All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Crystal Palace are keeping tabs on Falkenbergs ace Matthew Garbett, according to The Sun.

The Lowdown: Garbett profiled

Garbett, who can play as an attacking midfielder, right-winger or centre-forward, has just 18 months remaining on his deal with the Swedish side.

The 19-year-old has made 26 appearances for Falkenbergs after joining in January 2020 and is currently at the Olympics with New Zealand.

He is thought to be one of the most sought-after teenagers in Europe, and it seems as if Patrick Vieira’s Palace are interested in the 6ft 1 ace.

The Latest: Palace not the only club keen

According to The Sun, Palace, along with newly-promoted Brentford and Watford, are tracking the forward.

The report adds that scouts of all three interested sides were impressed with Garbett after he helped his country to the quarter-finals of the Olympics.

The Verdict: Building for the future…

Vieira has already made five additions to his squad, three of whom are 21 years of age or younger.

Garbett seems to fit the bill if Palace are looking to build for the future, and he could play in two positions where Vieira reportedly wants to add too.

According to Sky Sports’ Transfer Centre (July 29, 14:33), Palace still want to sign another defender, winger and striker this summer.

It appears as if they may have competition for the London-born forward, though, so they may have to act quick to win the race.

In other news: ‘Parish out’, ‘Relegation’ – Many Palace fans react to Matt Woosnam’s transfer claim. 

Fulham have received an offer for troublesome centre-forward Aboubakar Kamara.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Sky Sports Transfer Centre (via Football League World), who claim that Greek Super League club Aris Thessaloniki have made a bid worth over £4m for the 26-year-old Fulham striker.

The report does not mention whether chairman Tony Khan has accepted the bid, or indicate whether the Cottagers are open to selling the Mauritania international this summer, although it is stated that Kamara is under contract at Craven Cottage until the summer of 2024, suggesting Fulham are in a strong negotiating position regarding their rarely-seen forward.

Kamara must go

Having joined Fulham from French side Amiens SC in what was a £5.35m move back in 2017, it would seem a fair assessment to make that Kamara has not quite lived up to expectations in west London.

Indeed, having featured a total of 93 times in all competitions for the Cottagers, the 26-year-old has scored just 17 goals and provided six assists for his teammates, with the vast majority of these goal involvements coming in the Championship.

Last season, the £1.8m-rated striker was incredibly disappointing over his 11 Premier League appearances for Scott Parker’s side, scoring no goals, registering no assists and creating no big chances, in addition to mustering an average of just 0.2 shots on target per game and missing one big chance for his side.

These metrics saw Kamara earn an average SofaScore match rating of 6.36, ranking him as Fulham’s fifth-worst performer in the top flight of English football, with Parker subsequently allowing the £21k-per-week forward to move on loan Dijon FCO for the second half of the campaign.

His time at Craven Cottage has been regularly been marred by controversy too, emphasising just how bad he’s let the club down for several years.

As per the Daily Mail, there was that infamous penalty incident with teammate Aleksander Mitrovic in December 2018, which led to a fight behind the scenes during training at a later date. He was also arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm at club’s training ground in 2019 and even refused to train before his loan exit in January this year.

As such, considering the miserable returns Kamara has brought Fulham, if the club have indeed received a bid of around £4m for the striker whom Claudio Ranieri once claimed he “wanted to kill,” as well as labelling the 26-year-old’s actions in one game as “unbelievable,” it would appear highly advisable for the club to get rid of the striker as quickly as possible this summer.

In other news: Forget Parker: Khan could transform Fulham by hiring 52 y/o gem with a 47.8% win rate

Many Wolves fans have been left to buzz as a transfer update emerged on Lee Kang-in.

As per Super Deporte, the Midlands club are currently watching the Valencia ace along with a whole host of other teams in Europe.

The La Liga side are open to selling him in the summer window, with the Molineux faithful knocking on the door for his potential signature.

Transfermarkt currently value him at £13.5m, but he could be sold for lower than his market value.

Given that he is just 20 years of age, and a number of top European teams, including the likes of Atletico Madrid, Fiorentina, Milan and Napoli are also interested in signing him, the Wanderers should seriously consider pouncing on what could well turn out to be an absolute bargain.

Wolves fans on Lee transfer update

These WWFC supporters buzzed as the transfer update was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that the South Korea international would be a ‘steal’:

“See this is content we like to see Dave”

Credit: @cal_wolvesfc

“Huge dub”

Credit: @amreik

“Looks like a steal for around £10 mil”

Credit: @Joe_Callow_

“Straight swap with Mir I reckon….Poss we have to give a bit of £££. Left footed, creative, would be class in the role Lage played Joao Felix in at Benfica”

Credit: @dmarsden1988

“I love this guy, he’d be a great signing. Really talented dribbler and passer, offers creativity and plenty of dynamism, and on the cheap – would be a great signing for us. #wwfc”

Credit: @SamJGollings

“The scenes”

Credit: @Oli_Dorr

In other news, find out which £25.8m-rated ace Wolves are ‘leading the race’ to sign here!

As another day comes and goes, West Bromwich Albion’s search for a new manager rumbles on, with the Baggies being linked to yet another new name who could potentially take up Sam Allardyce’s mantle at The Hawthorns.

In a hunt that has seen Guochuan Lai rejected more times than a blackout Take Me Out contestant – with Roy Hodgson, Frank Lampard, Michael Appleton, David Wagner and Tony Puils all reportedly unmoved by West Brom’s admiring glances – the Baggies owner appears to quickly be running out of options to find the club’s perfect managerial match – or is he?

TEAMtalk have reported recently that the Chinese businessman has turned his attention closer to home – to the Chinese Super League, to be exact – with the Henan Jianye FC manager, Javier Pereira, now thought to be a front runner for the job in West Bromwich.

Lai is risking fury

While an explanation may not be required as to why appointing a manager who finished bottom of the Chinese Super League Group A last season could be considered something of a risky move by Lai, it is worth outlining anyway.

Having left his role as Fulham’s assistant head of football operations in order to take over at Henan Jianye in September of 2020, the 55-year-old oversaw 14 regular league games at the Chinese club last term, winning one, drawing three and losing 10 of his fixtures in charge, with his side scoring 14 goals while conceding a whopping 33.

These results saw the Spanish manager’s side finish five points behind Dalian Pro at the foot of the Group A table, however, due to the play-off relegation system they have in the Chinese Super League, Henan Jianye rather remarkably avoided dropping out of the top flight, beating Tianjin Jinmen Tiger – a side who finished bottom of Group B on just three points – over three legs to earn a stay of execution.

Indeed, things do not appear to have picked up for Pereira’s side this season either, with Henan Jianye once again being rock-bottom of their division after four games played.

As such, with the above being the 55-year-old’s only experience in football management, we would argue that his record doesn’t particularly scream of a coach who could take the Baggies back to the Premier League at the first attempt – something that will undoubtedly be the expectation of Lai next season.

So, if the club’s owner really does want to avoid the wrath of the West Brom fanbase – something that we are finding extremely questionable at present – it would be highly advisable for Lai to turn his focus back towards a more suitable candidate for the job, or else West Brom could find themselves in a very similar situation to when they were under the leadership of Pepe Mel back in 2014.

In other news: Lai could have just made his biggest West Brom mistake to date, fans are rightly livid

The agent of Franck Kessie has revealed Tottenham are interested in signing the midfielder, and he could leave AC Milan this summer.

The Lowdown: Spurs prepare for new season

Spurs went through a difficult campaign last term, finishing in seventh place in the Premier League and therefore only qualifying for the Europa Conference League.

Qualification for the new UEFA competition means the Lilywhites must prepare their squad for a gruelling term with travel to some rather unorthodox away days, and so it will be no surprise to see Fabio Paratici target quality depth in this summer’s window.

The Latest: Spurs eye Kessie

Speaking to TuttoMercatoWeb, Kessie’s agent Massimo Brambati has revealed Spurs’ interest in the 24-year-old. He said:

“Having a contract expiring in 2022 with an important player, one of Milan’s strengths, is a danger. Here too there is a basic error.

“Now he is the one who has the knife on the side of the handle and can decide what is best for him and not for the club.

“I know that in addition to Inter there are also two Premier (League) teams on him, one is Tottenham. “

The Verdict: Top target

There is no doubt about it – Kessie would be a top signing for Spurs. The 44-time Ivory Coast international has made 184 appearances for Milan, scoring 30 goals and providing 15 assists (Transfermarkt).

He has also been compared to compatriot and former Manchester City star Yaya Toure by Antonio Cassano, who also called him “devastating” (sempremilan.com).

Kessie would set Tottenham back a considerable fee – he is valued at £49.5m (Transfermarkt), but he does only have one year left on his contract, so perhaps there is the chance for Paratici to work some negotiating magic there.

They would also have to beat Inter, last term’s Serie A champions, to his services. However, if they were able to capture the central midfielder, he could prove to be an inspired signing.

In other news, Spurs lead the race for this Serie A star striker.

Writing on Twitter, journalist Bruno Salomon, Paris-Saint Germain correspondent for Radio France, has shared what he has been told ‘internally’ regarding the rumours of Tottenham Hotspur talks for Mauricio Pochettino.

The Lowdown: Tottenham in talks for Pochettino…?

This morning, huge news emerged regarding the future of Pochettino and Tottenham’s hunt for a new manager.

Indeed, The Athletic first reported that Spurs and their former favourite are locked in talks over a sensational return to the club and Pochettino is attracted by the idea of a return to north London.

However, it will be very difficult to pull off given the 49-year-old still has one year left on his PSG deal and the Ligue 1 giants do not want the upheaval of another manager change.

The Latest: PSG journalist drops behind-scenes update

Writing on Twitter, Salomon, PSG correspondent for Radio France, has claimed he has been told ‘internally’ that the Pochettino to Spurs rumours are in fact ‘false’.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/all-things-spurry/” title=”Spurs news and gossip!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

“On this rumour of Pochettino who could not stay at PSG (because of the desire for a return to Tottenham or the freshness of relations with Leonardo or even departure at the request of Doha), I am clearly told internally that it is false,” he explained (translated via Twitter).

The Verdict: Blow for Tottenham…?

Given the noise surrounding Pochettino’s possible return to Spurs, information from this reporter could be a slight dampener on the mood in north London.

However, he is just one source and the managerial landscape can change very quickly – with Lilywhites supporters possibly hoping that the Argentine’s return to north London is indeed on the cards.

It has been said that Spurs want a manager in the image of Pochettino, so who better than the man himself?

If he can secure a sensational reunion with the Lilywhites, it’s safe to say the appointment would be big, but don’t get your hopes up just yet Tottenham fans.

In other news: Spurs now want to sign this ‘nearly unplayable’ ace, find out more here.

Manchester City will reportedly consider a move for West Ham talisman Declan Rice this summer, and the England international could be the ideal replacement for Fernandinho should he depart.

According to The Times, City will consider a move for the 22-year-old midfielder if the Brazilian decides to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The 36-year-old has put in some inspired performances of late and was superb in City’s 2-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain which sealed their spot in the Champions League final in midweek, which emphasises that he still has the ability to play at the very top.

However, the Brazilian, who reportedly earns £150,000 per week at the Etihad Stadium, is currently set to leave in June and it seems clear that Pep Guardiola will want a ready-made replacement for next season.

Although they already have Rodri available in that position and the Spain international has been the first-choice there for most of the season, he cannot play in every game, especially if City are in a similar position next term in competing for multiple trophies and therefore have two games a week regularly.

Therefore, a move for Rice would make a lot of sense, as he has established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League in recent years and could prove to be an ideal long-term replacement for Fernandinho.

So far this season, the former Chelsea youngster has made 29 appearances in the top flight, contributing one goal and one assist and averaging a solid 7.02 WhoScored rating for his performances.

Rice has been a driving force in West Ham’s push up the league, which has left David Moyes’ side competing for a Champions League spot with just a few games of the season remaining, which is a remarkable achievement when you consider their struggles last term.

The Englishman also emphasised his class in recent World Cup qualifiers, averaging a 7.72 WhoScored rating across his two appearances against Albania and Poland.

Although he certainly wouldn’t come cheap, with Transfermarkt valuing him at £54m, his performances in recent seasons have suggested that he could definitely establish himself as a world-class midfielder in the future, especially under the tutelage of Guardiola.

Therefore, City sporting director Txiki Begiristain should definitely look to sign the “outstanding” Rice this summer if Fernandinho departs, as he could prove to be the ideal replacement for the former Shakhtar Donetsk man.

In other news… Man City signing beast Pep dubbed “world class” would surely be bad news for “fantastic” gem

Many Glasgow Rangers fans were livid with comments from Scottish National Party staffer Rosa Zambonini following their Premiership title celebrations.

The Gers fans and players certainly enjoyed themselves this past weekend. The Ibrox outfit won 4-0 at home against Aberdeen on Saturday to complete their unbeaten Premiership season (BBC) and they were awarded the trophy after the game.

As such, thousands of Gers fans took to the streets to celebrate. While there was some trouble – 20 people were arrested (firstpost.com) – the celebrations were generally peaceful.

The players also let their hair down after what has been a long season. A video was shared online of the squad celebrating at a bar – something which enraged Zambonini.

She suggested that it was a slap in the face to the hospitality industry as the Gers were able to attend a drinking establishment while weddings, funerals and birthdays remain restricted. What she appears to have conveniently overlooked is that the video was taken inside Ibrox, and all of these players are part of the same bubble.

She shared her comments on Twitter and, as you can imagine, she attracted the wrath of many Gers supporters.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about the comments from Zambonini

“This smacks of utter desperation! Grasping at ANYTHING to be Anti Rangers. This is at Ibrox where these players have been eating and drinking together since the start of the season. They have also done exactly the same on our European away fixtures.”

Credit: @carolstrach

“Get it up ye”

Credit: @RangersCentral3

“Get a grip”

Credit: @donzcop

“Bitter.”

Credit: @TheWorthingRed

“The pain is glorious”

Credit: @Sneddon0472

“I look forward to an apology from the SNP for poor planning and creating a lawless society over the last decade. Shameful.”

Credit: @camtrublue

In other news, Steven Gerrard teases this transfer update.

Ben Jacobs has dropped a fresh claim on piracy issues and their effect on the potential takeover of Newcastle United and the pending arbitration case.

The Lowdown: Piracy of Premier League games

It was reported by The Guardian back in June of last year that the World Trade Organization (WTO) had ruled that the pirate service beoutQ was being run in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which was responsible for the broadcasting of illegally streamed football games, including ones from the Premier League.

The top flight eventually decided to reject the deal between Mike Ashley and the KSA group, with the piracy issue thought to be a reason in them doing so.

An arbitration case between the division and the St. James’ Park faithful has since been set up over the failed bid, and the issue of piracy will surely be heavily discussed.

The Latest: Jacobs on piracy and potential affect on takeover

Jacobs, a sports journalist and digital expert, who has been following the whole takeover saga very closely, has since given his thoughts on the piracy issue and how much it could affect the final results of the arbitration hearing and in turn what it could mean for a potential revival of the takeover.

Jacobs claims that ‘piracy is relevant’ in terms of the bigger picture of the takeover, adding that the North East club are ‘arguing separation to stop it being considered’.

The journalist also claims that the PL ‘would be in a strong position to reject the consortium’ if the Saudi state have to be tested for separation as per the Owners’ and Directors’ Test (ODT), which he says that the Tyneside club are arguing for in order to stop piracy being considered.

Jacobs adds that the league ‘don’t want to sell to those who stole their rights’, thus it is ‘imperative’ that the Magpies win their arbitration case because of the piracy issue.

The Verdict: Piracy issue appears crucial

Piracy is certainly an important issue to consider in terms of whether the potential takeover can be resurrected or not.

As Jacobs outlines, the Premier League will not want one of their own teams in the Toon being taken over by the consortium if the KSA are still illegally streaming matches from the top flight.

It is vital that NUFC can argue that the KSA’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) are a separate entity from the Saudi state, which would in turn eliminate the possibility of piracy being considered.

The pending arbitration hearing will no doubt give a clearer picture over the direction of where the potential takeover is going, but the piracy issue is likely to be a factor that could even decide the entire ordeal, and thus one that Newcastle fans will need to pay close attention to in the coming months.

In other news, find out which ‘shining light’ NUFC are in pole position to sign here!

Finance expert Kieran Maguire believes Celtic’s search for a new manager will step up a gear over the coming days.

That’s because Dominic McKay will begin his role as the Hoops’ new chief executive on Monday.

McKay, who will replace Peter Lawwell when he retires in the summer, will join the club earlier than planned.

He was scheduled to link up with Celtic in July, however, he will now move to Parkhead earlier than planned to ensure a smooth transition.

The Hoops are yet to announce a long-term replacement for Neil Lennon, and Maguire, talking to Football Insider, believes that process will ‘accelerate’ over the coming days.

“Things will accelerate when they get the new chief exec in.

“He’ll be wanting to interview and recruit people who he knows he can work with on a partnership level and a leadership level.

“The quicker he arrives, the quicker those decision can be made.

“Clubs already have their plans in place for summer recruitment. So to have left it to 1 July as was originally planned would have made the summer activity more difficult.

“So it makes sense to get him in as soon as possible.”

Transfer Tavern take

We agree with Maguire’s comments regarding the club’s hunt for a new manager. It makes perfect sense for McKay to have a major say on the next boss, as he’ll have to work closely with whoever it may be in the long run.

Fergal Harkin will also have to be fully on board with the managerial appointment. The Irishman looks set to become the club’s new director of football and could well be a key figure going forward.

McKay, Harkin and the new boss appear to be the key men in a Parkhead rebuild, and, following McKay’s Monday arrival, we may see things start to progress.

In other news: Hoops keen on signing £57k-p/w ace this summer in deal for Odsonne Edouard, find out more here.