Newcastle Eye Swoop For £236k-p/w La Liga Star

Newcastle United will surely be in the market this summer to continue their pursuit to build a team that can compete for trophies next season and now a new potential transfer target has been revealed.

What's the latest on Newcastle's interest in Ansu Fati?

According to popular Spanish news outlet SPORT, Newcastle are one of the Premier League clubs interested in snapping up the services of the Barcelona forward this summer.

As per the report, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal join the Magpies in their interest in securing the signature of Fati with a potential exit being lined up for the star due to a lack of game-time.

As such, agent Jorge Mendes is scoping out suitors who could offer his player a better future.

Could Ansu Fati be an Allan Saint-Maximin upgrade?

There is no doubt that Fati is one of Europe's hottest young prospects and if the power brokers at St James' Park could pull off the perfect deal to land the Spanish sensation it would be a huge upgrade on Allan Saint-Maximin.

When comparing the two dynamic forwards over their season so far, Fati has outperformed Newcastle's winger for goals scored (6 v 1), assists registered (4 v 3) pass completion rate (84% v 69.6%), goal-creating actions (9 v 6) and progressive passes received (148 v 88).

It is no secret that Newcastle have struggled to kill off some of their important fixtures with a clinical attacking threat – tallying up 11 draws so far and missing out on the opportunity to add some silverware with no goals scored against Manchester United at Wembley in the League Cup either.

As a result, the signing of the £236k-per-week whizkid – hailed "magic" by Eric Garcia – could be the answer to gaining more consistent form in front of goal to really bring their dreams of dominance and trophies to life.

Fati ranks in the top 5% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for non-penalty goals, shots in total, pass completion and touches, proving he is a huge attacking presence and one of the most consistent performers in his position across Europe.

Premier League, Newcastle United, Newcastle United news, Newcastle United latest news, Newcastle United transfer news, Newcastle transfers, NUFC news, NUFC latest news, NUFC transfers, NUFC transfer news, Ansu Fati, Eddie Howe, PIF

Not only that, the 20-year-old's versatility could be a valuable asset to Eddie Howe next season with the Spain international both experienced in the left wing and centre-forward role, giving Newcastle some crucial depth in their forward line.

With that being said, if PIF have the chance to sign up Fati this summer they should jump at the chance, as the youngster could play a key role in increasing the goal-scoring opportunities and ultimately, bringing future success to St James' Park.

Major FFP Charges Won’t Help Leeds Relegation Hopes

TalkSport journalist Alex Crook has claimed that Leeds United are unlikely to get a relegation boost amid the FFP charges aimed at Everton.

Will Everton's FFP charges help Leeds?

It was revealed this week that the Toffees have been referred to an independent commission amid an alleged breach of Financial Fair Play rules in the Premier League.

It is claimed that Everton may have broken the rules after they recorded losses of £371.8m over the last three years, when clubs are only allowed to lose a maximum of £105m over the same period.

Seeing as Leeds are just one place above Sean Dyche and co in the table with both teams on 26 points, some supporters may have been hoping a points deduction could help their relegation fight.

However, while talking about the situation on TalkSport, Crook explained why such an outcome was unlikely to happen in time to impact the standings this season.

He said: "I think what's also interesting, this is the same charge that has been levelled at Manchester City.

"We're expecting that to go on for some time because Manchester City will challenge the charge. They'll go down all the legal avenues to try and get off that charge. I would imagine that Everton will do the same.

"So I think for any supporter of a relegation rival – a Southampton, a Bournemouth or a Leeds – who are hoping, 'well, maybe this might mean a points deduction this season, and therefore Everton are relegated,' I would imagine they will be disappointed."

Soccer Football – Premier League – Everton v Leeds United – Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain – February 18, 2023 Leeds United’s Wilfried Gnonto in action with Everton’s Alex Iwobi REUTERS/Phil Noble 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 fur

Will Leeds avoid relegation?

Seeing as both Premier League sides are just two points above the bottom three, and only three points above the foot of the table, it's clear just how tight things are this season.

With that in mind, if Everton were to get any kind of points deduction, it would likely have huge ramifications for all the teams struggling down towards the relegation zone – which could have been a fascinating twist as Leeds were one of two teams (with Burnley) who wrote to the Premier League to question the Toffees' spending last year.

However, it sounds as though Leeds will have to rely on themselves to avoid the drop and not the financial mishandlings of others. Luckily for Javi Gracia and co, things are still in their hands.

Indeed, the Whites have found some improved form under their new Spanish boss, winning two, drawing one and losing one of his first four league games in charge.

As a result, Leeds now have 11 games to go and find themselves two points above the bottom three, but have a game in hand on Everton and Wolves, who sit on either side of them in the table – meaning they are very much in control of their own fate.

Rangers predicted XI vs Motherwell

Glasgow Rangers will be looking to make it 14 Premiership matches unbeaten under Michael Beale when they face Motherwell this afternoon at Fir Park.

The Ibrox side have dropped just two points in the league since the Englishman took over in November and although the Steelmen have enjoyed somewhat of a rejuvenation under Stuart Kettlewell, Rangers should secure all three points.

Malik Tillman is back in the fold having missed the previous three games due to injury, while Ridvan Yilmaz will be aiming to build upon his appearance against Raith Rovers last week, and he could well start today as Borna Barisic is likely to miss the tie due to his wife expecting their first child.

With the chance to temporarily reduce the gap to Celtic at the top of the league table to six points, Beale will make a few changes from the Scottish Cup win over Raith last weekend.

We at Football FanCast predict the Rangers starting XI that will take to the pitch this afternoon.

What could Rangers’ XI look like vs Motherwell?

Allan McGregor will yet again start between the posts, looking at keeping his eighth clean sheet of the league campaign.

Connor Goldson and Ben Davies will operate at the heart of the defence, while James Tavernier will start on the right-hand side. Ridvan Yilmaz will make his first Premiership start since August due to Barisic potentially missing the tie, with the “high potential” dynamo – in the words of Ross Wilson – keen to make an impression.

Ryan Jack and Nicolas Raskin will form the midfield axis while Malik Tillman returns to the starting XI in place of Todd Cantwell, operating just behind the striker. Cantwell has been excellent since joining Rangers, averaging a Sofascore rating of 7.3/10, but the “god given” talent – as dubbed by his former youth coach Gary Cockaday – will make way allowing the American to gain some much-needed minutes.

Fashion Sakala – with 12 goal contributions under Beale – has arguably been on the clubs finest performers of late, and he will take his spot on the right wing, with Ryan Kent deployed on the left.

Antonio Colak will retain his starting berth as the lone striker and will be hoping to build on his two-goal salvo against Hibernian.

West Ham: Where is Blair Turgott now?

West Ham academy graduate Blair Turgott looked destined for big things when he helped England U17s to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2011 but, by his own admission, he never lived up to expectations with the Hammers.

How did Turgott fare at West Ham?

The winger would feature alongside the likes of Raheem Sterling and Jordan Pickford in that England side, both of whom are now well-established Premier League and international players, but things didn't work out for Turgott in the same way.

Having progressed through the Hammers' academy, the wide man would be limited to just one senior appearance in his time with the east London outfit, enduring a number of disappointing loan spells away from the club in League One and League Two.

After his performances at that 2011 World Cup, Turgott had full belief that he could push on and become a regular in West Ham's first team, but sadly that would never materialise.

He told Sky Sports: "When I came back from the World Cup I thought I'd get an opportunity and be with the first team at West Ham and then I would have pushed on from there and the rest would be history. Onwards and upwards. That's the fairytale you put in your head.

"There was definitely a lot of pressure. You almost make a rod for your own back when you have such high standards and do so well. People always expected you to do more. If there was a game, and we weren't at the races, I'd be the one people looked at to be the catalyst or the spark to get something going.

"Ultimately I'd say I've underachieved. For me to be where I am now in my career. Definitely, the way I treated myself growing up through the years and when I got to 17, 18, 19 I didn't see why I couldn't play in the Premier League."

Where is Blair Turgott now?

After leaving the Hammers in 2015, Turgott would struggle to settle, spending no more than two seasons with any of the English clubs he signed for, before finally finding his feet in non-league with Maidstone United.

The Jamaica international would hit 14 goals in the 2018/19 National League season and earned an offer from Ostersunds FK in Sweden, where he enjoyed the best spell of his career, hitting 21 goals and five assists in 73 appearances.

After their relegation, he moved to BK Hacken, but he has struggled to replicate that form with his new side, boasting just two goals and five assists in 24 appearances.

Therefore, it seems clear that West Ham made the right decision in releasing Turgott back in 2015, as the now 28-year-old's performances since suggest that he never would have made it as a regular in the Premier League.

Manchester United: Victor Osimhen transfer update

Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has provided an update on Manchester United transfer target Victor Osimhen.

The Lowdown: United interest

The Red Devils have made a new striker and midfielder their transfer priority this summer, with Osimhen thought to be a player of interest.

The Napoli striker is reportedly at the top of United’s striker shortlist, ahead of Tottenham’s Harry Kane, AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham and soon-to-be RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

The Nigerian international has scored 21 goals and provided five assists in 27 appearances this season and is under contract with the Serie A side until 2025.

The Latest: Transfer news

Plettenberg took to Twitter in the last 48 hours to share an update he’s ‘been told’ about Osimhen’s future. The Sky Sports reporter said that United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are ‘all in’, with ‘different talks’ taking place.

He added that Bayern Munich aren’t in the race for the forward, with his €100m (£88m) valuation ‘not feasible’ for them.

The Verdict: Fingers crossed

Osimhen has been called a ‘monster’ by members of the press and has also come in for praise from legendary striker David Trezeguet, who described the forward as ‘unique’:

“He’s a unique player, a prototype of the new player, fast, and he moves a lot. I think he has become a striker with an important profile. He knows how to move and manage himself in the match.”

Therefore, a big-money move to Old Trafford could be a brilliant piece of business from Red Devils chiefs, where Osimhen could become one of the club’s most expensive signings of all time with Napoli seemingly wanting €100m (£88m) to part ways with the player.

The 24-year-old appears to be entering the prime years of his career with a career-high €70m Transfermarkt valuation, so may continue his free-scoring form at his next club. United will be hoping that is with them, however, they look set to face plenty of competition for his services, including from Premier League rivals, so negotiations could prove tricky over the coming months.

Erik ten Hag’s need for a marquee striker could be something that appeals to Osimhen, though, knowing he would be the main centre-forward at the club with Anthony Martial’s future in doubt and Wout Weghorst’s stay only temporary until the end of the season.

As a result, he could form a formidable front four alongside left-winger Marcus Rashford, attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes and one of Jadon Sancho, Antony or Alejandro Garncaho on the right-hand side.

Aston Villa scouting Pedro Goncalves

An update has emerged on Aston Villa and their interest in Pedro Goncalves ahead of the summer transfer window…

What’s the latest on Pedro Goncalves to Aston Villa?

According to the print edition of Record, via Sport Witness, the Villans have been sending scouts to watch the Sporting dynamo in action and will do so again for their Europa League tie with Arsenal on Thursday.

The report claims that the club sent people to watch the midfielder play against Portimonense in the Portuguese top-flight last weekend, in which he assisted the winning goal, with Johan Lange gathering intel on the gem.

It has been claimed that the 24-year-old has an €80m (£71m) release clause but it remains to be seen how much Villa are willing to spend to sign the talent.

Would Goncalves be a good signing for Aston Villa?

Lange could land Unai Emery an upgrade on his options in the attacking midfield position by securing a deal to sign the Sporting star this summer.

Coutinho has endured a difficult season in the Premier League and is heading into the final years of his peak – turning 31 at the end of the campaign.

The Brazil international has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.66 across 20 appearances in the top flight and has produced one goal and 0.4 chances created per match, with zero assists to his name.

Goncalves, meanwhile, has averaged a score of 7.53 across 22 outings in Liga Portugal. In that time, the marksman has delivered 12 goals and six assists, whilst creating ten ‘big chances’ and making 2.2 key passes per game for his side.

These statistics suggest that if the 24-year-old can adapt to English football, he would be a significant upgrade on what the Brazilian is currently offering to Aston Villa at the top end of the pitch, both in terms of his goalscoring prowess and his creativity from an attacking midfield position.

The Portugal international, who Wolves coach Rob Edwards once hailed as “outstanding”, has also made 2.8 tackles and interceptions per match, compared to Coutinho’s 1.1, with that an indication of how much the Sporting ace would provide from a defensive perspective, as well as the quality he would offer in the final third.

Therefore, Lange must swoop for Goncalves in the summer transfer window as the young talent could be an excellent signing for the club and a player Emery could develop further, with the magician still having plenty of time on his hands to grow and improve at the age of 24.

Everton podcaster stunned by ‘unreal’ moment vs Forest

Everton podcaster Ryan Williams was left stunned by the referee giving a foul against James Tarkowski on Renan Lodi against Nottingham Forest.

The Lowdown: Points shared

The points were shared at the City Ground as Everton twice saw their lead pegged back by Brennan Johnson.

Demarai Gray had put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot, and Abdoulaye Doucoure scored a header in the first half, but it was not enough as the Goodison Park outfit had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

The Latest: Williams stunned as foul given

Taking to Twitter, Williams was left stunned at a foul that was given against Tarkowski on Lodi in the second half, leading to the central defender finding himself in the book:

“Wow. Tark never touches him. Second flop by Lodi. Unreal.”

The Verdict: Feisty encounter

The encounter between the two relegation-threatened sides turned into a feisty one, with no fewer than 28 fouls committed between them.

Tarkowski’s yellow card was one of eight handed out in the end, as both sets of players got into a number of scraps between them, with three vital points on the line.

In the end, both teams had to settle for a draw, which does not really help either in terms of their respective battles to avoid the drop come the end of the season.

Nonetheless, the Toffees must put this game behind them, and look forward to the next one.

Derby made ‘late’ January offer for Hunt

Derby County ‘came in late’ with an offer to sign Sheffield Wednesday defender Jack Hunt in January, according to journalist Alex Miller.

The Lowdown: Warne’s connection

The League One right-back has been based at the Hillsborough Stadium since 2021, but having fallen out of favour playing just three minutes of football between September and January, his future heading into the window was uncertain.

Rams manager Paul Warne already knows the 32-year-old having managed him at his previous club Rotherham, and following a fresh update, news has emerged that he made a last-minute move to try and bring him to Pride Park.

The Latest: Derby make Hunt offer

Taking to Twitter, Miller revealed that Derby approached Sheffield Wednesday regarding a possible deal for Hunt, though the Yorkshire outfit were quick to turn it down. He wrote:

“Told Derby came in late in the January window with a cheeky effort to take Jack Hunt off Wednesday’s hands.

“The landscape has changed on the Owls right and after a heel-kicking first half, Hunt can be important in the title run-in.”

Expanding in his column for The Star, the reporter stated that the offer put forward was a ‘structured free transfer’, but the Owls ‘swiftly stamped out’ the chances of a move.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/efl-news/” title=”EFL news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Worth another attempt

Hunt will be out of contract at Wednesday at the end of the season so Derby should definitely look to capitalise and make a second approach in the summer.

The Rothwell-born talent has clocked up 17 assists and two goals during his spell with Darren Moore’s side and has already put 20 crosses into the box this term, showing his desire to constantly get down the flank.

Despite primarily being a right-back, the veteran can also operate in four other positions, including centre-back and in midfield, which will be an attractive attribute to the boss.

Should Hunt not extend his stay with the Owls, Derby will be hoping that his existing connection to Warne will give them the advantage in the race for his signature this summer.

Rangers must sign Matthew Sorinola

Rangers boss Gio van Bronckhorst is set for a busy few months working alongside Ross Wilson in his first summer transfer window in charge of the Glasgow giants.

The Dutchman joined after the end of last summer’s market and was backed in the January window as Aaron Ramsey, Amad Diallo, James Sands and Mateusz Zukowski all came in.

One of the first pieces of business he may need to worry about is the possible departure of defender Calvin Bassey.

Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor has backed the Nigeria international to reunite with his former manager Steven Gerrard. He recently told GIVEMESPORT: “Bassey is clearly highly rated by Villa. I think that deal will happen; I can see it happening. Obviously, [Diego] Carlos coming in might change the picture, but it’s clear Villa rate him highly, and for me, it’s just a no-brainer.

“The way he played in the Europa League, he looks like a player that’s just naturally ready to step up and perform.”

Unearth Bassey 2.0

If the defender does end up at Villa, Rangers could unearth Bassey 2.0 in a deal for left-back Matthew Sorinola, who was touted with a move to Ibrox last year.

Like the current Gers man, who came through the ranks at Leicester, he is eligible to play for England or Nigeria at international level and can come in as a full-back option for van Bronckhorst, which is why the club must now return for his services and agree a deal.

He spent the 2020/21 campaign in the first team at MK Dons in League One and caught the eye with a string of impressive displays.

In 34 appearances, he registered four assists and created an eye-catching eight ‘big chances’ as he showcased his ability to provide an attacking threat from left wing-back.

This shows that he has the ability to burst forward down the left flank in attack, which is something Gers fans have been able to watch with their own English/Nigerian defender this year as Bassey registered three assists in the Premiership.

Former Dons manager Russell Martin once took the time to hail the gem’s talent, saying: “He’s technically right up there with anyone in the squad – he wants to play. I love his calmness too – for a young lad, he’s so composed.

“He defended really well. People may question his size but when you’re as brave as he is to play with the ball and get in people’s faces and shut them down, he has so much ability and potential.”

At the age of 21, he has plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and he can join with a view to him improving over time, rather than being expected to be the finished article straight away.

Rangers have already enjoyed success in bringing Bassey over as a young left-back from an English club in a similar deal and they can now repeat that trick by signing Sorinola, albeit he would be arriving from Belgian side Royale Union Saint Gilloise after joining them from MK Dons.

Van Bronckhorst can take his time with Sorinola and help him to fulfil his potential and become a first-team regular at Ibrox, with the gem potentially following in Bassey’s footsteps at left-back.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Weston: Rangers can form deadly future duo in deal for highly-rated teen…

Manchester United: Jurrien Timber move ‘practically closed’

Manchester United’s move for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is ‘practically closed’, according to Portuguese journalist Pedro Almeida.

The Lowdown: Timber talks

Erik ten Hag has seemingly made the 20-year-old his first major target as United manager. The Red Devils first made contact over a possible move at the end of April, and a transfer has slowly gathered pace with the defender’s representatives in England last weekend.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-man-utd-updates-2/” title=”Latest Man Utd updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Timber, described as a ‘top talent’, as per the official UEFA Champions League Twitter channel, can play anywhere across the back four and is valued at a career-high £27m by Transfermarkt.

The Latest: Almeida’s update

Almeida took to Twitter on late on Friday evening to provide a Manchester United transfer update.

He revealed that a move for Timber is ‘practically’ done, adding that the club are now turning their attention to Villarreal’s Pau Torres.

The Verdict: New partnership?

Although Timber can play as a full-back, Ten Hag mainly used the Netherlands international at centre-back last season. He made 38 appearances at the heart of the defence and just five at right-back, helping Ajax to the Eredivisie title, conceding just 19 times in 34 games.

It looks as if he will become the club’s first major signing of the Ten Hag era, and with United now looking at a move for another centre-back in Torres, that could spell trouble for the likes of Harry Maguire, who was heavily criticised last season.

In other news: Reliable journalist leaks Man Utd talks as Ten Hag now eyes ‘terrific’ Englishman. 

Game
Register
Service
Bonus