All posts by z3u9t.icu

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.

The Athletic’s Celtic correspondent Kieran Devlin believes that Hoops youngster Karamoko Dembele may have actually broken a bone in his ankle over the summer.

The Lowdown: Dembele’s Celtic career

Labelled as ‘special’ by former Bhoys manager Neil Lennon, the teenager has struggled to make a major impact at Parkhead since penning professional terms at Parkhead back in 2018.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-18/” title=”Celtic updates!!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Now 18 years of age, the winger has turned out just eight times for the Hoops’ first team and is yet to make a competitive appearance under Ange Postecoglou.

He injured his ankle in the club’s pre-season tour of Wales and underwent surgery back in October following complications. However, Devlin believes that the youngster may have broken a bone in his ankle despite reports suggesting that it was a fracture.

The Latest: Devlin claim

Devlin ran a Q&A on The Athletic prior to Celtic’s meeting with Motherwell on Sunday afternoon.

He was quizzed on Dembele’s situation, replying with an interesting admission:

“He’s also injured, *think* it turned out to be a break in the end but conflicting information on that.”

The Verdict: Summer departure?

Dembele has had his struggles in Glasgow and is out of contract in the summer, so there’s every possibility that he’ll pursue a new challenge next year, should his situation remain the same over the coming months.

You’d expect that he wouldn’t be short of suitors either despite his injury issues, with the likes of Lille, Nantes and Danish side FC Nordsjaelland all linked with the teenager earlier this year.

Hopefully he’ll be back in the New Year and will get a chance under Postecoglou, but getting fit will be his main priority for the time being.

In other news: ‘Game-changer’ – BBC Radio 5 Live man ‘surprised’ as Celtic get closer to biggest signing of the Postecoglou era

Even when Celtic appoint their new manager, they will still have a whole host of problems to address.Whether it’s a crumbling defence or the fact their star men could leave in the summer, it won’t be the easiest of rebuilding jobs.Another priority will be addressing the club’s academy. This term it’s been a particular source of debate for supporters with the Green Brigade growing tired of seeing their best products leave.Cameron Harper looks as though he’ll move back to the United States while Karamoko Dembele is yet to sign a new deal. His current contract expires in the summer and it doesn’t look as though he’ll sign a new one.With that in mind, it will be up to the boss, and indeed John Kennedy before he is dislodged, to bring through a new generation of talent. After all, the current crop are hardly good enough; they’re 15 points off top spot.Kennedy has already started to make progress. Since he walked through the door, young forward Adam Montgomery, never seen in the Celtic senior team before, was handed a long-term deal at Parkhead.He celebrated that accomplishment by being named among the substitutes for the Bhoys 1-0 win over Aberdeen last weekend.The 18-year-old didn’t feature but it looks as though the future is bright for Montgomery, particularly with Kennedy at the helm.The interim manager was Kieran Tierney’s biggest mentor when he was rising through the ranks of the Hoops academy and thus, he could prove highly beneficial for someone like Montgomery.[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/check-out-the-latest-on-celtics-managerial-vacancy” title=”Check out the latest on Celtic’s managerial vacancy!”]With little to play for, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the teenage forward was given an opportunity at earning first-team minutes. He is a crafty attacker and as footage tells us, has a wonderful left foot.Montgomery is always keen to stride forward and inject a sense of energy into the game; something demonstrated by his goal against Inverness nearly a year ago.It was a goal that no doubt will have attracted plenty of onlookers at the top of the Celtic chain. He exchanged passes nicely before bursting forward with sheer pace. The way he turned in the box before burying the opportunity was truly mesmeric.

Moments of quality like that are incredibly rare but with Harper potentially leaving, there is a spot for the youngster to contest for in the senior side.

The former hasn’t been a regular at the first-team level but his departure will well and truly be Montgomery’s gain, especially after penning new terms until 2025.

Possessing the ability to drift past opponents with ease, his energy could give him the edge over players like Patryk Klimala heading into next season. After all, the Pole cut a frustrated and lazy figure versus Aberdeen.

He needs to watch out that Montgomery doesn’t take his place. After earning a new deal, he has earned the right to be unleashed for good by Kennedy.

AND in other news, Desmond could sway Ajer’s Celtic future by hiring 47 y/o who’d be a “very good fit”…

Glasgow Rangers could be denied the chance to go the whole Premiership season unbeaten amidst suggestions the campaign could be brought to a premature end.

Rangers season could end early

The Gers’ status as champions was confirmed on Sunday after Celtic could only manage a 0-0 draw with Dundee United. In the aftermath, thousands of the Ibrox outfit’s supporters took to the streets of Glasgow, disregarding lockdown regulations in the process (Sky News).

The Gers are set to face their fierce city rivals Celtic on March 21, and there are fears that similar scenes could unfold. As such, Ian Maxwell and Neil Doncaster, of the SFA and SPFL respectively, have been ordered to talk to the Scottish government, and a premature end to the campaign has not been ruled out (Daily Record).

Disappointing

What should have been a wonderful weekend for the 55-time Scottish champions has had the shine taken off it ever so slightly. Given we are in a global pandemic, it is worrying to see so many people on the streets, even if it is to celebrate an important achievement for the Gers. Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon brandished the public scenes of celebration as “disgraceful”.

However, it is wrong to suggest that this will now become a huge issue for the rest of the season. Yes, the Old Firm derby is a huge occasion in Scottish football, but the Premiership has already been won at this point by Steven Gerrard’s side. Even if they were to prevail in that match, what would be the point of the supporters taking to the streets?  Hopefully, the worst is now over.

In other news, many Rangers fans laud key Ibrox figure.

Sky Sports journalist and North East reporter Keith Downie has now dropped some news on Newcastle United’s transfer plans for the summer.

The Lowdown: Busy summer

After all but securing their safety in the Premier League, the summer transfer window now looks set to be a busy one for the St. James’ Park faithful.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-5/” title=”Newcastle news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

It is expected that they will make the loan move for Matt Targett a permanent one from Aston Villa, while they have also been recently linked to the likes of Evan Ndicka, Victor Osimhen and Hugo Ekitike, suggesting that they will be looking to strengthen in quite a few areas of the pitch.

The Latest: Five signings

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Downie has said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) will now look to sign a central defender, a playmaking forward, a striker and a goalkeeper as well as Targett, and could bring in even more players if others were to leave:

“I think they’ll bring in a centre-back, a forward, like a playmaker, and a striker. They’re also looking at the goalkeeping department, and then it all depends on players going.

“If they lost a centre midfielder or they don’t manage to sign Matt Targett, then they’ll look to bring in more on top of that.”

The Verdict: Exciting

It certainly is exciting for the Toon Army to see so many quality players linked to the Magpies, and in so many different positions on the pitch, as PIF look to take them to the next level.

Money should not be too much of a problem for the mega-rich owners, and so providing that they can ship out a few and comply with Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, they should be able to bring in plenty of fresh faces.

Nonetheless, Eddie Howe will need time to get them all to gel, but the future is certainly looking bright.

In other news, find out who could now be first to leave NUFC this summer here!

Mike Ashley must sanction a January exit for rumoured West Bromwich Albion target Andy Carroll with the striker far from who Steve Bruce needs at Newcastle United.

What’s the word?

According to The Mirror (21/12, p. 63), Sam Allardyce is keen to be reunited with the centre-forward he spent £15m to sign whilst in charge of West Ham United having taken over from Slaven Bilic at The Hawthorns.

Carroll is yet to score a single goal for the Magpies since returning to St. James’ Park last year, and is believed to have been left frustrated by Bruce’s decision to leave him on the bench during this month’s 5-2 thrashing at Leeds United.

Allardyce is expected to contact Bruce to discuss a cut-priced winter deal for Carroll, who has just six months remaining on his £75,000-per-week contract, feeling the £3m-rated target man can prove very beneficial during the Baggies’ fight for Premier League survival.

Former Albion striker Kevin Phillips would urge the relegation-threatened side to complete a swoop for Carroll if Newcastle are open to a deal, as well, believing 6 ft 3 titan would offer Allardyce a different dimension compared to his current options.

“If you could guarantee he was going to stay fit for the rest of the season, I would certainly consider it because he gives you a different style,” Phillips told West Brom News.

“There might be a lot of people who say ‘oh this is going to be route-one football’ but it’s about winning a football match. And if that means bringing in a 6 ft 5 or 6 ft 6 centre-forward and you play a different style of play, we know Andy Carroll on his day can be unplayable.”

Time to leave, again

Allardyce was a firm supporter of Carroll’s talents during his spell in charge of West Ham, claiming the Toon product could be “unstoppable” when given space to operate in the penalty area.

“He is unstoppable when he gets that space,” Allardyce said in 2014, via quotes by BBC Sport. “Movement in the box is what it is all about, the heading ability only comes after the movement is right to give you the space to attack the ball and that happened with his two goals [vs Swansea].”

Carroll has been far from unplayable since re-joining Newcastle over a year ago, and Ashley must sanction a winter exit for the attacker who is bleeding the Toon chief dry with nothing to show for his lucrative wage.

Bruce has awarded just four players a lower haul of top-flight minutes than Carroll thus far this season, with the 31-year-old featuring for only 199 minutes over eight outings, of which he’s started just two.

Carroll should not be surprised to see Bruce explore alternative options, either, having failed to find the target with either of his seven shots recorded thus far, while only offering one key ball and winning just under two in three aerial duels, per WhoScored.

Newcastle certainly need further strikers beyond top-scorer Callum Wilson with Jeff Hendrick the sole additional Toon player to have scored more than once, but Carroll is unlikely to be Bruce’s answer and must be allowed to join West Brom in January.

AND in other news, Steve Bruce can scare Jurgen Klopp by unleashing a £4.5m-rated Newcastle talent on Liverpool.

Speaking to Football Insider, a Tottenham Hotspur source has lifted the lid on a development involving Fulham boss Scott Parker – with chairman Daniel Levy making a ‘behind the scenes’ move to assess his interest in the vacancy.

The Lowdown: Parker emerging as lead Spurs candidate?

Reports first emerged of the 40-year-old manager being linked to Tottenham as far back as last month, with reliable Lilywhites correspondent Alasdair Gold telling supporters he would merely be considered for the role in future (football.london).

However, news has intensified recently over Parker being a direct replacement for previous boss Jose Mourinho and Football Insider even said just last week that he is emerging as a lead contender.

He has been previously touted as an outside candidate from the Premier League alongside Brighton and Hove Albion boss Graham Potter (The Daily Mail) despite the likelihood he is about to be relegated with Fulham.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-story-roundup/” title=”Spurs story roundup!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Latest: Lilywhites source lifts lid on Parker development

Now, a source close to the club has told Football Insider that Levy has made a ‘behind the scenes’ move to assess Parker’s interest in the Spurs vacancy and they have ultimately ‘put feelers out’.

Indeed, the former midfielder’s cause is also apparently being ‘championed’ by Levy and it is believed the Spurs chairman thinks ‘the world’ of Parker.

As per this latest update, the Tottenham chief is a huge admirer of him and believes he has ‘all the attributes’ that make him a lead contender for the Hotspur Way role.

Perhaps most importantly, it would not be a huge financial investment either regarding the compensation fee to Fulham – an aspect which is hindering moves for the likes of Brendan Rodgers.

The Verdict: Levy would be taking a huge gamble

Recently, pundit and former Spurs shot stopper Paul Robinson branded Parker’s possible appointment as a ‘big gamble’ and ‘huge risk’ (Football Insider) – we are inclined to agree.

Having just one full season in the English top flight under his belt, the Cottagers gaffer has been bold in his approach and philosophy in regards to Fulham’s playing style.

It has even drawn praise from Man City boss Pep Guardiola, who called his brand of football courageous (mancity.com), but that doesn’t change the fact his side look very likely to be relegated back down to the Championship.

We believe he could be a very sound candidate in future when he has more experience at the top level.

Matt Holland, who played with Parker at Charlton, knows first hand just how ‘ambitious’ he is (talkSPORT)  – but the Spurs post could be reaching too far this early in his career.

In other news: Spurs make inquiry to sign this powerhouse, find out more here.

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford this summer as they look for attacking reinforcements.

The Lowdown: Bamford shines for Leeds

The 27-year-old has been one of the star men for an impressive Whites side this season, scoring 15 goals in the Premier League and helping them to 10th in the table currently.

Bamford’s performances have put him in contention to make England’s Euro 2020 squad, with Gareth Southgate to make a decision later this month.

[freshpress-quiz id=“355458″]

The Latest: Reds interested in Bamford signing

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Liverpool are one of several clubs who ‘admire’ Bamford, ahead of a potential summer bid. He wrote: “Bamford’s progress has not gone unnoticed, with several clubs, including Liverpool, believed to admire the forward.”

The report also stated that the Leeds striker has extended his contract to 2023, however, so a big fee may be required to prise him away from Elland Road.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/all-the-latest-liverpool-news/” title=”All the latest Liverpool news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Is he good enough?

Bamford has undoubtedly enjoyed an excellent campaign, but there are question marks over whether he would be good enough for Liverpool.

Granted, Jurgen Klopp described him as “an exceptional player” after last month’s 1-1 draw at Elland Road, but he lacks the pace and versatility of the Reds’ current attackers. Also, prior to this season, he had only scored once in the Premier League, so some may question whether the 2020/21 campaign is a commendable one-off for the striker.

That being said, it could be argued that Bamford would offer something different from the substitutes’ bench, bringing an aerial presence which has seen him average 1.3 aerial duel wins per game in 2020/21. In comparison, Roberto Firmino has averaged just 0.6 per game and scored only six times in the league.

Bamford isn’t an elite player, so he isn’t worth signing for big money, but that’s not to say he doesn’t deserve huge credit for silencing any previous critics this season.

In other news, a big-money Liverpool target has remained coy over his future – find out who it is here.