All posts by z3u9t.icu

Recent reports have seen Liverpool linked with a move for Saint-Etienne starlet Saidou Sow, with the central defender having reportedly been recommended to the Merseyside outfit by current star Naby Keita.

The midfielder plays alongside the 19-year-old at international level for Guinea and has advised the Reds to take a closer look at the teenager, with the club believed to have taken note by heading to watch the player in action against Egypt in Cairo last weekend.

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The 6 foot 1 gem has a contract that runs until 2025, although the Ligue 2 outfit could be tempted into a sale if they are to receive an ‘interesting’ offer for his services, with the player currently valued at £3.6m, according to Transfermarkt.

The “superb” youngster – as he has been dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig – has only made 30 senior appearances to date since making his debut back in October 2020, although that lack of action has also been caused by an ankle injury which hampered his game time in the second half of last term.

Prior to that, the centre-back had started the season strongly for the French side, eventually averaging 1.8 interceptions, 2.2 tackles and 2.5 clearances per game from his 13 league outings, while also winning 56% of his total duels and chipping in with two goals.

An all-round defensive talent, Sow can even be compared to Borussia Dortmund veteran Mats Hummels, as per FBref, as the pair share a number of statistical and stylistic similarities.

That will no doubt be of interest to a certain Jurgen Klopp, with the German having coached his compatriot during his hugely successful stint with the Bundesliga outfit, the pair overcoming the typical dominance of Bayern Munich to win successive league titles in 2011 and 2012.

Hummels was the bedrock of that side – which also reached the Champions League final in 2013 – with Klopp having even reportedly been keen to bring the World Cup winner to Anfield in 2016, before the defender opted instead to link up with Bayern.

Once labelled “extraordinary” by the Reds boss, the now 33-year-old has enjoyed a lengthy and successful career at the elite level, racking up 447 club appearances in all competitions, while also winning 76 caps for his country.

To think that Klopp may be able to find a similar talent in the form of Sow will no doubt be music to the ears of both him, but also to Liverpool supporters, with it always a joy to snap up an emerging, exciting young talent who can then blossom before your eyes.

The £3.6k-per-week starlet may be something of an unknown quantity to some, yet he could prove to be the next Hummels in the coming years. The Reds won’t want to miss out as their efforts in the window ramp up with Darwin Nunez close to arriving.

IN other news, Klopp now plotting Liverpool bid for “dangerous” £34m talent, just imagine him & Nunez

Wolves manager Bruno Lage met with Benfica striker Haris Seferovic over the weekend, according to a fresh report which has emerged.

The Lowdown: Attacking reinforcements needed

The Old Gold were rather goal-shy in the Premier League this season, scoring only 38 times in as many matches, so attacking reinforcements could be needed this summer.

Wolves’ end product often left a lot to be desired and it arguably played a part in their European hopes eventually evaporating late in the campaign.

A new rumour is now doing the rounds which suggests that a new striker could be heading to Molineux.

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The Latest: Lage meets with Seferovic

According to A Bola, Lage met with Seferovic in Lisbon on Saturday ahead of Switzerland’s UEFA Nations League clash against Portugal.

However, the report suggested that this meeting could have been ‘a mere courtesy’, with the two men knowing each other from their mutual time at Benfica.

The 30-year-old Swiss marksman scored three goals and registered two assists in four Primeira Liga starts last season, netting 74 times in 188 appearances for the Lisbon club overall and 110 times in total across his senior club career.

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The Verdict: Potential Jimenez replacement?

Should the meeting have been transfer-related, Seferovic could be viewed as a strong replacement for Raul Jimenez further down the line, with the 31-year-old Mexican experiencing a downturn in form last season and reports claiming that the Switzerland striker has previously expressed a desire to play in the Premier League.

The Benfica marksman has pedigree, having scored 24 goals in 84 caps for Switzerland, although he would likely cost a substantial amount considering that his contract doesn’t expire until 2024.

It is again worth stating that the meeting could simply have been social, but if it turns out that it were with an eye to a possible Molineux move, it could be an exciting link to keep an eye on over the summer as a prospective much-needed addition to Lage’s ranks.

In other news, one Spanish source has dropped a Wolves transfer claim. Read more here.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with Aurelien Tchouameni and reportedly agreed on terms with the player earlier this month, but a new update from a reliable source has emerged which pushes the club even further away from signing the French youngster.

What’s the latest?

Italian journalist and Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Real Madrid are now close to completing a deal for the Monaco midfielder this summer.

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The transfer insider tweeted: “Things are happening behind the scenes of Aurelién Tchouaméni deal… but Real Madrid are still feeling confident and strong in talks with AS Monaco because of player’s decision.”

“Tchouaméni wants Real move as priority – up to the two clubs, still negotiating.”

Liverpool supporters will be fuming

There is no doubt that Tchouameni is a hot prospect in the upcoming transfer window, with Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Liverpool all reportedly chasing his signature, so the news that he will likely complete a move to Spain instead will leave Reds supporters fuming.

The 22-year-old has had a phenomenal season in Ligue 1, proving to potential suitors that he can be the complete midfielder that every team needs.

In the most recent French top-flight campaign, he scored three goals, registered two assists and created six big chances, whilst being successful with most of his dribbles (73%) and completing the majority of his duels (64%).

Tchouameni also proved himself to be a standout right across European football over the most recent campaign, with the Frenchman completing the most interceptions (101) of any other player in the top five European leagues, which is highly impressive for a 22-year-old.

Therefore, signing the Monaco gem would be a major coup for Liverpool, who are looking to bolster their midfield options in the squad this summer, especially with James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara all in their 30s.  Given those circumstances, it seems clear that the Kopites are looking to identify the next generation of talent to follow on from the team who have had so much success over the past three years.

Not all hope is lost for FSG and Jurgen Klopp, as no official deal has been agreed between Tchouameni and Real Madrid, so Liverpool still have a chance to secure the talented youngster’s signature this summer. Romano’s update doesn’t suggest that it is a likely prospect, though.

AND in other news: LFC plotting swoop for “one of the best”, he’s a “frightening” £80m Firmino upgrade

Liverpool have identified their midfield as an area of improvement for this summer transfer window after chasing Aurelien Tchouameni for the last few weeks, but after a blow to the potential move the club are already eyeing up an alternative.

What’s the latest?

According to Dutch journalist Marco Timmer (via Empire of the Kop), Liverpool are eyeing a move for Ibrahim Sangare in a deal similar to the one they secured for Luis Diaz in January.

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As per the report, Liverpool have sent scouts numerous times to watch the PSV Eindhoven star play in the Eredivisie this season, and would be able to secure a deal for just €25m (£21m) instead of paying his €37.5m (£31.9m) release clause.

It comes as Fabrizio Romano revealed yesterday that Tchouameni is looking likely to choose Real Madrid after agreeing on terms with the La Liga giants, as well as Liverpool.

The Italian transfer insider tweeted: “Aurélien Tchouaméni has already communicated to his teammates the intention to join Real Madrid.”

FSG can get Anfield rocking

There is no doubt the club and supporters will be disappointed to lose out on Tchouameni, but the fact that FSG are already lining up a worthy alternative will surely get Anfield rocking next season.

When you compare Tchouameni to the Ivorian midfielder there is very little difference in the pair, with Sangare completing more tackles (3.3), more key passes (0.8) and completing more touches (89.3) on average per game.

Both have scored three goals and registered two assists, however, the PSV star has played six fewer league games this season.

The £21m ace who was hailed “dangerous” by former coach Aad de Mos, not only has a similar output to the 22-year-old Monaco midfielder but would be much more cost-effective if Liverpool could secure the deal for the aforementioned estimate, saving the club millions for investment in other areas.

According to RMC Sport, the reported fee Real Madrid will agree with Tchouameni is €80m (£68m) plus add-ons, which is over three times the amount Liverpool could pay for Sangare, so it could be a major coup for Klopp if he could seal the deal for the Ivorian midfielder instead.

AND in other news: “Very soon”: Fabrizio Romano drops exciting Liverpool update, supporters will love it

Manchester United are reportedly sizing up a move for Ajax’s left centre-back Lisandro Martinez.

What’s the word?

That is according to a report from The Telegraph, who claimed that Ten Hag is keen on a reunion with the 24-year-old and sees Martinez as an “ideal player” due to his pace and passing ability.

As such, it is said that the 52-year-old has added Martinez, whom he signed for Ajax from Defensa y Justicia in 2019, to his wish list, alongside Ajax team-mate Jurrien Timber.

At current, Martinez has three years left on his contract at Ajax, with a reported fee of £25m enough to prise him from the clutches of the Amsterdam outfit.

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Ideal option

Martinez’s arrival would spell trouble for Harry Maguire, who is not an orthodox centre-back by way of Ten Hag’s style.

As a 24-year-old left-footed centre-back at a major European club, with three years left on his contract, his reported £25m fee looks to be a bargain. Add in the fact that Ten Hag has worked with him and understands his character and competency as a ball-playing defender, and you have a foolproof and versatile central defender for an absolute snip.

These are the sort of signings that the 52-year-old should be looking to make – underrated but proven stars who can be astutely acquired for a relatively small fee.

Martinez not only fits the bill financially but possesses numbers far greater than the options in the United back-line. His averages of 80.88 completed passes, 3.13 tackles, 11.63 ball recoveries and 6.13 progressive carries per game illustrate that he is excellent at his job, with his scores ranking him between the 89th and 99th percentile for the aforementioned metrics, as per FBRef.

For additional context, Raphael Varane averages 50.64 completed passes, 1.23 tackles, 9.23 ball recoveries and 3.13 progressive carries per game.

Martinez’s “bulldog-like” approach in defence has seen him scoop Ajax’s Rinus Michels Player of the Year award, joining a list which boasts the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Jari Litmanen, Frank Rijkaard and Luis Suarez, to name a few.

Ten Hag is right to add Martinez to his shortlist, and with United’s desperation for a left-footed centre-back, you would hope that the 24-year-old’s name is high up on the Dutchman’s list.

In other news: Man United lead the race to sign £84.9m “exciting prospect”, he’s a dream Cavani heir 

Leeds United correspondent Phil Hay has relayed a key injury update regarding right-back Luke Ayling.

The Lowdown: Brentford showdown

The Whites head into the final day of the season in the relegation zone and need to better Burnley’s result to stay in the Premier League.

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Jesse Marsch is unable to call upon Ayling this afternoon for the final game of the season after he was sent off against Arsenal earlier this month.

The 30-year-old has made 26 league appearances this season, sitting out the defeat to Chelsea and draw with Brighton recently, and it doesn’t look as if he’ll be ready for the start of the 2022/23 campaign either.

The Latest: Hay’s post

Hay was present at Thorp Arch on Friday for Marsch’s pre-Brentford press conference.

As always, the Leeds manager began with an injury update, where he stated that Ayling has had knee surgery. Hay relayed the update on Twitter, claiming that the right-back is ‘looking at being out for two to four months’.

The Verdict: Final injury setback

Leeds have had multiple long-term injury setbacks this season, which hasn’t changed after Marsch came in for Marcelo Bielsa at the end of February.

Tyler Roberts, Junior Firpo, Patrick Bamford, Adam Forshaw and Stuart Dallas have all suffered serious issues under the American, with Ayling now the latest.

With the 30-year-old being a stalwart for Leeds for several seasons now, and posting the squad’s best tackling average of 2.8 per match, his absence not only today but potentially into the start of 2022/23 will come as a major injury setback for the Whites.

It seems as if the vice-captain has been playing through the pain since September and will now return to training in the autumn. Therefore, this appears to be the final injury blow for Marsch in a dreadful campaign, and one which could have a knock-on effect going into his first full season in charge at Elland Road.

In other news: Orta now eyeing transfer move for exciting winger even if Leeds are in the Championship. 

Manchester United are eyeing up a move for Lazio’s Serbian midfielder, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, if their proposed deal for Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong falls through.

What’s the word?

That is according to a report via FootballTransfers.com, who claim that United will turn their attention to the 27-year-old who has been a target for the Old Trafford outfit for “many years”.

With Matic and Pogba set to leave at the end of the season, United will most certainly be in the market for at least one replacement midfielder.

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As per the report, Lazio president Claudio Lotito claimed that he had turned down a €140 million for the Serbian star, though it is said that this was a guise in a bid to raise his value for his almost inevitable departure this summer.

As such, a fee of around €70m (£59.2m) should be enough to seal the deal, with the report stating that it could even be less than that mark.

A McTominay upgrade

With Pogba and Matic set to depart, United’s midfield quality will decrease even further, which is why it is imperative that quality replacements are signed this summer, with United’s lack of defensive stability a direct issue caused by a poor midfield.

The fact that United have averaged 4.4 possession turnovers in the final third serves as evidence for what has been an extremely passive side under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick this season.

Milinkovic-Savic, known as “il Sergente” (Sergeant), can single-handedly bolster United’s midfield with his average of 4.07 pressures in the attacking third per 90 an already dramatic improvement on a lethargic midfield. For comparison, McTominay, who is one of the most hardworking players in a United shirt, averages around 2.07 pressures in the attacking third per game and does not offer much going forward in comparison to Milinkovic-Savic (apart from the odd screamer).

The Serbian’s average of 3.08 shot-creating actions per game explain his emphatic return of 22 goal contributions in 36 Serie A games, which are exactly halved at 11 goals and 11 assists.

McTominay of course falters in comparison, with just one goal and one assist from 29 games – which is to be expected, due to his more defensive position on the pitch.

Though, McTominay does not have the same impact in possession either, with the Serb’s average of 81.89 touches and 56.25 carries enough to elaborate on why he is known as “Il Sergente.”

In other news: Romano: Man United have “full agreement” for key summer arrival, ten Hag will love it – opinion