All posts by n8rngtd.top

Ange Postecoglou has been placed with the arduous task of rebuilding a hampered Celtic squad.

The Hoops lost their dominance last term and it has been difficult to see them usurping their Old Firm rivals again heading into next season.

On the chalkboard

One area for improvement at Parkhead this summer should be in the goalkeeping position.

Vasilis Barkas has been treated harshly since his £4.5m move a year ago and only played twice since the New Year period.

Conor Hazard took Celtic to Scottish Cup glory in December during their penalty shoot-out win against Hearts but looked abject in normal time.

Scott Bain, meanwhile, is hardly of the highest calibre after making his own individual errors in the last 12 months.

As a consequence, Celtic have been considering a number of replacements. Postecoglou has been linked with a reunion for Mat Ryan who played so regularly under the new manager for Australia.

Swedish stopper Robin Olsen is another name on the agenda while Charlie Nicholas has urged the Bhoys to consider Leicester City goalkeeper Danny Ward.

A further target could be Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher according to Nicholas, who suggested the Irishman as an alternative.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-news-doig-nketiah-mccann” title= “Read the latest Celtic transfer news!”]

Speaking to The Express (29/06), he said: “Caoimhin Kelleher has already played in the Liverpool first team, he is another one. My mate Phil Thompson rates him highly and he’s another who wouldn’t be overly expensive.”

Kelleher rapidly developed last season and signed a new deal last month to make him Liverpool’s number two.

With that in mind, it’s unlikely that Jurgen Klopp will be too willing to lose him. However, a loan move could be exactly what both parties need.

Celtic are in need of finding a more reliable goalkeeper while Kelleher could benefit from regular starts. After all, he is not going to leapfrog one of the world’s best in Alisson at Anfield.

The 22-year-old played five matches for the senior side last season as he was even handed a chance to thrive in the Champions League.

After impressing, Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson commented: “Imagine that: you’re making your European debut for Liverpool in a massive game in front of a global audience and you have to replace one of the best in the world in your position.

“Keeping a clean sheet in any circumstances is always an achievement, but in this particular situation it is an even bigger one and all of the accolades Caoimhín received afterwards were richly deserved.”

Capable of standing up in big games, that should suit Celtic who desperately need to improve on their European record – starting against Midtjylland in a few weeks time.

Pundit Noel Whelan described the youngster as “superb”, hailing his confidence in possession of the ball.

Not only is Kelleher a capable shot-stopper but he’s also calm with the ball at his feet. That should please the Hoops supporters who want to continue seeing a possession-based style of play.

Ultimately, though, it’s the hefty defensive issues that the Liverpool gem could solve.

Not since Fraser Forster have they had a reliable man between the sticks. Kelleher could change that.

AND in other news, Forget Vuskovic: Postecoglou must seal Celtic swoop for “incredibly fast” 24 y/o brute…

Sheffield United may be set for a nervy few weeks ahead, as they look to keep hold of their key players heading into the upcoming 2021/22 campaign.

The Blades were relegated into the Championship after a hugely disappointing season under the management of Chris Wilder last term.

Wilder has since departed the club, with former Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic now in charge of the Blades for the upcoming Championship campaign.

Jokanovic could turn out to be a smart appointment in the future for Sheffield United, with the 52-year-old winning promotion with the Cottagers earlier in his managerial career.

But to get another promotion on his CV, the newly-appointed Sheffield United boss will be hoping the key members in his squad can remain at Bramall Lane.

Sander Berge is one of those, but it remains to be seen as to whether he’ll remain a Blades player by the time they get their new league campaign underway on Saturday 7th August against Birmingham City, in what could potentially be a tough test for Jokanovic’s side.

The Norwegian midfielder has been with Sheffield United since 2020 and has evidently caught the eye with some strong performances, with the likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Napoli just some of the clubs rumoured to be interested in a deal to sign the 23-year-old.

Berge made 16 appearances in all competitions for the Blades last term, although his efforts weren’t quite enough as they were relegated into the Championship last term.

Football.london have since revealed that Berge would be open to the possibility of a move to Arsenal this summer if they were to push ahead with their reported interest in landing his signature this summer.

Berge has established himself as a firm fans favourite at Bramall Lane, and the club’s supporters will be reluctant to see him leave the club before the transfer window slams shut in the coming months.

They’re likely to be fighting a losing battle to keep Berge

Sheffield United have already revealed that they’re keen to keep their key players at the club for the foreseeable future, which will have been pleasing to see for the club’s fans.

The likes of Aaron Ramsdale have also been linked with moves elsewhere, but the Blades’ valuation of the shot-stopper is likely to price the likes of Arsenal out of a move for the 23-year-old.

But with Berge reportedly being open to a move to Arsenal whilst still contracted to Sheffield United, it could mean that Jokanovic’s side are fighting a losing battle to keep Berge at Bramall Lane.

The club won’t be wanting to keep an unhappy player at the club, and so that could see them cash-in on him for a cheaper price than what they’d originally hoped for.

An interesting few weeks ahead

If this report from football.london does turn out to be true, it’s far from ideal preparation ahead of the 2021/22 league campaign for Sheffield United.

Jokanovic will be wanting to have a group of players that are committed and all heading in the same direction, with promotion back into the Premier League being the main aim for the Blades.

The next few weeks are likely to tell us a considerable amount about where Berge’s future lies amid links to Arsenal.

This season is set to be an enthralling one for Leeds United. They’ve had a year back in the Premier League to acclimatise themselves and they’ll soon have supporters back inside Elland Road too.

Junior Firpo is their landmark addition so far while Jack Harrison has finally penned permanent terms in Yorkshire.

What’s the word?

One saga that’s been running nearly as long as Rodrigo de Paul to Leeds is a potential swoop for Nahitan Nandez.

Leeds have been linked with the Uruguayan dominator since last summer and now they’re weighing up whether to consider a move again.

That’s according to La Nuova Sardegna (via Sport Witness) who suggest that this is a defining week in their chase of the midfielder.

Cagliari are set to determine the future of Nandez and whether they wish to sell the player.

The report mentions Leeds but any potential deal could be quite pricey with the 25-year-old’s release clause standing at €36m (£30m).

Imagine him & Phillips

If the Whites decided to pursue a record-breaking deal for Nandez then it could make the middle of Leeds’ team incredibly difficult to break down.

Kalvin Phillips is the beating heart and the engine room of this Leeds side and has taken his game to a new level for England this summer.

He started every single game for England at the European Championships and he assisted Raheem Sterling’s opening goal of the tournament by breaking up the play in a typically robust fashion.

Leeds lack depth beyond Phillips though, and Nandez could add some extra bite and steel.

Described as a “machine” by Serie A expert Conor Clancy, the Uruguay international is a brutal presence in the middle of the park.

Possessing a wide range of qualities, he’d be perfect for Bielsa. Nandez played a hand in four goals in the league last season while producing 1.8 tackles and 1.2 dribbles per game.

Dynamic on the ball but ruthless in the challenge, he is a rare breed. Only Phillips and Dallas registered more tackles in the middle of the park last term, for instance.

As for dribbles, Raphinha was the only player to record more per match than the Leeds target last season.

Speaking about his form in 2020/21, journalist Mina Rzouki said: “Cagliari’s Nandez is one of the most underrated players. God, he’s been so amazing, especially in Cagliari’s last 3 games. He scored the equaliser against Napoli. Man of the match in the win against Udinese. Against Roma – just wow. Unstoppable.”

With that in mind, he’d be a fabulous capture for the Yorkshire side, one that could help form a supreme duo in central areas.

AND in other news, Orta must seal Leeds swoop for 17-goal “phenomenon”, he’s a big upgrade on Harrison…

Football Insider pundit Alan Hutton has urged Celtic to make a renewed move for defender Mario Vuskovic.

The Lowdown: Vuskovic to Celtic so far…

Reports last month linked the Hadjuk Split defender with a move to Parkhead, with Celtic willing to pay £5m for the teenager. The Hoops were willing to hand the centre-back a contract worth £12,000 per week and seemed to be closing in on Vuskovic.

However, rumours have gone quiet recently, and agent Craig Moore believes that Celtic have now ‘gone cold’ on signing the defender.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-9/” title=”Celtic updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Latest: Hutton’s comments

Hutton was talking to Football Insider regarding Vuskovic and seemed to be all for a move, urging the Hoops to make a U-turn on the centre-back after seemingly cooling their interest.

The 36-year-old said:

“I’ve heard from people in the game he’s a very good ball-playing centre-half and he obviously plays for the Croatia Under-21s.

“Yes, he’s only 19 but everybody’s coming through a lot earlier these days. They’re taught a different way, to carry the ball out from the back and make attacks happen. This is the modern-day centre-back.

“They’ve obviously done their homework on him. They’re not just going to sign a 19-year-old for £5million if they don’t trust and believe in what he can bring to the team.

“Getting potentially £12million in for Ajer and spending £5million on a 19-year-old who can learn and develop under the new manager, that’s a good bit of business.”

The Verdict: All hinges on Ajer

Hutton mentions Ajer, and the future of the Norwegian could be crucial when it comes to Celtic possibly bringing Vuskovic to Parkhead.

The Hoops now want £20m for the 23-year-old centre-back, who has just 12 months left on his contract, and they rejected a bid from Brentford which could have been worth £15m.

Should Ajer depart, Celtic could go back in for Vuskovic as well as Carl Starfelt, with the Swedish centre-back another defender with whom the club have halted talks due to Ajer’s situation.

In other news: ‘Where are the brains?’ – Many Celtic fans react to Scott Burns’ transfer update.

Writing on Twitter, reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano has made a Celtic transfer claim as he lifts the lid on yet another big development.

The Lowdown: Bhoys been busy…

Over this last week alone, Celtic have got Ange Postecoglou’s reign off to a brilliant start and have been very busy in the transfer window.

The Hoops have just confirmed the signings of both Liel Abada and Japan international Kyogo Furuhasi whilst also bolstering their youngsters in the B team.

Indeed, Celtic announced just yesterday evening that they had secured Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Bosun Lawal on a three-year deal from Watford, even beating Chelsea to his signature.

Now, Romano has lifted the lid on another big development.

The Latest: Romano makes exciting claim…

Making an exciting claim, the Italian reporter says Celtic have completed an agreement to sign Rubin Kazan defender Carl Starfelt, and Postecoglou isn’t done there.

Indeed, on top of this, the Scottish giants are also on the hunt for a new right-back after sealing the Starfelt deal.

Celtic have a few candidates on the shortlist with ‘talks ongoing’ for Royal Antwerp ace Aurelio Buta.

“Celtic are looking for a new right back after agreement completed to sign Carl Starfelt as centre back from Rubin Kazan,” Romano tweeted. 

“Brandon Soppy is one of the options – talks ongoing also with Royal Antwerp for Portuguese right back Aurélio Buta.”

The Verdict: Yet more big news…

Celtic appear to mean business this season as they aim to steal back the SPFL crown, with arch rivals Rangers halting their dominance last season.

The Hoops dominated over an imperious 10-year spell before Steven Gerrard’s side made it 55 and Celtic supporters will be hoping they can seize back control of the Scottish top flight.

Making this many moves – and nearly all for young talent – is certainly the right way to go about it and Postecoglou’s debut season as manager will be one of the most interesting campaigns in the last few years.

In other news: ‘What a day’, ‘Yesssss’, ‘Holy moly’…Celtic fans rave as club drop another announcement, find out more here.

Adama Traore’s contract situation at Wolves is an “iffy one”, says Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield.

Traore, who joined Wolves from Middlesbrough back in the 2018 summer transfer window, has just two years remaining on his current deal.

The Spanish winger, 25, was thought to be close to putting pen to paper on a new one, with Goal reporting back in May that both parties were in talks.

However, nothing has materialised and his future now looks uncertain amid reported interest from clubs such as European champions Chelsea.

Speaking to FFC about the matter, Hatfield said:

“The contract situation’s a bit of an iffy one. We’ve heard from Wolves that they’re trying to get him down to a new deal and the kind of sounds we were hearing from Nuno when he was in charge is that that he was confident that he would sign a new deal, but we’re yet to see that.”

It leaves Wolves with a decision to make: sell now and make as much as they can or keep him and watch his value decrease as his contract runs down.

According to The Athletic, the Midlands club need to sell big if they want to spend this summer, so the former certainly looks like a strong possibility right now.

Liverpool have reportedly shown an interest in Cagliari defender Sebastian Walukiewicz as Jurgen Klopp eyes further additions to his backline.

What’s the story?

That’s according to Italian outlet Calcio Mercato, who claim that the Reds are monitoring the 21-year-old centre-back ahead of a possible move this summer.

The report claims that the Serie A outfit will demand a minimum of £8 million for their prized asset after an impressive showing last season.

Fans will surely be delighted

Liverpool suffered from a severe injury crisis in 2020/21, with their three senior centre-backs all suffering season-ending injuries by January.

The absence of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip saw Klopp turn to midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, but that caused problems in the club’s engine room, forcing the German tactician to trust fringe player Nat Phillips, loanee Ozan Kabak and youngster Rhys Williams in the second half of the campaign.

An upturn in results saw the Anfield outfit finish third in the Premier League standings, but the club’s hierarchy have wasted no time in adding reinforcements, signing Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig.

The arrival of the France Under-21 international has seen Phillips heavily linked with a £15m move away from Merseyside, although his departure would potentially leave Liverpool light on numbers at the back.

Therefore, news that the club’s hierarchy are reportedly plotting a move for Walukiewicz will surely leave the supporters feeling delighted.

As per WhoScored, the 6 ft 1 beast made 1.9 interceptions per league game last term, three clearances and 0.7 blocks, placing him in the top three for all metrics when compared to his teammates.

After spending a year alongside former Atletico Madrid and Inter stalwart Diego Godin at the Sardegna Arena, Walukiewicz will have had an education in the art of defender that many youngsters can only dream about.

With money tight, Klopp may be tempted to sell Phillips over the coming weeks despite his impressive showing last term and replace him with Walukiewicz, maintaining a variety of options at the heart of the defence while making a healthy profit.

The funds generated could help Director of Football Michael Edwards bring in another one of Liverpool’s top transfer targets while ensuring the first-team squad should no longer be decimated by injuries so easily.

And, in other news…Liverpool make bid for “extraordinary” wizard but Reds fans should be gutted 

West Ham United fans are delighted after it was revealed by reliable club insider ExWHUemployee that Tammy Abraham is available for just £30m this summer.

After a fantastic Premier League season last time out that saw the Hammers finish in sixth place in the table, David Moyes and co are preparing for a Europa League campaign this time around. However, up front at least, the Irons are lacking options – as it stands, Moyes only has Michail Antonio at his disposal in the striker position.

West Ham have been heavily linked with a move for Tammy Abraham this summer (Ekrem Konur), and now ExWHUemployee has provided an important update. He says that Chelsea have told the England international he can depart this summer, and would accept an offer of £30m for his services.

The news was shared on Twitter by @westhamtransfer, and it attracted plenty of attention from the Hammers supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Abraham news below

“Needs to happen at that price, no brainier. Very excited over the thought of this one.”

Credit: @JacobLewisP

“Need this done and dusted will be our signing of the season”

Credit: @ben_18365

“We should be all over this”

Credit: @joehalford1990

“That’s worth it for me. He will only get better with time !”

Credit: @coyijoe

“Let’s go West Ham time to start cracking on with this”

Credit: @SamKrueger_

“Please I am begging, £30m is a no brainer.”

Credit: @Wilko17

In other news, West Ham fans were livid with this transfer update.

Many Everton fans have been left fuming as a transfer update emerged on James Rodriguez.

Speaking on El Chiringuito TV, sports journalist Edu Aguirre has claimed that Rafa Benitez has told the Colombia international that he ‘doesn’t count on him’, and added that Rodriguez ‘wants to play’ and is ‘looking for a away out’.

The former Real Madrid star was such a key player for the Merseyside club in the 2020/21 term, scoring six goals and making a further nine assists in 26 games in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt).

His creativity in the final third of the pitch may be vital for their hopes of achieving European qualification next season, but it seems as if the 30-year-old may be forced out of the Toffees after just one campaign.

Thus, it is not a surprise at all to see so many Blues supporters fuming after hearing the news.

Everton fans on Rodriguez transfer update

These EFC fans fumed as the transfer update on Rodriguez was shared on Twitter:

“Give up.”

Credit: @MattyGraham18

“This better not be true.”

Credit: @lewissefc

“Woah woah woah Benitez?? Been in the club a minute my guy can’t be telling Rodriguez he’s not wanted”

Credit: @__GS2__

“Rafa out”

Credit: @GeorgeWoodEFC

“We finally have a player of world-class ability who WANTS to stay here, but he’s being told to leave? Everton that.”

Credit: @_NateTweets

“If this is true, RAFA OUT”

Credit: @keepitreal_82

In other news, find out what confirmed exit has Evertonians talking here!

Paul Stewart has tipped Nuno Espirito Santo to return to his homeland in a bid to strengthen his Tottenham Hotspur squad before the transfer window slams shut.

Nuno was appointed as Spurs’ new head coach, following a lengthy process that saw the likes of former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte linked with the job, in June.

The Portuguese has moved into the hotseat having seen a four-year stint as Wolverhampton Wanderers’ chief end by mutual agreement at the end of last season.

During his time at Molineux, Nuno welcomed a number of Portugal’s leading stars to England. The likes of Ruben Neves, Diogo Jota, Joao Moutinho and Rui Patricio followed Nuno to Wolves during his tenure.

Since taking charge at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Nuno has welcomed Atalanta goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy, while Bryan Gil has headed to the Premier League from Sevilla.

Former Spurs man Stewart believes Nuno, with the help of super-agent Jorge Mendes, will look to Portugal and discover another hidden gem, like he did so many times at Wolves.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “Nuno might have something up his sleeve, like a Portuguese player.

“We know he is very close to the agent Jorge Mendes, who brought all the players to Wolves. I hope he might have something up his sleeve.”