All posts by z3u9t.icu

Some Liverpool supporters are unhappy about a rumour claiming Kostas Tsimikas could be loaned out to Inter Milan this summer.

The Greece international arrived from Olympiakos last year, with Jurgen Klopp seeing him as an ideal backup option to Andy Robertson.

Tsimikas endured a first season to forget for Liverpool, however, finding himself dogged by injuries and featuring sporadically, at best.

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In fact, the left-back was limited to just six minutes of Premier League action, such were his struggles and lack of availability.

According to Calciomercato [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], Inter are eyeing up a loan move for Tsimikas this summer, seeing him as someone who can boost their squad options.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-copy-3/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

Liverpool fans react negatively to Tsimikas rumour

It isn’t a rumour that has gone down too well with some Liverpool supporters, however, with a number of them taking to Twitter to say he should stay put ahead of next season.

“This doesn’t even make sense”

Credit: @Kea_IsTheName

“Nah I think he can become a really good player especially with wanting to give Robbo a break”

Credit: @LiverpoolFan_20

“No way he’s immediate option to Robbo”

Credit: @MazimuOmbele

“Not unless we get a player back”

Credit: @lfcmrashid

“Hell no”

Credit: @John92121476

“Do not allow this to happen, he’s going to rip up Serie A you just know it’s going to happen”

Credit: @Rsvpchuki

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting to the Reds’ rumoured interest in one exciting player. Read more here.

It was a transfer that many expected to happen – Emiliano Buendia got his move away to a bigger Premier League club in Aston Villa but Norwich City legend Jon Newsome believes that his former side will already have a replacement lined up.

The move may have boosted Daniel Farke’s summer budget, unlike the last time they were in the Premier League when the Canaries spent just £7.9 million, however the German is not going crazy with Buendia’s replacement set to cost them just £3.2 million as they are targeting Armenian international, Norberto Briasco.

Briasco has been plying his trade in Argentina and with the Canaries reportedly willing to meet Huracan’s asking price he could be set for a switch to the Premier League, but they are facing competition from Boca Juniors, although the Argentine club are only willing to pay £1.6 million.

Norwich have certainly become a selling club in the last few years with some top-class young players departing which means they are always working on their next targets, and they will have some earmarked to replace Buendia according to Newsome, whos spoke exclusively to Transfer Tavern:

“The way that Norwich City have done their business, undoubtedly they’ve got players earmarked and they will have already identified targets.

“The question is, do they go again and bring in another player that Daniel Farke can coach and invest his time and energy into to make him a better player.”

Having money in their pockets can only be a good thing for the Canaries as they are likely to spend wisely and not do what Fulham have done in recent years, bringing in almost a totally new squad to try and stay up.

Norwich already have a solid base squad with the likes of Tim Krul, Grant Hanley, Max Aarons and Todd Cantwell more than capable of performing in the top flight, and to a higher standard than they did during the 2019/20 season which saw them finish rock-bottom.

Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita could be set for an imminent Anfield exit after failing to produce his best form since arriving on English shores.

What’s the story?

According to Spanish outlet AS (via Sport Witness), the 26-year-old’s agent has offered his client to La Liga giants Atletico Madrid in an attempt to find him a new club this summer.

Keita has two years left to run on his current contract at Liverpool, but injuries and a lack of form (seven goals in 76 appearances) have seriously hampered his progress with Jurgen Klopp’s charges.

Klopp must axe him

The Guinea international joined the Reds in a £52.75m deal from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig back in 2017 but was allowed to remain at the Red Bull Arena on loan for a further 12 months.

After an encouraging maiden campaign on Merseyside, making 33 appearances in all competitions as Liverpool won the Champions League, Keita has struggled to make an impact since.

A miserly 16 Premier League starts since the beginning of 2019/20 has seen the African star fall down Klopp’s pecking order, although the impending departure of Gini Wijnaldum appeared to bring some fresh hope for the attack-minded maestro.

With the Dutch international set to join Barcelona on a free transfer over the coming months, a sizeable gap in the Liverpool engine room will need filling, and Keita may have been expected to be given a final chance to prove his worth.

However, that prospect now looks unlikely, with reports suggesting the club’s hierarchy are keen to offload a rare expensive flop purchased during their reign.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone is thought to be an admirer of the £120,000-per-week midfielder, and the six-time European champions are keen to take advantage of that admiration.

With Klopp reportedly needing to sell some fringe players to fund a rebuild of his first team squad, the German must ruthlessly axe Keita this summer in order to made improvements to his stuttering Liverpool squad.

Although Keita has put in a handful of top-quality performances over the last three campaigns, those displays have been few and far between, and he’s been unable to perform to the required standard on a consistent basis since his arrival.

Liverpool won’t be able to recoup the fee they paid for the former RB Salzburg man, but he should still fetch a significant price, allowing Klopp to reinvest and catapult his side back towards a title challenge next season.

In other news… Bye-bye Shaq: Liverpool should soon unleash their Shaqiri heir, he’s a “special” gem 

West Bromwich Albion have been handed a boost to their chances of keeping Sam Johnstone at The Hawthorns this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Claret & Hugh, who claimed that West Ham United’s reported interest in a move for the Baggies goalkeeper is wide of the mark, as David Moyes thought to be prioritising the signing of a centre-forward, a centre-back and making Jesse Lingard’s deal a permanent move this summer.

Meanwhile, the Watford Observer also reported that Watford are not interested in a move for the 28-year-old in the upcoming transfer window, despite numerous links with the player for who West Brom are believed to be demanding a fee of £20m to sell.

Fans will be delighted

Considering just how impressive Johnstone has been for West Brom since joining in a £6.62m move from Manchester United back in 2018, reports that the two clubs most heavily linked with a move for the goalkeeper no longer appear likely to make a move for him this summer is sure to delight Baggies fans.

Last season in particular, Johnstone was in remarkable form over his 37 Premier League appearances, helping his side to keep six clean sheets as well as averaging 4.5 saves and 0.4 successful runouts per game.

These returns saw the £28,000-per-week shot-stopper earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.03, ranking him as the Baggies’ second-best performer in the top flight last term, behind only Matheus Pereira.

As such, if West Brom are able to hang on to the ‘keeper who Sam Allardyce dubbed “magnificent” ahead of their upcoming Championship campaign, Albion’s chances of securing an immediate return to the Premier League would appear to be significantly increased, which should please everyone involved at The Hawthorns.

In other news: Major West Brom managerial update emerges which will have fans buzzing

Liverpool are interested in signing Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn this summer as they search for Gini Wijnaldum’s replacement.

What’s the story?

According to well-respected journalist James Pearce, “the interest from Liverpool is very real” in the Scotland international after his impressive 2020/21 campaign.

However, his price tag may be a major stumbling block. McGinn signed a new five-year contract back in December and as such, Aston Villa are expected to demand a £50 million fee, meaning the Reds would have to sell some fringe players to fund this deal.

Fans should be buzzing

With Wijnaldum set to join French giants Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, Jurgen Klopp is believed to be in the market for a new central midfielder over the coming months.

Several big names have been linked with a move to Anfield, including Saul Niguez, Nicolo Barella and Renato Sanches, but Liverpool’s interest in McGinn appears to be the most concrete.

While the 26-year-old may not carry the same excitement and intrigue as the aforementioned stars, he’s proved his quality in the Premier League over the last two campaigns and Klopp was reportedly impressed with his performance in Villa’s 7-2 thrashing of the Reds last season.

At £50m, McGinn is arguably a transfer target that doesn’t make much sense for Liverpool. The 19-time English champions are working on a restricted budget this summer, and better value for money deals are there to be had.

However, director of football Michael Edwards has forged an enviable reputation for his transfer negotiations in the past, and if he can get that figure down, then the club’s supporters should be buzzing at their interest in the former Hibernian man.

He’s a very different player to Wijnaldum, though, and his potential arrival on Merseyside would perhaps be seen more as a long-term replacement for the ageing James Milner than for Wijnaldum.

McGinn has thrived in a box-to-box role at Villa Park, utilising his energy, tenacity and ball carrying skills to great effect, winning possession back for his side before dragging them up the pitch.

Wijnaldum was tasked with keeping things simple in possession, bringing an element of control to Liverpool’s midfield, but with Thiago now up to speed and more than capable of fulfilling that role, McGinn could add a new set of skills to Klopp’s charges.

If Edwards can use his negotiating skills to get McGinn’s asking price down, he’d be a very good addition, one that Liverpool fans should be excited to see in a red shirt.

And, in other news…Paul Gorst drops major update over six Liverpool stars, fans will be buzzing

Norwich City are considering a deal to bring Sebastiaan Bornauw to Carrow Road this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Sky Sports (via Football League World), who claim that Stuart Webber has made the addition of a new centre-back his priority for the Canaries this summer, with the 1. FC Koln defender high on his list.

It is thought that the sporting director would like to bring an improvement on Daniel Farke’s current options in the heart of the Norwich defence of Ben Gibson, Grant Hanley and Christoph Zimmermann ahead of City’s Premier League campaign.

Bye-bye Zimmermann

Considering just how impressive Bornauw has been in the Bundesliga this season, it is unsurprising to hear that Norwich are considering a move for the 22-year-old.

Over his 24 league appearances thus far, the £10.8m-rated defender has made an average of 1.7 interceptions, 1.2 tackles and 4.2 clearances per game, as well as winning an average of 4.3 duels per game and helping his side to keep five clean sheets.

The Belgium international has also proved a threat going forwards, with the defender managing to find the back of the net on one occasion, as well as providing one assist.

Bornauw’s range of passing also appears to be impressive, with the £12k-per-week man making an average of 31.2 accurate passes per match, as well as 3.8 accurate long balls and two accurate chipped passes in each of his appearances.

These metrics have so far culminated in the 22-year-old earning a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.90, ranking him as Friedhelm Funkel’s fourth-best performer in the German top flight – with only the second leg of Koln’s relegation play-off against Holstein Kiel left to play this term.

Indeed, the option of Bornauw in the centre of the Norwich defence would appear to a considerable upgrade on Zimmermann, with the 28-year-old having made an average of 0.5 interceptions, 0.5 tackles and 2.4 clearances per game over his 22 Championship appearances, seeing the German earn a seasonal Sofascore match rating of 6.73 – ranking him as City’s joint ninth-worst performer in the second tier.

As such, it would be highly advisable for Stuart Webber to act on his reported interest in the Koln man this summer, as the 22-year-old would seem to have both a much higher ceiling than that of Zimmermann, as well as already representing a better option for the club in their upcoming Premier League campaign.

In other news: Norwich dealt huge transfer blow over marauding 9-assist dynamo, Farke will be gutted – opinion

Manchester United are interested in bringing back Aston Villa goalkeeper Tom Heaton back to Old Trafford.

That’s according to The Telegraph’s reliable Midlands football reporter John Percy.

Heaton came through the United academy but didn’t make a senior appearance for the Red Devils before leaving permanently in 2012.

Now they’ve apparently identified him as an experienced deputy to Dean Henderson if David de Gea leaves the club in the summer.

Injury cost Heaton Villa no. 1 spot

Heaton missed almost the entirety of 2020 with a cruciate ligament injury.

He sustained the damage in a New Year’s Day clash with Burnley and didn’t return to the Villa squad until Boxing Day.

The 35-year-old was the team’s no. 1 prior to that injury but Emiliano Martinez now has the spot tied down and isn’t going anywhere soon – the former Arsenal man is the club’s third-best performer according to Whoscored (excluding players with less than five appearances).

Percy also reports that United could look to bring back Sam Johnstone as competition for Henderson, but West Bromwich Albion are demanding £20million, hence the interest in the cheaper option of Heaton.

Fan feed Villa Report relayed the news, and here’s how fans reacted.

These Villa fans react to Heaton to United rumour

“He’s no2 here, why join a club where he’s going to be no2, strange one”

Credit: @steveparkes1958

“Don’t understand the move. Makes no sense other than to sit on another bench? I love Heats, but I question the move.”

Credit: @amc89avfc

“Doesn’t he want 1st team football??”

Credit: @fokkos2

“Heaton is far too good a keeper to be back up..deserves to be playing every week”

Credit: @jd70000

“It’s useless, Heaton won’t get a place in the starting XI”

Credit: @aku_kentank1

“Don’t know how I feel about this. If he’s going to leave just to be a back up elsewhere I’d want him to stay”

Credit: @TheChillVillan

In other news, Villa have been named as favourites to land this Premier League star.

Leicester City’s top four chances took a huge blow on Friday night with a 4-2 humbling at the hands of Newcastle United.

Despite having been widely fancied to claim all three points and bolster their bid for a Champions League place, the Foxes turned in a horrendous defensive showing in falling to defeat to the Magpies.

Goals from Joe Willock and Paul Dummett put Newcastle in charge before a brace from Callum Wilson extended the visitors’ advantage. Marc Albrighton and Kelechi Iheanacho managed to reduce the deficit for Brendan Rodgers’ men late on but the damage had already been done.

One of the main culprits for Leicester’s awful defensive showing was Turkish centre-back Caglar Soyuncu.

Starting alongside Wesley Fofana and Timothy Castagne, the 24-year-old was utterly disastrous throughout the game. His match started off horrendously as he almost conceded a penalty by tripping Wilson on the edge of the box in the first few minutes.

It then got even worse in the most harmful way as he attempted a turn in defence, only to be robbed by Willock, who then went on to score past Kasper Schmeichel.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-leicester-city-news%2c-transfer-rumours-and-more-abraham-demrial-maddison-rodgers-mckennie” title=”Latest Leicester City news, transfer rumours and more…”]

Soyuncu’s game did not improve, either. Of the seven duels he attempted, he only won one according to SofaScore – a shocking rate considering he was effectively the senior centre-back in the Leicester defence.

Within that, he was extremely rash, conceding three fouls during the game – a number which was not worsened by any player on the pitch.

It was not just in his defensive work that Soyuncu was shocking. He was also routinely guilty of wasting the ball, having lost possession on 12 occasions – only two of his team-mates were more careless on the ball.

Considering that the former Freiburg man is rated at £36m by Transfermarkt, his performance against Newcastle was certainly not befitting of that valuation.

AND in more news, Brendan Rodgers is set to stay at Leicester according to Brian Deane…

Following the departure of Georginio Wijnaldum, Liverpool will be set to make a big splash in the transfer market, and former Reds star Paul Stewart believes that Youri Tielemans could be the man for them.

Even before his memorable winning strike in the FA Cup final Tielemans was becoming one of the Premier League’s best midfielders because of his ability on the ball, but reports have suggested that Leicester may struggle to keep him amid Liverpool’s interest in the midfielder.

Jurgen Klopp trusted Wijnaldum to carry out instructions to a tee after signing from Newcastle United in 2016, with the Dutchman making 237 appearances in all competitions, but Tielemans could be the heir to the throne.

After yet another impressive season in the league, Brendan Rodgers will be hoping to keep all of his squad together as well as adding a few more additions, but Stewart would like to see his former side sign Tielemans as he told Football FanCast exclusively:

“He’s been excellent all season and I’ve watched him play and he’s another player that I really admire.

“I think Tielemans would really enhance their squad and he’d walk straight into the team because he is someone with massive quality and ability.”

Liverpool will be looking to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title next season when the likes of Jordan Henderson, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are all back fit and ready to play.

If they did manage to sign Tielemans then that would offer Klopp some frightening options in midfield with Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago and Curtis Jones already at the club.

A number of Liverpool fans have been sticking up for Mohamed Salah, urging the club to offer him the new deal he deserves.

The Reds have had a season to forget, failing to defend their Premier League crown and losing six games in a row at Anfield at one point.

Numerous individuals have dipped below their previous level, from Andy Robertson to Sadio Mane, and injuries have been a huge issue.

Someone who has delivered once again is Salah, however, with the Egyptian superstar scoring 28 goals, in all competitions, carrying the attack at times.

The 28-year-old’s future continues to be discussed, with the forward not yet signing a new Liverpool deal and flirting with a potential move to Spain.

According to The Athletic‘s Simon Hughes, Salah is not actively looking to leave Anfield, but he is ‘concerned’ that the club ‘might see the future differently’ to him.

Liverpool fans urge club to give Salah new deal

These Liverpool supporters took to Twitter to show their support for Salah, saying a new contract has to come his way fast.

“If they don’t give him higher wages, then no one else deserves it. Our best player, yet he’s treated so badly”

Credit: @TudorManole2

“He should be our highest earning player. Simple as that”

Credit: @PeterMu22774482

“Offer him a 2 year deal, is it so hard?”

Credit: @Thabangxro

“Carried the club all season, shouldn’t even be a problem”

Credit: @1CraigFisher

“Give him what he wants”

Credit: @curtjonesszn

“Is he not on leading wages?! Surely at this point the club has to accept he’s top top draw and if he hasn’t already been on ‘leading’ wages, the club have got away with it for 4 years and now need to pay the piper”

Credit: @iantook

In other news, an ex-Liverpool player has revealed he was ‘petrified’ in one match he played in. Find out who the individual in question is here.