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According to Florian Plettenberg, chief reporter for Sport1, Newcastle United want to sign Hoffenheim forward Joelinton in this summer’s transfer window.

The 22-year-old has scored 10 times for Hoffenheim this season, six of which have arrived in 21 Bundesliga appearances.

According to the report, Newcastle are in talks to land the Brazilian forward in an incredible £52m deal.

However, it would be fair to say that the Premier League club’s fans are not that confident that the transfer will go through at the end of the season.

Indeed, one particular fan account poked fun at the transfer rumour, listing a number of things that were more likely to happen.

There is rarely smoke without a little bit of fire, but it is difficult to imagine Newcastle spending that sort of money this summer when considering the ownership situation at the club.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Newcastle fans can be seen below:

Manchester United are the targets of a £4.2bn takeover bid by a Saudi Prince The Sun have reported and, if the move goes through, it would mean a lot more than just a cash injection.

United fans have been protesting against their owners’ influence since the Glazers’ takeover in 2005, but it’s only been since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure that their presence has affected on-pitch performance. That turning point was the promotion of Ed Woodward from the business side of the club to the football side.

When David Gill retired at the time Ferguson did in 2013, the Glazers repaid a favour to Woodward, one of their most loyal businessmen. He helped the Glazers take control of arguably the biggest football club in the world, and the maths and share statistics involved in the move are complicated, and that’s why Woodward was so appreciated for the job he did.

The issue now is that Woodward is involved in a world he’s not used to – one not related to stocks and share prices, but the everyday running of Manchester United. He’s had some successes in the transfer market such as the acquisition of Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but these have been more successful commercially than on the field.

His outright refusal of Jose Mourinho’s defensive wishlist in the summer reeked of arrogance on the businessman’s part because it made it look like he thought he knew what United needed more than one of the world’s most successful managers. Indeed, he seems to know if United need a new toilet roll partner but doesn’t have a clue about how United can become successful again on the pitch.

Despite his clear failings since taking the position, it seems the Glazers will never sack him from his position because of the favour they have towards him. When personal appreciation is put before the needs of the club, there is clearly an issue, and the only way to solve it would be for the owners to leave the club.

If Saudi prince Mohammad Bin Salman was to take over at the club, Woodward would be out of the door and a director of football implemented immediately. There’s already talk of the role being created in the summer, but if Woodward remains at Old Trafford, he’s certain to be sticking his nose in the new man’s business.

A takeover wouldn’t just mean cash injections from a filthy rich prince, but it would mean a hierarchical refresh that has been required since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Do you think a takeover would alter United’s fortunes?

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Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Ryan Mason has urged the capital club to make a move to re-sign Gareth Bale in this summer’s transfer window.

Bale’s future has been the subject of much speculation following his struggles at Real Madrid during the 2018-19 campaign.

The 29-year-old has registered 13 goals in all competitions, but has been booed by the Real Madrid fans on a number of occasions this term.

Jonathan Barnett, who represents Bale, recently came to the Welshman’s defence, but it has been a struggle for him this season.

Mason has called on his former club to make a move for the attacker this summer and the Tottenham fans have been on social media offering their reaction.

Whilst it is a nice idea, many of the Spurs supporters feel that their club will be unable to afford the 6ft 1in ace due to his huge wages.

Others, though, are just against the move for their own reasons.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

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Sheffield United forward David McGoldrick has said that he is desperate to help the Blades secure promotion to the Premier League for the 2019-2020 campaign.

McGoldrick arrived at Bramall Lane last summer after his contract with Ipswich Town had expired.

The 31-year-old has conceded that he became ‘a bit too comfortable at Ipswich’ due to the fact that the Tractor Boys were not pushing for promotion.

Now with Sheffield United, McGoldrick has scored an impressive 12 times in 37 appearances during the 2018-19 campaign.

And the six-time Republic of Ireland international has revealed how desperate he is to help Chris Wilder’s side secure promotion from the Championship this season.

East Anglian Daily Times quotes McGoldrick as saying:

“I believe I had lost my way a bit. I don’t think you realise it until you’re in that sort of situation. I maybe got a bit too comfortable at Ipswich, although I loved my time there.

“But we were mid-table every week and there was no big expectations to go out there and win every game, like there is at Sheffield United at the moment.

“I never wanted to stop playing football. I wanted to be back doing it every day and scoring goals. I want to get promoted with Sheffield United and keep going.”

Sheffield United have won each of their last three in the Championship, including a 1-0 victory over fellow automatic promotion challengers Leeds United last time out.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

The Blades are currently second in the table, four points off leaders Norwich City.

[ad_pod ]Liverpool fans have slated Mohamed Salah after another anonymous performance in the Merseyside derby against Everton.The 62-cap Egypt international struggled to impact the game in the final third and, per WhoScored, had just two shots on goal throughout the 90 minutes.Both of those efforts were well saved by England international Jordan Pickford as the Toffees held onto a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park.

The result means that Liverpool are now second to Manchester City in the Premier League title race, having played the same amount of games.

Salah’s latest dismal performance is his second in a week after he also endured a poor display against Manchester United.

Liverpool have failed to win both games, and are now relying on a City slip up if they are to win their first title in a generation.

And fans have savaged Salah on Twitter, insisting that he needs to start delivering if Jurgen Klopp’s side are to make up the gap to Pep Guardiola’s champions.

أكد الفرنسي أوليفيه جيرو، مُهاجم فريق تشيلسي، أنه ليس لديه أي خلافات مع مواطنه ومُهاجم ريال مدريد، كريم بنزيما، مُشيرًا إلى أنّ الخلافات التي ظهرت بينهما مؤخرًا افتعلت من وسائل الإعلام.

بنزيما انتقد من قبل وجود جيرو في المنتخب الفرنسي واستبعاده، ورفض المقارنة بينه وبين مهاجم آرسنال السابق، قائلًا: “لا يُمكن مُقارنة سيارة الفورمولا 1 بـ الكارتنيج!” (طالع تصريحاته).

لكن جيرو أصر أنه ليس لديه أي مشاكل مع نجم ليون السابق، كما اعتبر استبعاده من فرنسا عارًا.

كريم بنزيما يغيب عن الاستدعاء للمنتخب الفرنسي منذ أكتوبر 2015 بعد واقعة ابتزازه لزميله في الديوك ماثيو فالبولينا بفيديو إباحي للأخير.

وقال جيرو في تصريحات نقلتها شبكة “جول” العالمية في نسختها الإنجليزية: “بكل تأكيد غياب بنزيما عار، لأن كريم لا يزال لاعبًا مُثيرًا للإعجاب”.

وأضاف: “لم أختلف معه أبدًا، لطالما كان لديّ تفاهم جيد معه، والكثير من الاحترام المُتبادل.. على الأقل مني تجاهه”.

وواصل: “كل ما حدث عار، وجزء من الفوضى، لكن علينا الآن المُضي قدمًا، الإنجليز يحسدوننا كثيرًا على هذا الجيل الشاب لـ فرنسا”.

وتابع: “لقد تعرضت لانتقادات غير عادلة بسبب كريم بنزيما، ذلك كان يؤلمني كثيرًا، ولكنني أثبت أنني أستحق مكانًا وهذا التنافس مع كريم خلقه البعض”.

وأتم تصريحاته قائلًا: “ليس لي علاقة أبدًا بالمُقارنات بيننا، الأمر فقط لكوننا نلعب في نفس المركز، والجميع يتحدثون كثيرًا، لكنني تعاملت بشكل جيد مع هذه الصعوبات”.

Its been far from the most perfect season for Everton but Marco Silva is a talented manager who has what it takes to improve things at Goodison Park. Surely, after all the effort it took to bring him to Merseyside, you’ve got to give him a chance? 

As suggested by the recent big wins they have enjoyed (before THAT Newcastle game), the Toffees are still in the hunt for European football, albeit it’s now a slim possibility.

The team have been far too inconsistent to convince fans they will finish in 7th place but with an incredible run from now until the end of the season, you never know…

Defensively, the Toffees have been found out on one too many occasions and that, along with lack of goals at times, have been their main issues.

While Kurt Zouma is one player who has been very good for Everton, he is only at the club on a loan deal, which suggests the club might have to replace him at the end of the season.

Obviously, that’s unless they can agree a permanent deal for him (which Silva told the Echo they want), Everton should look at loaning another Chelsea defender Ethan Ampadu instead. The Welshman, (who is valued at £9 million on Transfermarkt) is dubbed as one of the best youngsters coming through the ranks right now and Everton would surely be privileged to be a part of his development.

A permanent move away from Chelsea is something that wouldn’t be agreed on right now but Ethan Ampadu could find a Premier League loan spell to be very beneficial.

The 18-year-old has made five appearances for the first team this season, with three being starts. Despite his immense potential, it seems that the game-time he needs to get better won’t be allowed at Chelsea, hence the need for a loan move away.

Should Everton look to loan Ethan Ampadu? If not, why not? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

Liverpool’s title hunt looks like going right down to the wire as both the Reds and rivals Manchester City won in midweek.

With Spurs falling away, it is now more than likely nothing more than a two horse race in the hunt for the Premier League’s biggest prize.

Both Liverpool and City have been outstanding with their form in the main, and both will be worthy winners come May when a new champion is crowned.

For Liverpool though, a title will meanmore than many other trophies they can compete for, and they’ll be hoping to continue their success for years to come if they do indeed wrap up that first Premier League title.

However, to ensure they do remain at the top of their game, we here in the Tavern feel it’s imperative they keep adding to the squad, and one man we feel would be a superb addition is AC Milan defender Alession Romagnoli.

The Italian centre half has become one of the most consistent defensive performers in Europe, and at just 24, arguably has his best years ahead of him.

Valued at some £50m by Transfermarkt, the classy central defender would be the perfect partner for the ever impressive Virgil Van Dijk as the Reds look to secure a successful future built from the back.

Romagnoli is a class act too. A player who is excellent on the ball as well as being dominant in the air and the tackle when needed, he really could be what a team like Liverpool could do with.

While Van Dijk is world class centre back in his own right, adding someone like Romagnoli can only further strengthen Liverpool’s future trophy hopes.

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West Brom fans are absolutely raging at Saturday’s shock announcement, as the club has parted ways with head coach Darren Moore.

The Baggies have sacked Moore, along with assistants Graeme Jones and Wayne Jacobs, a club statement confirmed on Saturday evening.

The statement cites losing ground on promotion rivals as the main reason for the decision, with the club now nine points behind Leeds United in second after grabbing just one point from their last three games.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

First, a 1-0 home defeat to Sheffield United launched the Blades well clear of the Hawthorns outfit, before a 4-0 hammering at Elland Road courtesy of Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds left them toiling well behind the three top contenders for automatic promotion.

Things didn’t go their way on Saturday either, as last-placed Ipswich rocked up to the Hawthorns and grabbed a 1-1 draw thanks to John Nolan’s second half strike.

However, you only have to look at Swansea City and Stoke City’s predicaments (they are 15th and 16th respectively) to see how well Moore has done steadying the ship after relegation.

Very rarely do teams comfortably bounce back up immediately after relegation, and it is usually the ones who chop and change managers that suffer the worst.

The Baggies are still fourth and the league’s second leading scorers, and the Twitter reactions down below are absolutely baffled…

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Watford progressed to the FA Cup semi-finals last weekend at the expense of Crystal Palace, who left Vicarage Road with their wings clipped. The Eagles were far from poor and did their best without the crucial Wilfried Zaha, although individuals error once again cost them, as they did against Brighton a week earlier.

Most of Roy Hodgson’s men could return to South London feeling that they’d done their part, but Cheikhou Kouyate’s numbers make truly horrific reading.

On the chalkboard

Having signed from West Ham for just £9.6m in the summer – the only addition made by the Eagles that came at a cost – the big number 8 was seen as quite the bargain buy but, like the free additions who came through the door with him, he has struggled for game-time at Selhurst Park.

The clash with the Hornets presented the midfielder with a chance to prove that he should start more games, with Zaha and Patrick van Aanholt’s absences forcing Hodgson into some big changes, but he wasted it.

Cheikh this out

The 55-cap international, playing alongside Luka Milivojevic at the base of midfield, was surely expected to bring some added steel in the middle of the park and prevent the driving runs of Abdoulaye Doucoure, although he completed 0 tackles and 0 interceptions in 90 minutes – poor.

If he cannot aid his team in defence for one game, you’d at least expect that maybe he was a little more attack-focused against Watford, although 0 shots and 0 key passes prove otherwise. It would seem that his only contributions, aside from some solid, all-round passing, were the 2 fouls.

Is the FA Cup distracting Crystal Palace fans from their EPL issues? Pla>yamker FC’s Sam thinks so in the video below…

Palace will need the powerful 29-year-old to be at his best when they host Huddersfield at the end of the month – if he even starts, that is – as the Terriers will surely look to stop the Eagles playing their football and instead turn the tie into a war of attrition.