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Links between Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves and Arsenal appear to be ‘agent-led’.

That’s according to Chris Wheatley, a Gunners correspondent for football.london.

The Athletic reported on Sunday that Arsenal were ‘admirers’ of the Portuguese international, and contact was said to have been made between the two clubs.

Wolves are apparently ‘open to a sizeable sale’ as they look to raise funds for the post-Nuno Espirito Santo era at Molineux, but Wheatley suggests that Neves’ representative Jorge Mendes may have been behind the latest story.

Recapping Neves’ stint at Molineux

The 24-year-old was to set to bring up 200 Wolves appearances during the 2021/22 season. Since joining in 2017 for what was a Championship record fee of £15.8m, Neves has played 176 times for the club.

He featured 40 times in all competitions last term, scoring five goals as his side finished 13th in the Premier League, and is valued at £40.5m by Transfermarkt.

Wolves fans respond to latest Ruben Neves development

Fan feed Talking Wolves relayed the Mendes claim, and here’s what supporters made of it, with some directing their at the agent for his apparent meddling in the midfielder’s future and one calling on executive chairman Jeff Shi to intervene.

“Time to get Mendes away from this club. For last 2 years he has been overselling us players and is now stripping the club on the cheap. Ask Valencia, Porto and others how Mendes ruins clubs”

Credit: @Kebab_Efendi

“Jeff it’s time to rein in Mendes and tell him who actually runs the club”

Credit: @PaulBeest

“Thanks Mendes bro”

Credit: @Lem_WWFC

“Mendes and Ruben himself”

Credit: @dmarsden1988

“Uncle Jorge”

Credit: @alexwwfc_

“Neves wants a move to Arsenal, who wants a player who wants out”

Credit: @satsomboon

In other news, many Wolves fans were buzzing after this transfer update concerning two La Liga stars.  

Everton are considering a whole host of new managers to replace Carlo Ancelotti in the Goodison Park hot seat.

The Toffees have looked at coaches with varying experience levels but haven’t settled upon a number one target yet.

What’s the word?

An interview has taken place with Nuno Espirito Santo, while Bill Kenwright favours a move for either David Moyes or Roberto Martinez. Marcel Brands is a big fan of Graham Potter, but a new name has now emerged in the hunt for a new boss in Merseyside.

According to the Daily Mail, Everton are considering a move for former West Ham and Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini.

Moshiri spoke to the Chilean about coming to Everton all the way back in 2016 but they are now targeting the 67-year-old again. Pellegrini has been contacted about the vacancy and is viewed as a genuine option by the club’s hierarchy.

Would he be suited to Everton?

Focus on his spell at West Ham and you’d have to consider this an abject choice for Everton in the manager market. Pellegrini guided the Hammers to a tenth-placed finish in 2018/19 but was then given the boot in December 2019 with the Irons sitting in 17th, one point above the relegation zone.

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Speaking at the time, Jason Cundy said: “I didn’t see Pellegrini as being the manager to move West Ham forward. It was a lazy appointment. I don’t think he could believe his luck that a Premier League club, and a big Premier League club like West Ham, were prepared to give him another opportunity.”

However, after a miraculous sixth-place finished with Real Betis in La Liga last season, it would appear that the veteran has his mojo back. Betis ended the 2019/20 campaign in 15th, so this was quite the turnaround in fortunes.

It’s the type of recovery that Everton require after consecutive mid-table finishes, especially as they eye European football.

Pellegrini copped a lot of flak during his time with West Ham but he’s still a fabulous manager who guided Manchester City to the Premier League title in 2013/14.

In the process, he earned praise from some of the finest players to grace the Etihad Stadium in the last decade. David Silva commented: “He’s brought a joy and a happiness around the place and also to our style of play.”

On Pellegrini’s influence, he added: “Having Manuel here has helped me personally. It’s been really good for me. He’s suited me down to the ground. My style of play is more suited to an attacking style. He’s helped me develop as a player. It’s been a good year for me. I’ve felt good in myself.”

Silva left City as one of their most decorated players, amassing 436 appearances and assisting 141 goals. If Pellegrini is good enough for the creative magician, he’s good enough for Everton.

Yaya Toure was another to wax lyrical about the former Real Madrid boss, saying: “He is a very clever manager who always backs his players. He comes and chats with you and is very open with you. Not just with me but with all the players.

“He gets the best out of the players. He knows how to get the best out of our young players too and he’s the kind of manager we have to have at this club.”

Pellegrini is meticulous and, following the departure of another wise, experienced head in Ancelotti, Everton would be wise to head down a similar route.

He knows the Premier League and has now rediscovered his magic touch back in Spain. He’s certainly an interesting candidate for the Goodison Park hierarchy.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Potter: Everton can form a scary duo by signing “exceptional” £40m beast…

MatériaMais Notícias

Thiago Ribeiro foi emprestado pelo Santos por dois anos. Do Atlético-MG, foi para o Bahia, equipe pela qual foi afastado. A justificativa para a queda de rendimento vem do departamento médico: depressão. Mas em 2017, de volta ao Peixe, o futuro parece ser promissor.

Nesta terça-feira, Thiago Ribeiro voltou a dar entrevista coletiva como jogador do Santos após dois anos. E a depressão foi o assunto mais comentado. Felizmente, ele garante estar recuperado.

-Começou de uma hora para outra, não tenho explicação. Muitos me perguntaram sobre algum problema familiar, mas não teve. Foi subitamente. Foi muito difícil, mas procurei me apegar a Deus, buscando forças nele, sabendo que ele poderia me tirar da situação. Minha fé em Deus e a confiança que esse era o caminho aconteceu como imaginava e sabia que iria acontecer. Hoje, dois anos e três meses quase depois do início de tudo, hoje eu posso dizer tranquilamente que estou completamente recuperado graças a Deus. Por isso que hoje eu falo abertamente. Não me incomoda nem um pouco responder sobre isso. Naquele momento de dificuldade eu ainda não falava sobre isso, porque passava pelo problema. Eu evitava.. é desconfortável. Hoje estou completamente recuperado, agradeço a Deus, às pessoas do Santos também. Hoje estou feliz, motivado e com vontade de entrar em campo para mostrar potencial que mostrei em todos os clubes que passei – explica sobre o começo da doença e a recuperação.

Motivado e com aval da comissão técnica para ser testado, o ex-camisa 11 quer demonstrar que pode ser mais uma alternativa na Libertadores, competição que está acostumado a disputar.

-Libertadores é campeonato especial. Joguei cinco ou seis Libertadores. É um campeonato realmente diferente. Todo clube quer jogar. É o campeonato que o torcedor mais demonstra apreensão e desejo de vencer. Eu por duas vezes bati na trave. Perdi em 2009 e pelo São Paulo perdi a final de 2006. Em 2010 fui artilheiro. Quero esse gostinho de vencer a Libertadores. E o Santos é tricampeão, está em busca do quarto título. É um time com muita tradição. Espero ter oportunidade de jogar e ajudar, contribuir da melhor maneira possível. Meu maior desejo e sonho neste ano é esse. Conseguir um título como a Libertadores. É o que falta. É um sonho de consumo de todos os clubes. Santos se tornaria o maior campeão brasileiro da Libertadores, isso motiva não só eu, como todos. Acredito que pelo trabalho que a gente vem desenvolvendo, pela capacidade do Dorival, temos tudo para fazer uma grande Libertadores – analisa.

Thiago Ribeiro tem contrato até o fim desta temporada. Desde que chegou na Vila Belmiro, em 2013, foram 78 jogos e 20 gols marcados.

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Leicester City’s transfer plans have suffered a potential blow after it was revealed that Newcastle United are also keen on signing Schalke defender Ozan Kabak.

What’s the story?

The 21-year-old impressed during a six-month loan spell at Liverpool last season, however, the Reds decided not to take up their option to buy the Turkey international for £18 million.

Now though, Kabak is the subject of interest from Premier League sides Leicester and Newcastle, according to German outlet Bild.

Rodgers will be gutted

Brendan Rodgers’ charges have been linked with a move for Kabak for several weeks as the Northern Irish manager looks to strengthen his first-team squad over the summer.

The departure of experienced defenders Wes Morgan and Christian Fuchs means the Midlands outfit need to bolster their backline over the coming months, with a Europa League campaign on the horizon.

After a shaky start to his Liverpool career – ironically against Leicester – Kabak grew in confidence after each game for the Anfield outfit, receiving a very respectable 6.72 WhoScored rating from his nine Premier League outings.

His solid displays earned praise from Jurgen Klopp as the 19-time English champions clawed themselves back into a Champions League qualification spot.

“Ozan came in at 20 from Germany, was a big prospect but wasn’t lucky with the last two teams he played for; one went down (Stuttgart), and the other will probably go down (Schalke). But nobody really doubted his quality,” said Klopp.

However, with the likes of Jonny Evans, Wesley Fofana and Caglar Soyuncu potentially ahead of Kabak at the King Power Stadium, the promise of first-team football may be enough to persuade the £22.5m-rated centre-back to join Newcastle instead of moving to the King Power.

The Magpies recovered from a disastrous run of form in the middle of the campaign to win five of their final nine league games, and Steve Bruce is looking to build on their end-of-season momentum in the transfer market.

News that one of his key transfer targets may be poached by a domestic rival, one who may be a more attractive proposition due to the game time on offer, will surely leave Rodgers feeling gutted as he attempts to build a squad capable of breaking into the top-flight’s top four.

And, in other news…Huge LCFC transfer update emerges on “outstanding” £34.5m ace, Rodgers will be gutted 

أكد أسامة نبيه، المدرب العام لنادي الزمالك، على أن الجهاز الفني الجديد قادر على إعادة بناء فريق الفارس الأبيض، مُشيرًا إلى أن هذه الخطوة تأخرت قليلًا، ولكن سيبذلون جهدًا كبيرًا لإعادة القلعة البيضاء إلى سابق عهدها.

وعقد مجلس إدارة الزمالك مؤتمرا صحفيا اليوم الأحد لتقديم البرتغالي جوسفالدو فيريرا المدير الفني الجديد للفريق الأول لكرة القدم.

وقال نبيه خلال كلمته في المؤتمر الصحفي: “أشكر مجلس الإدارة على ثقته الكبيرة، وسعيد بتواجدي في نادي الزمالك، عندنا هدف وإن شاء الله نستطيع إعادة بناء الفريق من جديد”.

طالع أيضا.. مرتضى منصور يهاجم حازم إمام وفاروق جعفر ويؤكد: فيريرا علم بشأن الزمالك “المهلهل”

وتابع: “الخطوة تأخرت قليلًا، ولكن قادرون على تصحيح المسار، وسنعمل من جديد شيء يليق باسم نادي الزمالك وجماهيره، نحن نعمل من أجل إسعادهم، ومثلما قال المستشار مرتضى منصور اتركونا نعمل”.

ومن جانبه، قال روي أجواش المدرب المساعد لـ فيريرا خلال كلمته: “لي الشرف التواجد في نادي الزمالك، وأعدكم إننا سوف نٌسعدكم في الفترة المُقبلة”.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that Tottenham should take a punt on Brighton manager Graham Potter.

Tottenham’s options to replace Jose Mourinho are narrowing following Julian Nagelsmann’s decision to join Bayern Munich and Erik ten Hag’s contract extension at Ajax.

Meanwhile, Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has also ruled himself out of contention for the vacant Spurs job.

It leaves Daniel Levy and Tottenham needing to look elsewhere, and Hendrie believes Potter could be a viable alternative.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about the north London club’s search for a new manager, the retired Premier League footballer said:

“If they were taking a punt on someone, and this is something where I look at, I think that Graham Potter at Brighton, I think he has been so close to having a great season at Brighton. Obviously, he hasn’t because they haven’t scored enough goals. 

“[But] you take Graham Potter and put him into a side that’s capable of playing football and exciting football, and you’ve got a centre-forward you know that’s going to be there, I think Graham Potter would be a certain candidate for me.”

Potter is one name Tottenham are said to be looking at, so perhaps the club could end up moving for him, especially after missing out on the likes of Nagelsmann and seemingly Ten Hag.

The 45-year-old has won plenty of plaudits since taking over at the Amex, including from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who praised his Brighton counterpart earlier this year for the way he has his side playing.

Former Crystal Palace striker Marcus Bent has exclusively told Football FanCast that he expects Patrick van Aanholt to leave the club this summer.

The Dutchman is one of a host of senior first-team players out of contract at Selhurst Park at the end of the season.

Despite uncertainty surrounding his future, van Aanholt has continued to be Palace’s first-choice left-back, but has been offered a pre-contract agreement with Turkish giants Galatasaray, with talks apparently ongoing.

Reports also believe that there’s Premier League interest in the ex-Chelsea man, who reached 200 top-flight appearances earlier in the campaign.

Van Aanholt has been one of the most attacking full-backs in recent years, and is joint 12th on the all-time list for most Premier League goals by defenders having scored 20 times for both Palace and former side Sunderland.

Bent praised the £55,000-a-week left-back’s contribution to the Palace cause, but told Football FanCast he doesn’t expect him to be there next term:

“I think he’s done well over the last few seasons, but with Palace not challenging for anything, maybe that’s his reason for moving.

“I’m not going to put it down to money because I don’t speak to him, but it looks like he’s running his contract down to move on a free.”

When it’s come to luring new strikers to Wolves, the club haven’t really got things spot on.

Willian Jose is yet to score for the Old Gold this term while Fabio Silva has netted only three times since his club-record move from Porto.

Those players are all in danger of falling into the category of Leo Bonatini, Leonardo Campana and Rafa Mir.

Though, while both Bonatini and Campana are failing to catch the eye during their loan spells, Mir has lit up La Liga in scintillating fashion.

The 23-year-old was signed from Valencia in 2018 and after a woeful set of temporary spells at various clubs in Europe, he was loaned to Huesca this term without little thought.

Mir has never scored in English football and is dubbed one of the worst signings in Nottingham Forest’s history.

He signed for Forest on loan in 2019/20 but didn’t find the net in 11 appearances. A move back to Spain has been influential, however.

The striker is now one of the best strikers in the Spanish top-flight and has even scored against Barcelona. That may have been from the penalty spot but it was tucked away with the confidence of a player in the form of his life.

Mir has scored two hat-tricks this term, against Real Valladolid and Marchamalo while he also bagged against Copa del Rey winners Real Sociedad.

The marksman now has 15 goals in all competitions and has beaten the goalkeeper on six occasions in his last five outings. Evidently, he is very much a different player from the one who has struggled so regularly in England.

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The Wolves loanee has scored more goals in La Liga this term than Joao Felix, Antoine Griezmann and impressive Spanish internationals Mikel Oyarzabal and Iago Aspas.

But what’s changed for Mir? Well, he’s now got a manager that trusts him and the entire Huesca team is built around him.

Speaking to The Athletic earlier this season, Spanish football writer Robbie Dunne only had praise for the forward.

Dunne began: “He’s a little bit like Diego Costa in that he’s aggressive, he likes running the channels, he holds off defenders, he’s athletic and strong. He’s not exactly technically gifted but he has an unorthodox running style that works for him, he can keep the ball, he’s got a powerful strike, he’s quick and he’s good in the air.”

Considering Wolves were reportedly interested in a move for Diego Costa last January, perhaps they were wise to swerve a move. After all, Dunne claims Wolves already have a player like him on their books.

The writer added: “The only weakness is that he’s not very technically capable, so perhaps he doesn’t add a whole lot in the build-up, meaning a game can pass him by. You see him getting frustrated when he’s not on the ball. He’s maybe got an assassin’s mentality. When there are enough crosses coming into the box and down those channels, he can thrive.”

That final line sounds an awful lot like Raul Jimenez. Wolves have lacked an out and out goal scorer this term with the Mexican missing since November while he recovers from a fractured skull.

He is a player who thrives on creative players getting into the channels and then either delivering a cross or pulling the ball back for him. It’s clear that Mir appreciates the same sort of service in Spain.

With both players standing at 6 foot 3, they’d offer a similar presence in attacking areas. Wolves have lacked plenty in forward areas this season so they should consider handing Mir a proper opportunity in 2021/22.

With the right help and service, he could be Nuno Santo’s next Jimenez.

AND in other news, Move over Silva: Wolves must seal swoop for £34.5m gem who makes “spectacular plays”…

MatériaMais Notícias

Aproveitando o dia dos professores, o LANCE! preparou uma galeria com alguns dos principais técnicos da história recente do futebol. Levando em consideração o início dos anos 2000, relembramos quais foram os ‘professores’ mais vitoriosos e respeitados do mundo. Confira!

continua após a publicidade

One of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ first policies since walking through the doors at the Academy of Light has been to improve the depth of young talent at Sunderland.

He has made several key appointments from a coaching and directing perspective, while a number of young players are also joining.

What’s the word?

Sunderland have already tied down Will Harris, Kenton Richardson Sam Wilding and Harry Gardiner following successful trial periods at the club.

However, their efforts haven’t stopped there. In recent weeks, they’ve also taken on Guiseley defender Nathan Newell and Gateshead’s Danny Greenfield. Gateshead appears to be a hotbed of talent for Sunderland to exploit with fresh reports claiming they’re raiding the north-east outfit again.

According to The Chronicle, they are set to bring in striker Nelson Ogbewe on trial for two weeks from the same team.

The 18-year-old scored for Gateshead in a behind closed doors friendly versus Sunderland earlier this week and now they are keen to have another look at him.

Competition for places

With Benji Kimpioka heading out on loan to Torquay, there is a spare gap in Sunderland’s U23 side to exploit.

The Swede has been used sparingly this season, enduring injury and struggling to force his way into the senior side. He did make the bench against Tranmere in the Papa John’s Trophy final but his chances of regular football could suffer further if Sunderland sign Ogbewe.

The teenager has been impressing for Gateshead and his goal against Sunderland says as much.

Though, with pace and the ability to stretch the play, it’s Jack Diamond who he could end up rivalling at the Stadium of Light in years to come.

Diamond picked up two assists as the U23s defeated Burnley on Monday but his performances under Lee Johnson in recent weeks have left plenty to be desired.

He was particularly poor against Accrington when he was dragged off at half time. The youngster completed just three passes and made 18 touches, losing possession on nine occasions.

It was a performance that was rather out of character with Diamond since he’s burst onto the scene. Though, now back in the U23s, it shows that the young forward still has plenty to learn.

The addition of another striker, therefore, could be bad news for a player like him trying to break into the first-team on a more regular basis.

Ogbewe is a striking character, someone who uses his quick feet to get the better of opponents, much in the same way that Diamond does. Similarly, however, they both have work to do to play regular senior football.

Speaking about Ogbewe, former Sunderland defender Ben Clark said: “He has a very good attitude; he is a talented lad, and we will do all we can to help him progress in a way we believe he can.”

Clark added: “He still has a lot to learn, he’s come a long way in a short time, and we shouldn’t forget that.

“Obviously you have to be cautious with any young player, but we are optimistic he can build on the development he has made.”

Unfortunately for Gateshead, it looks as though he may end up developing at Sunderland instead. This is good news for the Mackems, but not necessarily amazing for Diamond and Kimpioka heading into the next few seasons.

Time will tell what impact his trial period has on the young players around the club.

AND in other news, SAFC flop has seen his value rise by £14.4m since leaving, he’s a “powerful” beast…