All posts by z3u9t.icu

Speaking exclusively to the The Transfer Tavern, Frank McAvennie has urged former side West Ham to go out and sign Brentford’s Ivan Toney this summer.

David Moyes’ side are on course to qualify for Europe for the first time in four years, and they still hold a faint hope of finishing in the top four despite successive Premier League defeats against Newcastle United and Chelsea.

However, the Hammers have just one recognised striker in Michail Antonio, who suffers from regular hamstring problems and are yet to replace record signing Sebastien Haller following his January exit.

Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham has been mentioned, as has Arsenal frontman Eddie Nketiah, but Eurosport believe that Toney has also been identified as a potential summer addition for the Hammers.

Toney has enjoyed a dream first campaign in the Championship, scoring 29 goals in 44 appearances to help Brentford reach the play-offs.

When asked about West Ham’s striker situation, McAvennie told The Transfer Tavern:

“I like the boy; he’s destined for big things. I like players that don’t mind doing the hard work.

“A lot of players nowadays are great on the ball, but don’t put a shift in off it. And he does, and I like that, and David Moyes likes that as well. If you’re going to spend money, spend money on him.”

According to an Ibrox source, speaking to Football Insider, Rangers midfielder Jamie Barjonas is now looking for a new club after learning he will not be offered a new deal with the Teddy Bears under manager Steven Gerrard.

The Lowdown: Barjonas on the move?

The 22-year-old has apparently been deemed surplus-to-requirements and is out of contract at the end of this month, leading to reports that he could be set for an exit from the Glasgow giants.

Barjonas had been in talks with USL side Orange County but a move failed to materialise, with several Scottish Championship clubs also displaying interest during that time (Daily Record).

The midfielder has played for the Gers senior team but first team opportunities have been more and more limited – and that has resulted in links to a departure.

The Latest: Ibrox source shares Barjonas update

Now, speaking to Football Insider, an Ibrox source has allegedly explained that the youngster is actively looking for a new club after being told his current deal won’t be extended.

Barjonas’ latest loan stint came at Championships side Ayr United after he agreed to a short term temporary move which has now concluded, and that apparently hasn’t done enough to impress club chiefs.

Indeed, the writing has been on the wall for some time, as backed by this report, and it now seems as if Barjonas is heading nowhere but the exit door.

The Verdict: Time to say goodbye…

Described as a player with ‘fantastic abilities’ with a ‘second to none’ passing range by former Gers ace Peter Lovenkrands (Daily Record via ninetyminutesonline), it may be time to wave goodbye to Barjonas.

The only regret Rangers may have is not recuperating a fee following numerous failed moves over this last year, with Football Insider also relaying he was close to joining Barrow last summer.

Ayr boss David Hopkin waxed lyrical over the prospect after his loan debut recently, calling him a ‘big, strong, powerful lad’ whilst tipping him to be a ‘great’ arrival (Rangers News).

However, following the end of his spell, Barjonas is back to square one and looks all but set to leave this summer.

In other news: Gers are eyeing a move for this Brazilian gem, find out more here.

West Brom return from the international break to face an in-form Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge this Easter weekend.

The Baggies are still living precariously in the relegation zone and, in reality, it will take a lot to salvage their Premier League status – but if they’re going to do so, then it must begin with a shock result here.

Sam Allardyce has improved Albion in recent weeks, picking up three clean sheets in their last five outings, which is a vast improvement considering they are still the top-flight’s leakiest defence.

However, shoring up the defence has come at a price – they cannot find the net at the other end of the pitch, meaning that any chance of picking up enough points in the final nine games is looking like an arduous task.

On the Chalkboard

Mbaye Diagne has made a positive impact since arriving in January, but one goal in eight starts is far from encouraging. However, that largely comes down to a lack of service, and as such, it’s time for Big Sam to turn to Grady Diangana to start from the off.

The last time these two sides met, they drew 3-3, and you’d imagine Albion would take that result once again.

During that game, Diangana was a nuisance on the left flank. As per SofaScore, he put in four tackles, provided two key passes and succeeded with 50% of his crossing attempts – this would be far better service to Diagne than what he has been getting.

Against Palace, Matty Phillips – the man who’s likely to make way for the 22-year-old – was hugely wasteful, completing just one of five crosses (20%) and managing only ten passes during his time on the pitch, via SofaScore.

Diangana has struggled to get into the starting XI since he returned from injury, but it was only last season that he provided eight goals and seven assists on West Brom’s way to promotion, and it’s on Big Sam to get that back out of him.

The £10.8m-rated dynamo has been described as “explosive” and a “total nightmare” to play against, so it certainly seems like one huge waste to leave him on the bench when the Baggies are fighting for their Premier League lives, not to mention the £18m fee paid for his services in the summer.

Phillips should not be starting games in the Premier League, as evident by his shocker against the Eagles, so the natural replacement has to be Diangana.

Allardyce would only be doing the Midlands outfit a disservice by not unleashing the tricky winger on Saturday afternoon.

AND in other news, West Brom can secure their next Mulumbu in £8.55m-rated powerhouse…

Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that he wants Callum McGregor to stay at Parkhead, but admitted he’s good enough to play in the Premier League.

Likes many of his Celtic teammates, McGregor’s form has dipped this season, although he’s still started every Scottish Premiership match, and has worn the captain’s armband in the absence of Scott Brown.

With Brown moving on at the end of the campaign, McGregor would be the obvious choice to take the armband on a full-time basis, but the midfielder has been strongly linked away from Parkhead.

Reports earlier this month have suggested that McGregor’s former manager and current Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers is plotting a summer move for the midfielder, which would see the pair reunite following their stint in Glasgow.

McGregor is currently tied down to a long-term contract at Celtic, although McAvennie told Football FanCast that he’s the only Celtic man that’s capable of making the step up to the Premier League:

“At the moment he’s the only one that could make it in the Premier League. We don’t know if he wants to leave or not, but it’s never come out too much about McGregor.

“He’s not played well since he got the captaincy, but I think he’s a wonderful talent and I want him to stay.”

If your name is Ryan Christie, it’s likely that you will have been vilified at some point this year. The Celtic winger has been considerably off the pace, proving to be one of the main culprits in their disastrous season.

The Hoops have surrendered their grasp on the Premiership title and a large reason is that the attack hasn’t flourished as normal.

Christie netted 20 goals last term but has only beaten the opposition goalkeeper on five occasions this term. He has scored just once in 2021 and has netted twice in his last 26 outings. For someone who is usually so prolific, he has been nothing short of abject.

Earlier this term, his conversion rate was a flabbergasting 5%. To say he has been average would be putting it lightly, and the winger’s form hasn’t particularly improved under John Kennedy either; failing to score since Neil Lennon’s departure a month ago.

That being said, Christie returned to form during the international break, putting in a performance for Scotland which will surely have left Celtic’s potential new manager Roy Keane licking his lips.

Christie played in the middle just behind Lyndon Dykes and he was at his free-flowing best in their 2-2 draw with Austria. Although he missed a good chance in the first half, the 26-year-old was denied a stonewall penalty and also claimed an assist.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-boupendza-mcgeady-marsch-mccarthy” title=”Latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

Christie got into a good position before playing the ball into the path of John McGinn who was able to find the net.

That was one of four key passes from Christie, a tally which proved he was getting back into his creative groove on Thursday night. He stood out even against Bayern Munich’s David Alaba, who was playing at left-back.

The Celtic attacker regularly had the beating of the Austria backline, with Christie amassing an eye-catching four dribbles from five attempted. He was perhaps rejuvenated by playing with a group of players who hadn’t had their morale destroyed by losing the league title.

Either that or he may well be playing for an exit. Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast this week, Frank McAvennie said: “I think Ryan has been one of those trying to play for a move. If everything I’m hearing in Glasgow is correct, then he will be on his way. There is no shortage of clubs looking at him.”

McAvennie hinted that the 26-year-old didn’t get on with Lennon so perhaps a new manager, potentially Keane, could get more out of him. After all, Christie is Scotland’s second top scorer during Steve Clarke’s reign.

There is certainly more to come from him if the new Celtic manager can extract it.

AND in other news, Better than Duffy: Celtic must swoop for “robust” £60k-p/w beast, he’s “really brave”…

It may be some years since Leeds United fans saw Harry Kewell light up Elland Road in his pomp, but the club could very well go a long way to recreating the feeling of watching the Australian by landing England U21 international Noni Madueke.

Reports in recent days have revealed that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are one of a number of clubs across Europe who have already put feelers out about potentially signing the PSV starlet.

When Kewell burst onto the scene at Leeds, the fleet-footed winger was a real breath of fresh air, displaying a real sense of fearlessness.

FootballWhispers noted: “The Australian youngster immediately stood out in Leeds’ youth ranks, exuding a confident swagger that would go on to define his on-field demeanour. With his pace, flair and guile, the young winger looked a natural fit in the immaculate white of the three-time English champions.”

And in the 19-year-old Madueke, there are a lot of remarkable similarities.

Former PSV midfielder Tommie van de Leegte said: “He’s fast and has the capability to trick his opponent. He brings creativity and is very explosive in his actions. That’s what PSV needs.

And, PSV boss Roger Schmidt raved about the young winger after a particularly impressive display against SC Verle, in which he scored a superb hat-trick.

He said: “I’m not surprised. He already scored a lot of goals in training. He feels comfortable up front and doesn’t have to be a winger. Noni’s timing is often very good and he has a good feeling for free space. I’m also very happy with his mentality. He is a good fighter and is capable of reading the situation.”

Meanwhile, England U21 boss Aidy Boothroyd has tipped the £12.6m-rated Madueke to enjoy a bright future, and much like Kewell, pointed to his vibrant personality.

He said: “He’s certainly a very talented young man, really excited to be called up by the Under 21s, and a little bit like Phil (Foden) last time, nobody had really heard of him until he came and played in the tournament.

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“They knew a little bit about him but that set him off on a trajectory and we’re hoping Noni can create even more positive attention for the way that they play. He’s got a lovely infectious character that comes out even over the phone.”

With that same penchant for producing the spectacular, Madueke could well light up Elland Road just like Kewell did all those years ago.

Meanwhile, Leeds must keep this man at all costs this summer…

Many Glasgow Rangers fans are absolutely delighted with comments from Alfredo Morelos after the Gers confirmed their status as Premiership champions.

The celebrations are in full flow in Glasgow after the Gers picked up their 55th league title over the weekend. They didn’t even need to do it themselves on Sunday as Celtic’s failure to beat Dundee United was enough to get them over the line. In truth, this has been a formality for weeks, if not months, and there are still six league matches to play this season (BBC).

After the confirmation, the Gers’ media team were working around the clock to speak to as many people associated with this triumph as possible. £10.8m-valued Colombia international Morelos rarely gives interviews, but he spoke after the title was confirmed to share his delight.

These Gers supporters were absolutely delighted to see him speak, and they took to social media to share their thoughts on the 24-year-old’s words after they were shared on the 55-time Scottish champions’ official Twitter account.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments from Morelos below

“WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR IT”

Credit: @SirFlanno

“I love you never leave”

Credit: @efan1872

“Cheers Rangers, that’s me greeting again”

Credit: @Razged1990

“The tweet that broke me for the 10000th time today”

Credit: @cee_geri

“Too much bro. Losing my mind here.”

Credit: @ChrisMillington

“here’s what we’ve all been waiting for”

Credit: @stuart723

In other news, one talkSPORT pundit says Rangers are just a “stepping stone” for this Gers man.