All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

 An update has emerged on Burnley captain Ben Mee, regarding interest from Newcastle United…

What’s the talk?

According to The Sun, the Magpies are eyeing up a swoop for the former Manchester City man ahead of the January transfer window.

The report claims that the centre-back is out of contract at the end of the season, with the upcoming window representing Sean Dyche’s final chance to recoup a fee for his services.

Key issue

Eddie Howe could solve a key issue for Newcastle by bringing Mee to St. James’ Park ahead of the second half of the campaign. It is no secret that the club have struggled in the Premier League this season and their defence has been a particular cause for concern.

The Magpies kept their first clean sheet at the weekend, ironically against Burnley, as they also picked up three points for the first time – highlighting their defensive issues up until the weekend. Mee missed out on the game due to a shoulder injury, which meant that Howe was unable to see him up close ahead of January.

However, his performances in the Premier League over the years for the Clarets should be enough to convince the 43-year-old. The defender has been a reliable top-flight performer for a number of years and could come in and provide a lift to the defence.

Dyche previously lauded him as a player who always delivers on the pitch, whilst labelling him as an important member of the squad. The 50-year-old once said:

“He is a very solid campaigner, week in, week out. He is always there for you and delivers and that is a big compliment.

“He is consistent, his values are consistent, a tough-minded fella and a very fair-minded fella and a lot of those qualities don’t just happen off the pitch, they go on the pitch with him.

“He is a player who has been an important part for us and I am sure he will be again.”

In seven full Premier League seasons for Burnley, Mee has averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.86 or higher and a score higher than 7.00 in three of those campaigns. This shows that he has consistently performed to an impressive standard in the top-flight over a number of years – indicating that he is an established and proven player at this level.

Therefore, he could come in and improve the United defence with his consistent, solid, displays at centre-back by helping to keep the ball out of Martin Dubravka’s net, having played a part in Burnley keeping 22 clean sheets across the 2019/20 and 2020/21 campaigns. This is why Howe must get a deal over the line for the beast.

AND in other news, NUFC could finally replace Ryan Taylor with swoop for “outstanding” £19.8m-rated beast…

Many Wolves fans have been flocking to a transfer update involving Rafael Leao.

As per Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Sport Witness), AC Milan would be willing to sell the striker if a sufficiently tempting offer came in from the Midlands club.

Leao’s agent Jorge Mendes is working on trying to convince clubs, including Wolves, to offer €25m (£21.5m) or more for his client, and think that the Molineux outfit, as well as Borussia Dortmund and Marseille, would be willing to pay that asking price.

Leao is  an exciting up-and-coming talent at just 22 years of age and has even been previously likened to both Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe in the past.

However, he only managed to score seven goals in 40 games in all competitions across the 2020/21 season (criticised for his attitude on the pitch.

Wolves fans on Leao transfer update

These Wolves supporters seemed split as the transfer update was shared on Twitter, with one asking whether he could be swapped for former Milan striker Patrick Cutrone, who has flopped at Molineux:

“I’d take him, he might not start every game but would be a class bench and rotation player”

Credit: @WolvesNumber37

“Versatile, suits Lage’s style, Portuguese, very good footballer. Get him in imo #wwfc”

Credit: @Matt123525

“Can we swap him for Cutrone?”

Credit: @leewater12

“Watching him in the Portugal youth games a few weeks back I wasn’t that impressed tbh, looks wasteful and sloppy in possession.”

Credit: @BKristianmarcus

“He’s irritating because of his attitude on the pitch…. Let’s hope he doesn’t arrive”

Credit: @marcobertoli87

“Why? When we already have Mir who scores goals. Spend elsewhere.”

Credit: @DChappleton

In other news, Wolves are ‘willing to offer’ £34.4m for this ‘world-beater’

Leicester City have been handed a huge transfer boost by PSV in terms of their pursuit of Noni Madueke.

The Foxes have already been linked with a move for the England U21 international by the Daily Mail, with Rodgers apparently keen on adding the wideman to his squad ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Now, reports from Dutch outlet De Telegraaf indicate that PSV would only demand between €15-20m (£13m-£17m) for the signature of the former Tottenham Hotspur trainee – a price that could certainly be perceived as a bargain for the Foxes.

Madueke is currently in the midst of an extremely productive campaign having scored nine goals and providing eight assists in all competitions so far throughout 2020/21.

For context, this would put him just behind the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Jamie Vardy and James Maddison for goal contributions in the Foxes’ current squad.

Whilst it would be fair to assume that he is currently performing in a league that is somewhat easier in the form of the Eredivisie, they are still impressive numbers considering he is just 19 years of age.

Meanwhile, by only spending as much as £17m on an area that they need to strengthen, the Foxes would still seemingly have funds available to invest in other areas of their squad.

For example, the East-Midlanders have been linked to the likes of Robin Gosens and Boubakary Soumare in recent times so whilst their signings may have been somewhat unrealistic had the Foxes have spent heavily on a new winger, the relatively affordable arrival of Madueke ould counter-act that.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-leicester-city-news%2c-transfer-rumours-and-more-abraham-demrial-maddison-rodgers-mckennie” title=”Latest Leicester City news, transfer rumours and more…”]

So considering his current talent and immense potential, PSV’s current asking price for the winger should certainly give Leicester big boost in their pursuit of him throughout the summer.

AND in more news, find out which Serie A star Leicester have to prioritise signing this summer…

Tuesday evening sees Nottingham Forest take on Championship leaders Fulham.

Fulham’s future was sealed last week when a 3-0 win against Preston North End confirmed that they would be playing Premier League football next season.

The Cottagers need six points to wrap up the title, though, Forest’s own ambition of promotion may forbid them of all three points.

On the chalkboard

Steve Cooper would have been ecstatic with the return of the club’s second-highest goal-scorer this season when he made his return in early April against Blackpool.

The Nottingham boss has eased Lewis Grabban back into action since then, with the Jamaican international making his first start in almost two months in the 1-0 defeat against Luton Town.

Grabban made a 15-minute cameo in Forest’s last game against Peterborough and was forced off in the 89th minute with an injury blow, with both Cooper and the 34-year-old Grabban hoping it is not serious.

Zero-to-hero

The timing of Sam Surridge’s resurgence to the starting XI has coincided brilliantly for Cooper.

The 23-year-old, who has been described as “clinical” by a reporter, has bagged five goals from just 11 shots for the Reds in all competitions.

His minutes per goal metric is very similar to Grabban’s 173 MPG, evidencing his decisiveness and suitability as an adequate replacement for the 34-year-old with a stat of 170 MPG.

Surridge has gone from a bit-part player to a starter over the last two games, with goals against West Brom and Peterborough in back-to-back starts allowing him to show Cooper exactly what he is about.

With three penalties awarded this season for the £12.6k-per-week earner’s efforts in the opposition’s box, he brings more unpredictability to Forest.

Grabban’s latest setback only strengthens Surridge’s case as a starter for however long the Jamaica international is out for.

He will be hoping to get another return in Tuesday’s game against Fulham and put a delay on their title celebrations in the hopes of boosting Nottingham Forest’s promotion ambitions.

In other news: Huge blow: Forest now suffer gutting injury setback, Cooper will be fuming…

Reliable Irons insider ExWHUemployee claimed on The West Ham Way podcast earlier this week that FC Porto striker Moussa Marega is being lined up for a potential move to the London Stadium.

Hammers boss David Moyes should be urging David Sullivan to seal a summer switch for the soon-to-be free agent in order to land proven support for Michail Antonio without breaking the bank.

The claret and blue side will have to target a striker in the next transfer window after Moyes opted against using the £20m made from Sebastien Heller’s move to AFC Ajax to bring in a replacement during the winter market.

West Ham’s decision to keep £15m-20m aside for the summer left Antonio as Moyes’ only senior striker, and require Andriy Yarmolenko and Jarrod Bowen to occupy centre-forward roles on occasion.

Marega could join that group in the off-season with his £34,000-per-week Porto contract due to expire in June, and ExWHUemployee suggesting that his situation has caught the interest of the Hammers.

Recent reports in Turkey had suggested that Fenerbahce have offered Marega a €1.5m-a-season (£25k-per-week) deal to join the Super Lig giants, although O Jogo have since poured cold water on the claims.

A source close to Marega is said to have informed the Portuguese publication that the Mali international is waiting to see what other offers arrive between now and the end of the season, with Porto open to a new contract but on lesser terms.

Marega, who Porto boss Sergio Conceicao described as a “competitive beast” earlier in the year, will turn 30 in April and has always had aspirations of one day playing in the Premier League.

This summer could represent his last realistic chance of sealing a move to England, one which West Ham should look to present three years after Marega snubbed a deal due to his loyalty to Porto.

Marega may not be a prolific centre-forward with a high resale value given his age, but he would offer Moyes a wealth of European experience and depth, while still having funds spare to acquire a young and hungry centre-forward to further bolster West Ham’s ranks.

The £12.6m-rated summer free agent has represented Porto 182 times across all competitions over the past five seasons, scoring 71 times and providing 33 assists.

Twenty-two of those appearances have come in the Champions League, along with eight of his goals and seven assists, including one struck against Juventus in the last 16 to help eliminate the Serie A giants from this season’s edition of the tournament.

West Ham are in with a reasonable shot at qualifying for European football for next season with the Irons only two points outside of the top four places in the Premier League table, so a player like Marega – who has faced some of the best clubs in the world – would have an added bonus if targeted.

It is something Blackburn Rovers’ Adam Armstrong would not bring to the London Stadium in the summer, as Moyes’ alleged top striker target has only cut his teeth as a Championship sensation with just 15 games of top-flight experience to his name thus far.

AND in other news, West Ham are adamant a deal to sign a £100k-p/w “revelation” will be reached…

Former Everton striker Marcus Bent believes that Rafa Benitez would prove a success at the club, but doesn’t think he’s the right fit for the Merseysiders.

It’s been more than a month since Carlo Ancelotti swapped Goodison Park for the Bernabeu, with Everton yet to find a replacement despite talks with several candidates.

Nuno Espirito Santo looked likely to become the Italian’s replacement, but Benitez has since moved ahead of him in the race with The Athletic reporting on Thursday that he looks certain to get the job.

However, there has been a serious backlash surrounding the potential appointment of the Spaniard, who’s a legendary figure across Stanley Park having won both the Champions League and FA Cup during his six seasons at Anfield.

14 years ago, after a draw at Anfield in the Merseyside derby, Benitez hit out at Everton by calling them a “small club”.

And Bent exclusively told Football FanCast that he reckons that jibe from Benitez didn’t sit well with the Goodison Park faithful:

“Speaking to people behind the scenes at Everton – he’s always done well wherever he has gone.

“He could bring names in and would probably do well at Everton, but the problem is that he lashed out at Everton when he was at Liverpool saying they were a smaller club, so the fans wouldn’t be happy to see him appointed.

“I don’t think he’s the right fit for us, I think there’s other managers out there that could come in and do a good of a job as he can.”

Steven Gerrard has been handed a significant boost at Ibrox this week as Rangers star Ianis Hagi has been left out of Romania’s squad for the Olympic Games this summer, which should mean that the winger is available for the start of the new club season.

Rangers were reportedly set to prevent their player from representing his country at the Olympics in Tokyo this summer due to the clash with the Champions League qualifiers.

Whilst Gerrard’s side had no obligation to allow Hagi to leave, there was perhaps a worry among some Ger fans that it would cause a dispute between the 22-year-old and the club at a time when he is attracting interest from abroad.

The likes of Lazio and Sevilla are said to be interested in the former Genk man, who impressed in his first full season as a Rangers player, winning the club’s 2020/21 Young Player of the Season award for his performances.

However, fortunately for Gerrard, Hagi has now been left out of Mirel Radoi’s Romania squad, which should hopefully bring an end to any dispute between Rangers and the winger as he should now be fully focused on the season ahead at Ibrox.

The Gers kick off their Premiership title defence with a game against Livingston on 31 July, whilst their first pre-season friendly sees them take on Partick Thistle on Monday evening, so it is good news for Gerrard that Hagi will be available for selection.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-rangers-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Rangers transfer rumours and news!”]

Last season saw the winger contribute an impressive eight goals and 15 assists in all competitions for the Light Blues, so his creativity will surely be key for Rangers next season if they are to retain the Premiership title and challenge in the Champions League.

Gerrard is certainly a big fan of the youngster, as he sang his praises in the 2019/20 season during his initial loan spell at Ibrox, saying: “Ianis is an outstanding talent and that stage was made for him.”

[freshpress-quiz id=“593776″]

Therefore, it is a huge boost that the Romanian will now be available for Rangers rather than travelling to Tokyo for the Olympics, and Gers fans will be hoping to see him carry over his form from last season into the new campaign.

In other news… Gerrard could be set for huge Rangers boost with “immense” Ibrox “mountain”

When it’s come to luring new strikers to Wolves, the club haven’t really got things spot on.

Willian Jose is yet to score for the Old Gold this term while Fabio Silva has netted only three times since his club-record move from Porto.

Those players are all in danger of falling into the category of Leo Bonatini, Leonardo Campana and Rafa Mir.

Though, while both Bonatini and Campana are failing to catch the eye during their loan spells, Mir has lit up La Liga in scintillating fashion.

The 23-year-old was signed from Valencia in 2018 and after a woeful set of temporary spells at various clubs in Europe, he was loaned to Huesca this term without little thought.

Mir has never scored in English football and is dubbed one of the worst signings in Nottingham Forest’s history.

He signed for Forest on loan in 2019/20 but didn’t find the net in 11 appearances. A move back to Spain has been influential, however.

The striker is now one of the best strikers in the Spanish top-flight and has even scored against Barcelona. That may have been from the penalty spot but it was tucked away with the confidence of a player in the form of his life.

Mir has scored two hat-tricks this term, against Real Valladolid and Marchamalo while he also bagged against Copa del Rey winners Real Sociedad.

The marksman now has 15 goals in all competitions and has beaten the goalkeeper on six occasions in his last five outings. Evidently, he is very much a different player from the one who has struggled so regularly in England.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-wolves-news-and-views-lingard-leao-jimenez-mir” title= “Read the latest Wolves news and views!”]

The Wolves loanee has scored more goals in La Liga this term than Joao Felix, Antoine Griezmann and impressive Spanish internationals Mikel Oyarzabal and Iago Aspas.

But what’s changed for Mir? Well, he’s now got a manager that trusts him and the entire Huesca team is built around him.

Speaking to The Athletic earlier this season, Spanish football writer Robbie Dunne only had praise for the forward.

Dunne began: “He’s a little bit like Diego Costa in that he’s aggressive, he likes running the channels, he holds off defenders, he’s athletic and strong. He’s not exactly technically gifted but he has an unorthodox running style that works for him, he can keep the ball, he’s got a powerful strike, he’s quick and he’s good in the air.”

Considering Wolves were reportedly interested in a move for Diego Costa last January, perhaps they were wise to swerve a move. After all, Dunne claims Wolves already have a player like him on their books.

The writer added: “The only weakness is that he’s not very technically capable, so perhaps he doesn’t add a whole lot in the build-up, meaning a game can pass him by. You see him getting frustrated when he’s not on the ball. He’s maybe got an assassin’s mentality. When there are enough crosses coming into the box and down those channels, he can thrive.”

That final line sounds an awful lot like Raul Jimenez. Wolves have lacked an out and out goal scorer this term with the Mexican missing since November while he recovers from a fractured skull.

He is a player who thrives on creative players getting into the channels and then either delivering a cross or pulling the ball back for him. It’s clear that Mir appreciates the same sort of service in Spain.

With both players standing at 6 foot 3, they’d offer a similar presence in attacking areas. Wolves have lacked plenty in forward areas this season so they should consider handing Mir a proper opportunity in 2021/22.

With the right help and service, he could be Nuno Santo’s next Jimenez.

AND in other news, Move over Silva: Wolves must seal swoop for £34.5m gem who makes “spectacular plays”…

Speaking live on talkSPORT, French football expert and Paris-Saint Germain journalist Loic Tanzi has dropped an update on Mauricio Pochettino as Tottenham Hotspur pursue their former manager.

The Lowdown: Pochettino to Spurs?

The Athletic broke news of Tottenham’s talks with Pochettino on Thursday morning in a development which grabbed plenty of attention.

Indeed, the managerial merry-go-round across Europe took yet another twist with this claim that the Argentine could make a stunning return to north London and is allegedly keen on a reunion with the club.

However, the big obstacle appears to be Pochettino’s current club PSG, with the general consensus being that they won’t let him go so easily.

The Latest: PSG journalist drops update…

Speaking live on talkSPORT’s ‘White and Jordan show’, RMC Sport reporter Tanzi shared perspective from the PSG side of things and backed claims that the Ligue 1 giants want to keep hold of Pochettino.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/all-things-spurry/” title=”Spurs news and gossip!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

“They won’t let Pochettino go anywhere,” he declared.

“I’ve been talking with them [PSG] this morning. They want him to stay at Paris Saint-German and they say there has been no contact between the clubs at the moment.

“They have no news from Pochettino and if he wants to leave the club. I know he had a meeting with the sporting director Leonardo on Monday night to speak about the market.”

The Verdict: Battle incoming…

Despite reports from reliable sources indicating that both Spurs and Pochettino want an N17 reunion, PSG’s firm stance will prove difficult to overcome as the French giants seem reluctant to lose their man. Indeed, the Argentine may have to resign if he wishes to come back to north London nearly five months after he was appointed at the Parc des Princes.

One aspect which could help Spurs in their pursuit of Pochettino may be the new-found availability of both Antonio Conte and Zinedine Zidane.

Both coaches would provide PSG with stellar replacement options as proven trophy winners should the 49-year-old decide on a return to Spurs, and that could well be a crucial factor.

In other news: Alasdair Gold says Spurs could swoop for this ‘incredible’ star this summer, find out more here.

Speaking to Football Insider, a West Ham United source has lifted the lid on a David Moyes plot involving both Lukasz Fabianski and summer signing Alphonse Areola.

The Lowdown: West Ham swoop for Areola…

Despite their desperate need for another out and out centre-forward, GSB and West Ham’s first major signing of the summer came at the opposite end of the pitch.

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

Indeed, former Fulham ace Areola arrived at the London Stadium on a season-long loan deal from Paris-Saint Germain midway through the transfer window.

He looks set to provide some competition for Poland international and West Ham mainstay Fabianski, with a source now lifting the lid on what Moyes is plotting when it comes to the duo.

The Latest: Rush Green source leaks Moyes plan…

As per a Rush Green source, speaking to FI, Moyes is plotting a first team switcheroo over the next few weeks which could break Fabianski’s ‘untouchable’ status.

Barring injury, the 36-year-old has been a mainstay in West Ham’s starting eleven over this past year, making 35 Premier League appearances over 2020/2021 and starting all three games so far this season.

However, Moyes is now planning to replace Fabianski with Areola as his new number one over the coming weeks and ‘intends to phase’ the Frenchman into West Ham’s starting eleven.

That could be more imminent despite the original plan being to make Areola number one after a wait of ‘around five to ten matches’.

The Verdict: Upgrade?

Fabianski has been a wonderful and reliable servant for the Irons since he signed from Swansea City for £7 million back in 2018.

The 56-cap international has managed to keep a clean sheet in just under a quarter of his total appearances for West Ham, shutting out the opposition 25 times in 104 starts (Transfermarkt).

However, as he steadily reaches the twilight of his career, West Ham and Moyes could have a very handy and capable replacement in Areola, who has been described as ‘big’ by Scott Parker (Belfast Telegraph).

The 28-year-old has plenty of years ahead of him and was arguably one of Fulham’s most consistent performers last season despite their relegation.

In other news: Moyes now eyeing ‘unbelievable’ attacker as behind-scenes West Ham talks emerge, find out more here.