Spartak Moscow midfielder Sofiane Hanni has told Belgian publication Sport Foot that heard Everton, as well as Southampton, were interested in signing Quincy Promes in January.
What’s the word?
The Spartak winger was linked heavily to the Saints throughout the winter window, but a move was never agreed.
Mauricio Pellegrino’s side have lacked flair up front this season, and Promes would have certainly provided that.
While speaking to Sport Foot, Hanni, who joined the Russian club in January, revealed that a bid in the region of £26m was rejected.
He also suggested that Everton were in the market for Promes, who has scored 10 goals and created six assists in 17 league matches this season.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Everton vs Swansea City – Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain – December 18, 2017 Everton manager Sam Allardyce Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for
Will Everton, Southampton reignite their pursuit?
Promes is an attractive option for any time in need of an injection of pace and creativity.
This summer’s activity for Everton and Southampton will depend upon how their seasons finish.
However, the Toffees strengthened their attacking ranks in January with the arrivals of Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The Saints recruited Guido Carrillo, but there is still a sense that an attacking presence is missing.
Last month, talkSPORT reported that Promes has a £31m release clause, which means that the club could not stand in the winger’s way if the valuation is met.
If it ends up being about money, then Southampton could struggle to match the financial clout of Everton.
Arsenal are undoubtedly part of the top six. The question that this season’s league table is posing, however, is if the cartel of big clubs at the top of the table should be more accurately described as a top five instead.
The Gunners have been through a traumatic few months. From last summer’s deadline day depression to Alexis Sanchez’s eventual departure via some terrible away form, Arsenal have taken some time to get used to their new position as a side who are competing in the Europa League for only the second time this century.
The Premier League table bears it out quite strikingly: Arsenal are in no-man’s land, seven points adrift of fifth place and nine ahead of the bunched-up pack below.
But modern football is a results business. Arsene Wenger had four trophies available to him at the start of the season and whilst he’s already out of two, winning the other two would have been seen as a very successful season. On the basis that the Premier League title was always going to be beyond the Gunners this season, and that winning three of the last four FA Cups hasn’t purged the sense of decline, the only two trophies it was really possible to win are the two in which Arsenal are still alive.
[ad_pod ]
With Ostersund dispatched easily, Arsenal look forward to a League Cup final which – after Manchester City’s unlikely exit from the FA Cup at the hands of League One’s Wigan Athletic on Monday night – now looks more winnable than it did immediately after the semi-finals. Whereas City looked irresistible in their quest for four trophies this season, they now have a veneer of mortality and a touch of the Typical City about them, too.
The Gunners won’t be favourites, but they’ll take heart from their FA Cup semi-final victory against the Blues last season and a decent record at Wembley despite losing the north London derby at the national stadium just a few weeks ago.
A combination of an optimism-inducing transfer window and progression to a final has seen the mood shift. Although January’s transfer dealings failed to address any of the systemic failings in the squad (the lack of a defensive midfielder or another reliable centre back), Arsenal now feel as though they are on the up.
But defeats away to Swansea City and Tottenham have left the Gunners adrift of the top five and they now have to ask themselves an interesting question: are they now what we used to call a ‘good cup team’?
Soccer Football – Premier League – Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal – Wembley Stadium, London, Britain – February 10, 2018 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger as Henrikh Mkhitaryan is substituted REUTERS/David Klein EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representa
A side unable to keep the pace in the marathon that is the league, but who are better at the short sprints of the cup competitions are ‘cup teams’, flaky sides more reminiscent of Spurs back in the day than Arsenal.
And that’s the interesting point – the Gunners, under Wenger, have always been about the long term. Building something from the ground up was always the underlying principle even if it hasn’t always worked in the last decade.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
In recent years though, they’ve taken some scalps in the cups – City and Chelsea last season and Antonio Conte’s side again this season. The Arsenal manager wouldn’t be your first choice if you had to pick one man to lead your team into a one-off game, but here he is, a cup specialist.
Sunday isn’t the important one. If Arsenal win the Europa League, their season will be deemed a qualified success whether they win the League Cup or not. But beating Manchester City on Sunday, finishing sixth, and failing to make the final of their European competition would be a very ‘new Arsenal’ way to end the season in glorious failure.
That is to say, a very Spursy way of cementing their place as a modern day cup team.
Vincent Kompany has been at Manchester City for the whole experience.
From Thaksin Sinawatra’s ownership to the club’s purchase by the oil rich sheikhs of Abu Dhabi, from Robinho to Kevin De Bruyne, he has seen it all.
This season has been a particularly hard one for the Belgian centre-half though, as he has seen his playing time cut short by three separate injuries.
Throughout it all, Kompany is still City’s captain on the pitch and in spirit, and his importance to his side is underlined by his performance on Sunday in the cup final – as he scored a goal and kept a clean sheet.
The 31-year-old club veteran is still struggling for match fitness, and has played only one Premier League game since being sidelined for four matches with a wound injury.
With the visit to the Emirates on Thursday fast approaching and Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones capable of filling the gap, should manager Pep Guardiola rest his injury-maligned defender as he fights his way back to full fitness?
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Manchester City fans, have your say by voting below…
Ahead of the huge clash between Manchester United and Liverpool, we asked you who Jose Mourinho should start at left-back for the game between second and third in the Premier League.
With Daley Blind injured and Matteo Darmian having fallen far down the pecking order, the two men in the frame to be tasked with stopping Reds flier Mo Salah are Luke Shaw and Ashley Young.
The more experienced Young is not a natural full-back but has been getting the nod in recent weeks, despite Mourinho calling Shaw one of the best in the world in his position in January.
The former Southampton man – valued at £13.5m by transfermarkt.co.uk – made a cameo appearance as United eventually overcame Crystal Palace 3-2 on Monday night, replacing Young who had endured a poor match.
The majority of United fans want Shaw to get the nod from the start and be given the hugely important task of keeping Salah quiet while also overlapping Alexis Sanchez when he comes inside.
Indeed, 80% of Red Devils fans want to see the 22-year-old on the pitch from the off tomorrow and you can check out the results of our poll in full below…
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Leeds United announced on Wednesday that Bobby Kamwa had signed his first professional contract with the Championship club.
Kamwa, who has been in impressive form for Leeds’ Under-18 team this season, has signed a contract with the Whites until the summer of 2020.
Jack Clarke and Clarke Oduor have recently put pen to paper on professional contracts with Leeds, and now Kamwa has been handed a deal at Elland Road.
[ad_pod ]
It would be fair to say that the Leeds supporters have been a frustrated bunch in recent weeks due to the team’s poor form, but they have recently been boosted by the news that Spanish attacker Pablo Hernandez has opened contract talks with the club.
The fans have now been reacting to confirmation that Kamwa has penned a two-and-a-half-year contract with Leeds, and many are looking forward to seeing the 18-year-old in action for the first team.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
A selection of the Twitter reaction in relation to the contract news can be seen below:
As reported by The Daily Record, Ross McCrorie is targeting an imminent return to the Rangers first team, also admitting their recent form hasn’t been good enough for supporters.
What’s the story?
The defender performed consistently well in the first half of the season whether deployed as centre-back or as a defensive midfielder, but has been out of action since the 0-0 draw against the Hoops in December.
Now though he’s looking to play against Dundee this Saturday ahead of next week’s mammoth semi-final against Celtic, where he wants to help deliver success that he feels Rangers fans deserve.
As quoted by The Daily Record, McCrorie said:
They deserve a lot more than what we have been showing.
Hopefully things will pick up soon. And when you play Celtic there’s always a huge incentive. We’ve not won the Scottish Cup since 2009 and Celtic have been winning the league, so I’d love to give the fans a trophy. They deserve it.
I’ve been training since last week and I was hoping to get a bit of game-time last weekend. That never happened, so hopefully this weekend I can get some game-time and if I can feature against Celtic then that would be great.
Can the 20-year-old help the Light Blues defeat Celtic?
[ad_pod ]
How big is his return?
It’s easy to forget that McCrorie is still in his debut season at Ibrox and that he’s only started 15 times for the club. Helping keep five clean sheets in that period, including one against Celtic, it’s clear he adds defensive stability to the side when selected.
Fans will be hoping his early burst of form can be replicated when he returns from a lengthy injury lay-off. The likes of Bruno Alves and Russell Martin have failed to impress recently, frustrating supporters.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
McCrorie’s performance in the last match against the Hoops was impressive and if he can reach those heights again at Hampden they have a chance.
For the final six games of the season he’ll be crucial too, with the top six gauntlet set to be a particularly tricky one for Rangers as they target finishing ahead of Aberdeen and Hibernian.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Borussia Dortmund are in pole position to sign Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer this summer.
What’s the story?
Ajer has emerged as perhaps the most talented defender at the Hoops this season and was recently rewarded with his first international caps for Norway.
Now it appears his potential has been noted by some big clubs.
TEAMtalk reckon that Borussia Dortmund have already made contact with Celtic about potentially signing the player this summer, but also face competition from English Premier League outfits Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton and Watford.
The website say Celtic could make a huge profit on the player, who was signed for just £500,000 from Norwegian side Start.
[ad_pod ]
Is he likely to leave?
It seems unlikely that Ajer will be leaving any time soon.
Perhaps not coincidentally, Celtic were reported this week to be nearing a breakthrough in contract talks with the teenage defender, an indication that they’re eager to fend off interest from clubs in bigger leagues circling for his signature.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
If he signs a new contract as expected, then interest from other clubs is not something Celtic need concern themselves with for a season or two at least.
Still just 19, his immediate future is best served at the Hoops, who can offer him far more football than the teams reported to be interested in him, even if they are clubs that have a track record of nurturing young talent.
According to reports, West Ham will battle Everton and Crystal Palace to sign Xherdan Shaqiri this summer, and fans can’t decide on the wing wizard.
Whether or not David Moyes is still at West Ham next season, the 1-1 draw with Stoke on Monday night showed exactly how much creativity the Hammers are lacking.
The return of Manuel Lanzini will certainly aid the attack, and if Javier Hernandez can find form up front they could form a deadly partnership with Marko Arnautovic.
However, Arnautovic has played his best football as a striker this season, and Hernandez does not seem to be in Moyes’ plans, so it is no surprise to see the Hammers linked to players like Shaqiri.
[ad_pod ]
The Swiss international has been one of Stoke’s better players this season, and the report claims he will force a move from the club if the Potters get relegated.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Despite his occasional brilliance though, some fans are concerned about his inconsistency and work ethic, and therefore are hoping the Hammers look elsewhere.
Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
Newcastle goalkeeper Matz Sels claims his Magpies’ career is not over, but Newcastle fans have been quick to disagree with the 26 year-old.
It’s been a wonderful couple of months on Tyneside, so much so that players now practically begging not to leave the club!
Matz Sels joined the Magpies in 2016 but made just nine appearances for the club.
The Belgian goalkeeper was loaned out to Anderlecht last summer, and has of course now fallen down the Newcastle pecking order thanks to the remarkable form of loanee Martin Dubravka.
Everything looks in place to make the Dubravka deal a permanent one, but Sels insists his time at Newcastle is not over.
[ad_pod ]
“I want to know if the club wants to keep me. But I have not closed the chapter on Newcastle. I remain very grateful to Rafael Benitez for hiring me,” Sels told Belgian magazine SportFoot.
I have to wait. I depend on Newcastle’s project, to which I remain bound for several years. I have not had news in a few months but I do not let it get in my head. As soon as the club has ensured their stay in the Premier League, which seems well started, they will contact me.”
Sels has played 22 league games at Anderlecht, shipping 29 goals and keeping eight clean sheets.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
While 29 goals in 22 games isn’t a terrible record, it’s certainly not good, and fans have been quick to say the goalkeeper has no place on Tyneside.
Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
Per The Daily Mail, Newcastle are interested in signing Hull City forward Abel Hernandez when his contract with the Championship club expires at the end of the campaign. It’s been a strange season for the 27-cap Uruguayan. On the one hand, he’s notched up eight goals in as many league starts; on the other, he’s missed the vast majority of it through injury.
And it appears the majority of Newcastle fans share the club’s interest. When we asked them if they’d back a summer deal for Hernandez, 59% of those who took part in our poll voted yes. But does the South American attacker represent a shrewd piece of business for the Magpies, or should they steer well clear? Football FanCast take a look at three potential consequences – some good, some bad – of Newcastle swooping for the Tigers front-man this summer.
Adam Armstrong’s development is stifled
Armstrong’s spent the vast majority of his senior Newcastle career out on loan, but at the age of 21, the young forward needs to make an impact at first-team level for the Magpies sooner rather than later. Ending the season with a solid loan spell at Blackburn Rovers, netting nine times in 16 League One starts, the timing certainly feels right for Armstrong to step up, carrying that confidence and form into next season.
However, starting opportunities will be even more limited on Tyneside than they already are should Hernandez move there this summer. Rafa Benitez could still have Dwight Gayle, Ayoze Perez and Joselu to choose from as well, potentially placing Amstrong at a lowly fifth in the striker pecking order.
Islam Slimani deal isn’t made permanent
Slimani’s loan spell with the Toon has hardly been a resounding success anyway, but any move for Hernandez would suggest Newcastle aren’t interested in signing the Algerian striker permanently – and that will disappoint some Magpies fans. Although his overall influence has been limited, Slimani’s shown glimpses of what he can offer this Newcastle team in terms of physical presence up front, and Leicester’s seeming keenness to sell had thrown up the prospect of a reasonably-priced summer deal.
It’s unlikely Newcastle will want to sign both though; in addition to Slimani’s potential transfer fee, there’s also the wage bill to think about.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Everton v Newcastle United – Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain – April 23, 2018 Newcastle United’s Islam Slimani in action with Everton’s Morgan Schneiderlin Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please c
Newcastle rest scoring hopes on injury-prone player
Scoring goals has probably been the biggest problem on Tyneside this season, with only five Premier League teams netting fewer than the Magpies’ 35. That’s obvious why they’re targeting Hernandez, but the Uruguayan striker comes with huge risk in terms of injuries, having made more than 26 league appearances during just one of his four campaigns in England. Even during the current seasonn, Hernandez was sidelined from August until March with a ruptured Achilles.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
It’s taken a huge toll on Hull City’s season, the Championship side only just moving clear of relegation bother, and could have an even more debasing impact on Newcastle’s 2018/19. After all, their survival hopes for next season will take a huge blow if the 27-year-old limps off during the first few games and isn’t seen again until the end of the season. Even if Hernandez’s next injury isn’t quite so severe, Newcastle are still putting a lot of faith in one injury-prone player.