Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been dealt a setback as a piece of Frankfurt team news has emerged ahead of the Europa League final…
What’s the latest?
According to the Scottish Express, the Ibrox giants will have to contest with the threat of Jesper Lindstrom who has won his fitness battle with a thigh knock to be available for action tonight.
The report claims that there were fears that he would be out for the season after he suffered the blow in their semi-final clash with West Ham. However, he has overcome his issue and is now set to take part in the huge clash in Seville.
They quote Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner as saying: “Jesper has a very good sense of depth, which will be very important against Rangers. They defend incredibly well on men so we have to get them going and attack gaps. It has to be better than the alternative. If I feel his condition is better, he will play. If not, the other will play.”
Gio van Bronckhorst will be gutted
The Gers head coach will be gutted by this news as Lindstrom being fit is a huge blow to his side’s chances of winning the game.
Glasner’s comments on the Dane highlight how highly he is rated within the German outfit and his statistics this season back up the high praise.
In Europe’s top five leagues this season, he is in the 93rd percentile for pressures and interceptions per 90 – as per FBRef. This shows that he works his socks off for the team whilst playing in an attacking role, often playing on the right of a front three.
His hard work on the flank can, therefore, limit what Borna Barisic is able to do from left-back. If the Croatian has Lindstrom constantly pressuring him and trying to intercept the ball then it may lead to rushed, forced, passes and lower the quality of his output in possession tonight.
The Frankfurt gem will also cause issues with what he is able to do on the ball. He has created 11 ‘big chances’ across the Bundesliga and Europa League this season as he has proven that he can be a creator for his team out wide, whilst also chipping in with five goals.
This means that the 22-year-old can make a big impact at both ends of the pitch for his team and that is why his availability is a huge blow for Rangers and one that van Bronckhorst will be gutted about.
AND in other news, Gvb must finally unleash “powerful” 19 y/o Rangers gem who “took his chance” in 2022…
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster is set to become a Tottenham Hotspur player ‘very soon’.
The Lowdown: Forster set to become a free agent
The now 34-year-old first arrived at St Mary’s eight years ago in a £10m move from Celtic, and he has since gone on to make 161 senior appearances for the south coast club.
The shot-stopper’s current contract with the Saints is set to expire at the end of June, making him a free agent for any potential suitors interested.
In the past he has been linked with a move away from Southampton after Premier League duo Chelsea and Arsenal registered interest in him, but it seems as though the Gunners’ north London rivals are now the club who look set to secure his signature over the summer.
Romano took to Twitter to state that the deal is almost complete and that the Lilywhites are set to make an official announcement imminently.
He stated: “Fraser Forster will be announced as new Tottenham player very soon. Paperworks ready as he’s gonna join Spurs on a free transfer, he was considered the best option on the market for a backup GK. First called by @mcgrathmike – deal almost completed.”
The Verdict: Perfect cover for Lloris
With second-choice goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini set to depart N17 and return to parent club Atalanta, Forster could be the perfect backup to Hugo Lloris and would provide some valuable cover for Spurs’ number one.
The 6 foot 7 netminder, who was once hailed an “unbelievable” player by his manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, already has plenty of experience in the Premier League, and in the Scottish Premiership with Celtic, with a total of 199 clean sheets throughout his career.
Antonio Conte is believed to have a new goalkeeper high up on his transfer wish list as he looks to rebuild his squad ahead of the start of next season, and it now looks likely that Forster will be the one to walk through the door at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the coming days.
In other news… a club insider has made a promising transfer claim involving one of Spurs’ summer targets
Liverpool have been handed a double injury boost ahead of tonight’s Champions League final showdown against Real Madrid in Paris.
What’s the news?
According to Reds manager Jurgen Klopp, the midfield duo of Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara will be available to play in tonight’s big match against the Spanish champions after previous injury concerns.
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Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Klopp said: “It looks good for both Thiago and Fabinho. Thiago trained yesterday with the team, trained today and we’ll go from there.”
The Spaniard had been struggling with an Achilles injury leading up to tonight’s final, whereas Fabinho suffered a muscle problem against Aston Villa earlier this month.
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Klopp will be buzzing
Given the magnitude of tonight’s showdown against Carlo Ancelotti’s side, it will undeniably be a boost for Liverpool to have the midfield duo available for selection, and it will also surely have Klopp buzzing.
Taking into account how the pair has made a combined 105 tackles between them in the Premier League this season, the two best performers in Liverpool’s squad in this regard, it’s safe to say that their presence will be huge for the Reds against Real Madrid if they are fit enough to start.
Also, the fact that the Brazilian has made more blocks (51) throughout the league campaign than any other Liverpool player further highlights how crucial he could be tonight.
Focusing on his efforts in the Champions League, no other Reds player has equalled the average of tackles per game (2.3) that the 28-year-old has averaged throughout the tournament so far.
With Real Madrid scoring 80 goals in La Liga this season, the most in the Spanish top flight, and 28 goals in the Champions League (including a few against the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain), having Thiago and Fabinho available will surely give the Reds a better chance of overcoming Ancelotti’s formidable outfit.
If the duo are 100% fit enough to start tonight, then they should definitely be in the starting XI to take on Los Blancos. That could be a crucial factor in Liverpool potentially winning their seventh European Cup in a few hours’ time.
In other news: Liverpool eyeing move for “tenacious” £100m “predator”, Klopp would love him
For a side that has now won it all under Jurgen Klopp in the last seven years or so, Liverpool haven’t actually spent ludicrous amounts of money in one transaction very often, instead opting for options outside of the box, and, in the end, more successful and cheaper players.
And that transfer genius has, in many ways, been one of the greatest keys to their success. That, and the unrelenting conductor behind it all, Jurgen Klopp.
A certain former Aston Villa striker, aside, every player listed below has failed to flop when bought for big money. Of course, that’s not to say every player has been a great revelation, with the jury still up on Naby Keita, for example, but those listed have, at the very least, played a big part in the club’s history.
Some said that Liverpool overpaid for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane when they first joined the club, only to be proven wrong months later. The fact is, the recruitment team at Liverpool rarely makes mistakes. Each player signed is brought in to fit Klopp’s system to perfection because, simply put, anything beneath perfection is rarely good enough at Anfield these days.
The Reds have already secured one summer signing ahead of next season, with Fulham’s teenage sensation, Fabio Carvahlo, joining for £7.7m. If the 19-year-old follows in the footsteps of previous summer signings in the red half of Merseyside, then Liverpool fans are in for a treat.
As revealed by TransferMarkt, here are the top 10 most expensive Liverpool transfers of all time.
10) Roberto Firmino – £36.9m (Hoffenheim, 2016)
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When Roberto Firmino joined Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers in the summer of 2016, not many knew what to expect. And, in truth, the Brazilian only really started to hit the heights at Anfield when Jurgen Klopp arrived, and introduced the false nine role to the system.
Firmino fit the role like a glove, and hasn’t looked back since. The £36.9m fee looks like a bargain nowadays.
9) Sadio Mane – £37m (Southampton, 2016)
Soccer Football – Champions League – Semi Final – Second Leg – Villarreal v Liverpool – Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal, Spain – May 3, 2022 Liverpool’s Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Pablo Morano
Arguably the first player to reach new heights under Klopp, Sadio Mane rose to stardom in the 16/17 season, and has kept improving year on year, cementing his Liverpool legacy.
Now a legend of the club with countless honours to his name, Mane looks likely to depart Liverpool this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano, after scoring 120 goals in 269 appearances.
8) Mohamed Salah – £37.8m (AS Roma, 2017)
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The final of the famous front three on this list, Mohamed Salah is arguably the best of the lot. When signed for £37.8m from Roma in 2017, many believed that Liverpool had overpaid for the winger. A record-breaking 32-goal Premier League season later, however, and the Reds looked like genius’.
When the Egyptian king does depart, whenever that turns out to be, he will go down as one of the greatest players in the Klopp era.
7) Diogo Jota – £40.23m (Wolves, 2020)
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Another player many believed that Liverpool overpaid for, Diogo Jota’s success at Liverpool occasionally goes under the radar. The Portugal forward has become a serial goalscorer at Anfield. In 2021/2022, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man managed 21 goals in all competitions.
It speaks volumes that, whilst Salah and Mane were away at AFCON, Liverpool didn’t struggle for goals with Jota at the fore.
6) Fabinho – £40.5m (AS Monaco, 2018)
Fabinho is one of few names on this list that many actually expected to succeed when signed. He was tipped as the missing piece in many ways and has gone on to become a vital player under Klopp – picking up the ‘lighthouse’ nickname.
Signed alongside Alisson Becker in 2018, the summer of his arrival will go down as one of the most important in Liverpool’s modern-day history.
5) Christian Benteke – £41.85m (Aston Villa, 2015)
Christian Benteke getting a place on this list is proof that not everyone is perfect, especially Liverpool’s recruitment team before Klopp. The big Belgian forward never stood a chance in Klopp’s heavy metal system and was quickly sold to Crystal Palace for £27m.
Benteke did, at the very least, leave the club with a stunning overhead kick against Manchester United to boast about. But, the acrobatics aside, he had a year to forget.
4) Luis Diaz – £42.3m (Porto, 2022)
Soccer Football – FA Cup – Final – Chelsea v Liverpool – Wembley Stadium, London, Britain – May 14, 2022 Liverpool’s Luis Diaz celebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup final REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
The latest success story (so far), Luis Diaz arrived in Liverpool in January 2022, before going on to transform the Reds’ season. When he arrived, Liverpool were 14 points behind Manchester City, and looked set for an underwhelming season.
The Colombian’s impact took the title race to the final day, however, as Liverpool narrowly missed out by a point to Man City. Diaz also became the first Colombian to start a Champions League final, in which he was on the losing side against Real Madrid.
£42.3m looks an absolute bargain.
3) Naby Keita – £54m (RB Leipzig, 2018)
This is a difficult one. Can we call Naby Keita a success? Based on the trophies he’s won, yes. But, based on his injury record and general impact, it’d have to be a no. In the 2021/2022 season, he looked like the player that Liverpool hoped to have bought in 2018 for the first time.
Yet, is it too little too late?
When fit, Keita is one of Klopp’s best midfielders, as proven in 21/22. And, if he can stay fit for the majority of what could be left of his time at Anfield, then he could go down as a success story.
For now, however, 116 appearances in four seasons just simply isn’t enough.
2) Alisson Becker – £56.25m (AS Roma, 2018)
Soccer Football – FA Cup – Final – Chelsea v Liverpool – Wembley Stadium, London, Britain – May 14, 2022 Liverpool’s Alisson saves a penalty from Chelsea’s Mason Mount during the shoot-out REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
When Loris Karius dropped the ball (quite literally), against Real Madrid to cost Liverpool the 2018 Champions League final, it was one mistake too many for Klopp and his ambitions, which needed a new goalkeeper.
So in came Alisson Becker – a goalkeeper that will go down as one of the best that the Premier League has ever seen, come the end of his career. With two Premier League Golden Gloves to his name, and even one goal, it’s fair to say that the £56.25m fee paid in 2018 has been more than justified.
1) Virgil van Dijk – £76.19m (Southampton, 2018)
Topping the list, as some may have predicted, is Virgil van Dijk. And, of course, like the majority in this top 10, many believed that Liverpool overpaid for the Dutchman. As cool as ever, however, Van Dijk quickly proved his doubters wrong.
Now classed as one of the best defenders that the Premier League has seen, Van Dijk may just go down as the greatest signing in Liverpool history. He completely transformed Klopp’s side from nearly-men to serial winners.
It would come as little surprise if Liverpool splash the cash once more this summer, and with great success, too. At the moment, everything the Reds touch seems to turn to gold. And that’s a major credit to Klopp and his coaching staff.
Whether the summer is used towards building for the future or for the season ahead, fully expect Liverpool to push Manchester City all the way in the Premier League title race once more.
Competing with a City side led by Erling Haaland will be difficult, but the Reds will no doubt have their own transfer strategy in mind this summer.
Tottenham Hotspur have made their first move in a bid to bring Gabriel Jesus to north London this summer.
What’s the talk?
That’s according to a report by Italian media outlet Tutto Juve (via Sport Witness), who claim that Fabio Paratici has now tabled a €47m (£40m) bid with Manchester City regarding a deal for the centre-forward – who looks certain to depart The Etihad in the summer transfer window following Pep Guardiola’s signings of both Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.
Previous reports had claimed that Arsenal are also interested in a move for the Brazil international this summer, with Mikel Arteta’s side believed to be willing to offer the 25-year-old a weekly wage of £190k at The Emirates, however, it would now appear as if Tottenham have taken the lead in the race for the former Palmeiras striker’s signature.
He’d be “unreal” for Conte
With it being reported that one of Antonio Conte’s priority signings in the summer transfer window is the addition of a new centre-forward who can also operate out wide, it is easy to see why the 52-year-old would be interested in a move for Jesus ahead of Tottenham’s 2022/23 campaign.
Indeed, over his 28 Premier League fixtures in 2021/22 – 13 of which came on either the left or right-wing – the £60m-rated forward was in fantastic form, bagging eight goals, providing eight assists and creating eight big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 2.3 shots, making 1.4 key passes and completing 1.6 dribbles per game.
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These metrics saw the £110k-per-week talent who Jack Lang dubbed “stunning” and Nic English labelled “unreal” earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.18, ranking him as Guardiola’s ninth-best player in the top flight of English football.
Furthermore, the Brazilian’s overall record in English football speaks for itself, with Jesus having scored a total of 95 goals and registered 46 assists over his 236 appearances for City – averaging a direct goal involvement every 101 minutes of football played.
As such, it is clear to see just how talented a player the 25-year-old is, with the prospect of him linking up with Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski in the Tottenham attack next season sure to be an extremely tantalising one for both Conte and the Spurs faithful alike.
AND in other news: “His agent was…”: Romano drops big Spurs transfer update, supporters will be buzzing
Transfer insider Alex Crook has revealed some exciting news that he has now ‘heard’ from Everton on Christian Eriksen.
The Lowdown: Out of contract
Eriksen only signed a short-term contract at Brentford in the January transfer window over fears of his heart problems, leaving it to expire at the end of the month.
However, he has shown that he can still play consistently at the top level, scoring one goal and making a further four assists in 11 games in total in the Premier League (Transfermarkt).
Thus, a number of clubs in the top flight are expected to swarm for his signature this summer, once he becomes a free agent again.
The Latest: Everton move?
Writing in talkSPORT’s latest transfer notebook, Crook has revealed that while Brentford have now ‘offered’ a deal to Eriksen to become their highest-paid player, Goodison Park is another ‘potential destination’ for the Denmark international, as well as his former club Tottenham Hotspur:
“Brentford have offered him a deal to become their highest paid player.
“I know there’s interest from at least two Premier League clubs, we believe he wants to play in the Champions League.
“I was told that his family are quite settled in London, that would obviously link him to Tottenham, we’ve heard Everton as a potential destination.
“My hunch is that he will leave Brentford, although I know some journalists in Denmark have said that he will stay because he owe them a debt of gratitude.”
The Verdict: No-brainer
If Eriksen can carry on playing at a consistent level as he has shown, it is a no-brainer for the Merseyside club to sign him up on a free.
The 30-year-old averaged more key passes, crosses and long balls per game in the top flight than any outfield Toffees player, highlighting how much of a creative influence he has on the team.
Nonetheless, his Premier League experience means that it should take little time for Eriksen to settle in, should he make the move to the Blues.
In other news, find out who EFC are now fighting Leeds United to sign here!
Fabrizio Romano has dropped a big Manchester United transfer claim which will leave new manager Erik ten Hag gutted.
What’s the news?
A move for Ajax star Antony might not be as straightforward as Ten Hag thinks, according to the Italian journalist.
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Sky Sports recently reported that United have made enquiries to Ajax about the player, with some suggestions that the Premier League club would bid €50m (£42.8m) for the 22-year-old, but there has been no progress on that front in recent days.
Romano told GiveMeSport: “The real point is about Ajax because Ajax would love to keep the player for one more season. They want an important fee for Antony. When I see about a potential proposal for €45m or €50m, I’m told Ajax actually want way more than this for the Brazilian, so it’s not going to be an easy one.”
This is a potential blow to Ten Hag and his transfer plans for the Brazilian, with a much bigger fee now being demanded in order to secure his services.
Big blow for United
The Ajax player would likely fit in well at United, having worked under Ten Hag in Amsterdam, and he could offer an extra dimension to their struggling attack.
The only Red Devils forward to score more than ten goals last season was Cristiano Ronaldo (24), and this is an area which needs improvement if they wish to get back to winning trophies.
Antony scored 12 times in all competitions and grabbed a further ten assists, and if he did make the move to Old Trafford, there seems little doubt that he could replicate or even better these numbers.
As per FBRef, the Ajax winger ranks in the top 1% for both assists (0.78) and total shots (4.08) per match among positional peers in major European competitions last season, displaying his attacking attributes on a consistent basis.
The 22-year-old also illustrated how keen he is to burst into the box and either score or set up a team-mate, ranking in the top 10% for touches in the opposition penalty area with 6.59 per match.
A reunion between Ten Hag and Antony may have looked likely at one point, but with this news from Romano, it might not be as close as some may have believed. It’s a development which is likely to leave the new United manager gutted.
AND in other news, MUFC in “direct discussion” to sign gem with 236 Premier League appearances, he’s Pogba 2.0
Everton have been linked with a number of players already this summer and now a transfer target from the past has resurfaced as a potential signing that the club will explore again.
What’s the latest?
Greek football journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos has claimed that Everton are interested in signing Pape Abou Cisse this summer.
Chorianopoulos simply tweeted: “Everton are interested in Olympiacos CB Pape Abou Cissé.”
Everton were previously linked to the Olympiacos defender in January.
Lampard needs him badly
There is no doubt that Frank Lampard desperately needs to improve the back-line at Everton following a disappointing season for the Toffees that left the side in a relegation scrap until the penultimate game of the season.
The defenders collectively earned a lot of criticism for their performances in the Premier League with Jamie Carragher branding them a “Championship back four” after their humiliating 5-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last season.
With that being said, signing new defenders to bolster and add quality to the back four will be a priority with James Tarkowski expected to be announced when his contract expires at Burnley next week.
Cisse has impressed over 132 appearances for Olympiacos, scoring sixteen goals and bagging two assists over the last five years from centre-back, as well as showing off his talent in Ligue One whilst on a six-month loan at Saint-Etienne.
Over 14 appearances for the French side, the six-foot-six monster made an average of 1.1 tackles, 1.9 interceptions and an astonishing 6.1 clearances per game, as well as winning the large majority of his duels combined (72%) – proving that he has a number of phenomenal defensive attributes.
Lampard could form a brick wall duo if he can complete the signing of the Senegalese defender to join the Tarkowski in his new-look back four next season and the partnership between the pair could seriously improve the fortunes of the Toffees in the Premier League.
Ultimately, Moshiri could secure a great piece of business if he can get a deal over the line for Cisse this summer alongside the signing of Tarkowski, as it would add considerable depth to the defence in the squad giving Lampard quality options to deploy in his team.
AND in other news: Contact made: Everton plot move for “quick” £15m “special talent”, Frank will love him
Leeds United are reportedly interested in a move for veteran goalkeeper Ben Foster, following his impending departure from Watford.
What’s the word?
As per the Daily Mail, the Yorkshire side are keen on signing an additional midfielder, a left-back and an ‘experienced’ goalkeeper this summer, with the 39-year-old said to be one figure who is ‘under ‘consideration’ for the latter role.
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The one-time Manchester United stopper has recently confirmed his exit from the Hornets upon the expiry of his contract at the end of June, following the club’s recent, swift return back into the second tier.
The Elland Road outfit currently have a largely youthful goalkeeping department in the form of the undisputed number one Illan Meslier and understudy Kristofer Klaesson, while fellow youngster Elia Caprile appears set for another stint out on loan in Italy with Bari, having spent the most recent campaign in Serie C with Pro Patria.
Bargain
Manager Jesse Marsch does have former Real Madrid man Kiko Casilla as one experienced option on the club’s books, although it would appear that the 35-year-old has no future with the Premier League outfit, having spent last season on loan at Elche.
His likely departure has heightened the need for a wise old head to be added to the goalkeeping ranks, with Foster seemingly the ideal fit to provide that short-term solution, having been a top-flight regular for over a decade.
With a CV that lists spells at the likes of the Red Devils, Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion and of course, Watford, the Englishman has racked up an impressive 380 Premier League appearances in that time, keeping a respectable 92 clean sheets in total.
While the £33k-per-week stopper will likely be signed to play second fiddle to the promising Meslier, the eight-cap international has proven he can still be the main man if required, having made 26 top-flight outings last term for the struggling outfit.
Such a quality understudy – who has been dubbed an “inspiration” by former teammate Heurelho Gomes – is no doubt rare to find, while the player himself has recently admitted he would be willing to help aid whoever is in front of him and help them maximise their potential.
That could prove invaluable to the club’s current leading man, with owner Andrea Radrizzani seemingly set for a bargain acquisition if he can land the soon-to-be free agent before the start of next season.
AND in other news: Fabrizio Romano now reveals “crucial” transfer development, it’s great news for Leeds
Aston Villa have been linked with a summer move for AC Milan defender Alessio Romagnoli.
What’s the news?
According to a recent report from Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Villa have joined fellow Premier League side Newcastle United in the mix to sign the centre-back during the current transfer window.
A product of Roma’s youth system, the 27-year-old – who is currently picking up £106k-per-week – made his move to Milan back in 2015. Since then, the Italian has gone on to make 247 appearances for the Serie A champions across all competitions, in which he has scored 10 goals and delivered three assists.
In his 19 league appearances last season, the defender won 14 tackles and made 26 blocks, 28 interceptions and 50 clearances, highlighting how useful he can be at the back when called upon.
Described by his youth coach Sandro Tovalieri as an “elegant” player who is “very technical and capable of breaking the lines,” Romagnoli’s current contract at Milan expires at the end of this month.
This means that Villa could potentially swoop in and secure him as a free agent, assuming he doesn’t end up putting pen to paper on a new deal at the San Siro in the next few days.
Imagine him and Carlos
Taking into account how the Midlands club have already added a new defender to their squad in Diego Carlos, adding Romagnoli to the mix as well could give Steven Gerrard the opportunity to form a strong centre-back partnership in his team.
With the Brazilian winning 38 tackles and making 58 blocks, 52 interceptions and 140 clearances in 34 La Liga games last season, he has shown that he is a very capable defender and could be a solid addition to Villa’s ranks.
Bearing that in mind and the experience that the Milan defender has racked up in Italy throughout his career, the duo could take the Premier League by storm under Gerrard’s management next season and beyond.
If the opportunity to strike a deal for Romagnoli on a free transfer arises in the coming days and weeks, then Villa should be all over it so that they can beat Newcastle to his signature.
In other news – Imagine him and Kamara: Gerrard can form dream duo with £30m Villa swoop for “king”