All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

West Bromwich Albion are interested in a deal to bring Jerry Yates to The Hawthorns this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Sun, who claim that the managerless Baggies are one of a number of Championship sides keeping a very close eye on the Blackpool centre-forward ahead of a potential move in the summer transfer window.

The report goes on to state that Neil Critchley’s side would demand a fee of £5m in order to part with the 24-year-old, who has two years remaining on his current contract at Bloomfield Road.

Lai must move

With West Brom’s search to appoint Sam Allardyce’s successor dragging on for a rather unexpected amount of time, in addition to the club recently parting ways with technical and sporting director Luke Dowling, Guochuan Lai is running the very real risk of being left behind by the Baggies’ Championship rivals regarding the club’s summer transfer business.

And, considering just how impressive Yates was for Blackpool last season, it would appear as if the striker is a talent that West Brom simply cannot afford to miss out on.

Indeed, over his 47 League One appearances for the Tangerines last term, the £2.1k-per-week striker scored 21 goals, registered eight assists and created six big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.9 shots and making one key pass per game.

These metrics saw the former Rotherham United man earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.99, ranking him as Critchley’s sixth-best performer in the third tier of English football, with the 24-year-old’s returns playing a huge role in Blackpool going on to secure promotion to the Championship.

Yates also impressed in the Seasiders’ FA Cup run, scoring a further two goals and providing one assist in the competition, taking his total number of goals to 23 and his number of assists to nine in 2020/21.

As such, with West Brom hoping to secure an immediate return to the Premier League next season, the addition of a proven goalscorer such as Yates would appear to provide the Baggies with a huge boost to their chances of going on to achieve this feat.

So, regardless of the fact that West Brom do not currently have a manager, it would appear highly advisable for Lai to sanction a move for the man whom Critchley dubbed an “outstanding” player as soon as possible, or else he risks seeing one of Albion’s Championship rivals pinch the striker from under his side’s nose.

In other news: Guochuan Lai risks West Brom fury by appointing 55 y/o flop this summer

Leicester City narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification following a final day defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Foxes were trailing fifth-placed Liverpool on goal difference and third-placed Chelsea by a point heading into the last round of Premier League fixtures, but despite Aston Villa’s 2-1 win over the Blues, Leicester couldn’t capitalise.

Two late Gareth Bale goals sealed all three points for Spurs in what was likely to be the Welshman’s last ever game for the capital club and it ensured that the Midlands outfit will be playing Europa League football next term.

It was a poor display all round for Brendan Rodgers’ men, especially in the second half, however, one man, in particular, let the Northern Irish manager down.

As per SofaScore, Timothy Castagne received a miserly rating of 6.1/10, the joint-second lowest score of any player on the King Power Stadium pitch.

The Belgium international has adapted to the English top-flight well since a summer move from Atalanta, but he certainly fell short when Leicester and Rodgers needed him most.

Castagne won just two of his five duels on Sunday afternoon, and the £21.6m-rated full-back (as per Transfermarkt) was also unable to find a teammate with either of his two long balls.

In a must-win game, players need to be strong in the tackle and be good on the ball, Castagne was neither.

His below-par performance summed up a bitterly disappointing final day for the FA Cup champions, who were hoping to return to Europe’s elite cup competition following a five-year absence.

It’s the second consecutive season where Rodgers’ side have missed out on a place in the top four on the last day of the campaign, although the former Celtic boss can still be incredibly proud of what his team have achieved in 2020/21.

And, in other news…Rodgers masterstroke: Leicester must swoop for “superb” £9m-rated workhorse

Some Everton fans have been left to fume as a transfer update emerged on Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

As per a report from the Daily Mail earlier this week, which has since been shared by The Toffee Blues on Twitter, the Goodison Park faithful as well as both Aston Villa and Southampton are interested in signing the Chelsea man in the summer window, but his high wages may be a stumbling block in any deal.

Loftus-Cheek did not have the best seasons on loan at relegated Fulham, in which he only managed to score one goal and not a single assist in 32 games in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt).

The central midfield player also has a very poor injury record, and coupled up with his high wages, it is no surprise to see that some supporters of the Merseyside club do not want him to be signed.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/everton-updates-3/” title=”Everton updates! (3)” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Everton fans on Loftus-Cheek transfer update

These Toffees fumed as the transfer update was shared on Twitter:

“Nope. Nope nope nope nope nope.”

Credit: @EFCNovaScotia

“So now we are after younger treatment tables!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Credit: @BagFullofToffee

“It’s getting worse”

Credit: @redreg74

“Yeh, nothing like another top 4 reject to help @Everton push for mid table”

Credit: @EvertonLeague

“He’s very poor, no thanks”

Credit: @GoodisonMoore

“Not for 26 years old this year, not even reached anything in his career and have a look at his injury record.”

Credit: @SteveKelly86

In other news, find out who Bill Kenwright wants to be the next Blues manager here!

Brendan Rodgers remains one of Tottenham Hotspur’s top managerial targets, according to reports…

What’s the word?

That’s the latest claim from 90min, who suggested that the 48-year-old is still in the running to take over from Jose Mourinho despite his reluctance to leave Leicester City.

Daniel Levy will not appoint Spurs’ next manager until the summer, with the club’s former midfielder Ryan Mason in caretaker charge until then, and the chairman is believed to be infatuated by the Foxes chief.

It is also claimed that he would be prepared to make Rodgers the second-highest paid manager in the Premier League behind Man City’s Pep Guardiola, who is thought to be on around £15m per year.

Pay whatever it takes

As targets keep coming and going, Levy could have his work cut out to find a viable and attractive manager to fill the vacant role at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Julian Nagelsmann and Erik ten Hag have quickly been ruled out of the running, and even though he seems committed to Leicester, there cannot be many better candidates out there than Rodgers.

Speaking about the interest in his services last month, the former Celtic and Liverpool boss praised Spurs as a club, claiming: “Tottenham is a great club, one of the biggest clubs in Britain but for me, I’m just in a really, really happy place in my life.”

Of course, he’s not going to come straight out and claim he’d be keen on swapping the King Power Stadium for north London, especially as the Foxes are battling for a top four finish, and that will be the centre of his focus.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-latest-spurs-manager-update-gossip-transfer-rumours-daniel-levy-enic-mason-mourinho-more” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, managerial gossip, transfer rumours and more!”]

You can never strictly rule it out, though. Levy has to throw the chequebook at him and do all he can to convince him to sign on the dotted line. If he wants Spurs back competing in Europe, particularly in the Champions League, then he must turn to Rodgers.

The 48-year-old has completely transformed Leicester on and off the pitch. It is looking like back-to-back seasons qualifying for Europe and he’s done that despite losing his best players every summer.

Stars such as Ben Chilwell, Harry Maguire, N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez were all replaced adequately and it’s like the Foxes have never missed out on their presence. This sort of recruitment is desperately needed at Spurs, with the club in dire need of a rebuild.

Another one of his key abilities is to develop players, and there isn’t a better example than Kelechi Iheanacho, who until this campaign very much looked like he wouldn’t hit the potential with which he was once touted at Manchester City.

The 24-year-old has scored 18 goals and provided seven assists in all competitions this term, via Transfermarkt, leading to Dean Windass lauding Rodgers’ influence as “unbelievable” in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

With players like Dele Alli, Joe Rodon, Dane Scarlett and many more at Spurs, Rodgers would be very well placed to continue such a trend.

Furthermore, Mourinho has previously waxed lyrical about his former Chelsea coach, suggesting he is “creative” and a “very good coach.”

Only Sir Alex Ferguson has a better win percentage of any British manager to take charge of 50 or more games since 2000 in the Premier League, leading to Gary Neville lauding the 48-year-old “one of the outstanding managers in the league”.

It’s no wonder that Rodgers, who has won 54% of his games in charge of the Foxes, would be a dream candidate for Levy and Spurs. It could cost them an extraordinary amount of money to land him but, if it’s the price they have to pay to get a top contender, so be it.

Rodgers is absolutely perfect for Spurs; it’s as simple as that.

AND in other news, 45 y/o who left “a lasting impression on Spurs would bring shades of Pochettino to North London…

Some Liverpool supporters are delighted after it emerged that Diogo Jota could play a part in the Reds’ crucial clash with Crystal Palace.

The Reds face an enormous game on Sunday afternoon as a hugely challenging Premier League season reaches its conclusion. Jurgen Klopp’s men welcome Palace to Anfield, knowing that a win should all but guarantee a place in the top four unless Leicester City thrash Tottenham.

[freshpress-quiz id=“355458″]

Liverpool have found a strong run of form just when they needed it, not losing in the league since early March and picking up crucial victories against West Brom and Burnley in the last week.

Jota was expected to miss out for the remainder of the season, but The Athletic now claim he could play a part in proceedings at Anfield today. If true, it would be a massive boost for Liverpool, potentially allowing the prolific Portuguese to come on in the second half should a goal be needed, or if one of the front three is underperforming.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-2/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

Liverpool fans react to Jota update

These Liverpool supporters were delighted with the “huge” news, taking to Twitter to provide their thoughts.

“Fastest recovery ever”

Credit: @RJensen71

“Having both on the bench is a huge plus”

Credit: @LFC_9ja

“In a massive fitness boost for Jurgen Klopp, Diogo Jota is in contention to play against Crystal Palace tomorrow”

Credit: @MattThielen

“Let’s get it boyyyyysssss”

Credit: @AidaHamsad

“Everybody watch out”

Credit: @charliemens01

“Fingers crossed he plays in place of Mane”

Credit: @kevowens64

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting positively to training ground photos that recently emerged. Read more here.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Bull, who scored 306 goals for Wolves during his career, has claimed that his former club doesn’t want players like Cristiano Ronaldo to sign.

Ronaldo has been linked with a move to Wolves, with his agent Jorge Mendes helping a number of his clients join the club since they won promotion back to the Premier League.

The £491,000 per week striker would join eight other Portuguese players currently on the books at Wolves, and he has been rumoured to have wanted out at Juventus since they were knocked out of the Champions League by Porto.

Speaking on how Ronaldo would be a good move but also why Wolves don’t need someone like him, Bull told FFC:

“I can’t see why he would want to come to Wolves unless it’s a publicity stunt and he’s short of money.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/exclusive-andreas-sondergaard-wolves-premier-league” title=”Exclusive! Andreas Sondergaard talks all things Wolves”]

“If the rumour happens then it’ll be good for the club because it’ll be a massive PR buzz around the club, but we also don’t want that because we want players to come in and play for the club and stay.”

Wolves’ last big money signing was Fabio Silva from Porto when they paid £36 million for the 18-year old wh0 has scored just twice this season.

Since moving to Juventus Ronaldo has continued to showcase his goalscoring ability having found the net 75 times across three Serie A seasons.

Carlo Ancelotti could discover Everton’s next Tim Howard by unleashing Harry Tyrer after the academy goalkeeper earned vivid praise from West Ham United striker Mipo Odubeko.

The Toffees lost 2-1 away to the Irons on Monday afternoon after a second-half brace from Odubeko, but the 18-year-old found himself denied the treble by Tyrer.

Everton’s young up-and-comer clearly left an impression on the Hammers hopeful, who kept David Unsworth’s side in the game with a string of solid stops.

Tyrer started on the front foot by palming a Manuel Lanzini delivery out for a corner and stood firm to save a thumping header from Fabian Balbuena inside the opening twenty minutes.

Lanzini tried his luck with a free-kick approaching the break but Tyrer did well to get a hand on the 28-year-old’s swerving strike, and got down to stop a fierce hit from Odubeko inside the box early in the second period.

Odubeko unleashed another emphatic shot just after the hour mark that Tyrer had to do wonders to keep out, stretching well to keep the ball out from the bottom corner of his net. But he was eventually beaten when Odubeko rose highest at the back post to head home and soon had a brace from the penalty spot.

Tyrer’s string of saves may not have allowed Unsworth’s side to claim only their ninth win in 21 Premier League 2 fixtures this term, but offered plenty of promise for his future and praise from West Ham’s star U23s striker.

“I thought the Everton keeper was class. He got down to make a good couple of saves – shots that I thought would’ve gone in – but, obviously, I had to keep at it,” Odubeko said, via quotes by the Liverpool Echo (21/4, 07:43).

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-everton-news%2c-views-and-gossip” title=”Latest Everton news, views and gossip!”]

Ancelotti has clearly been impressed with Tyrer’s progress as well, with the Everton boss naming him on the bench for five Premier League fixtures plus two FA Cup ties this season.

Tyrer is yet to make his senior debut but has kept three clean sheets in 27 U23s games across all competitions over the past two campaigns, including shutting out League One side Burton Albion in an EFL Trophy clash at Pirelli Stadium last term.

Ancelotti now unleashing the academy stopper could see the Italian discover his side’s next Howard, who similarly earned lavish praise from rivals during his days at Goodison Park.

“He is a really experienced goalkeeper who has played many, many games in the Premier League,” David de Gea told ManUtd.com last year. “He is brave, quick around his goal and a great shot-stopper. He is a great keeper.”

Howard enjoyed a 10-year career with the Toffees after an initial loan spell from Manchester United for the 2006/07 campaign, in which he kept 134 clean sheets in 414 games across all competitions and even scored once.

Tyrer could one day occupy the same position between the sticks at Goodison Park with Ancelotti said to be searching for a potential Jordan Pickford replacement, and should look to see what the Crosby-born prospect has in his locker.

If not over the remainder of the current Premier League campaign, Tyrer has to be given his chance to impress in Everton’s pre-season plans or seal a loan switch in the summer market and gain valuable first-team experience that could see him become Ancelotti’s future number one.

AND in other news, Carlo Ancelotti could have Everton’s next Idrissa Gueye on his hands in a “terrific” academy talent…

Spezia Calcio’s Technical Director Mauro Meluso dealt Newcastle United a huge blow in relation to their rumoured interest in M’Bala Nzola over the weekend, when he told Citta Della Spezia what it would take to sign the Angola international.

Steve Bruce can forget any hopes of acquiring the Serie A star after the Toon reportedly agreed to hand Dwight Gayle a new three-year contract, to avoid the 31-year-old leaving St. James’ Park as a free agent this summer.

Gayle’s current £40,000-per-week deal was due to expire in June and the forward had been linked with Galatasaray as well as clubs in the Middle East, Europe and Major League Soccer, though is now expected to pen new terms with a lesser salary.

Newcastle opting to keep the £4.5m-rated attacker on Tyneside for another three seasons is likely a sign to the club’s financial outlook ahead of the summer market, with funds expected to be tight.

Yet United’s decision to tie Gayle down through to the summer of 2024 has been questioned, with former Leeds striker Noel Whelan left stunned.

“I’m shocked to hear he’s been given a new deal, because I do not think Steve Bruce will be there until the end of the year,” he told Football Insider. “Newcastle are deep in a relegation battle so to hand out contracts now, when everything is up in the air, I find that pretty bewildering.

“It is not as if he has been given much game time. How can you hand out a three-year contract to a player who has barely played, under a manager who might not be there? They might need that money to sign better players in the summer. It is really strange.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/the-latest-newcastle-news%2c-gossip-and-views” title=”The latest Newcastle news, gossip and views!”]

Gayle has scored once in 11 Premier League appearances after a delayed start to his season due to a medial collateral ligament injury, with the London-born frontman’s only strike to date coming in his first outing against West Bromwich Albion in December.

Bruce has also only fielded Gayle in the starting line-up on two occasions, and – as Whelan notes – retaining the 31-year-old could now impact Newcastle’s activity in the transfer market when better options may be available.

Nzola emerged as a potential option for Newcastle to target during the winter market, with reports by Club Dorla 46 and Calciomercato citing the Magpies and West Ham as leading candidates for the AC Milan and SSC Napoli target.

Spezia were reluctant to part with the Angola international at the time and managed to fend off all approaches, and have since seen the 24-year-old take his tally for the term to nine goals in 18 Serie A appearances.

Newcastle could potentially look to revive their interest at the end of the season, but any hopes of getting a deal done now appear dead in the water with Gayle in line for a new contract and with Spezia chief Meluso setting a high asking price.

“His market value? I have a number in my head, but it is difficult to say today,” he told Citta Della Spezia. “The price makes the question. But what I have in my head is very high.

“But the salvation of this season is of great importance on everything, the club’s assets depend on this. If we were to save ourselves, the players would have a greater value and they know it, they are aware of it.”

Spezia sit 15th in the Serie A table and seven points clear of the relegation zone coming out of the international break, thanks heavily to Nzola’s team-high return of goals. His strikes have directly influenced results against Cagliari Calcio, Bologna FC 1909, Napoli and UC Sampdoria.

Newcastle could yet revive their interest in the forward, described by his former coach Nicola Antonio Calabro as “very strong”, but the chances of getting would appear slim, especially given the financial commintent they look set to make to Gayle.

AND in other news, a “more than fantastic” 46-year-old is keen to replace Steve Bruce at Newcastle…

West Brom have had to wait all weekend, but they finally return to Premier League action tonight.

And the Baggies will be going into their encounter with Southampton at the Hawthorns in great confidence after dispatching Europe-chasing Chelsea in a resounding and shock victory last time out.

Sam Allardyce’s men put five past the Blues to bolster their hopes of surviving in the top-flight, though the Midlands outfit still remain some 11 points adrift with only six matches left to play.

A win this evening would certainly be another big boost in the right direction and Big Sam must turn to one man in his hour of need after his impressive exploits at Stamford Bridge.

Enter Callum Robinson…

On the Chalkboard

The 26-year-old has largely been a forgotten man at West Brom this season, starting only 15 times in the Premier League. In fact, his 53 minutes against Chelsea were his first since the start of February, when he struggled to make an impact against his former club, Sheffield United.

All four of his league goals this season may have come against the same side, but he cannot be ignored after tearing Thomas Tuchel’s side apart last weekend.

talkSPORT claimed he haunted the Blues ‘like Sergio Aguero’ whilst ex-England shot-stopper Paul Robinson lauded his performance “amazing” to Football Insider.

Despite coming off the bench for the injured Branislav Ivanovic in the 37th minute, Robinson was indeed the Baggies’ star-performer, scoring both his shots at goal.

The former Blades forward also managed to pull off two successful dribbles, as many as the silky Matheus Pereira – who played the full 90 – and as many as Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic combined.

Whilst only one player on the whole pitch could better his three key passes, an impressive feat considering he was barely on the pitch for an hour.

Evidently, he was a thorn in Chelsea’s side and he could well repeat those exploits against the Saints tonight – if Allardyce finally unshackles him.

Albion Journalist Adrian Goldberg believes the Baggies boss has “missed a trick” with the £13m-rated dynamo this season, he told ‘The Liquidator’ podcast:

“I just think they’ve missed a trick with Callum Robinson, and I’ve argued this point long and hard that he offers you something that Hal Robson-Kanu doesn’t up front, if only it’s a bustling energy and determination, but also as that goal proved he’s got real quality.”

It’s that sort of presence a desperate team needs, so he must start at the Hawthorns tonight. Robinson can once again be West Brom’s game-changer.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Steve Bull urges Baggies star to stick with West Brom this summer…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Dean Windass thinks that keeping their front-three fit could be the key to Tottenham’s top-four chances.

Jose Mourinho’s side looked down and out following five defeats across six matches in January and February, but three victories on the bounce before the loss to Arsenal has seen Spurs emerge as genuine Champions League contenders once more – they are currently six points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea.

Having thrashed Burnley and then scrapped past Fulham, Tottenham made it nine points in eight days after putting four past Crystal Palace to move within touching distance of Chelsea.

Harry Kane and Gareth Bale both scored twice, whilst the final piece of their attacking trio, Heung Min Son, grabbed his third assist in as many games.

And with those three all in outstanding form at present, Windass admitted that keeping them fit could result in Spurs finishing in the top-four, although they may have suffered a dent to that with Son Heung-min going off injured against the Gunners.

He told Football FanCast:

“Mourinho doesn’t take any prisoners, like Dier at the back, he’s made a few mistakes and he’s dropped him. The players know if they don’t perform then he will take you out. But I think if they keep Gareth Bale fit and the front-three fit, then I think they can get in the top-four.”

It’s all about momentum at this time in the campaign, and Tottenham have that in abundance at present.

Bale, Son and Kane have started together four times this season, and Spurs have managed maximum points in each of those games.

If Mourinho can keep those three fit for the majority of the run-in, then this year might end in glory for the north London outfit, only weeks after their season appeared to be petering out into a mid-table finish.