All posts by z3u9t.icu

A number of Manchester City fans have flocked to the transfer news that AC Milan are interested in defender Nathan Ake.

According to a report by MilanNews.it (as relayed by City Xtra), the potential transfer of Ake to Milan is proving to be ‘difficult to achieve’, and sources close to Man City have stated that the centre-back will not be leaving the club in the January window.

The Dutchman has struggled for Premier League playing time this season, having made just eight top flight appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side.

However, lately Ake has been utilised in the various cup competitions that City are still in the running for, including the club’s recent 4-1 FA Cup victory against Swindon Town.

It would certainly be a surprise were he to leave, given he is just now beginning to stamp his mark after joining 18 months ago (BBC), particularly impressing against Brentford and Leeds in recent weeks.

These Man City fans flock to the Ake transfer news

Manchester City Twitter source City Xtra shared the news to fans, with many flocking to the comments to share their joy for Ake, who looks set to remain at the club. Supporters were reluctant to see the Netherlands international exit due to a number of fantastic recent performances.

Here’s what some of these fans said…

“Ake is getting better & better at City, top player, at CB or LB, hope he stays and sure he will”

Credit: @MCFCTone

“He’s absolute class and isn’t going anywhere. I was so wrong about him”

Credit: @ManCityKD

“You think Pep will let our defensive depth and stability go now that we finally have it again? In JANUARY? In such a crucial part of the season? Lmaooooooo”

Credit: @mvx_mcfc

“Def don’t give up Aké. That save against Arsenal should keep him a blue for quite a while.”

Credit: @NathanDean904

“AC Milan is one of my favorite clubs in Europe, but Ake needs to stay because he’s actually been very solid when starting.”

Credit: @SoraPalmer

“Tell those Italians to go shop somewhere else, Ake ain’t leaving, no chance”

Credit: @mxnxl_

Liverpool left it very late to secure their latest win in the Premier League thanks to a last-gasp injury-time winner from Divock Origi off the bench against Wolves at Molineux.

Despite the Belgian hero understandably taking the limelight with his late winner, one Reds player who started the game against Bruno Lage’s side and deserves praise on this occasion is Trent Alexander-Arnold.

In the 90 minutes he played against Wolves, the right-back showed just why he is such an important figure for Jurgen Klopp and his team, and why he has played in 16 games across the Premier League and Champions League this season.

With 87 touches of the ball, Alexander-Arnold managed to complete 48 passes (including four key passes), five crosses and two long balls, whilst also having two shots at goal (as per SofaScore).

The 23-year-old didn’t shirk away from his defensive duties either, with one clearance, one tackle and two interceptions under his belt today, helping his side to keep a clean sheet away from home.

This latest performance for the Reds earned Alexander-Arnold an overall match rating of 7.9/10, making him the highest-rated Liverpool player on the day according to SofaScore and Klopp’s hero in terms of his overall display.

The Liverpool Echo also picked up on the England international’s impressive display up and down the pitch at Molineux by saying he was “solid defensively and forceful going forward.”

Even though the right-back – who has been labelled in the past as “out of this world” by pundit Gary Neville – didn’t add to his impressive goals and assists tally for the season today, his overall performance showed everyone just how brilliant he is.

His overall performances in the league so far this season have earned him an overall rating of 7.74/10, making him the second-highest rated Liverpool player at this stage of the season underneath Mohamed Salah according to WhoScored.

Moving forward, if Alexander-Arnold can continue playing regularly and putting in this sort of solid performance in an attacking and defensive sense, he could just fire Liverpool to the league title by keeping them strong at the back and dangerous going forward.

In other news: Klopp given major LFC boost as transfer claim emerges, fans surely buzzing

Tottenham Hotspur have been doing their best to keep hold of their star player, Harry Kane, which has been an uphill battle for the club over the last 12 months, and now another link away for the Spurs goal machine has been reported.

What’s the story?

According to reports coming from El Nacional, Kane has been offered to Real Madrid, as Tottenham would prefer to sell the player to a foreign club, despite Pep Guardiola reportedly still interested in the striker.

The claim states: “He is desperate to leave, seeing that the results they are achieving are still very erratic.”

Kane has struggled to establish his usual form at Tottenham, only scoring one goal and offering up one assist to his teammates in the league this season, which is a far cry from last season where the 28-year-old won the golden boot and playmaker award, becoming only the third Premier League player to finish the season with the most goals and most assists.

Antonio Conte has since joined as Spurs manager, after rejecting the job initially in the summer, and it was thought that the appointment of the popular Italian could tempt Kane from making a move in January.

However, in a big twist to the tale, he’s now reportedly being offered elsewhere by the club.

El Nacional have reported that Guardiola wants to ‘throw himself at Kane’ in the winter transfer market, as Manchester City continue the season without a striker, and want to resolve that issue by bringing in Kane at any cost.

It is suggested that a move to the Santiago Bernabeau is more intriguing to the forward as he continues to desire a move to a club playing Champions League football, despite Carlos Ancelotti allegedly not interested in signing the Englishman.

Conte will be furious

Conte recognises Kane as an “important player”, and it was speculated that the manager turned down the job originally in the summer due to the uncertainty surrounding the striker’s future at the club, so clearly further talk of a move away will not be welcomed by the Italian manager.

Losing the goal threat of the England striker to another club, especially a Premier League side, would certainly hinder the progress and vision Conte has for the team moving forward, so it could be a really frustrating transfer window for the Lilywhites if they finally let him go.

The centre forward has scored 229 goals in 356 appearances for Tottenham, only 37 shy of the club record held by the late Jimmy Greaves, and has been integral to the side’s progress over the last eight years.

The club’s manager will have to do whatever he can in the January transfer window to ensure he can keep hold of his star man at least until the end of the season, in an effort to prove to the £108m-rated gem that Tottenham can win trophies under his reign, which could tempt Kane to stay long term.

For now, however, he should be seething that within just a matter of months of joining Spurs, his most important asset could depart.

In other news: Antonio Conte must unleash Ryan Sessegnon after fresh Spurs injury setback

A number of Wolves supporters have reacted negatively to a rumour linking the club with a move for Fenerbahce winger Enner Valencia.

Bruno Lage’s side may have found some form in the Premier League but that doesn’t mean their squad doesn’t need strengthening.

It could be that new signings are made in the January transfer window to ease the burden off Raul Jimenez given his constant international exploits, and one player who has been linked with a move to Molineux is Valencia.

According to Fotomac [via Talking Wolves on Twitter], Wolves are the front-runners to sign the former West Ham and Everton man.

The 32-year-old has scored an impressive 34 goals in 67 caps for Ecuador, so he could arguably be an experienced head who provides Lage with quality.

Wolves fans react to Valencia rumour

Despite Valencia’s pedigree, these Wolves fans took to Twitter to react negatively to the rumour, saying they don’t want him to sign for Wanderers.

“Please don’t Wolves”

Credit: @parker_bradley

“Sanches this, Botman that, Donny van de Beek the other. No Enner Valencia”

Credit: @charliewwfc_

“We can’t be paying more than £3m for him”

Credit: @_samwhitehouse_

“How about we don’t do that and sign a good player instead”

Credit: @SamJGollings

“This has to be a joke right?”

Credit: @JamesSa36443478

“Please no”

Credit: @thedonck

In other news, a journalist has provided a key update on one Wolves player’s future. Read more here.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are currently in the top six in the Premier League and will be hoping to continue their fantastic run of form that could see the club challenging for Europa League football next season.

Bruno Lage’s side have taken six wins and one draw from their first twelve games in the Premier League, which has put them clear of the likes of Manchester United.

One player who has had an impact on Wolves’ impressive progress this season is winger, Daniel Podence, who has been challenging Adama Traore and Barcelona loan player, Francisco Trincao for a place in the team.

The 26-year-old has impressed many with his recent performances, including Alan Shearer who was full of praise for the Wolves player hailing him a “bright spark” after a win against West Ham last weekend;

“He was a real bright spark. He forced a couple of good saves from the goalkeeper but at least Podence is getting his shots away.

“He has a really good understanding with Jimenez and this (goal) sums it up perfectly. Give, go… but it’s clever from Podence because he has a little look where Jimenez is.

“That’s a really good finish and it won them the game in the end. It’s really good play from both of them.”

Shearer’s insight on the connection and link up in play between Jimenez and Podence is something Lage should consider when picking his team for the upcoming fixtures ahead, where Wolves will need to pick up points to stay in the conversation for European football.

That’s because his attacking qualities could truly transform the Molineux outfit with both Traore and Trincao struggling to find the net in 2021/22.

The Portuguese winger has two goals and two assists in eleven appearances so far this season for his team and will be hoping to establish himself as a first-team regular as he continues to prove how well he can link play and seek out goal scoring opportunities.

Podence and Jimenez can form a valuable partnership that could be a real attacking asset to the side, making sure that connection and bond are built, especially with Trincao only on loan and Traore continuously linked with a move away from the club.

It makes sense to build a team that is committed to the club and the vision going forward, to ensure that the team can rely on each other to provide performances that enable Wolves to compete at the highest level.

Lage will be hoping the side can put in another perfect performance to take maximum points from a vulnerable Norwich side away from home at Carrow Road this weekend.

In other news: Hwang edging closer to a permanent deal with the club

Queens Park Rangers will be aiming to progress to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup when they welcome Sunderland to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium tonight.

Mark Warburton’s charges have won their last three fixtures on home territory but will come into this one off the back of a disappointing defeat at the hands of Peterborough United last time out.

The capital club are likely to be without left-back Lee Wallace and midfielder Sam Field for the visit of the Black Cats. Wallace has been out with a hamstring problem since the middle of August and is yet to make his return to first team action, while Field is set to continue his recovery from a knee injury.

Sam McCallum could also be an injury concern for the Hoops after he was substituted against Peterborough at the weekend with a tight hamstring, meaning Warburton will have no natural left-sided defender available for this midweek encounter.

With that in mind, here’s how Football FanCast expects QPR to line up against their League One opponents, with many changes from the side which started against the Posh…

In goal, first-choice shot-stopper Seny Dieng is set to keep his place between the sticks despite keeping just four clean sheets in his 15 appearances this season.

Ahead of the Senegal international is likely to be a familiar back three, but with one change. Jordy de Wijs could come in to give Yoann Barbet a well-earned rest, with Rob Dickie and Jimmy Dunne completing the defensive unit.

The engine room is expected to experience wholesale changes, however. Osman Kakay and Luke Amos should get rare opportunities to impress from the off along with the more regulars Moses Odubajo, while 30-year-old Stefan Johansen will offer an experienced head in the middle of the park.

Concluding the starting XI should be a strike partnership of Andre Gray for a rare start and Chris Willock just ahead of Ilias Chair, which would mean that the £1.8m-rated Charlie Austin and his strike partner Lyndon Dykes drop to the bench for a rest after both started against Peterborough.

In other news… Alan Nixon drops QPR claim on “outstanding” £4k-p/w beast which will have fans buzzing

David Moyes could save West Ham United millions in future transfer windows by unleashing one of his promising academy stars.

Armstrong Oko-Flex signed for the Irons as a free agent during the summer after his contract at Celtic expired, and he has been in fine form for the U23 squad.

He continued to catch the eye this week with yet another goal as Dmitri Halajko’s were defeated by Leicester City on Monday.

The versatile and promising 19-year-old, who can play on the wing or up front, bagged his sixth goal of the 2021/22 campaign and must be on the mind of Moyes heading into a busy fixture list.

Upon signing a professional deal at the London Stadium, Oko-Flex revealed his inspiration to the club’s official website.

“I grew up admiring a few players. Ronaldinho because he was just gifted; Brazilian Ronaldo, who, for a No.9, had everything; and Jay-Jay Okocha, because my parents are originally from Nigeria, and he’s someone I grew up watching on YouTube – he did some crazy things back in the past.

“I also like to entertain, but it’s also about doing it in the right amount. Goals win you games, and I’m an attacker, so goals and assists are very important to me.”

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-west-ham-news-transfer-rumours-the-latest-gossip-and-much-much-more-3” title= “Read the latest West Ham news, transfer rumours, gossip and much more!”]

Meanwhile, during his time in Scotland, the teenage sensation even made two senior appearances for the SPFL giants – former manager Brendan Rodgers, now at the Hammers’ top-flight rivals Leicester City, once dubbed him a “very talented boy” in one interview, via The Sun.

Oko-Flex could be an intriguing option for Moyes and the first-team setup consider, mostly because of his versatility. It’s no secret that the lack option in the final third, with Michail Antonio the only recognised centre-forward.

Whilst players like Andriy Yarmolenko are simply not worth persisting with, particularly when there are promising talents emerging from their exciting Chadwell Heath academy, like the Republic of Ireland U19 international.

Halajko believes his attacking dynamo is “clinical” and that his “finishing is fantastic”, having impressed during friendly with non-league outfit Aldershot Town earlier in the season.

Once on the books at London rivals Arsenal, Oko-Flex would be well worth having in and around the squad, especially with further Europa League and domestic cup competitions on the horizon.

By unleashing this 19-year-old gem into the first-team, Moyes could save GSB and the club millions of pounds.

AND in other news, West Ham fans will surely love latest Daniel Kretinsky claim…

Leeds United picked up their first win of the Premier League season as they beat Watford 1-0 at Elland Road on Saturday.

Diego Llorente’s first half strike was enough to secure the three points for the Whites as they worked hard to earn a win against the Hornets. The result takes Leeds up to 16th as it stands and three points off the top half of the table in this early stage of the season.

Despite the positives to come from winning the game, one player for Marcelo Bielsa’s team struggled to perform. Summer signing Dan James put in a worryingly ineffective display out wide, which will surely have left his manager feeling let down.

The 23-year-old has now played four Premier League games for Leeds and is yet to record a SofaScore rating of higher than 6.6 for the club. His rating against Watford on Saturday was a measly 6.2 as he failed to show what he can do in general play and in the final third.

In terms of his general play, James was a lightweight. As per SofaScore, he lost six of his 10 duels and made zero tackles in the game. He also gave the ball away 18 times and only completed 64% of his attempted passes, having 35 touches overall throughout the 90 minutes.

This suggests that he was too weak to deal with the strength of the Watford defenders, who eased him out of the way most of the time. Bielsa could be worried by this when Leeds come up against other teams who use their physical attributes to impose themselves on the Whites, as James may not be suited to such opponents based on this performance.

The Wales international did not redeem himself in the final third, either. As per SofaScore, James had a dribble success rate of 0% from four attempts and completed none of his attempted crosses. This led to him providing zero key passes in the match, whilst his only two shots were blocked by Watford defenders before they could reach Ben Foster’s goal.

Bielsa will surely have been feeling let down by James’ overall performance. The winger struggled both in his build-up play and in his execution of skill in key moments, leading to an all-round disappointing performance from the winger. Hopefully he will be able to repay Bielsa’s faith by coming back after the international break and improving the standard of his displays.

In other news: Leeds take major step as Thorp Arch news emerges, fans will be buzzing

A fresh twist has emerged on reported Newcastle transfer target Raheem Sterling regarding his thoughts on a potential move to Tyneside.

What’s the talk?

The England international has admitted that he would be open to a transfer away from Manchester City, claiming that football is the most important thing to him in life.

Sterling, who has been linked with a switch to St James’ Park, has also revealed that he has ambitions to play outside of England.

He told BBC Sport: “If there was the opportunity to go somewhere else, I would be open to it. At this moment in time, football is the most important thing to me.

“I have always had something that maybe one day I would love to play abroad and see how I meet that challenge.”

Excitement

These quotes from Sterling will surely leave Newcastle fans feeling excited, particularly following reports of the club’s interest in signing him in 2022. PIF are reportedly keen on adding a marquee addition to the squad after their takeover and the 26-year-old is one of the players they are targeting to be the poster boy of the new era on Tyneside.

Whilst the talk of a transfer to a club outside of England is not ideal, the overall message hints at a move away from Manchester City, and that could open the door for Newcastle to swoop. They could convince him to put his travel plans on hold for a few years to come and lead the Magpies into the future as part of their rebuild, potentially leaving to play in Italy, Germany or Spain further down the line.

Therefore, Sterling’s comments may leave Magpies fans hopeful that PIF could tempt him away from the Etihad Stadium in the coming months, as it has now known that he is open to leaving. Before these quotes came out, it was unclear whether or not the forward would have been interested in moving on from Pep Guardiola’s side, which could have had a big impact on Newcastle’s chances of landing him.

Over the summer, former Chelsea player and manager Frank Lampard was effusive in his praise of the former Liverpool flyer, saying: “He’s excellent, I love him as a player. He’s had a dip in form, and he’ll admit that, but what we’re seeing now is the player we’ve seen for the last three years.

“If I’m talking to a young, wannabe winger now who wants to play, he’s an example on the pitch and off the pitch. He’s had tough times, but now he’s coming through it and he looks like a man. He’s just a world-class player.”

This highlights the level of player Newcastle could be getting, with Lampard believing that Sterling is a ‘world-class’ footballer. His record of 115 goals in 302 games for Manchester City further emphasises this point and illustrates why Magpies supporters will surely be excited by the prospect of him arriving at St James’ Park.

AND in other news, Newcastle make contact with £22.5m-rated “genius”, him and ASM could be terrifying…

Celtic winger Mikey Johnston is out injured again, according to reliable reporter Alison Conroy.

The Lowdown: Johnston’s injury woes

The 22-year-old has struggled with various injuries in recent years at Parkhead, missing over 50 games for the club due to a number of problems.

He is yet to start in a competitive match under Ange Postecoglou after suffering an injury in the Hoops’ pre-season training camp in Wales.

It seemed as if he was on the right track in regards to his return, however, he didn’t feature for Celtic in their 3-0 win over Raith Rovers on Thursday.

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The Latest: Conroy’s tweet

Conroy took to Twitter following Celtic’s quarter-final victory to share two injury updates on Johnston and Giorgos Giakoumakis.

The summer signing injured himself in the warm up, whereas Johnston suffered a fresh knock in training.

“Ange Postecoglou says Giakoumakis will have a scan after injuring his calf in Celtic’s warm up tonight. Mikey Johnston out again after picking up an injury in training. Outside chance of Callum McGregor being back for next Thursday’s Europa League tie.”

The Verdict: Troubling

Johnston made just two league starts last season and is yet to turn out during the current campaign, so his injury history may start to become a bit of a concern for Celtic chiefs.

It could have been his chance to feature heavily with Kyogo Furuhashi sidelined, but he’s failed to take that chance with issues of his own.

The attacker still has just under four years remaining on his Parkhead deal, but should his absence continue, the Hoops may decide to take drastic action in regards to his Celtic Park future.

In other news: ‘Hopefully’ – Kieran Devlin shares ‘important’ area Celtic may add to next after McElhone.