All posts by z3u9t.icu

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Wolves striker Steve Bull thinks his old side could look at Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui in their bid to replace Nuno Espirito Santo.

Nuno shocked supporters when it was announced on Wolves’ website last week that the 47-year-old will be leaving the club after four successful years at Molineux.

It, of course, leaves the Midlands outfit needing a new manager, and various reports have suggested that ex-Benfica boss Bruno Lage is one of the frontrunners to succeed his compatriot.

Bull, however, would not be surprised to see his old club turn to someone like Lopetegui, who has been getting mentioned by supporters on Twitter.

Asked by TT whether he could see chairman Jeff Shi and Jorge Mendes headhunting the 54-year-old Sevilla manager for the position, the Wolves legend said:

“I think so, I think so. There’ll be names bandied left, right and centre. If [Jose] Mourinho was free, you would have dropped him in the hat as well. But, you know, it’s just a lottery at the moment.

“I’m like all the other Wolves fans, waiting with bated breath to see what’s happened or what’s going to happen in the future.”

Lopetegui came close to joining Wolves back in 2016, something he previously confirmed to the MailOnline.

The Spaniard has managed his country, Real Madrid and, of course, Sevilla, where he won the Europa League in 2020, so he would be quite some appointment for Wolves.

Rangers, and by extension their sporting director Ross Wilson, are preparing to make a six-figure bid for Aberdeen starlet Lancelot Pollard, according to The Scottish Daily Express.

The lowdown

Pollard, a 15-year-old attacker, has worked his way up through the youth ranks with the Dons, even featuring for their under-18 side.

Having won the club’s Young Talent of Month award in October, he’s regarded as one of the leading talents in their academy.

Rangers are planning for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s first summer transfer window at the helm after he took over from Steven Gerrard in the autumn.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/rangers-news-3/” title=”Rangers news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The latest

Reliable reporter Scott Burns, a long-serving journalist for The Scottish Express, says that Rangers are ready to submit a six-figure offer for Pollard to win the race for his signature.

They know that there’s ‘big interest’ in the player and therefore feel pressure to get the deal over the line.

Liverpool are actively pursuing Pollard, while Manchester United have been monitoring him too.

The verdict

The fact that six-figure fees are on the table for a player so young speaks to his potential, as does the interest of three heavyweights.

Pollard is seemingly levels above the other players in his age bracket, hence Aberdeen’s decision to fast-track him.

If Liverpool were to match Rangers’ offer, then it could come down to which club can offer the player the clearest long-term path to first-team football.

While he’s unlikely to be in the senior picture for a good while yet, it’s definitely a name worth remembering.

In other news, Frank McAvennie reacts to transfer developments involving Rangers and a PL club.

Daniel Pinder, the editor-in-chief of Get German Football News, has exclusively told Football FanCast that he believes there are similarities between Tottenham manager target Julian Nagelsmann and Mauricio Pochettino’s coaching styles.

Nagelsmann is now the bookies’ favourite to become the next Tottenham manager following the recent sacking of Jose Mourinho, who was relieved of his duties at Spurs on Monday morning.

Like Pochettino, Nagelsmann started his managerial career at a young age, leading Hoffenheim into the Champions League in his first full season in management before becoming the Leipzig manager back in 2019.

And the German has continued his excellent work with Leipzig, reaching last season’s Champions League semi-finals, plus securing consecutive third-place finishes in the Bundesliga, with the possibility of going one better this campaign.

Pochettino produced similar work at Tottenham, making them top four regulars, whilst memorable reaching the Champions League in his last full season in north London.

And when speaking to Football FanCast, Pinder has drawn comparisons between the two:

“I haven’t seen much of Pochettino at PSG, but during that Champions League run at Spurs, they played extremely well and I think given their form during the league at the time, his sacking was a surprise.

“There are similarities between him [Nagelsmann] and Pochettino – they like to press high up the pitch, like to play quick, fast, football get the ball up front and play like that.”

Following on from their impressive 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League last Monday, Wolves are in FA Cup action this afternoon with a clash against Championship side Sheffield United at Molineux. 

With Wolves having the likes of Jonny Otto, Pedro Neto, Yerson Mosquera and Hwang Hee-chan out injured and Romain Saiss away on international duty getting ready to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations, Bruno Lage will have to make do without several members of his senior squad.

On the other hand, with Wolves recently recalling Dion Sanderson and Ryan Giles from their respective loan deals in the Championship and securing a deal for Japanese midfielder Hayao Kawabe, these players could feature prominently today.

Taking all this into account, here’s how we feel Wolves could line up for their FA Cup clash against the Blades. We anticipate as many as seven changes from the side which started in the win at Old Trafford.

In goal, even though Jose Sa has kept eight clean sheets in his 19 Premier League appearances this season, we think Lage will take him out of the team on this occasion and give John Ruddy the chance to play.

In a back three, we can see the familiar duo of Conor Coady and Max Kilman starting, but with the recently-recalled Sanderson coming in for the absent Saiss to see if he can impress the manager and convince him that he deserves to be in the squad on a regular basis.

For the wing-back positions, on the right we think Lage will drop Nelson Semedo and give Ki-Jana Hoever a runout, with Rayan Ait-Nouri coming back in on the left after being on the bench against the Red Devils.

In the two central midfield positions, it’s entirely possible that Lage gives Monday’s match-winning hero Joao Moutinho a rest to save him for their next league outing against Southampton, with Leander Dendoncker coming in to take his place next to Ruben Neves.

With the front three, we can see Lage bringing in Adama Traore and Fabio Silva for Francisco Trincao and Raul Jimenez, who is currently earning £100k-per-week according to Salary Sport but is without a goal in his last six games, in order to freshen up the attack next to Daniel Podence.

In other news: Journalist drops 19-word Wolves update which will surely have a lot of fans fuming

Goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga has left Tottenham Hotspur for Fulham, following the expiration of his contract in North London [Daily Mail].

The Lowdown: Tottenham Hotspur move into new era under Espirito Santo

Facing a re-structuring job more extensive than any other for some time in North London, Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo will hold acquiring top talent alongside shifting spare squad parts in equal esteem.

Wasting no time in moving fringe players on, Juan Foyth and Danny Rose have become two early casualties of the new Tottenham era [Transfermarkt].

Now, another man who has finalised his departure is 29-year-old Gazzaniga.

The Latest: Gazzaniga completes Fulham switch

Undergoing a medical on Saturday, the Argentinian has now finalised a move to Craven Cottage after four years at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium [Daily Mail].

His contract expired at his former club earlier this summer, whilst he has now put pen to paper on a two-year contract with London rivals Fulham [Athletic].

Predominantly a backup stopper during his time at Spurs, his replacement looks to have already arrived in the form of loanee Pierluigi Gollini [BBC].

The Verdict: Right time for player and club to part ways

In terms of a cost-cutting measure, letting 6ft 5in giant Gazzaniga leave for pastures new makes sense for Tottenham Hotspur.

Throughout his stint at his former employers, he made 37 appearances keeping a commendable ten clean sheets [Transfermarkt].

However, he fell out of favour in 2020/21, making 8 appearances on loan at La Liga outfit Elche in the second half of the campaign, registering two clean sheets [Transfermarkt].

In his short spell in Spain, the Argentina international demonstrated his instinctual awareness between the sticks, recording a save percentage ratio of 61.9% [FBRef].

Once labelled as ‘fantastic’ by former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino [Eurosport]., it is probably the right time for club and player to part ways as they both look to embark on thier own new paths.

In other news, Tottenham Hotspur fans react to a potential departure.

In an exclusive interview with Transfer Tavern, Rob Lee, who made 18 appearances for West Ham, admits he doesn’t think Issa Diop is worth the £60 million West Ham were quoting for him last season, despite having a good campaign.

The Hammers put a £60 million price tag on Diop’s head last summer to put off reported interest from Arsenal, which worked as the Frenchman stayed at the London Stadium.

In January, David Moyes was happy to let the £67,000 per week defender leave on loan but they never managed to reach an agreement with any clubs, and it remains to be seen whether the 24-year old is in the manager’s long term plans.

Speaking on why Diop is not worth £60 million and how he can’t expect to leave easily this summer, Lee told FFC:

“He’s had a good season but would I pay £60 million for him? No. I don’t think he pulled up any trees last year and he has done very well this year but he’s been in a good team.

“He has done well, but why because he has had one good season should he be looking to leave a club that stood by him when he wasn’t great last year?”

The Hammers have lost a bit of their momentum since Declan Rice’s injury having recently lost back-to-back games against Newcastle United and Chelsea.

West Ham have already signed a defender for next season as the club made Craig Dawson’s loan deal a permanent one for just £2 million from Watford.

Goalkeeper Rui Patricio is edging closer to leaving Wolves to join AS Roma, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The lowdown

Wolves signed Patricio back in 2018 after he terminated his contract with Sporting Lisbon (via BBC Sport).

He penned a four-year deal at the time, so is now entering the final 12 months of the agreement.

The 33-year-old has made 127 appearances for Wolves in all competitions, keeping 37 clean sheets.

He started all but one Premier League match last season and shut-out the opposition on 10 occasions.

Patricio is valued at £9million by Transfermarkt and could link up with compatriot Jose Mourinho at the Stadio Olimpico.

He’s currently representing Portugal at the European Championships, which may delay the completion of any move.

The latest

Romano tweeted that talks between the two clubs are ‘progressing’, with Roma pushing to ‘complete the deal’.

Wolves are ‘set to sign’ £6.75million-rated Jose Sa from Olympiacos as a replacement if indeed Patricio does seal his exit.

“AS Roma are progressing in talks to sign Rui Patricio from Wolves. Personal terms agreed, negotiations going on between clubs to complete the deal,” Romano revealed.

“Wolverhampton are set to sign Jose Sa as replacement if Rui Patricio will be sold, confirmed.”

The verdict

Patricio looked an excellent signing at the time, particularly for a club who had only just been promoted.

And so it has proved. He played an important role in securing back-to-back seventh-place finishes for the club and rarely fumbled.

It feels like the Wolves team who achieved that hugely impressive feat is being disassembled. Matt Doherty left last summer, Nuno Espirito Santo has gone and Ruben Neves could well join Patricio in leaving.

Bruno Lage may well struggle to hit the heady heights of his predecessor if the club are not savvy in securing adequate replacements.

In other news, serious questions are being asked of Wolves’ ownership. 

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…

Aston Villa may move for Burnley winger Dwight McNeil this summer, according to The Athletic’s Gregg Evans.

The Lowdown: Previous links

This isn’t the first time McNeil has been linked with a move to the Midlands.

Back in May, Football Insider suggested that Villa were lining up a £15m offer for the player who Sean Dyche described as ‘very adaptable’.

Rumours of a move have since gone quiet, with Villa signing Emiliano Buendia from Norwich City in a deal worth £34.56m.

McNeil’s name has once again popped up in discussion when it comes to Villa’s transfer business.

The Latest: Evans claim

Evans shared a transfer update on Friday. Within his story, he claimed that a number 10 is still a priority for Villa.

A move for Tammy Abraham is not on the cards at this moment in time, with Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe a priority target.

Evans then added that if a move for Smith Rowe fails to materialise, McNeil may be looked at as an alternative. The 21-year-old has already been discussed as a player of interest and is valued at £19.8m by Transfermarkt.

The Verdict: Grealish central?

Should Villa end up signing McNeil over Smith Rowe, that could mean Jack Grealish would have to move in from the left to a more central role.

Manchester City are preparing a bid for Grealish, however, Villa are determined to keep hold of their club captain.

If they do succeed and stand firm, Grealish could take up the number 10 position, with McNeil an out and out left-winger, and Buendia on the right.

Villa aren’t done with their summer business by any stretch of the imagination, and it’s good to see that Smith Rowe alternatives are being lined up.

In other news: ‘Absolute madness’, ‘Leave us alone’ – Many AVFC fans erupt at ‘garbage’ transfer news, find out more here. 

Southampton’s reported hopes of signing Gary Cahill this summer are over after the 35-year-old completed his move to Bournemouth earlier this week.

What’s the word?

The veteran defender had emerged as a potential target for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side in recent weeks following the exit of Jannik Vestergaard, and the former England international could have been a stellar addition at St Mary’s.

The centre-back was available on a free transfer and would’ve provided a wealth of experience for Southampton’s side both on and off the pitch, which is arguably something they lack following player exits so far this summer.

The Saints conceded the second-most goals in the Premier League last season and this campaign did not get off to the best start for Hasenhuttl’s side either as they collapsed in the second half against Everton at Goodison Park last weekend, which suggests that defensive reinforcements are required.

Although they are reportedly closing in on a deal for Torino’s Lyanco, he is just 24 years old and has no experience in the Premier League, so signing someone like Cahill might well have been a good idea for Southampton this summer.

The 35-year-old, who has earned 61 caps for England, might be approaching the end of his career but he still managed 20 appearances in the top flight with Palace last season and was praised for his influence by his then-manager Roy Hodgson, who said: “First of all, he’s a very, very good defender. His position is very good, he’s exceptionally good in the air, he’s a strong challenger for the ball and a very good blocker of the ball. These are the defensive qualities we don’t talk about every day… They’re the qualities that get you the clean sheets.

“He’s also brought us leadership qualities, he’s been very good leadership-wise. He’s the best type of leader; he’s the quiet leader people don’t see from Row Z in the stand. He’s the leader we see in training week to week.”

Therefore, Cahill could have solved a key issue for Southampton this season – their lack of experience in defence – and Hasenhuttl may well be disappointed that the Saints couldn’t bring him in.

In other news… Semmens heading for Saints transfer disaster with £10m Premier League dud