All posts by h716a5.icu

Fans of Southampton have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which Jack Rosser relayed an article of his regarding Saints’ interest in a summer move for left-back, Rico Henry.

According to Rosser’s report for the Evening Standard, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are one of many Premier League club’s interested in a move for the Brentford defender this summer, for whom the west London side are thought to be demanding a fee of around £12-15 million.

Southampton, in particular, are said to be keen on a move for the 23-year-old as the club are planning for the departure of their current first-choice left-back, Ryan Bertrand, at the end of the season, with the England international being linked with a move to Leicester City.

And, after Rosser relayed his report on Twitter, fans of Southampton flocked to have their say on the matter, with many appearing delighted at the prospect of their side landing Henry this summer.

So, what exactly did these Southampton fans have to say regarding their club’s reported interest in a move for Rico Henry?

“This makes sense. A good player already, bags of potential, young, English and would flourish at Saints. Hopefully, 1 year for him to be tutored under Bertrand, though Berty wants a longer contract. Interesting.”

@saintbannerman

“Makes perfect sense, a typical Saints signing. Been on the radar a while methinks.”

@john_lush

“Make this happen!!!!”

@rxdmond

“Perfect replacement. I’d take him in a heartbeat.”

@WillsfcMitchell

“Back up in short term. Bertrand is going nowhere.”

@Golacticos2

“Replacement for Bertrand? Bertrand’s still one of our best players – we’ve been lucky to have him all these years. Cover for him would be good though.”

@FrankLopezCoach

In other news: ‘I hope so’ – Southampton’s £21m summer target dropped a huge hint on a potential Premier League move – find out more here!

Former Premier League striker Dean Windass has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that Dele Alli needs to leave Spurs and become a big fish in a small pond once again.

Alli has been an outstanding servant to Tottenham following his move from MK Dons back in 2016, but has fallen down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho, and having lost his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, could seek a transfer away from Spurs to revive his international career.

The attacking midfielder saw a January move to PSG blocked, and despite making 10 appearances in all competitions since then, has started just once in the Premier League.

But recent reports believe that Alli, who reportedly earns £100,000-a-week, is going to finally be allowed to leave Tottenham at the end of the season, and whilst a reunion with Mauricio Pochettino remains a strong possibility, Windass believes that staying in the Premier League would be good for the England international.

He told the Transfer Tavern:

“I think Everton or Aston Villa, one of those teams where he then becomes a big fish in a small pond again. At the minute he’s a small fish in a big pond.

“The kid needs to be playing to get back into the England squad. Gareth will be on the phone saying ‘I think you’re a great player, but you need to be playing your club football!'”

Marcel Brands must seal a summer swoop for Everton to sign Daryl Dike despite Emile Heskey questioning whether the Barnsley striker is currently Premier League standard.

The Toffees have been linked with a potential move for the 20-year-old at the end of the season by Eurosport and TEAMtalk, having begun to track the Orlando City loanee following his remarkable start to life in the Championship.

Since moving to Oakwell on Deadline Day of the winter market, Dike has scored eight goals in 14 second-tier fixtures, including braces against Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town to help the Tykes mount a promotion challenge.

His immediate impact in the Championship is thought to have impressed Everton’s scouts sufficiently to keep further tabs on his progress, and they have even shown the most interest in his situation despite admiration from Manchester United and Chelsea.

Leeds United, West Ham, Newcastle and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also among the growing list of potential suitors but could face paying as much as $20m (£14.5m), while Barnsley are claimed to have a £17m option to buy.

Heskey, who scored 111 goals in 516 career Premier League games, has become a big fan of Dike but has reservations over the 20-year-old being ready for the step up to the top flight just yet.

“[Dike] is a strong, powerful lad who knows where the back of the net is, who understands his strengths and ability and runs with it,” the 62-cap England international told HITC.

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“When you’re talking about a powerful, powerful player, with the ability to hold the ball up as the lone striker, there will be so many clubs who need and want that.

“The higher you get up the leagues, it becomes tougher. Defenders become cuter, goalkeepers become better, everyone becomes fitter, stronger, wiser. So, you’ve got to become better.”

Heskey’s hesitancy to back Dike making a successful step up to the Premier League after just six months of Championship action could prove worrisome for some of his potential suitors, but Everton’s Director of Football Brands must still push through with the Merseyside club’s interest.

The Toffees are bound to be in the market for a new centre-forward in the off-season with Galatasaray and Fenerbahce target Joshua King expected to be released, while Carlo Ancelotti continues to fuel speculation of Moise Kean sealing a permanent exit.

Cenk Tosun also faces an uncertain future at Goodison Park, although Everton may struggle to sell the Turkey international after he ruptured his patella tendon while representing loan club Besiktas earlier this month.

Neither Tosun nor King have been able to rival Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison for minutes at centre-forward under Ancelotti this season, as well, while the Brazilian can struggle to lead the line without having Calvert-Lewin beside him.

Dike can relieve some of that pressure in being a powerful target man who is able to hold the ball up, as Heskey has said, while proving adept at finding the net to already become Barnsley’s second-best scorer in the Championship this season.

His eight goals have come from just 12 shots on target, a much superior conversion rate to Richarlison (six goals from 25 on-target efforts) and Calvert-Lewin (14 goals from 36 on-target attempts) in the Premier League this season.

Dike has also been dubbed a “relentless competitor” by George Gelnovatch, his former University head coach at Virginia Cavs, under whom he developed before being drafted by Orland City in 2020.

The step-up from college football to Major League Soccer was not an issue for Dike with eight goals in 17 games, and neither is life in the Championship.

To doubt the youngster making a similar leap to perform in the Premier League would be questionable, and that’s why Everton must take a punt on the twice-capped USA international this summer.

AND in other news, a rarely-seen Everton outcast is wanted in a £10.5m summer transfer…

Reports by The Mirror (18/4, p. 62) over the weekend claimed that Watford are showing a keen interest in a summer swoop for Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow, which should be considered the perfect opportunity for Steve Bruce to cash-in.

The Hornets have eyes on Darlow as they strive to secure a long-term replacement for Ben Foster, ahead of a potential return to the Premier League, with Xisco’s side sitting six points clear of the Play-Off positions ahead of visiting table-toppers Norwich City on Tuesday night.

Daniel Bachmann has been the accustomed number one at Vicarage Road since displacing Foster between the sticks at the turn of the year and has proven to be a solid option with 11 clean sheets and 11 goals conceded in 20 appearances in the Championship thus far.

Foster had opened the campaign as the go-to goalkeeper at Watford but fell out of the side due to a broken finger in January, after keeping nine clean sheets and conceding 17 goals in 22 appearances, and has been unable to regain duties since returning to action in March.

The 38-year-old could now face heightened competition for the position as Hornets chiefs weigh up a move for Darlow, with a potential £6m bid on the cards for the 30-year-old who is under contract at St. James’ Park through to the summer of 2025.

Watford are thought to be keen to offer Darlow a chance to stake his claim to their number one jersey, as he has the potential to serve as Xisco’s long-term option.

The Northampton-born shot-stopper had acted as Bruce’s first-choice earlier this term due to Martin Dubravka being sidelined with a heel injury, but has not featured in the Premier League since the Slovakian made his return against Wolverhampton Wanderers in February.

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Darlow was considered to be one of Newcastle’s most consistent performers amid a fight for Premier League survival after keeping four clean sheets in 25 games and producing stunning displays against Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

But Bruce benched Darlow after a sub-par performance at Manchester United, and the Toon are now said to be open to selling the £25,000-per-week titan in the next transfer window with Freddie Woodman set to return from a second season on loan with Swansea City.

Newcastle would have four goalkeepers on the books next season if a deal to sell one of Bruce’s options is not secured, with Woodman potentially joining Darlow, Dubravka and rarely-seen back-up Mark Gillespie, who has only featured three times this season.

Watford firming up their interest in Darlow should thus be considered the ideal opportunity for Bruce and United to cash in on one of their options, as the 6 ft 2 titan has been unable to regain the role from Dubravka and was allegedly ‘angered’ by the manner of his axing.

There’s no doubt that Newcastle owe a great deal to Darlow for keeping them in a position where Premier League safety is achievable, having been “absolutely awesome” for the Magpies this season in the eyes of Sky Sports pundit Matt Murray.

But it would be unsustainable for Newcastle to have four goalkeepers on the books and while Darlow is entering the final years of his career, Woodman can still represent the Toon’s future having been magnificent while on loan at Swansea for the past two seasons.

After recording 12 shut outs in 43 Championship appearances last term, the 24-year-old – who has been linked with Arsenal previously – has kept 20 clean sheets in 41 games during the current campaign, two more than any other goalkeeper in the division.

If Woodman is to return to St. James’ Park, he would not be expected to simply settle for the number two position, and will leave Bruce with a decision to make between the young up-and-comer who represents the future or his current first-choice Dubravka.

Doing so would leave Darlow with nowhere to go on Tyneside, making Watford’s potential £6m bid all the more appealing when funds for summer signings are likely to be minimal.

AND in other news, Steve Bruce expects Newcastle to open talks to retain a £47,000-per-week brute…

Aston Villa could be set for a summer nightmare amid reports claiming that Premier League champions Liverpool are interested in signing Ollie Watkins.

What’s the story?

Dean Smith’s side have seen the former Brentford ace take to the Premier League like a duck to water, bagging an impressive 14 goals across all competitions in his debut campaign with the club.

Football Insider have claimed that Liverpool – or Merseyside Red, as John McGinn hilariously named them following the whole European Super League debacle – are keen on luring Watkins to Anfield this summer.

The report added that Jurgen Klopp’s side are keeping tabs on the £28.8m-rated striker, who “is on their radar because he has blistering pace, can play a quick tempo game and has an eye for goal.”

Nightmare for Dean Smith

Given how he has performed in his first season with Aston Villa, it’s only logical to think that Watkins could go to even greater heights with a full campaign of Premier League football under his belt.

The striker has been leading Villa’s charge to a surprise European spot for next season and has often been someone to rise to the big occasion, netting in home and away fixtures against Liverpool (including a hat-trick at Villa Park) and also against Arsenal.

It’s no surprise that Klopp and Liverpool have their eye on signing a “machine” like Watkins, and it will leave Smith very worried about trying to hold on to his main man up front.

The prospect of playing for a team challenging for titles both domestically and in Europe will be a tantalising one, and Smith will have to use his powers of persuasion to ensure that Watkins’ head doesn’t get turned.

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Liverpool have already shown in recent seasons that they are ready to spend big money on players they want – you only have to look at the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson to see that.

Villa will be desperately hoping that they can avoid the nightmare of the Reds coming in to pinch Watkins this summer.

Meanwhile, Villa are ready to reignite their interest in this star…

This has been a very disruptive week for Wolverhampton Wanderers, not just because of the failed European Super League plans but also because of their manager.

Once again, Nuno Espirito Santo is attracting interest from one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League. Arsenal were keen on the 47-year-old before they appointed Mikel Arteta, but now it’s their north London neighbours Tottenham who are considering him as their replacement for Jose Mourinho.

Nuno issued a defiant response on Friday, hinting that he’d be staying put in the Midlands. Before any talks can happen, though, they will need to negotiate the test of Burnley on Sunday lunchtime.

Wolves have begun to find their rhythm again in recent weeks and have now won their last two games without conceding a goal.

They’ll hope that continues when they face the Clarets this weekend but how will they line up? Here’s what we’re predicting…

We’re tipping Nuno to make only two changes from the side which beat Sheffield United 1-0 last time out.

Willian Jose scored his first goal for the Old Gold that night and hence keeps his place as the leading striker.

There is a place for the £80,000-per-week Fabio Silva, however, who replaces Daniel Podence in the starting XI. The club’s record signing has a goal and an assist in his last three matches, whereas the 25-year-old has struggled since returning from injury. He failed to provide a single key pass in the win over the Blades and was hauled off in the 72nd minute having surrendered possession 19 times.

The other change is in midfield, where Leander Dendoncker drops out in favour of Vitinha. The Belgian is a robust presence but hasn’t offered very much from an offensive point of view.

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Considering that he’s playing next to Joao Moutinho, another more defensive type of player, they could do with some added creativity in the form of Vitinha. He supplied a late chance for Adama Traore in their last game and deserves to finally earn a start.

Ruben Neves is still missing as he sits in isolation, while the likes of Jonny, Pedro Neto and Raul Jimenez remain long-term absentees.

AND in other news, Forget Jonny: Shi must complete Wolves swoop for £17m beast who can “play like Alaba”…

Everton have a real chance of securing European football this season, with their win last time out marking a real statement for the Toffees.

They still have West Ham and Manchester City to face this season, while a clash with Aston Villa on Saturday evening could also be a tough one.

The Villans and Everton are separated by three points at the moment with the two historic clubs enjoying impressive campaigns, but while Villa will still be missing Jack Grealish, Carlo Ancelotti has the luxury of welcoming back one of his injury casualties from recent days.

As per Ben Dinnery on Twitter, Michael Keane will be back in the Everton line-up on Saturday after his recovery from a hamstring problem. The centre-back missed their 1-0 victory over Arsenal last time out, with Ben Godfrey moving across from full-back to take his place in the middle.

Ancelotti’s side kept a clean sheet without him when he was absent but it will be a huge boost to have him back in the XI. After all, the England international has only missed two games for the Merseyside club this season, becoming one of their most important players.

No Everton player has made more interceptions per game than Keane this term (1.5) while his 2.9 aerial duels won per match are more than any other Toffees centre-half. The 28-year-old also has the second-best passing success rate (87.4%) in the squad of those to have played more than six games.

Keane clearly offers a lot to Everton, so it’s no surprise to see that he’s been such a big success under Ancelotti. He is astute at reading the ball and is composed when bringing it forward from defence.

With the Toffees pushing for European football, it will be a big boost to have such an important player back fit as the season approaches its climax.

AND in other news, Imagine him & DCL: Everton must sign “phenomenal” £250k-p/w ace with “magical powers”…

Former Tottenham Hotspur captain Graham Roberts believes Steven Gerrard should be a candidate to become the next Spurs boss, though he has told Football FanCast that he doubts he would be willing to take the job.

The ex-Liverpool captain has done brilliant work with Rangers and has guided them to the Scottish Premiership title this season.

Indeed, the Gers are currently 23 points clear of second-placed Celtic, and have yet to lose a single game in the top flight.

With two matches of the season remaining there is a very real chance of Gerrard, who has only tasted defeat twice in 2021 against Slavia Prague and on penalties to St Johnstone in the cup, and his side achieving an unbeaten season.

Spurs, of course, are on the lookout for a new manager after sacking Jose Mourinho earlier in April.

Roberts played for both clubs and he believes Gerrard should be considered as a candidate, though he holds doubts over whether he would be willing to move to north London.

Gerrard, of course, spent all but one season in his professional career at Liverpool.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “Steven Gerrard has done an unbelievable job at Rangers but maybe this is another step higher.

“I think what he’s done there, I’m not saying a bigger club, I think Rangers are a massive club. But what I’m thinking is the Premier League, it’s another step.”

Leeds United are reportedly showing genuine interest in signing  Brest winger Romain Faivre, but other big clubs are also interested.

The Lowdown: Past interest in Faivre

Marcelo Bielsa is expected to make additions to his squad in the summer transfer window in order to ensure that they keep improving next season.

The Whites have been linked with a move for Faivre in recent months, with the 22-year-old scoring six goals and registering five assists in Ligue 1 this season.

The Latest: Leeds in the race for winger

According to Le Parisien [via Sport Witness], Leeds are showing ‘concrete interest’ in signing Faivre at the end of the season, but they aren’t alone in that respect.

Both Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund are also in the mix, along with AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach.

It is claimed that Leeds will have to pay between €15m and €20m (£12.95m-£17.26m) to acquire the Frenchman’s signature.

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The Verdict: Worth a punt?

Faivre might not the most high-profile name with whom Leeds have been linked, but his statistics suggest that he could thrive in this Whites team.

On top of his aforementioned 11 goal contributions in the league, he also averages 2.6 dribbles per game, highlighting his direct nature. That’s comfortably more than any Leeds player in the Premier League in 2020/21, with Raphinha (1.9) leading the way, going to show what an exciting acquisition he could be.

Indeed, the Brazilian was a left-field £17m signing from Ligue 1 outfit Rennes and has gone on to excel in Yorkshire, so the Whites could strike a similarly successful note with another raid on the French top flight if they sign Faivre.

In other news, one pundit has tipped a Leeds attacker to leave the club at the end of the season. Find out who it is here.

Former Test cricketer and chief selector Salahuddin Sallu was honouredby the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) for his meritoriousservices rendered as national selector during the last two decades

10-May-2001Former Test cricketer and chief selector Salahuddin Sallu was honouredby the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) for his meritoriousservices rendered as national selector during the last two decades.In a grand reception held here on Tuesday night, Pakistan CricketBoard (PCB) chairman, Lt.-Gen Tauqir Zia presented a shield toSalahuddin Sallu. The LCCA president Aamir Hayat Khan Rokari alsopresented a shield to the PCB chairman.Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Tauqir Zia said that it was apositive step taken by the LCCA to honour Salahuddin Sallu who belongsto Karachi and hoped that such steps whould be taken on reciprocalbasis in future.The celebrated sports personalities who attended the function weresquash legend Jahangir Khan, former and current Test sars ZaheerAbbas, Javed Miandad, Abdul Qadir, Iqbal Qasim, Moin Khan, ShahidAfridi, Shafqat Rana, Azhar Khan and Imran Nazir.Jahangir Khan, Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad, Abdul Qadir, Iqbal Qasim,Moin Khan, Shahid Afridi and Shafqat Rana also expressed their viewsto highlight the contribution made to cricket by Salahuddin Sallu whowas national selector eight times and once chairman in 1999. Sallu waschief selector of the KCCA for 10 years during which time Karachi wonevery major trophy.