ألمح جوناثان بارنيت، وكيل أعمال اللاعب الويلزي، جاريث بيل، جناح فريق ريال مدريد، اقتراب رحيله عن صفوف اللوس بلانكوس، خلال نافذة الانتقالات الصيفية، والعودة إلى الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وضع بيل داخل “سانتياجو برنابيو” أصبح مُخيبا للآمال بعدما هبط مستواه، حيث كان يجلس على مقاعد البدلاء في أغلب المُباريات، وفي مواجهات أخرى لم يظهر بمستوى جيد.

الملكي يرغب في التخلص من بيل بعد الأداء المُخيب للآمال خلال الموسمين الماضيين، وخاصةً في موسم 2019/2020، إذ طلب زيدان المدير الفني لـ ريال مدريد عدم استدعائه للمباريات.

وارتبط بيل بإمكانية العودة إلى توتنهام، حيث سيعود إلى البريميرليج على سبيل الإعارة (طالع التفاصيل).

وقال بارنيت في تصريحات مُقتضبة عبر هيئة الإذاعة البريطانية “بي بي سي”: “جاريث مازال يُحب توتنهام”.

وأضاف: “نحن نتحدث مع مسؤولي ريال مدريد وتوتنهام، ومع بيل أيضًا، وهو المكان الذي يريد الذهاب إليه”.

Liverpool lumbered to a second successive 1-1 draw in the Premier League as Manchester City cut short their lead at the top of the table.

The Reds failed to overcome both Leicester and West Ham in two of their worst performances of the season so far. Jurgen Klopp’s men were also lucky to beat Crystal Palace at home and their recent form will be cause for concern at Anfield. Injuries have taken their toll in recent weeks and Klopp will be hoping to welcome some key players back soon.

Liverpool’s improved back four has been hit hardest with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez both missing in recent weeks but their attack has also been stalling. Mohamed Salah has struggled to influence games as the central striker while Roberto Firmino has been out of sorts in recent weeks – luckily for the Reds, Sadio Mane has finally looked back to his best.

It’s hard to deny that Liverpool are still missing a creative spark in the middle of the park – something the fans haven’t seen since Philippe Coutinho’s departure to Barcelona. Therefore, Klopp should look to reunite with Borussia Dortmund hotshot – Marco Reus – in the summer. Valued at £45m by Transfermarkt, the German has been back to his brilliant best after spending most of last season on the treatment table.

A Bundesliga winner under Klopp, Reus has been completely transformed as a number ten this season and is flourishing; a similar role he played at Borussia Monchengladbach. The former Germany international has found the back of the net 17 times in all competitions as well as registering an impressive 11 assists for his team-mates. With excellent dribbling skills, vision and an eye for goal – Reus would take the Liverpool attack to the next level and provide the spark that has been missing at times throughout the campaign.

Reuniting with Klopp in the summer would have Liverpool fans licking their lips.

Liverpool fans, thoughts?

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Southampton take on newly-promoted Cardiff City at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday with both sides heading into the encounter looking to increase their chances of Premier League survival with a win.

The Welsh club are underdogs to avoid the drop this year, but as they proved with their 2-0 win over Bournemouth last time out, they’re capable of providing a stern test for the Saints.

On the chalkboard

Cardiff are an unashamedly physical outfit. Neil Warnock has embraced long-ball football and has built a side that are unafraid to put their bodies on the line and make life very uncomfortable for their opponents. 

Check out the below above to see football played as you’ve never seen it before… in a maze!

In the past, this is exactly the kind of approach that would regularly rattle Southampton. In order to prove that things really are different under Hasenhuttl, the Austrian coach must encourage his side to meet the challenge of Cardiff head on and make sure that they don’t give their opponents an inch.

A physical approach

Hasenhuttl should deploy a pairing of Oriol Romeu and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at the base of his midfield, with Stuart Armstrong stationed just ahead of them and with the license to drop back to form a midfield three when needed.

This trio ought to be able to match Cardiff physically. If they can win that battle, then their superior technical quality can give the Saints a platform from which attacking pressure can be applied to the visitors’ defence.

Further up the pitch, the likes of Nathan Redmond, Danny Ings – if fit -, Shane Long and Charlie Austin cannot allow themselves to be bullied either, and must diligently track back to aid the midfield throughout the match, to ensure that Southampton aren’t overrun in the middle of the park.

Liverpool missed the chance to move seven points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League standings against Leicester.

The Reds took the lead after just two minutes thanks to a wonderful goal from Sadio Mane but their efforts fell flat not long after. Liverpool struggled on the snowy surface and Leicester squandered a number of chances to equalise. They levelled the scoreline on the stroke of half-time when Harry Maguire was left unmarked at the back post. Jurgen Klopp’s men were unable to find a winner to extend their lead at the top of the table further.

Injuries and suspensions forced Klopp to use captain Jordan Henderson at right-back and the England international struggled to cope with Demarai Gray. With Trent Alexander-Arnold still out for a number of weeks, Klopp should seriously consider signing a new right-back to add much-needed cover.

One man he should be targeting is Nice wonderkid – Youcef Atal. Valued at £4.5m by Transfermarkt, the 22-year-old swapped Belgium for France in the summer and has made an instant impact at his new side. Atal has been ever-present in Ligue 1, making 17 appearances thus far.

Atal is extremely versatile and can occupy various positions on the right flank making him a useful option for Klopp to have at his disposal. The youngster loves to get stuck in and reads the game brilliantly, averaging 2.4 tackles and 2.1 interceptions per game this season. Atal also loves to contribute to the attack, completing an incredible 3.5 successful dribbles per game this season (WhoScored).

There has been suggestions that Alexander-Arnold’s future lies in central midfield meaning Atal could prove to be much more than a rotation option.

Liverpool fans, thoughts?

Everton’s squad should be be set for another overhaul during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Marco Silva is surely fighting for his future following a dismal run of form in the Premier League that has left the Toffees adrift of the European places. The Portuguese was appointed in the summer and his arrival prompted a sense of optimism on Merseyside. However, the former Watford boss needs a strong end to the campaign to avoid being given the axe.

Owner Farhad Moshiri could be forced into another managerial change to keep the Blues competing for Europe yet again. New director of football Marcel Brands enjoyed plenty of success in his first transfer window at the club and will be relied upon again. The Dutchman could look to find a new right-back with Seamus Coleman failing to impress throughout the current campaign.

Brands should return to former club PSV Eindhoven to land Denzel Dumfries in the summer. Valued at £10.8m by Transfermarkt, the 22-year-old arrived at the club last July, joining from Heerenveen for just £5m. The defender has made an instant impact at his new employers and has been ever-present for the side during his 30 appearances so far.

Similar to Coleman in his earlier years, Dumfries has proven to be a potent attacking threat from the back, helping his side’s cause with three goals and three assists in the Eredivisie. However, the youngster doesn’t neglect his defensive duties, winning 2.1 tackles as well as averaging 1.4 interceptions per game. Dumfries should have no issues adapting to the physicality of the Premier League as he has won an incredible three aerial duels per game so far this season (WhoScored).

Dumfries is still developing and improving – Brands should do all he can to lure the Netherlands international to Goodison.

Everton fans, thoughts?

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Portsmouth secured passage to the Checkatrade Trophy final, to be held at Wembley Stadium on March 31st, with a convincing 3-0 win over Bury on Tuesday night.

Kenny Jackett’s side were superior throughout and produced a scintillating second half performance to secure the victory. Second half strikes from Gareth Evans, Oliver Hawkins and Ronan Curtis clinched victory for Pompey.

The south coast club are currently enduring a poor run of form in League One, having drawn their last five league games in a row. Jackett will be hoping that this cup triumph will give his side the boost of confidence they need in order to get back on track in the league and compete for the automatic promotion spots.

However, some Portsmouth fans are less than excited about the approaching cup final. Many supporters have been boycotting the competition due to the involvement of Premier League clubs’ under-23s sides.

After the match, plenty of Pompey fans took to Twitter to discuss the upcoming final…

أفادت تقارير صحفية إيطالية، أن برشلونة لم يستسلم في سعيه نحو التعاقد مع الدولي الأرجنتيني لاوتارو مارتينيز مهاجم إنتر ميلان الإيطالي.

ويسعى برشلونة لتعزيز هجومه منذ الموسم الماضي، ويستهدف لاوتارو بعد تألق اللاعب الأرجنتيني مع منتخب بلاده في بطولة كوبا أمريكا 2019 بالبرازيل.

طالع أيضًا | بعد انسحاب يوفنتوس.. موندو: سواريز يتوصل لاتفاق للانتقال إلى أتلتيكو مدريد

صحيفة “لاجازيتا” الإيطالية، أكدت بأن برشلونة لم يستسلم ويواصل السعي نحو التعاقد مع اللاعب الأرجنتيني، وعلى استعداد لفعل المستحيل من أجل الحصول على خدماته.

وينتظر برشلونة الانتهاء من عمليات البيع في سوق الانتقالات للحصول على الأموال اللازمة، ويريد الذهاب إلى إنتر مباشر في ظل العلاقة الجيدة الآن بين الناديين، بعد انتقال أرثورو فيدال إلى النيرازوري.

وعرض برشلونة مبلغا ماليا لم يتم الكشف عنه، بالإضافة لـ جونيور فيربو هدف إنتر ميلان، والمهاجم لويس سواريز، الذي كان قاب قوسين أو أدنى من الانتقال إلى يوفنتوس خلال الأيام الماضية.

وأشارت الصحيفة إلى أن برشلونة قدم العرض الذي يتضمن المال، وعدد من اللاعبين على سبيل الإعارة، حيث أن إدارة النادي الكتالوني، تُدرك تمامًا أنه من الصعب إقناع مالك إنتر، تشانج، بعرض منخفض ماليًا.

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Salomon Rondon led the line for Newcastle United against Wolves at Molineux on Monday night. Whilst the 29-year-old didn’t get on the scoresheet himself, he impressed with his hold-up play and was a constant menace to the opposition defence.

Watching the game, Liverpool pundit David O’Connell took to Twitter to state how impressed he was by the 70-cap Venezuela international.

This sparked some debate amongst Liverpool fans as to how effective the striker might prove as part of Jurgen Klopp’s set-up at Anfield. 

He would certainly offer a new dimension to the Reds’ attacking contingent. Klopp could call upon Rondon as a plan B, with the powerful, 6’1” forward able to take up the role of something of a target man.

The Venezuela international would surely find regular starts hard to come by with the Merseyside outfit though, and he may simply not be of the level required to impress at such a high level.

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

Plenty of Liverpool fans on Twitter think he could be an effective, if surprising, acquisition though…

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Loads of Rangers fans have been giving their verdict on Wednesday night’s momentous win over Aberdeen, and they’re absolutely delighted with the impact of Jermain Defoe.

Rangers kept the pressure on Celtic on Wednesday with a 4-2 win at the Pittodrie Stadium.

The Gers were the better side throughout most of the match, but it wasn’t all plain sailing for Steven Gerrard’s side.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he would have snubbed Tottenham for Arsenal if they’d come knocking in 2005…

Alfredo Morelos put the visitors in front when he pounced on a rebound from a Ryan Kent strike, and the Colombian international grabbed another courtesy of Kent to make it 2-1 after Sam Cosgrove had levelled for the hosts.

James Tavernier and Cosgrove then traded a penalty each, making the score 3-2, before both Morelos and Aberdeen’s Scott McKenna were sent off after kicking out at each other.

The ten-on-ten battle made life difficult for the Gers, but Defoe came on to seal the deal, finishing with aplomb when released late on by Tavernier.

Gerrard was clearly desperate to bring the 36 year-old to Ibrox in January and it’s not hard to see why, as he has already racked up three goals and four assists in a blue shirt.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, where fans are already in love with their new number nine.

One trophy secured, into the semi-final of the Scottish Cup and top of the league, it’s certainly shaping up to be another enjoyable season for those Celtic fans. Indeed, it’s been quite an eventful one at that but what’s the best way to get over Brendan Rodgers’ departure? Improving without him. 

Despite the recent managerial controversy, everyone is now keen to just move on and concentrate on bringing even more silverware back to Celtic Park.

Neil Lennon is back and comes with a point to prove. Will he be successful Only time will tell. One thing that is for certain though, whoever may be in charge next season has to be entrusted with a war-chest, to make the right improvements to help improve their European status.

One player that would make a great signing considering his breadth of experience is AC Milan’s Fabio Borini.

Borini, (who is valued at £6.3 million on Transfermarkt) was previously a target for Celtic and should be again this summer.

The versatile Italian was reportedly available over the course of the winter transfer window after making just four starts in Serie A this season. Having travelled around and still failed to find a permanent home that utilises him week-in, week out, Celtic could really be the club for him.

It has to be said that the 27-year-old has a good work ethic and that alone will be pleasing to see from a fans perspective. In addition to that, Borini is extremely adaptable and finds it easy to convert into different positions on the pitch.

You would believe Celtic would best find his use to be out-wide or up-front, where he has great finishing ability and creativity to set-up further chances for his team-mates. Up in Scotland, Borini could finally be loved, having all the makings of a prolific cult-hero.

Celtic fans, would you like to see former Liverpool man Fabio Borini playing at Celtic Park? Join the discussion by commenting below…