All posts by z3u9t.icu

Gabriel Agbonlahor has offered his thoughts on why Glen Kamara signed a new contract at Rangers…

What’s the talk?

Former Premier League striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has suggested that Glen Kamara’s new contract at Rangers could include a release clause.

The ex-Villa man has claimed that the agreement could be for him to see out the rest of the season at Ibrox before a club comes in and activates his release clause to take him away from the club.

He told Football Insider:

“Maybe he’s signed a long-term contract but in that there is a release clause.

“He’s helped out Rangers and there may be a release clause for a certain amount of money that helps the club rather than losing him on a free transfer.

“It suits both parties. Maybe he gets a bigger wage until the end of the season and at the end of the season, the club get a bigger fee. It works out for both the player and the club.”

Worry

These comments from Agbonlahor could worry Rangers fans they are accurate. Having a release clause in a player’s contract, unless it is a ridiculously high figure, can cause concern because it could be activated at any time.

Without a clause, the club has all the power to reject offers and keep hold of a player, regardless of what they want to do.

With a release clause, however, there is the chance that they could go at any point.

Gerrard would be concerned by this as it means that he could be losing a top player next summer, if Ross Wilson has agreed a release clause with the Finland international.

Neil McCann, his former manager at Dundee United, once hailed him as being ‘lightning quick’. He said of Kamara: “He isn’t a big, physical lad but he’s made of iron and really strong. I knew immediately that he could handle the ball under pressure and not give it away, so he was perfect.

McCann added: “He’s a special talent. He’s lightning-quick but he doesn’t show it. He’s a player who takes instruction well.”

This gives an insight into the level of quality Kamara possesses, which was in full view last season. In the 2020/21 campaign, Kamara averaged an excellent SofaScore rating of 6.99 across 33 appearances in the Premiership as Rangers won the title.

He has made himself a key member of Gerrard’s team and that is why Rangers fans will be worried if these concerning comments from Abgonlahor turn out to be correct.

And in other news, Wilson must secure Rangers January deal for “natural goalscorer”, fans would love it…

A number of Liverpool supporters have reacted to David Ornstein’s claim that Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino may not sign new Reds deals.

The attacking pair have become legendary modern-day figures at Anfield, winning both the Champions League and Premier League during their time at the club.

Along with Mohamed Salah, fellow superstars Mane and Firmino have forged one of the greatest attacking units in Liverpool’s history, wreaking havoc with their brilliance.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375258″]

While plenty of focus is currently on Salah’s Reds future, it is easy to forget that his teammates’ current deals also expire in the summer of 2023, with time now running out on their contracts.

Speaking on Sky Sports News [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], Ornstein said there was no guarantee that Mane and Firmino would extend their respective stays at the club:

“I’m not sure Firmino is going to be renewed, I’m not sure Mane is going to be renewed.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-17/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

Liverpool fans fume at Mane and Firmino claim

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to react negatively to the news.

“The day Firmino leaves I’ll cut all ties”

Credit: @mxskiii

“What a well run club, having to replace two midfielders and 2 attackers (maybe 3) in one season”

Credit: @Virgilxnte_

“Oh my”

Credit: @Trxvis2002

“Embarrassing! @LFC gotta do better”

Credit: @SILondonO

“The FSG model is working well”

Credit: @thiagothursday

“This is worrying cos we know we are sell to buy, if they don’t renew they go for free? Who we going to get then?”

Credit: @CousinCAH

In other news, some Liverpool fans have called for the Reds to sign an England international. Find out who it is here.

A number of Liverpool supporters are delighted after Jurgen Klopp confirmed Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are in contention to face Norwich City.

The Reds get their new Premier League season started on Saturday evening, with a trip to Carrow Road awaiting.

There is lots of excitement in the air ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, especially considering how forgettable last season was as a spectacle.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

Like everyone else, the Reds had to suffer through empty stadiums and questionable VAR decisions, but on top of that Van Dijk and Gomez missed the vast majority of the season with serious knee injuries.

Fortunately, the Reds pair have worked their way back to fitness, playing a part in pre-season and looking good in the limited minutes they have had.

Klopp has now confirmed that Van Dijk and Gomez are available for selection at Norwich this weekend – it will be interesting to see either start the game.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-copy-4/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Liverpool fans love Klopp’s update

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to reveal their delight at the update.

“Omg!!! What a time to be alive x”

Credit: @lfcleahx

“Oooo yes”

Credit: @markoconnor47

“Omg”

Credit: @origixLFC

“Yerrrsssss the lads!!”

Credit: @LilLoubieLou

“Phwoaaaaar”

Credit: @BMLW98

“Yessssss”

Credit: @CharWebster7

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting to an injury blow regarding one player. Find out who it is here.

Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze posted footage of his recovery on Instagram on deadline day.

And, as to be expected, a number of Palace fans have been reacting to the update on social media.

The Eagles made one late addition to Patrick Vieira’s squad with the acquisition of striker Odsonne Edouard from Celtic.

You’d expect the French forward will be linking up with Eze when the latter returns from a serious Achilles injury, with stories back in May suggesting it could keep him out until 2022.

Reports two weeks ago suggested that the 23-year-old was way ahead of schedule in regards to his comeback, and he posted on his Instagram story on Tuesday evening running on an anti-gravity treadmill.

Palace fans react

@cpfc_xtra shared Eze’s Instagram story on their Twitter page on Tuesday evening. This is what these Eagles supporters had to say in reply, with many excited and one labelling the footage as ‘beautiful’.

“Unreal”

Credit: @devo1995cpfc

“He’s back soon, tears in my eyes”

Credit: @JacobMozz

“What a beautiful sight”

Credit: @JSB93x

“That is a sign I wanna see”

Credit: @DJDECOR_

“Eze’s recovery looks like it’s going well! Keep going Eze!”

Credit: @alex_westry

“This video improved my day 1000%”

Credit: @Theeaglesbr

In other news: ‘See you in January’, ‘We won’t forget’ – Many CPFC fans react to late transfer twist.

Taking to Twitter, Fichajes reporter Ekrem Konur has made a interesting Tottenham Hotspur transfer claim involving Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.

The Lowdown: Vlahovic chased by Spurs…

Towards the end of the summer transfer window, reports indicated that La Viola’s star forward was very much a wanted man at Spurs.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-developments/” title=”Spurs developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Indeed, talks were apparently held over a move for the Serbian powerhouse and there are claims that a bid was even made to bring him to north London by managing director Fabio Paratici.

Now, Konur has shared some news on Vlahovic in another update involving Tottenham.

The Latest: Konur drops interesting Spurs transfer claim…

Taking to his social media, the Fichajes journalist has made an interesting out-of-window claim with Spurs ‘preparing’ an offer to sign him.

The Turkish reporter says that the Lilywhites and Paratici are currently plotting an eight-figure bid of £30 million for Vlahovic despite some reports indicating he could cost over double that amount (Calciomercato.it).

It appears Spurs are planning to play low ball with the 21-year-old still yet to officially extend his stay with Fiorentina.

The Verdict: Certain rejection…

If Tottenham do submit an opening bid that low, we believe it is almost certain to get rejected considering how well he performed in Italy last year.

Vlahovic bagged 21 goals in Serie A alone over 2020/2021, with Italian football expert Conor Clancy calling him a ‘really exciting player’ when he spoke exclusively to The Transfer Tavern.

£30m is an optimistic first offer to say the very least for one of Europe’s hottest young strikers.

In other news: Spurs now want ‘outstanding’ 29 y/o who Pochettino wanted to make one of his highest earners, find out more here.

Get French Football News’ Adam White has hinted Celtic may baulk at Rennes’ £4.25million price tag for Brandon Soppy.

Highly-rated teenage right-back Soppy broke into Rennes’ first-team last season and made 11 appearances for the French outfit.

According to French media outlet L’Equipe, Soppy has entered the final 12 months of his contract and been the subject of interest from Scottish Premiership giants Celtic.

But the report claims Celtic are not Soppy’s only suitors, with newly-promoted Premier League outfit Watford and Udinese, of Serie A, also keen on the talented youngster.

The 19-year-old has won five caps for France’s under-18 side and, with him liking to get forward to create chances, could give new Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou an exciting full-back alternative.

Having made a disastrous start to the new season by already crashing out of the Champions League and losing their opening Scottish Premiership clash of the campaign at Hearts, Celtic have bounced back by beating Jablonec in the first leg of their Europa League qualifier and hitting Dundee for six.

But French football expert White believes Soppy may not be heading to Parkhead as they look to build on their return to form.

He told The Transfer Tavern: “Soppy would be an interesting signing for Celtic. They made a €1.5million bid last summer and lots of clubs are keen.

“Roma and Spartak Moscow were interested in January and Udinese and Watford want him at the moment.

“Rennes want €5million for him, which is probably quite a high fee for Celtic to spend on a young, unproven player like him.”

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has delivered the latest on Aston Villa’s plans for the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

With Steven Gerrard set to embark on his first transfer window as Villa’s new boss, all eyes will be on how the former Liverpool captain goes about strengthening his squad as they look to enjoy a more successful second half of the season in the Premier League.

According to Preece, there is one position in particular that the Midlands club are particularly keen on reinforcing.

He said: “A box office signing is exactly what Villa want but they want to make it the right one. Background checks happening all of the time. You make a fantastic point re to a Phillips-esque signing and that’s what Villa are after – a dogged ball winner who possesses that technical ability Gerrard likes and wants.

“The midfield department will be added to this month, I feel, with scope on really freshening it up in the summer ahead of what’s a huge 2022/23 season, one I expect NSWE to go at it full hammer.”

Villa fans will be excited

If there’s one area of the pitch that you would say is lacking in this current Villa squad, it’s perhaps the holding midfield role.

While Marvelous Nakamba has certainly risen to the occasion in recent weeks under Gerrard’s short tenure as manager, the Zimbabwe international’s untimely injury means that Villa have been left even more short in the midfield engine room than they already were.

Without Nakamba, Villa don’t have another natural ball-winner, so Preece’s claim that the club are targeting exactly that kind of player in the January transfer window is sure to excite fans.

The Villans already boast a number of quality attacking players in the likes of Ollie Watkins, Emi Buendia and Leon Bailey among others, and adding a midfielder who can patrol in front of the back four and break up opposition attacks could hold the key to unlocking that exciting potential further forward.

Meanwhile, Villa must finally unleash this academy starlet; it’s not Chukwuemeka

According to reports by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, reported West Ham target Jesse Lingard has decided that he will not be leaving Manchester United in January.

However, ExWHUemployee has responded to this news, claiming that the mooted transfer is not dead in the water just yet.

The Lowdown: Lingard decides to remain at Man United

Ornstein wrote that Lingard has chosen to remain at Manchester United and intends to battle his way into interim manager Ralf Ragnick’s plans, therefore likely ruling out a move in the upcoming January transfer window.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-updates/” title=”West Ham latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

This follows The Mirror’s report (via The Independent) which claimed that West Ham are looking to bring in the 29-year-old on a permanent deal in the January transfer window. Lingard has played just 87 minutes of Premier League football this season, having come on as a substitute in each of his eight top-flight appearances.

The attacking midfielder is set to enter the last six months of his contract after talks over a new deal at Old Trafford failed to progress during the summer. However, Lingard looks set to remain at his boyhood club in January, with a move elsewhere proving to be more likely in the summer.

The Latest: ExWHUemployee makes Lingard claim

Despite Ornstein’s announcement, ExWHUemployee claimed on his ‘The West Ham Way’ podcast that both West Ham and Newcastle will still attempt to persuade Lingard to accept a move in the January transfer window.

Taking to Twitter, he said: “It’s a possible option that he was considering. I still think there will be attempts to persuade him otherwise (by us and Newcastle) and hopefully we will succeed but I don’t think he is desperate to go now as options in the summer will be better for him.”

The Verdict: January move unlikely but possible in the summer

It comes as no surprise that the Hammers will continue in their pursuit of the attacking midfielder. The England international enjoyed a fantastic spell on loan at West Ham for the second half of the 2020/21 season, where he scored nine goals and produced five assists in 16 appearances for the club.

Lingard received huge praise after reviving his footballing career, with former Manchester United and Hammers defender Rio Ferdinand describing his stint in London as ‘amazing’.

Despite the Irons’ determination to bring him to the club in January and with Newcastle ramping up their interest, it seems more likely that the 29-year-old will run down his current contract before leaving Manchester in the summer. Where he goes then is the big question.

In other news: ‘I miss this Antonio’ – Lots of West Ham fans react to ‘unreal’ footage shared by the club

With Dean Smith the front runner to become the new Norwich City head coach, there are many questions on how he could develop the talent brewing at Carrow Road.

The Canaries are currently struggling to pick up points in the league, and after their first win away to Brentford, the board pulled the plug on head coach, Daniel Farke, after four seasons. The decision came after a number of poor performances, that has seen some popular players dropped from the team this season, including local talent, Todd Cantwell.

It isn’t completely clear why Cantwell has been dropped to the U23’s as of late, but there have been many rumours surrounding his removal from the first team.

Farke did briefly speak out about Cantwell’s absence after the 7-0 loss to Chelsea.

The German coach said: “The rules are clear for each player. You have to be physically and mentally prepared and show consistency in training and be available. The standards and the levels are the same for every player.”

Meanwhile, the young gem’s former coach Gary Cockaday noticed his ability from a young age, he told The Athletic: “He did things every week that were just special. It was God-given. No one taught it.”

Cantwell reportedly impressed a number of Premier League established clubs in his previous season in the top flight, and has often been the topic of transfer rumours to Arsenal, but nothing materialised, with Norwich not happy to sell for less than £30m.

The 23-year-old midfielder, was previously linked to Villa under Smith after Jack Grealish made his move to Manchester City in the Summer. Speculation suggested that the Villians were poised to make a move for the Norwich star, but after signing his teammate, Emiliano Buendia, for £38M, interest died off.

Dean Smith’s work at Aston Villa with their very own local talent, Grealish, is one of his most famous accomplishments. Guiding the Championship playing teenager into becoming a £100m Premier League player, who is now a household name and starter in the England and Manchester City team.

The £19.8m-rated dynamo displays similar capabilities and positioning attributes to the former Villa coaches prodigy, but has failed to reach his full potential under Farke.

The appointment of Smith at Norwich would surely be of huge advantage to Cantwell, who earns £25k-per-week, with the opportunity to work under a coach who clearly understands how to tap into the potential of a young attacking midfielder needing structure and guidance to elevate their performance and career.

The Canaries are yet to announce their new manager, but are expected to make a decision before the end of the international break.

AND in other news, ex-PL man now the front-runner for Norwich City job…

Tottenham will be without midfielder Oliver Skipp for this evening’s clash with Aston Villa, Alasdair Gold reports.

The Lowdown: Villa looking to bounce back

Steven Gerrard’s side have struggled in recent weeks, losing their last three Premier League games.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/aston-villa-latest-developments/” title=”Aston Villa latest developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

They have dropped into the bottom half of the table as a result, with their most recent defeat coming at the hands of rivals Wolves.

Despite their poor form, Villa know that a win against Antonio Conte’s side will take them back into the top ten, and Spurs have now been handed an injury blow for the clash.

The Latest: Skipp setback

Skipp, who Conte seems to love, has been missing since February, with reports last weekend suggesting he was ‘very close’ to making a return.

However, as relayed by Gold, Conte confirmed that Skipp won’t be ready for the trip to the Midlands due to a setback.

The Verdict: Boost for Gerrard

Of course, seeing a player out with a long-term injury shouldn’t be celebrated, but Gerrard may welcome the news of not having to face Skipp later today.

He was a regular in December and January, with Spurs winning five Premier League games and drawing one. Their unbeaten run came to an end against Chelsea, Skipp’s last game prior to his injury.

Conte will once again have just three central midfield options to choose from, making the latest update on Skipp a blow for Spurs.

In other news: Gerrard tells another Aston Villa star he can leave in shock Bodymoor Heath development.