Wrexham believe that their rivalry with Notts County has an "added edge" as Ryan Reynolds' side prepare for a crunch clash against old foes.
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Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong has been savaged by former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart, who compared him to a "postman".
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Darwin Nunez has explained his wild gate-leaping celebration during Liverpool’s Carabao Cup triumph, with the Uruguayan forward supposedly injured.
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Crystal Palace have been handed a major boost ahead of their clash against Manchester United today.
As per a report from Football.London, the Red Devils will be without the Portuguese talisman that is Cristiano Ronaldo.
It is said that the 37-year-old has sustained a hip flexor injury ahead of today’s game, consequently ruling him out.
United will also be without France midfielder Paul Pogba, in what is a double blow for Manchester United and a double boost for Crystal Palace. Pogba looks to have played his final game for the club and will not get the opportunity to sign off in style in a United shirt.
Whilst the two injuries represent a big blow for United, the news comes as a major boost for a Palace side who are looking to secure a top-half Premier League finish.
Vieira needs a win against United, who were thrashed by top half battlers Brighton last time out.
With the likes of Ronaldo out, who has scored an incredible 18 goals in his first season back in England, Palace will have one less focal point to worry about.
Whilst Pogba’s absence will also harm United’s creative prospects in possession.
Rangnick’s side have registered 65 big chances this season, and the combination of Ronaldo and Pogba are responsible for 13 of those this season, despite missing games.
Vieira’s side will consequently have the luxury of aiming most of their concentration on the transitional aspects of the game, rather than spending resources trying to mark the likes of Ronaldo and Pogba out of the game.
With the lack of quality depth at United this season, they should not have to worry too much about the Red Devils’ threat and will feel confident out-of-possession, having conceded just 46 goals this season in what makes them the seventh-best defence in the league.
In other news: Crystal Palace to bid farewell to £3m “natural leader”, Vieira surely gutted
West Ham United are reportedly keeping tabs on Red Bull Salzburg starlet Junior Adamu, with the striker also attracting attention from across Europe.
As per the Daily Mail, the Hammers have entered the race for the Austria international and are said to be ‘monitoring developments’ with regards to the 20-year-old’s future at his current side.
The report suggests that the Nigeria-born marksman is attracting interest from the likes of Ajax, RB Leipzig and Premier League outfit Southampton, with his reported £12m fee seemingly an enticing prospect for those potential suitors.
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As for David Moyes’ side, the club are still on the lookout for a new forward addition, with Michail Antonio still the only recognised, senior centre-forward in the squad, having missed out on Benfica’s Darwin Nunez in January.
Adamu, who has been described by journalist Gimba Kakanda as a “low-key” talent, may not quite be the household name that Irons’ supporters are chasing, although he has already showcased his promise after an impressive last few seasons.
A brief loan stint at Swiss outfit FC St.Gallen saw the young starlet net six league goals in just 14 games during the tail end of the 2020/21 season, before he followed that up with an impressive nine goals in all competitions in the most recent campaign after returning to his parent club.
That tally included a shock opener in a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich in the Champions League last-16, first-leg tie in Salzburg, in what was the hosts’ first-ever knockout tie in the competition.
That image of a young striker impressing at the elite level for the Austrian outfit stirs memories of a certain Erling Haaland, the Norwegian menace having burst onto the scene at the club, notably netting eight goals in his first five group stage appearances in the competition during the 2019/20 campaign.
A move to Borussia Dortmund soon followed, although after scoring 86 goals in just 89 games for the Bundesliga side, the 21-year-old has since been plucked by Manchester City, with the £135m-rated gem having arguably been the most coveted player in Europe, alongside Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.
Like Adamu – who previously spent two-and-a-half seasons as a teenager at second-tier outfit FC Liefering – Haaland also rose from obscurity at the likes of Byrne and Molde back in Norway, with the duo potentially mirrored in their carefully plotted career paths.
Although Adamu has yet to hit anywhere close to the heights of the new City addition, his explosive form this term has showcased just what a potential talent he could become in the coming years, with the east Londoners set to have a real bargain on their hands if a deal can be struck.
Dubbed a “jewel” by Varsky Sports, the £1.1k-per-week prospect appears to have an incredibly high ceiling, much like that of Haaland, with Moyes and co set to relish the chance to nurture and improve him over the coming years.
Journalist Rahman Osman of London World has now shared a Tottenham Hotspur transfer update involving Brentford playmaker Christian Eriksen.
The Lilywhites, as per recent reports, are in the mix to sign Eriksen following his phenomenal and fairy-tale return to the grass.
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After suffering a cardiac-arrest at Euro 2020, few could’ve predicted the Dane would be thriving back in the Premier League under Thomas Frank and sparking interest from Spurs.
Eriksen is allegedly keen on a sensational reunion with the north-Londoners and manager Antonio Conte as the club eye a Bosman deal for their ex-hero.
According to Osman of LW, an update has emerged, with Conte personally ‘pressing on for a deal’ to re-sign the 30-year-old.
However, if they cannot convince the midfielder to return, it is believed Brighton star Yves Bissouma has been earmarked as an alternative target.
Potentially signing Eriksen for free is an arguable no-brainer given chairman Daniel Levy once put a seismic £130m tag on his head (The Mirror), highlighting the player’s obvious value and quality.
He’s been a standout for Brentford, making the most key passes per 90 for them in the top flight last year whilst also averaging the highest match rating out of anyone in the Bees squad (WhoScored).
Sealing a return for the ‘big name’ creator may well be one of Fabio Paratici’s more shrewd moves of the summer if he can get it done.
In other news: ‘Not only Perisic’ – Tottenham push for ‘genius’ signing after Conte call ‘in recent days’…find out more here.
Everton are renowned for their transfer disasters since the arrival of Farhad Moshiri back in 2016, and after spending over £500m the club found themselves battling with the chance of being relegated from the Premier League this season, so there is a lot that needs to change going forward to improve the stability.
Frank Lampard joined on Deadline Day and made two signings in Donny van de Beek on loan from Manchester United and a permanent move for Dele Alli, both of which have made little to no impact since arriving at Goodison Park, proving there is still room for improvement in identifying players even with a new manager in charge.
Dele will remain in Merseyside next term but he will need to drastically improve on his tally of zero goal involvements for the Toffees.
With that being said, Everton could repeat their disastrous trick of bringing a Tottenham outcast to the club this season. That’s because they’ve now been linked with a move for Harry Winks this summer, who is reportedly valued at £20m by his current club.
To put things simply, it’s another transfer the club should be looking to avoid.
The Spurs midfielder was blasted by Graham Roberts for his performances at his current side, with the former Spurs defender claiming:
“He’s gone Mr Conservative, he plays simple, and if I don’t give the ball away, I’m a great player.
“You’re not, he’s become an average player, and that’s being fair.”
According to SofaScore, Winks ranks 15th out of 23 players in the Tottenham squad this season and it’s no surprise when you look at his overall output in his 19 Premier League appearances.
The 26-year-old who was dubbed “sloppy” by Alasdair Gold has committed two errors that have led to shots, has only made 0.6 key passes, 0.8 tackles and interceptions, and is dribbled past 0.7 times on average per game. That proves that he lacks effectiveness and coasts through games with a mediocre output in defensive and attacking play.
Everton are in no position to add more players who are anonymous and lack dominance in the midfield at Goodison Park, and are desperately in need of adding more leaders in their team who can be direct and work hard to make sure the Toffees don’t find themselves in the same position as they did this season.
Lampard and Farhad Moshiri must work together to identify players who can come into the club and make an instant impact that can make drastic changes to the current team to inspire better results in the Premier League, Winks is not the player they should be spending their tight transfer budget on.
Dan Ashworth is reportedly now ‘looking’ at signing both Ismaila Sarr and Moussa Diaby for Newcastle United.
After confirmation that he has now started his role as Sporting Director at St James’ Park, Ashworth seems to be getting down to business straight away.
The Tyneside club have already been recently linked with moves for the likes of Yannick Carrasco and Diogo Costa, and they will be expected to strengthen their squad significantly with the influx of cash from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Taking to Twitter, Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth has revealed that Newcastle are now ‘looking’ at the possibility of signing both Sarr and Diaby this summer.
He outlined: “Newcastle United looking at Watford’s Ismaila Sarr as well as Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby. Sarr has 2 years left on his contract – Watford will consider “sensible offers”.”
Signing both wingers will likely depend on the future of Allan Saint-Maximin at Newcastle.
The Frenchman has been linked with a move away this summer, but he could still be persuaded to stay put by Eddie Howe.
Nonetheless, should the 25-year-old depart, both Sarr and Diaby would be exciting signings for the Magpies. The former possesses freakish speed and Premier League experience, while the latter has enjoyed an outstanding season at Leverkusen, scoring no fewer than 17 goals and supplying a further 14 assists across all competitions, mainly operating from the flanks (Transfermarkt).
Sarr would likely come cheaper given Watford’s relegation to the Championship, but either of them would help bolster the squad at St James’ Park.
In other news, find out which ‘superb’ colossus Ashworth is also eyeing here!
Leeds United appear to have been handed a blow in their pursuit of Sporting CP winger Gonzalo Plata.
The Whites have been name-checked with an interest in the 21-year-old this month as the club look to bolster their wide ranks.
Jack Harrison and Raphinha have been linked with Elland Road exits, which has resulted in Leeds looking at the Ecuador international, described as ‘super’ by journalist Sam Tighe.
Plata, who actually shares the same agency as six Whites players, spent last season on loan at Real Valladolid in Spain’s second tier, helping them finish second and earn promotion back to La Liga.
MOT Leeds News relayed an update from Monday morning’s edition of Portuguese newspaper O Jogo regarding Plata.
They claimed that a sale is now complicated after Plata suffered an injury for Ecuador against Cape Verde and left in an ambulance.
The report adds that the winger could be injured for two months which would make it difficult for Leeds or any other interested side to seal a move until mid-August.
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A move for Plata shouldn’t be viewed as a priority at this moment in time. Leeds have already brought in Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen and are now looking to land defensive midfielder Marc Roca.
Should they sign the Bayern Munich man, another central midfielder could still be required after Manchester City launched a bid for Kalvin Phillips.
A centre-forward also seems needed following Patrick Bamford’s injury problems last season, so although Leeds have been handed a blow in their pursuit of Plata, it shouldn’t be viewed as a disaster at this moment in time.
In other news: ‘Sky Sports has been told…’ – Live TV update emerges involving 113-goal star; Leeds mentioned.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Everton are now ‘keen’ on signing Oleksandr Zinchenko this summer.
Manchester City are set to make a bid to try and sign left-back Marc Cucurella from Brighton and Hove Albion, which would pave the way for Zinchenko to leave.
He only made 28 appearances in total over all competitions under Pep Guardiola last term, and so could now look to seek a move away in order to get more regular game time.
Taking to Twitter, Romano has revealed that the Goodison Park outfit, among a number of other clubs, are now ‘keen’ to sign Zinchenko, and is ‘one of their main targets’:
“Manchester City are prepared to let Oleksandr Zinchenko leave as they are targeting Marc Cucurella, with an official bid coming soon – decision was made in May.
“Zinchenko can be sold and Everton have his name in the list as one of the main targets. Other clubs also keen.”
Given that Zinchenko can play in many different positions across the pitch, he would be such a weapon to have in the squad under Frank Lampard.
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The Ukraine international is blessed on a technical level, with his teammate Kyle Walker even going as far as to claim that he is ‘incredible’ and ‘more gifted’ than City superstar Kevin De Bruyne, and so having him in the side should enable the Toffees to dominate more games and help them climb the Premier League table.
At City, Zinchenko has won no fewer than 11 trophies, including four league titles (Transfermarkt), and so his winning mentality would be such a useful asset to have in the dressing room should things start to go pear-shaped for the Blues next term.
In other news, find out who EFC have now held ‘contacts’ over signing here!