All posts by z3u9t.icu

Flocking to Twitter, a number of Manchester City fans have been left excited by a claim involving Paris-Saint Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.

City have got their Premier League title defence off to a solid start despite their brief injury scares and dropped points away to Tottenham and at home to Southampton.

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Indeed, the Sky Blues have just come off the back of a crucial 1-0 win away to European champions and title rivals Chelsea, with Gabriel Jesus scoring the only goal at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Now, it appears that City supporters have more to celebrate as a claim emerges involving Mbappe and Pep Guardiola’s side.

According to reporter Duncan Castles on The Transfer Window Podcast, it is said that the club have now been given a ‘mandate’ to sign the France forward and that they want him at ‘any cost’.

Flocking to this claim, many fans have been left excited by the prospect of signing the 22-year-old, who has scored 163 club career goals so far – check out some of their verdicts below.

Man City fans excited by Mbappe claim…

“IT’S HAPPENING”

Credit: @NoMoreWxrds

“Bring him to City ASAP”

Credit: @Nathan6ii

“Stop teasing me….”

Credit: @dameue3

“get him home please”

Credit: @Erlipson6

“I hope this is true”

Credit: @Dieguitocity

“Yesssssssssssssss”

Credit: @Kevin57197624

“FINALLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY MANIFESTATION COMING TRUE!

Credit: @MichaelNana

In other news: ‘Most underrated player in our squad’…lots of Man City fans wowed by star’s ‘best performance ever, find out more here.

Former player Steve Howey believes that Southampton are going to want a huge fee for midfielder James Ward-Prowse. 

The Saints captain played in all Southampton’s Premier League games last season, as well as making five FA Cup appearances and one Carabao Cup match, scoring nine goals and setting up a further seven.

Ward-Prowse only extended his contract last year with Southampton but has attracted the interest of Aston Villa this summer. Villa saw a bid of around £25m rejected for the Saints man last month according to Sky Sports, with Saints Extra claiming this week that the Midlands outfit are expected to return with a second offer, believing the England international could cost them up to £50m.

Steve Howey believes that the Saints will want to command a much higher fee for Ward-Prowse, telling Football FanCast: “I think they’d want a lot more than that, I think you’d be looking to double that possibly for him.”

Southampton have been active in the transfer window already this summer with four new signings. Theo Walcott, Tino Livramento, Romain Perraud and Dynel Simeu have all arrived at St Mary’s, and after Danny Ings departed the club for Aston Villa, talkSPORT understands that the Saints have enquired about the availability of Tammy Abraham on loan.

Many Everton fans have been left reacting to some transfer news that has emerged on Donny van de Beek.

Speaking on FIVE (via EFC DAILY), Italian football journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that the Goodison Park faithful are ‘still interested’ in the Manchester United midfield player after wanting him at the end of August, and the deal could be an initial loan with in January with an option to buy in the summer transfer window.

Van de Beek has struggled to get regular game time at Old Trafford, as he has only managed to play in a mere five matches in total over all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt), so there would certainly be question marks over his sharpness if he made the move to Merseyside.

However, that is not to say that he is not a quality player on his day, emphasised by his time at Ajax, where he managed to score 41 goals and make a further 34 assists in 175 appearances (Transfermarkt).

Everton fans on van de Beek transfer news

These Toffees supporters seemed split as the transfer news was shared on Twitter, perhaps unsurprising given his obvious quality but inability to break through in England so far…

“Would be a good signing imo, him on loan and Ramsey on a free pleaseee Everton, then sell Davies and Gomes”

Credit: @jayhammefc

“Yes please”

Credit: @taylor_davies77

“VDB needs a new lease at life and would solidify the 3rd piece in our midfield. I’m not quite sure how we could pull it off but it would be great business”

Credit: @1878_Shirts

“He can’t get a game in United’s midfield over Fred and McTominay”

Credit: @KevinGillen8

“No. He’s the same as Klaassen. Not strong enough and quick enough for Premier League. It’s easy when you’re at Ajax, the opposition let you have the ball and you have that confidence of having the ball in Europe competitions. In PL under Rafa especially he will struggle.”

Credit: @SatFlora

“I fear that he maybe another Davy Klaassen. Hope he proves me wrong if he does come.”

Credit: @SG_Ramon

In other news, find out what transfer news has Blues raging here!

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left fuming after two new managerial candidates  for the Ibrox hot-seat emerged in the form of Ronald Koeman and John Terry.

As per Football Insider, the Scottish champions have now ‘set their sights’ on the aforementioned two names as a potential replacement for Steven Gerrard, who has left to join Aston Villa in the Premier League.

A source from the Light Blues has revealed to the news outlet that they both ‘feature highly’ on the club’s wish list, as director of football Ross Wilson is ‘leading the search’ for a ‘high profile’ coach to take charge.

Koeman’s most recent job at Barcelona ended badly, being sacked last month after leaving them in ninth place in the La Liga table (The Guardian), while Terry has never been a club’s main manager before, having most recently been assistant to Gerrard’s predecessor Dean Smith at Villa.

Therefore, it is not a surprise at all to see so many Rangers fans being opposed to either appointment.

Rangers fans on Koeman and Terry manager news

These Gers fumed as the manager news was shared on Twitter and begged Wilson to disregard both candidates:

“We are going to over complicate this aren’t we? Just go get Gio, Mr Wilson!”

Credit: @CF3Loyal

“Ross Wilson gives me the fear. Just get Gio in and give the fans what they want”

Credit: @chrissyr8289

“Wrong Dutch guy Mr Wilson”

Credit: @baigriec

“Read the room Ross Wilson.”

Credit: @BedsBucksRSC

“Koeman… can’t see it. Terry, just no.”

Credit: @jaayfc

“You’ve got the Netherlands mangers mixed up pal”

Credit: @JacobMcArthur18

In other news, find out how these Gers supporters reacted to Gerrard leaving

Everton winger Bernard is ‘heading closer’ to leaving the club amid interest from three countries, according to the Liverpool Echo. 

The lowdown

The Toffees signed Bernard from Shakhtar Donetsk ahead of the 2018/19 season on a free transfer.

He’s gone on to make 84 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists (via Transfermarkt).

Last season, he was limited to just three Premier League starts, with a further nine appearances off the bench (via WhoScored).

Bernard has only a year remaining on his contract at Goodison Park and is valued at £10.8million by Transfermarkt.

The latest

Talks over the potential departure of the 28-year-old are said to be ‘ongoing’.

A club in the United Arab Emirates are keen on the Brazilian, who also has suitors in both Greece and Russia.

The report adds that the likely move will see Everton clear one of the ‘top earners’ from their wage bill – he is rumoured to be on £120k per-week, which is over £6m per-year.

The verdict

This deal makes sense for Everton. It will be a considerable boost to their coffers, and it won’t hurt them all that much on the field given the feeble impact he made last season.

Perhaps Bernard hoped that the change of manager at the club might yield more opportunities, but the reality is that he hasn’t done enough to be starting matches.

He’s a player who’s only shown rare glimpses, and his record for direct goal contributions is far from inspiring.

In other news, fans react to a potential incoming. 

Fans have flocked to social media to condemn Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings, after his violent bodycheck against Austria went viral on Twitter.

England started their European Championships warm-up campaign successfully, defeating Austria 1-0 in a friendly at the Riverside Stadium [BBC].

For Aston Villa fans in particular, the fixture held considerable significance as stars Jack Grealish, Ollie Watkins and Mings all featured in the narrow victory [Evening Standard].

But while Grealish was perhaps the star of the show, Mings ended up being the main talking point in an otherwise unremarkable fixture for the Three Lions. Facing his own goal, the 28-year-old made a frankly outlandish challenge which went unpunished.

As Saša Kalajdžić made his way into the England penalty area, he was firmly halted in his tracks by a flying elbow from the Villa defender which crumpled the forward in a heap on the turf.

As you can imagine, loads of fans from all corners of England took to social media to crucify Mings after the footage emerged on social media.

 Fans react to Mings footage

Here are what some onlookers had to say about the incident:

“Well played but try not to elbow people in the face during the tournament yeah”

Credit: @TheAsgardian

“Shoutout the Austrian guy u killed in the box mate”

 Credit: @ItzChilly

“even as a villa fan i cannot stand him so clumsy if he does this in the tournament it goes to var and its a penalty just got to pray he never plays”

Credit: @Davozzs

 “Not fit to wear the shirt”

Credit: @GFewings

“Embarrassing, stick to battlefield”

Credit: @alexfranklin__

“Mings is a shocking liability. That’s an assault and a penalty”

Credit: @petelovesleeds

In other news, Aston Villa have been linked with a shock swoop for a proven striker.

Jack Grealish is the last player Manchester City needed, says Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge.

Grealish joined City from Aston Villa earlier this month after the Premier League champions decided to smash the British transfer record to add him to their squad in a stunning £100m deal.

The 25-year-old joins a side that already boasted the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden, leaving City well stocked in those midfield and attacking positions.

Ultimately, given that they already had some very good players in those areas, Bridge has questioned whether going all out for Grealish was the right decision.

“Jack Grealish is a very, very good player. We know that,” the Sky Sports reporter said to TT. “But he’s probably the last player the club needed in terms of position. They’re absolutely overloaded with creative midfielders.”

Following Sergio Aguero’s departure, where City look light is obviously up front. They have been trying to sign Tottenham striker Harry Kane, but that pursuit now looks to be over after the England captain’s recent statement.

Could the Grealish money have helped City to reach Tottenham’s asking price or funded a move for another world-class forward like Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe? Perhaps, but what’s done is done.

Liverpool have agreed a deal to sell wantaway forward Xherdan Shaqiri to French outfit Lyon.

What’s the story?

According to Sky Sports, a final fee of £9.5m (€11m) has been approved by both clubs, with the Switzerland international expected to arrive at the Groupama Stadium imminently.

Shaqiri revealed in a recent interview that his wish to depart Liverpool in search of regular game time had been granted by the club’s hierarchy and now he appears set for a switch to Ligue 1.

Fans will be buzzing

The 29-year-old forward arrived at Anfield back in 2018 for a £13.5m fee thanks to a relegation release clause inserted into his contract at Stoke City.

During his time on Merseyside, Shaqiri helped Jurgen Klopp’s charges claim the Premier League title and Champions League crown. However, a string of niggling injuries meant he played a very limited role in the club’s success.

Over the last couple of campaigns, the diminutive attacker has started just seven Premier League games, contributing to only three goals in the process.

Shaqiri’s reduced playing time led to increased speculation that the former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan ace would seek pastures new this summer, with Klopp keen to offload several fringe players to boost his limited transfer budget.

And it appears all parties are set for a happy conclusion. Although the creative talent has produced some memorable moments for Liverpool on the pitch, his unreliability often frustrated the supporters, and a large section of the fans will surely be buzzing to see him depart.

The substantial fee generated from his sale may allow the club to bring in just their second signing of the summer, even though a direct replacement now appears unlikely.

Sky’s report claims: “Liverpool have been planning for Shaqiri’s inevitable exit for the past 12 months, sanctioning Harvey Elliot’s loan to Blackburn to give him much-needed game time and the platform to see if he could perform week in week out in senior football.

“Game time in the Premier League and FA Cup is also likely to be filled by Kade Gordon, who has emerged as a rising star over pre-season, whilst there are high hopes for Elliott performing on both the Premier League and Champions League stage.”

Therefore, a central midfielder, to succeed the departed Gini Wijnaldum, seems more likely to be targeted than an extra winger.

Shaqiri’s exit may be met with some regret by the fans who may think ‘what could have been if not for the persistent fitness concerns?’ but if Director of Football Michael Edwards uses the proceeds well, it’ll be a celebrated deal, especially now that the Swiss star’s exit will free up a place for a non-homegrown player in the Reds’ squad.

And, in other news…Liverpool receive double selection boost pre-Burnley, Klopp will be delighted 

Celtic have been warned to move quickly or risk losing out on Peterborough United striker Siriki Dembele.

Noel Whelan, formerly of Aberdeen, discussed the potential transfer with Football Insider.

The lowdown

24-year-old Dembele scored 11 goals and provided 12 assists in 45 appearances for Peterborough as they secured automatic promotion from League One.

Overall, the striker has netted 25 times and set up a further 28 goals in 122 outings for The Posh.

Dembele is about to enter the final year of his contract at the Weston Homes Stadium, and the club’s Director of Football Barry Fry doesn’t currently expect him to commit to a new deal.

According to Football Insider, Celtic are one of many clubs eyeing him.

His younger brother, Karamoko, already plays for the Hoops, but arch-rivals Rangers are said to be in the hunt, along with Fulham and Crystal Palace.

Dembele is a supremely versatile forward. He’s just about played the majority of his games as a centre-forward, but has also notched 26 combined appearances as a left-winger and attacking midfielder.

The latest

Whelan reckons it would be good business for Celtic but cautioned that ‘goalscorers don’t hang around’.

“There’s no doubt they need new strikers in there,” he said.

“If you can get a player on the cheap who is a good standard and will do very well in the Scottish Premiership, it’s a no-brainer.

“But they have to get a manager in there to get a deal done as quickly as possible.

“Goalscorers don’t hang around too long and god forbid you don’t want Rangers swooping in there and beating you.

“They need to get things in place before you start buying players. The manager is the priority.

“He can bring his players, you can’t judge him if he fails with someone else’s players.”

The verdict

Dembele probably shouldn’t be viewed as a replacement for Odsonne Edouard, were the Frenchman to leave, because he’s not really an out-and-out number nine.

But his versatility would make him a valuable asset to any of his suitors and he’ll surely be available for a relatively small fee given Fry’s public admission over his contract.

Clubs are bound to pounce on bargains of this nature, but Celtic feel like a club in limbo at the moment, almost paralysed until they finally resolve this managerial uncertainty.

In other news, Danny Mills made this claim about John Kennedy.

Sunderland provided a huge response following their midweek stalemate with Plymouth Argyle by taking an impressive 5-1 victory from Cambridge United yesterday.

Alex Neil and his team are now on a 12-game unbeaten run, with the Scottish manager only losing once since he arrived at the club in February, and they now find themselves fourth in the League One table albeit only one point safe in the play-off position.

The Black Cats put in a phenomenal attacking performance that was boosted when Cambridge went down to ten men in the 12th minute of the game, with Lloyd Jones getting red-carded awarding their hosts a penalty which Ross Stewart scored to make it 1-0 a minute later.

Sunderland were dominant throughout the game holding 75% possession, making ten more shots on target and over 400 more accurate passes than their opponents on Saturday afternoon.

Elliot Embleton, Danny Batth and Nathan Broadhead all joined Stewart in getting on the scoresheet delivering five goals in total, and Embleton, in particular, was an absolute force in the attacking threat his team imposed on Cambridge and offered an unrivalled presence.

The 23-year-old who was labelled “complex” by former manager Lee Johnson, made an impressive 141 touches, 113 accurate passes, four key passes and was successful in the majority of his long balls and crosses (12/21).

Embleton has been integral in Sunderland’s play-off charge as of late and has delivered in the moments when it has been needed most, grabbing his opportunities to impress his new manager following a lack of game-time since the Scotsman took over at the Stadium of Light.

Neil had been playing the midfielder off the bench, but he has now finally integrated him back into the starting eleven over the last two games following an assist to the last-minute winning goal against Gillingham and scoring the winner against Oxford in the final moments in the following game, with his contribution earning the Black Cats six points in just 27 minutes of play.

The fight for a play-off place isn’t over with the North-East club safe by just a point with one game in hand over their competitors inside the top six, and with no room for error in the last two games, Sunderland must continue their unbeaten form to boost their chances of potential promotion.

AND in other news: Speakman howler: SAFC may now be on the verge of repeating brutal Hugill disasterclass