Jurgen Klopp advised opposition fans against taunting Darwin Nunez after Nottingham Forest's chant about the striker came back to haunt them.
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Everton are keen to sign Ismaila Sarr after Watford suffered relegation from the Premier League, according to French outlet Jeunes Footeux.
Watford wound up finishing 19th in the table, a full 15 points adrift of safety and only a point above bottom-place Norwich City.
Sarr, who has two years left on his contract, has now experienced two demotions in the past three seasons.
He’s played the vast majority of his minutes as a right winger, but also has 36 games’ worth of experience on the left and 31 through the middle.
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Sarr apparently has a ‘good chance’ of securing a move away from Vicarage Road during the summer transfer window.
If an ‘interesting offer’ arrives, Watford will be willing to let him go, with ‘several’ PL sides and an unnamed German club in the equation. Everton, Newcastle and Crystal Palace are all name-checked as interested parties.
The report adds that Sarr is unlikely to be sold for less than €35million, which equates to around £30million.
The season got off to a promising start for Sarr as he bagged four goals in his first six matches, but things soon tailed off.
In November, he sustained a ligament injury that would keep him out until February, and he missed six more matches before the campaign was over.
Since the end of September, he’s only been able to contribute one goal and two assists.
But this is a player who’s previously been courted by giants. His agent revealed that he was on verge of signing a contract with Everton’s local rivals Liverpool in January 2021 before the Reds refused to meet Watford’s demands.
What’s more, team-mate Ben Foster has marvelled at his ‘scary’ abilities and even described him as a ‘freak’, insisting he’s never seen anybody with so much acceleration.
Could Everton make Liverpool rue their transfer stance?
In other news, Lampard is eager to sign this Chelsea gem.
Wolves have been boosted in their efforts to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha this summer, with a fresh report claiming that they are favourites to land him.
In recent weeks and months, the Old Gold have been continually linked with a move for the 26-year-old, who appears to be a primary transfer target.
Palhinha has grown into a vital player for Sporting over the years and has become arguably their most important midfielder, making 27 Primeira Liga appearances in 2021/22.
A fresh update further suggests that the Portuguese gem could be plying his trade at Molineux next season.
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According to Correio da Manha [via Sport Witness], Wolves is Palhinha’s ‘most likely destination’, giving Bruno Lage’s side an undoubted boost in this particular transfer pursuit.
However, it is also claimed that the ‘deal depends on’ whether or not they are happy to pay €30m (£25.5m) for his services, which is a possible stumbling block.
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It increasingly looks as though Wolves are in pole position to get their man this summer, with Palhinha potentially being a seamless replacement for the exit-linked Ruben Neves.
A top-class player could be required to come in for the current Molineux hero and the 26-year-old Sporting midfielder is exactly that, enjoying an 84.3% pass completion rate across six Champions League appearances this season.
Losing Neves will clearly be a blow for Lage if he goes, but signing Palhinha would certainly help to make up for that loss, with the Portugal international described as a ‘special’ player by his manager Ruben Amorim.
In other news, a key update has emerged regarding one Wolves player’s future. Read more here.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke has had his say on the Celtic pursuit of highly-rated Bristol City striker Antoine Semenyo.
A February report from Bristol World claimed that the Hoops had sent scouts to watch Semenyo in action with a view to making a possible move in the summer transfer window.
Since then, the 22-year-old has remained sporadically linked with a move to the Glasgow giants as Ange Postecoglou looks to strengthen the options at his disposal at Lennoxtown.
Now as the window prepares to kick into gear, one reputable journalist has had his say on the prospect of Semenyo arriving at Celtic Park…
Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke suggested that the capture of the talented forward could perhaps replicate that of Moussa Dembele’s signing back in 2016.
He explained: “He’s done well at Bristol City, whether he could have the same impact as Moussa Dembele had when he arrived from Fulham, that’s up for debate because Dembele was a real top signing for Celtic when they did get him.
“He showed that with his goals under Brendan Rodgers that helped them win so many trophies and also played in the Champions League as well. So, I think Semenyo does look a good player, and if Celtic could land him, I think it could be a good piece of business.”
Whether or not Semenyo has the capabilities to emulate Dembele is neither here nor there as the plethora of goal-scorers across the pitch means Postecoglou isn’t reliant on one regular contributor in the same way Rodgers looked towards the Frenchman.
In 2021/22, David Turnbull, Kyogo Furuhashi, Jota, Liel Abada and Giorgos Giakoumakis all reached double figures for the Bhoys, whilst January signing Daizen Maeda ended the campaign on eight strikes in just 22 outings.
During the same campaign, Semenyo scored eight times and provided 12 assists in 31 Championship appearances, showing an ability to find the net as well as turn provider for those around him.
Therefore, adding the youngster hailed as a ‘star in the making’ by Martin Keown following a FA Cup victory over Leicester City in 2019 to the squad would be a superb coup for Celtic.
In other news, a journalist has provided a key Celtic transfer update. Read more here.
Celtic could be set to miss out on signing reported transfer target Ola Solbakken this summer.
According to a recent tweet from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Norwegian is a “top target” for Italian club AS Roma this summer. The journalist also added that “negotiations are progressing” between Roma and Bodo/Glimt behind the scenes over the potential transfer switch.
The winger joined his current club in January 2020 from fellow Norwegian club Ranheim IL. Since then, the 23-year-old has gone on to make 72 appearances in total for Bodo/Glimt across all competitions, scoring 17 goals and delivering 18 assists along the way.
Taking this into account, it’s easy to see why Celtic were linked with a move for him and why Roma are reportedly in talks to add him to their ranks.
With 19 appearances to his name this season, the attacker has found the net eight times and provided five assists in the process.
Having netted three goals in four games against Jose Mourinho’s side, along with scoring one goal and supplying one assist in two matches against the Hoops in the Europa Conference League, this will have given both clubs a good look at the player and his talent.
Given the clear attacking talent he has and the versatility to be able to play on both the left and right flanks, it would certainly be bad news for Celtic if they let the player slip out of their grasp and sign for Roma this summer.
As the winger was linked with a move to Parkhead as a contingency plan if they were not able to secure a permanent transfer deal for on-loan attacker Jota, Solbakken’s potential move to Italy would ramp up the pressure on the Bhoys to make sure that they secure the Portuguese star’s signature.
If Celtic are keen to sign the Bodo/Glimt deynamo, then they should be doing all they can to make sure they rival the Europa Conference League holders and get him to make a move to Glasgow instead of Rome.
If not, they will then just have to move on and focus on other attacking targets that they may have in their sights.
In other news: Celtic now eye move for 19-year-old “breath of fresh air”, he could be their new Scott Brown
Tottenham Hotspur are currently in ‘talks’ to sign a ‘tenacious’ defender for manager Antonio Conte, according to a report from Italy.
Amid all the noise surrounding Premier League star Yves Bissouma and his move to Spurs, it is reliably believed that the Lilywhites are not slowing down there.
Conte and transfer chief Fabio Paratici have allegedly earmarked more potential signings at Hotspur Way this summer with links having surrounded a possible new wing-back.
As per The Evening Standard, Tottenham’s head coach would ideally like one new full-back for each flank, both on the right and on the left.
Now, according to a report by Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), it appears the north Londoners are well and truly aiming to make Conte’s wish a reality.
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The Italian newspaper claims Tottenham are in negotiations to sign Destiny Udogie from Udinese as the player’s agents ‘continue their talks’ with both Spurs and Serie A giants Juventus.
The 19-year-old appears to be emerging as Serie A’s hottest defensive sensation, as backed by glowing endorsements from Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, who believes the defender is a physical specimen.
He claims Udogie has many fine attributes, including his reputation as ‘hard working’ and a ‘tenacious tackler’ with ‘top pace and physicality’ – not to mention ‘superb’ technique (Facebook). The youngster averaged 1.8 tackles per game in Serie A this season while providing nine direct goal involvements (Whoscored).
We believe the left-wing-back may well be a fine option for Conte at Spurs and reliable reporters like Gianluca Di Marzio back that Tottenham are certainly in the mix for his signature.
In other news: ‘It is understood…’ – Sky Sports share major live TV transfer news out of Tottenham! Find out more here.
Liverpool are wasting no time in getting their transfer business started after the summer window opened on Friday, as they are on the cusp of signing Darwin Nunez, and a new update has now emerged on another potential transfer target in the pipeline.
According to Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), Anfield could be an option for Marco Asensio if he were to leave Real Madrid this summer.
As per the report, Jurgen Klopp has been interested in the player for a long time, and the German would surely attempt to sign the 26-year-old if he is made available.
Asensio has reportedly been offered a new contract to extend his stay at Los Blancos, but has refused to accept a deal as of yet, and the La Liga giants will make the player available on the market this summer if he continues to reject offers from the club.
Liverpool could be onto an absolute winner if they can not only secure a deal for Nunez this summer but also sign a strike partner in Asensio to replace Sadio Mane, who is expected to leave the Premier League this summer.
This season for Real Madrid, the €40m (£34m)-valued Spanish talent scored 10 goals, created one big chance, made one key pass and took 2.1 shots per league game, whilst successfully completing the majority of his dribbles (68%) in his 31 La Liga appearances.
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His manager Carlo Ancelotti reserved special praise for the player after he scored a hat-trick against Real Mallorca this season, saying of the 26-year-old: “Asensio was able to move between the lines and with the finishing ability that he has, he is a danger for our rivals. When he moves inside, he has the ball on his left foot and he is very dangerous.”
It has been reported that Liverpool’s arch-rivals Manchester United are also interested in signing the Spaniard, but surely if the Merseysiders are interested in making Asensio an offer, he would prefer a move to a club who will be playing Champions League football next season, so Klopp’s Reds could have a significant advantage.
For the right price, FSG could secure a great piece of business by signing the Real Madrid star this summer, as he could definitely offer Klopp another attacking option (potentially alongside Nunez) ahead of next season.
AND in other news: “LFC want…”: Fabrizio Romano drops huge transfer update, supporters will be buzzing
Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez will remain at the Etihad Stadium next season despite numerous loan offers being made for him, according to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano.
On January’s transfer deadline day, City announced the signing of Alvarez, having agreed a fee in the region of £14m for the Argentina international. The 22-year-old signed a five-and-a-half year deal at the Etihad before heading back to River Plate for the remainder of the season.
The striker has an impressive record in Argentina, having scored 52 goals in 116 appearances, leading to him earning nine caps for his national team (via Transfermarkt).
Romano has now shared the latest news on Alvarez, who has been gaining lots of interest involving potential loan moves ahead of next season.
Taking to Twitter, the journalist claimed: “More than five European clubs have approached Man City since February to sign Julián Álvarez on loan for the next season, including Premier League clubs too. #MCFC
“Always same answer: no way, he’s staying. That’s why Man City are prepared to sell Gabriel Jesus and Sterling.”
The arrival of Alvarez in Manchester is an exciting proposition for Sky Blues fans, given the huge potential that the 22-year-old has been touted to fulfil.
The striker was awarded a stunning 8.63 average SofaScore match rating in the Argentine top flight in 2022, topping his club’s charts by some distance.
With Pep Guardiola’s side prepared to let go of both Sterling and Jesus, according to Romano this must say something highly complimentary about Alvarez, as City have rarely been a club to allow their stars to leave in deference to promising youngsters.
In other news: Noel Whelan has reacted to this transfer update on another Man City player
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.
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.
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
Alfonso Leocadio has dropped an update on reported Leeds United transfer target Charles De Ketelaere.
In a recent post on Twitter, the transfer insider revealed that, following a number of reports linking Victor Orta with a move for the Club Brugge forward in recent weeks, the Spaniard is now set to launch a formal offer for the 21-year-old in the coming days.
This would appear to back up the recent claims of RTL journalist Alexandre Braeckman, who also suggested in an interview with MOT Leeds News that the Whites are set to table an offer worth up to €30m (£25.8m) for the Belgium international in the very near future.
In his tweet, Leocadio said: “CDK bid is expected in the next few days. Leeds confident they could sign him, despite interest from AC [Milan] and Leicester [City].”
Considering just how exciting a prospect De Ketelaere undoubtedly is, Leocadio’s latest update on Leeds’ pursuit of the Brugge sensation is sure to have left the Elland Road faithful buzzing.
Indeed, the £27m-rated talent was in remarkable form for Alfred Schreuder’s side last season, scoring 18 goals and registering 10 assists over 49 appearances in the Jupiler Pro League, the Champions League, the Beker van Belgie and the Belgium Supercup.
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While the 21-year-old’s returns of 14 goals and eight assists over 496 minutes in the Champions League which most caught the eye in 2021/22.
Indeed, based on metrics taken from his FBRef data ranked the £17k-per-week attacker in the top 3% of forwards in Europe’s big five leagues and European competitions for xA per 90, and also the top 4% for progressive passes, top 5% for pressures, top 9% for tackles, top 16% for passes attempted and top 19% for shot-creating actions over the last 365 days.
Furthermore, De Ketelaere’s exceptional positional versatility would also appear to make him an incredibly impressive addition to Jesse Marsch’s attacking arsenal next season. The player who Braeckman tipped to become the next Kevin De Bruyne featured in no fewer than seven different positions last term – with 30 appearances at centre-forward, five as a second-striker, four as an attacking midfielder, three at left and central midfield and two on the right and left wings.
As such, it is clear to see just how exciting a talent the Brugge starlet is, leading us to believe that Orta simply must do everything in his power to land the eight-cap Belgium international ahead of the likes of AC Milan and Leicester City this summer.
AND in other news: Victor Orta can form “unbelievable” duo as Leeds now plot bid for “unreal” £9m talent