All posts by n8rngtd.top

Chelsea and Willian could finally be about to shake on a new contract for the Brazilian playmaker. 

The West London outfit looked set to bid farewell to their long-serving winger after negotiations hit a stalemate. Willian’s current deal is due to expire, but according to the Daily Express (via The Mirror), the two parties have agreed on new terms which will extend the 31-year-old’s stay for another two years.

It looked like the writing was on the wall after Willian admitted he and the club had hit a road block in their extension talks. The wide-man told De Sola (via Daily Mail), that Chelsea had tabled an offer of a new two-year deal, but Willian was hoping for three instead.

Now, it seems the Brazilian is happy to accept the shorter contract, which will see him stay at Stamford Bridge until 2022. If he continues his positive run of form, it’s also likely he could return to the bargaining table and request an extra year on top of the initial agreement.

Since the restart of English football, Willian has put in some incredible shifts on the pitch, tallying a total of seven goal contributions in ten appearances (via Sofascore). His efforts in the FA Cup quarter-final against Leicester City helped carry his side through as he provided the assist for the only goal of the match.

Additionally, Willian has got a lot of the Chelsea fanbase on his side, who are holding out for good news on his contract talks. Reaching an agreement would be beneficial for the player, the club and the fans.

With the addition of Hakim Ziyech, the Blues have an exciting new option on the right-wing. However, experience with the club is always an important asset to have and Willian has spent seven years at Stamford Bridge already.

His knowledge of the Premier League and threat in attack could be integral to Chelsea’s bid for silverware and a title-challenging season next term.

Would you like to see Chelsea offer Willian a new contract? Join the discussion in the comments below!

Tottenham face competition from Everton for Lille defender Zeki Celik as they consider offloading Juan Foyth. 

Their rivalry with the Toffees is becoming the tale of the transfer window, as both clubs competed for former Southampton captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, but it seems as though Spurs have won the race to sign Jose Mourinho’s top target this summer.

According to The Telegraph’s Matt Law, as relayed by @TranSPURS, Tottenham are willing to sell either Foyth or Serge Aurier to fund a transfer for the right-back.

The Lilywhites are well aware that they will have to offload players in the summer and both defenders are at the top of the list. Spurs are believed to have held talks with AC Milan to sort out a deal for Aurier, while the 22-year-old Argentine continues to be linked with a move to Leeds United.

Daniel Levy is hoping to raise some cash from their sales to make a move for Celik, who moved to Lille from Turkish side Istanbulspor in 2018.

The 23-year-old right-back has earned rave reviews at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, becoming Christopher Galtier’s first choice in that position in the process. Les Dogues are demanding £18m for his signature, which should in theory be more than affordable for Spurs.

Mourinho managed to muddle through the majority of last season with Aurier as the club’s only designated right-back, although the 60-cap Ivory Coast international struggled for consistency.

Foyth, who was once considered a prodigy of former boss Mauricio Pochettino, finds himself out of favour with the Argentine’s successor as he has featured just twice for Mourinho since the Portuguese native replaced Pochettino last year.

The Lilywhites are also in the race to sign Norwich City’s Max Aarons but the 14-cap Turkish international could be a better option, as he has played in the Champions League before. Celik is only a couple of years older than Aarons so could become a mainstay in the first team for many years to come.

In comparison, Foyth failed to score or provide a single assist in the Premier League last season, and Spurs should not get in his way if he wants to leave. Celik, who has been described by Duncan Castles as “powerful in defensive duels and a good provider of crosses” could be the perfect replacement for the Argentina international at Tottenham.

Tottenham fans, do you think Levy should sign Celik? Let us know your views in the comments below!

Micky Adams expects his former club Leicester City to bid farewell to Ben Chilwell this summer amid serious interest from Chelsea.

The ex-Foxes manager believes the England international is set to leave the King Power Stadium this transfer window. Speaking to the Daily Star, Adams has summed up the situation in a blunt manner, admitting simply that ‘money talks’.

Indeed, Chilwell has been heavily linked to a move to Chelsea who are in a strong position for welcoming new recruits. After enduring their two-window transfer ban, the Blues have a hefty amount of funds to splurge on transforming their squad ahead of this season.

“It’ll be down to Chilwell. The power is always with players,” Adams said. “If he gets his head turned by Chelsea, then money talks.”

Frank Lampard identified his defence as an area that needs attention ahead of what promises to be an exciting 2020/21 season. The Blues conceded the most goals out of the top ten Premier League sides last term (54) and with new quality attackers coming in, Chelsea must balance the squad with similar calibre defenders.

Chilwell has been named amongst several high profile defensive targets Lampard wants to bring to Stamford Bridge. Others include Declan Rice and Thiago Silva, who is close to joining the West Londoners on a one-year deal

“Leicester are no different to anyone else. If they feel the cash is too good to turn down, then he’ll go,” Adams concluded.

According to a recent report from the Daily Express, Chelsea are willing to table an offer of £50million for Chilwell alongside a wage packet worth £150,000 per week. This will put the 24-year-old in the club’s top three earners, behind only Kepa Arrizabalaga and highest paid player Christian Pulisic (via Spotrac).

Do you want to see Chelsea finalise a move for Ben Chilwell? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Many Aston Villa fans have reacted to a report claiming that striker Mbwana Samatta has agreed terms to join Fenerbahce.

Villa manager Dean Smith saw Keinan Davis, Wesley and Samatta all struggle for consistent form last season and a fresh face has been signed in Ollie Watkins from Brentford.

Despite arriving in January for £9.45m, the 27-year-old’s future with the Claret and Blue now looks bleak, with the Midlands club opting to bring in Watkins, who netted an impressive 26 goals in the Championship last term. The ex-Bees marksman may be expected to spearhead Smith’s attack when Villa’s Premier League campaign gets underway against Sheffield United on Monday evening.

To add to Watkins’ arrival, Villa are also now being linked with Lyon striker Bertrand Traore, with a latest report claiming that a completed deal worth £19m is almost done.

Samatta, who arrived in January for £9.45m, scored just one Premier League goal during the back end of the season and it has now emerged that he could be set for a move to Turkey.

Reacting to the claim which was made by Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, these Villa fans gave their opinion on the update via Twitter account @villareport:

Do you think Samatta should stay at Villa Park? Let us know in the comments section below…

Following his team’s Carabao Cup victory over Portsmouth last night, Brighton manager Graham Potter addressed questions on the short-term future of Viktor Gyokeres at the Amex Stadium.

The Swedish striker, who has recently been linked with a loan move to Swansea, rounded off the scoring in Albion’s 4-0 win on just his sixth appearance for the club.

When speaking about the Seagulls’ immediate plans for the 22-year-old, Potter said (via Brighton & Hove Independent): “All things are possible. We have to make the right decisions around our squad and I think he can help our group and contribute. He will only get better as a player as well and someone who can help the group.”

Last night, Gyokeres scored his first goal for Brighton on what was his first appearance for the club since February 2019, while he is still awaiting a Premier League debut (as per TransferMarkt). He had a decent spell on loan at St Pauli in Germany’s second tier last season, though, with seven goals and four assists in 28 matches.

The Swedish prospect made a strong case for further Seagulls inclusion after his outing against Portsmouth, getting four shots on target and making three key passes while misplacing only two passes all night (as per Sofascore). His performance drew praise from Brighton & Hove Independent reporter Derren Howard, who wrote that he “worked hard and led the line pretty well and offers Brighton another option”.

The challenge for Gyokeres now is whether he can force his way into Potter’s first team reckoning on a regular basis. Neal Maupay and Aaron Connolly, who scored 14 goals between them last term, are ahead of him in the centre-forward pecking order. However, with Glenn Murray gone on loan to Watford and Florin Andone horrendously injury-prone, the Swede could certainly be a useful squad option if he remains in Sussex.

There is also the matter of what comes of Brighton’s reported interest in Liverpool striker Divock Origi, who is unlikely to be left with a peripheral role if he comes to the Amex given his penchant for scoring in big games.

Gyokeres has certainly done his best to stake a claim for further inclusion at Brighton with an impressive all-round performance against Portsmouth, capped by his 71st-minute goal.

While a loan move to a Championship club like Swansea could offer him a better chance of regular first team action, Potter doesn’t have a huge depth of centre-forward options and could yet be tempted to keep him at the Amex, especially if Maupay or Connolly were to become unavailable.

However, if Origi or another striker were to come in the door, that could be the spark for the Swedish prospect to go back out on loan.

Brighton fans, can you see Gyokeres having a significant part to play at the Amex this season? Comment below with your views!

Manchester United remain on the hunt for a striker and have identified two candidates that they want to sign before Monday night’s transfer deadline.

Journalist Gianluca di Marzio has claimed that the Red Devils have Edinson Cavani and Luka Jovic on their shortlist of possible centre-forward signings, with the club reportedly in contact with the former (now a free agent) and an enquiry made for the latter.

Di Marzio added that, if Jovic signs, it would most likely be on loan with United possibly having an option to buy, although Real Madrid may be reluctant to agree to such a deal.

Cavani, who left Paris Saint-Germain this summer, has a phenomenal scoring record of 341 goals in 556 appearances in his club career, with 200 of those coming over seven seasons with PSG (as per TransferMarkt).

‘El Matador’ may be 33 now but his remarkable scoring tally across Serie A, Ligue 1 and European club competitions speaks for itself. Indeed, in a not dissimilar move in 2016, United snapped up a 34-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic and he went on to score 28 goals in his first season at Old Trafford.

Jovic is at the other end of his career at the tender age of 22 but his scoring return across Europe is also impressive, with 53 goals in 155 games for Red Star Belgrade, Benfica, Eintracht Frankfurt and Real Madrid.

His €60m (£54.82m) move to the Bernabeu last year has not gone smoothly, though, with just two goals in 28 matches for the La Liga champions as he has struggled to hold down a place in Zinedine Zidane’s starting XI (as per TransferMarkt).

Cavani is more than proven as a potent striker at a high level and is freely available, so long as United can agree on a pay packet for him – a possible move to Benfica collapsed earlier this month after they refused to meet his £175,000-a-week demands.

Jovic may be on a low ebb at Real Madrid but he is still young enough to enjoy a very strong career, while a change of scenery could be the spark that he needs to rediscover the form that made the Spanish club sign him in the first place.

While some may argue that United’s problems lie in other areas of the pitch, getting either of both of these strikers into the club should be a significant boon for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.

Man United fans, would you like to have either (or both) of these players at Old Trafford? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Tottenham Hotspur arguably had one of the best transfer windows this summer.

Six players were signed. Six holes were filled. It was merely one centre-back away from being a genuine 10/10 from the tough negotiator himself Daniel Levy.

Despite finding a new first-choice right-back, that long-awaited Mousa Dembele successor as well as a back-up to Harry Kane, Spurs’ biggest signing was undoubtedly the shock return of Gareth Bale.

The 31-year-old wing sensation hasn’t featured yet due to injury but could be back involved after the international break, which bodes well for not just Jose Mourinho but Harry Kane too.

Having someone like Bale out wide instead of an inconsistent Lucas Moura or Erik Lamela could be a game-changer for the England talisman.

But could it have a far greater and everlasting effect on another member of the first-team squad?

It’s rather intriguing to see that young £10m starlet Jack Clarke made the Europa League squad over the likes of Paulo Gazzaniga and Gedson Fernandes, so perhaps he could have an increased role going forward.

And having Bale around to learn from will only elevate his game tenfold.

What’s even more interesting is that the 19-year-old hasn’t been sent out on loan again after mixed spells with former club Leeds United and Queens Park Rangers. It’s thought that Spurs have rebuffed any advances from the Championship so far.

Football.London believe Clarke has impressed Mourinho throughout the summer in training and as a result, has earned his place amongst the first-team.

Marcelo Bielsa has also been impressed with the teenager in the past too, claiming “He doesn’t look like a young player and every time he plays he has the capacity to create a difference. Every time he plays he makes the difference.”

Whilst former Whites assistant Carlos Corberan has echoed such sentiment, dubbing the £25k-per-week youngster a “huge talent” back in 2019.

Now with Bale beside him, he could thrive.

The Welshman has won it all with Real Madrid and is considered a legend in N17, which should prove to be a major source of inspiration to Clarke.

AND in other news, Spurs could feel shades of Willian over failed bid…

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle were very interested in signing Lazio striker Ciro Immobile in the summer transfer window.

What’s the word?

The Magpies were on the look-out for a new-front line striker, and amidst talk of a potential takeover too, the club were linked with a whole host of high-profile players.

Now, Romano has claimed that Italy international Immobile was someone who the Tyneside club were very keen on luring to St James’ Park, even going as far as contacting the forward and offering him a five-year contract.

In the end, Immobile stayed put in Serie A, with Romano adding that both the 30-year-old and Lazio turned down Newcastle’s interest, and decided to extend his contract.

Elite striker

With 127 goals in 182 games for Lazio, Immobile has proven himself to be one of the most prolific strikers in all of European football over these past few seasons.

Enticing the Italian to come join Newcastle would have undoubtedly been one of the biggest coups of the transfer window for any side, and it would have laid down a marker about the Magpies’ ambition.

Valued at £40.5m by Transfermarkt, Immobile would have been the kind of game-changer signing that could have helped fire Newcastle right up the table.

In the end, they brought in Callum Wilson from Bournemouth, and whilst the England international has started life on Tyneside very well with four goals in five Premier League games, he just isn’t the kind of Champions League calibre striker that Immobile is.

If there is one transfer target that Bruce would have been fuming about missing out on, then Immobile is surely at the top of the list.

The domestic transfer window will reopen in just under two months’ time, and it seems as though there’s business to be done at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace seem to be set for a big clear out with thirteen first-team players entering the last six months of their current contracts.

Whilst most of the focus will be on Roy Hodgson’s first-choice goalkeeper Vicente Guaita’s future, there is one potential exit that could go unnoticed.

Indeed, Connor Wickham could be about to leave the club, as a lack of action could see him heading for the exit. The 27-year-old was given a new deal for the season but could be move on to pastures new if recent reports are to be believed.

We can’t quite understand why Palace chairman Steve Parish would sanction such an extension in the first place. The former England U21 international, once described as being “impatient” when returning from injury by Hodgson, spent the second half of last season on loan with Sheffield Wednesday, where he scored two goals in 13 games in the Championship.

However, he has only scored eleven times so far in all competitions for the Eagles, and finds himself surplus to requirements at Selhurst Park as a result.

Of course, Palace may have a hard time selling the outcast in the winter transfer window on account of his injury history, as selling a player is easier said than done. He’s injured at the moment as well, which will hardly help proceedings. However, if he is going to become a free agent in the summer then they may as well look for a fee, no matter how low a price.

Whilst we aren’t for one minute saying that Wickham, who cost £7m when he signed from Sunderland on a five-year-deal, is necessarily a bad player – he scored a goal and supplied one assist in six Premier League games last term –  it’s fair to say that unfortunately he just isn’t up to the standards that Palace urgently require right now.

The Eagles desperately need a prolific striker who is capable of finding the back of the net on regular occasions. Even double digits would be nice at this stage. Surely that isn’t too much to ask?

Getting Wickham, who currently earns wages worth £60,000-per-week, off of the wage bill would be a good step in the right direction. Who knows, it may even create space in the squad for a surprise move for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard, with whom they were linked in the summer.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace must secure deal for Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence…

Tottenham Hotspur slumped to an embarrassing 1-0 defeat in the Europa League on Thursday night.Jose Mourinho’s men were simply not at the races, which was summed up by his quadruple substitution at half-time, though it wasn’t enough to remotely swing the game in their favour.Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp needed just one goal to take the top spot in Group J and they have a calamity of errors to thank for it after Ben Davies and Davinson Sanchez let Lior Refaelov fire past a helpless Hugo Lloris between the sticks.The Special One named a side containing nine changes, handing out a super rare opportunity to Dele Alli, who hadn’t started in over a month for the club.There was also an opportunity for Steven Bergwijn, who now sits behind Gareth Bale, Heung-min Son and Lucas Moura in the pecking order. Although after his first-half display, Erik Lamela is probably now ahead of him.The €70m-rated (£63m) Dutch winger was hauled off at the break as one of four substitutions and after the match, Mourinho expressed how he wanted to swap the entire starting XI.He now knows a lot more about his side and his warning shot may spell the end for Bergwijn in N17 – or at least, it’s his final chance for a while.

Per SofaScore, the 23-year-old lost possession eight times, won just 50% of his duels and failed to deliver an accurate cross or dribble. Bergwijn also only made 22 passes and had 36 touches of the ball, the fourth-lowest from the visitors.

The January arrival wasn’t even named in the matchday squad for their trip to Burnley on Monday evening, which is damning enough, so to not make the most of this golden chance is inexcusable.

0 goals and 0 assists in the Premier League from four appearances is hardly encouraging either, especially with Bale back on the block.

Mourinho’s post-game reaction tells the story – it would be a mighty fine surprise to see the calamitous Bergwijn back involved anytime soon.

AND in other news, Spurs liability who lost possession 21 times was up to his old tricks on Thursday night…