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Many Birmingham City fans have reacted to a transfer report linking former AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato with a move to the club.

Reports from Italian press have claimed the former AC Milan forward is being considered as a free transfer for the Blues. The Brazil international has been without a club since leaving Sao Paulo midway through August after a short spell.

Aged 31, the former Milan predator has bags of experience, having played for a number of clubs, including Premier League side Chelsea and Villarreal in La Liga. His time in English football at Stamford Bridge saw make just two appearances, finding the net once for the Londoners.

Birmingham sit 17th in the Championship as things stand and have struggled to score, finding the back of the net just three times in the opening seven fixtures.

Blues fans react to Pato transfer links

Do you think the Blues can seal a deal for Pato? Let us know your views in the comments section below…

West Ham United clinched their first points of the new Premier League season with an impressive 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the London Stadium.

Irons boss David Moyes will no doubt be delighted with his team’s display, even if he had to watch from home with Alan Irvine in charge.

Jarrod Bowen bagged a brace either side of the break with goalscoring midfielder Tomas Soucek and substitute Sebastien Haller kickstarting their campaigns with a pair of strikes.

The three points lifts the Hammers away from the drop zone and plenty of supporters were delighted with the performance of one man in particular.

Lining up at left wing-back Arthur Masuaku enjoyed a game and a half, assisting the final goal of the game, and here’s how some of the West Ham faithful reacted…

The 26-year-old was tasked with the tough test of defending against Adama Traore, the player who recorded the most take-ons (183) during the 2019/20 season – by comparison, the fifth-best was Nathan Redmond with just 79 as per Squawka.

Masuaku recorded three tackles, one clearance, one interception and four key passes. He also won seven duels and had a crossing accuracy of 100% via SofaScore.

The Wolves star, on the other hand, failed to register a single shot or key pass, failed with all eight of his crossing attempts and also lost possession 18 times.

It’s ever so clear to see who won that battle and that’s something many Irons fans have reacted to on Twitter…

There were plenty of comments aimed at his teammate Aaron Cresswell too, the usual first-choice at left-back. Some were pleased at his introduction as it allowed the Englishman to perform at left centre-back.

Whilst others were quick to claim that the DR Congo international was the better option in the role.

AND in other news, West Ham could land a new Ferdinand with a swoop for rival star…

Aston Villa’s latest move should strike shades of Stewart Downing into the Midlands if emerging reports are to be believed…

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mirror, Dean Smith’s side are leading the charge to sign Liverpool misfit Harry Wilson this summer but the Premier League champions refuse to budge on their £20m valuation.

It’s claimed that Villa would be prepared to offer up to £12m and are waiting to see if the Merseysiders ‘blink first’.

The likes of Leeds United, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and Southampton have all also shown interest in the 23-year-old.

Shades of Downing

Wilson has struggled to break into Jurgen Klopp’s senior line-up since making his debut in 2017, and it has seen him go out on loan four times with the latest coming at relegated AFC Bournemouth last term.

Per WhoScored, the Welsh international scored seven times in 31 appearances whilst averaging 1.8 shots, 0.5 dribbles and 0.5 key passes per game.

He’s also widely known as a set-piece specialist, which earned high praise from his German boss earlier in the season, he said: “I am happy he cannot play against us! Each free-kick is a proper threat. We were never in doubt about Harry’s shooting abilities, his skills in that part of the game are incredible – world-class, for sure.”

Having someone who can deliver a decent ball in is something that Villa have lacked for several years, perhaps dating back to Downing’s time at Villa Park.

The club splashed £12m on the veteran winger back in 2009 after a very encouraging spell at Middlesbrough but there are clearly similarities between the two with the pair being dead-ball experts.

Smith does indeed have a few options out wide, but Wilson would undoubtedly be an upgrade on Jota and perhaps, a nice squad option to have going into the new campaign.

AND in other news, Smith must land 1-2 sucker-punch with a swoop for £20m sensation…

Celtic’s pursuit of a new striker has taken an intriguing twist over the weekend and it’s one that could see Neil Lennon’s side bolstered without having to pay a penny.

What’s the word?

According to former Hibs forward-turned-pundit Tam McManus, free-agent Steven Fletcher is keen on a move to Parkhead having moved back into the area following his exit from Sheffield Wednesday.

The 33-year-old veteran rejected the Owls’ offer of a new contract and departed Hillsborough at the end of June.

Whilst it is no secret that Lennon is on the hunt for options to bolster his frontline having been linked to Peterborough’s Ivan Toney, West Ham flop Albian Ajeti and Shon Weissman in recent months.

Edouard alternative?

The Hoops have some reliance on their French talisman after he provided 27 goals and 19 assists on the way to a ninth-straight league title, though such form has attracted the interest of Arsenal, Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City and Everton.

There are also doubts over the future of Leigh Griffiths with his professionalism the major sticking point.

A swoop for Fletcher could prove to be a touch of genius from Nick Hammond this summer. Despite nearly his mid-thirties, the target man is still as fit as ever and comes into the off-season on the back of an impressive 13 goals in a struggling Sheffield Wednesday side.

The Scotsman also started his career out at SPFL rivals Hibernian, so he’s no stranger to a move north of the border whilst he’s featured in Ligue 1 for Marseille and has been capped 33 times on the international stage.

Given the financial uncertainties of the transfer market post-pandemic, a free raid for Fletcher has all the hallmarks to be a masterstroke, especially as he’ll provide vital support to Eduoard as the club goes for ten-in-a-row.

AND in other news, Celtic plot cunning raid on cash-strapped Wigan for new Sinclair…

This article forms part of our Total Duds feature series, which is where Football Transfer Tavern takes a look at how a player has fared since being signed or sold, using statistical figures and statements from pundits to prove how bad a deal the club got.

Daniel Levy has made some major mistakes during his time in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, but arguably none of them come close to his decision to sign Roberto Soldado.

Levy signed Soldado for a then-club record fee of £26m from Valencia and he was awarded a reception similar to a summer blockbuster. Unveiled as a marquee signing, everything looked so promising for the former Real Madrid ace, but things quickly went downhill for him at White Hart Lane.

The Spaniard was meant to be the typical striker who bangs in 20 goals a season, like Dimitar Berbatov and Gary Lineker had done before him. Instead, Soldado turned out to be a complete and utter flop, condemned by fans and pundits alike.

In fairness, he actually started quite well, as he scored penalties in his first two games in the Premier League. However, looks can be deceiving, as it took him until October to score from open play and he only managed six league goals in his first campaign.

Admittedly Soldado had greater success in the Europa League, in which he bagged five goals in seven games, but that wasn’t enough to stop Spurs from crashing out to Benfica in the last 16.

He only scored one goal in the English top flight the following season and the emergence of Harry Kane quickly lead to Spurs calling it quits.

The onus was on him to deliver and he failed to live up to the expectations he merited on his arrival. His dramatic decline in form is exemplified by his market value, which plummeted from £25m at his peak in 2013 to a mere £9m towards the end of his career in England. To make matters worse, the Lilywhites sold him to Valencia for a fraction of the price they paid for him.

Spurs last won a trophy back in 2008 and the closest they have come since was making it to the Champions League final last year. While that can’t entirely be blamed on him, the fact he failed to reach double figures in the Premier League in two consecutive seasons is a damning indictment.

Levy has made some obvious blunders over the years, namely failing to sign Sergio Aguero in 2011, who ended up at Manchester City instead.

Without trying to rub salt in the wound, Aguero went on to become one of the greatest strikers in Premier League history, and some fans may dream about what might have been if the Argentine had moved to White Hart Lane instead.

As it stands, signing Soldado perhaps remains Levy’s biggest mistake to this day, as he struggled to make an impact and returned to Spain after just two seasons.

Tottenham fans, do you think Roberto Soldado is the worst signing in the club’s history? Let us know in the comments below!

Despite signing Bruno Fernandes from Sporting CP back in the January transfer window, it appears Manchester United are still intent on targeting another attacking midfielder this summer.

The likes of Jack Grealish and James Maddison have been previously mentioned, whilst Bayer Leverkusen sensational Kai Havertz has also been one of the more recent names to have been linked with a switch to Old Trafford.

And on Saturday afternoon, the Germany international produced another exceptional performance to follow up the two goals he scored on the Bundesliga’s return to action last weekend.

Havertz netted twice again, this time in a 3-1 win away at Borussia Monchengladbach, and after seeing him steal the show once more, United fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on their rumoured transfer target’s performance.

If Havertz is treating these last few games of the season as an audition for a potential move away, then he is passing it with flying colours to say the least.

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The German has got four goals in two games now for Leverkusen, and just like these United fans, Ed Woodward and co will also surely be similarly impressed with his displays.

Having joined the club back in 2012, Jan Vertonghen’s career at Tottenham may finally be up this summer.

The Belgium international’s contract comes to an end at the end of the season, and reports in recent weeks have suggested the Lilywhites are perfectly happy for him to leave on a free transfer.

With the centre-back potentially leaving, Jose Mourinho will surely be on the look-out for a new defender, and according to French publication Foot Mercato, he has his eyes set on West Ham ace Issa Diop.

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The report claims that Spurs have been in contact with those around the Frenchman about a potential switch, and that Diop is “not insensitive” to moving to the Lilywhites – it’s further suggested his current valuation is at €60m (£52.3m).

The 23-year-old has been a virtual ever-present for the Hammers since moving to the Premier League, playing 23 times in the top-flight this season, and even netting three times.

Standing at an imposing 6 foot 4, Diop cuts an imposing figure with his sheer physicality, and has averaged an impressive 1.7 interceptions per game in the Premier League this year.

Mourinho himself has previously waxed lyrical about the Frenchman’s abilities, and that is perhaps one of the main reasons behind Spurs seemingly targeting him this summer.

Back in September 2018, following Manchester United’s 3-1 defeat to West Ham, then Red Devils manager Mourinho spoke glowingly about the centre-back. He said: “(He had a) fantastic match. Congratulations to the scout that found a 21-year-old kid Diop – a monster who dominated in the duels.”

At only 23, Diop has built up considerable experience of playing at the highest level in English football, and wouldn’t need time to adjust to the pace and intensity of the game were he to move across London.

Mourinho will no doubt feel he can further develop him, and it’s why he could represent the perfect replacement for the potentially outgoing Vertonghen.

Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson has urged Troy Parrott to stay at the club this summer and learn from Harry Kane, in an interview with Football Insider.

What did he say?

Parrott has impressed for Spurs at youth level and has earned four appearances for the first team this season as a result.

However, with Kane, Heung-Min Son and Lucas Moura ahead of him in the pecking order, Jose Mourinho may still opt to loan out the 18-year-old in search of more first-team experience.

Robinson feels that he would be better served remaining in North London though, claiming that could learn a lot from watching Kane in training.

Speaking in an interview Football Insider, Robinson said: “If the club thinks sending him out on loan will benefit him, he would certainly command a loan to a Premier League side or a top Championship side. At Spurs, there is the potential for him to play cup games.

“Being in and around the squad he can learn from Harry Kane. Subconsciously you pick up all of his traits, his habits, and his finishing if you work with him in training. You mould yourself without even knowing it.

“It is important to get football but with injuries and suspensions, he might get two or three games and score a bagful. We saw it with Rashford. Football is all about timing. If he is out on loan they cannot recall him.”

Experience

Loan spells can be an invaluable part of the development process for any young player, with Kane himself benefiting from time away from the club at the likes of Leicester City and Leyton Orient.

However, as others have shown, you can break straight into the first team and if you are ready for senior football, it can be best for youth prospects to stay around and learn from the top-level professionals around them.

In Parrott’s case, Spurs do not have many senior strikers at the club and with Kane suffering from injuries in recent years, there might just be opportunities for Parrott, provided Mourinho thinks he is ready.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Expert Roundup feature, which provides three quotes from those in the know in order to illuminate fundamental strengths, weaknesses, quirks, stylistic comparisons and general observations of players, transfer targets and confirmed signings.

With Hugo Lloris out for the foreseeable future with a dislocated elbow Tottenham Hotspur have turned their sights towards a top class shot-stopper as they bid to turn their so far troubled season around.

The man reportedly on their radar is Andre Onana.

The Ajax number one greatly impressed last term as de Godenzonen stole a march all the way to the Champions League semi-finals – ironically exiting at the hands of Spurs – while a recent eye-catching display against Chelsea in the same tournament has only added extra veneer to a solid reputation.

Agile, confident and commanding of his area the 6ft 3 Cameroonian first arrived in Europe courtesy of the Samuel Eto’o Foundation, joining Barcelona aged just 13. A move to Holland five years later saw him eventually installed as first choice at the Johan Cruyff Arena and now the Premier League may beckon, with the player himself recently admitting to finding the proposition tempting.

With that in mind, Football Fancast sought out the opinion of three great Dutch keepers to find out what the Spurs faithful can expect.

Judging by these glowing references they should be excited to say the least…

Ronald Waterreus, former PSV and Holland goalkeeper

Now a pundit in his native Netherlands, Waterreus’ vast experience means he knows an elite goalie when he sees one. As to just how elite, well that’s a different matter. As per en24.news:

“He’s a fantastic goalkeeper who always stays calm. We see him play every week and we quickly see that he is the best. Is he better than Ter Stegen? Maybe not yet. He’s better than Neuer? Probably. Is he better than De Gea? Certainly. Is he better than Oblak? Maybe not. Is he better than Courtois? Perhaps. The biggest clubs in Europe are interested in him. He deserves it too. “

Stanley Menzo, former Ajax goalkeeper

With just shy of 250 appearances for de Godenzonen, Menzo has legendary status at the club while his longevity means he takes a more measured approach in assessing emerging talent. He has seen them come. He has seen them go. In Onana though he clearly believes there is something far more substantial than mere hype. As per ajaxshowtime.com:

“It is very Dutch to ask if he is the best in Europe right now. Soon he will make some mistakes and (people will) crucify him. I particularly like to see how this boy develops. It is difficult to play as a young goalkeeper at Ajax 1. But he is calm and his reflexes are the best in the world. His appearance is impressive.”

Edwin van der Sar, former Manchester United and Holland goalkeeper

Now installed as Ajax’s chief executive van der Sar has persistently batted away rumours regarding Onana’s future with the same unflappable ease he dealt with crosses.

Here though he makes an exception, offering up praise for the star in sticks. As per goal.com:

“I think Andre is fantastic. He came to Ajax aged 18 or 19 and the way he developed and the natural attributes that he already had, his speed, his reaction and I think he set himself as a great goalkeeper.”

“This year again he has proven to be extremely valuable for the team and besides that, he is a great guy.”

Verdict

At 23 years of age Onana is still some way from reaching his goalkeeping peak, and that should only encourage Tottenham more to invest in a player who is already one of the best in his position around.

Jamaal Lascelles picked up an injury in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Bournemouth and it has now been confirmed that he faces several weeks out the sidelines.

The centre-back suffered damage to his knee which is likely to rule him out until early 2021, and despite him being not only the captain, but a regular since 2016, some fans aren’t too concerned.

Newcastle’s centre-backs have performed well under Bruce this season, even chipping in with goals, and that has led some to think that Lascelles has dropped down the pecking order.

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The Magpies also have Fabian Schar and Florian Lejeune to come back from injury, which means there is no lack of quality or competition for places with Lascelles out.

Supporters don’t seem to be concerned that they will miss out on his leadership qualities either, which suggests they have faith in the back five under Bruce’s management.

Here are some of the reactions to the news of the 26-year-old’s injury.