Month: June 2024

Stoke City injury blow as midfielder ruled out for four months

27/06/2024 Raymond 0

Ben Pearson, Stoke City’s 29-year-old midfielder, faces a four-month recovery period following surgery for a persistent hamstring injury. Initially hoping to avoid surgery, Pearson ultimately required the procedure, which will likely see him miss the first ten games of the season and all pre-season preparations. Pearson, who joined Stoke permanently last summer from Bournemouth for a fee under £500,000, had a challenging season plagued by injuries, limiting his league appearances to 22.

Steven Schumacher, expressing his frustration, noted that Pearson had been working with the club’s physios all summer, but an undiagnosed hamstring issue necessitated the surgery. Schumacher remains hopeful for Pearson’s recovery and emphasized the importance of focusing on rehabilitation. Despite Pearson’s absence, Stoke City boasts a robust midfield lineup, including Josh Laurent, Wouter Burger, and emerging talent Sol Sidibe. Recent signings like Viktor Johansson and Eric Bocat further strengthen the squad. Schumacher remains pragmatic, urging Pearson to concentrate on his rehab to ensure a strong comeback.

Transfer gossip: Sunderland slap ‘£30m’ price on star man amid Wolves and Crystal Palace interest

26/06/2024 Raymond 0

Sunderland are reportedly demanding between £25 million and £30 million for their attacker, Jack Clarke, amid significant transfer speculation. Clarke has attracted interest from several clubs, including Burnley, Lazio, and Southampton, following an impressive Championship season with 15 goals and four assists. Recently, Premier League clubs Wolves and Crystal Palace have also been linked with a move for Clarke. It appears unlikely that Clarke will renew his contract with Sunderland, which has two years remaining, and Tottenham is set to receive a percentage of any transfer fee.

Footy Flashbacks: Hawks eyeing off a six-year first

26/06/2024 Raymond 0

Hawthorn is aiming for their fifth consecutive win this Sunday, a streak they haven’t achieved since 2018. They are also striving for three consecutive victories against West Coast, a record last matched between 2012 and 2015. This season, several Hawthorn players have reached significant milestones: Jarman Impey, James Worpel, and James Sicily each played their 100th game, while Connor Macdonald reached 50 games in number 31.

In Round 14, Hawthorn drew a crowd of 92,311, the second-largest attendance for a home and away game, and they have recorded multiple 70,000-plus attendances this season for the eighth time in club history. Historically, Hawthorn’s Round 16 performance is strong, with significant winning streaks and notable victories over the years. Jarryd Roughead set a club record with eight goals against West Coast in 2014, surpassing previous records held by Jason Dunstall.

West Brom make contact with Sheffield Wednesday star ahead of contract expiry

26/06/2024 Raymond 0

West Brom have initiated contact with Josh Windass, a Sheffield Wednesday player whose contract expires this summer. Windass, who played a crucial role in Sheffield Wednesday’s final three games of the season by scoring in each match, is likely to leave the club despite being offered a new contract. Reports indicate that West Brom and Birmingham City are both interested in signing the striker, with West Brom having already made contact with his representatives.

Former Stoke City and West Ham Star Available As Free Agent This Summer

26/06/2024 Raymond 0

Sead Haksabanovic, former winger for Stoke City and West Ham United, is expected to leave Celtic this summer following an unsuccessful loan spell at the Bet365 Stadium. The Montenegro international spent the 2023/24 season on loan with Stoke City, where he made only 22 appearances and scored a single goal. Reports from Swedish outlet Fotboll Direkt suggest that Stoke City is not interested in signing Haksabanovic permanently, and Celtic is seeking a fee of £2.2 million for him. With head coach Brendan Rodgers not seeing a future for Haksabanovic at Celtic, Swedish champions Malmo FF are reportedly nearing a deal to bring him back to Sweden. This potential move underscores Haksabanovic’s stagnation since his £2.7 million transfer to West Ham United in 2017.

Warriors GM Offers 4-Word Stance on Klay Thompson’s Free Agency

25/06/2024 Raymond 0

The future of Klay Thompson as a free agent is a looming question for the Golden State Warriors. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. expressed the team’s desire to retain Thompson, stating, “We want him back.” Despite this, negotiations between Thompson and the Warriors have stalled, with no discussions or offers currently on the table. Thompson, a five-time All-Star, has averaged 17.9 points per game last season but is considering his options, with teams like the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers showing interest. Signs suggest Thompson might be looking for a new start, as he has removed references to the Warriors from his social media and there have been hints of negotiation difficulties. Mike Dunleavy acknowledged the challenge of balancing business and personal relationships, emphasizing the need to find a role and financial arrangement that benefits both the franchise and Thompson.

Real Betis eye move for Leeds United defender Diego Llorente

25/06/2024 Raymond 0

Real Betis are actively pursuing a transfer for Leeds United defender Diego Llorente this summer, as reported by MARCA. The Spanish club’s sporting director, Manu Fajardo, is closely monitoring Llorente’s situation, waiting to see if they can compete for his transfer. Despite Leeds United’s need for defensive reinforcements, Llorente’s departure would likely not cause much concern among fans. Having spent the last 18 months on loan with Roma, the Italian club’s interest in signing him permanently has diminished. Additionally, the sale of Marc Roca to Real Betis could also benefit Leeds, as they consider offloading players following their failure to secure promotion back to the Premier League.