Category Uncategorized

Glasgow Rangers are reportedly plotting a potential summer move to try and bring Serbia under-21 striker Petar Ratkov to Ibrox.

The Lowdown: Morelos replacement?

Alfredo Morelos is out of contract with the Premiership giants this summer, with reports that a number of clubs in the Spanish, Italian and Turkish top flights have registered their interests in signing him on a free transfer.

Should he depart, Rangers would need to find a replacement, and it looks as if they have one player lined up already.

The Latest: Ratkov transfer interest

As per Football Insider, Michael Beale’s side are plotting a move for Ratkov this summer and are ‘keeping close tabs’ on his situation at Serbian top-flight outfit FK TSC.

He is on the radar of some top clubs in Europe heading into this summer, and both Anderlecht and Parma had bids rejected for him in the January transfer window.

Rangers have made no enquiries or bids for Ratkov as of yet, but are assessing the player known as the ‘next Mario Mandzukic’.

The Verdict: Get it done

Ratkov will likely be a player in high demand come the summer, so the Light Blues need to try and wrap up this deal as soon as they can.

It is testament to how highly the 6 foot 4 striker is rated that he has been compared to Mandzukic, a Champions League winner with Bayern Munich and a World Cup finalist with Croatia who boasts 230 senior career goals at club and international level.

At just 19 years of age, Ratkov has already played 63 senior matches for TSC, scoring nine goals and supplying three assists, while he has also scored once in four matches at under-21 level with Serbia (Transfermarkt).

He certainly seems to have a bright future, and he could hopefully be a focal point for Rangers for years to come.

Journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke of The Athletic has been left thrilled by the Tottenham ‘statement’ signing of Pedro Porro from Sporting CP.

The Lowdown: Spurs complete Porro deal…

Spurs finally completed and announced the capture of Porro on January transfer deadline day after weeks of seemingly non-stop negotiations.

Warnings of Real Madrid summer interest apparently kicked Antonio Conte’s side into action as they successfully agreed a move to sign the Spaniard.

Porro has joined Spurs in an intricately structured deal with the Premier League top-four chasers even selling 15% of former player Marcus Edwards’ rights to Sporting.

The Latest: Pitt-Brooke thrilled…

Reporter Pitt-Brooke, writing on Twitter, has heaped praise on the Lilywhites for getting Porro over the line – calling it a ‘big statement’.

He also says that the signing is an ‘important’ one both ‘on and off the pitch’ – expanding on the latter point in his article for The Athletic by suggesting the move ends years of underdevelopment in that area of the squad.

The Verdict: Huge…

Conte’s need for an attack-minded wing-back option for his preferred back three formation cannot be understated.

Spurs have been bereft of forward quality on the right side, with first choice Emerson Royal only managing one assist in 16 league appearances all season (WhoScored).

Porro, still only 23-years-old, comes as both a long term signing after Conte’s reign has ended and a player perfectly suited to the Italian’s system. The former Man City starlet thrived going forward under Ruben Amorim at Sporting, racking up the Portuguese side’s highest number of league assists before joining Tottenham.

Porro also ranked in their top two for shots at goal and key passes made per 90 in the final third – very impressive statistics for a defender (WhoScored).

This signing, if all goes to plan, could even be the difference between mediocrity and another top four finish, and is sure to ease at least some of the unrest in the stands after fans once again chanted against Daniel Levy in the FA Cup win at Preston last weekend.

Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Real Valladolid sensation Ivan Fresneda in recent days, with Magpies manager Eddie Howe seeking a potential long-term heir to Kieran Trippier at right-back.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, the Tynesiders are seemingly ready to ‘ramp up’ their interest in the highly coveted 18-year-old, with the Premier League high-flyers said to have sent chief scout Steve Nixon to watch the Spaniard in action against Real Madrid last month.

The report adds that Newcastle are keen to win the race for the teenager’s signature ahead of top-flight rivals Arsenal – among others – with the player’s agent Luis Bardaji said to be awaiting an offer for the full-back.

The suggestion is that despite previous claims that the youngster has a buyout clause of around €30m (26m), the report outlines that the figure could be closer to just £8.8m.

Fresneda could be ‘special’ at St James’ Park

While some Toon supporters may be questioning the wisdom of bringing in a player who has just 13 senior appearances to his name, the general consensus is that Howe and co would be securing the services of a “very special talent” – as Fresneda was called by ESPN’s David Cartlidge – if a deal is agreed.

The “remarkably complete” teenager, as lauded by La Liga expert Matt Clark, has enjoyed a stunning start to the current campaign, notably averaging 3.4 tackles, 1.4 interceptions and 1.1 key passes per game from his nine top-flight appearances.

To put that into perspective, while the aforementioned Trippier has been far superior creatively from his 19 league outings this term with 2.7 key passes per game, the 32-year-old has only averaged 2.1 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per match by comparison.

The “striking” teenager – as lauded by Cartlidge – also compares favourably to those in his position in Europe’s top five leagues, as he ranks in the top 1% for tackles made and the top 8% for interceptions to further illustrate his defensive prowess.

Any fears over whether the former Real Madrid youth product can replicate such combative showings in English football should be eased by the wonderkid’s impressive and “athletic” (as per Cartlidge) 6-foot frame, along with his billing as “strong in the tackle” according to Clark.

The Spain U19 international may well still be somewhat inexperienced, but should the Magpies be able to land a deal for him, they could well have a ready-made Trippier successor on their hands, with Fresneda likely to be afforded plenty of time to learn from the experienced Englishman.

As Valladolid boss Jose Rojo Martin stated, for any possible suitor “you are not buying the current player, you are buying what he can become in a few years”, and it’s a hugely intriguing prospect to think of just much he can kick on in the coming years.

On the evidence of Fresneda’s early start to life at first-team level, it looks as if the Madrid native truly is a ‘special’ player in the making.

Everton fans are unlikely to have been left pleased by the comments made recently by their owner, Farhad Moshiri, about his decision to sack previous managers.

What’s the latest?

The Toffees yet again find themselves in a precarious position in the league and, therefore, pressure has been heaped on their manager Frank Lampard ahead of their game on the weekend.

However, Moshiri has come out and provided the 43-year-old with his backing ahead of Saturday’s game at Goodison Park against their fellow strugglers, Southampton.

But since this, the Iranian has also put some shade on the Everton fanbase after suggesting the managerial decisions of late have been made on the back of their comments:

“Some of the decisions we’ve taken have been with the fans, all the managers who were driven out by the fans, not by me,” he told TalkSport.

And speaking to NBC Sports, journalist David Ornstein has suggested these type of comments are unlikely to go down well on Merseyside with the club currently in the mess they are:

(3:40) “You can’t keep hiring and firing managers. It’s been seven [managers] in six and a half years at Everton, and that is just not sustainable.

“He also gave his backing to the board and pointedly he said he did what the fans wanted in making changes at management level. I don’t think the fans will be too happy about that.”

Pointing the finger

On Saturday, Everton fans are expected to demonstrate their frustrations with a sit-in protest following the game as they wish to show their feelings surrounding the board.

So, it is apparent frustration is high among the Everton faithful who are clearly unimpressed by the Toffees going back-to-back years battling relegation.

In these circumstances, what any manager would surely want is for the whole club to unite as one and get behind the team to push them on in their scrap at the bottom end of the table.

And with Everton clearly unhappy with the situation with the club’s board, at the moment, you do have to wonder what Moshiri thought these comments would achieve.

At the end of the day, it is the owner who will have the final say on the running of the club and if he has felt managers in the past deserved more time then that should be on him.

But seemingly shifting some of the blame onto the fans does feel like a risky strategy when this is a fanbase who are not sh about voicing their emotions.

And to do it ahead of such a big game against one of their relegation rivals may not sit well among Everton fans.

Chelsea have received a concerning injury blow just days away from their return to competitive action, following the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

What’s the latest?

£75m summer signing Wesley Fofana has been shackled to the medical room for a large proportion of his time in Chelsea colours, having previously been sidelined after a knee problem.

And now, Football London reports that the centre-back suffered yet more damage to the knee in Chelsea’s conclusive midseason friendly fixture against Brentford.

Being withdrawn because of the issue, Blues boss Graham Potter will undoubtedly be gravely concerned over the 22-year-old’s availability following the final preparations ahead of the restart, with the club currently languishing in eighth place in the Premier League.

Enter Gvardiol

Fofana has made just six appearances for Chelsea since arriving from Leicester City earlier this year, seeing his endeavours halted following an injury sustained against AC Milan in October.

Potter will now be worried that the issue suffered against Brentford will allude to a recurring issue, which may severely hamper his progress at the club further. 

As per Sofascore, the Frenchman has completed 88% of his passes in the Premier League for Chelsea, making 1.8 tackles, 3.5 interceptions and 1.8 clearances, and FBref also highlights some impressive metrics from the “beast” – as dubbed by Arlo White – ranking him within the top 7% for interceptions and the top 10% for aerials won, when compared to centre-backs across Europe’s top-five leagues this past year. 

One ray of light that may stem from this is the acceleration of transfer plans concerning Chelsea’s interest in World Cup star Josko Gvardiol.

Gvardiol, who clinched third place at the 2022 edition in Qatar with Croatia, has been at the centre of reports stating that Chelsea are among the suitors for his signature.

As per Sofascore, the 20-year-old phenom averaged a sterling rating of 7.16 for his nation, keeping two clean sheets and playing a definitive role in the establishment of Croatia among the very elite footballing nations at present.

For RB Leipzig, Gvardiol has made 19 appearances this term, scoring one goal, and has already cemented his stature as one of the most touted centre-backs in the game despite his tender age and amid Fofana’s latest setback, he could be the answer to Chelsea’s woes.

Even if the Frenchman return to fitness and form soon, the Blues must not be deterred from securing their man, with Gvardiol more than capable of forming a seamlessly formidable partnership with the injured colossus.

After all, this is a player who is already among the elite, even being dubbed the “Haaland of defenders” by scout Jacek Kulig.

Further described as a “monster” by one journalist, Gvardiol could be the key to turning the flagging fortunes around, the defender, now valued by Leipzig at €80m (£70m) becomes a target that simply must be signed.

Tottenham Hotspur have ‘joined the race’ for Rangers gem Jack Wylie and are currently in discussions with the player’s camp, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Wylie impressing…

The defender is seriously impressing behind-the-scenes at Ibrox with their sporting director, Ross Wilson, now preparing a mega money professional deal for Wylie.

His performances at youth level for both Rangers and the Scotland Under-16s have attracted real attention from south of the border, where Premier League giants Leeds United, Man United and Arsenal are all eyeing a move.

Wylie is seen as a real prospect in Glasgow but isn’t eligible to sign as a professional until he turns 16 next year, raising fears that English sides could poach the youngster.

The Latest: Spurs join Wylie race…

According to recent reports, Spurs have now ‘joined the race’ for him as sporting director Fabio Paratici’s scouting team seemingly gets to work.

Football Insider claim the north Londoners are joined by Newcastle in registering their interest and Tottenham are even ‘in dialogue with the youngster’s camp’.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-news-3/” title=”Tottenham latest news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Make the move…

Adding another rising star to Tottenham’s impressive collection of exciting youngsters would be a shrewd move by Paratici and co.

Wylie is amassing quite the reputation in Scotland and has almost half of England’s top flight chasing him going by this latest report.

Indeed, if the teenager keeps developing his game at this rate, and Spurs manage to get him, it isn’t unreasonable to think he can battle his way into the first team in years to come.

An update has emerged on Aston Villa and their interest in signing Marcus Thuram during the upcoming January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to the printed edition of L’Equipe, via Sport Witness, Unai Emery is ‘determined’ to secure a deal to sign the Borussia Monchengladbach striker at the start of 2023.

The Spanish manager is keen on a swoop for the forward after being interested in taking him to Villarreal during his time in Spain prior to arriving at Villa Park.

It is stated that they will face stiff competition for his signature from Inter, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund, along with an unnamed Premier League side.

German outlet Bild reported earlier this month that the French international is set to be available for a fee in the region of €10m (£8.6m) due to his contract expiring at the end of the season.

Imagine him & Emi Buendia

Emery could form an exciting partnership at the top end of the pitch by signing Thuram and playing him alongside Buendia in the second half of the campaign.

The Argentine international combined with striker Teemu Pukki for 21 goals in 107 appearances for Norwich during his time in Norfolk and this shows that he can form a connection with the number nine in front of him.

Buendia ranks in the 94th percentile among players in his position in Europe’s top five leagues over the last 365 days for progressive passes per 90 with 4.90. Thuram, meanwhile, ranks in the 82nd percentile for progressive passes received per 90 with 7.62, whilst he is also in the 91st percentile for attacking touches in the penalty area per 90.

These statistics suggest that the French international, who is currently at the World Cup with his country, thrives off receiving the ball in the penalty box and is adept at finding space to get on the end of passes, whilst the Villa star excels at providing the service that the forward needs.

The Monchengladbach gem, who has been dubbed “clinical” by journalist Raj Chohan, was previously described as a “monster” by Herve Renard during his youth days and the 6-foot-4 striker certainly cuts an imposing figure at the top end of the pitch.

He is a machine up front and his impressive goalscoring statistics in the Bundesliga this season – scoring 10 goals in 15 starts – indicate that he also has the quality to make a big impact in the Premier League if he can adapt to English football.

Buendia, who has racked up 49 assists in English football since the summer of 2018, has proven that he has the ability in possession to find Thuram in good positions and this could result in the pair forming a frightening partnership for Villa as they could link up to devastate teams in the final third.

After last season’s misery and the financial situation they found themselves in, the new campaign looked decidedly bleak for Everton. Especially after the sale of their top scorer in Richarlison.

However, some shrewd business saw eight major deals completed for just £68m, and Frank Lampard’s revolution had truly begun.

The first of those deals, and one which likely went under the radar at first with how shrewd a transfer it was, James Tarkowski on a free instantly added Premier League experience, solidity and leadership that they wholeheartedly lacked last season.

Unsurprisingly, he has gone on to excel at the back for a Toffees team that have conceded just 12 goals so far, the third-best record in the league thus far.

It marks a sensational step up from the 66 goals conceded during their narrow escape from relegation last year.

The former Burnley colossus has been instrumental in this turnaround, with the 29-year-old boasting an average SofaScore rating of 7.30.

With regard to the upcoming World Cup, that is a rating that betters Harry Maguire, Conor Coady, Tyrone Mings and even John Stones; most of whom are likely to be called up as they often have in recent times.

It almost proves Martin Keown’s claim, that the 6 foot 3 goliath is “the best English centre-half we have that’s playing regularly”.

He further supports this with his mammoth 5.7 clearances per 90 yet boasts a wide range of passing that would make him perfect for Gareth Southgate’s system. His 81% pass accuracy is solid, but with a 51% accuracy with long balls, this marks a fine return on passes that could potentially split a defence apart.

Although having not featured for the national side since 2018, there would be no better time for a recall than now; and how deserved it would be.

Tarkowski would likely perform admirably at the centre of a back three, as the commanding presence to lead his faster counterparts.

The fact that Everton have switched so dramatically from a team that could not stop conceding to one that rarely does stands as a glowing endorsement to the job he has done at his new club.

Perhaps the £100k-per-week star could continue this form to Qatar, should Southgate give him a chance, and help push England closer to the elusive and immortal trophy.

كشف وليد دعبس رئيس نادي فيوتشر التفاصيل الجديدة بشأن الحالة الصحية لـ أحمد رفعت لاعب فريق الكرة، إثر تواجده بأحد مستشفيات الإسكندرية بعد تعرضه لإصابة خطيرة الأسبوع الماضي.

وكان أحمد رفعت قد أثار الذعر بعد سقوطه مغشيًا عليه خلال مباراة مودرن فيوتشر والاتحاد السكندري، ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري.

واستدعت حالة رفعت حينها انتقاله على الفور إلى أحد المستشفيات بمدينة الإسكندرية، ليخضع لصدمات كهربائية بعد توقف عضلة القلب، ومن ثم الدخول للعناية المركزة.

وقال وليد دعبس في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة ETC: “أشعر براحة مبدئية، أحمد رفعت تم رفعه من على جهاز التنفس الصناعي، هذا ما كان يهمنا”.

رئيس فيوتشر يوضح تطورات حالة أحمد رفعت وحقيقة التواصل مع محمد صلاح

وتابع: “بعد ذلك كل الأمور الأخرى ليست هامة مقارنة بأن تنفسه يكون سليمًا، لا أستطيع أن أقول إن الحالة استقرت، ولكن في طريقها للاستقرار”.

وأكمل: “أحمد رفعت لم يكن في غيبوبة، هو كان مُخدرًا حتى لا يرفض جهاز التنفس ونريح الرئة لتعود لعملها الطبيعي، لكن أزلنا المُخدر وبدأ يستعيد جزء من الوعي”.

وأوضح: “إذا كان أحمد رفعت تم نقله لمستشفى خارج مصر لم يكن سينال كل هذا الاهتمام من الأطقم الطبية على أعلى مستوى”.

وأتم: “زملاء أحمد رفعت في الفريق شعروا براحة نفسية كبيرة، وكانوا يذبحون ذبيحة في ملعب التدريب بعد سماع خبر أنه تم إزالة أجهزة التنفس”.

There has seemingly been a common theme to Celtic’s Champions League outings so far this term, with the Old Firm outfit having typically been left to rue their profligacy in front goal, after spurning numerous chances in each of their four group stage encounters.

That wasteful nature was evident in Tuesday’s crushing defeat to RB Leipzig at Parkhead as the Hoops failed to capitalise on a brilliant spell of early pressure before eventually slipping to a seventh successive home defeat in the competition – the worst record in the tournament’s history.

Speaking after that 2-0 loss to Marco Rose’s men stand-in skipper Cameron Carter-Vickers had vocalised his frustration at those notable missed opportunities, while manager Ange Postecoglou stated his side had paid the “ultimate price” for their failings in front of goal, with progression to the knockout stages now out of reach.

That latest result had seen Kyogo Furuhashi, in particular, once again come up short when it matters most, with the Japan international notably squandering an inviting headed chance in that blistering period around the half-hour mark.

The 27-year-old has typically been a clinical figure for the Scottish champions since his £4.6m arrival from Vissel Kobe last summer – top scoring with 20 goals in all competitions last term – although is currently enduring something of a dry spell with just one goal in his last nine outings.

The £18k-per-week menace still boasts an impressive record of seven goals in just eight league games so far this term, although has failed to find the back of the net in Europe, with his only goal involvement having come as an assist for Jota away in Germany last week.

As pundit John Hartson stated, both the diminutive gem – and teammate Giorgos Giakoumakis – will likely feel they “should have done better” with regards to their failings in front of goal in the group stage thus far, with Kyogo having been particularly wasteful in the defeat in Saxony, notably heading over from close range.

While pundit John Collins has rightly lauded the £5.4m-rated speedster for his stunning work rate and the way he “hounds defences”, the player’s inability to couple that with a golden touch on the elite stage has seemingly played its part in Celtic’s undoing.

With the aforementioned Giakoumakis having netted a dramatic late winner at the weekend, the 16-cap gem could now be under pressure to keep his starting berth moving forward, having done himself little favours after struggling once again on Tuesday night.