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Paul Robinson has been deliberating over the prospect of West Ham acquiring reported target James Tarkowski for £15m this summer

The Lowdown: West Ham get busy in transfer market

As the 2021/22 season fast approaches, Irons fans up and down the country will be intrigued to see how West Ham go about improving upon their outstanding sixth-placed finish last term.

Already busy in the transfer market, the east Londoners have completed the signings of Craig Dawson (permanent) and Armstrong Oko-Flex respectively. However, perhaps their most high-profile documented pursuit has been that of Burnley skipper James Tarkowski.

Recent reports have suggested that his current employers may look to cash in on him this summer rather than lose his services for nothing in 2022 when his contract expires [Football Insider].

The Latest: Robinson evaluates pros and cons of Tarkowski situation

In light of these developments, Sky Sports pundit Robinson evaluated the positives and negatives of a potential switch in a recent interview with Football Insider, stating:

“Tarkowski is into the final year of his contract now and Burnley do not want to lose him on a free next season.

“There is one big question that the club need to ask though. Can they get the money they want for him now?

“They need to assess whether it is worth taking £15million or so from a West Ham for him. He could guarantee them Premier League safety next year and if that is to be the case perhaps it is worth keeping him for one more season and losing him on a free.

“The pros and cons need to be weighed up because he brings so much value to that side.”

The Verdict: West Ham are in a favourable position to acquire Tarkowski

This situation may well work in the Hammers’ favour either in the short- or long-term.

Tarkowski was outstanding for Burnley in 2020/21, making 39 appearances for the Clarets and scoring once [Transfermarkt], and Robinson rightly suggests that the Lancashire club will not fancy seeing the 28-year-old leave Turf Moor on a Bosman deal next year.

Mooted to prospectively be available for the quoted £15m fee in this transfer window, West Ham may be able to snap up an England international for a fraction of his true value. On the other hand, the Mancunian is unlikely to agree new terms with Sean Dyche’s club.

Should this come to pass, the Irons may be able to land a defender in the prime of his career in 2022 without paying a single penny. Looking ahead, it may be worth waiting 12 months should the east Londoners have the luxury to do so.

In other news, these West Ham fans react to a transfer update on a La Liga ace.

West Ham United have been handed a huge boost concerning Ben Johnson and Kurt Zouma.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by Football.London, David Moyes revealed that he withdrew Johnson at half-time in the Hammers’ 3-2 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday as the defender was on a booking rather than because of an injury, while the 58-year-old also suggested that Zouma could be ahead of schedule in his recovery from a hamstring tendon injury.

Speaking about Johnson, Moyes said: “I would have liked to have used another sub as I took Ben off because he was booked.”

Regarding Zouma and the club’s efforts to sign a new centre-back in the January transfer window, the West Ham manager added: “A defender is in our priorities but if we get Kurt back that might alter it.”

Fans will be buzzing

Considering how important both Johnson and Zouma have been for West Ham this season, the news that the 21-year-old did not suffer an injury against Palace, in addition to the suggestion that Zouma could be back in first-team action before January is up, will undoubtedly have left the London Stadium faithful buzzing.

Indeed, over his 11 Premier League appearances in the current campaign – the most recent of which have come at left-back as a result of Aaron Cresswell’s injury – the £2.7m-rated Johnson has helped his side keep two clean sheets and scored one goal, as well as making an average of 1.3 interceptions, 2.2 tackles, 2.6 clearances and winning 54% of his duels per game.

These returns have seen the England U21 international average an impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.00, ranking him as Moyes’ fifth-best performer in the top flight of English football.

Meanwhile, over Zouma’s own 11 league outings this term, the £28.8m-rated centre-back has also helped the Irons keep two clean sheets and has scored one goal, as well as making an average of 1.2 interceptions, 0.6 tackles, 5.2 clearances and winning 60% of his duels per match.

These returns have seen the £120k-per-week defender average a SofaScore match rating of 6.91, ranking him as the Hammers’ joint ninth-best player in the division.

As such, it is clear to see that both players are incredibly important to both Moyes and West Ham, meaning that the 58-year-old’s latest update is sure to have left fans of the club buzzing.

In other news: Big transfer twist emerges on “invaluable” 22 y/o that’ll leave West Ham fans outraged

Rangers are plotting a key deal to ensure Alex Lowry’s future under Giovanni van Bronckhorst at Ibrox beyond 2023.

What’s the talk?

According to Football Insider, a Gers source has revealed that the club have made the talented youngster a new contract offer worth £5k-per-week.

The report claims that he is set to meet with van Bronckhorst and club officials to discuss a deal this week, with Rangers hoping to pin him down to fresh terms until 2025.

His current contract expires in the summer of 2023 and the Light Blues are keen to avoid losing him for nothing at the end of next season. He is said to be attracting interest from unnamed clubs from England, and the Gers are hoping to ward off those advances with a new deal for the midfielder.

Van Bronckhorst will be elated

This update will surely leave Van Bronckhorst elated, as Rangers are pressing ahead with their attempts to keep Lowry at Ibrox. They are not waiting until bids have already come in for him to start trying to retain his services, which means that they are being proactive in their approach.

The Dutch head coach will be desperate to keep hold of the teenager heading into the 2022/23 campaign and beyond, as he is a talented young player with high potential.

At the age of 18, Lowry has already been exposed to first-team football at Ibrox. He made his Premiership debut earlier this season and scored his first senior goal for the club against Stirling Albion in the Scottish Cup, which shows that he has the talent to make an impact outside of the youth team.

Last month, journalist Josh Bunting lavished him with praise, tweeting: “Alex Lowry is just a fabulous footballer, on this pitch the way he’s dribbling on it indicates he has so much quality, so good on the ball and has a wonderful sense of balance, really good at driving at the opposition defence he creates plenty of problems with his movement.”

This shows that the 18-year-old has been catching the eye throughout the campaign. He still has the majority of his career ahead of him to continue developing and Rangers cannot afford to lose him at the end of his current contract as they would not be able to benefit from his full potential.

Therefore, Van Bronckhorst will be elated with the efforts to keep Lowry at Ibrox and will be hoping that the Scotland youth international is willing to commit his future to the club.

AND in other news, Insider drops worrying behind-the-scenes Ibrox claim, it’s very bad news for Rangers…

Everton could secure their next Mikel Arteta after the Toffees linked with a move to bring Real Madrid midfielder Isco to Goodison Park ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

What’s the story?

Spanish outlet Defensa Central reported a few months ago that Rafa Benitez was keen for a reunion with the 29-year-old at Goodison Park after managing him at Madrid between 2015 and 2016.

However, Super Deporte have now provided an update on Isco’s situation, claiming that fellow Premier League side Newcastle United and Serie A giants Juventus have joined the race for his signature.

With Los Blancos keen to offload some fringe players ahead of Kylian Mbappe’s expected arrival, and Isco far down Carlo Ancelotti’s pecking order, an imminent exit appears to be on the cards.

Benitez needs him

It’s been many years since Everton had a diminutive, technically gifted, attack-minded Spanish maestro pulling the strings in the middle of the park, with Mikel Arteta the last to do so.

The now Arsenal boss departed the Blues back in 2011, though, and they’ve missed the guile and imagination of a player in his mould ever since.

In Isco, director of football Marcel Brands could finally replace the attributes that Arteta brought to the engine room throughout his six-year stay, providing Benitez with the creativity he needs for a successful season in the process.

The Spain international has played a pivotal part in Madrid’s success over the last few years, scoring 52 goals and providing 56 assists in 342 appearances for the club. Arteta, meanwhile, provided exactly 35 goals and 35 assists in 209 outings for the Merseyside outfit.

Isco’s impressive exploits helped the capital club claim four Champions League crowns, two La Liga titles and one Copa del Rey during his time in Madrid, earning praise from several impressed onlookers, including former international teammate Andres Iniesta.

“He is a fantastic player, with an incredible talent,” Iniesta told reporters back in 2017. “For many years, he has been doing things very well, and he is playing for one of the best teams in the world.

“He is an important player not just in the national team but in his club. He is young and has many years to grow and improve.”

However, injuries and drop-off in form have resulted in Isco being reduced to a bit-part role in recent years, and he’s only been awarded two starts in all competitions during 2021/22, failing to complete a full 90 minutes on either occasion.

With James Rodriguez’s departure leaving a sizeable gap in Benitez’s forward line at Everton, the £13.5m-rated Isco could be the ideal candidate to plug it, adding the extra firepower that the Spanish tactician so evidently needs.

And, in other news…Forget Gbamin: Benitez must unleash £80k-p/w EFC beast, he made a “huge difference” 

Leeds United have been touted with a move for Chelsea outcast Ross Barkley this summer…

What’s the story?

90min have suggested that Jesse Marsch’s side, along with fellow Premier League outfits Everton and Newcastle are possible landing spots for the former England man in the upcoming transfer window.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-marsch-raphinha-dest-philhay” title=”Read the latest Leeds news!”]

His contract at Stamford Bridge comes to an end in the summer of 2023, and it’s been claimed that a cut-price sale is a “dead-cert”.

Marsch heading for a mistake

The £100k-a-week ace was on loan at Villa Park last year, and endured a rather nightmare spell in the Midlands, managing just three goals and the solitary assist in the Premier League.

It was no surprise then that he came in for some harsh criticism from those who watched him week-in and week-out, with The Athletic’s Villa correspondent, Gregg Evans, saying: “He doesn’t do enough for me now. I’ve seen enough of Ross Barkley now to realise that he’s becoming a bit of a liability for Villa. He’s not helping out enough as he should, really.”

This campaign has seen him completely fall out of the reckoning back at Chelsea, having initially seemed like he was at least a rotational part of Thomas Tuchel’s side.

But after playing 25 minutes against former club Everton back in mid-December, Barkley has not taken to the field at all for the Blues, and it’s been a real indication of how he’s slipped down the pecking order that there have been occasions when he hasn’t even made the match-day squad for them.

At 28, Barkley simply hasn’t shown enough in recent seasons to indicate that he would be someone Marsch can really count on in the hustle and bustle of the Premier League, and his troublesome injury record certainly doesn’t make him more of an appealing signing either.

It’s a move that seems like a real mistake on the part of Marsch, and one that won’t have the Elland Road faithful delighted at all.

AND in other news – Leeds could finally axe shocking £50k-p/w liability with “extraordinary” 6 ft 2 star

Leeds presenter Joe Wainman believes that Dan James was always destined to sign for the club, even suggesting he is like a son to Marcelo Bielsa.

The Lowdown: Leeds finally capture James

Leeds signing of £16.2m-valued James (Transfermarkt) had been two years in the making. The Whites had been close to capturing the Wales international in 2019, but the move from Swansea City fell apart on deadline day.

He of course moved to Manchester United before finally switching to Elland Road in the summer for a fee of £25m (BBC).

The Latest: Wainman makes James claim

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Wainman believes James was always going to end up with the Whites. He said:

“I just felt that it was always going to be Leeds United’s deal because they were so big on him. Victor Orta very big on him. Of course, Bielsa, he’s like Bielsa’s son, I think. It was always going to happen.”

The Verdict: Finally

It is hard to understate just how close James was close to moving to Yorkshire – he was even pictured holding up a Leeds shirt before the transfer fell apart (inews). Two years later, the Whites finally have their man, and he has already made five appearances in all competitions for the club (Transfermarkt).

How much of an impact he has remains to be seen – he is yet to score or provide an assist as of yet – but if Bielsa was that desperate to capture him, he clearly has a certain ability. After all, the Argentinian is a hero in Leeds and, so far, the vast majority of his decisions have paid off.

In other news, Noel Whelan is delighted with these club plans.

Celtic have had a remarkably positive and an incredibly busy last few weeks.

The Hoops have signed two players in the transfer market and have recorded three consecutive victories, ensuring Ange Postecoglou’s pathway to regular continental football grows closer.

What’s the word?

The Bhoys continue to be active in the transfer window and are closing in on the signing of a right-back according to various sources.

Celtic are hoping to convince Manchester City’s Yan Couto to sign on loan with the Brazilian even being invited to watch them play at Parkhead.

However, at the top of the pile appears to be Legia Warsaw’s Josip Juranovic.

Croatian journalist Izak Ante Sucic was one of the first to report the news but a fresh update emerged on Friday suggesting a move was completely off the table due to Celtic’s finances.

Though, Sucic rebuffed those claims with the following six-word update: “Everything seems to be just fine.”

Exciting news

If Celtic do end up concluding a deal for Juranovic, it can only be good news for the club who will surely elate their supporters with this acquisition.

Although Couto has been compared to Dani Alves and is a fine prospect at the age of 19, the Bhoys need a more seasoned and proven player to become their mainstay at right-back.

Furthermore, it would be a permanent move as opposed to the temporary swoop mooted for Couto.

Signing Juranovic may mean Celtic have to spend a bit more but he’d certainly be worth it. After all, he looks perfect for Postecoglou.

Anthony Ralston has been fantastic in the early weeks of the season, scoring twice from full-back, but in terms of overall quality, the Croat would be a massive upgrade.

He completes a whopping 40% of his crosses and gives away very few fouls. In fact, he committed the fewest fouls of anyone in the entire Polish top-flight last season at only 0.21 per 90 minutes.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-transfer-news-larsson-lovric-thomas-henry-diego-costa-postecoglou” title=”Read the latest Celtic transfer news!”]

Furthermore, Juranovic is a physical presence too. Despite standing at just 5 foot 8 he wins 67.6% of his ground duels.

A full international, there are plenty of positives of bringing him to Parkhead this summer. Celtic must ensure they pay Legia’s asking price.

AND in other news, Celtic open talks to sign 6ft1 gem who’s “one of the very best”, he could be Kyogo 2.0…

Manchester United’s new manager Ralf Rangnick is tempted to move for RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara in the upcoming January transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to SPORTbible (who cite The Mirror), the 63-year-old tactician could sanction a deal for the box-to-box dynamo after previously signing him from Red Bull Salzburg for Leipzig back in January 2019.

Haidara’s current contract with the Bundesliga giants is believed to contain a £33m release clause, meaning a move to Old Trafford over the coming months could be relatively straightforward.

Man Utd can get rocking again

Securing the Mali international’s services during the winter window could get United rocking again, rescuing their stuttering season in the process.

The highly-rated 23-year-old has become a crucial cog in Leipzig’s setup over the last two years, scoring ten goals and providing six assists in 100 appearances for Jesse Marsch’s charges.

However, it’s the holding midfielder’s defensive work that really catches the eye.

As per FBref.com, Haidara has averaged 0.96 tackles won per 90 this term, 6.56 successful pressures and 2.26 blocks, outperforming Scott McTominay in each metric.

After bringing the midfield gem to the Red Bull Arena from sister club Salzburg, Rangnick made no effort to hide his pleasure at Haidara’s arrival, lauding the engine room operator’s quality.

“We’re delighted to have signed Amadou,” he told the club’s official website upon his unveiling (as relayed by Bundesliga.com).

“We’ve been following his progress in Salzburg, as he’s developed into an absolutely exceptional player there. There aren’t many players his age with so much potential. He has all the requirements to follow in Naby Keita’s footsteps.”

With Rangnick’s famous gegenpressing style requiring a set of players with a very specific set of physical and mental attributes, the temptation to bring in a player already familiar with what is required is obvious for the German coach.

United’s lack of a natural defensive midfielder has long been discussed amongst pundits, fans and journalists alike, and Haidara could be the ideal solution.

It remains to be seen whether United’s new boss will be backed with significant sums in order to improve his first-team squad over January, but if he is, then the versatile gem may well be top of his wishlist.

And, in other news…Rangnick can become instant hit at Man Utd by signing “complete” £45m-rated “machine” 

The previous summer transfer window saw a number of players leave Liverpool, including Harry Wilson, Xherdan Shaqiri and Marko Grujic among others.

One other man who departed Anfield over the summer after making 237 appearances for the Reds across all competitions was Georginio Wijnaldum, who joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.

Looking ahead to the January and summer transfer windows, it seems as though the Merseyside club could be in the running to sign a potential replacement for the 31-year-old.

What’s the news?

It has recently been reported by International Business Times that Liverpool are interested in making a move to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, with the Catalan club apparently willing to cash in on the Dutchman to raise funds.

Since joining the La Liga giants in the 2019 summer transfer window in a deal worth a reported fee of £65m, De Jong has made 106 appearances for the Blaugrana across all competitions, scoring nine goals and providing 14 assists in the process, prior to their league match against Espanyol this weekend.

His nine appearances in La Liga so far this season have seen the 24-year-old, who is currently valued at £81m by Transfermarkt, prove himself a useful midfield option in a creative and defensive regard. He has racked up a passing accuracy percentage of 92%, with an average of 1.2 key passes and two tackles per game according to SofaScore.

De Jong, who has been called an “extraordinary” player in the past by current Barcelona manager Xavi, has also shown how impressive he can be on the international stage. He completed 78 out of his 80 passes in Netherlands’ recent 2-0 win over Norway, as well as winning eight of his 11 duels. He duly earned an overall match rating of 7.5/10 from SofaScore, which was higher than the rating given to Wijnaldum (7.1/10).

In terms of a potential move to Liverpool, if Barcelona are willing to let De Jong leave the club, then FSG should be all over it trying to bring him to Anfield and add him to Jurgen Klopp’s squad as Wijnaldum’s long-term heir given his talent and relatively young age.

In other news: “Incredible” Liverpool ace with 2.2 shots PG has been Klopp’s unsung hero this season

A number of Liverpool supporters have bemoaned Fabrizio Romano’s update on the Reds’ hopes of signing Italy star Federico Chiesa.

Jurgen Klopp is hopefully eyeing up another attacking signing this summer, in order to make his squad even more formidable.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino will all be vying for regular starts next season, but an additional top-class option wouldn’t go amiss, with the former two set to be absent for AFCON 2022 in January.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

One player who Liverpool have been linked with is Chiesa, who enjoyed an outstanding Euro 2020 campaign with Italy, winning the competition and scoring twice.

According to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, however, the Reds will not be signing the on-loan Juventus winger.

He is deemed ‘untouchable’ at the Serie A club and there ‘no chance’ of Liverpool bringing him to the club this summer.

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Liverpool fans react to disappointing Chiesa update

These Reds fans took to Twitter to provide their thoughts on the update, reacting negatively to it.

“No one asked”

Credit: @sxlang_

“Fabrizio is becoming the Italian James Pearce at this rate”

Credit: @LFCJadenV2

“Pain and suffering”

Credit: @LFC_fam

“What a bummer”

Credit @kevspionkop

“This is just depressing now”

Credit: @f1kopite

“Yeah we know that we are broke man”

Credit: @svkShailendra

“Ahh Fabrizio breaking my heart at 4am”

Credit: @stufz123

In other news, some Liverpool fans are delighted with an update regarding one Reds player. Read more here.