All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Leeds United appear to be coming to the end of their protracted managerial search, with it looking as if the Elland Road outfit are set to snap up one-time Norwich City boss Daniel Farke over the coming days.

As per The Guardian, the 46-year-old is 'expected' to be named as the club's new permanent head coach and is line to take charge of training when the first-team squad returns on Monday, with the German having been out of work since leaving Borussia Monchengladbach at the end of last season.

Following what was a turbulent campaign in the dugout for the Whites during a frankly miserable 2022/23 campaign – which included the desperate late appointment of Sam Allardyce – the club's support can now look ahead to a brighter future under a man who twice guided the Canaries out of the Championship during his prior stint at Carrow Road.

If Farke is to repeat such heroics in Yorkshire, however, he will need to invest wisely in the summer transfer window in order to bolster the newly-relegated outfit, with strengthening the defence likely to be of particular concern after Leeds shipped 78 goals last term – the worst record in the top flight.

According to a recent report from The Athletic, one man who has seemingly been identified as a possible solution to those woes is Liverpool titan, Nat Phillips, with the 26-year-old valued at around £10m by his current side with two years left to run on his existing deal at Anfield.

The piece stated that Farke had previously been interested in signing the Englishman during his time at Norwich, with there a high chance that the prospective Leeds boss can finally get his man ahead of next season's promotion bid.

Would Nat Phillips be a good signing for Leeds?

There will likely be those who would be concerned at the prospect of signing a player who featured just five times in all competitions last season on Merseyside, although the 6 foot 3 ace has previously shown his class in recent years, having been hailed for his "insane" development by manager Jurgen Klopp.

The one-time Bolton Wanderers youth asset notably came to wider attention after featuring 20 times during the latter stages of the 2020/21 campaign due to an injury crisis that had hampered the Reds, with Klopp notably lauding the late bloomer as something of a "monster" in the air due to his physical prowess.

The towering colossus also starred while on loan at AFC Bournemouth back in 2021/22 as part of the Cherries' successful promotion charge, having kept eight clean sheets in just 17 league outings, while also winning 69% of his aerial duels.

While he may not be "easy on the eye" – as Klopp previously stated – Phillips is certainly a dominant force in the backline, with Farke potentially having the chance to form a destructive defensive partnership involving the Liverpool ace and January arrival, Max Wober.

The latter man was unable to help Leeds stave off the drop last season following his £11m switch from Red Bull Salzburg, although the 25-year-old did catch the eye after averaging 3.3 tackles and interceptions and 4.0 clearances per game from his 16 Premier League outings.

That is a similar record to what Phillips achieved during his stint at the Vitality Stadium – 2.3 tackles and interceptions and 4.1 clearances, as per Sofascore – showcasing that the left-foot, right-foot combination could well prove a stern test for any opposition strike force next season.

As such, snapping up the Bolton-born menace from Anfield could prove to be a first major masterstroke for Farke at Leeds.

It was a disappointing season for Liverpool last year, and part of the reason for that was the lack of goals in the team, something Luis Diaz needs to work on in particular, claims RedMenTV presenter Paul Machin.

Liverpool – What's the latest on Luis Diaz?

Liverpool's £55k-per-week winger had a season to forget last term, more so than a number of his teammates, due to a combination of poor goal-scoring form and serious time on the sideline due to injury.

The Barrancas-born star had a decent start to the campaign, playing in all the team's opening eight fixtures, scoring three goals and assisting another two, but it all came apart at the Emirates.

During the game against Arsenal, Diaz went down in the 42nd minute following a knee injury.

After needing surgery, he would miss the next 21 games, not featuring again until April 17th against Leeds United.

His last nine appearances in the season only returned a single goal. However, it is worth noting he didn't play a full 90 once in those games.

What does Paul Machin think about Luis Diaz's lack of goals?

Machin was quick to stress his and the fans' love of the ex-Porto star for his exciting, attacking style of play but emphasised that he needs to add more goals to his game to kick on from here,

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: "I adore him. I think Liverpool fans absolutely adore him. He's one of the most electrifying players that I've seen at Anfield. 'It's can he score enough goals?' That's a big part, and that's the thing.

"I think stylistically a lot of the bits and pieces that he does are unique to Liverpool's squad, they are quite Mane-esque. He takes men on, he drives past people, he opens up space for others, things that Jota doesn't have, but Diogo Jota scores, lots and lots of goals, and presses brilliantly and wants to be in the 18 yard box. I think that's something that needs to be trained into Diaz."

How good is Luis Diaz?

People might look at his lack of goals over the previous campaign and conclude that he just isn't that good. Those people could, however, be incorrect.

As Machin points out, there is much more to the Colombian than just his goal-scoring. According to WhoScored, in his 11 starts in the league last season, he averaged a respectable match rating of 6.97 and, in his three Champions League appearances, managed a seriously impressive average of 7.23.

The underlying numbers help to show just how good of a player he really is as well.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, the tricky winger is in the top 6% for touches in the opposition box, the top 11% for progressive passes received and aerial duals won, the top 12% for pass completion and successful take-ons, and the top 16% for non-penalty goals, all per 90.

Diaz is clearly extremely talented, and his manager Jurgen Klopp certainly seems to agree, saying:

"He's so football smart, moving in the right areas, naturally defending from his position, goal threat, speed, cheeky. Very, very special player, I have to say."

With an injury-free run in the team next year, Diaz might rediscover his goal-scoring form again.

Newcastle United may consider a move for RB Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai if they cannot land James Maddison, Sky Sports presenter Michael Bridge has claimed.

What's the latest on Newcastle's transfers?

The Magpies look set to complete a major signing in AC Milan's Sandro Tonali, and have been linked with a move for James Maddison.

It was previously reported that their budget may be limited this summer as a result of financial fair play restrictions, and this may mean that their move for Tonali prices them out of a deal for the England international.

However, an alternative target to Maddison has been mooted in Szoboszlai, and he could be an option if Newcastle are able to strike a deal whilst keeping in line with FFP.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Bridge revealed that the Hungarian is an option for Newcastle this summer, and that they have been admirers of the midfielder for some time.

"They are looking for a more creative player, Newcastle United as well but Newcastle United, they've got a value for James Madison as have Tottenham Hotspur," he stated.

"If they do walk away, if they decide not to pursue James Maddison, I understand Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig is one of interest, a creative midfielder, 22 years of age. He's one they've liked for some time."

Should Newcastle sign Szoboszlai?

The main question about Newcastle's recruitment this summer lies around FFP, but if they are able to complete another deal for a midfielder, perhaps made possible through sales, then Szoboszlai could be one to target.

The 22-year-old has been excellent for RB Leipzig, scoring ten and assisting 13 times across all competitions, and he ranks highly for both creativity as well as defensive contributions as per FBref.

If the Hungary international does arrive alongside Tonali, then it may mean that one of Newcastle's current crop of midfielders is sacrificed.

The expectation is that the new-look midfield is built around Bruno Guimaraes and Tonali, and this would mean that Joe Willock, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff's places in the team come under jeopardy.

Newcastle will need depth as they return to the Champions League after a long absence, and contending with European and domestic fixtures could require heavy rotation, so extra competition and quality in central areas will certainly be welcomed by Eddie Howe.

The Magpies will aim to build upon their impressive top-four finish, and if they are able to bring in quality recruitments this summer, they could compete for major trophies going forward.

Nottingham Forest target Roman Saiss could add some much-needed leadership to the club's defence as they prepare for their second season back in the Premier League.

The latest Nottingham Forest transfer news – Roman Saiss identified

After a wild transfer window last summer, it seems the Midlands outfit aren't afraid to splash the cash again, with the club linked to a number of different players already.

With several key figures leaving the club, such as Keylor Navas, who will return to PSG following his loan spell, and Jack Colback, who hasn't been offered a new contract,

Steve Cooper's side have plenty of recruitment to do to replace the outgoing talent.

One name the side have been linked with is free agent Aaron Martin who could be a strong successor for Renan Lodi who has returned to Atletico Madrid.

The Spaniard isn't the only defender the club is interested in, though, with Forest identifying former Wolverhampton Wanderers man Saiss as a strong addition to their backline, according to reports in Turkey.

What would Roman Saiss bring to Nottingham Forest?

If Forest were to land Saiss, the club would secure a strong leader who would be vital in the side's bid to avoid relegation this season.

The defender has been hailed as "Maldini from Morocco" by his former manager Bruno Lage due to his incredible leadership at the heart of a team's defence, and it's an attribute Cooper's side would benefit tremendously from.

That ability to come up with the goods when his team needed it the most would be crucial for Forest if they're to stay up this year.

Not only would his Maldini-like leadership benefit Forest, but the former Wolverhampton Wanderers titan's defensive ability would be a huge upgrade on the defenders currently at the club.

In a back line that struggled to stay fit, only Joe Worrall played as often as Saiss, who stands at 6 foot 3 in stature, last season.

It's been said that availability is the best ability, so adding the 33-year-old "leader" – as also lauded by Lage -, who has played at least 25 league games for four straight years, could bring a level of stability to a defence that was repeatedly chopping and changing last year, struggling to gain any level of consistency.

Furthermore, only Serge Aurier played as often as Saiss did last season, and had a better average WhoScored rating, with the £5.8m-rated Besiktas defender's rating of 6.83 dwarfing the rest of Forest's defenders.

Defence was a big issue for Cooper's team last season, but adding a leader like Saiss who has consistently stayed injury free in recent years could be a huge boost to the side and go a long way to helping their bid to avoid relegation next year.

Liverpool have enquired about a deal to bring Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams back to the Premier League, according to reports.

Is Tyler Adams leaving Leeds?

The United States international only arrived at Elland Road from RB Leipzig last summer and made a total of 26 appearances during his debut season, but despite still having four years remaining on his contract, his future is already up in the air.

The Whites talisman was not only his side’s overall top-performing player with a WhoScored match rating of 6.73 which is bound to attract interest, but with Sam Allardyce’s former outfit suffering relegation, they will likely be forced to cash in on some of their prized assets during the transfer window.

Newcastle, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest have already been credited with an interest in the 24-year-old, but if the following update is to be believed, FSG and Jurgen Klopp are ready to enter the running to bring Adams to Anfield.

Are Liverpool signing Adams?

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool have been “checking on his availability” and could be about to “join the race” ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. Adams has already “told” Leeds that he wants to stage a return to the top-flight and is “aware” of the admiration he’s receiving. The Athletic have additionally stated that the Yorkshire club “want” a fee of £40m in order to sanction the midfielder’s sale.

Should FSG splash the cash on Adams?

Liverpool will be aware that with Adams being a defensive midfielder, he isn’t strong in the offensive aspect of his game, having failed to score or assist any goals in his opening season at Leeds, but he is extremely effective in his natural role.

The YMU Group client ranks in the 99th percentile for tackles and the 97th percentile for blocks vs other midfielders in the top five European leagues, via FBRef, and his constant desire to get stuck in and amazing work rate has seen him dubbed the “heart and lungs” of a squad by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

The World Cup participant would also add wonderful versatility to Klopp’s squad having operated in seven different positions since the start of his career, including four in the midfield and even everywhere across the backline, which is a great attribute for the manager to have at his disposal should any unexpected injuries occur, therefore making this a no-brainer of a deal to wrap up over the summer if FSG can whittle the price down a bit.

Chelsea are interested in signing Celta Vigo midfielder, Gabri Veiga, according to the latest reports.

What's the latest Chelsea transfer news?

As the Mauricio Pochettino era gets underway this summer, the Blues are set to have a very busy transfer window.

Several key figures are set to leave the club, with Mason Mount potentially on his way to Premier League rivals, Manchester United and Kai Havertz rumoured to be on his way out of Stamford Bridge as well, while the club have also been linked to a number of exciting young prospects.

Having been linked to Sporting CP midfielder Manuel Ugarte, the two-time Champions League winners have missed out on the Uruguayan, having been outbid by French champions, Paris Saint-Germain.

Chelsea's priority is still to revamp the midfield, though, with the club also recently linked to Brighton star, Moises Caicedo and now, The Guardian reports that they have also joined the race for the Celta star, who has a release clause of €40m (£34m).

Will Veiga join Chelsea?

The Blues are far from the only side interested in the 21-year-old, though, with a number of Premier League sides already reportedly targeting him.

The Spaniard has enjoyed a breakthrough season in LaLiga this year, and both Liverpool and Newcastle have taken notice of him. It was recently revealed that Jurgen Klopp's side were the front-runners in the race to sign Veiga, but things might change now that Pochettino's side has entered the race.

Despite dominating on the ball this season, averaging the fourth-highest possession in the Premier League, Chelsea had one of their worst campaigns in recent years, and their inability to find the back of the net is largely to blame for that.

In fact, with just 38 goals scored this season, the Blues were actually outscored by all but four teams in the league, including Leeds United and Leicester City who were both relegated to the Championship.

Adding Veiga, who journalist Euan McTear lauded as a "dangerous" talent, to their midfield would go a long way to help solve their goal-scoring issues, though, with the Spaniard emerging as an exciting, prolific gem for Celta Vigo, with 11 goals and four assists in the Spanish top-flight this year.

In fact, the 21-year-old was the highest-scoring midfielder in the division.

Speaking to Estadio Deportivo, Celta chairman Carlos Mourino has revealed his reluctance to sell Veiga, admitting the club wouldn't negotiate any possible moves for the player, saying:

"We have always said from the beginning that no one has to negotiate with us because we are not going to sell it."

Due to a release clause in his contract, any move for the 21-year-old will cost the Blues around £34m, but having spent almost £600m since last summer, Chelsea have already shown their willingness to splash the cash, and adding Veiga to their midfield would get Pochettino's Stamford Bridge reign off to a very promising start.

Liverpool are ready to rival Barcelona for the signing of highly-rated Fenerbahce youngster Arda Guler this summer, according to a new transfer claim.

Who is Fenerbahce star Arda Guler?

The Reds are looking to enjoy a hugely productive summer transfer window, with a lack of signings in recent years arguably holding them back. They endured a very disappointing 2022/23 season, finishing fifth in the Premier League and falling way below previous standards, and it showed why three or four significant additions are required before the beginning of next season.

Midfield is clearly the area that is being focused on most heavily, with Alexis Mac Allister already arriving from Brighton and more additions expected.

That's where Guler comes into play, with the 18-year-old already linked with a move to Liverpool in the past. He has caught the eye for Fenerbahce this season, registering seven goal contributions (four goals and three assists) in the Turkish Super Lig.

Guler is an attack-minded central midfielder with the ability to play as a number ten or in the false nine role, and has been likened to a young Mesut Ozil due to his silky feet and eye for a pass.

Are Liverpool signing Guler?

According to Aksam [via Sport Witness], both Liverpool and Barca "want" to secure the services of Guler during the summer window, and the pair have "stepped in" and "accelerated attempts" to make it happen.

The report states that he has also played on the right wing this season, suggesting he could be a good backup for Mohamed Salah, although he is more known for his exploits in the middle. Fenerbahce are keen to keep hold of him for another year, with his current deal expiring in the summer of 2025.

Guler could be a really eye-catching signing by Liverpool – Andrea Pirlo has said there is "no limit to his potential" – not necessarily coming straight in as a key man, given his age, but proving to be a strong squad option and someone with a massive future in the game.

As mentioned, his versatility is a positive attribute, with Jurgen Klopp potentially liking the idea of using him in various positions, and he should only develop by training and playing alongside elite footballers at Anfield.

If Guler was to come in as an attacking option, it is still essential that two former central midfielders arrive at Liverpool this summer, with Khephren Thuram and Manu Kone two ideal additions, as the pair continue to be linked with moves to Merseyside.

Signing those three players alongside Mac Allister, with a left-sided centre-back also potentially coming in, would represent a top-class window for the Reds, strengthening their squad greatly in the process.

Everton are ready to look at the summer transfer window, as Sean Dyche aims to improve his squad following securing their Premier League survival.

The Toffees confirmed their top-division stay on the final day with a win over Bournemouth, while the celebrations were fuelled by relief, the club must look towards improvement during the break in issues both on and off the field.

Most recently, the Blues have been linked to a Bundesliga starlet, who could be on the move to Goodison.

What’s the latest on Tom Krauss to Everton?

As reported by Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, RB Leipzig midfielder Tom Krauss has gained interest from Everton following a successful loan spell at Schalke.

The 21-year-old also has interest from fellow German clubs Mainz and Borussia Monchengladbach, with the Toffees included as one party who could sign the youngster.

The report speculates that the defensive midfielder is expected to cost in the region of €5m-€7m (£4m-£6m) making him an affordable asset for the Blues.

What could Tom Krauss bring to Everton?

Hailed by U23 talent scout Antonio Mango as “outstanding”, the German has spent the season on loan at Schalke, which despite ending in relegation, allowed him to showcase his abilities in deep midfield.

The 21-year-old averaged a Sofascore match rating of 6.80, cementing himself as one of the club’s top ten performers this campaign.

With Everton’s reported interest comes an exciting prospect for the Blues, as there is a player with great potential in the Leipzig-born ace.

Dyche may opt to plan for the future this summer, with Everton almost replicating the disappointment of the season before, a reshuffle is expected to be made at Goodison.

Krauss could be a strong heir to Idrissa Gueye, who despite being commanding in midfield, is closer to the end of his career than his best at 33-years-old.

The two bear many similarities to their games, as reinforced through their statistics in attributes essential for a player in deep midfield.

As per FBref, Gueye averages 1.96 interceptions, 1.75 blocks and 1.19 clearances per 90 over the past year, with the German hitting similar levels with 1.29 interceptions, 1.40 blocks and 1.25 clearances per 90 in the Bundesliga.

What stands out for the 21-year-old is his rate of tackles, ranking him in the top 1% of players in his position in Europe’s top five leagues, averaging a mammoth 4.01 per 90, with Gueye scoring 3.39 in this area.

Lauded as being capable of doing “almost everything” by members of the media, the young midfielder has earned his praise, and equally mass interest from both clubs within his home country and of course the Premier League.

Dyche could ease the transition in midfield when Gueye nears the end of his career at Goodison with the energy of the young maestro, and being available at such a low cost is a bonus in what could be a truly exciting link this summer.

Liverpool look to have finally entered a transitional phase following an action-packed campaign that now has them placed as rank outsiders to qualify for the Champions League heading into the final day.

Jurgen Klopp has commented on why their hopes of securing a place in Europe's elite competition for next campaign have all but faded, as cited by The Liverpool Echo, stating: “I think the whole season is a season where we qualify for the Europa League and not for Champions League." He then added: “We were too long not good enough or ourselves. I think we made it pretty exciting. I didn’t think that was possible seven weeks ago. The boys did really well in that period."

Truthfully, Liverpool did come closer than a lot of people would've expected in their hunt to sneak into the top-four, though will now be looking ahead to the summer as change engulfs the horizon at Anfield.

Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all confirmed to be leaving the club once their contracts expire in the off-season. Nevertheless, Red TV pundit Paul Machin has a belief that the Reds could turn to their academy to provide squad depth in another positional area come 2023/24.

Who could emerge next season and become a regular first-teamer at Anfield?

Speaking to Football FanCast, Machin believes that youngster Ben Doak, who has been hailed as "unplayable", could come into the fold next season and help to supplement their squad depth in the wide areas.

Machin told FFC: "We're looking at who can be Mohamed Salah's understudy and I think I think one of Doak or Gordon will be that potentially this season."

In the case of Doak, there is definitely potential for the former Celtic youngster to have a path to first-team opportunities at Anfield and he has even been praised by Liverpool and Celtic icon Kenny Dalglish as his stock continues to rise.

As per Football Scotland, Dalglish said: "He certainly looks the part. He will get there eventually but let's not push him too quickly. The wee man has done brilliant at Liverpool. "He's got good vision, he can go past players and he's not selfish. He's always looking for team-mates. It's asking a lot at 17 to go in there with a Premier League team on a regular basis, but, when he's been in there, he's done all right."

In total, he has made five senior appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, though combined with his exploits at underage levels, Doak has registered 11 goals and eight assists in 32 outings across 2022/23, as per Transfermarkt.

WhoScored shows that Doak completed three dribbles in just 16 minutes on the pitch for the Reds in their triumph against Derby County in the EFL Cup last December, demonstrating his capacity to regularly beat his opposition marker and advance into dangerous territory.

Klopp was quick to talk up his performance on what was his senior debut that night, as per Glasgow Live, stating: “That’s Ben. His instructions were easy: do what you do all the time. He’s really a lively boy, a smart player, good dribbler, fast, can use both legs."

Of course, he is hardly going to be earmarked as a first-choice to replace £350,000 per week earner Mohamed Salah for example, who has bagged 30 goals and 15 assists this campaign, though Scotland Under-21 international Doak could most certainly be used more frequently at senior level.

Starlet Gordon could also be another one to watch going into 2023/24, with the 18-year-old having notched 15 goals and seven assists combined across all competitions he has featured in, as per Transfermarkt.

For now, Doak is probably slightly closer to a first-team breakthrough and has already experienced a taste of a big occasion. In February 2022, at just 16, the Dalry-born speedster appeared for Celtic in the final stages of a vital 3-0 Glasgow Derby victory over Rangers.

Doak looks to have a bright future ahead on Merseyside and there is every chance he could be accelerated into a more prominent role at Liverpool as they gear up for next season.

Aston Villa will hold talks over the potential permanent signing of Philippe Coutinho at the end of the season, according to Fabrizio Romano. 

The lowdown

During the January transfer window, the Midlanders signed the 29-year-old from Barcelona on a half-season loan. They have the option to purchase the Brazilian for a fee of £33m, according to The Athletic’s Gregg Evans.

However, the player’s wages could present an issue, with Coutinho thought to be earning a whopping £480,000 per week under his Barcelona contract. That’s exactly four times the amount that Villa’s highest-paid player Danny Ings is thought to be taking home each week.

The 29-year-old will therefore have to agree to a considerable pay cut if he wishes to join the Midlands club in the long-term.

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

The latest

Romano took to Twitter on Monday morning to share a quote from Villa manager Steven Gerrard, who upon being asked about the Brazilian’s future at the club, said: “We want Philippe Coutinho here for sure”.

The journalist added that Coutinho’s ‘transfer will be discussed at the end of the season with Barcelona and his agent’.

The verdict

The case against signing Coutinho permanently has actually grown stronger in recent weeks. He made a strong start following his move to Villa, notching seven goal contributions in his first eight matches.

However, he hasn’t scored or set up a goal in his seven appearances since, and against Burnley at the weekend, he failed to make the starting line-up for the first time since his impactful Villa debut as a substitute against Manchester United in January.

It remains to be seen whether Gerrard made that decision with one eye on Tuesday’s clash against Liverpool, but Coutinho’s future isn’t looking as clear-cut as it might have midway through March.

Even a 50% pay cut would put the Brazilian very much out on his own and distort the wage structure, so Villa have to think carefully before they commit to signing him outright.

In other news, this Villa man incurred the fury of some fans against Burnley