All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Newcastle United are reportedly the favourites to sign Cameron Carter-Vickers in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Carter-Vickers breakthrough

The 23-year-old had something of a breakthrough 2020/21 season while on loan at Bournemouth from Tottenham as the Cherries just missed out on a Championship play-off final spot at the hands of Brentford, who eventually won promotion to the Premier League.

The centre-back played in 21 matches in the second tier, winning 4.5 of his duels per game, while also averaging 3.4 clearances, 1.1 interceptions and one tackle per match, helping his side to keep five clean sheets in the process (Sofascore).

The Latest: Newcastle favourites

As per Football Insider, Newcastle are now the favourites to sign Carter-Vickers, who is also a target for Celtic.

A source from Spurs has told the news outlet that the Magpies are currently the frontrunners for his signature after talks. Carter-Vickers only has one year left remaining on his deal with the Lilywhites, and they will demand a fee in the region of £5m if they are to sell him.

The Verdict: Sign

Carter-Vickers certainly seems like a good cut-price option for the Tyneside club, and he would help to bolster Steve Bruce’s options in the heart of defence.

Once dubbed an ‘absolute beast’ by former Tottenham teammate Jan Vertonghen back in 2016, the 1.83m (6 foot 1) colossus could certainly give Newcastle a physical and aerial threat in both boxes, and at 23 years of age, the USA international still has a lot of potential to fulfil.

He could turn out to be a smart signing by the Toon if they win the race for his signature.

In other news, find out what promising takeover insight Amanda Staveley has dropped

Aston Villa would be wise to make a move for Liverpool centre-back Joe Gomez as a replacement for Azel Tuanzebe, according to Kevin Phillips.

The Lowdown: Villa linked with Gomez move

The 24-year-old has found it difficult to get regular minutes for the Reds this season, appearing for just 14 minutes in the Premier League.

Villa have been linked with a move for Gomez in the January transfer window as Steven Gerrard looks to strengthen his squad between now and the end of the season.

With Tuanzebe set to leave Villa and join Napoli on loan, a centre-back may well be needed this month.

The Latest: Phillips talks up possible Gomez move to Villa

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips talked up the idea of Villa acquiring Gomez’s services.

After Gerrard admitted that “we would be delighted to keep [Tuanzebe]” and “we just hope we have the opportunity”, the former Sunderland striker stated: “He’ll definitely need a new centre-back. Whether Joe Gomez happens, I’m not sure. It’d be a great signing.

“But when managers speak like that, ultimately it looks like the player will be moving on. Then, it will be a priority to get a centre-half through the doors”

The Verdict: Tough to see happening

Gomez is a top-class defender who has won both the Premier League and Champions League with Liverpool, being hailed as ‘sensational’ by Jurgen Klopp.

He could be an exceptional signing for Villa despite some sizeable injury problems, but it is hard to see the Reds allowing the England international to leave.

With Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip both now in their 30s, Gomez will surely be viewed as a future regular if he can stay fit, and even a loan move could feel needless after the Reds’ centre-back shortage last season.

Villa may well need to look elsewhere if they intend to add to their ranks in this department during the month.

In other news, some Villa fans have reacted to reported interest in one player. Find out who it is here.

Celtic have witnessed some huge success in the transfer market since Ange Postecoglou touched down at Parkhead, bringing in a colossal 14 new faces.

What the vast majority of those acquisitions have done is sensational, with the Hoops now in the running to win the treble.

Postecoglou’s men have won the Scottish League Cup, now hold the advantage in the title race and face their biggest rivals in the Scottish Cup semi-finals next weekend.

However, there have been some blunders, as there is with every team.

Ivan Toney is a classic case of one that got away but there are plenty of other players who the Bhoys will rue not signing.

Take Brenden Aaronson for instance, someone whose stock has risen quite considerably since Celtic were interested in acquiring him.

Back in 2020, he was linked quite regularly with the Hoops but a move didn’t materialise and that’s something they should now regret.

Of course, in the context of how Celtic have done this term it’s not mattered. Yet, had Aaronson joined last season it’s unlikely they’d have witnessed such a dismal year.

Instead, he signed for RB Salzburg in January 2021 in a deal worth £4.6m and he has gone from strength to strength since.

The attacking midfielder has totalled ten assists and five goals throughout the current term and has earned considerable praise as a result.

He was dubbed “special” by his manager, Matthias Jaissle, and also hailed as a “mentality monster.”

That acclaim has now seen calls for a Premier League move with Leeds United’s interest in the American incredibly well documented.

They wanted to sign him in January and still hold interest ahead of a summer move but with Transfermarkt rating him at £18m, any chance of Celtic finally bringing him to Scotland is now impossible.

Ranking in the top 11% of players across Europe for goal-creating actions per 90 minutes and in the top 1% for pressures, it’s evident just how well the 21-year-old would have fitted into Postecoglou’s ranks.

It’s a shame they didn’t sign him but in Tom Rogic, David Turnbull and Matt O’Riley, the Hoops certainly have reason to be happy about their options.

AND in other news, Get rid: Ange must brutally axe Celtic’s £14k-pw “terrible flop”, he’s Shane Duffy 2.0…

West Bromwich Albion appointed former Barnsley manager, Valerien Ismael, as their new manager in the summer after the side was relegated from Premier League under Sam Allardyce.

Ismael is suffering a poor run of form that has seen West Brom struggle to score and failing to register enough wins to close the gap on Fulham and Bournemouth who currently sit in the automatic promotion spots at the top of the table, whilst West Brom trail behind in third.

What’s the word?

Valerien Ismael is now speculated to be in a vulnerable position, with former Birmingham Live journalist, Chris Lepkowski, taking to Twitter to discuss the potential of the dismissal of Ismael as early as before Christmas.

Lepkowski tweeted;

“I suspect Valerien Ismael is in territory now where he might struggle to make Xmas if things don’t quickly change,” he said.

“It’ll be the manager who pays the price. It always is. We are now closer to 13th points wise than 2nd. The players will be protected.”

He further added:

“Sacking him now would be a huge admission they got it wrong.

“But if attendances drop – which they already are – and the Board start getting it, they’ll be more likely to act. He needs a big result on Saturday.”

There have been no official reports or word from West Brom on their stance as yet on the future of Ismael, but surely the pressure will rise for the manager if he doesn’t start to pull something out of the bag for West Brom.

Would fans be happy to see Ismael go?

West Brom’s priority is to get promoted back into the Premier League, and if they feel that it can’t be achieved under the management of Ismael, there will surely be very quick decisions made to ensure the club can bring in somebody who can secure promotion for the side and change the path of their season in time.

It’s clear that Ismael’s tactics is only taking the side so far, with Friday night’s performance against Nottingham Forest the perfect example of the tactics not being adaptable to counter or react to the opposition’s course of play.

Although West Brom are creating chances in high numbers, with 61 shots in the last three games, not a single one has been finished correctly to seal a win for the Baggies.

Some fans would be happy to see Ismael sacked, even at this early stage in the season, taking to Twitter to vent their frustrations.

One fan tweeted; “Ismael needs to be sacked because this will get worse and worse #wba”

Another Albion fan speculated the potential of sacking Ismael tweeting;

“I’m not calling for Ismael’s head BUT I do think it’s worth pointing out Watford sacked their manager in 5th and went up 2nd. Villa sacked Bruce and went on a real run. Board know what it’s like leaving it too late with Bilic last year.”

With that in mind, a large section of the Albion faithful would surely be buzzing if Lepkowski’s prediction came true. After all, it could put an end to their current poor run of form – a stretch that’s seen them win just once in five – and inspire a run to promotion.

In other news: Johnstone tipped to stay at West Brom until summer

Leeds United’s season has hardly gone to plan with the Yorkshire giants occupying a perilous place in 15th, just three points above the drop zone after 11 matches, but there has been one shining light for Marcelo Bielsa and co.

That being versatile defender Pascal Struijk, who impressed yet again at the weekend as the Whites drew to Leicester City in the Premier League.

Primarily a central option, standing at 6 foot 3 inches, the Belgium-born Dutchman was deployed as a left-back against the Foxes, with both Junior Firpo and Jamie Shackleton absent through injury.

As per SofaScore, he won 100% of his ground duels, coming up against the threat of Ricardo Pereira and Ademola Lookman down that left flank, whilst he also notched two interceptions, one tackle and one clearance despite playing in unfamiliar territory.

Struijk has also played in defensive midfielder whenever Bielsa’s usual lynchpin Kalvin Phillips has been out through injury or suspension, so he’s certainly proven to be a very valuable asset to Leeds since their promotion to the Premier League nearly 18 months ago.

The Argentine head coach waxed lyrical about his defender to reporters after the game, he said (via LeedsLive):

“He’s a very hard-working man. In the mental and the physical assimilation of a new position. Throughout the week he was looking for solutions in a new position.”

But it is in the heart of defence where his future will seemingly lie and it’s not just Bielsa who spoke glowingly in recent days.

LeedsLive journalist Beren Cross has touted him for big things in Yorkshire, claiming that the colossus is rather quite underrated.

“He’s [Bielsa] worked with so many players in world football, and for him to say the things he’s saying about Pascal, it’s very, very exciting.

“Defenders don’t always get a very exciting press. It’s all about Raphinha, it’s all about Joe Gelhardt. But Pascal is the future. 

“And the longer he stays under the radar, the better, because he’s got the lot, to be honest. And at some point, there will be a changing of the guard and he’s going to become a supreme centre-back.”

Leeds poached Struijk from Ajax’s grasp on a free transfer in 2018 and ever since, he’s slowly earned the trust of Bielsa, which is a hard task no doubt.

The 22-year-old is now valued at €20m (£18m), according to CIES Football Observatory, which only goes to show just how his career is on an upward trajectory in Yorkshire.

Ex-United star Dominic Matteo is also a huge fan of the Deurne-born centre-back too.

“He reads the game a lot better than he’s credited for. He’ll get even better too. Struijk is one to look out for,” he claimed earlier this year.

“There’s plenty of work to be done but, with the size of him, his physicality, his passing, he’s got it all and can step into midfield. He looks very calm on the ball, players who are a bit erratic are not for me but he looks comfortable in possession.”

Also dubbed a “beast” by Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Joe Urquhart, Leeds have certainly struck gold over Struijk. In fact, this is surely like a dream for Bielsa as he has a young player who is very capable of playing a multitude of positions and one that will still only get better.

To make matters even better, he didn’t cost them a penny, meaning one day if he does move on, the club will receive a sizeable return on their investment.

Everyone associated with the club should feel lucky to have the Dutchman in their ranks, even more so this season.

AND in other news, Local journalist drops promising claim on £34m-rated Leeds “nightmare”, fans will be buzzing…

Flocking to social media, many Liverpool fans have erupted as reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano shares a message surrounding target Jude Bellingham (Twitter).

Jurgen Klopp’s side have started the 2021/2022 season in fine form and are well in contention to grab the Premier League title back off current champions Manchester City.

The Reds suffered their fair share of injury woes combined with poor form last year but they have begun their road to redemption in electric fashion this time round.

Scoring 37 goals in all competitions already this season, their last Premier League outing, in which they thrashed bitter rivals Man United 5-0 at Old Trafford, only sums up their current run of form.

However, as the Reds set one eye on the future, reliable reporter Romano has shared a message on Twitter from Borussia Dortmund head of first team Sebastian Kehl.

It concerns Bellingham, who has reportedly been at the centre of interest from FSG, with it looking like Kehl has now confirmed those reports.

He explained to Sport 1 (via Romano): “There’s lot of interest around Jude Bellingham, not only Liverpool. But there is no bottom line and no exit clause. He is loved, he enjoys that. There are no signs he could leave BVB soon.”

Flocking to what one fan has called ‘interesting’ news, many Reds supporters have erupted on Twitter.

Find all of their best verdicts down below.

Liverpool fans flock to Bellingham news…

“He’s ours”

Credit: @tylfc1

“Named us directly, hmm interesting.”

Credit: @AllezAllezAllez

“So we are actually interested then till they tell us the price tag no doubt”

Credit: @DylanR777

“Liverpool in January”

Credit: @BigLad1080

“Yes finally fabrizio confirmed”

Credit: @Ata95436042

“Bellingham will play for Liverpool either this year or next year”

Credit: @JordanDelurey

“If we win the title or champs league again and we want him I think he comes to Liverpool”

Credit: @1969_lfc

“Mad so we actually are interested”

Credit: @lfcrobbie

Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Vitoria Guimaraes defender Abdul Mumin as new manager Patrick Vieira looks to complete the overhaul of his first-team squad.

What’s the story?

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola (as relayed by Sport Witness), the Eagles have recently been scouting the highly-rated 23-year-old ahead of a potential move.

The report states that: “Several clubs have been sending scouts to watch him in action for Vitória, where he’s been impressing since joining the club last year.

“Crystal Palace are said to be one of those who recently ‘made sure’ to send an official and get more information on the athlete, as they study an ‘eventual’ attempt for the signing.”

However, the south London outfit are expected to face stiff competition for Mumin’s signature, with fellow Premier League sides Leicester City, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur all credited with an interest.

Vieira needs him

The 6 foot 2 beast only arrived at Guimaraes in August 2020 from Danish side Nordsjaelland – who are renowned for producing several top young talents – but he’s already made a big impression.

In his 25 top-flight outings last term, Mumin averaged a whopping 3.8 clearances, the second-highest total amongst his teammates, as well as 0.7 tackles and 0.7 interceptions, as per WhoScored.

During his short career, the Ghanaian has shown glimpses of his top-class potential, and with a market value of just £1.8m, he could be a bargain addition to Vieira’s relatively threadbare squad.

Currently, only veteran centre-back James Tomkins is a natural backup to the first-choice pairing of Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi, meaning Palace will need added reinforcements at the heart of defence over the coming transfer windows.

Therefore, director of football Steve Parish must sanction a swoop for the defender, providing Vieira with a plethora of options along his backline.

Mumin may not be a household name or a popular choice amongst the fanbase, but he would certainly be a value for money signing, leaving plenty of room in the capital club’s budget for further acquisitions.

And, in other news…Journalist drops worrying claim over £40m-rated Palace dynamo, fans will be concerned 

New Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira will be looking to pick up his first points in charge of the Eagles when they host newly-promoted Brentford this afternoon.

The Frenchman’s reign in south London got off to a poor start when the Eagles were seen off 3-0 by Chelsea last weekend, but he may be confident of a better result this time around.

What’s the word?

Palace had to cope without several first team players for their trip to Stamford Bridge last weekend, and Vieira confirmed that club captain Luka Milivojevic will also play no part in today’s clash.

“Luka is not gonna be available. He had his personal reason,” the manager revealed in Friday’s press conference.

The absence of their talismanic midfielder will be a big blow for the capital club, but there is some positive fitness news as James Tomkins and summer signing Joachim Andersen are available for selection.

“James trained the last couple of days with the group, so he will be involved in the game tomorrow,” said Vieira, who admitted that Andersen’s return to action will offer greater flexibility, stating: “Yeah, that will. Having those players getting fitter – it’s nice for Joachim to play half an hour. His first game since the Euros, that will give options and flexibility at the back.”

Vieira also confirmed that Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher is in line to make his competitive debut for Palace after being unable to play against his parent club on the opening weekend of the season. The Eagles boss said: “Yeah, he’s going to be in the squad. Obviously looking forward to Conor’s first game for us. Will bring us different strengths. Had a really good week, so he will be in the squad.”

Vieira will be gutted over Milivojevic

Despite the positive news surrounding Tomkins, Andersen and Gallagher, Vieira must be gutted to be without his captain and midfield general Milivojevic.

The Serbia international offers stability and a solid base for the Eagles from which to build in the middle of the park, attributes which were desperately missing from their performance last time out against Chelsea. His tackling average of 2.1 per game last season, the fourth-highest in the squad, set the tone from the midfield engine room.

It should be a memorable afternoon for Vieira, who is taking charge of his first home game as a Premier League manager, and he’ll be hoping to mark the occasion with a positive result. It may be harder to obtain without Milivojevic, though.

In other news… Palace could finally replace Cabaye with “exceptional” £7m gem, Vieira would love him 

A number of Manchester United fans hit out at right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka for his performance against Young Boys on Wednesday.

Ralf Rangnick made several changes to his squad with United already through, with eight players in the squad below the age of 20.

Wan-Bissaka was one of 11 changes to the starting line-up, making his 18th appearance of the campaign in the 1-1 draw and needed to be stretched off after colliding with the advertising boards towards full time.

However, plenty of United fans didn’t like what they saw from the 24-year-old at Old Trafford. The full-back lost possession on 19 occasions, the most out of any home player. [SofaScore]

He also failed to complete a cross or make a key pass all evening, with Luke Shaw on the opposite side registering an assist for Mason Greenwood early on.

<iframe width=”890″ height=”501″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/VSqwYjR8Xbo” title=”YouTube video player” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe>

United fans react

This is what these United fans had to say about Wan-Bissaka on social media, with many wanting him sold and another believing he won’t survive the Rangnick era.

“I don’t mean to be horrible, truly I don’t, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka has just produced the most horrific disasterclass of a performance I have ever seen. He is absolutely awful. Don’t even wait for the summer, just sell him in January.”

Credit: @MarkLenehan

“Wan-Bissaka is not surviving the Rangnick era.”

Credit: @Alex_Bentham

“sell awb asap he’s finished”

Credit: @afiqimrann

“Wan-Bissaka is playing against us. Sell this guy already”

Credit: @Melussi2

“I’ve seen the light AWB is a terrible footballer. Sell him, Lingard and Mata in January”

Credit: @utdHarryy

“Awb can’t press. He’s lazy. With that Ole as our manager we thought he’s the best because they don’t even train all was vibes n cruise. He was nowhere to be found today and the gegen pressing is too intense for him. We should sell him by January.”

Credit: @nestaseyi

In other news: ‘Revamp continues’ – Lots of Man Utd fans erupt as two ‘big’ arrivals are named. 

Former Nottingham Forest striker Nigel Jemson has exclusively told Football FanCast that Tammy Abraham needs to be playing regularly again – and said that Southampton could afford him by paying in instalments.

Abraham has been linked to several Premier League sides with his future at Chelsea now in serious doubt, especially with Romelu Lukaku close to returning to Chelsea.

But Southampton’s need is greater than most of their Premier League rivals after losing talisman and topscorer Danny Ings to Aston Villa earlier this week following months of uncertainty over his contract situation at St Mary’s.

However, whilst Saints banked around £25m for Ings’ services, Chelsea have set a £40m asking-price for Abraham, who’s just 23-years-old and has several years remaining on his Blues deal, which would appear out of their reach.

Ironically, Southampton’s record-signing was when Ings joined permanently from Liverpool back in 2019 for just under £27m, some way below what Chelsea are demanding for Abraham.

But Jemson suggested that Saints could fund the deal in instalments. He told FFC:

“They could pay £10m every four years, then they may be able to afford him. For Tammy Abraham, he’s got to get out, he’s missed out on England in the Euro’s.

“He’s got to get back playing, there’s nothing worse for a player. He may have to take a step back and take two steps forward again.”