All posts by z3u9t.icu

According to Sky Sports football reporter Keith Downie on Twitter, Sunderland are planning on buying striker duo Tom Eaves and John Marquis before the end of the month. 

Eaves is currently with Gillingham in League One, while Marquis is with Doncaster in the same league, and are both being eyed as replacements to Josh Maja at the Stadium of Light.

This would be a wonderful move for Eaves, who is floundering at the bottom of the league with Gillingham. Currently sitting in 19th place, The Gills are embroiled in a relegation battle this season. With 15 goals and four assists this season, Eaves has, in truth, carried his club. So much so that the next best scorer has nine fewer goals. He will want to test himself at a better club, and promotion-chasing Sunderland are certainly that team, who can offer him the prospect of Championship football. It may spell the end for Gillingham, but it will be very promising for The Black Cats.

Meanwhile, Marquis will be another huge signing for Sunderland. When a club lose the league’s joint-second top scorer in Maja, the only thing they can do to improve that is sign the top scorer, which The Black Cats are proceeding to do. Marquis has 16 goals in the league this season, and with the added quality of Sunderland around him, he will only improve and could possibly make The Black Cats favourites to secure promotion.

Maja’s loss will be huge, but by recruiting two players like this, Sunderland will be taking massive steps forward rather than backwards.

Lots of Everton fans have been left fuming over some transfer news that has emerged involving Cenk Tosun.

As per Turkish journalist Gokmen Ozcan, Hull City made an offer to the striker, but he rejected it so that he can fulfil his contract at Goodison Park.

Tosun is out of contract in the summer, but has not done enough to warrant a new one, as he has only scored 11 goals in 60 games in total across all competitions for the Toffees (Transfermarkt).

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison still on Merseyside, and the fact that he earns a healthy £60,000-per-week, the January transfer window presents a good chance for the Blues to cash in on him, but he seems more than happy to collect his salary and warm the bench.

Everton fans on Tosun transfer news

These EFC supporters fumed as the transfer news was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that he is a ‘wage thief’:

“Stealing a living!”

Credit: @Banter_Horse

“Robbing a wage”

Credit: @RobertS91163055

“Lol shock. Right up there with Delph this guy.”

Credit: @melbourne1973

“Can’t we just put him out with the bins?”

Credit: @Ste_EFC_

“Another wage thief…”

Credit: @nickgartland

“I hate him”

Credit: @bluetom_tom

In other news, find out what club update has Evertonians raging here!

Celtic are close to turning Jota’s loan move into a permanent transfer, according to Football Insider.  

The Lowdown: Jota back in Portugal

Ange Postecoglou has reaped the rewards after the club brought the winger to Parkhead over the summer on an initial loan deal.

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Jota has scored eight times and registered six assists in just 18 games, but he missed the last seven fixtures prior to the winter break with a hamstring injury.

He has since returned to parent club Benfica to assess his recovery, but it appears as if the Hoops are making the most of the 22-year-old’s time on the sidelines and are closing in on a permanent swoop.

The Latest: Source shares Jota update

Football Insider shared a pundit piece on Saturday, shortly before Celtic announced the signing of Johnny Kenny, with Paddy Kenny reacting to the possibility of Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers joining on a full-time basis.

Within their report, the site was informed by a Celtic source on Saturday that the Hoops are now close to signing Jota following talks with Benfica during the week.

The Verdict: Massive

The option-to-buy fee reportedly stands at £6.5m, so on top of a possible £6m for Carter-Vickers, Celtic could be making a serious investment. However, considering how influential Jota has been for the Hoops, a deal for that amount could actually turn out to be a bargain in the long run.

He is currently valued at £4.95m by Transfermarkt, so should he continue to perform as he has done so far in Scotland, you’d expect that it’s just a matter of time until his market value hits eight figures.

Celtic have shown in the past with Odsonne Edouard that a big-money addition can work following a successful loan when it comes to making an impact and a profit, so hopefully it will be the same with Jota.

In other news: Celtic now after ‘energetic’ international with January business not slowing up; Ange ‘well aware’ of target

There was a time when Leeds United supporters spitefully shook their heads as the club’s recruitment team neglected important areas of the team in the transfer window.

That had never been truer than when someone like Pascal Struijk joined the Whites.

The Dutch defender didn’t receive a particularly warm welcome but he serves as a fine example for needing to be patient.

He has been crucial this season and in a campaign where the likes of Robin Koch and Liam Cooper have been injured, the emergence of the colossal Struijk has been timely.

But it’s at the other end of the pitch that we want to focus on for the time being where another timely breakthrough act has been discovered.

That falls in the form of Joe Gelhardt, a teenager who is very quickly becoming an important figure at Elland Road.

Star striker Patrick Bamford has featured only once since a bad ankle injury back in September as the previously irremovable object from Bielsa’s side was finally dethroned.

Dan James, Rodrigo, Tyler Roberts and Gelhardt have all been utilised at the top of the pitch in Bamford’s absence but of all of them, it’s the lad the Elland Road faithful know as ‘Joffy’ who has caught the eye the most.

Signed for just over £1m in August 2020, his value and estimations are growing rapidly.

It’s clear to see why, too. He already has 25 career goals across senior and youth level and has taken to Bielsa’s methods like a duck to water, winning a crucial penalty against Wolves and scoring against Chelsea in his limited opportunities this season.

His performances have subsequently earned rave reviews with Leeds Live reporter Bergen Cross who hailed the masterclass done in the transfer window by Victor Orta and co.

He said: “Gelhardt may well be the best bit of business the club has done in the last 20 years, if not ever, because he just looks absolutely outrageous, very, very good player.”

The youngster has been so impressive that he was described as a “human wrecking ball” by Bielsa.

The boss added: “I like him, he’s really exciting. He’s fast, he’s aggressive, he gets on the ball, he takes people on. Once he gets into the box, he loves it. That’s where he can do most of his damage.”

It’s clear that Gelhardt has a quite remarkable amount of potential and for that alone, it is a dream deal.

Combine Bielsa’s affection for the player with his growing importance and it’s hard to disagree with Cross’ bold statement.

He’s certainly someone that can loosen the burden on Bamford’s shoulders in the coming years.

AND in other news, Leeds can finally replace Hernandez with 17 G/A “grafter” who “Bielsa quietly admires”…

A number of Wolves supporters are delighted after a new report claimed Wanderers aren’t interested in re-signing Matt Doherty in the January transfer window.

The 29-year-old traded Wanderers for Spurs back in the summer of 2020, in a move that was supposedly seen as a step forward in his career.

Doherty has struggled hugely in north London, however, rarely finding himself as a regular in the team, only registering four assists in 42 appearances and not scoring a single goal.

The Republic of Ireland has been linked with a return to Wolves this month, as he looks for a way out of Spurs, but that now appears to be unlikely.

According to The Mirror [via Talking Wolves on Twitter], a reunion isn’t on the cards, with neither Wanderers or Doherty keen on the move coming to fruition.

Wolves fans delighted with Doherty latest

These Wolves fans reacted positively to the news on Twitter.

“Love to see it”

Credit: @DaneWWFC

“Thank god for that”

Credit: @eve_elizabethxx

“THE PLAYER HIMSELF! He knows he wouldn’t play Semedo and Hoever clear”

Credit: @wwfcglover

“Thank god”

Credit: @Darren_Wolves_8

“We don’t need him”

Credit: @the_brewersarms

“Great news we moved on waw”

Credit: @AntonyHaselum

In other news, some Wolves fans are buzzing over a potential swap deal. Read more here.

Many Everton fans have been left fuming as some transfer news emerged on Aaron Ramsey.

As per Calciomercato, the Goodison Park faithful have now ‘started the first contacts’ with his entourage, as Juventus are reportedly willing to let him go on a free transfer in the January window.

The issue with signing Ramsey would be his whopping €7m (£6m) yearly salary, which would put him among the Merseyside club’s top earners if he received a similar figure, and also the fact that he has extensive injury problems.

On top of that, he is 30 years of age now, and so certainly past his best, given the fact that he has only managed a mere six goals and six assists during his time at the Old Lady so far (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, one would have to question whether he would be a smart signing.

Everton fans on Ramsey transfer news

These Toffees supporters fumed as the transfer news was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it was ‘mad’:

“He’s made of the same sort of biscuits Mina is made from. We will be paying wages to someone else who is never fit.”

Credit: @AlfiesSquad

“Young? No. British? No. Point to prove? No. Low wages? No. Can get a fee if we sell? No.”

Credit: @Joe_Clemo

“Past his best. Massive wages. No pace. We never learn”

Credit: @Feedtheyak22

“No thanks.. Washed up and overpaid. We need to change our type.”

Credit: @Lorahodson89

“Even the thought of that is mad”

Credit: @salemmohalesh75

“Can we have Brands back?”

Credit: @FPLPremTipster

In other news, find out what news on this Blues ‘tyrant’ has fans talking here!

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan believes that Mateusz Klich could now lose his place in the team following Adam Forshaw’s impressive return.

The Lowdown: Forshaw back in the fold

The 29-year-old has overcome a serious hip injury which saw him miss two years of action, making a hugely pleasing return to the Leeds team recently. The midfielder has six appearances to his name in all competitions this term and seems to be growing by the game, arguably producing a Man of the Match display in the recent 1-1 draw with Leicester City.

Forshaw’s return gives Marcelo Bielsa a selection headache in the middle of the park, with Klich also battling to partner Kalvin Phillips.

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The Latest: Pundits tips Klich to lose place

Speaking to Football Insider, Leeds ambassador Whelan admitted that Forshaw’s resurgence could lead to Klich being benched after the international break:

“It was really encouraging to see Forshaw back in that starting line-up. Not least because we didn’t know if we were going to see him in a Leeds shirt again.

“He’s had two horrible years out through injury, and that is tough to come back from for any professional.

“He and Phillips seemed to have a really good understanding in the midfield. He gave us just a bit more presence in there, a bit more aggression.

“That partnership worked better than having Klich in there, it was great to see Forshaw back. He has that experience and composure that we need in that midfield area. Klich could be the one to miss out now.”

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The Verdict: Fair decision currently

This is a very healthy situation for Leeds to be in, with central midfield an area which has often felt light on options so far this season, especially with Robin Koch out injured.

Forshaw genuinely feels like a new signing, having missed so much action, and he is showing what an influential figure he can be within Bielsa’s team if he stays fit.

Klich remains a key player for Leeds as well, though, earning their fifth-highest SofaScore performance rating of the season and starting seven top-flight matches, and the added competition from Forshaw could prompt him to raise his game even further in the coming weeks and months.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly potential suitors for an exciting young player. Read more here.

Crystal Palace are in fantastic form at the moment from picking up a place in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley against Chelsea later this month to going unbeaten in their last five Premier League games, the side has gone from strength to strength under Patrick Vieira.

The individual quality in the Palace team has not gone unnoticed by outsiders either, with Marc Guehi, Connor Gallagher and Tyrick Mitchell all earning their first senior England national team caps this season too, which is an incredible achievement for the trio.

Thanks to the spotlight being so brightly shone upon the youngsters in Vieira’s side it has led to speculation from journalist Pete O’Rourke predicting that 22-year-old Mitchell could potentially be snapped up by another Premier League club in the summer transfer window.

With that being said, if the scenario of Mitchell leaving became a reality, the French manager could already have his next rising star ready to break into the first team with Tayo Adaramola.

Speaking on Adaramola, O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT:

“It’s a good place for Palace to be right now because they might have a ready-made replacement for Tyrick Mitchell if they do decide to cash-in on him.”

Despite not making any Premier League appearances so far this season, Adaramola made his debut in a four-minute appearance under Vieira in the FA Cup fourth round against Hartlepool and clearly impressed his manager during the short performance, as the left-back was selected again in the victory over Stoke City in the fifth round and given 65 minutes to shine.

Vieira showered the young talent with praise following his performance against Hartlepool where he nearly scored. He said:

“He is a young player so full of energy,”

“He likes to go forward and has been doing well with the academy. This was the right time to give him a couple of minutes. He was close to scoring his first goal.”

The 18-year-old has also made 13 appearances with one goal and one assist in the Premier League 2 this season, but after having a taste of success in the senior team during his game time in the FA Cup there is no doubt he will be desperate to break through into a more regular spot in the side, especially if Mitchell does leave in the summer.

In other news: CPFC’s £70k-p/w “massively important” gem stole the show vs Arsenal

An update has emerged on Rangers’ transfer plans, regarding Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s efforts to bring a winger to Ibrox in January…

What’s the talk?

According to Spanish outlet Noticias de Gipuzkoa, the Gers have made an enquiry over a potential deal to sign Pablo Torre from Racing Santander.

The report claims that Real Madrid and Valencia are also keen on the youngster, who could be available for a fee of £2.1m (€2.5m).

Fans surely buzzing

Fans will, firstly, be buzzing with this update as it suggests that the club are working on procuring a deal for the young talent. They have already made an enquiry and it remains to be seen whether they will follow that up with a bid, but it does show that there is a serious degree of interest there.

The supporters would be delighted to see Torre in Glasgow as he is a talented teenager with experience in professional football whilst having the potential to improve further. He has already shown glimpses of quality for Racing, with seven goals and 11 assists to date at senior level, showing that he could come in and make an instant impact at Ibrox.

Torre, who has been called Racing’s “conductor”, could, therefore, be a player the fans take a shine to straight away as he is someone who can score and assist goals on a regular basis. He has shown, in Spain at least, that he can be a difference-maker in the final third and Gers fans would surely enjoy watching him work his magic at the top end of the pitch in the second half of the campaign. 

At the age of 18, he is also still in the early stages of his career and the supporters would undeniably love to watch his development over the years. They would enjoy seeing him make progress on the pitch under van Bronckhorst, whilst scoring and creating goals in the Premiership to help Rangers win the league title.

Therefore, the Dutch head coach and Ross Wilson must now work hard to ensure that they can get a £2.1m deal over the line for Torre this month. Real and Valencia’s interest could complicate matters, but the Gers can offer him Europa League football and the potential of regular game time – if van Bronckhorst is willing to give it to him.

AND in other news, Report delivers big update on £3.1k-p/w Rangers outcast that’ll leave fans buzzing…

With the return of Premier League action now in sight, Southampton have an away clash against Norwich City next up as they look to continue the good run of form they were on prior to the current international break having won three of their previous four league games.

On the chalkboard

In terms of who Ralph Hasenhuttl could pick in his starting XI to take on the Canaries, who are currently sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table with just five points on the board, one player that should definitely be in the running for a place in the team at the weekend is Adam Armstrong, who is currently earning a weekly wage of £53k-per-week according to Salary Sport.

Armstrong’s previous appearance for Southampton saw him score the winning goal in their 1-0 win over Aston Villa just before the current international break after which the striker said that he is “confident with both feet” when it comes to striking the ball the way he did for the goal against Villa.

As well as the goal, Armstrong managed to put in a solid display across the pitch for the Saints in an attacking and defensive sense with three dribbles completed, 13 passes made, seven duels won, two tackles made and one interception, ultimately earning him an impressive overall match rating of 7.3/10 according to SofaScore, which would make him a real nuisance for Norwich’s defenders if he puts in a similar sort of performance this weekend.

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In addition to this, the 24-year-old, who is currently valued at £16.2m according to Transfermarkt, has provided two assists and scored one other goal in the nine league games he appeared in for Southampton this season prior to the Villa match.

It’s safe to say Armstrong has not proven himself to be a consistent goalscoring threat for Southampton yet in the same way former Saints striker Danny Ings had after scoring 46 goals in 100 games for the club before moving to Villa in the summer.

However, the forward has still shown in the few months he’s been at St. Mary’s that he is still a useful attacking option for Hasenhuttl with the potential to grow and develop his game after joining from Blackburn Rovers back in August.

Taking all of this into account, Hasenhuttl should definitely keep Armstrong in the team to face Norwich at the weekend to see if he can continue his goalscoring run and give newly appointed Canaries manager Dean Smith nightmares after ending his reign at Villa with a defeat.

In other news: Lost the ball 81x: Ralph must brutally axe “unbelievable” Saints dud, he’s a liability – opinion