All posts by z3u9t.icu

An update has emerged on Celtic and the possibility of Wilfred Ndidi arriving at Parkhead in the summer transfer window…

What’s the latest on Wilfred Ndidi to Celtic?

According to Football Scotland, the Nigerian international is not a ‘serious’ target for the Scottish Premiership side ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The report claims that the club are not actively pursuing a deal to sign the Leicester City enforcer, who worked with Brendan Rodgers during their time together in England, despite having been linked with an interest in acquiring his services.

It states, however, that the Glasgow giants are in the market to bring a defensive midfielder to Paradise before the deadline, as they had been working on targets prior to Ange Postecoglou’s departure.

The Daily Record recently reported that the club have been scouting Gwangju stopper Ho-yeon Jeong and the youngster could be an alternative to the now-Championship star.

Would Ho-yeon Jeong be a good signing for Celtic?

Rodgers could forget all about Ndidi by securing a swoop for the 22-year-old enforcer as his form in 2022 indicates that the talent is there for him to be an excellent signing.

Gwangju earned promotion from K League 2 last year and Jeong played a significant role in their success with his impressive displays across the middle of the park.

He averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.94 across 36 appearances and offered quality on both sides of the game.

The 22-year-old showcased his defensive attributes with 4.9 duels won per game with a success rate of 54%.

Ndidi, on the other hand, averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.75 in 27 Premier League matches for Leicester last season, and came out on top in 4.1 battles per outing with a success rate of 55%.

These statistics suggest that the "elite player" – as described by journalist John Bennett – and the South Korean battler could offer a similar level of defensive protection, along with efficiency, in front of the back four if he can translate his form over to Scotland.

However, the £75k-per-week Foxes powerhouse is not as adept in possession. Ndidi created 0.1 chances per game and completed 84% of his attempted passes for his club last term.

Meanwhile, Jeong averaged 0.8 key passes per outing and registered a pass completion rate of 88% in 2022, which suggests that the Gwangju tank would be able to provide his teammates with more opportunities in front of goal while also being more reliable with the ball at his feet.

It is difficult to compare their statistics to any of the current Celtic squad as Postecoglou's 4-3-3 system did not employ a defensive midfielder, while Rodgers' preferred 4-2-3-1 set-up could have a specialist number six in one of the two deep-lying positions in the middle of the park.

The Hoops are in the market for a holding player in midfield to fill that role and Jeong could be an exceptional alternative to Ndidi based on his performances for Gwangju last season.

Ange Postecoglou has transformed Tottenham Hotspur into one of the most exciting teams to watch in the Premier League, with Spurs picking up 10 points from their opening four games.

That's not to say that the former Celtic boss has abandoned his backline, either, with Spurs also keeping two clean sheets in four games to sum up an excellent start.

All of this comes in the wake of Harry Kane's exit, making Postecoglou's work all the more impressive so far. Without the forward, some may have been worried about Spurs' ability to find the back of the net, but they've done anything but struggle.

Meanwhile, it's always nice to have an academy graduate on the pitch, and losing Kane denied the Lilywhites of that somewhat. But, now, according to Alasdair Gold of Football London, one standout centre-back could be on his way to getting his chance.

What did Alasdair Gold say?

In his latest Q&A about Spurs, Gold spoke about the club's current defensive options, with the likes of Japhet Tanganga out on loan at Augsburg, and Davinson Sanchez completing a move to Turkish Super Lig club Galatasaray.

Their departures have opened the door for a fresh face to impress from the academy, however, and Gold believes that 18-year-old Alfie Dorrington may well be handed the opportunity, saying:

“I think Alfie Dorrington stands a better chance now of making some headway with Davinson Sanchez and Japhet Tanganga heading off. The young centre-back is a real talent and he’s been training with the first team at times and will continue to do so this season and that can only help his development."

It would certainly hand Postecoglou a defensive boost if Dorrington became a viable option in the current campaign. Whilst Spurs are out of the Carabao Cup, and don't have European football to think about, when competitions such as the FA Cup come around, or when the Premier League fixtures start coming thick and fast, Dorrington may just be needed in the first team, should injuries or suspensions occur.

Who is Alfie Dorrington?

An 18-year-old centre-back, Dorrington received his first professional contract just one day after his 17th birthday, making it a moment to remember for the young defender. He comes into the first-team picture at a good time, too, given Spurs' defensive departures, and the clean slate welcomed with the arrival of Postecoglou.

If the teenager manages to impress in training, then he may just get himself a chance to make his first-team debut. When it gets to around December, as mentioned, fixtures will start to come thick and fast in the Premier League, possibly resulting in rotation and a chance for fringe players to step up.

As things stand, the Lilywhites have Micky van de Ven, Eric Dier, and Cristian Romero to call upon when it comes to senior centre-back options, alongside another teenage in Ashley Phillips. Of course, Ben Davies can slot in, but the Welshman is primarily a left-back more than anything.

The fact is, as positive as things have been for Spurs, they could be a couple of injuries away from a defensive crisis, and may be forced to turn towards Dorrington to solve that if needed.

Manchester United are in the process of being taken over at Old Trafford; however, it is unlikely that minority investment firms will usurp either the Nine Two Foundation or INEOS, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

What's the latest Manchester United ownership news?

According to Reuters, Manchester United 'is negotiating' granting exclusivity to Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani and the Nine Two Foundation.

The report states that the bid from Sheikh Jassim is viewed as more favourable to the Glazer family than Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his petrochemicals firm INEOS' offer to assume control of the Premier League giants.

As per The Times, whoever becomes the new owner of Manchester United is unlikely to be in place before the new season begins at Old Trafford.

There is said to be an 'approval process' before any deal is concluded, something which could take between eight and 12 weeks to complete and consequently drag the timeline of the ownership battle on while vetting procedures are carried out.

ESPN understand that several minority investment firms are still waiting to find out whether they have been successful in their efforts to buy into Manchester United.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jacobs has indicated that it is unlikely that any minority investors will win the bidding war to invest in Manchester United.

Jacobs told FFC: "My understanding is that the minority investors are largely just waiting at this point. They now have a lower confidence that option will be one that the Glazers take. It looks like the focus is now on the two main groups INEOS and the Nine Two Foundation. Of course, no sale can ever be ruled out, but I wouldn't want to go in and paint to Manchester United fans that that is a likely scenario."

What now for Manchester United?

Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag will be focused solely on trying to identify new recruits ahead of 2023/24 as the Red Devils look to build on a strong debut campaign under his stewardship.

Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount is a key target for the Dutchman; however, Manchester United were rebuffed in their first attempt to try and land the England international, in an offer that was said to be worth in the region of £40 million, as per BBC Sport.

The Daily Mail report that Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund is also on the radar at Old Trafford, though the Serie A outfit will demand around £86 million to sanction his exit.

Brentford goalkeeper David Raya is another name that has been mentioned in connection with Manchester United, who remain keen on the 27-year-old despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur, as per Telegraph Sport.

In a time of change at Manchester United, plenty of exciting developments could be set to occur at the Premier League giants over the next weeks and months.

Arsenal have three games to potentially win their first Premier League title since 2004 – should Manchester City fail to win all of their remaining fixtures.

The Gunners were in the driver's seat for the majority of the season, however going four games without a win in April dealt Mikel Arteta a huge blow to their hopes of winning the title.

Mathematically, the north Londoners can still claim the top spot, though title talk aside, it’s been a successful season with Champions League football confirmed alongside a top-two finish.

A crucial element of Arsenal’s downfall were the injuries to both William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu, whose absences terrifically impacted the team’s form and uncovered a lack of depth in defence that was not coverable.

As the end of the season beckons, Arteta will look to improve his young squad with depth and quality ahead of Champions League action and a new Premier League campaign to contend in.

According to reports, Arsenal have emerged as a possible new home for a young Ajax star, wanted by a host of European clubs in the summer.

Will Arsenal sign Devyne Rensch?

As reported by Football Insider the Gunners have “registered an interest” in 20-year-old right-back Devyne Rensch.

The Dutchman has been a revelation for Ajax this season, featuring 23 times in the Eredivisie, scoring three goals and securing one assist at right-back.

Having risen up through the prestigious Ajax academy, the Gunners now 'want to sign' the youngster in order to replace Ben White on the flank with the aforementioned sourcing suggesting Arteta plans to give the Englishman a “central role” in defence.

What can Devyne Rensch bring to Arsenal?

The Gunners have been exposed this season for their lack of depth in defence, providing little cover for unexpected injuries in a demanding season.

20-year-old Rensch has been integral to his team this term and could provide experience and an offensive full-back style of play while keeping to Arsenal’s youthful spark.

The "top talent" – as per scout Jacek Kulig – ranks highly amongst others in Europe in his position, excelling in his passing ability and desire to get forward – as per FBref.

At right-back, the Dutchman ranks in the top 2% for pass completion rate (86.1%) in leagues compared to the Eredivisie, and has also shown flair in getting forward, ranking in the top 4% for progressive passes, averaging a whopping 6.74 per 90 minutes.

Such numbers are comparable to White’s influence on the Arsenal team, who ranks in the top 4% amongst Europe’s top five leagues for progressive passes (7.18), showing Rensch’s potential to play ‘the Arsenal way’ under Arteta. The youngster is strong in defence also, averaging 2.47 tackles per 90 for Ajax over the last year.

Described as “incredible” by journalist Sizwe Jacques Mbebe after making his Netherlands debut in 2021, the Lelystad-born defender has been raved about by Erik ten Hag, who gave him his debut the year prior.

Speculated to potentially cost as much as £20m via Football Transfers, it's a sizable sum for a young player, but considering Arteta’s trust in youth prospects, Arsenal could be a strong place for the Dutchman to progress.

Newcastle United have a "very realistic possibility" of signing James Maddison this summer, according to an update from journalist Ben Jacobs.

Is Maddison on the move?

Leicester City may have had a hugely disappointing season, with relegation from the Premier League looking likely at this point, but Maddison has again been a standout player for his side. The £110,000-a-week midfielder has scored 10 goals and registered nine assists in the competition, catching the eye with his creativity and all-round end product.

If the Foxes go down this season, it is almost a given that the 26-year-old will leave the club, although he is likely to move on even if they retain their top-flight status. He could feel that he has come as far as he can at the King Power Stadium, especially as he comes into the peak years of his career.

Newcastle have been linked with a move for Maddison in recent months, with the Magpies potentially seeing him as someone who could excel in a No.10 role. They arguably look like the front-runners to snap him up and a fresh update further suggests that that is the case.

Is Maddison likely to join Newcastle?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jacobs claimed that the Englishman is impressed with what is going on at St James' Park and that a move could easily come to fruition:

"I think that James Maddison has been at St. James's Park and has been quite wowed by the atmosphere, the culture and Newcastle are flying, so they do stand a very realistic possibility.

"I've always said many times, because Newcastle’s interest in Maddison dates back to last summer, it will only be this summer when Maddison goes. If Leicester go down, it will obviously be definite and there'll be a tremendous deal to be had. But I think even if they stay up, I expect Maddison to leave Leicester regardless."

This is an encouraging update from a Newcastle perspective, so much so that at this point, it would be a surprise if Maddison didn't join the Magpies this summer.

Should it happen, it could be an inspired piece of transfer business, with the two-cap England international scoring 55 goals and registering 41 assists for Leicester, as well as being "destined for the biggest stage", according to Graeme Souness, who isn't one to overly praise players. He could add extra guile to Newcastle's midfield, either as a No.8 or a No.10, and they could get five or six years of brilliance from him.

Manchester City and Pep Guardiola are close to securing a deal for a young defender, with a deal said to be close to bringing him to the Etihad Stadium, according to reports.

What's the latest news involving Manchester City?

Cited by BBC Sport, Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O'Neil has hinted that Manchester City target Matheus Nunes could be set to stay at Molineux despite going on strike to try and secure a move to the Etihad Stadium.

O'Neil has spoken about Nunes and his future at the Old Gold, stating:

"He's not with the group at the moment, his choice. After the bid from Manchester City he decided it was best for him to not to be with the group. Club policy, and how we deal with things like that, is set in place. As far as I'm aware there's been no improved bid. Matheus Nunes is still our player, we have a long contract still with him and at this moment I fully expect him to be here come 2 September."

According to The Daily Mail, Wolves are holding out for a fee of £60 million for the Portugal international; however, Manchester City are only willing to go up to £55 million in negotiations.

There has since been a further update from Fabrizio Romano, who said that Nunes is now set to sign for City, with Tommy Doyle heading the other way in a separate deal.

Kevin De Bruyne is currently sidelined through injury and West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta had also been a target for the Citizens before an investigation into the Brazilian regarding potential betting breaches scuppered any notion of a transfer.

Earlier this month, talkSPORT reported that Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips was attracting interest from Liverpool to help strengthen Jurgen Klopp's engine room. Journalist Alex Crook has spoken to Give Me Sport recently and admitted that Klopp is 'really interested' in sanctioning a late deal for Phillips, which in turn could pave the way for Manchester City to bring in additional reinforcements in the middle of the park.

Are Manchester City signing Jamal Baptiste?

Transfer expert Romano has detailed that Manchester City are now on the verge of completing a deal to bring in a talented young defender, as he stated on X:

"Excl: Manchester City are on verge of agreeing deal to sign former West Ham centre back Jamal Baptiste, born in 2003 — here we go. Baptiste will join on free transfer, been told medical and contract signing soon. City project’s to develop best youngsters in Europe."

Manchester City completed summer signings

Player

Fee

Previous Club

Josko Gvardiol

£77.6 million

RB Leipzig

Jeremy Doku

£55.5 million

Stade Rennais

Mateo Kovacic

£25 million (£30 million with add-ons)

Chelsea

All transfer fees courtesy of Sky Sports News

Jamal Baptiste, who left West Ham United at the end of last term, made two senior appearances for the Hammers during his time at the London Stadium; nevertheless, has suffered from the rare illness Guillain-Barre syndrome in the past (a serious condition that affects the nerves) which curtailed his opportunity to make an impact under David Moyes, as per The Athletic.

Former West Ham academy manager Terry Westley sang his praises with this early claim, though, stating about Baptiste back in 2019:

"One of the finest young prospects at the club without any doubt is 15-year-old Jamal Baptiste who believe me is going to be a monster player".

Ensuring bright young prospects are well stocked at the Etihad is a big priority for Manchester City chiefs as they look to maintain their dominance in English football, and 20-year-old Baptiste could be the latest instalment in a long conveyor belt of talent in the North West.

Glasgow Rangers manager Michael Beale has been a busy man throughout the summer transfer window so far as he has made a number of signings to bolster the squad.

The Light Blues head coach has officially completed six new signings as a reaction to the club's failure to secure a single trophy by the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

Sam Lammers, Cyriel Dessers, Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling, and Jack Butland have all joined on a permanent basis, whilst Abdallah Sima has also arrived on loan from Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.

However, the 42-year-old boss still has well over a month to make further additions to his team and bringing in more creativity in the middle of the park should be one of his priorities.

No Rangers central midfielder produced more than four Scottish Premiership assists and Tom Lawrence, who only started four league matches, led the way with 1.8 key passes per game in that position.

Therefore, Beale must ignite the club's reported interest in FCSB creator Darius Olaru, who is available for a release clause of €4.9m (£4.2m), from earlier this summer.

How good is Darius Olaru?

The Romanian international is coming off the back of an exceptional campaign with the club and could be an excellent player for the Gers if he can translate that form over to Scotland.

Olaru has the potential to be Beale's own version of Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne, who FCSB general manager Mihai Stoica claimed is similar to the 25-year-old maestro as they both provide 'assists decisively' and play 'total football'.

The left-footed wizard showcased his ability to carve open opposition defences with 2.2 key passes per game and 19 'big chances' created in total across 34 Superliga starts last season.

Meanwhile, De Bruyne racked up an outstanding 31 'big chances' created and averaged 3.1 key passes per outing in the Premier League for Pep Guardiola, which came after he produced 16 'big chances' for his fellow forwards throughout the previous top-flight campaign.

These statistics show that both players are capable of conjuring up excellent opportunities for their teammates in the final third on a regular basis from a central midfield position.

This is particularly useful in games against opposition who want to sit in a deep block, which requires creativity to open them up in order to win the match. De Bruyne and Olaru have both proven themselves to excel in these situations, based on their terrific form last term.

Last season, James Tavernier led the way for Rangers with 13 Premiership 'big chances' created.

This suggests that the Gers target would provide a significant creative boost to Beale's squad, particularly in the central midfield department.

The Romanian technician also registered 12 assists in 37 league games during the 2021/22 campaign, which is three more than any Light Blues star managed in their 2022/23 outings.

Olaru, who was once described as an "exciting" talent by scout Jacek Kulig, has the quality to be Beale's outstanding creative force on the pitch, and in midfield in particular, if he can adapt to Scottish football and replicate his FCSB form.

Therefore, the Gers manager must reignite the club's previous interest in ten-cap international to bolster his team's creativity ahead of next season, as the 25-year-old wizard could be his own version of De Bruyne by being a pass master in the middle of the park.

Chelsea are ‘refusing to budge’ regarding midfielder Mason Mount’s current contract offer.

The Lowdown: Mount’s future in doubt

The Englishman’s future has been a major talking point at Stamford Bridge of late, with his contract expiring in 2024 and talks currently at an impasse.

Mount has continued to be an important figure for both club and country this season, making 30 appearances for the Blues overall and also appearing four times for England at the 2022 World Cup.

Now, a new update has suggested that Mount could move on during the summer transfer window due to a reluctance from the club to shell out top level wages.

The Latest: New update emerges

According to Football Insider, Chelsea are ‘refusing to badge’ with their current contract offer for Mount, despite him wanting to be one of the highest-earning players at the club.

Both Liverpool and Juventus are believed to be keeping a close on the situation, with the pair having ‘genuine interest’ in signing the 24-year-old.

The Verdict: Surely he will extend?

This is clearly a worrying development from a Chelsea perspective, with Mount someone who has come through the youth system and excelled, being hailed as ‘unbelievable’ by Joe Cole.

He has often knitted the midfield and attack together beautifully, registering 70 goal contributions (33 goals and 37 assists) in 190 appearances, and losing him ahead of his peak years would be a blow.

It could be that Mount has to accept Chelsea’s lower offer if he really wants to stay put, however, so a lot may end up depending on how much he feels valued.

He should be viewed as a massive player moving forward under Graham Potter, though, and his performances justify an increase on his current £80,000-a-week wages.

Liverpool are struggling to replicate their former success under Jurgen Klopp's tutelage this season, with the prestigious Premier League outfit languishing in sixth place in the table and out of every cup competition rather prematurely.

It is a far cry from the outfit that gleaned the FA Cup and Carabao Cup last season, falling in the final of the Champions League against Real Madrid and finishing second in the English top-flight with 92 points, one agonising point behind Manchester City.

Unequivocally, Klopp has cultivated an incredible squad with an imperious winning mentality, but it has indeed crumbled this term and the forthcoming summer transfer window will be paramount to returning to former glory.

With the centre of the park one of the key areas of concern, speculation has been rife regarding the bolstering of the formerly excellent system consisting of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum.

Fabinho and Henderson both remain on the Reds' books but have been shadows of their former selves, but the latter, Wijnaldum, left the club in 2021 after signing for £25m from Newcastle United in 2016, and the absence of his all-encompassing drive has been poignantly felt this term.

Would Wijnaldum transform Liverpool?

When Wijnaldum completed his transfer to Klopp's Liverpool in 2016 after the Magpies plummeted into the second tier, he has primarily been utilised as a dynamic offensive force, plying his trade out on the offensive left flank or in a more central, but still forward-thinking role.

He had, after all, proved his worth as a formidable striking force, scoring 11 goals and serving five assists in his solitary Premier League season at St. James's Park despite the club's fruitless exploits, relegated from the top-flight after finishing with 37 points, bitterly two points adrift of acrimonious rivals Sunderland.

However, Klopp recognised his worth as an assiduous and controlled force at the heart of the Reds field, where he was crafted into an industrious, composed and unrelenting workhorse to ensure Liverpool were charged with high-octane batteries.

He would forge 237 appearances for the Merseyside outfit, scoring only 22 goals and supplying just 16 assists, but his brilliance did not lie in his potency in front of goal, rather his orchestrating approach to run in tandem with the diligence and discipline that allowed the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah to wreak havoc on opposing defences.

The 87-cap Dutchman would go on to win the Premier League and Champions League under Klopp's wing, and when he eventually departed on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, his absence was certainly felt, the 32-year-old even hailed as "irreplaceable" by Richard Jolly.

For a Liverpool midfield that is discernibly lacking in potency and vigour, Wijnaldum, in his prime, would be a catalyst for success once again, and it is hard to imagine that the woes of the campaign would be quite so profound with his robust presence pulling the strings.

The Athletic are just one of many to illustrate the issues that have left the Reds chasing top-four instead of challenging for the league title, with the phenom never dropping below an 87% pass success rate in the Premier League for Liverpool and indeed working tirelessly, like an unabating storm.

Stefan Bajcetic, Liverpool's 18-year-old prodigy, bears a semblance to his senior positional peer and has indeed thrived among the dirt this season, praised for "looking right at home" in the midfield by Statman Dave.

But the precocious Spaniard cannot alone bring his outfit from the ashes, and with Wijnaldum partnering him in the centre, Klopp could've indeed constructed a winning formula this term.

Wijnaldum's time at Anfield has come and passed, but his excellence at the beating heart of Klopp's dynasty is a reminder of exactly what the club are missing right now, and if the sagely German manager can get his hands on another ace to emulate the former feats, a course to success could be set once again.

Liverpool will not pursue a summer deal to sign Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard, according to reports in the last 48 hours.

Is Benjamin Pavard leaving Bayern Munich?

The France international will be out of contract at the end of next season meaning that this transfer window will provide Thomas Tuchel with his final big opportunity to cash in, should he not want to risk losing him for free in 12 months time, and being his second top-performing defensive player, he won’t be short of suitors.

Whilst FSG and Jurgen Klopp are known to be prioritising the midfield area having already confirmed the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister, the backline is believed to be another position that they are looking to strengthen and the 27-year-old had been mentioned as a target.

Writing in his column for CaughtOffside, SportBILD journalist Christian Falk revealed that the right-back has “informed” the Bundesliga outfit that he wants to leave and name-checked the Reds as a “hot candidate” after his agent held talks with the hierarchy, but an update has now emerged contrary to those reports.

Are Liverpool signing Pavard?

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are “not in the running” to sign Pavard this summer despite multiple outlets stating otherwise. The Premier League side have been the “most strongly linked” with a swoop for the defender, but it’s stated that there is “no truth” to the rumours that they are set to make an approach in the weeks ahead.

The Merseyside outfit are maintaining their “focus” on additions in the midfield, with Khephren Thuram, Manu Kone, Gabri Veiga and Romeo Lavia all on the boss’ shortlist, where he will then turn his attention to increasing numbers in the backline.

Are FSG right not to chase Pavard?

During Liverpool’s final few games of last season, Trent Alexander-Arnold was deployed in the midfield and appeared to flourish in his new role, so Klopp could do with another right-back to take his place should his regular starter be set to change positions, and Pavard could have been the perfect candidate.

The 2022 World Cup runner-up, who pockets £82k-per-week, averaged 2.5 clearances, 2.3 tackles and 2.1 aerial wins per game in the Bundesliga during the previous term, via WhoScored, so was a real rock out wide, but he also got more than involved at the opposite end of the field.

Bayern’s “wonderful character”, as described by one of their club chiefs Uli Hoeness, ranked in the 99th percentile for three different statistics, including progressive passes, and this attacking mindset resulted in him clocking up eight goal contributions (seven goals and one assist) across all competitions. The Reds could be making a big mistake by deciding not to chase Pavard.