All posts by z3u9t.icu

Celtic and the word ‘surprise’ are rather synonymous with each other at the moment.

You only need to crawl back through the Hoops’ pursuit of a new manager to understand just how many twists and turns occur at Parkhead.

What’s the word?

The Bhoys have been incredibly active in the transfer window over the last week, attempting to finalise a number of deals. They’ve already welcomed Liel Abada to the club, while they are working on finalising a deal for Swedish defender Carl Starfelt and Rennes full-back Brandon Soppy.

However, when we awoke from our slumber on Friday morning, Celtic were suddenly on the verge of completing another move.

Ange Postecoglou has headed back to Japan and agreed to land Kyogo Furuhashi, who plays his football for Vissel Kobe.

A statement on the J-League club’s website, along with one from Celtic, revealed that an agreement has been reached for his transfer between the two clubs and he will now undergo a medical.

The move will now go through providing it passes international clearance and the medical assessment is successful.

Best signing yet

Although Furuhashi is not a household name, this is a move that has the potential to really lift Celtic supporters out of their seats.

Postecoglou has been incredibly busy behind the scenes but this could be his best move yet since arriving in Glasgow.

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That’s because Furuhashi isn’t only a proven international player, he’s also a ruthless goal scorer who’s even caught the eye of Spanish great Andres Iniesta.

The pair are teammates at club level and, speaking recently, the former World Cup winner said: “To be honest, he absolutely has the talent to play in Europe. He’s leading the J1’s scoring chart, but it’s not just that. He’s got strong technique, and I believe he can succeed in Europe.

“I’m sure he’s got scouts watching him already, but it’s going to be tough for us because he scores a lot of goals. It’ll be tough but if he goes to Europe I’ll be incredibly happy for him, because for Japanese players it’s a dream to play in Europe.”

With the threat of Odsonne Edouard potentially leaving still lingering over the club, signing another forward is of utmost importance to Celtic.

Fortunately, Furuhashi fits the bill. He has scored 15 times this season, which has taken his tally in Vissel Kobe colours to 48 strikes.

He’s not the most physical of forwards, winning just 0.4 aerial duels per match, but like Edouard, he’s capable of beating a man. This season, the 26-year-old has completed 0.9 dribbles per match.

Speaking about the move and Furuhashi’s game, reporter Dan Orlowitz commented: “That is a BIG move for Furuhashi, an astute signing by Ange, a signing that should absolutely excite the Celtic fanbase. One of the J.League’s best domestic talents, exciting on the ball, great finisher, has surely learned a lot from Andres Iniesta these last few years.”

Albian Ajeti has scored in pre-season but his first campaign at Parkhead was disappointing, scoring just six times in 2020/21.

Therefore, Postecoglou will hope to have better luck than his predecessor Neil Lennon in terms of centre-forward recruits. On the evidence provided by Furuhashi in his homeland, this could be the new manager’s most enthralling deal yet.

AND in other news, “Celtic want him”: Reliable journo issues exciting transfer update, fans surely elated…

Serie A expert Conor Clancy has stuck the boot into Fabio Paratici ahead of his appointment at Tottenham Hotspur.

BBC Sport have reported that Spurs have agreed a deal to bring the Italian into the club following his spell at Juventus.

Paratici will become the club’s new Sporting Director, as Spurs return to a two-tier management structure, giving the Italian the chance to recruit new players and also a say in appointing the club’s next manager.

Spurs have not yet found a new manager despite sacking Jose Mourinho in mid-April, although Paulo Fonseca is a frontrunner, and ended the season under the management of Ryan Mason, who was placed in caretaker charge.

However, it remains to be seen if Paratici will turn out to be the appointment he appears to be, with Clancy sticking the boot in over his record at the Italian club.

The editor of Forza Italian Football Clancy believes that Paratici oversaw an awful run of recruitment in Italy, as the midfield of Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal, and Andrea Pirlo was dismantled and replaced poorly.

Juventus lined up with a midfield of Danilo – normally a full-back – and Adrien Rabiot in their final game of the season against Bologna.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Clancy said: “They’re such a top-heavy side now. This midfield that used to be one of the best in Europe, with Vidal, Pirlo and Pogba, Marchisio as well to an extent, and now you look at that midfield and there is nothing there.

“Not even bad players, just players who don’t contribute anything in a positive or a negative sense and that is 100% on Paratici because that was literally his job, to make sure this thing didn’t happen.”

Former Premier League star Dean Windass insists that Roy Hodgson will have a say in his own replacement at Crystal Palace, in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

The former England boss has called time on a four year spell at Selhurst Park, with his last game to come this Sunday against Liverpool.

Palace have again cruised to safety, as the club sit 13th in the table, 16 points clear of the relegation zone.

They have enjoyed some real stability under Hodgson, with Palace finishing 11th in 2017/18, 12th in 18/19, and 14th in 19/20.

It remains to be seen who will replace him at Palace but names have already been linked, including ex-Chelsea boss Frank Lampard.

And Windass believes that Hodgson will be given the opportunity to name his own successor, much like Sir Alex Ferguson did at Manchester United, with the appointment of David Moyes.

Asked if he would have that chance, Windass told FFC: “Yeah I think so. He has a lot of respect with the owner, Steve Parish.”

Matty Longstaff reportedly wants to leave Newcastle United once the summer transfer window opens.

The Lowdown: Longstaff barely featured

Longstaff barely featured in the senior team under Steve Bruce in the 2020/21 term, playing in a mere five games in total in the Premier League (Transfermarkt).

With the likes of his brother Sean Longstaff, Isaac Hayden and Jonjo Shelvey ahead of him in the pecking order in the middle of the park, it is hard to see how he will get much game time once again going into the new season.

The Latest: Longstaff wants to leave

As per Football Insider, Longstaff will tell chiefs at St. James’ Park that he wants to leave in the summer.

A source from the North East club has claimed that the central midfield player is ‘frustrated’ over how he was used on Tyneside in the last campaign, although he will not hand in an official transfer request.

Instead, Longstaff, who currently earns £24,000-per-week with the Magpies, will ask them to let him go if a suitable bid comes in for him once the market opens.

The Verdict: Longstaff should go

In order to further his footballing career, Longstaff should leave the Toon, as there are clearly no guarantees that he will get regular game time if he stayed.

At 21 years of age and being English as well, NUFC could demand a decent fee for him, which would add to their transfer kitty in the summer.

Nonetheless, a move away for Longstaff would suit all parties involved, although a suitable replacement must be lined up if a deal were to go through.

In other news, find out what big claim Luke Edwards has dropped on the potential takeover here!

West Ham United remain interested in Eddie Nketiah…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who claims that the Irons are one of many teams monitoring the 22-year-old’s situation ahead of a potential summer move.

He suggests that Arsenal have offered their academy graduate a new contract but as of yet, nothing has been agreed. The Gunners are thought to have set his asking price at around £20m in the event that he does not put pen to paper.

The Hammers face competition from Premier League rivals Crystal Palace and Watford, whilst Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen are also mooted with interest.

David Moyes was said to be keen on Nketiah during the January transfer window after the club sanctioned the departure of Sebastian Haller to Ajax.

Shades of Defoe

The £18m-rated forward has found game time hard to come by since his debut in 2017, playing a total of 65 matches, in which he’s found the net 13 times, via Transfermarkt.

However, that shouldn’t detract from his ability and true potential. After all, he’s had the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette in front of him in the pecking order.

With the Irons desperate for forward additions, Nketiah could be a perfect candidate to provide Michail Antonio with genuine competition next season, especially as the young attacker has been likened to a former West Ham talisman.

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During an interview with Football Insider, ex-Leeds striker Noel Whelan compared him to Jermain Defoe. He said:

“He reminds me of another Jermaine Defoe and look at how well he did at West Ham. He’s very much that similar sort of player. He plays off the shoulder, very dangerous in the box. He’s a player you can’t take your eye off because his movement’s so good.”

It’s not the first time that the Gunners starlet has been likened to the Rangers veteran, with him also drawing further comparisons to Danny Welbeck, albeit at a smaller height (5 foot 11).

Nketiah’s record at youth level has been second to none, scoring 43 times for Arsenal’s U18s and U23s, as well as bagging 16 goals in just 17 caps for the England U21 squad.

Considering the £40m price tag surrounding mooted top target Tammy Abraham, a move for the 22-year-old could make far more sense this summer.

If Moyes opts to push ahead and sign Nketiah, then he could well find West Ham their next Defoe.

AND in other news, Moyes dealt another devastating Irons transfer blow, fans will surely be gutted…

Crystal Palace must make a considerable effort to extend Christian Benteke’s contract after the striker’s impressive recent form, pleasing the club’s supporters in the process.

The Belgium international has enjoyed his most productive season since 2016/17, bagging nine Premier League goals in 29 appearances alongside his solitary assist.

Benteke burst onto the scene when he arrived on English soil with Aston Villa back in 2012, notching up an incredible 19 goals in his maiden campaign with the Villans.

His incredible displays combined power and technique to devastating effect and earned some flattering praise from his then manager, Paul Lambert.

“Benteke has been colossal for us, he’s been unplayable in certain games,” claimed the Scotsman. But it’s been several years since the 30-year-old has reached those dizzy heights.

Three fruitful years at Villa earned Benteke a big-money move to Premier League giants Liverpool, although his inability to adapt to Jurgen Klopp’s gegenpressing style meant he lasted just 12 months at Anfield.

A move to Palace then materialised, and 15 goals in his first campaign at Selhurst Park appeared to suggest it was a match made in heaven, but things quickly turned sour for the 6 ft 2 target man.

Just six league goals followed between 2017/18 and 2019/20 as the Genk academy graduate become a pillar of ridicule in the English top-flight.

However, in one of the most surreal Premier League campaigns, Benteke has only added to the intrigue. A return to form has seen the Belgian start Palace’s last 11 league games, scoring in his last three outings for the south London side.

The capital club are approaching a crossroads with several first-team players out of contract over the summer, including Benteke, and many tough decisions need to be made by the hierarchy over the coming weeks and months.

Match of the Day 2 used a graphic over the weekend to show all of the stars who are currently set to become free agents, and it’s clear from these fans responses that Benteke is amongst the group that they wanted to be given a new deal.

“Clyne, Ward, Benteke, Cahill and maybe McCarthy and that’s it”

@cpfc_sean

“Benteke, Clyne, Townsend, Cahill McCarthy…”@RICHPM14″Clyney, Ward, Andros, Benteke and Cahill. That’s all for me”@FPTW_Benteke is Palace’s second-top goalscorer this season, so tying the forward down to a new deal would represent a smart bit of business by the club’s board.And, in other news…Forget Eze & Zaha: £9m-rated Palace beast who won 100% duels was Hodgson’s unsung hero – opinion

Steve Bruce should allow Norwich City to sign Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer, after Daniel Farke’s Premier League-bound Canaries joined the emerging race for Newcastle United’s summer target.

What’s the word?

According to CaughtOffside, Norwich have informed Celtic of their desire to secure a deal for Ajer as the Premiership giants prepare to cash in.

The Hoops have warmed to allowing the Norway international to leave Parkhead at the end of the season as he will enter the final year of his current Hoops contract in June.

His situation is thought to also be of interest to Newcastle, after the Toon approached Celtic to discuss Ajer’s situation recently.

Both Newcastle and Norwich are claimed to have a keen interest in securing Ajer’s signature in the off-season, with the 23-year-old able to operate in central defence as well as at right-back and in a holding midfield role.

The Magpies were previously linked with preparing an £8m assault on Glasgow for Ajer, who Celtic believe is worth closer to £35m but are in a weakened position due to the limited time remaining on his £14,000-per-week terms.

Newcastle anticipated competition would arrive for Ajer and are aware that having Premier League status will be key in any negotiations, which Norwich secured last week and will now contend with Watford for the Championship title.

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A clutch of unnamed clubs are also said to have approached Celtic to enquire over Ajer’s availability, and it remains to be seen if AC Milan revisit the 21-cap defender’s situation after Technical Director Paolo Maldini confirmed the Serie A side’s interest last summer.

Should Newcastle sign Celtic’s Ajer?

Newcastle may struggle to secure Ajer’s services for the previously reported fee that Bruce’s side were preparing to submit if Norwich and fellow suitors arrive on the scene, especially with interest from Italy noted and prior links with Arsenal and Leicester City.

But United missing out on the 6 ft 5 man mountain may not be the end of the world for Bruce, as Ajer has been highly criticised for his efforts in Celtic’s ill-fated attempt at winning a 10th Premiership title in a row.

Ajer has been a fixture of the Hoops backline this season, with the 23-year-old starting 30 of his 31 appearances and only missing two fixtures after being forced to go into quarantine, but was unable to prevent results going astray and Rangers winning the title.

Even still, the Daily Record quoted Ajer as claiming last month: “If I am only to look at my performances, it may have been my best season at the club.”

His comment left former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie irate, telling Football Insider: “He flung his teammates under the bus.”

He added: “The manager will want rid of him; he hasn’t done anything. Ajer doesn’t even want to head the ball, so he has to go and play in Italy or Germany where they play with it at the back. Celtic need someone who can go and win the ball and he’s not the man to do that.”

Newcastle will likely need to sign a defender capable of winning the ball frequently in the summer, with Bruce’s side ranking 18th of the 20 Premier League clubs for the least shots allowed per game (14.6) and 15th for successful tackles (13.8) this season, per WhoScored.

Clearly, it remains to be seen if Ajer is that man, meaning Bruce can avoid a summer swoop and allow Norwich to seal a deal if the newly promoted Canaries persist with their interest.

AND in other news, Newcastle have been backed to bring a £2.5m-rated beast who “really impressed” back to St. James this summer…

Former Premier League striker Stan Collymore has aimed a dig at Leeds United on Twitter, before swiftly deleting the social media post.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side earned promotion to the top-flight last season, following a title-winning campaign in the Championship that saw them amass 93 points.

Leeds have then flourished during their first year back in the big time, sitting ninth in the table and taking five points off Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United in their last three games.

It has been one of the most impressive seasons from a promoted side in recent memory, with some claiming they were best of that ilk during the Premier League era, as reported by MOT Leeds News.

[freshpress-quiz id=“351040″]

Collymore takes swipe at Leeds

Collymore didn’t take kindly to that opinion, however, taking to Twitter to claim it was ’embarrassing’ to compare them to the likes of Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United, before deleting the comment soon after:

“Finished third, score 72 goals, win 22 games, single number losses, +29 goal difference, inflict the champions first home loss in a year and score seven away in one game, then let’s talk,” he wrote.

“Geordie’s finished third too when they were promoted. Embarrassing question.”

Transfer Tavern take

It seems a needless dig from the controversial Collymore and his decision to delete the tweet suggests he knows he was out of line.

Such is the subjective nature of football, supporters will all have differing opinions on who the best promoted side are, but there is no denying that Leeds have shone this season, and perhaps to some their style of play outweighs the achievements of past promoted teams.

They have become a team that neutrals love watching, with their matches providing plenty of entertainment – Leeds matches have seen more goals than any other side this term – and they have backed it up with positive results, too.

In other news, a former Leeds player has made a big claim regarding the future of a current Leeds favourite. Read more here.

Some Liverpool supporters have been showing their appreciation for Manuel Neuer after he congratulated Alisson on his incredible winning goal.

The Reds have entered the final stretch of the Premier League season, knowing that wins against Burnley and Crystal Palace should seal a place in the top four.

At one stage, it looked like Liverpool’s Champions League hopes were over, but they have rallied in recent weeks, winning six and drawing two of their last eight games.

[freshpress-quiz id=“355458″]

Sunday’s 2-1 win away to West Brom was comfortably the Reds’ most dramatic day of the campaign as it looked as though they were about to drop two crucial points before Alisson popped up in the dying seconds, powering home a last-gasp header and producing a truly great footballing moment.

Fellow goalkeeping great Neuer, a World Cup and Champions League winner, has revealed to The Athletic that he contacted the Liverpool stopper after his goal, in what was no doubt a touching exchange:

“I congratulated him and we exchanged a few messages. Every goalkeeper dreams of scoring the winning goal. Phenomenal. What an amazing header. I’m so pleased for him. He’s a very nice guy and easy to get along with. He deserves that moment.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”] Liverpool fans love Neuer’s comments

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to laud the Bayern legend for his gesture towards Alisson.

“Class from Neuer”

Credit: @NIOLDEIN97

“Big respect”

Credit: @SignorBasi

“Goalkeepers union”

Credit: @DFierste

“Greatness recognises greatness”

Credit: @CiaranDuffy81

“Boss that. Got a lot of time and respect for Neuer. After all, he inspired our other GK – Kelleher. He’s boss, and the modern model of what a GK is”

Credit: @jsmarty_1

“Warms my heart seeing two world class goalkeepers showing respect”

Credit: @LFCRK_

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been left fuming at one update on a Reds player. Read more here.

Tottenham Hotspur could land themselves a major midfield upgrade this summer.

According to football.london reporter Alasdair Gold, Spurs have concrete interest in signing RB Leipzig skipper Marcel Sabitzer ahead of next season.

It is thought that Daniel Levy and co will make their move for the 27-year-old talisman this summer as he enters the final 12 months of his current contract at the Red Bull Arena.

Sport Bild have fueled the fire in recent weeks too, claiming that there is a “75% chance” Sabitzer ends up in north London despite interest from Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool. RB Leipzig are said to want €42m (£36m) for his signature.

Jose Mourinho isn’t short on midfield options, however, so any arrival in the role would surely spell the end for someone already at the club. As explained by Football FanCast earlier this week, Moussa Sissoko has started to regress at an alarming rate, which is hardly a surprise given that he’s now on the wrong side of 30.

Sabitzer would be a massive increase in quality, by comparison.

Indeed, Sissoko isn’t really offering much at either end of the pitch – as per WhoScored, the 31-year-old Frenchman is averaging one tackle and one interception per game defensively, whilst in attack he’s only managing 0.8 dribbles and 0.2 key passes per game, and has failed to contribute towards a goal. All of these numbers are a decrease on his 2019/20 figures.

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The RB Leipzig sensation is a far better box-to-box option in the middle. Aside from bagging 23 goals and providing 19 assists over the past 18 months, Sabitzer is doing an industrious job in winning the ball back, averaging 1.1 tackles and. 1.4 interceptions per match, via WhoScored.

Clearly, the £36m-rated gem knows what to do in the final third, as evident by his impressive returns and the fact that he’s been dubbed a “goal threat” by his manager Julian Nagelsmann. It’s easy to see why he’s having such an impact, having averaged two shots and one key pass per Bundesliga match this term.

Spurs know just how dangerous he can be, as he absolutely tormented Eric Dier and the rest of the squad last season, knocking the north Londoners out of the Champions League at the last 16 stage.

Winning 3-0 in the second leg, Sabitzer bagged a brace and also ran the show with 67 touches (the third-most for the German outfit), three interceptions and one tackle. His subsequent 7.7 rating, as per SofaScore, far exceeded that of Dier (6.6) as the England international endured a torrid night.

The Evening Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick gave the Spurs man a 5/10 on the night, writing: ‘No match for Leipzig’s speedy front three and nearly guilty of an awful mistake when he fired a clearance straight into Schick, forcing Lloris into a save.’

Sabitzer would also bring leadership qualities to N17. “He has clearly changed for the better and has become a leader. The way he has developed his personality is remarkable. I’ve only rarely experienced something similar,” explained his former coach Ralf Rangnick to Kicker (via Bulinews).

Levy must wave goodbye to Sissoko and clinch Sabitzer this summer.

AND in other news, Spurs could kill two birds with one stone by signing £22.5m-rated “absolute monster”…