All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Tottenham Hotspur may have been handed an exciting boost in their bid to sign Championship starlet Djed Spence, according to reliable journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye move…

The Lilywhites are believed to be well in the hunt to sign Middlesbrough’s promising wing-back who dazzled on loan at Nottingham Forest and played a ‘significant’ part in their Premier League promotion.

Spurs talks to sign Spence have been backed by credible sources in the last week, including Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas, with a report by The Guardian even claiming that a fee had been agreed.

While reports by Thomas since then haven’t quite backed it being that far down the line, Ornstein has broken news of a potentially exciting boost in the race for his signature.

The Latest: Ornstein shares Spence boost…

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-developments-2/” title=”Tottenham latest developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

According to his information, the 21-year-old now favours Spurs ‘ahead of other suitors’ in what could be a significant development.

He explained on Twitter:

“Djed Spence has expressed a preference to sign for Tottenham this summer as negotiations continue between Middlesbrough & THFC over a fee. No agreement so far but talks ongoing + 21yo right-back favours Spurs ahead of other suitors”.

The Verdict: Big?

The Englishman comes with much potential and could really help to balance the books of Tottenham’s troubling homegrown quota.

A capable wing-back option possessing an abundance of quality, Spence was a mainstay under Forest boss Steve Cooper last season, starting 41 second tier matches at such a young age.

He’s also been called a ‘perfect player’ for Conte by members of the media (Alex Crook), possibly making his addition a real no-brainer for Spurs as they remain busy before pre-season.

In other news: Conte enters pole position to sign ‘excellent’ international defender for Spurs! Find out more here.

Rangers have been linked with a summer transfer move for a young striker from England.

What’s the news?

According to a recent tweet from journalist and talkSPORT presenter Alex Crook, the Light Blues are one of the clubs interested in testing a former Ibrox manager’s resolve to sign one youngster.

He revealed that there is “a lot of interest” from Rangers in signing Cameron Archer from Aston Villa, who are now managed by former Gers boss Steven Gerrard. English Championship duo Middlesbrough and Watford are also keeping tabs on the 20-year-old this summer.

A product of Villa’s youth system, the attacker has made 59 appearances at youth and senior level for the club, along with having loan spells at Solihull Moors and Preston North End. In that time, the £5.4m-rated sensation has scored goals for each team he has represented, having found the net 34 times and delivered 10 assists in 106 games in total between youth and senior football.

In 20 Championship appearances with Preston during the second half of the 2021/22 season, the 20-year-old scored seven goals, showing that he is capable of offering a goal threat at that level. In fact, he ended the campaign with a higher average of shots per game (2.3) than any other player at the Lancashire club, along with the second-highest number of shots on target (20).

Last week saw England’s under-21s beat Kosovo 5-0, a game in which Archer found the net on two occasions. The second of his goals was labelled a “clinical” finish by journalist Tom Barclay on Twitter, who also called him “impressive”.

Van Bronckhorst would love him

In terms of a potential move to Ibrox this summer, Rangers recently said goodbye to Cedric Itten as he joined Young Boys for an undisclosed fee, so this may have opened up a space in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s squad for a young attacking talent like Archer to come in and test himself in the Premiership.

Given the promise that he has already shown at senior and youth level for the clubs he has represented, and also on the international stage, having a player like the 20-year-old in the Dutchman’s ranks for him to develop and nurture would undoubtedly be a dream scenario for the Rangers boss.

With the Ibrox club obviously having connections with Gerrard, they should definitely get in touch with their previous head coach to see if he would be willing to let the youngster make the move to Glasgow this summer.

In other news – Forget Kovacevic: Wilson eyes Rangers deal for 22-year-old sensation, Van Bronckhorst needs him

Celtic are interested in signing Aberdeen youngster Connor Barron in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh transfer rumour.

The Lowdown: Big summer ahead

It was a superb 2021/22 season for the Hoops, with Ange Postecoglou guiding his team to Premiership and Scottish League Cup glory.

The key thing now is to build on that success, with funds available for new signings after sealing Champions League group stage qualification for next season.

While established names may be required in order to make Postecoglou’s squad stronger, it could be that emerging young talent also comes in at Parkhead.

The Latest: Hoops keen on Barron signing

According to The Scottish Daily Express, Celtic have ‘run the rule’ over Aberdeen midfielder Barron, having sent scouts to watch him in action for Scotland’s under-21s.

Postecoglou is believed to have been ‘impressed’ with the 19-year-old in the past 12 months, having made a total of 15 appearances for the Dons.

The Verdict: Building for the future

Barron has been hailed as a ‘brilliant’ and ‘brave’ player by his manager Jim Goodwin, and he is someone who could be an exciting prospective signing for Celtic.

Having young homegrown talent in the squad is always something which should be the case at Parkhead, and the 19-year-old could come in as a future midfield star, initially a fringe player to provide backup before growing into a crucial first-team figure over the years.

It is vital that Postecoglou sees this as a long-term project over many years, and signing players of Barron’s ilk could play a big role in ensuring that Celtic have a core group who could form the backbone of the team well into the future.

In other news, Celtic have reportedly ‘set their sights’ on one player. Find out who it is here.

West Ham look set to get their summer transfer business up and running with a deal for Atletico Mineiro left-back Guilherme Arana.

What’s the word?

That’s according to Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola (via Sport Witness), who has stated that the Hammers have made contact ahead of a potential swoop for the 25-year-old. Although no bid has yet been submitted, the Premier League club have made Arana’s staff aware of their interest in the player.

Atletico Mineiro insider Fred Augusto has claimed that the fee to sign Arana will be around €19m (£16m).

Could be a huge coup for West Ham

Moyes led West Ham to a wonderful 2021/22 campaign and he will be looking to build on that over the summer by improving his squad.

Signing a top-class left-back will likely be one of the Scot’s main priorities this summer. Aaron Cresswell is 32 and, with his peak years behind him, perhaps it’s time for a replacement to be sought.

At 25 years of age, Arana still arguably has his peak years to come, and signing him for £16m would likely represent an excellent coup by the Irons.

The Brazilian has scored an impressive 19 goals and registered 28 assists in his career so far, which indicates that he loves to get forward and contribute in an attacking sense, and this is something that Moyes will love.

Arana represented Brazil at the Olympic Games last year, where his nation won the gold medal and he ranked as the squad’s fourth-best performer, with a ranking of 7.17 on SofaScore.

These performances translated into the defender making his senior international debut against Venezuela last October, and he has gone on to win two more caps in the meantime.

A move to the Premier League could well suit the left-back. He was described as “spectacular” by Brazil’s Olympic coach Andre Jardine following his performances in Tokyo, and his figures in an attacking sense appear to back up that compliment.

With the World Cup approaching later this year, Arana knows that there is a chance he could make the Brazil squad as they hope to end a 20-year wait to lift the trophy. The onus is now on Moyes to try and bring the 25-year-old to England and allow him to showcase his talents to a wider audience, while also giving West Ham a top-quality long-term successor to Cresswell at left-back.

AND in other news, West Ham eyeing deal for “exceptional” £35k-p/w monster, he’s the perfect Noble heir

Leeds United defender Charlie Cresswell is set to hold talks with Jesse Marsch and Victor Orta regarding his immediate future.

The Lowdown: Five league appearances

Cresswell was a regular in the matchday squad under Marcelo Bielsa and Marsch last season, making his full Premier League debut against West Ham last September.

The 19-year-old was described as ‘unbelievable’ by Joe Wainman following his display against the Hammers and went on to make four more appearances in the top flight.

The last of those came in the dramatic 3-2 win away at Wolves, with Cresswell helping the Whites turnaround a two-goal deficit after coming on just before half-time.

The Latest: Talks planned

LeedsLive relayed comments from Cresswell on Wednesday lunchtime, with the centre-back currently away on international duty with England U21s.

The centre-back was asked about his Whites future, to which he shared his plans to talk with Marsch and Orta ‘over the next few weeks’.

Cresswell added that a loan move away from Elland Road could be on the cards as he wants to ‘to play more football’.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates-4/” title=”Latest Leeds United updates!” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Summer rebuild?

Raphinha, Kalvin Phillips and Jack Harrison have all been linked with moves away from Leeds in recent weeks, and it looks as if Cresswell could also be on the way out on a temporary basis.

Marsch inherited a small senior squad from Bielsa, so losing some key players and having a young star in Cresswell possibly wanting to leave in search of regular game time isn’t ideal.

It would leave the Whites needing plenty of senior signings, but you can understand Cresswell’s wish to play first-team football, and who knows, a loan spell away in the Championship could then help him break into Marsch’s first-team plans for the 2023/24 season.

In other news: After Kristensen: Radz & 49ers now ready to write Leeds cheque for ‘really exciting’ midfielder. 

Manchester United are once again being linked with a sensational move for Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown: United linked with Bastoni

A product of the youth system at Serie A club Atalanta, Bastoni is a rising star of Italian football and has already amassed 120 top-flight outings despite his tender years.

Recently, an initial report from FC Inter 1908 claimed that the Red Devils are keen on the 23-year-old Italy international, who is under contract in Milan until 2024 (Transfermarkt).

It now seems as though that interest could be growing, as a reputable Italian newspaper provides a fresh update…

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-man-utd-updates-2/” title=”Latest Man Utd updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The latest: Ten Hag’s admiration for Bastoni

As per Gazzetta dello Sport, translated by Sport Witness, United are in the mix to sign Bastoni as Inter try to avoid selling Lautaro Martinez.

It is claimed that Erik ten Hag likes the 11-cap Italy defender ‘a lot’ and that the Red Devils present the ‘most credible’ interest in making the move happen.

The report added that it would take a fee of ‘at least’ €60m (£51.1m) in order to make the deal to bring the youngster a reality.

The verdict: Statement signing

As Ten Hag gets to grips with the task at hand at Old Trafford, signing a player of Bastoni’s calibre would be a remarkable start to his reign in Manchester.

Despite adding Raphael Varane to a defence containing Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly, United continued to leak goals at an alarming rate, posting the worst concession rate among the top seven finishers in the Premier League.

During the 2021/22 campaign, the 6 foot 3 giant earned an outstanding 7.10 Sofascore rating whilst winning 4.1 duels and making 1.8 clearances and 1.4 tackles on average per game. He has also been hailed as ‘world class’ by journalist Kaustubh Pandey.

That form, combined with the scope in which the 23-year-old has to develop even further, makes the £54m-valued Bastoni a worthy target for bolster United’s defensive ranks.

In other news: Man Utd and Ten Hag launch ‘important offer’ to sign ‘the future’ of football along with De Jong

Liverpool have already been linked with a number of new additions this summer, with a new update emerging on long-term transfer target Jarrod Bowen.

What’s the latest?

According to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook, Liverpool’s interest in the West Ham United star is “genuine” as speculation mounts on a potential move for the player this summer.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-liverpool-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-salah-gnabry-isak-romano” title= “Read the latest Liverpool news!”]

Crook told GIVEMESPORT:

“I know Jurgen Klopp’s an admirer so that interest from Liverpool is genuine. But where does he fit in now that they’ve signed Diaz? They’ve got (Diogo) Jota obviously at the moment, Salah and Mane are still there, and so is Firmino.”

It comes as The Mirror reports that the FA cup winners could potentially offer a swap deal for Bowen that includes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Klopp would love him

There is no doubt that Bowen would fit right in at Liverpool but with a large number of attackers already in the team, it would be hard to see how he would pick up regular game time, despite the fact that Jurgen Klopp would love him.

Klopp has given the forward huge praise in the past, and recently complimented the player ahead of his team’s clash with the Hammers this season.

“Bowen, what a player he became!

“We saw him as well at Hull and he was really good at that time. I’m not sure a lot of people expected this jump, but unbelievable player.”

The £75m ace who was hailed “first-class” and a “genius” by Danny Gabbidon, has been having a phenomenal season in East London and has become one of the hottest prospects in the Premier League thanks to his performances for West Ham.

The 25-year-old has scored 12 goals and contributed ten assists in 35 Premier League appearances so far, creating nine big chances, making 1.2 key passes and taking 2.2 shots on average per game in David Moyes’ side, so it is no wonder Klopp holds him in such high regard.

When you compare him to his peers in the league too, the attacker has been ranking highly with the third most assists, sixth-most big chances and ranks seventh for chance creation in the Premier League, which is highly impressive when you consider his output compared to the other talented players in the top-flight.

Although it may be difficult for Liverpool to place exactly how they would be able to fit him into their already impressive attacking team, Bowen’s ability and talent is clearly hard to ignore for the club and could be a huge signing if the opportunity arises on Merseyside.

AND in other news: Klopp eyeing £150m “wonderkid” who “suits Liverpool’s style”, it may be bye-bye Salah

Nottingham Forest could welcome back Jack Colback and Ryan Yates for their Championship playoff semifinal clash with Sheffield United. 

The lowdown

Forest, who finished fourth in the Championship, travel to Bramall Lane to take on the fifth-placed Blades in the first leg on Saturday afternoon.

They’re looking to return to the top flight after 23 years away following their relegation in 1999.

Both Colback and Yates missed the last game of the season – a 1-1 draw with Hull City – through injury, but it appears that their problems were minor.

The latest

Forest journalist Callum Castel-Nuovo reported the potential double boost on Thursday evening.

Manager Steve Cooper ‘is hopeful’ that both Colback and Davis ‘will be fit enough to play on Saturday’.

The verdict

These are both significant returnees for Forest. Colback started 36 of Forest’s 46 Championship matches over the course of the season, while Yates was an even more prominent figure, featuring in 41 line-ups.

The former is an important defensive presence in midfield, averaging 2.2 tackles per 90 minutes (second in the squad), while the latter ranks fourth in Forest’s goal charts with eight.

And Yates’ threat may be particularly important to preserving the team’s firepower in the absence of 12-goal hitman Lewis Grabban.

Cooper will surely feel much more confident heading to Yorkshire with both players in the travelling party.

In other news, a huge decision has been made ahead of the semifinal.

A ‘rising star’ at Tottenham Hotspur has now looking for a new club after being told he has no future under Antonio Conte, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Spurs exodus awaits?

While much has been made of backing Conte in the summer transfer market, it is believed that just as many, if not more, players could be departing Hotspur Way in a major Premier League reshuffle.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-newest-updates/” title=”Tottenham newest updates…” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The obvious names linked with a move away are Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso and Steven Bergwijn among others as transfer chief Fabio Paratici is tasked to balance the books.

Paratici’s overhaul of the scouting department appears to spread all the way down to academy level as N17 could also see a plethora of top young talents depart, according to Football Insider.

The Latest: Spurs ‘rising star’ told he has no future…

As per a Lilywhites ‘source’, speaking to the outlet, promising winger and ‘rising star’ Jeremie Mukendi is now set to leave Spurs after being told he has no future at the club.

Indeed, the 21-year-old has been informed that there is no new deal in the pipeline with his current contract at the Premier League side set to expire next month.

Mukendi will now follow both Khalon Haysman and Dante Cassanova in exiting with the north Londoners having made their decision on the talents.

The Verdict: Interesting future ahead…

Playing 20 time for the club’s Under-18’s and five times for their Under-23’s, Mukendi was a schoolboy sprint champion and emerged through the academy with some promise as one Spurs ‘batch of rising stars’ (Football Insider).

The fact he’s been told he has no future under Conte or hope of breaking into the first team is perhaps testament to the amount of competition at the Hotspur Way academy.

Even wonderkids like Dane Scarlett, previously lauded as a ‘diamond’ by Jose Mourinho, has barely featured for Tottenham this season and it appears even the best breakthrough players will have to be very patient in this new era.

Mukendi’s departure could represent the real rise in standards at Spurs both in the first team and lower down the club.

In other news: Offer made: Paratici tables crucial bid as Conte personally pushes for Spurs signing, find out more here.

Everton will travel to Vicarage Road this evening to attempt to stop themselves from suffering the same fate as their opponents as their battle against relegation rolls on, and Frank Lampard has been given a major injury boost ahead of the clash.

What’s the latest?

Roy Hodgson took to his pre-match press conference ahead of the Everton game to confirm that there will likely be a number of changes to his team on Wednesday night, claiming that the squad were in the middle of an injury crisis.

Hodgson told the press (via Watford Official):

“I was hoping to play a similar team, but we’ve lost so many players that we find ourselves in the middle of an injury crisis.

The club website further confirmed that doubts are on Tom Cleverley, Kiko Femenía, Joshua King, Ismaïla Sarr, Emmanuel Dennis and Shaq Forde.

Players who are definitely unavailable are Juraj Kucka (knee), Cucho Hernández (hamstring), and Nicolas Nkoulou (minor groin problem).

Lampard will be thrilled

The Everton manager will surely be delighted that Watford will potentially play a weaker than usual team this evening, especially since he has injury problems of his own to key players.

Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey and Donny van de Beek have all been ruled out of the fixture, with the two defenders, in particular, a huge loss for Lampard as they have both been positively influential in the backline over the season.

Michael Keane and Mason Holgate will be available to play in the centre-back partnership and with a weakened Watford side should be able to protect their line effectively to secure Everton more points in their endeavour to survive relegation this season.

The Toffees have won three and drawn one of their last five games, and are currently 16th in the Premier League table ahead of Leeds United and Burnley, with one game in hand on their relegation rivals and the potential of picking up a maximum of 12 points over the next four games.

Lampard will hope that his team can continue the momentum in their final push for survival in the top flight by taking three more points this evening which would steer them into further safety and take the pressure off the Evertonians ahead of the end of the season.

Considering Watford’s ropey looking squad, they have every chance of sealing yet another vital win.

AND in other news: Huge blow: Everton dealt big injury setback ahead of Watford, Lampard will be gutted