According to Portuguese media outlet A Bola, via Sport Witness, West Ham United have been scouting matches in Portugal again, and it could suggest they are ready to reignite their bid to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho, rated at £22.5m according to Transfermarkt, this summer.
What’s the word, then?
Well, A Bola, via Sport Witness, reports that Irons scouts were in attendance in the clash between Moreirense and Rio Ave at the weekend, as they continue their regular mission of watching teams and players in Portugal.
The continued presence of the east London outfit there – and with manager David Moyes failing to sign the central or defensive midfielder he wanted during the January transfer window – hints that they could be ready to move again for Carvalho in the summer having failed with a bid to bring him to the capital last year.
How has Carvalho done this season?
The 25-year-old has once again been a key player for Sporting, and he has scored one goal and provided a further two assists for them in 29 appearances in all competitions this term.
The Portugal international has even captained the side on a number of occasions, while he effortlessly slipped back into a centre-back role in the 2-1 win against Tondela on Monday night after Jeremy Mathieu had been dismissed in the second half.
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Would West Ham still be interested?
They certainly would be.
If Moyes is looking for a top class player who will sit in front of the defence and protect them, there are a few better options on the market that they can realistically sign better than Carvalho.
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The Euro 2016 winner is strong, good on the ball and looks to be ideally suited to the Premier League, and if the Irons could bring him to the London Stadium this summer it would be a huge coup for them.
Will they get him?
Well, the two clubs patched up their differences following a disagreement between the senior figures on each side of the protracted deal last summer, and with just two years remaining on his contract at the end of this season they will hope to be able to sign the Portuguese enforcer for a more reasonable fee than the £36.1m Sporting wanted in August.
The summer transfer window has finally drawn to Âclose and now it’s time to reflect. WhichÂPremier LeagueÂside did the best business? Who did the worst? And what glaring transfer opportunities were surprisingly missed out on?Well, this article takes a look at Manchester United. The Red Devils spent a monumental £150million this summer, with over a third devoted to the record-breaking signing of Angel Di Maria alone.But to suggest allÂnotable gaps in the Old Trafford squad have now been addressed would be a fallacy. In truth, United failed to bring in a number of realistically available top level talents this summer.And with that in mind, here’s the FIVE signings Manchester United should have made.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON JAN VERTONGHEN TO REVEAL
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JAN VERTONGHEN
Amid a summer in which Manchester United desperately needed to improve the quality of their defence, I find it borderline criminal that they showed next-to-no interest in Tottenham star Jan Vertonghen.
Not only because the Belgium international has already proved his credentials in the Premier League in two seasons at White Hart Lane, but furthermore, he’s tailor-made for a three-man backline.
Capable of playing at centre-half or left-back, as he did to great success for his country at the World Cup, Vertonghen would be perfect for the left-centre-back role. He’s quick, strong, effective in the air and adept in those all-important one-on-one situations out wide.
He’s also a front-footed defender who gained his standing in England by playing out of the back and scoring goals during his first season in north London- earning a place in the 2013 PFA Team of the Year – the vitals of which are detailed below:
Thus, he’s a natural suitor to the central centre-back role too, which requires building from the back and lots of forward runs. Here’s a look at the 27 year-old in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/LVgHB_IGKpk?rel=0
Manchester United have been calling out for ball-playing centre-back ever since Rio Ferdinand’s pace begun to dry up, but alas, the only murmurings we heard about Vertonghen this summer were regarding a new contract with Spurs.
The former Ajax man held out all summer – as if he sensed a bid from a major club, such as United, could be in the offing – but he’s now apparently on the verge of agreeing new terms:
RON VLAAR
Football – Australia v Netherlands – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Group B – Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, Brazil – 18/6/14Holland’s Ron Vlaar celebrates after the matchMandatory Credit: Action Images / John SibleyLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Failing that, the Red Devils should have made good on their reported interest in Aston Villa skipper Ron Vlaar.
Concrete Ron may not be the most talented centre-back to ever grace Old Trafford but he’s as tough as, well, concrete, and Manchester United’s defence needs an imposing, dominant figure like Vlaar at the heart of it.
Indeed, with Johnny Evans now United’s oldest defender at the age of 26, their backline has lacked leadership, organisation and direction this season.
Vlaar could have proved an astute solution – he performed an identical role to great success, surrounded by young, inexperienced defenders, for the Netherlands at the World Cup. Here’s a look his stats from the tournament:
And Vlaar in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/KElFlYKBcUY?rel=0
The 29 year-old comes with a proven reputation in the Premier League and Aston Villa are hardly in a position to make audacious demands in regards to Vlaar’s potential transfer fee.
But no move ever materialised and the former Eredivisie star remains at Villa Park for now.
JUAN CUADRADO
Football – Colombia v Uruguay – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Second Round – Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 28/6/14Juan Cuadrado – Colombia Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Carl RecineEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
The record-breaking signing of Angel Di Maria addresses this issue somewhat but in comparison to previous title-winning United sides, the current one is desperately short of pace going forward.
In my opinion, the strongest realistic signing United could have made this summer to add some penetration to their attack was Fiorentina star Juan Cuadrado, linked with an Old Trafford switch on a multitude of occasions throughout the transfer window:
The road-running Colombian absolutely destroyed Serie A last season and brought his form to the World Cup, as detailed below:
In fact, nobody bettered his four assists at Brazil 2014, including this knock-down to eventual Golden Ball winner, James Rodriguez:
Combining pace, athleticism, trickery and netting prowess, this goal typifies the South American:
//www.youtube.com/embed/DUlRxcSaxZo
And once mooted as Dani Alves’ eventual successor at Barcelona, the versatile winger, who featured in defence, midfield and attack for Fiorentina last season, would have been an inspired choice for the right wing-back role in United’s 3-4-1-2, whilst providing top quality cover for other positions.
Cuadrado claims talks were held with both the Red Devils and Barcelona, but the move never happened and now he’s on the verge of signing a new contract:
TONI KROOS
Football – Germany v Ghana – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Group G – Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil – 21/6/14Germany’s Thomas Muller (L), Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos (2nd R) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (R) before a free kickMandatory Credit: Action Images / Jed LeicesterLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
With Germany World Cup winner Toni Kroos now at Real Madrid, one has to question how legitimate reports were linking him with a Manchester United switch earlier this summer.
According to the Daily Mail however, David Moyes had a deal in place to sign the midfielder, as he refused to extend his Bayer Munich contract past 2015, until Louis van Gaal pulled the plug.
What a monumental error of judgement – Kroos has proved himself to be one of the top central midfielders in world football over the last few years, boasting three Bundesliga titles, a Champions League title and a World Cup medal at the tender age of just 24.
The Mannschaft playmaker was in exceptional form at Brazil 2014 and for the Bavarians last season, as detailed below:
His technical-yet-industrious style would have suited Louis van Gaal’s philosophy perfectly and rectified the lack of creativity and craft in United’s midfield.
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But for whatever reason, the Old Trafford boss shunned the midfielder, leading to a move to the Bernabeu for an incredibly reasonable £20million. Here’s a look at Kroos in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/eb2F_oUpCIs?rel=0
NIGEL DE JONG
Football – Netherlands v Argentina – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Semi Final – Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil – 9/7/14Holland’s Nigel De Jong in action with Argentina’s Javier MascheranoMandatory Credit: Action Images / Carl RecineLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher are decent holding options but Manchester United’s squad still lacks an old-school ball-winner of the Roy Keane variety.
That could eventually arrive in Roma star and Louis van Gaal favourite Kevin Strootman, but if not, and after losing interest in Arturo Vidal due to his recurring knee injuries, United can look back to this summer and ponder why they didn’t bid for AC Milan’s Nigel de Jong.
The 29 year-old may not be pretty but he’s certainly effective; he was essential to the Netherlands’ efforts at the World Cup and despite the Serie A side finishing in ninth last season, showed impressive form throughout, as detailed below:
Furthermore, having spent three-and-a-half years at Manchester City, picking up the English title in 2012, de Jong offers vital experience in the Premier League, as well as being well acquainted with Louis van Gaal’s 3-4-1-2 system.
European Champions Chelsea are about to snap up Fluminese wing back Wallace, according to the player’s agent Fernando Moraes.
Wallace was rumoured to be part of the deal taking Deco to Brazil a few years ago, but it seems that now the player has turned 18 he will finally make his move to Stamford Bridge.
Moraes did however claim that despite the deal being nearly done, he doesn’t expect his client to be sent out on loan in the near future.
“There are very advanced negotiations with Chelsea and the signature is almost certain,” Moraes said, according to Italian radio station Centro Suono Sport.
“If Wallace goes to Chelsea, he will be playing there.
“I had contact with Roma and many other Italian clubs, but that was a long time ago.
“I rule out the possibility of a loan [from Chelsea to Roma]. If he joins Chelsea he will play for the Blues.” (Daily Mail)
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Liverpool’s transfer business has been at the forefront of the football news in recent weeks, mainly their failure to get a deal over the line for Lyon playmaker Nabil Fekir.
Even though a move collapsed, it shows that Jurgen Klopp is looking to add to his attacking midfield options.
At the moment, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner and Adam Lallana are at the manager’s disposal as far as the middle of the park is concerned.
The club, though, are yet to recruit a replacement for Philippe Coutinho, who left Anfield to join Barcelona in January.
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Numerous targets have been churned through the rumour mill, but one who has been rarely been mentioned is Borussia Dortmund’s Mario Gotze.
The Germany international, who scored the winning goal in his nation’s World Cup triumph in 2014, is not a like-for-like replacement for Coutinho as he predominantly plays in the centre of midfield, but he can push further forward.
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Klopp worked with Gotze during his management spell at Dortmund, so with that in mind, we asked you if the club should make a move for the midfielder, and the majority are keen on the idea.
Those who are against the transfer could be concerned by the German’s recent fitness issues.
Former Liverpool defender Phil Babb has claimed that Mohamed Salah is worth ‘well over £100m’ due to his exceptional form during the 2017-18 campaign.
Salah, 25, joined Liverpool from Roma last summer for a figure in the region of £37m.
It was seen as a gamble when considering that the Egypt international struggled to make his mark in the Premier League during a spell at Chelsea.
Salah has scored 21 times in 25 Premier League appearances this season, however, in addition to registering seven assists.
In total, the attacker has managed 28 goals in all competitions during an incredible campaign to date.
As a result, Babb has claimed that interested parties would have to spend well over £100m if they wanted to tempt Liverpool into a sale.
Babb told Premier League Daily:
“It’s well over £100m now. His low centre of gravity and his ability to just waltz past players, it’s just an exceptional goal.
“You’re not walking past kids in a park on a Sunday, he’s going past international, elite footballers like they don’t exist.
“He is one of the hottest properties in world football there is no shadow of a doubt.”
Real Madrid and Barcelona have both been credited with an interest in recent months, although it is understood that Liverpool have no interest in a sale.
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In the 50th minute of Ecuador’s draw with France this evening, Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia saw red for his challenge on full back Lucas Digne. The South Americans needed to win by a two goal margin to qualify from Group E, a task made all but impossible by their captain’s dismissal.
With the performances of referees coming under heavy scrutiny after some questionable decisions in the competition so far, a debate over Valencia’s sending off inevitably ensued on Twitter.
For many, Noumandiez Doue made the correct decision in punishing a potentially leg-breaking challenge.
However, others believed the tackle had no malicious intentions and that Valencia did not deserve to be dismissed.
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Following Northern Ireland’s memorable draw against Portugal on Tuesday, Huddersfield midfielder Oliver Norwood has told the Daily Mail how he used his old connections with Manchester United to obtain an invaluable relic of international football.
After the full time whistle, Cristiano Ronaldo rejected offers to swap shirts with many of the Northern Ireland players. The world-class winger then gave his jersey, worn on his 100th appearance for Portugal, to 21-year-old Norwood.
Norwood has now explained how he became the unlikely recipient of the Portugal No.7 shirt. The midfielder was released by Premier League side Manchester United in the summer, and shares an agent with United star Rio Ferdinand.
“Rio and I have the same agent, and I knew he had kept in touch with Ronaldo from their days together at United,” Norwood explained.
“So I phoned him last week and asked if he could put a word in for me. I just explained how much it would mean to have Ronaldo’s shirt, and could he possibly see what the chances were.
‘I was hoping that might do the trick, but I wanted to make sure, so I went up to Ronaldo before the game and introduced myself. He just said: ‘Yeah, Rio spoke to me. Don’t worry – the shirt’s yours.’
“I will frame it, as soon as I get it home, and keep it. It will have pride of place among all my football possessions. I will show it my kids and grandkids in years to come and tell them that’s the shirt Ronaldo wore in his 100th international appearance. I was on the pitch with him, and there’s the evidence.
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“I’m absolutely thrilled with it, and I owe Rio for setting it up for me. It was so good of him, and I am really grateful.”
Bruno Fernandes is reportedly one of several Sporting CP players set to terminate his contract this week, so could he be the man to replace Manuel Lanzini at West Ham?
What’s the story?
Last week, West Ham fans were devastated by the news of Lanzini’s knee injury, with one inside source even claiming the Argentine could miss the entire 2018-19 season.
The injury is a huge loss for the Hammers and will certainly have a major effect on Manuel Pellegrini’s transfer plans.
The move for Lazio winger Felipe Anderson seems to be getting closer, but a creative number ten now has to be at the top of the shopping list.
According to Sky Sports, Fernandes has joined the likes of William Carvalho and Gelson Martins by asking to end his contract at Sporting, meaning he could be available for free this summer.
The Portuguese club is in meltdown after a gang of supporters attacked their first team in May, and Premier League clubs are on red alert over some potential bargains.
The 23 year-old will have plenty of clubs lining up for his signature, but the allure of working under an experienced coach like Pellegrini could lure him to East London.
The assist king?
The injury to Lanzini is a huge loss for West Ham in every conceivable way. The 25 year-old, who worked under Pellegrini as a youth player at River Plate, is probably the most technically gifted player in the squad, and is the only player outside of Marko Arnautovic that can create something out of nothing.
While Anderson should replace some of the pace and flair lost by the injury, the Hammers need a direct replacement for the creativity Lanzini brings, and that’s where Fernandes comes in.
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Playing mostly as a number ten, the 23 year-old grabbed an incredible 16 goals and 20 assists in all competitions last season, averaging over two key passes per game.
The Portuguese international, valued at £27m by Transfermarkt, is a set piece wizard, one of the best crossers in Europe, and always fancies his chances with a long distance effort.
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Fernandes is similar to Lanzini in that he will pop up in various positions to help make things happen, and could flourish in Pellegrini’s free flowing attack.
The young playmaker isn’t afraid to get stuck in either, averaging nearly two tackles per game in the league last season, so he shouldn’t have a problem adjusting to the physicality of the Premier League.
The Hammers will likely have to dish out some high wages to get a deal done, but it’s not every day a 23 year-old with 20 assists becomes available for free, so they should do whatever it takes to make it happen.
So, West Ham fans, would you back a swoop for Fernandes? Can Pellegrini convince him to join? Let us know by voting in the poll below…
Schalke 04 CEO Christian Heidel has revealed that Max Meyer will soon make a decision on his future amid suggestions of interest from Arsenal, as reported by Bild.
What’s the story?
Meyer, 22, will see his contract with Schalke expire at the end of the current season, and the versatile midfielder is yet to pen an extension with the Bundesliga club.
Heidel recently told reporters that the German ‘will be deciding shortly’ if he wants to sign a fresh deal or indeed seek pastures new at the end of the current season.
According to Bild, Arsenal are closely monitoring developments as head coach Arsene Wenger prepares to boost his midfield at the end of the current season.
Heidel claimed that Meyer is ‘very happy’ at Schalke, but it is thought that Arsenal are confident of turning his head with a contract offer over the next couple of weeks.
Would Meyer suit Arsenal?
In any market, signing a player of Meyer’s ability on a free transfer would be an incredible deal.
Not too many bargains exist anymore due to the state of the transfer market, but Meyer’s refusal to pen a new contract with Schalke means that he will be available for nothing in the summer.
The four-time Germany international, who is valued at £14.4m by transfermarkt.co.uk, has spent his entire professional career at Schalke – scoring 22 times in close to 200 appearances in all competitions.
His best scoring season came during the 2013-14 campaign when he managed seven goals in all competitions, whilst the midfielder has netted once in 21 appearances this term.
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Meyer’s ability to operate in a number of positions makes him an attractive proposition for Wenger, who was recently boosted by the news that Mesut Ozil has signed a new deal at the Emirates Stadium.
At 22, Meyer is the perfect age to develop, and he would boost an area of the field that Arsenal desperately need to address at the end of the campaign.
Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood has claimed that the attitude of his players in their Europa League draw against Benfica proves they have his back.
Spurs were knocked out of the tournament last-16 after a 2-2 draw at the Estadio da Luz, having lost the home leg 3-1 at White Hart Lane.
They were however close to a remarkable comeback when Nacer Chadli score two quick-fire goals after Ezequiel Garay’s header, as well as having a strong 88th minute penalty claim turned down.
Benfica eventually saw out the tie with a late penalty themselves, going into the quarter-final draw 5-3 on aggregate.
In the aftermath of Spurs’ 4-0 loss to Chelsea, Sherwood questioned his players’ character and attitude, but only saw positives on Thursday night.
“People speculated, didn’t they?” he was quoted by Sky Sports. “I read a lot of things saying now you need those players on your side.
“I think it’s evident they’re on my side and the side of the club. They fight for the cause and my little rant, if you want to call it one, has done them no harm.
“They have showed real character and real guts and they need to do that until the end of the season, because we’ve got some tough games ahead and I’m confident they will do that.”
Sherwood believed that with his second string side, his men had outplayed the Portuguese outfit and was disappointed that referee Damir Skomina didn’t award a spot-kick for Miralem Sulejmani’s tackle on Harry Kane.
“Sometimes you get them and sometimes you don’t and at the moment, we’re not getting them,” the Spurs boss said.
“We had them where we wanted them. They were running scared, weren’t they?
“It was good to see their manager sweating. I did not see a suave character on the side, I thought someone who was really flustered, which was good to see.
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“That is what we intended to do and that is what we achieved.
“Credit to Benfica, they go through over two legs. You have to say the one that scores the most goals deserves to go through.
“But for us, the 3,000 travelling fans from London must be proud of what they saw.
“The boys are very proud about what the fans have done for them tonight as they stuck behind them, travelling in numbers, and the boys have put on a performance which they can go and be proud of.”