All posts by h716a5.icu

Aston Villa and Leicester City are both interested in Rangers defender Filip Helander.

That’s according to Swedish outlet Sportbladet, cited by the Daily Record, who claimed that the Scottish champions could replace Helander with Elfsborg’s Joseph Okumu.

Helander a Rangers regular

Helander, valued at just £1.8m by Transfermarkt, is under contract at Ibrox until 2023.

The Sweden international has made 27 appearances under Steven Gerrard this season, and it seems as if his performances have caught the eyes of Dean Smith and Brendan Rodgers.

Transfer Tavern take

It’s not the first time Villa have been linked with the towering centre-back. Former Villa manager Steve Bruce was reportedly keen on Helander back in the 2018 January window during the player’s time with Bologna.

It seems as if the club have reignited their interest three years on, and statistically Helander has outperformed both Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa this season. As per WhoScored, the Swede has averaged a match rating of 7.11 in the Scottish Premiership, higher than Mings’ 6.88 and Konsa’s 6.82. Helander has also won more aerial duels per game with 4.3, compared to Mings 2.8 and Konsa’s 2.6.

Based on those figures, the 27-year-old could be well worth the Villans’ time in seeking a potential move south of the border.

In other news: Many AVFC fans react to Villa-linked star’s social media activity, find out more here. 

Fabrizio Romano has handed Aston Villa a major boost in their chase to sign Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard this summer.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent months have linked Dean Smith’s side with a move for the striker, and now Romano has delivered a decisive update on his long-term future with the Hoops.

Speaking exclusively to GiveMeSport, Romano confirmed that Edouard is likely to leave Celtic Park this summer: “I think, yes. Now it’s time for him to decide on a new club, and we’ll have to see if the right bid arrives. Obviously if you want to sign a player like this, you have to pay.

“There are lots of opportunities for him, but I think yes, this summer there will be chances for him to leave. They (Celtic) will love to keep him, but probably with big and important bids, they need to sell him.”

Time for Sawiris

While Celtic will understandably look to get big-money in Edouard, Villa must surely seize this opportunity to go after Edouard. The Frenchman has been in outstanding form for the Hoops once again this season, netting 16 goals in just 26 league games.

His former boss at Celtic, Neil Lennon, has raved about the kind of importance the £13.5m-rated talent holds at Celtic Park, and was particularly effusive in his praise after a win against Ross County.

He said: “He’s hugely important (to us), he’s an outstanding footballer, talismanic almost, he’s so talented, so cool and he had two great finishes. He’s up there with some of the best we’ve had over the last 20 odd years.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-aston-villa-transfer-rumours-and-news-copy-copy” title=”Latest Aston Villa transfer rumours and news”]

Given Romano’s update on the situation, it’s surely now time for Villa’s co-owners of Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens to get their cheque-books out and strike a deal for Edouard this summer.

Click here to see the full interview with Fabrzio Romano

Meanwhile, Villa’s key backroom appointments will surely have Dean Smith buzzing…

Carlo Ancelotti must boot Nathan Broadhead out of Goodison Park for the last time when his Everton contract expires this summer.

What’s the word?

According to the Liverpool Echo, the Toffees are expected to release Broadhead on a free transfer once his terms lapse in June.

The 23-year-old has been training with Ancelotti’s first-team fold and has featured on the bench this season, but has seemingly failed to earn new terms.

Ancelotti has listed the former Wales youth international among his backup options for five Premier League fixtures to date, plus March’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester City.

But his last senior minutes came in December 2017, when handed his debut and sole first-team appearance as an 82nd-minute substitute against Apollon Limassol during a Europa League Group Stage tie.

Broadhead is now one of 13 senior and Under 23 players facing the end of their spells at Goodison Park, as Director of football Marcel Brands continues his efforts driving down an inflated wage bill.

Brands is also working on lowering the age of David Unsworth’s U23s, for whom Broadhead has featured 14 times this season – scoring eight goals, providing two assists and captaining the side twice – in the Premier League 2.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/the-latest-everton-news-and-views” title=”The latest Everton news and views!”]

Everton’s U23s are noted to have boasted an average age of 21 on the opening day of the 2020/21 season, but have reduced that number to just over 19 for their last junior game.

Should Everton retain Broadhead?

Broadhead has been on the books at Goodison Park for a number of years, having joined Everton in his youth following spells with local side Bangor City and Wrexham AFC.

Brands cannot show any sentimentality to the forward, however, as the 18-cap Wales U21 international will not merit another contract having seemingly failed to impress Ancelotti while working closely with the Italian this term.

Ancelotti would likely have awarded the 23-year-old his second Everton outing – and first in more than three years – during one of his appearances on the bench if he felt confident in the potential impact Broadhead could provide.

That is clearly not the case and was often fictitious during a loan spell with Burton Albion in League One during the 2019/20 season, when the forward offered two goals and two assists over 19 third-tier fixtures.

Each of his goals also came during the second of Broadhead’s league outings under Nigel Clough, who had lauded the Toffees’ 2018/19 U23 Player of the Season as “an exciting signing” for the Brewers.

But as the Toffees have not seen Broadhead emerge as an exciting first-team player under Ancelotti since his return last summer – or under the managers that went before the Italian – this summer must mark the end for his spell in royal blue, as he’s clearly unfit for Everton.

But with no first-team appearances in over three years since his debut in December 2017, it’s time for the Toffees boss to offload the 23-year-old outcast this summer.

AND in other news, Everton have eyes on a “very good” £3.5m-rated forward available on a free transfer…

Tottenham Hotspur legend Gary Mabbutt has told Football FanCast that Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been one of the club’s best signings in recent memory, and thinks he is keeping Harry Winks out of the team.

The Denmark international arrived from Southampton in the summer and has gone on to become a key member of Jose Mourinho’s starting XI.

Hojbjerg has played in every minute of every Premier League game, and that has seen Winks drop out of the team.

That was underlined last week as Gareth Southgate named his England squad and left Winks out.

The 25-year-old has made just seven starts in the Premier League this season, playing in just one of Spurs’ last 11 games, and was not even included in the squad for the win over Aston Villa.

Mabbutt believes that Winks remains an accomplished option in central midfield, but he has hailed Hojbjerg, and thinks that the competition for places is the reason behind the Englishman’s exile.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “I think Harry’s an excellent player. I think he’s an excellent character as well. I think there’s a lot of competition. In that area, you’re talking about Pierre who’s done so well for Spurs this season.

“I think he has been one of our best signings for a long time. You can  see what he’s doing and what he’s bringing to the side, and he’s exactly what the side needed.”

There are numerous options for Mourinho and that will be bolstered this summer when Oliver Skipp returns from his impressive loan spell at Norwich City.

Mabbutt added: “But Pierre has got strong competition from the likes of Harry Winks. Oliver Skipp will return from Norwich, where he’s having an exceedingly good season.

“I’m sure he’s wanting to help them to get promotion back to the Premier League. Sissoko, so there’s a lot of competition.

“You’re talking about maybe one or two places and you’ve got three or four players who are top players fighting for that place. That’s what you want as a manager.”

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Bull, who scored 306 goals during his career for Wolves, has claimed that Rafa Mir could replace Raul Jimenez as the main striker after one more spell out on loan.

Mir has been enjoying his time out in Spain with SD Huesca where he has managed to score 24 goals in 49 games, which includes 12 this campaign – and 15 in all competitions – as they look to fight off relegation from La Liga.

Despite playing in a team that is occupying the final relegation spot, Mir’s goals have given Huesca a chance of survival with the 22-year old having netted more times than both Antoine Griezmann and Joao Felix.

Speaking on Mir’s future at Wolves and how another loan spell away from Molineux could benefit the striker, Bull told FFC:

“He could turn into a great striker so Wolves could send him back out on loan again for another six to eight months where he can get more game time and goals under his belt. Therefore, when he comes back he can replace Jimenez.”

Wolves have struggled for goals this season with Ruben Neves and Pedro Neto topping the goal-scoring charts with five in the Premier League this season.

Nuno Espirito Santo will be hoping for better performances next season when Raul Jimenez is back and firing for Wolves.

This is a season that Wolverhampton Wanderers will want to quickly forget about.

Any chance of securing European football has evaporated quickly while they have been dealt a number of catastrophic injury blows.

On the chalkboard

One of the injuries in recent weeks was to Joao Moutinho. It may not have been a season-ending problem like Jonny and Pedro Neto received but it still kept him out for a few weeks.

Moutinho’s form has improved in recent months with a goal against Arsenal and an assist versus Manchester City.

That being said, his opening to the season was rather poor. He was off the pace and didn’t register a single goal involvement until February.

It was form that sparked words of negativity from Wolves reporter Tim Spiers who claimed this could be the veteran midfielder’s final campaign as a regular in the starting XI.

He said: “I think you’ve got to question if this is his final season, certainly as a first-choice player.

“I think he’d be good to have around the squad, he’s important in the dressing room, but [not] as a first choice. He’s 35 this year, he can still have an impact on games, but not nearly as regularly as he was doing it before.”

Who is his replacement?

Trying to replace someone like Moutinho will be an incredibly tricky task. He has defined the very essence of consistency since joining Wolves from Monaco.

However, now in the twilight of his career, the Old Gold could perhaps benefit from someone with a bit more energy and vibrancy.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-wolves-news-and-views-lingard-leao-jimenez-mir” title= “Read the latest Wolves news and views!”]

The man they should target this summer is Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Wolves were interested in the Arsenal man back in January but he joined West Brom on loan instead.

However, a new report from The Telegraph expects the Molineux outfit to revisit the £48k-per-week earner when the summer window opens.

Maitland-Niles has made his name as a wing-back in the Arsenal set up but his preferred role is in the middle of the park.

Described as a “Rolls-Royce” by Martin Keown, he’s made a seamless transition to the Baggies and is now starring as a midfield player.

He was named the Man of the Match during West Brom’s win over Southampton last weekend, producing two tackles and two interceptions in what was a combative display.

Maitland-Niles covers the ground impressively and unlike Moutinho, is a more mobile individual. He can pick out a pass like the Portuguese can and his defensive attributes have come on leaps and bounds in recent years.

He’d be a real asset to Wolves and could be their perfect player. After all, Nuno loves someone who can play in more than one role.

Speaking about this quality, Chris Sutton once said: “The young man’s versatility is a weapon. He is such a versatile talent – a diamond.”

Moutinho hasn’t had a disastrous campaign but it’s clear that time is winding down on his glistening career. Maitland-Niles would be a top-drawer replacement.

AND in other news, Wolves could have their new Conor Coady in 18 y/o “leader” who’s been “outstanding”…

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, Rob Lee, who made 343 appearances for Newcastle United, has claimed that Arsenal will be looking to receive £25 million for Joe Willock, who is currently on loan with the Magpies.

Willock has impressed during his short spell on Tyneside which has led to reports suggesting Newcastle will be looking to bring him back next season, either on loan or on a permanent basis.

The on-loan midfielder has been the subject of reports suggesting that his parent club will be looking for £20 million if Newcastle want to sign him, with the Gunners needing to raise funds if they are to sign Martin Odegaard in the summer.

Speaking on how much Arsenal will want for Joe Willock and what Newcastle have to be careful of during negotiations, Lee told The Transfer Tavern:

“They’ll probably ask for £25 million and that’s the problem these days.

“You look at some players and think, ‘is he worth it?’ There has to be some sort of range where clubs aren’t willing to go past to sign a certain player.”

Willock had been a mainstay since joining from Arsenal, even scoring on his debut, however Steve Bruce has dropped the 21-year old for their last three games.

This is the £20,000 per week midfielder’s first time spent away from Arsenal having come through their academy, and he has already made 78 appearances for the Gunners.

Many Everton fans have slammed the performance of Andre Gomes despite their 1-0 away win against Arsenal in the Premier League on Friday night.

The Merseysiders managed to grab a crucial three points at the Emirates Stadium thanks to a bizarre own goal from Bernd Leno, despite not really being at their best.

One player who flattered to deceive was Gomes, who failed to record a single shot on goal, clearance, interception, key pass or cross in the match and was consequently subbed off by Carlo Ancelotti in the 66th minute for Fabian Delph (Sofascore).

The Portuguese midfielder will need to put in much better performances than the one against Mikel Arteta’s side if he is to stay in the starting XI for the rest of the season, especially as he has frequently been the target of Toffees’ fans vitriol in recent months.

Everton fans on Gomes display

These Everton supporters slammed his performance on Twitter, with one fan even going as far as to claim that he was a ‘joke’:

“That was depressing and the tactics were all over the place. Richarlison who has barely played on the right side is suddenly put there. No width on the left. Gomes is a joke of a player who needs dropping. James thinks he has an hour on the ball and is dispossessed so easy #efc”

Credit: @sicurrie

“Gomes giving it away like it’s going out of fashion. #ArsEve”

Credit: @Abelsouthall

“Remember when Gomes used to pass to a Blue shirt? No? Me neither. #ArsEve”

Credit: @nix4pool

“Does Gomes ever not bottle a tackle?!?! #arseve”

Credit: @EvertonOttawa

“Gomes offered nothing tonight”

Credit: @PaulFoy16

“Andre Gomes and Sigurdsson couldn’t tackle a paper bag”

Credit: @JDGEFC

In other news, find out what Fabrizio Romano transfer update has excited many Everton fans!

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League manager Lawrie Sanchez has urged Tottenham Hotspur to bring back Mauricio Pochettino this summer.

The Argentine was sacked and then replaced by Jose Mourinho 18 months ago, but with the latter also recently relieved of his duties in north London, Spurs are once more searching for a new manager.

Pochettino himself is currently managing PSG following his appointment in January, although his first campaign in the French capital is hanging in the balance.

PSG are facing an uphill battle to progress from their Champions League semi-final tie with Manchester City after their first-leg defeat, whilst their hopes of winning a fourth consecutive Ligue 1 title are dependant on leaders Lille slipping up in their three remaining matches.

And Sanchez, who managed Fulham during an eight-month spell back in 2007, believes that Daniel Levy should make a sensational move to reappoint Pochettino.

He told Football FanCast:

“If I was Tottenham, I would go back and get Pochettino. I’d say ‘look, we’ve made a major mistake, we love what you have done here, come back’.

“Let him win his trophy with PSG. Having left, he realised that he wasn’t as hot as thing as he thought he was. He didn’t get the Manchester United job or any of the top jobs. He’s ended up at PSG – a one-club country.”

Former Premier League midfielder Keith Gillespie has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that a strong pre-season could see Harvey Elliott become a regular at Liverpool next season.

Elliott signed for the Reds as a 16-year-old from Fulham, and already showcased his talent in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

But with the teenager in desperate need of regular first-team action, he joined Blackburn on loan for the season, and has lit up the Championship with several standout moments.

Elliott’s form has tailed off in recent months, he’s still managed six goals and 11 assists, a record bettered only by Norwich’s Emiliano Buendia, in 40 league outings.

His impressive performances led to him being nominated for EA Sports Young Player of the Season at the 2021 EFL Awards, although he was pipped by Reading’s Michael Olise.

But Gillespie believes that if Elliott catches Jurgen Klopp’s eye upon his return to Anfield this summer, he might suddenly find himself in the first-team picture.

He told The Transfer Tavern:

“It will all depend on what Liverpool want. If Liverpool are happy with the environment he’s in and feel like he needs another year – why not be at Blackburn?

“I think they’ve got big plans for him at Liverpool. He could come back to the club in pre-season and play out of his skin and suddenly find himself in that side week in, week out.”