Newcastle United fans have had a very long week of mixed messages surrounding their prospective takeover and now they have been left reacting to a tweet from Sky Sports’ Pete Graves, who summed up the situation pretty well.
It began with reports from the Guardian suggesting that new evidence had raised question marks over the validity of the Saudi-backed consortium due to the piracy issue in the Middle East state.
Then The Sun claimed that as many as ten Premier League teams could group together to try and block the deal from happening after ‘growing unrest’.
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But in more positive news as the week moved on past the halfway point, further reports from ChronicleLive stated that no red flags had been raised.
In reality, no one really knows what is happening considering the takeover is firmly in the hands of the Premier League, which is why Graves responded to a tweet suggesting that the top-flight board had a lot on their plate at the minute, given the circumstances.
Much of the Magpies faithful have now been responding to the Sky Sports reporter on Twitter.
Here’s what has been said…
AND in other news, Newcastle fans react as Hatice Cengiz pens open letter…
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to The Sun, several Premier League clubs are chasing West Bromwich Albion prospect Rico Richards, which must feel like an all too similar situation for some at the Hawthorns.
What’s the word?
Reports have emerged claiming that Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, and Liverpool are all eyeing up a move for the 16-year-old forward.
The teenager has recently been training with the Baggies’ U23 squad while he has made two appearances for the U18s, including over the weekend, where he played the full 90 minutes in attacking midfield as they defeated Liverpool 6-3, per Transfermarkt.
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He is also able to play on the wing as noted by his former academy manager Mark Harrison in an article that also describes exploits at an international level for England’s U16s in the past.
Richards’ contract expires next year, so the decision-makers at the club will have to soon act on trying to keep hold of one of their most promising youngsters.
Lessons learned?
These links very much have a similar feel to that of Louie Barry and to some extent Morgan Rogers this summer.
Both players were highly-regarded within the club’s youth ranks, yet Albion were powerless to the advances of Barcelona, who Barry rejected a contract for, and Manchester City, who purchased the 17-year-old midfielder for a remarkable £4m.
Richards is the same age as Barry, and although he is yet to start featuring at U18s level fully, he could quite easily match or even better the 16-year-old’s four goals in 16 matches, especially if he’s already bypassed that to train with the next age group up.
It remains to be seen what sort of career Barry will have at the La Liga giants, but that doesn’t mean the club isn’t rueing from the absence of what was one of their brightest prospects.
This emerging saga will truly test whether or not West Brom have learned their lesson as they can’t allow Richards to run down his contract and then leave for ‘free’ like Barry did.
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to Spanish publication El Desmarque, West Ham are interested in signing Real Madrid winger Lucas Vasquez.
What’s the word?
The Spain international has fallen out of favour at the Bernabeu this season, making just eight appearances in total across all competitions, with only 275 minutes of football in La Liga under his belt.
Now, El Desmarque claim that a move away for the 28-year-old is likely, with Madrid president Florentino Perez keen to ship him out in the upcoming January transfer window.
The report adds the forward will leave for the Premier League, with West Ham currently considered the favourites to win his signature – however, aside from Manuel Pellegrini’s side, both Newcastle and Wolves are understood to be interested in making a move too.
Revival
Vasquez’s career at Madrid has been a tale of a dramatic decline. The Spaniard made an incredible 53 appearances for the club as recently as the 2017/2018 campaign in which they defeated Liverpool in the Champions League final. Despite not coming off the bench for the showpiece game, he was a prominent member of that squad during their road to a third successive European triumph, playing in ten games.
But now, even with Zinedine Zidane’s return as manager, things have turned far more bleak. Los Blancos are in somewhat of a rebuild following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer of 2018, and the transfer window gone by saw them bring in Eden Hazard. And if that wasn’t enough to further restrict Vasquez’s chances of first-team football, younger talents like Rodrygo are stealing the limelight too – the Brazilian bagging a hat-trick in mid-week.
Joining West Ham would give Vasquez the chance to revive his career under Pellegrini, and prove Madrid wrong for wanting to force him out of the club. Whilst he is not the most prolific of wingers (he has scored just 38 times in 298 career appearances), his versatility proves he is a team player, who is willing to sacrifice his own game in order for the entire group to succeed.
He has played at right-wing, right-midfield, right-back, left-wing and left-midfield, and it’s that dedication to the cause that could see him really grab the mantle at the London Stadium were the Hammers to make a swoop for him.
Sunderland would have been obviously disappointed to lose star man Jack Clarke this summer, but ultimately relieved that there was no mass exodus from the Stadium of Light away from his exit.
Last campaign could have led to many key first-teamers wanting to relocate – as a revolving door of new managers culminated in the Black Cats not even finishing in the top half of the Championship table – but only Clarke's departure was a high-profile one.
There would have been a fear in the air that Dan Neil was going to eventually push for a move away from his boyhood employers, with reports suggesting he was unsettled this summer before Regis Le Bris' appointment as the club's new boss was announced.
But, he ended up staying put and continues to be a reliable performer in the middle of the park for his side, even now wearing the captain's armband.
Neil's importance at Sunderland
Away from missing the Wearside outfit's last Championship clash owing to suspension, the 22-year-old has been a mainstay of Le Bris' lineups in the league since the already popular 48-year-old's arrival.
Neil has been very rarely not picked over the years by whatever manager is occupying the dug-out, since his emergence into the senior fold back in 2020, with 152 first-team appearances now under his belt.
When he hasn't been sidelined due to a red card, Neil has helped contribute to his side's flawless start in the Championship, with three duels won and two tackles completed against Sheffield Wednesday last month ensuring his energetic team kept a clean sheet in an emphatic 4-0 victory.
Of course, the Black Cats captain will want to chip in with some of his own goals and assists moving forward too away from helping his side be rock solid defensively, with ten goals and 17 assists registered from his 152 Sunderland appearances to date.
Dan Neil and Abdoullah Ba of Sunderland.
As a direct result of his continued importance to the first-team cause, Neil's transfer value is just going up and up – according to Football Transfers – with his valuation now standing at a steep £7m, when it was just at £3.9m back in April.
There is another member of Le Bris' squad who is worth even more than Neil now, however, as Trai Hume also continues to excel for the early second-tier pace-setters.
Trai Hume
Hume's value for Sunderland
Hume, unlike Neil, is yet to miss a single minute of league action for Le Bris' men this season so far, with his spot very much remaining concrete in the main Sunderland XI moving forward.
The 22-year-old's performance on the opening day against Cardiff City saw the Northern Irishman at his blistering best venturing forward, with two key passes notched up, whilst also ensuring he defended valiantly to help his side pick up their first clean sheet of the campaign in Wales.
Date
Value
September 2024
£7.9m
October 2023
£5.7m
April 2022
£927k
January 2022
£168k
Sourced by Football Transfers
Previously snapped up from Linfield for a reported fee of just £200k back in 2022, the once unassuming defender has turned into an absolute beast in the Championship over the last two years, with his value now all the way up at £7.9m, as per Football Transfers. That represents an increase of 3850% in relation to his initial fee.
It's no surprise that the likes of Aston Villa and Leeds United have been recently rumoured to be keen on snapping up the entertaining right-back, therefore, but Hume – much like Neil – didn't move to pastures new during the last transfer window.
Even captaining his nation during the international break, the "outstanding" defender's career – as he was labelled by football journalist Josh Bunting last season – could well soar to even loftier heights this season for his current employers, if Le Bris' men end up winning promotion.
Sunderland will just pray they've not raced out of the blocks too quickly and eventually lose steam, but Neil and Hume will believe they can steer their side back up to the Premier League, alongside other standout performers at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland could soon unleash their next Dan Neil in 19 y/o academy star
Sunderland are continuing to produce some top talents for the future.
West Ham United are set to allow one of their players to leave the club before the close of the transfer window, according to a new report.
The Hammers got their Premier League season underway over the weekend, but it wasn’t the start Julien Lopetegui would have hoped for, as they were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa. They will be looking to put that right this weekend, as they play their first London derby of the season against Crystal Palace.
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The Hammers appear to be considering a late swoop.
ByEmilio Galantini Aug 21, 2024 West Ham's summer signings
Given that West Ham brought in a new manager, it was no surprise to see how busy the club has been over the course of the last few months. Lopetegui has replaced David Moyes, and like any new manager, he will have wanted to make changes to the squad.
The Hammers board has backed him in that department, as the club has brought in eight new players over the course of this transfer window so far. There has been a lot of turnover at the club, as they have also let eight players leave, either due to contracts expiring or players just being sold.
Max Kilman
Wolves
Crysencio Summerville
Leeds United
Niclas Füllkrug
Borussia Dortmund
Luis Guilherme
Palmeiras
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Manchester United
Guido Rodriguez
Real Betis
Wes Foderingham
Sheffield United
Jean-Clair Todibo
Nice
The Hammers have bought a mix of experience and youth in this transfer window, as the club brought in Max Kilman from Wolves as well as the experienced heads of Guido Rodriguez and Wes Foderingham. But the standout additions will probably come in the form of Crysencio Summerville, who joined the club from Leeds United after an excellent campaign with the Yorkshire side last season, as he helped them finish in the play-off places. West Ham have also added German international striker Niclas Füllkrug to their ranks after his impressive performances for Borussia Dortmund and Germany.
Niclas Fullkrug for West Ham
Lopetegui improved his defence with the addition of Kilman, but he has gone on to improve it even more, as they have added Aaron Wan-Bissaka to their options in recent weeks after the full-back spent years with Manchester United, and they have also signed centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo on loan from Nice.
The club has been extremely busy with incomings, but West Ham’s focus may now be on what players they can let go before next week’s transfer deadline.
West Ham to let Luizao leave
According to Globo Esporte, relayed by Sport Witness, Brazilian side Corinthians have made an offer to sign Luizao, and West Ham have accepted it. That offer is believed to be a season-long loan deal, with both clubs said to be negotiating a future purchase option for the 22-year-old.
As well as looking to agree on a future buy option, West Ham also wants to add a future sale fee, and these details are expected to be reached. It has been previously claimed that Luizao wanted to revive his career under Lopetegui after failing to appear under Moyes, but that doesn’t look to be the case, as the player’s representatives are said to have encouraged a transfer.
Luizao for Sao Paulo.
Luizao joined the Hammers in January 2023 on a free transfer but has spent the last 18 months playing for the club’s under-21s, failing to make a single senior appearance, and it looks as if he is on course to leave the London Stadium on loan with a view to a permanent deal.
Arsenal have held talks with a £60 million striker via his agents, as sporting director Edu Gaspar and the club plot a deadline day bid.
Arsenal linked with new striker after Mikel Merino and Neto
The north Londoners have been very busy over these final few days of the window, sealing an official deal for midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad following weeks of speculation and talks.
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The Gunners have just sold him to Palace.
2 ByEmilio Galantini Aug 29, 2024
The Spain international will wear Arsenal's number 23 shirt and could make his Premier League debut against Brighton, with manager Mikel Arteta expressing his delight at Merino's arrival.
“Mikel is a player who will bring us huge quality with his experience and versatility," said Arteta on signing Merino.
"He has played at the top of the game at both club and international level for a number of seasons now. Mikel will make our squad significantly stronger, with his technical ability, together with his strong and positive character and personality.
“As we all saw in the summer, Mikel is also a winner, with his strong performances throughout the Euros helping Spain win the tournament. We are delighted to welcome Mikel and his family to the club and can’t wait to start working with him.”
Arsenal have also reached a verbal agreement to sign Neto from Bournemouth as a potential replacement for Aaron Ramsdale, according to Fabrizio Romano, but the move will only happen if they can't agree a deal for Joan Garcia of Espanyol.
The Gunners are showcasing real ambition in these final 24 hours of the summer window, with Arsenal also on the lookout for new late forward options after selling Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace for around £30 million.
Appearances
168
Goals
38
Assists
7
Bookings
12
Red Cards
1
Minutes played
7,000
via Transfermarkt
A few interesting names have been linked, but a far more familiar face in Brentford striker Ivan Toney is apparently back on Edu's agenda this deadline day.
Arsenal hold talks with Toney as Edu plots deadline day bid
According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal have held late talks with Toney via his agents, CAA Stellar, and they're seriously considering a bid to sign the 28-year-old – who is also attracting interest from Chelsea as Enzo Maresca's side search for a striker.
Ivan Toney for England
Edu and Arteta are apparently weighing up a £50 million bid to sign Toney, who represented England at Euro 2024 earlier this summer, but other reports suggest that the Bees could hold out for as much as £60 million.
However, since then, it has been revealed that a deal has been agreed between Brentford and Al Ahli for Toney.
It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Toney today, as his contract situation could potentially force Thomas Frank and co to ponder a lower price tag.
As Manchester United plot to strengthen ahead of next season, one priority area that Erik ten Hag looks set to target is the midfield ranks, with a new, more youthful addition needed to help bolster an ageing pool of talent.
With the likes of Fred, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen all in their thirties, the former Ajax boss appears to be keen to find a longer-term option in the centre of the park, with the aim of kicking on from a largely positive first season in charge at Old Trafford.
According to Football Insider, one man who has reportedly caught the eye of the Dutchman is Leeds United maestro, Tyler Adams, with the 24-year-old – who joined the Yorkshire side on a £20m deal from RB Leipzig last summer – potentially set to be up for grabs for a fee in excess of £35m.
As 90min also reported, the United States international is among those who are likely to leave Elland Road prior to the start of next term, following the club's recent return to the Championship.
Would Tyler Adams be a good signing for Man United?
Despite being part of a side that slipped to relegation in 2022/23, Adams had previously been an "instrumental" figure for the Whites prior to his frustrating injury blow in March, as per pundit Kevin Campbell, having been something of a "tackling machine" at the base of the midfield.
The signing of the 5 foot 9 ace – who ranked joint-fourth in the division for tackles made last season despite his lengthy absence – could then represent a real coup for Ten Hag, with the 53-year-old able to benefit greatly from Leeds' drop into the second tier.
It would not be the first time that United have astutely snapped up a newly-relegated midfielder in the Premier League era, with legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson having signed Roy Keane on a £3.75m deal from Nottingham Forest back in 1993, following the Garibaldi's tumble out of the top flight.
A tough-tackling presence, like Adams, the iconic Irishman would go on to win seven league titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League, among other major honours, over the next 11 years or so, captaining the side for much of his time at the club.
Also an "inspirational" leader – according to fellow treble winner Gary Neville – Keane would prove a hard act to try and emulate as far as Adams is concerned, albeit with the latter man also something of a leader in his own right, having been described as "the general" by national team boss, Gregg Berhalter.
Equally, like Keane – who was a notoriously fierce operator having picked up seven red cards in his Premier League career – the Leeds man also appears to have a much-needed edge to his game, having been described as "aggressive" by the aforementioned Campbell.
Those shared traits should indicate that Adams could prove to be Keane 2.0 if he does also make that move from a relegated outift to the Theatre of Dreams.
Aston Villa have been linked to another Premier League ace, after the Villans sealed their first signing of the summer in Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans.
Unai Emery is expected to have a busy transfer window following his incredible first season in charge at Villa Park, in a bid to build upon the success of this term and prepare the squad for Europe.
Latest news has suggested that the Midlands club are looking to replicate their move for free agent Tielemans in another Premier League star out of contract.
What’s the latest on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Aston Villa?
As reported by talkSPORT, Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be on his way to Villa Park.
The report states that sources close to the outlet understand that the 29-year-old is ‘on the verge’ of completing a move to Aston Villa.
The £125k-per-week Englishman will become a free agent this summer after no new contract was established on Merseyside.
What could Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain offer Aston Villa?
Hailed by BBC Sport writer Raj Chohan as “superb”, the former Arsenal ace has shown spells of his potential at Liverpool in a period tainted by injury.
During his six years at Anfield, the Portsmouth-born ace missed a total of 88 games due to injury as per Transfermarkt, contributing to him losing his spot as a regular in the side.
Starting his career as a dynamic wide player, Oxlade-Chamberlain was unleashed by Jurgen Klopp as a central midfielder, in a switch of position that paid off greatly for the Englishman.
Emery could land himself a force to be reckoned with in his midfield, with the Premier League and Champions League winner posing as a perfect fit for the Spaniard’s plans.
Following the arrival of Tielemans, the Spaniard has added significant depth to the middle of the park and by introducing Oxlade-Chamberlain as well, it could mean bad news for Philippe Coutinho.
The Brazilian has failed to find his best form at Villa, and having been linked with the exit door of late could be forced out of Emery’s plans entirely should another central talent arrive at Villa Park.
Comparing their statistics from last season when both players accumulated sufficient game time, the Englishman could offer a significantly greater threat to Villa’s midfield both going forward and as a defensive presence.
As per FBref, the Liverpool gem acts as more of a threat in the final third than Coutinho, averaging in the 2021/22 campaign 7.22 progressive passes received per 90 to the Brazilian’s 4.20, showing his ability to pop up in threatening positions.
In terms of actually distributing the ball, the 'Ox' averaged 6.99 progressive passes per 90 to the 30-year-old’s 6.37 per 90 as well averaging 3.99 progressive carries to his 3.25, via FBref.
The 29-year-old could rediscover his impressive form between his injury woes under Emery, and pose as a valuable member of his plans at Villa Park, being a better fit than the out-of-favour Coutinho to the Spaniard’s demands of his midfielders.
Everton are turning their eyes towards the summer transfer window, as the Blues have been linked with a Premier League starlet.
With survival confirmed, Sean Dyche can place his focus on improvements ahead of the 2023/24 campaign as the club must avoid a repeat of the previous two seasons.
In a year of struggle both on and off the field, Everton have had some shining lights, one being the performances of Amadou Onana, who could potentially remain at Goodison despite rumours suggesting his departure.
The latest transfer link could be an exciting one for Dyche should Onana remain a Toffee, as the Blues could swoop for an electrifying midfield partner for the Belgian.
What’s the latest on Shea Charles to Everton?
As reported by the Daily Mail, Everton are one of the clubs interested in Manchester City U21 midfielder Shea Charles.
The Northern Ireland international has gained interest from the Bundesliga, with RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund also rumoured to be “admirers” of the player.
The 19-year-old made his debut for City last weekend against Brentford as a substitute, and is contracted to the champions until 2027.
What could Shea Charles bring to Everton?
Pep Guardiola handed the teenager his first minutes for the first team last Sunday, as he played 27 minutes earning an impressive 7.0 Sofascore match rating in the process.
It was a difficult game for the champions who were defeated 1-0 away from home, however, the Spaniard was full of praise for the academy graduate after the fixture, hailing him as “so good” and “so composed” on the club’s official website.
It’s praise indeed from one of the greatest managers of all time, however, his compliments are supported by his impressive numbers, hinting that he has an exciting career ahead of him.
On his Premier League debut, the teen won 100% of his aerial duels, as well as four out of five of his ground duels in midfield, making four tackles and one interception in just under 30 minutes of play – as per Sofascore.
The Manchester-born ace, lauded as “terrific” by journalist Mark McIntosh, could be an exceptional future addition to Everton’s midfield, alongside the talents of Onana.
Amadou-Onana-Everton
Goodison’s midfield gem has similar attributes to the City youngster, inspiring the thought that they could be a commanding duo in the middle of the park together.
The Belgian has averaged 2.60 tackles per 90 over the past year, as well as an average of 2.17 successful aerials per 90, placing him in the top 6% of midfielders in Europe's top five leagues in terms of winning challenges in the air – as per FBref.
With Onana being just 21, and Charles only 19, Dyche could have a midfield pairing for years to come, in two players that are combative both in the air and on the ground, as supported by their numbers.
There are lots of indicators to suggest that Charles is ready to take the leap into senior football, not just through his performance on his debut, but his integral presence in City’s U21 side, starting in all 26 of his appearances in Premier League 2 – as per Transfermarkt.
Whether the player would be available to purchase permanently, or as a loan deal is yet to be discovered, however with such talent shown in his youth career, Dyche could unlock a generational talent in Everton’s midfield.
An update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and their attempts to add to their squad in the upcoming summer transfer window…
What's the latest on Anastasios Douvikas to Rangers?
According to Football Insider, the Light Blues have registered an interest in signing centre-forward Anastasios Douvikas from FC Utrecht in the coming weeks.
The report claims that the Gers are on the lookout for a replacement for Alfredo Morelos, who is set to depart on a free transfer this summer, and the Greek international has emerged as one of their targets.
It is stated that the Eredivisie outfit are demanding a fee in the region of £6.9m for the prolific marksman and it remains to be seen how much Michael Beale's side are willing to pay for him.
Who is Anastasios Douvikas?
The 23-year-old striker has caught the eye with his impressive performances in the Dutch top-flight this season and he could form an exciting partnership with Kieran Dowell at Ibrox.
Norwich stars Kieran Dowell and Josh Sargent.
In the Eredivisie this term, Douvikas – who was hailed as "sharp" by journalist Josh Bunting – has averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.01 and has plundered 19 goals in 24 starts, which shows that the dynamo has the quality to find the back of the net on a regular basis.
No Rangers player managed more than 16 goals in the Scottish Premiership in 2022/23 and this indicates that the Utrecht forward has the potential to come in as Beale's go-to man for goals next season.
The signing of Dowell on a free transfer from Norwich City could allow the Greek international to thrive even more as the Englishman is a creative midfield maestro that could provide the striker with the chances he needs to be a success in Scotland.
Over the last 365 days, the ex-Everton man ranks in the top 25% of players in his position in the Men's Next Eight Competitions for assists per 90 (0.24) and has racked up 0.20 xAG per 90.
In the 2020/21 Championship campaign, the magician created 0.31 xAG and made 5.12 shot-creating actions per 90 and this placed him in the top 3% of players in his position in that division, which shows that the wizard excels at opening up opposition defences for his teammates.
These statistics show that the 25-year-old has the playmaking quality to be a consistent provider for Douvikas in the final third, which could allow the Greek ace to flourish in front of goal.
The Utrecht star could also return the favour as the 23-year-old has created seven 'big chances' for his teammates in the Eredivisie and Dowell, who scored 12 goals in 72 games for Norwich, could profit from that by getting on the scoresheet for himself.
Therefore, they could form an exciting partnership at the top end of the pitch for Beale next season and the head coach should be hoping that the club are able to secure a deal for Douvikas in the coming weeks.