whole. The Saints simply have to make sure he’s making the trek to the south coast in January.

In other news: Ralph dealt potential injury blow on “excellent” Saints beast, fans will be gutted – opinion

Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas looks set to seal a move away from Parkhead in what remains of the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Daily Record, who claimed that IFK Goteborg are on the lookout for a new number one and have identified the 27-year-old as one of their primary targets for the position.

However, the report also suggested that, despite the two clubs being in talks regarding a deal for the Greece international, Celtic would require the Swedish side to pay a loan fee in any deal for the shot-stopper in order for to sanction his departure this month.

Fans will be elated

Considering just how poor Barkas has been for Celtic since his £5m move to Glasgow in 2020, in addition to him currently earning a whopping £20k-per-week at Parkhead, the news that the Bhoys could finally be set to see the back of the 27-year-old is sure to have left fans elated.

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Indeed, over his 15 Premiership outings last season, the £1.35m-rated ‘keeper well and truly failed to live up to expectations at Celtic Park, averaging just one save and conceding 0.7 goals per game.

These returns saw the former AEK Athens stopper earn a disappointing seasonal SofaScore rating of just 6.79, ranking him as the club’s joint ninth-worst player in the top flight.

Furthermore, since Postecoglou’s arrival at Celtic last year, Barkas has featured just twice for the current manager, which demonstrates just how limited a future the 27-year-old would appear to have in Glasgow.

As such, it would very much seem as if a move away from Parkhead this month would suit all parties. However, considering that the Bhoys will be offloading one of their highest-earning players in getting Barkas off the books, it will probably suit the Hoops much more than the ‘keeper himself.

In other news – Forget Bitton: £8.2k-p/w Celtic flop who made just 3 passes today will be giving Postecoglou nightmares

Leeds United are willing to spend big in one area this transfer window…

What’s the word?

That’s according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, who delivered an intriguing claim to GIVEMESPORT earlier this week.

The Yorkshire giants rarely conduct business during the winter, not at least under the current regime of manager Marcelo Bielsa and director of football  Victor Orta as there isn’t enough time for any new player to get up to speed with the Argentine’s methods.

However, this month could be very different.

“The one position where I think the Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani is willing to maybe push the boat out and spend a bit more, is for that central midfielder,” he said.

Much-needed addition

Overall this season, the Peacocks have been in pretty dire form.

Their win over Burnley earlier this month moved them eight points clear of the relegation zone but things can quickly change in this division, especially as several teams below them in the standings hold a game in hand on them.

That result, though, was followed up with a premature exit from the FA Cup last weekend, so it only goes to show that Bielsa’s men have struggled and for large parts, that has been down to injuries.

Leeds’ squad has been decimated with a long list of injury problems regularly throughout the campaign. Against Arsenal only last month, Bielsa was missing as many as 11 players, nine of which could be considered first-team regulars.

It got so bad that he had to name a 15-year-old on the bench for a Premier League clash.

One of the longer-term absentees is academy graduate turned club favourite, Kalvin Phillips. His presence at the base of midfield is sorely missed and some of their disappointing results could be attributed to his absence.

And he is not due back until February at the earliest, which is cause for concern and exactly why the addition of a new midfielder should be a priority.

The Yorkshiremen were already on the lookout for one but the England international’s injury increases that need tenfold and must force Radrizzani’s hand to spend this month.

So for O’Rourke to suggest that the Italian supremo is willing to put his hand into his pocket to do so is hugely encouraging. It should leave Bielsa absolutely buzzing that he’s going to get at least one reinforcement in a very key area.

Reading playmaker John Swift and Marseille powerhouse Boubacar Kamara are just two exciting names to have been linked with a switch to Elland Road in recent weeks.

Either of those would be solid additions.

AND in other news, Leeds eye 1st January signing in “dominant” 37-cap titan, he could be another Lasogga…

An update has emerged on Lille gem Renato Sanches, regarding Wolves’ plans to sign him in 2022…

What’s the talk?

Midlands reporter Luke Hatfield has named the midfielder as a player the club are more likely to pursue ahead of Manchester United’s Donny van de Beek.

He told GIVEMESPORT when asked about a possible move for the Dutchman:

“I still think someone like Renato Sanches is going to be probably higher on the list for Wolves this winter or next summer.

“He offers a little bit more of an all-round game. But, I suppose, if they miss out on him or decide to look elsewhere then van de Beek could be a really good option for them.”

Neves 2.0

Bruno Lage must ensure that he can get a deal over the line for Sanches in January as he could land Ruben Neves 2.0 for the club.

Neves joined Wolves whilst they were in the Championship and immediately helped them to win promotion back to the top-flight, scoring six goals in 42 second-tier appearances. He has since gone on to play 126 times in the Premier League as the side have consolidated their place at the top table.

The Portugal international average a sublime WhoScored rating of 7.20 in the Championship, showing that he was consistently putting in quality performances at that level to push Wolves to the next stage. His ability, therefore, played a major role in the club taking the next step and achieving promotion.

In Sanches, Lage could be repeating that masterclass for Wolves in his own way by improving the midfield to help the team push on again, this time into Europe. The 24-year-old has averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.96 in Ligue 1 for Lille, whilst making 1.7 tackles and interceptions, along with 1.4 key passes and 2.6 dribbles, per game.

The £27m-rated destroyer was previously lauded for his physical strength by former Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac, with the Croatian saying:

“Renato has an exceptionally good technique, very good speed and a great body. It’s true that people fly off him left and right – just like they used to do with Lothar Matthaus. I’m delighted for Renato – I said yesterday that he was excellent in pre-season and it wouldn’t be long before he plays.”

This shows that he has the defensive and physical attributes to adapt well to playing in the Premier League, whilst his dribbling and creative statistics for Lille suggest that he also has an attacking edge that could drive Wolves forward in games.

His 1.4 key passes per game rank him level with Raul Jimenez for the number one spot at Wolves, whilst he is only behind Adama Traore (4.7) in dribbles per match. Therefore, he would be the best midfield at the club in both statistics if he is able to translate his form over to the Molineux, which is why he could elevate the team’s attacking potential without taking away any defensive aspects.

This is why Lage could repeat a Neves masterstroke with the former Bayern man as he could be the signing, just as his compatriot was in 2017, that pushes Wolves on to the next level and gets them challenging for European football.

AND in other news, Lage may already be heading for a major January disaster at Wolves, fans would fume…

Leeds United appear to be very active this week after a reliable journalist issued an exciting transfer claim…

What’s the word?

Reports emerged suggesting that the Yorkshire outfit had a £15m offer knocked back for RB Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson, though the club are said to remain keen on signing him this month.

However, it’s not the only player that they have submitted a bid for.

“Victor Orta is being busy and Leeds have also tabled a bid for a second as of yet unidentified player,” revealed the Daily Mirror’s David Anderson to Twitter on Tuesday night.

It remains to be seen who the second player could be as United have been linked to many names in many different positions throughout the last two to three weeks.

Signings soon?

Whilst we may not know who Orta and co are targeting now, the point that they are now looking to conduct business is hugely exciting and encouraging news for the Elland Road faithful.

This window was quickly heading down the same path – a bleak one with no signings, nothing to help manager Marcelo Bielsa and the problems within his squad.

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Often, his side have been decimated by injuries and that was epitomised by the fact that he could only name one senior professional on the bench during Sunday’s 3-2 win over West Ham United. That being Rodrigo, who has only just returned from injury himself.

Leeds have long been on the lookout for a midfielder, with the last signing in the role being Adam Forshaw nearly four years ago. It has left the head coach awfully short on options.

With Kalvin Phillips on the treatment table, it is only Forshaw and Mateusz Klich available as clear-cut central midfielders. The likes of Stuart Dallas and Jamie Shackleton, who often play anywhere they are asked to, can fill in but they have largely been utilised at full-back.

It certainly seems as if Orta is trying his best to find solutions, having submitted two offers for two different players this week, and that should leave many supporters buzzing heading into the rest of the window.

With less than two weeks to go, the Yorkshire giants must accelerate plans to get at least one deal over the line.

AND in other news, Enquiry made: Leeds now eye £10m gem with “enormous ability”, Bielsa badly needs him…

Rangers will face Hearts on Sunday in a top-of-the-table clash which could see the Premiership champions and current leaders stretch the gap to their opponents to double figures if they win today.

The Gers travel to Edinburgh this afternoon and will be hoping to continue their unbeaten run to secure yet another three points to strengthen their position at the top of the league.

Hearts fans may be thrilled to hear that Giovanni Van Bronckhorst has had a huge injury blow in his Rangers team, with Ryan Jack out of contention to play at Tynecastle after facing a setback in his injury rehabilitation.

Van Bronckhorst gave an update on the midfielder’s situation, saying: “Ryan (Jack) had a problem in the final training session before Lyon. Hopefully, he will join up with us soon but will miss out on Sunday.

“Of course he didn’t have much game time in the last months through injury so for him personally it is not a good moment and also for us as a club because we don’t have Ryan Jack available for the games.”

Van Bronckhorst had originally hoped that the 29-year-old would be back for his first full game in nine months against Lyon in the Europa League las Thursday, but after the setback in training, Jack has now been ruled out for today’s clash as well, which could leave his manager feeling gutted.

Jack has made 113 appearances for Rangers, with 11 goals and 12 assists from the defensive midfield position, while his value to the squad was illustrated in him ranking in the Gers’ top five for passes and interceptions per game, as well as passing accuracy (WhoScored).

Rangers have lost their last two games at Tynecastle, so another injury blow won’t be welcome as Van Bronckhorst will want to put that right and maintain his strong start to life in the Ibrox dugout.

In other news: Van Bronckhorst faces a blow to transfer plans

Sam Johnstone should not play for West Brom again this season in order to prepare for his inevitable exit, according to reliable journalist Steve Madeley.

The Lowdown: Johnstone set to leave WBA?

The 29-year-old stayed put at the Baggies last summer despite their relegation to the Championship and he has continued to be a key figure in 2021/22, making 36 league appearances.

There does seem to be a potential inevitability about Johnstone moving on, though, with Albion’s promotion hopes effectively over for this season and his contract expiring in June.

The goalkeeper has been strongly linked with a move away in recent months, having been hailed as a ‘wonderful’ player by Micah Richards in the past and winning the WBA Supporters’ Player of the Year award in 2021.

The Latest: Madeley makes big Johnstone claim

Taking to Twitter on Monday as he shared a corresponding article from The Athletic, Madeley claimed that Johnstone should not play for the rest of the season, allowing West Brom to transition and prepare for life without him next term. He claimed:

“Sam Johnstone’s status as a successful Albion player is secure but he should not play again this season – there is no point.”

The Verdict: There’s sense to it

With the Baggies completely out of the promotion picture and with little to play for in the remaining weeks, Madeley’s suggestion does make sense in many ways.

It would give Bruce an opportunity to use others in the role, with those of a West Brom persuasion knowing what Johnstone can offer and also realising that he is coming to the end of his time at the Hawthorns.

In truth, the hope is that a high-quality replacement comes in, given the 29-year-old’s aforementioned influence, but giving David Button a chance to prove himself over the next few weeks shouldn’t do any harm for the time being.

In other news, West Brom reportedly face competition for one player. Find out who it is here.

Newcastle United have made a ‘request for information’ about Lille’s Renato Sanches, according to Calciomercato. 

The lowdown

The 24-year-old helped Lille to see off Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title last season, but they have struggled so far this term. With just four games to go until the halfway point of the season, they find themselves down in 13th place, placing their hopes of European qualification in serious doubt.

The Portuguese maestro missed seven of the first eight games through a meniscal injury and has been limited to four league starts so far in 2021/22 (via Transfermarkt).

Another Premier League club in Wolves actually tried to sign the midfielder on loan in the final hours of the summer transfer window (via The Athletic).

The latest

According to Calciomercato, Sanches’ agent Jorge Mendes apparently wants to arrange a move away from Lille as soon as January. The Ligue 1 champions have set his asking price at €35m, which equates to about £29.8m.

Serie A giants AC Milan have identified the 24-year-old as a potential replacement for Franck Kessie, but Newcastle, who have made enquiries over the past few weeks, can offer him a significantly larger pay packet thanks to PIF’s lucrative takeover.

The verdict

Sanches would be quite a coup for Newcastle. He may be remembered on these shores as a Swansea City flop, but he’s come a long way since that ignominious spell in south Wales back in 2017/18.

He was hailed as ‘terrific’ for his performance against reigning world champions France at Euro 2020 and has continued to shine on the biggest stages.

Tutto Mercato Web (via Sempre Milan) showed him with praise following his display in last week’s Champions League victory over RB Salzburg, dubbing him a “giant” who was “physically and technically perfect”.

However, the worry for Newcastle is his alarming injury record, and that ought to make them think twice about a near-£30m move for the Portugal midfielder.

In other news, this £9m-valued ace could leave St James’ Park in January

A number of Wolves supporters have hailed Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho following a club tweet after the 1-0 victory at Manchester United.

Wanderers enjoyed a famous Premier League win on Monday evening, clinching all three points at Old Trafford for the first time in more than 40 years.

It was an exceptional performance by Wolves all round as they used the ball intelligently, defended well and ultimately got over the finish line.

It was Moutinho who scored the only goal of the game, firing home from 20 yards late in the match, and both he and fellow Portuguese hero Neves were superb in the middle of the park. As per Sofascore, their combined statistics saw them complete 99 passes, win 10 duels, execute 14 accurate long balls and win six tackles.

After the game, Wolves’ official Twitter channel posted a photo of the pair embracing warmly following an iconic evening for Lage’s side.

Wolves fans hail Neves and Moutinho

These Wolves fans took to Twitter to heap praise on the “unbelievable” duo, who one hailed as “the best ever” midfield partnership at Molineux.

“Better than Man Utd’s midfield”

Credit: @HombreSinatra

“The best ever midfield partnership to grace the Wolves, be amazed if we ever see anything like it again. Both absolutely world-class on their day”

Credit: @HarryGoring10

“‘bUt thEy CAnT pLaY toGethER’. Both are simply world-class. We are so, so, so, so lucky to have them. The ultimate away day today”

Credit: @mattgrubb47

“Unbelievable”

Credit: @samwolves89

“Can you believe these two play for our club”

Credit: @alexjjones_

“Both absolute class this evening”

Credit: @olly_stock

In other news, Luke Hatfield has talked up a potential Wolves move for one player. Find out who it is here.

Arsenal are sweating on the availability of Bukayo Saka heading into tonight’s Premier League clash with Manchester United…

What’s the latest?

The 20-year-old limped off after scoring a goal during the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon with a suspect thigh problem.

He has since been assessed at their London Colney training base and manager Mikel Arteta provided a worrying update in his pre-game press conference this week.

“We have the doubt with Bukayo and another few knocks that we got against Newcastle,” the Spaniard revealed (via the Evening Standard). “I am hopeful, but we don’t know [if Saka can play]. It is a really short turnaround and the player has to be comfortable playing with a little injury.”

Would be a big miss

Saka is an integral member of Arteta’s starting XI in north London and he has played a crucial role in their recent upturn in fortunes on the pitch.

Only fellow Hale End academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe (six) and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (five) have delivered more direct goal contributions than the England international (four) in the Premier League in 2021/22.

Despite only two assists from 12 starts, Saka leads the way for creativity, having averaged a squad-high 1.6 key passes per game (21 in total), per WhoScored.

Back in February, Arteta waxed lyrical about the young gem’s influence on the pitch and how it was hard to leave him out of the starting XI.

“It is (difficult) at the moment because he’s been a real threat. He’s involved in a lot of goals all the time and his consistent performances make him a starter obviously,” he told the club’s official website.

The 14-time England international, who is valued at £58.5m by Transfermarkt, would be a huge miss for the Gunners up at Old Trafford, particularly as there is a lot at stake and three points would seriously bolster their claims to qualify for a place in Europe next season.

Arsenal are sat in fifth place, just one point behind West Ham, so a victory would see them move into the top-four for the first time in what seems like a very long time. Meanwhile, the Red Devils are down in tenth position and could go to within just two points of the north London giants.

Arteta must be hugely concerned about the availability of his star man. Yes, his side went on a ten-game unbeaten run but they were exposed against a big side in Liverpool, before getting back on track against the rock-bottom Magpies.

United, despite their poor form, can pose a big threat and have plenty of big-name stars at their disposal, so without the talents of Saka, the Gunners boss may be a little scared heading into kick-off.

AND in other news, Arteta may have another Saka in “sensational” teen who can help save Arsenal millions…