In Focus: Janssen heading back to Tottenham this summer

According to Milliyet, Fenerbahce are unlikely to offer on-loan Tottenham Hotspur forward Vincent Janssen a permanent move at the end of the season.

What’s the story?

Janssen joined Fenerbahce on loan from Tottenham back in September, with the Netherlands international due to spend the remainder of the 2017-18 campaign in Turkey.

The striker managed two goals and four assists in his first 11 league appearances for Fenerbahce, but he has been on the sidelines for the last two months with a toe problem.

It is understood that Spurs were hopeful of Fenerbahce signing the 23-year-old on a permanent deal in the summer, but according to Milliyet, the Turkish giants are shying away from a move due to the Dutchman’s injury problems.

As a result, Janssen is expected to return to Tottenham at the end of the season, but it seems that the striker is not in the plans of Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Does Janssen have a Tottenham future?

There was a lot of excitement amongst Tottenham supporters when the club paid £17m to sign Janssen from AZ in the summer of 2016.

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Indeed, the striker, who is valued at £9m by transfermarkt.co.uk, moved to England off the back of a 31-goal season with his Dutch club, and having also impressed for the Netherlands national team.

Janssen only scored two Premier League goals during the 2016-17 season, however, as he struggled to come to terms with the pace of English football.

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The forward then made one league appearance earlier this term before joining Fenerbahce once Fernando Llorente had made the switch to Spurs as back-up for Harry Kane.

Fenerbahce now seem unlikely to take up their permanent option on Janssen, and the 23-year-old will still have two years left to run on his Tottenham contract this summer.

Spurs will still hope to sell to another party, but much will depend on whether Janssen can get himself back on the field before the end of the 2017-18 campaign.

Three De Vrij alternatives Everton should consider this summer

According to the Mirror, Everton look set to miss out on transfer target Stefan De Vrij, with Manchester United now favourites to sign the defender.

The Dutch defender has been linked with a whole host of clubs this winter, as his contract is set to expire in the summer. Having had one of his best seasons in a Lazio shirt, De Vrij is keen on a move to the Premier League, most notably Manchester United.

Everton were linked with the defender last summer and in January, but may need to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements if it turns into a bidding war over his wages. The Toffees signed Michael Keane in the summer before adding Eliaquim Mangala in the winter window, neither of which have hit the ground running.

With some shambolic defensive displays away from home this season, it is essential that Allardyce adds to his defensive ranks this summer.

Here are three players they could target…

Kostas Manolas, Roma

Football – Soccer – AS Roma v Inter Milan – Italian Serie A – Olympic Stadium, Rome, Italy – 02/10/2016. AS Roma’s Kostas Manolas celebrates after scoring against Inter Milan. REUTERS/Max Rossi

Manolas could prove to be out of Everton’s price range, but given what they spent last summer it’s hardly absurd to think they might spend big at the back again. The Greek defender has enjoyed a good season for Roma, boasting more tackles and blocks per game than De Vrij.

Manolas is not the ball playing defender De Vrij is, but he would certainly be an upgrade on the current ranks at Goodison. Manolas would become totally unrealistic if Roma made the Champions League, but with Lazio and Inter both within two points of the Giallorossi that’s far from a given.

Alfie Mawson, Swansea

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Some fans may frown upon looking to teams below them for the solution to their defensive woes, but Mawson has had an exceptional season.

The English defender is enjoying a breakthrough year and is actually averaging more completed dribbles and passes per game than De Vrij. Besides his impressive ball playing ability, Mawson boasts a bravery that has often been lacking in the Everton back line and Premier League experience to go with it.

The 24-year-old has also grabbed three goals this season, so is a threat at set pieces. If Swansea get relegated, Mawson could be available for a cut-price deal.

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Benedikt Höwedes, Juventus (On loan from Schalke)

Höwedes would be a risky signing given his injury issues, having missed most of this season with muscle problems. However, if the Toffees could get him for a good price and keep him fit he could be the bargain of the summer.

He reads the game tremendously well and rarely loses concentration, so could bring the cool, experienced head to Goodison that they have lacked for so long.

He’s good with the ball at his feet and should be available for a decent price thanks to his injury history, so it really depends on how much of a gambler Big Sam is.

Tottenham fans are loving it after club is linked with Marco Reus move

According to reports in The Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur are considering making a move for Borussia Dortmund contract rebel Marco Reus, who has scored 91 goals in 194 matches for them, and Spurs fans are loving the link to the attacker.

The Mirror says that the 28-year-old is stalling on extending his current deal that is due to run out in 2019, as he waits to see how ambitious the Bundesliga giants are going to be in the transfer market this summer.

The Germany international, who has nine goals in 29 caps, has only recently returned from a long-term injury lay-off, but he has already scored two goals in three German top flight appearances, including the one in his side’s 1-1 draw with Augsburg on Monday night.

Tottenham supporters were quick to have their say on the rumour via social media, and while one said “this guy’s better than Bale”, another said “this is the sort of signing we should be making”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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Arsenal fans were delighted by Aaron Ramsey’s performance against AC Milan

Arsenal put their recent domestic woes behind them on Thursday night to produce an accomplished performance away to AC Milan in the UEFA Europa League.

With the pressure mounting on Arsene Wenger and his squad, a win against the Italian giants was crucial to give supporters belief they can win the tournament and qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.

Thanks to first half goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey, the Gunners did just that, taking a 2-0 aggregate lead back to the second leg at the Emirates stadium.

Supporters were delighted with the performance of midfielder Aaron Ramsey after another scoring turn, his seventh goal of the season.

With his contract up at the end of the season, his future at the Gunners is in doubt, but fans are hoping to see him sign a new deal and continue playing a major role in the first team.

Some even reckon he might be the best player at the club.

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They took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his Thursday night performance…

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Man United should never have re-signed Ibrahimovic

Veteran Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to leave Manchester United and move to MLS, according to BBC Sport. He should never have returned to the club in the first place.

What’s the story?

The report states that the Red Devils are happy to let the target man leave the club before the end of the Premier League season in order to allow him to make the move to America.

Ibrahimovic’s next destination has not been confirmed yet, and there has been no official announcement, but there has been reported intense interest from LA Galaxy.

The Swede enjoyed an impressive debut season in English football but a knee injury sustained near the end of last season, at home to Anderlecht, ended his campaign early and proved difficult to come back from at the stage of his career Ibrahimovic finds himself at.

United should never have brought him back to Old Trafford

Ibrahimovic’s first season at United was impressive in terms of goalscoring, no doubt about it.

He adapted to the physicality of English football well and his aura meant he was capable of intimidating many of his opponents in the Premier League.

However, his static style up front meant that United’s attacking play was often dire and allowed opposition teams to squeeze up the pitch, condensing the play.

His injury meant that Mourinho went out and got Romelu Lukaku, and with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in reserve, Ibrahimovic was simply not needed.

When both Ibrahimovic and Lukaku were fit, they made for a clunky, uncomfortable partnership. How many partnerships of two tall target men do you see, especially among European football’s elite?

In short, there were huge question marks over the Swede’s fitness, he was no longer first choice and he was incompatible with United’s new expensive striking recruit.

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That’s why splashing out on his expensive wages was a huge gamble, at best. At worst, it was a rare sentimental decision from Mourinho, wasting a spot in the squad and on the wage bill that could have gone towards a player who could have made a bigger impact.

Ibrahimovic deserves praise for having the desire to come back, but a more cynical viewpoint is that most players would recuperate if it meant earning hundreds of thousands pounds per week at an elite club where they’re not even playing.

His continued employment at Old Trafford was an error of judgement and he should have left for America in the summer. This is long overdue from United.

Sunderland fans attack Camp for awful performances

Sunderland fans are absolutely furious with Lee Camp after the goalkeeper’s horrendous display made life easy for Sheffield Wednesday on Monday.

There looked to be life in Sunderland’s season on Friday night as the Black Cats romped to a 4-1 win against playoff chasing Derby, but fans’ hopes were soon quashed by some horrific defending in Monday’s defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.

The Owls left the Stadium of Light with a 3-1 win, courtesy of goals from Lucas Joao, Tom Lees and Atdhe Nuhiu, but if truth be told they didn’t have to work all that hard.

Sunderland were actually the better team for large parts of the match, but some shambolic defending combined with Camp’s ability to make any cross look dangerous shattered their survival hopes.

The 33 year-old keeper, who started his career with Derby, joined from Cardiff in January, but has far from impressed fans.

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Despite a few great saves since the move, Camp’s struggles with balls into the box have frustrated fans, and been made even worse by the shaky defending in front of him.

Fans have been mercilessly attacking Camp for his performance, and some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…

Cahill’s performance against Southampton suggests his Chelsea career isn’t over

Gary Cahill’s first season as Chelsea captain – having replaced John Terry in the summer – hasn’t quite gone as planned.

The Blues have slumped from runaway champions to fifth – facing the very real prospect of Europa League football next season – and on a personal level, the former Bolton defender hasn’t featured as much as he would have liked.

Nevertheless, the defender – valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt – got the nod from Antonio Conte on Saturday as Chelsea played out a dress rehearsal for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton.

It looked as if Cahill’s return would turn into a nightmare as the Saints raced into a 2-0 lead and with just 20 minutes remaining, Chelsea were staring down the barrel.

Three goals in eight minutes turned the game on its head and Cahill’s numbers from the game are quite solid and he made a late claim to be in the starting 11 for the cup semi at Wembley.

Seven headers won and four clearances are the standouts as Cahill helped the Blues ride out a late onslaught but his other numbers also showed evidence of a man who wasn’t rusty and is ready to take his chance if he gets the nod at Wembley.

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Manchester City to hand Guardiola more than £100m for transfers, fans react

There has been no shortage of cash at Manchester City ever since Sheikh Mansour bought the club in 2009.

The Abu Dhabi-borm billionaire is a major reason why the Premier League club have become a powerhouse in England.

At the weekend, City earned their third league title in seven seasons after taking an unassailable 16-point lead.

Manchester United’s shock 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday officially handed their neighbours the crown.

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The joy came after a difficult week in which the club were knocked out of the Champions League by Liverpool in the quarter-finals and were beaten 3-2 by United at the Etihad Stadium.

With the league title wrapped up, attention now turns to the summer transfer window.

According to the Daily Mail, City’s hierarchy are prepared to put all their faith in manager Guardiola by handing him in excess of £100m to spent on new players.

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The publication claims that the club are likely to target a new central midfielder and a winger, but could end up recruiting four new faces before the window closes.

City fans have been giving their reaction to these reports on Twitter.

Forget Hernandez: Newcastle should instead seek to land this £13.5m-rated Championship ace

Newcastle United supporters have been pretty downbeat in the Transfer Tavern this week after seeing their team’s four-match winning run in the Premier League come to an end at the hands of Everton on Monday night.

Rafa Benitez’s men went into their clash with the Merseysiders off the back of beating Arsenal, Leicester City, Huddersfield Town, and Southampton in their preceding four games, a run which saw them breach the 40-point mark and thus all but seal their place in the top-flight next season. Yet they were unable to keep their impressive run going on Monday night as a Theo Walcott effort six minutes into the second half was enough to clinch all three points for Sam Allardyce’s side, thus leaving Newcastle tenth in the division.

As such, there have been many quiet Magpies supporters in the Tavern in the last few days, several of whom are hoping that their team can finish the season strongly to build momentum ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.

In the meantime though, there has been much for our resident Newcastle fans to discuss, not least recent reports linking their club with a move for Hull City striker Abel Hernandez.

And while the 27-year-old might well be a useful addition to Benitez’s squad, the Magpies must forget about a move for the forward and instead land £13.5 million-rated Championship star Tom Cairney (as per Transfermarkt).

Ultimately, while Hull’s Hernandez has been in fine form for the Tigers this term in netting eight goals in just ten appearances, he has suffered repeatedly from injuries in the last few years, hence his lowly appearance tally this time round.

Even his Premier League record, in which he has netted eight times in 49 games, isn’t horrendous, but it would be too big a risk for Newcastle to take given his injury problems over recent years.

Whereas they know exactly what they’d get with Fulham’s Cairney, who has without doubt been one of the best attackers outside of the Premier League in the last few years.

The 27-year-old inspired Slavisa Jokanovic’s side to the Championship play-offs last season with 13 goals and 11 assists for the Cottagers, and while his first half of this season was disrupted by injury, he has still managed four goals and five assists in their run to second place in the table.

Thus, it’s just a matter of time before the Scotland international makes the step up to the Premier League, and if Newcastle are keen to move to the next level themselves in the coming years, a peak and in-form Cairney can certainly help them with those aims.

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Ayoze Perez has performed much better recently for the Magpies, but one still senses that they need a number ten with greater attacking pedigree and an ability to make things happen out of very little – Cairney can do just that.

Obviously, it would be a risk given the 27-year-old hasn’t played much in the Premier League, but given his fine form for Fulham in the last few years, and indeed the age he is at, the Magpies must forget about Hernandez and instead focus their efforts on luring Cairney to St James’ Park.

Newcastle fans… what do you think? Let us know!

HYS: Where should Xherdan Shaqiri move this summer?

According to various reports, Stoke City winger Xherdan Shaqiri has a €14.5million (£12.75m) relegation clause in his contract – but who should sign the Swiss international?

Stoke City were relegated on Saturday courtesy of their 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace, and there will surely be multiple Potters looking to leave the club this summer.

West Ham fans have been discussing the possibility of signing Shaqiri and teammate Jack Butland, but the Swiss winger has been linked with a whole host of Premier League clubs.

Though Shaqiri certainly struggles with consistency, he possesses an absolute star quality that very few players have, so plenty of managers will be queuing up for the relatively low £12.75m release clause.

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The Hammers and Toffees have both been linked with moves for the 26 year-old, who has eight goals and six assists in 35 league appearances this season.

Both clubs could be going into next season under new management, so it would be no surprise to see them swoop for some new talent to freshen up their squads.

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One would have to think West Ham have the upper hand, as the Swiss man could relish the opportunity to link up with former teammate Marko Arnautovic.

So, Everton and West Ham fans, where would Shaqiri be the best fit? Let us know by voting in the poll below…

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