Tottenham Hotspur want to sign Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon this week prior to the Champions League final, per Football Insider.
What’s the word?
Spurs have not signed a player since the January transfer window in 2018.
But they are seemingly set to overhaul their squad this summer after finishing in the top four of the Premier League and reaching the European showpiece; they will play Liverpool on Saturday.
And the club are keen to tie up the signing of the teenager, who can play as both a full-back and a winger, this week.
The two clubs are in talks, per the report, over the structure of a deal and Spurs have tabled an offer worth in excess of £20million.
Spurs are said to be confident that there will be a deal to announce soon, though they may wait until after the game in Madrid to formalise it.
Sessegnon has a year left on his contract and made 38 appearances in 2018-19 as Fulham were relegated to the Championship.
A fast start, finally
Spurs have so often waited until the end of the transfer window to do deals like this.
That usually comes from chairman Daniel Levy haggling over the finer details of the deal in order to save Spurs a few quid, but here, it finally appears that signings will be secured early.
It works for manager Mauricio Pochettino, too, with the Argentine able to bed Sessegnon in slowly throughout pre-season and bring him up to speed with the way Spurs play, instead of having to shoehorn him in next term. It’s no coincidence that Heung-min Son, Fernando Llorente and Moussa Sissoko all took a long time to settle in north London after arriving in the final days of the summer window.
The Sessegnon situation though is a win-win; if this transfer comes off, this might be one of the best things Spurs have done this summer.
After weeks of speculation surrounding Marcelo Bielsa’s future at Elland Road, it must have been a relief to the vast majority of Leeds United fans when the Argentine put pen to paper on a new one year deal last Friday.
Having led the Whites to a fantastic third place finish in the Championship earlier this month on what was a relatively tight budget in comparison to some of their competitors, the 63-year-old will be looking to go one step better next season.
Yet in order to achieve success in the upcoming campaign, Bielsa must be given the freedom to bring in some top quality additions by chairman Andrea Radrizzani who has been reluctant to splash the cash since taking over at the club in 2017.
However, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, the Whites may have to prioritise signing loan players over permanent additions in order to avoid breaching the EFL’s Financial Fair Play rules as they are currently on course register a £15m loss for the current financial year.
With journalist Phil Hay revealing the situation that the club find themselves in on Twitter, loads of Leeds fans reacted by urging for better recruitment.
Whereas joining Leeds on loan last season may have been seen as a risk by some players given Bielsa’s lack of experience in English football, the sterling job that he has done in promoting youth over the past 11 months could benefit his side’s prospects of bringing in some of the Premier League’s most exciting prospects this summer.
Celtic fans know full well that they’re going to need to recruit a new central defender this summer. Dedryck Boyata is leaving for Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga, and the Bhoys could be set to lose Filip Benkovic, although Neil Lennon needs to do everything in his power to re-loan the big Croatian stopper from Leicester City.
According to The Scottish Sun, the player himself hasn’t ruled out of another loan move north of the border. The Foxes new manager Brendan Rodgers has already speculated that he may allow the young centre-half to leave the King Power Stadium again for yet another temporary switch to Celtic Park. Alongside Jozo Simunovic, Benkovic could be class next season and Lennon will know that.
To be honest, the Hoops will be keen to bring in a new defender to plug the hole being left by Boyata for squad rotation purposes, although the first choice pairing for the club next season at Parkhead should be Benkovic and Simunovic and the Bhoys should make it happen. It will be up to Peter Lawwell to make that happen, and Neil Lennon will certainly be putting pressure on him to complete yet another loan.
The £9.9 million-rated centre-back, as per Transfermarkt, has been one of the best in Scotland this season and should he return to the club then the ball will almost certainly be the Parkhead faithful’s court as they aim for what would truly be one of the greatest achievements in football, a quadruple-treble. That’s a long way away, though, and just getting the Benkovic deal sorted first is what needs to be done.
Would you be want to resign Benkovic next season, Celtic fans? Let us know!
Loads of Liverpool fans have been reacting to the Nations League performance of Donny van de Beek, who has been tipped to sign for the Reds.
According to Dutch media outlet Voetbal Primeur, van de Beek could become a target for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool this summer.
The report is based around claims from analyst René van der Gijp, who says the Dutch international is the “perfect” midfield player for Klopp.
And reports from Le Parisien reckon the midfielder could be available for around €55m (£49m) this summer, so a switch to Anfield would certainly not be out of the question.
“The worst we’ve played all season” but “our most straightforward final since 2003” – a Liverpool fan reflects on the UCL final in the video below…
Fans like what they’ve seen of the 22 year-old too, as after scoring in Ajax’s 1-0 win against Tottenham in the Champions League he then bossed England in the Nations League on Thursday evening.
Despite playing just over 50 minutes including the extra-time, the youngster’s composure on the ball and ability to pop up in dangerous spaces created havoc for England’s defence, changing the game when he came off the bench.
You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, where fans are now even more convinced than they were before that Klopp should take a gamble on the Dutch starlet…
Celtic are interested in signing Toulouse defender Christopher Jullien this summer, according to French media outlet L’Equipe.
What’s the story?
With the roster of defenders available to Neil Lennon in dire shape ahead of important European qualifiers, the Hoops need to move quickly at the start of this transfer window to deliver the players they require to maintain success at Celtic Park.
The club appear to be getting closer to delivering on some targets though, with L’Equipe reporting that they are eyeing up a move for 6 ft 5 centre-back Christopher Jullien.
The paper reckon that he’s even had a visit to Glasgow to check out the facilities at Lennoxtown, with a bid of €8m to €10m (£7.1m to £8.9m) needed to secure his signature.
Leigh Griffiths is ready and raring to go for Celtic next season. One fan discusses what we can expect from him in the video below…
Statement of intent
If Celtic do spend that much money on one of their problem positions this summer it will be a real statement of intent from the club that they won’t be messing about when it comes to delivering even more success next season.
No other club in Scotland can make signings at that level and seeing a physically commanding defender with excellent experience, in his prime, arrive in Glasgow would certainly make waves.
In Dedryck Boyata, Celtic have just lost a Belgian international to Hertha Berlin, significantly weakening their defensive line.
Jullien has 99 Ligue 1 appearances to his name so has been playing at a good level for a while now and would be a clear replacement, ushering in a new defensive era at the club.
It could even be argued it’s a signing that shows Celtic have ambitions beyond Scottish football, with a player of that pedigree surely signed with one eye on European progression.
If the deal can be delivered, Hoops fans will be ecstatic.
The Premier League transfer window is well and truly underway, and some big deals have already been confirmed, with West Ham signing Villareal’s Pablo Fornals and Wesley making a switch to Aston Villa. And there should be plenty more to come!
Today’s Premier League transfer roundup brings you a confirmed manager exit, a big update in regards to a Man United star, a deal close for an Arsenal target and a second offer from West Ham for a La Liga ace.
Sarri joins Juve, Lampard in pipeline
The worst-kept secret in football has finally been confirmed: Maurizio Sarri has left Chelsea to join Juventus. The Italian has signed a three-year deal with Juve after the two clubs agreed a compensation fee in the region of £5m.
Pogba keen on move
Paul Pogba has stoked the fire of a move away from Manchester United this summer after telling reporters in Tokyo that he is looking for a new challenge. “I have been three years in Manchester and have been doing great – some good moments and some bad moments, like everybody, like everywhere else,” said the Real Madrid target. “It could be a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else.”
Saliba agrees Arsenal terms
Arsenal have agreed terms with William Saliba of Saint-Etienne according to French outlet FootMercato. The French defender has reportedly agreed a five-year contract with the Gunners, but the two sides are yet to come to an agreement for his transfer.
West Ham prepare second Gomez bid
According to the Evening Standard, West Ham are preparing a second bid for Celta Vigo’s Maxi Gomez. The Hammers had a €32.4m (£28.6m) offer rejected by the Spanish side, but are still interested in the player.
Every season there seems to be a player from Ligue 1 that just explodes in the division, and in doing so set themselves up for a season of madness and speculation.
In 2017 it was Kylian Mbappe, in 2018 it was Malcom, and this year that player is very much Lille winger Nicolas Pepe, who took France by storm in the previous season guiding Les Dogues to the Champions League for the first time since the Eden Hazard years with his 22 goals and 11 assists in the league and seeing his valuation on Transfermarkt jump from £9 million to £58.5 million in 12 months.
As you would expect after such an impressive season, Pepe has attracted a fair bit of interest from some of Europe’s elite from Bayern Munich to Manchester United via the Sun and of course, Liverpool, but now according to the latest revelations it appears that the latter are all but out of the race for the winger on their own terms.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards has personally reached out to Lille manager Christophe Galtier in May to tell him that the Champions League winners are not interested in the French side’s prized asset, ending any hope of the Ivorian international joining the Merseyside club, and that could be the best thing to happen to the winger.
Having largely played as a right-winger last season, it makes sense as to why a move for Pepe would make no sense for Liverpool as they currently have Mohamed Salah amongst their ranks, who can make a case for being the most prolific wide-man in world football after picking up a second Premier League Golden Boot last season.
If Pepe was to join, there is no way the Ivorian is starting ahead of Salah in Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI in both the Premier League or Champions League, and although there is a possibility the Egyptian winger could get injured, his injury record via Transfermarkt so far at Liverpool has no far been near immaculate, missing just one game.
Pepe no doubt has a future at a big European club next season after the year he had, but Liverpool would have been a poor decision for the 24-year-old, and the club knows this.
It’s still amazing to think that Liverpool’s sixth Champions League win can be boiled down to Divock Origi hitting the target on three occasions.
The Belgian striker was the unlikely hero in the now famous 4-0 win over Barcelona as the former Lille man hit a brace to send the Merseyside club into their second consecutive Champions League final, and yet there was more surprise when Origi scored the killer goal in the must-win finale against Premier League rivals Tottenham.
Origi has quickly gone from forgotten man to a club icon, the player who brought silverware back to Liverpool and the name that finally won Jurgen Klopp his first Champions League winner’s medal, but that doesn’t mean his future at the club is secured, far from it in fact.
According to Seville-based outlet Estadio Deportivo, Real Betis are interested in Origi this summer along with a whole host of La Liga sides as per the report, and although the Liverpool striker ended up being the hero for last season, it is a realistic shout to say he won’t be a first-team player for the 2019/20 campaign, and that a move away from Anfield might be the best course of action.
Looking at the numbers from Transfermarkt, out of the striker’s 22 games last season only six of them were starts, resulting in just 763 minutes of first-team football, and after a season where Origi’s reputation skyrocketed the former Lille man deserves a shot of regular first-team football, something he won’t get with Roberto Firmino way ahead of him in the pecking order.
Liverpool fans might not want to see their European hero depart, but for Origi’s future, we believe a move away from Anfield is the best thing he can do if he is to fulfil his once promising potential.
Liverpool fans, what should the club do with Origi this summer? Let us know!
According to The Times, Wolves are set to sign Brentford defender Ezri Konsa.
The 21-year-old impressed hugely in the Championship last season, playing 42 times for the Bees, but could now make a £12m move to the Midlands club, per the report.
Having lost Kortney Hause earlier in the transfer window, it was news that left Wolves fans buzzing with excitement over the possibility of signing another young defender.
Reacting on Twitter to the news, they found it difficult to hide their excitement. One fan claimed he’d be a good addition whilst another called him a top talent.
A further fan claimed that manager Nuno Santo could help to make him better but there was more praise centred around his actual game, as one supporter said he was composed and could pick a pass.
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Konsa completed 87.7% of his passes in the league last term, winning two aerial duels in the process.
It was form that caught the eye of Aidy Boothroyd who selected him for England’s U21 squad for the European Championships.
During that tournament he made one substitute appearance, appearing in their 3-3 draw with Croatia.
You’ve got to feel for Newcastle United fans, haven’t you? A huge club with unwavering loyalty from their fans, held to ransom by an owner who vows to sell the club yet doesn’t seem interested in matching the ambitions that the players, staff and fans all hold together.
The standard and norm have fallen so far for the Magpies, and after Rafa Benitez left the club struggling to agree on a new contract, a star player in Ayoze Perez has also moved on to new ventures as Leicester City forked out £30m for the foward.
Now let’s get this right. Few would have expected this fee to be paid when Ayoze’s time at the club would come to an end. But it has, and the valuation is far higher than any would have anticipated, and as if Benitez’s departure wasn’t painful enough, the agreed fee is only further testament to the amazing job he did on Tyneside.
Ayoze was a somewhat confused player during his Newcastle days. To the naked eye he had skill, plenty of speed though, quick feet, intelligence, a good passing range and certainly an eye-for-goal. However, despite these wonderful traits, his stats are fascinatingly underwhelming, and no one quite new what his best position was.
In 143 Premier League appearances for Newcastle, Ayoze managed just 33 goals, one every four games. That’s not terrible considering some of the players and managers he’s had to work with. However, when you factor that 12 of those came this season, you’re left with 21 goals in 106 appearances, which is distinctly average. Coupled with his grand total of just nine assists over his whole Premier League career, his statistics are nothing to gloat about.
Statistics don’t always tell the story though. I for one have always liked Ayoze Perez and call on Newcastle to start him regularly. Why? I don’t know really, I just like him. Sometimes the naked eye and what’s in front of you is all you need to make your mind up on a player. Stats can go only go so far, and I’d be very surprised if Brendan Rogers opted to bring Ayoze to the King Power based off his all-time Premier League stats.
However, in his final season at St. James’ Park, Benitez managed to get the best out of a previously inconsistent forward. His 12 goals in 37 league games is a strong tally, especially as he found form just when Newcastle needed it most, to round off another strong league campaign, scoring nine goals in the final 12 games of the season.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Newcastle United vs Huddersfield Town – St James’ Park, Newcastle, Britain – March 31, 2018 Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez shakes hands with Ayoze Perez at the end of the match REUTERS/Scott Heppell EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Quite frankly, without Benitez, Newcastle may never have got the money for Ayoze that they did. He improved the forward immensely in his time up north and discovered a work rate to go with it. Ayoze made 60 tackles in his final season at St James’ Park, 42 interceptions and 28 clearances, whereas in his first season he made just 38 tackes, 27 interceptions and 21 clearances. His second season yielded 56 tackles, 28 interceptions and 13 clearances, some way off the impressive numbers Benitez got from his forward.
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It will have been this aggression and work-rate that has appealed to Rogers as much as any of the attacking talent. The Leicester boss is renowned for setting his teams out to press the opposition and work relentless all over the pitch.
Benitez’s departure will always bring the question of ‘what could have been’ at Newcastle, especially if they are bought by a new owner. However, the more immediate questions will now have to be answered by the current crop of players, a group Benitez was able to get the best out of, elevating their performances to new levels time and time again.