All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Crystal Palace have been rather impressive in recent times as they continue to improve under Roy Hodgson, having gone unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions. 

The Eagles still find themselves at risk from slipping into the relegation zone as they’re currently only two points above the bottom three, so they still need to seek even more improvements.

Interestingly, it appears as if the London club already have their sights set on a possible summer swoop, as according to Calciomercato (via 90Min), Crystal Palace are interested in Christian Kouame.

Indeed, the 21-year-old has established himself as one of the brightest prospects in Italy this season, having produced four goals and six assists at current club Genoa. He is a powerful forward who possesses an obvious aerial threat, so he would be a great addition for Palace who look to play off a target man.

Sadly, the likes of Christian Benteke, Jordan Ayew, Connor Wickham and Michy Batshuayi have only produced a combined three goals this season, so it’s safe to say they could do with bringing in attacking reinforcements.

Roy Hodgson can make a big statement by securing the services of Christian Kouame as they would pip one of Europe’s elite to the signing as Juventus also hold a strong interest in the Ivory Coast forward, and he has the potential to become a future star.

What do you think Crystal Palace fans?

Ex-BBC pundit Noel Whelan has claimed that if West Ham United can secure European football for next season, they could seal a move for Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans.

The Lowdown: Leicester could sell Tielemans

According to a report by The Telegraph on 31 March, the Foxes are willing to sanction a £25m exit for the 24-year-old, whose contract expires in the summer of 2023.

The Irons have made it a top priority to sign a central midfielder when the transfer window reopens. David Moyes hopes to add competition to his squad, which will allow for the rotation of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek; and as a result, the Hammers have been linked with a move for the Belgium international.

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The Latest: Whelan’s claim on Tielemans

Whelan, who regularly used to feature as a pundit for the BBC, believes that West Ham could sign Tielemans if they are to maintain European football next season.

Speaking with Football Insider, the ex-Leeds striker claimed: “I think they could [sign him].

“He’s got everything, hasn’t he? Goals from outside the box, creativity, works hard, dictates the game, very competitive. And he’s at a good age – the best is yet to come.

“Leicester will be forced to let him go because players like Tielemans deserve to be playing in Europe.

“If West Ham could offer him that, then him joining really would not surprise me.

“With the likes of Benrahma around him, David Moyes could have some really good options next season.”

The Verdict: Would be a very good signing

The Belgian ranks in the 95th percentile for shot-creating actions, the 93rd percentile for total shots and the 92nd percentile for progressive passes (via FBRef). Therefore, it is clear to see why Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers hailed him as “one of Europe’s top midfielders”, which furthers his cause to be playing regular European football.

With a current Transfermarkt value of £49.5m, signing Tielemans for a mere £25m would prove to be a fantastic piece of business by GSB.

However, at this price, a myriad of other Premier League clubs will likely be queuing to secure the midfielder’s signature, so this could prove to be a tricky deal for West Ham to get over the line, especially if they miss out on a place in Europe for next season.

In other news: Sky Sports pundit drools over ‘important’ West Ham star with 94% passing accuracy v Everton

As per an update in the paper edition of Corriere dello Sport, as shared by Sport Witness, there has been an exit development out of Tottenham Hotspur involving Tanguy Ndombele.

The Lowdown: Conte seeking sales…

The January transfer window has just 11 days remaining with Spurs still yet to confirm an incoming despite heavy links to Wolves star Adama Traore.

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Tottenham transfer chief Fabio Paratici and club chairman Daniel Levy, however, have managed to shift one face with promising youngster Dilan Markanday completing a permanent move to Blackburn Rovers.

Other names have been linked to a north London exit, including the likes of Matt Doherty and Dele Alli, with news from Italy now sharing a development involving club record signing Ndombele.

The Latest: Levy personally green-lights exit…

As explained in the report, Tottenham’s Levy has now personally given the go-ahead for him to leave this window as he transfer lists Ndombele.

According to CDS (via Sport Witness), the Spurs honcho has even offered him specifically to former boss Jose Mourinho at Roma – but Ndombele’s €10m-per-year (£8.3m) salary has proven a major stumbling block despite their interest.

The Verdict: Time to go?

Mourinho himself lauded the 25-year-old’s ‘amazing ability’ during his tenure at N17 and it’s little secret Ndombele possesses real talent when applying it correctly.

He finished last campaign as Spurs’ best dribbler in the Premier League, averaging more successful take-ons per 90 (2.2) than any Lilywhites man over 2020/2021 (WhoScored).

However, the real point of contention is Ndombele’s attitude and application, especially considering this isn’t the first time he has been linked to unceremoniously leaving Tottenham.

Now may be the best time to cut ties as Conte seeks a major rebuild and new dawn at the club.

In other news: Spurs edge closer to first January signing as Conte personally eyes ‘massive’ £15m man, find out more here.

West Ham United goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski looks set to sign a new contract at the London Stadium.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Sun, who claim that the 34-year-old goalkeeper is set to be rewarded for his fine form over the past four seasons with a new one-year deal in East London, which will see the shot-stopper remain with West Ham until the summer of 2023.

The report goes on to mention the fact that the former Poland international’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the current campaign, however, an agreement between David Moyes’ side and the player regarding an extension is expected to be reached in the coming days.

Moyes will be delighted

Considering just how important a part of the West Ham side Fabianski has become since his £7m move from Swansea City back in 2018, the news that the goalkeeper looks set to remain a fixture of Moyes’ first-team squad beyond the end of the current campaign is sure to have left the 58-year-old manager delighted.

Indeed, the £900k-rated man has continually been a rock between the West Ham sticks over his three and a half years in East London, earning seasonal SofaScore ratings of 6.94, 6.76 and 6.84 in 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21 respectively, as well as averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.90 over his 21 Premier League appearances in the current campaign.

The £65k-per-week ‘keeper has also kept 31 clean sheets over his 123 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers, a rather impressive feat considering the club’s turbulent period prior to Moyes’ return to the London Stadium in December of 2020.

As such, the news that the shot-stopper is set to put pen to paper on a new deal with the Irons is undoubtedly positive for everyone involved with the club, as, despite his advancing years, Fabianski has demonstrated this season that he still has much to offer at the very top level of the English game.

In other news: Big twist emerges on £42k-p/w ace after ExWHUemployee claim, WHU fans will be fuming

West Ham have ‘in recent hours’ shown an interest in Paris Saint-Germain defender Layvin Kurzawa, according to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna.

The Lowdown: Left-back options

West Ham have been hugely reliant on Aaron Cresswell for many years to hold down the left-back position. The defender has made an astonishing 239 appearances for the Hammers in the league, placing him second in the Irons’ table for most Premier League appearances, behind Mark Noble, who totals 407 matches.

However, Cresswell is now 32 years old, and he has just 18 months left on his contract.

Arthur Masuaku is the club’s alternative option at left-back. The 28-year-old has made 11 top-flight appearances this season, seven of which have come off the bench. Despite this, fans would likely be reluctant to see him replace Cresswell in the starting XI, as the player has received some criticism for his recent performances.

Pundit Ian Wright singled Masuaku out for the ‘poor game’ he had in the Hammers’ defeat to Southampton, suggesting that he is a defensive liability.

As Cresswell doesn’t have long left on his current deal and with Masuaku failing to show why he should play a part in David Moyes’ starting XI, it is clear to see why West Ham have been searching for a left-back to bring into the club.

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The Latest: Hammers interested in Kurzawa

According to Foot Mercato journalist Aouna, West Ham have ‘shown interest in recent hours’ for PSG defender Kurzawa.

The Frenchman has not played any part in the current season for PSG; with just one appearance in all 2021/22 competitions, which was off the bench for nine minutes in the Trophée des Champions.

Therefore, this could be ‘a way out’ for the left-back, with Newcastle United also said to be interested in the player.

The Verdict: Poor choice

Kurzawa was previously linked with a deal to fellow London club Arsenal, with reports suggesting that he even agreed a deal to move to the Emirates Stadium in January 2020.

However, with the deal failing to materialise, questions have been asked as to the reason why. The 29-year-old has a lengthy injury history, which has seen him sidelined for weeks at a time; the longest of which was a herniated disc which kept him out for three months.

With suggestions that he also has a bad attitude, this does not seem like the sort of player that Moyes should be pursuing, even despite the player’s incredible trophy haul of 18 domestic competitions won in Paris.

In other news: West Ham United: Phillips bid officially rejected

Leeds United remain interested in signing Sampdoria centre-back Omar Colley in the near future, according to a fresh transfer rumour.

The Lowdown: Colley linked with Leeds move

The 32-time capped Gambia international has been continually linked with a move to Elland Road this year, as Marcelo Bielsa eyes up defensive reinforcements – Victor Orta and co were allegedly interested as far back as June.

Despite summer interest from Elland Road however, Colley ended up staying put at Sampdoria, where he has made 17 Serie A starts this season, continuing to be a key man for the Genoa-based outfit.

With Leeds suffering from a centre-back shortage, it looks as though the 29-year-old is still on their radar ahead of the January transfer window.

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The Latest: Transfer rumour returns

That’s according to TEAMtalk, who claim that the Whites are ‘back on his trail’, with Everton and Newcastle United also seen as potential suitors.

Colley’s current Sampdoria deal doesn’t expire until the summer of 2025, so he may not come cheap with his current employers holding a strong negotiating position.

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The Verdict: Strong option

At 29, Colley doesn’t necessarily represent the long-term but he could be an ideal signing in the January transfer window, as Bielsa surely needs to bring in an immediate upgrade at centre-back in the absence of Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk.

He is an experienced international player so he shouldn’t find it too difficult adjusting to life in the Premier League, averaging 1.8 tackles and 3.2 interceptions per game in Serie A – that is far more interceptions than any Leeds player this season.

Robin Koch (2.0) has the most interceptions for Leeds in 2021/22 but his average is still comfortably lower than Colley’s, showing what a savvy and dominant defender he is.

In other news, Phil Hay has made a transfer claim regarding one player. Find out who it is here.

Following on from their 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town at the weekend, Sunderland are back in League One action this evening with an away clash against Shrewsbury Town, who only have 15 points on the board from 17 games.

After the Ipswich win, Sunderland manager Lee Johnson revealed that defender Dennis Cirkin will be out of action for the next few weeks with a hernia injury, with fellow full-backs Denver Hume and Niall Huggins out injured for the Shrewsbury match as well.

Taking this into account, here’s how we feel Sunderland could line up for their game against Shrewsbury. 

In goal, with Ron-Thorben Hoffmann having played in the majority of Sunderland’s league games so far this season, we can see him taking his place once again on this occasion.

For the defence, we think Johnson will stick with the same back four that started against the Tractor Boys with Luke O’Nien, who scored their goal of the game at the weekend, staying at left-back with Carl Winchester on the right and the duo of Callum Doyle and Bailey Wright in the middle after managing to keep a clean sheet at the weekend.

In midfield, we think Johnson will keep Dan Neil and Corry Evans in the central roles but replace Nathan Broadhead, who is currently earning a weekly wage of £2.9k-per-week according to Salary Sport, and Lynden Gooch with Aiden McGeady and Leon Dajaku coming in to freshen the team up alongside Elliot Embleton.

Then for the attack, with Ross Stewart having scored ten goals in 19 League One games for Sunderland this season, it would seem likely that Johnson will keep him in the team on this occasion to see if he can continue his good run of goalscoring form and secure another win for his team in the process.

Whether Johnson goes with this exact starting XI or not, this is still a good opportunity for Sunderland to get another win on the board and keep them towards the top of the league table considering how Shrewsbury have lost more games (10) in the league this season than any other team alongside Doncaster Rovers and Crewe Alexandra.

In other news: Johnson must ruthlessly axe “versatile” £5k-p/w SAFC dud, he’s becoming a liability – opinion

Leeds United have picked up a bit of form at just the right time, and having picked up seven points from a possible nine, they head into tomorrow’s clash against Watford with a whole lot more confidence.

Jesse Marsch’s side picked up some much-needed victories over Norwich and Wolves before drawing 1-1 to Southampton at Elland Road last time out.

Their trip to Vicarage Road may prove to be a stern test given that Roy Hodgson’s men are currently battling for their lives in the Premier League relegation battle, and Marsch will have some big calls to make on his starting line-up.

One decision he might be compelled to make is dropping Diego Llorente.

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The Spain international has found himself in and out of the side in recent weeks and months, with niggling injuries disrupting him from really putting together a run of consistent games together.

After being forced off inside the first half against Wolves at Molineux in mid-March, Llorente made an immediate return against the Saints last weekend, but he looked off the pace and nervy on occasion.

As per Sofascore, while he made a team-high six tackles, he also committed the joint-most fouls, finding it difficult to balance being aggressive and playing on the edge, and sometimes losing his cool and composure. In fact, this season has seen him lose 80 duels in total in the Premier League, while winning only 97.

Writing in his post-match player ratings for Leeds Live, Beren Cross gave him a five, saying: “Can be unconventional, but brilliant at times or just verging on calamity in the backline. Armando Broja gave him a difficult afternoon without dominating him.”

Those sentiments were echoed by The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth, who awarded him a six, before adding: “Brought an element of drama at times that felt unnecessary, some mixed moments of defending and in possession.”

Pascal Struijk was the man to find himself out of the team following the return of club captain Liam Cooper, and the Scot was partnered with Llorente in central defence.

While the Dutchman may have had a difficult time of late, at just 22 he remains a big part of the future of this Leeds team, and he would surely learn a lot more from playing rather than sitting on the bench.

Indeed, speaking earlier this year, Cooper himself said of Struijk: “Pascal has absolutely everything to be one of the best centre-backs out there, he really has. He’s unbelievable on the ball, he’s strong, good in the air. I always knew. We all know now. His improvement speaks for itself.”

Bringing the youngster into the line-up and having someone as experienced as Cooper alongside him should see him return to much better form, knowing that he has someone to fall back upon and organise the defence rather than feeling the pressure to do so himself.

Valued at £12m by CIES, Llorente should be dropped from the starting line-up against Watford, with Struijk coming back in to take his place and resume his fledgling partnership with Cooper.

AND in other news – Signed for £5m, now worth 700% more: Orta struck dream Leeds deal with “quality” 22 y/o

Leeds United are among the teams interested in Fabio Carvalho…

What’s the word?

That’s according to the Daily Mail, who claim that the Fulham attacker is wanted by the Whites, Liverpool and West Ham United, among others.

The 19-year-old is out of contract at Craven Cottage in the summer and will be free to join these clubs for mere compensation ahead of next season but a switch to a Premier League side this month could be too tempting to turn down – especially if the Championship giants are to secure some sort of fee.

Carvalho is highly-rated after impressing in southwest London and could be available for as little as £5m before next Monday’s transfer deadline, as per The Sun.

Saiz void

The Yorkshireman have long lacked a midfield addition, particularly of an attacking nature – or in the no.10 role, to be precise.

It has now been four years since the club signed someone for the engine room after Adam Forshaw joined from Middlesbrough in 2018. They have also let some key names depart in that timeframe, including Pablo Hernadez in the summer and Samuel Saiz, who left permanently in summer 2019.

The Spaniard’s presence in the final third has been sorely missed, more so this season than ever.

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He was capable of providing goals and creativity in the final third, whilst either playing out on the left flank or through the middle and there are plenty of similarities between the former Leeds man and their exciting transfer target.

Carvalho has enjoyed a breakthrough season under Marco Silva, scoring eight goals and laying on two assists in 17 league appearances, via Transfermarkt.

That’s as many goals as Leeds’ top scorer Raphinha, who Bielsa has relied on heavily as no other player has found the net more than four times.

Born in Lisbon but opting for England, Carvalho qualifies as a homegrown player, which only bolsters the reasoning behind signing him.

The teenager sensation has previously been dubbed “unplayable” and as a “playmaker” by his former Balham coach Greg Cruttwell, who also told The Athletic: “He was assists and goals and affected every game.”

In the Fulham dynamo, manager Marcelo Bielsa could finally replace the Saiz-like void at Elland Road and for around £5m, it has to be an absolute steal for one of the EFL’s brightest talents.

AND in other news, “In talks”: Sky Sports journo drops huge Leeds transfer update, Bielsa will be buzzing…

Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte is in line for a huge boost after a major behind-the-scenes update emerged on the future of first-choice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris this weekend…

What’s the word?

As preparations for their Premier League clash against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday were abruptly put to a halt, it has been revealed the north Londoners have opened talks with the Frenchman over a contract extension, as per Football Insider.

The 34-year-old’s current £100k-per-week deal is set to expire at the end of the season and it’s believed, according to an inside source, that he is keen to commit to fresh terms that would take him into his late 30s at the club.

Lloris is settled with his family in north London and is also thought to believe that there are good times ahead under the Italian.

Spurs are keen to tie him down before the new year, when the veteran shot-stopper is free to talk to foreign clubs and even sign a pre-contract elsewhere.

Conte boost

This should come as a massive boost to Conte, who has selected the 136-cap France international in all but one of his games in charge, and as club captain, he serves as a big influence in the dressing room.

It also means that the 52-year-old head coach will not have to target a new option between the sticks, when there are much bigger problems to solve, such as their lack of solid defensive options at centre-back, his lack of alternatives to Harry Kane or the need for a creative playmaker.

Lloris is currently Spurs’ longest-serving player, having racked up 388 appearances since arriving from Lyon in August 2012. And he was named skipper by Mauricio Pochettino back in 2015, so it’s clear to see that he’s been a crucial player for the club over nearly a decade.

Much of the Lilywhites faithful will be overjoyed by this latest development from Hotspur Way as recently, many fans were discussing the prospect of their leading glovesman remaining past the current campaign.

“Hope he stays” and “seems sensible” were just two reactions relayed by Spurs-Web.com this week.

Therefore, many around N17 will be buoyed by this behind-the-scenes update, not at least Conte, who clearly is a fan of his goalkeeper. This will come as a big boost to him, should the Frenchman agree to an extension in the coming weeks.

AND in other news, Worrying Spurs update emerges ahead of Leicester clash…