Newcastle are reportedly on the hunt for another central midfielder this summer, so should they hijack Cardiff’s move for Marko Grujic?
With Mikel Merino being linked with a move away from Newcastle and Mo Diame turning 31, it is no surprise that Rafael Benitez wants another centre mid this summer.
The Magpies have already been linked with countless players to compete with Diame and Jonjo Shelvey for those midfield positions in Benitez’s 4-2-3-1 formation.
Stoke’s Badou Ndiaye seems a good fit to take over from Diame, while Jack Wilshere’s departure from Arsenal has got the rumour mill churning in full swing.
If Benitez wants a direct replacement for Merino though, he should be looking at Liverpool’s Grujic.
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The 22 year-old Serbian international spent the second half of last season on loan with Cardiff, and has been strongly linked with a return to the Welsh side.
The towering youngster was an absolute beast for the Bluebirds, winning an incredible 4.8 aerial duels per game, and making nearly two tackles and two interceptions per game.
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Grujic doesn’t have the same eye for a pass that the likes of Merino and Shelvey have, but he would add depth and steel to that Magpies midfield, and a loan move could be perfect for all parties.
So, Newcastle fans, would you like to see Benitez go for Grujic? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below…
Arsenal fans are not a particularly happy bunch at the moment.
Indeed, the Gunners lost 3-0 to Manchester City in the EFL Cup final on Sunday afternoon, and are currently well off the pace when it comes to a top-four position in the Premier League table.
Arsene Wenger remains in his position as head coach, but a lot of supporters are desperate for change.
It could yet get worse for Arsenal as they prepare to welcome league leaders Man City to the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Thursday night.
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Ahead of the match, Arsenal’s Twitter account posted a special message for Aaron Ramsey, but it did not go down too well with all of the supporters.
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Ramsey has managed six goals and eight assists in 20 appearances for Arsenal this season, although there remain question marks over his ability to perform consistently for a club that has ambitions of winning major silverware.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
Amid an enormous exodus of first team talent at Southampton, a few weeks ago it was believed the sought-after Morgan Schneiderlin would be the latest Saints star to instigate his own exit from the south coast.The defensive midfielder, who has made more tackles, 259, and more interceptions, 207, than any Premier League player since the Saints’ top flight ascension in summer 2012, was linked heavily with moves to Arsenal and Tottenham – the former in desperate need of a holding midfielder and the latter now lead by former St. Mary’s boss Mauricio Pochettino.But despite handing in an official transfer request, Southampton have declared that whether he likes it or lumps it, the France international will not be allowed to leave this summer.Thus, it’s time for both North London clubs to seek alternatives as the summer transfer window enters it’s final stages. And being the lovely bunch we are at Football Fancast, we’ve listed SIX that the Gunners and the Lilywhites should be strongly considering.
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CHEICK TIOTE
Football – Sheffield Wednesday v Newcastle United – Pre Season Friendly – Hillsborough – 14/15 , 30/7/14Cheick Tiote – Newcastle United Mandatory Credit: Action Images / John CliftonEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
News emerged yesterday evening that Arsenal are preparing an £8million bid for Cheick Tiote and the Newcastle dynamo would certainly do a decent job for Tottenham too.
The 28 year-old has been a central factor in the Tyneside outfit’s successes since joining the Magpies from FC Twente in summer 2010, and now offers 107 games-worth of Premier League experience.
No doubt, the Ivory Coast international is a real warrior – last season he recorded one of the best tackling returns in the Premier League, as detailed below:
He’s consistent in possession too, as viewable below, although Tiote’s passing range is admittedly rather limited:
Another negative would be the Magpies midfielder’s discipline problems. He picked up 25 yellow cards in his first 50 league games for the Toon, and was booked once in every three appearances last season, also averaging two fouls per match.
But for a mere £8million, Tiote would be a decent stop-gap solution at cheap cost until a higher-quality defensive midfielder comes Arsenal and Tottenham’s way.
Gunners fans will remember the mohawked midfielder most for this sensational strike against the Emirates outfit in 2011:
STEVEN N’ZONZI
Another Premier League alternative both North London sides should be considering is Steven N’Zonzi, who conveniently enough has handed in a transfer request for the second summer in a row at Stoke City. Clearly his ambitions are a little higher than the Potteries.
The 25 year-old has proved himself to be an effective force in the English top flight, having won the Player of the Season award at Blackburn, the Young Player of the Year award with the Potters and amassed 157 league appearances.
The Frenchman pops up with the occasional belter…
And his quality on the ball, for a holding midfielder who measures in at 6 foot 4, often goes unaccredited, this clip being a perfect example:
N’Zonzi was vital for the Britannia outfit last season, making more passes than any player in the Stoke City squad as they began to expand from their attritional roots. And despite assumptions otherwise, he was not only consistent but largely progressive on the ball, as detailed below:
Having seemingly found a new sense of maturity following a spat of disciplinary problems in his earlier career, the former France U21 appears ready for the next level.
And likely available for under £10million, he could prove to be a real coup for either Spurs or Arsenal.
NIGEL DE JONG
Former Manchester City shin-breaker Nigel de Jong has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs this summer, most notably Manchester United:
The interest follows a strong season with AC Milan, despite them finishing in 9th place last year, and an impressive World Cup campaign with the Netherlands, as detailed below:
Affectionately known as ‘The Lawnmower’, there’s no doubting the 29 year-old’s credentials as a top-class ball-winner. Here’s a look at the Milan star in action:
De Jong offers vital Premier League experience too, having spent three-and-a-half years at the Etihad, picking up the English title in 2012.
It remains to be seen whether Manchester United’s interest is genuine, but with just a year left on the Oranje enforcer’s contract, the San Siro side have little choice but to let him go this summer if a decent bid comes along.
WILLIAM CARVALHO
By far the most expensive suggestion on this list, Portugal prodigy William Carvalho is available to any club that’s prepared to pay his £37million release clause.
That’s a lot of money for a 22 year-old, but Carvalho is commonly regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in world football.
An eighteen-month stay with Cercle Brugge soon lead to a surprise inclusion in the Sporting Lisbon first team at the start of the 2013/14 campaign. Carvalho’s progress and development has been earning rave reviews ever since and his sensational rise over the last year was capped off with a decent showcasing of his abilities at Brazil 2014, as detailed below:
The Sporting Lisbon midfielder measures in at 6 foot 2, weighs 14 stone and is famed for his immense physicality. He also knows where the goal is, having netted four times in 30 league appearances for the Portuguese capital outfit. Here’s a look at Carvalho in action:
As previously stated, the Portugal international appears determined to join a more competitive club this summer and even without Champions League football, the quality of the Premier League could be enough for Tottenham to attract his signature.
Arsenal’s interest in Carvalho is already well known:
But recent speculation suggests long-term admirers Manchester United are about to muscle in:
LUIZ GUSTAVO
Luis Gustavo was strongly linked with an Emirates switch last summer before joining Wolfsburg, and the Brazil international has once again emerged as a priority target for Arsenal:
The 27 year-old, formerly of Bayern Munich, was one of the most prolific tacklers in the Bundesliga last season, as detailed below:
And despite the 2014 side being dubbed the worst Selacao assembly of all time, Gustavo was one of their better contributors at the World Cup, putting in a number of impressive performances:
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The 6 foot 2 midfielder is slender in build and doesn’t offer the natural power of some of the other candidates on this list. But he’s quick, has a great engine and is renowned for his composure on the ball.
That would fit Arsenal’s style of play perfectly, whilst his internationally-proven quality would certainly improve Tottenham’s starting XI too.
Despite Arsene Wenger’s alleged revived interest however, the Wolfsburg star has declared that he won’t be moving to the Premier League this summer:
IDRISSA GUEYE
A more risky option that’s reportedly already caught Arsenal’s attention but is certainly worth Tottenham’s consideration too comes in the form of Lille midfielder Idrissa Gueye.
Don’t be fooled by the 24 year-old’s 5 foot 9 fame – he made the most tackles per match of any Ligue 1 midfielder last season, as detailed below:
He furthermore dominated the French top flight’s passing charts:
Equally contributed going forward:
And also fell over, very hilariously:
Valued as lowly as £6million by TalkSport, the Senegal international could prove to be a real find for either North London club.
Wigan Athletic Manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that teams will see his side produce a run of consistently successful performances in this next spell of games, according to Sky Sports.
Currently, Wigan lie in 14th place in the Premier League which is a far cry from their slow start to last season, but the Spaniard is certain that his charges can push on yet still.
The Latics current unpredictable form has been typified by the fact that his side managed to grab all 3 points at White Hart Lane, before suffering a 2-1 defeat to West Brom at home the following weekend.
In their last 6 matches they have produced a mixed set of results with two wins, a draw and three defeats.
Martinez is adamant that the key to flourishing is to focus on the performance rather than the overall outcome of the game.
The 39 year old spoke to Sky Sports saying: “Every game is completely different and we need to be able to adapt in different ways and to different challenges that you get week in and week out,” “Yes, you want to get a good run of results but what is important is that you get a good level of performance.
“I think that we performed well on Saturday but the next steps are to be able to adapt in certain ways so you can keep picking up positive results week in and week out.
“But remember there is a process and we are getting very close to where we want to get.”
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Manchester United have reportedly joined the race for Tottenham target Tanguy Ndombele, and Spurs fans are fearing the worst about the midfield wonderkid.
According to French reports, Manchester United are chasing Ndombele, as Jose Mourinho looks to build a squad capable of challenging Pep Guardiola’s unstoppable Manchester City.
Ndombele has been heavily linked with Spurs in recent months as Mousa Dembele’s potential replacement, as the Belgian nears an exit from North London.
Fans wanted reinforcements in midfield this summer whether Dembele leaves or not, and the 21 year-old Ndombele has all the tools to be an excellent piece of Pochettino’s puzzle.
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Blessed with wiry strength and agility, the young Frenchman can wriggle his way out of pressure and nearly always looks for a forward pass.
He also brings lots of defensive help, averaging 1.9 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game last season in Ligue 1.
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Besides from just having a similar name, the young midfielder seems an almost perfect fit to replace Dembele, and fans have been reacting to the news that Manchester United have joined the race.
You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
Southampton climbed out of the English Premier League relegation zone on Saturday with a huge point away to Burnley at Turf Moor.
Finding themselves one goal down heading into the final moments of the match, substitute Manolo Gabbiadini popped up to lash home and rescue a draw that could prove pivotal in Saints’ fight against relegation.
It could have easily been another frustrating day for supporters but they can find solace in the late equaliser, which could be a moment to build on for Mauricio Pellegrino and his squad.
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Fans were delighted with the performance of substitute Josh Sims, who changed the game when he was introduced in the 68th minute. He went close to scoring and was only denied by a wonder save from Nick Pope, showing the kind of intent that Saints had lacked up to that point.
They’re now calling on Sims to get a start in next week’s huge relegation six-pointer at home to Stoke, believing he has the attitude and skill to help their team pick up a vital league victory.
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Will Pellegrino trust him to start?
Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts…
West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame admits it’s a dream to play for Liverpool one day and that he was close to signing for the Anfield club before arriving at West Ham.
The Senegalese international has recently spoken of his desire to play for a bigger club than the Hammers and has no spoken of two opportunities he had to do just that, including a move to London rivals Arsenal that was close to happening last summer.
And the 26-year-old admits a move to Liverpool was a dream and that it was only the departure of Kenny Dalglish that scuppered the deal.
He told the Daily Star: “In my head I was already in Liverpool.
“It was next, I told everyone that I was there. It was as if one of my greatest wishes – to wear the Liverpool shirt – had been accomplished.
“One day my agent and I went to the training centre to see Kenny Dalglish, who was the coach. I found myself amongst photos of Gerrard and company, all these great players. I was proud of myself.
“Unfortunately, Dalglish was fired and all negotiations stopped.
“I told myself that God wanted it that way and that is not a reason for me to stop work. It will happen one day.”
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But Diame went on to explain that he was close to signing for Arsenal just 12 months ago, but stayed at West Ham where he believes not enough was done to improve in the Hammers’ 10th place finish.
“There were proposals last summer .I was thinking of going to Arsenal but it didn’t happen so I stayed at West Ham, because I felt good here,” he added.
“Plus, after this season we had had I thought the club would buy some better players. But it was a very bad start and we made the mistake of not recruiting.
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“We went through the season with almost the same players, which is never good because the players think they already know who will be wearing the shirt.
“Also, people didn’t necessarily give 100 per cent on the field, that’s what got us in trouble.”
Diame has made 74 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers since joining on a free from Wigan two summers ago, scoring seven goals.
Ex-Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is believed to be in advanced talks with Ipswich Town, SkySports report.
The Championship outfit are without a manager following the sacking of Paul Jewell last week and are said to be targeting McCarthy to fill the position.
The club’s chief executive Simon Clegg previously denied reports that the Yorkshireman was set to be confirmed as the team’s new manager, but reports are now circulating that a deal is close to being finalised.
McCarthy has much experience in the English second tier having guided both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland to promotion in his managerial career.
He will face a difficult task at Portman Road, with the club currently bottom of the Championship and winless in their last 12 games.
Alan Curbishley and Alan Shearer were both linked with the post, but it would appear that the 53-year-old is now the clear favourite.
If he does take the position ahead of the weekend’s fixtures, his first task will be to take on Birmingham City.
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McCarthy was sacked by Wolves in February as the club looking to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
His replacement, Terry Connor, was unable to guide the midlanders clear of safety and as a result they are now looking to return to the top-flight.
Newcastle United fans are not keen on signing Denmark forward Nicolai Jorgensen this summer, after watching him in action against Peru on Saturday in the World Cup.
The Feyenoord attacker has been linked with a move to St James’ Park in recent weeks, with a fee of £20m mentioned, which would break the Magpies’ incoming transfer record.
He failed to make much of an impact against the South American side in the Russia tournament however, leaving Newcastle fans scratching their heads and pondering what he could offer the Premier League outfit.
The player had a decent season at club level last term, netting 13 times in all competitions for Feyenoord, including two in the UEFA Champions League against Shakthar Donetsek and Napoli.
Is he a viable alternative to the likes of Joselu and Aleksandar Mitrovic, or should Rafa Benitez look elsewhere?
Newcastle fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his Saturday performance…
Aston Villa picked up their seventh league victory in a row on Sunday, defeating city rivals Birmingham 2-0 at Villa Park.
It was a deserved win for Steve Bruce’s side and the three points means they move up into second position in the English Championship table, well placed to win automatic promotion with just 15 games remaining before the end of the season.
Albert Adomah and Conor Hourihane were the goal heroes and while they won plaudits from supporters, it was Villa’s dynamic midfield display that really caught the eyes of fans.
Jack Grealish was superb throughout, bringing the game to their derby opponents, while Mile Jedinak produced a strong, disciplined performance to deny the visitors any joy in the final third.
Jedinak has appeared in less than half of Villa’s games this season but the decision by Bruce to bring him into the side was a tactical masterstroke.
Fans agreed, praising both their manager and the performance of the Australian on social media…