All posts by z3u9t.icu

The summer transfer window is well underway and Glasgow Rangers have been incredibly busy ahead of the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership campaign.

Dujon Sterling, Jack Butland, Kieran Dowell, Abdallah Sima, and Sam Lammers have all joined the club to bolster the squad from last season, while the likes of Alfredo Morelos, Scott Arfield, and Ryan Kent have moved on from Ibrox.

The Daily Record have also claimed that the club are closing in on the signings of Jose Cifuentes, from LAFC, and Cyriel Dessers, from Cremonese, to take the number of new arrivals to seven.

However, Michael Beale could also add to his first-team options by promoting one of the B-Team stars over to the senior group if they impress during pre-season, with Lewis Mayo, Ben Williamson, Cole McKinnon, Kieran Wright, and Arron Lyall all reportedly joining the manager's squad for training this week.

Who is Arron Lyall?

The 19-year-old, who is part of the group of young players attempting to catch the eye of the boss, is an exciting winger who predominantly plays on the right but is also capable of playing on the left or through the middle.

Rangers have been linked with interest in signing a new wide player, with LAFC's Kwadwo Opoku a reported €4.8m (£4.1m) transfer target, and Beale could now save the club millions by unleashing Lyall as a first-team player, preventing the need for a fresh addition from elsewhere.

The teenage wizard, who was described as "exciting" by ex-boss Neil McCann, enjoyed a prolific 2022/23 campaign as he plundered 15 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions, including 13 in 34 Lowland League outings.

Meanwhile, Antonio Colak (14) and James Tavernier (16) were the only senior stars with more league goals, while Malik Tillman was the highest-scoring midfielder with ten.

This suggests that the speed demon, whose "terrific" burst of pace was hailed by journalist Jordan Campbell, has the potential to be an excellent wide option for Beale if he can translate his impressive B-Team form over to the Premiership.

He did enough to convince the manager to hand him his debut for Rangers off the bench against Hibernian at the end of last season, which suggests that the 42-year-old tactician views the goalscoring winger as a prospect with the quality to play first-team football.

It's an exciting time to be part of the toward line at Ibrox right now, something that will be boosted by Dessers' arrival. He found the net on ten occasions last term and the 28-year-old, who is now in his prime, could be one of the players to immediately take Lyall under his wing and develop him as a footballer.

It is unlikely the teen will get too many minutes immediately but it could be the start of a fresh new partnership at Ibrox.

Beale must start by offering Lyall enough opportunities to impress in pre-season with a view to increasing his role in the senior side next term, if he can handle the step up to playing at that level on a regular basis.

Such an eventuality could subsequently prevent any need for Rangers to sign a new winger.

Manchester United have made initial contacts over a move for midfielder Moises Caicedo and are now set to approach Brighton, Sky Sports report.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news?

The Red Devils are yet to bolster Erik ten Hag’s senior squad this summer, with an ongoing takeover saga continuing in the background at Old Trafford.

However, the off-field process on a takeover won’t impact United’s transfer business, with money available to Ten Hag regardless of the outcome, and it looks as if a new marquee midfielder is high up on the club’s wishlist.

Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester, with personal terms already agreed ahead of a transfer. Agreeing on a fee with those at Stamford Bridge has been an issue, though, and a £55m offer is still live.

Another midfielder the Red Devils appear to be firming up their interest in is Caicedo, with Sky Sports stating on Wednesday that initial contacts have been made and an approach to Brighton is expected.

“We know that Manchester United are in the market for a midfielder. Our understanding is that not only is Mason Mount potentially one of those targets – we know that there has been several offers and that final offer of £55m remains on the table.

“But Manchester United are expected to formally approach Brighton with regards to midfielder Moises Caicedo after making initial contacts this week.”

Who else wants to sign Moises Caicedo?

Caicedo, described as a "physical monster" by Sports Scientist Dr Rajpal Brar, is a wanted man this summer, with United not the only side keen on his services.

Fabrizio Romano revealed on Wednesday that Chelsea were set to open talks to sign the Brighton star in the coming days, adding that personal terms won’t be an issue.

Caicedo and Mount are fairly different midfielders, with the Brighton man naturally a holding midfielder and the Chelsea ace more of an attacking midfielder. Therefore, United may, in an ideal world, want both players to come in and bolster Ten Hag’s midfield options, especially with the club preparing for life back in the Champion League next season.

However, that could prove tricky, but who knows, Chelsea’s pursuit of Caicedo could help United in a potential move for Mount, and by the looks of it, there could be movement from Old Trafford soon as the Red Devils look to kickstart their summer business.

Arsenal are reportedly interested in Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella, as the Gunners aim to bolster their midfield this summer.

The narrative of the Gunners’ transfer window so far has been the destination of Declan Rice, who West Ham have rejected two bids from the north Londoners for.

Mikel Arteta’s quest for reinforcements in central midfield doesn’t end with the Englishman, with Barella rumoured to also be on the radar.

Italian outlet FC Inter News reported earlier this week that Inter are expecting ‘two very important offers’ from Manchester United and Arsenal in the ‘coming days’.

The 26-year-old is contracted to I Nerazzurri until 2026, after signing an extension in 2021, with a separate report from Calcio Mercato Web claiming that a price of €50m (£44m) could see them part ways with the midfielder.

What could Nicolo Barella offer to Arsenal?

While the ongoing saga between the Gunners and Rice is twisting and turning, the prospect remains an exciting one should the 24-year-old opt to move to the north of the capital. Although on paper Barella may well seem like an alternative, the thought of the two actually potentially playing together is a mouthwatering one.

Indeed, with Granit Xhaka almost certainly departing and rumours of Thomas Partey’s potential exit, Arteta will look to recruit in central midfield this summer, leaving plenty to the imagination of just how the Gunners could line up next season.

There’s no denying that Rice and Barella are two outstanding individuals, so just imagine what they could achieve playing as a duo in the engine room at the Emirates.

Hailed as a “little warrior” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the midfielder played an integral role in Inter’s phenomenal season that saw them reach the Champions League final and secure a third-place finish in Serie A.

Equipped to do the jobs of a deep midfielder, the Italian produced in the final third as well, scoring six and assisting six in 35 league appearances, as per FBref, popping up as a complete box-to-box midfielder.

The two talents are deployed in similar positions to similar effect, however, their slight differences suggest that they could fuse to create a monstrous pivot in Arteta’s midfield.

As highlighted by their numbers, both players enjoy being on the ball in transitioning play in midfield, as shown by Rice averaging 58.7 attempted passes to Barella’s 50.14 per 90, as well as recording an average of 6.60 progressive passes to the Italian’s 6.62 per 90.

Rice excels slightly more in his defensive duties, as relayed through an average of 2.17 tackles per 90 to the 26-year-old’s 1.80, recording an average of a win rate of 58% of his total duels to the Serie A ace’s 55%.

Barella’s presence in the final third could be the icing on the cake for the duo, adding an attacking outlet to the pivot to balance Rice’s slight defensive expertise, best shown by the positions he takes up in order to be on the receiving end of a progressive pass.

The Inter maestro averaged 4.97 progressive passes received per 90 over the past year, with the Englishman only recording an average of 1.03 per 90, highlighting the impact he could provide to the potential pair.

With the transfer window changing every day, only time will tell if Arteta can land his targets, however, there is little to doubt that they could unleash a searing partnership in Arsenal’s midfield.

An unknown name has thrown his name into the mix for the managerial vacancy at Sheffield Wednesday, according to reports.

What's the latest Sheffield Wednesday news?

After the shock departure of Darren Moore earlier this week, Wednesday have been busy looking for a replacement as they prepare for their first season back in the Championship.

The news came as a surprise to fans after the 49-year-old had just steered the Owls back to the second tier of English football, with the club embarking on a historic playoff run that saw them overturn the biggest deficit in League One playoff history, coming back from 4-0 down to beat Peterborough before a last-minute Josh Windass goal against Barnsley sealed their return.

Out of seemingly nowhere, club chairman Dejphon Chansiri announced Moore's departure, with The Star reporting that the two parties came to a mutual agreement for the 49-year-old to leave due to their differing transfer policies.

In the aftermath, Wednesday have begun their search for his replacement, with former Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal sensationally linked with a return to the club, but The Star has now reported that former Chaves manager Vitor Campelos has now put his name forward to Chansiri to take charge at Hillsborough.

Will Vitor Campelos take charge at Sheffield Wednesday?

Campelos is far from the only name in the mix for the vacant managerial job at Wednesday, so it remains to be seen how likely it is that he'll be taking charge of the club ahead of next season.

Having spent the last two years at Chaves, the 48-year-old was a resounding success at the club, guiding them to promotion and a return to Portuguese's top flight in 2022, before leading them to a seventh-place finish in their first year back, one point short of their greatest ever league campaign.

After being linked to several Championship clubs, the Portuguese coach left Chaves earlier this month, but is keen to get straight back into management and has apparently identified the Wednesday job as one of great interest to him.

Campelos' preferred formation is a 4-4-1-1, a shape that Wednesday aren't too familiar with, so if he were to get the job, it's likely the club's tactical approach would change significantly, but as he has previously shown in Portugal, his ability to navigate a team to success after promotion to a higher division could bode well for his chances on securing the job.

Arsenal are looking to the transfer window to make needed reinforcements following their impressive title challenging season.

The Gunners lead the race for the majority of the campaign but fell at the final hurdles with squad depth being a glaring issue.

Now, Mikel Arteta is expected to have a busy summer, with a host of talent already linked with a move to the Emirates, with one saga continuing from January.

What’s the latest on Moises Caicedo to Arsenal?

As widely reported in the winter transfer window, Arsenal had several bids for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo rejected.

After signing a new contract with the Seagulls, the Ecuadorian is expected to depart this summer, with the north Londoners still very much interested if latest reports are to be believed.

London World reported last week that the Gunners ‘will make a bid’ in the region of £75m for the midfielder, a similar figure that was rejected by Brighton previously.

What could Moises Caicedo offer to Arsenal?

Having been hailed as a “machine” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 21-year-old has been one of the Premier League’s best defensive midfielders this season.

With the departure of Granit Xhaka all but confirmed, Arteta will have his eyes on recruiting for the position this summer, with £120m-rated Declan Rice named alongside Caicedo as transfer targets.

While the financial side of the two separate deals creates the assumption that only one player will be Emirates-bound, Football Insider reported last month that Arsenal could go after both talents.

The two midfield goliaths both won an average of 58% of their total duels this season as per Sofascore, with Caicedo averaging a monstrous 2.7 tackles per game in the league.

The defensive side of both the central players’ game makes them both valuable players for any side, however, their passing abilities could see them fit into Arteta’s squad with ease, particularly alongside Martin Odegaard.

The Norweigan has flourished in the no.10 role for the Gunners, and the introduction of two established dominators in the engine room could only improve the Arsenal skippers’ game.

Caicedo averaged a passing accuracy of 89% this season, with Rice following closely behind with 88%, with both players showcasing their composure when dispatching the ball.

Having two confidently equipped midfielders behind him, Odegaard could take his expertise further up field taking into consideration the duo’s ability to win and retain play.

The 24-year-old powerhouse contributed 2.1 key passes per game for his side this season and acted as Arsenal’s best creator in an area that could be bolstered in having security as assured as two of the country’s best holding players.

In comparison to Thomas Partey, who at present will be the man to start next season behind the Norwegian, the two could provide a better outlet offensively as well as their defensive contributions.

As per Sofascore, Rice averaged one key pass per game with Caicedo achieving 1.2 in the same area, showing the upgrade they could be on the Arsenal side with Partey recording an average of 0.8 per game.

With combined fees of almost £200m, only time will tell if reports regarding the Gunners landing both midfielders is to be believed, however, Arteta could unearth a midfield trio for the ages if there is truth.

Manchester United have identified Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou as their "main target" to replace David De Gea between the sticks, according to journalist Rudy Galetti.

What's the latest Man United transfer news?

Recent reports indicating that Man United are unwilling to pay Diogo Costa's €75m (£64m) release clause, but FC Porto are unwilling to lower the price, so Erik ten Hag may be forced to move on to other goalkeeper targets.

According to talkSPORT, Everton's Jordan Pickford is at the top of the Red Devils' list, and the England goalkeeper would jump at the chance of moving to Old Trafford, as a result of his desire to play in the Champions League.

United could make a move for Pickford even if De Gea remains at the club, while they have also been linked with a move for Brentford's David Raya, who has now rejected multiple contract offers from the Bees.

While Pickford is emerging as a key target for Ten Hag, Galetti has now told GiveMeSport that bringing in the Sevilla goalkeeper will be the manager's main priority this summer.

The journalist said:“ At the moment, Manchester United remain interested in Bounou. De Gea’s situation does not leave them calm, with so many doubts about the Spanish goalkeeper who also had offers from Saudi Arabia and you’re seeing Bounou who could replace him and for this reason, he remains the main target for Man United.”

Who is Yassine Bounou?

The Morocco international, who was hailed as GOAL as an "immovable force", made a name for himself at the World Cup, with members of the media lauding him as a "hero" due to his solid performances, ranked by Sofascore as his side's fourth-best performing player in their remarkable run to the semi-final.

Hailed as "brilliant" by sports writer John McAuley, the 32-year-old has also impressed at club level, with journalist Abhishek Dey claiming he was the "best" goalkeeper in La Liga during the 2021-22 campaign.

That said, there are some indications the £15k-per-week shot-stopper, who impressed against Man United in 2020, is starting to show his age, keeping just five clean sheets in La Liga last season.

Having conceded an average of 1.71 goals per 90 over the past year, the Sevilla goalkeeper ranks in just the 16th percentile, when compared to his positional peers.

As such, Man United would be better off prioritising a move for Pickford, as the Everton goalkeeper is only 29-years-old, and he is already proven in the Premier League, having made 248 appearances in the competition.

Manchester United have suffered heartbreak at Wembley Stadium this afternoon after losing to Manchester City in the FA Cup Final and Erik ten Hag will surely be disappointed with the performance put on by his team.

The Red Devils were on course to secure the domestic double after winning the League Cup earlier this year, but it wasn't meant to be on the day with the undeniable force of their local rivals presenting itself in just seconds of the game commencing in London.

Over the monumental occasion, United struggled to dominate in any area of the pitch with just 40% possession, fewer shots on target (3 v 5), fewer accurate passes completed (267 v 450), fewer duels won (40 v 48) and fewer tackles completed (11 v 19), proving that Ten Hag's side were outplayed in both attacking and defensive play.

In the first half, nobody could have predicted that Man City would be breaking records just 12 seconds into the Wembley clash but Ilkay Gundogan's stunning volley secured the lead for the Sky Blues and became the fastest ever FA Cup goal in the history of the competition.

Following the German's strike, the spotlight was stolen by VAR and refereeing decisions with Jack Grealish penalised for a controversial handball in the box, which gave the Red Devils the golden opportunity to get back into the game with Bruno Fernandes converting a spot kick to equalise in the 33rd minute.

In the second half, Gundogan punished the Red Devils again early with another goal in the 51st minute to take the lead once again which ultimately turned out to be the match-winner, delivering the seventh FA Cup in the club's history.

Whilst Ten Hag will be proud of the achievements that his team have delivered with Champions League football and a trophy secured this season, this afternoon's outing will serve as a reminder that the rebuild is still very much in progress at the club with the need to offload some of the players clear.

How did Fred get on vs Manchester City?

The Brazilian midfielder – who was signed for £47m back in 2018 – has had a rocky tenure at Old Trafford, and if reports are to be believed he could be one of the players who will be shown the exit doors this summer.

Man United have been linked with a number of midfielders who could be set to replace Fred this summer with Declan Rice, Manuel Ugarte and Mateo Kovacic all named as potential targets for the Dutch coach this summer, and the midfielder did himself no favours to stake his claim to stay in his outing at Wembley this afternoon.

Over his 90-minute performance, the 30-year-old dud lost 81% of his duels (3/16), misplaced 100% of his crosses, lost possession of the ball ten times and was dribbled past twice, whilst he even failed in 100% of his dribble attempts too.

Whilst Fred cannot be blamed for the entirety of the uninspiring display at Wembley, it is painfully obvious that Man Utd are crying out for a more energetic presence and a player who can look after the ball better going forward in the important position.

With that being said, Ten Hag must take a good look at his starting players and improve in key areas to ensure their pursuit for trophies and dominance doesn't stagnate again next season and Fred should be one of the players who shouldn't ever wear the shirt again.

Manchester United target Neymar is seemingly keen on a move to Old Trafford this summer, with prospective new owner Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani open to a deal.

What's the transfer gossip on Neymar to Manchester United?

Foot Mercato shared an update on United's interest in signing Neymar this summer in the last 48 hours, saying the Red Devils have the advantage when it comes to the attacker. The Brazilian appears to be on his way out of PSG with the Ligue 1 outfit open to getting his incredible €3.6m-a-month (£3m-a-month) salary off the books.

Most recently, the PSG hierarchy has been irritated by Neymar after he missed the final game of the season due to injury before appearing in Monaco to watch the Grand Prix. The Brazilian's trip was seen as a "provocation" and "seals his fate a little more."

Foot Mercato note that PSG tried to sell Neymar last summer and are looking to sell him again this year, with Manchester United, Newcastle and Chelsea named with an interest.

United, as mentioned, are said to hold the advantage, with the player, who has contacts with the Qatar brand, seduced over a move to Old Trafford and can only see himself playing in Manchester or staying with PSG.

The 31-year-old reportedly wants to continue playing in Europe for the time being after an offer of around €400m (£343m) from a Saudi Pro League side was rejected by the forward.

Is a Man Utd move to sign Neymar wise?

Labelled as "one of the best players on the planet" in the media, Neymar has already won plenty in the club game, nine major honours with PSG in fact, and a move to Manchester United could be an opportunity to grow his personal brand even more.

The Premier League appears to be a popular attraction for the top stars, although it's unclear whether or not Neymar's body is strong enough to cope with the demands of England's top flight. According to Transfermarkt, the Brazilian missed 15 games after undergoing ankle surgery on a nasty injury sustained against Lille in February.

Potential new owner Jassim is said to be keen on signing Neymar should he complete a takeover at Man United. If he was able to remain fit, Neymar is the type of player that could restore Erik ten Hag's side back to the top with 293 goals and 188 assists in his club career, and by the looks of it, a move may well be one to keep an eye on.

It’s crunch time for West Ham United on Thursday evening, as David Moyes’ side take on Eintracht Frankfurt in what is set to be an enthralling, Europa League, semi-final, second-leg clash.

The Hammers head into the game on a run of four matches without a win in all competitions – having lost their last three both in Europe and domestically – although all hope is not lost with the current aggregate scoreline at just 2-1 in favour of the Bundesliga side.

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The London Stadium outfit weren’t at their best in that defeat on home soil, although that one-goal deficit ensures it is all still to play for, with history seemingly on their side as they overcame the same opponents at the last four stage of the European Cup Winners’ Cup back in 1976.

Ahead of this pivotal encounter, here’s how the Football FanCast think that Moyes will line his side up…

With the former Manchester United boss announcing a clean bill of health in his pre-match press conference, the only changes to be made are likely to be tactical ones, with the Scotsman having shuffled his pack in the weekend defeat to Arsenal. As such, we are predicting that the 59-year-old will make four alterations from the side that lost at home to the Gunners.

One of those tweaks will see Alphonse Areola return in goal having featured in nine of the ten games in the competition, while ahead of him Craig Dawson returns to the backline after his brief suspension on Sunday, lining up alongside Vladimir Coufal, Kurt Zouma and Aaron Cresswell.

The latter will return to his usual left-back berth, meaning that £38k-per-week dud Ryan Fredericks will drop out – the full-back having been dubbed a “shocker” by journalist Thomas Clark earlier this season.

In midfield, the club’s “man mountain” Tomas Soucek, as he has been described by pundit Micah Richards, replaces club captain Mark Noble alongside talisman Declan Rice, while ahead of them should be the attacking trio of Pablo Fornals, Manuel Lanzini and Jarrod Bowen.

Leading the line will almost certainly be Michail Antonio – with Said Benrahma making way – although as his manager admitted, the Jamaica international is in desperate need of a goal, having scored just twice in all competitions since New Year’s Day.

In other news, Forget Rice: Moyes now set for West Ham disaster on “remarkable” £125k-p/w giant

Liverpool centre-back Nat Phillips is likely to be sold permanently at the end of the season, with plenty of interest in the Englishman.

The Lowdown: Phillips out on loan

The 25-year-old became an unlikely hero for the Reds last season, filling in during a defensive injury crisis and helping Jurgen Klopp’s side finish third in the Premier League.

Phillips has been largely deemed surplus to requirements in 2021/22, however, making just three appearances for Liverpool before joining Bournemouth on loan in January.

The centre-back has played his part in the Cherries sealing promotion from the Championship, making 16 league starts.

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The Latest: Permanent summer exit?

According an early morning report from The Liverpool Echo, the Reds will listen to offers for Phillips this summer, especially if Joe Gomez ends up signing a new deal at Anfield.

Bournemouth are thought to be eyeing up a permanent move for the defender, whose current Liverpool deal runs out in the summer of 2025.

The Verdict: Time to move on

Phillips will always be appreciated for his efforts last season – Klopp hailed one performance as ‘absolutely insane’ – but the truth is that he is not at the required level to make it at Liverpool, meaning he should be moved on.

Bournemouth are perfect for the Englishman, in terms of being a lower Premier League or upper Championship side, and he could thrive there over a long period, as evidenced by his role in their promotion.

With Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez all ahead of Phillips in Klopp’s centre-back pecking order, it is impossible to see him getting many chances from this point on.

In other news, another Liverpool player is also expected to leave this summer. Find out who it is here.