Football

Transfer Rumours: Swansea City’s Interest in Stoke City Midfielder?

01/07/2024 Raymond 0

Swansea City is reportedly one of three Championship clubs interested in acquiring Stoke City midfielder Josh Laurent. Laurent, who is in the final year of his contract with Stoke, is also drawing attention from clubs abroad. Despite the interest, it seems unlikely that Stoke will want to part ways with Laurent, given his importance to the team. Any potential move would depend on Laurent’s desire to leave, and there has been no indication that he is looking to transfer this summer, especially to another Championship club.

For Swansea, central midfield is an area that needs strengthening, although there are more urgent positions to address. While a midfield pairing of Matt Grimes and Jay Fulton lacks dynamism, and Joe Allen is expected to play a limited role due to fitness concerns, a move for Laurent seems improbable given his value to Stoke and Swansea’s constrained transfer budget. In conclusion, while the rumors of Swansea’s interest in Laurent are intriguing, they appear to be speculative at this stage. Only time will tell if any concrete developments will emerge.

Sunday Matt O’Riley Bid Rumour

01/07/2024 Raymond 0

Southampton are reportedly preparing a significant £20 million bid for Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley, including potential add-ons that could push the total amount beyond Celtic’s previous record sales of approximately £25 million. Southampton manager Russell Martin, who previously worked with O’Riley at MK Dons, is keen to reunite with the Danish international. Since his move to Celtic, O’Riley has thrived, becoming a key player and significantly contributing to their double-winning campaign last season.

Aware of financial fair play constraints, Southampton is unlikely to meet Celtic’s initial asking price directly. O’Riley’s impressive performances for Celtic have attracted considerable attention, including from Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, and several other European clubs, although no formal offers have met Celtic’s valuation yet. Celtic, having secured O’Riley on a new contract in October, are in a strong negotiating position and are unlikely to accept anything less than their valuation. It remains uncertain if Southampton will meet Celtic’s demands, but a bidding war could ensure Celtic secures the best possible deal for their star midfielder.

Leeds United offered £5m+ by Real Betis in new Diego Llorente transfer development

30/06/2024 Raymond 0

Leeds United has received a bid of approximately £5 million from Real Betis for defender Diego Llorente, according to Il Messaggero. The Italian newspaper reported that Betis is eager to secure the former Real Madrid player’s services on a permanent basis, offering €6 million (£5.1 million) for Llorente, who spent the 2023-24 season on loan with Roma. If this transfer goes through, Llorente would join his former teammate Marc Roca, who recently completed a move to Manuel Pellegrini’s squad after a loan spell. Leeds is facing a busy transfer period, especially with the potential £40 million transfer of their young star Archie Gray to Brentford. Selling Llorente could be beneficial for Leeds, as he has been away on loan for 18 months, and the £5 million fee would help the club address financial concerns and reinvest in the team.

Southampton and Leicester show interest in Slovenia midfielder Timi Max Elsnik after his impressive display against England at Euro 2024

30/06/2024 Raymond 0

Southampton and Leicester City have both set their sights on Timi Max Elsnik, the talented Slovenian midfielder currently making waves at Olimpija Ljubljana. At 26, Elsnik’s stellar form has not only secured him a place in Slovenia’s Euro 2024 squad but also garnered attention from top clubs across Europe, including Lazio and Lyon. Despite interest from abroad, the £5.5 million price tag has made Elsnik an enticing prospect for Premier League returnees Leicester City and Southampton, who are eager to strengthen their ranks ahead of the upcoming season.

Sunderland next move & Celtic latest amid Newcastle & Boro links

30/06/2024 Raymond 0

This week’s North East Notes highlights the goalkeepers from Newcastle and Middlesbrough, but first, let’s focus on Sunderland, who have had an eventful week at the Stadium of Light. Hummel has rejoined forces with the Black Cats and has taken extraordinary measures to create a unique shirt specifically for Sunderland. On Friday morning, anticipation ran high as queues wound around the car park in anticipation of the official store opening.

Scott Wright sees Rangers transfer exit route emerge as Sheffield Wednesday make their signing pitch

30/06/2024 Raymond 0

Sheffield Wednesday has shown interest in acquiring Rangers winger Scott Wright, who has a year left on his contract. The 26-year-old has caught the eye of Wednesday’s manager, Danny Rohl, who is eager to bring him to the Championship side. Wright, who joined Rangers in 2021 and played in the Europa League Final against Eintracht Frankfurt, has found it difficult to secure a regular spot under manager Philippe Clement. With Clement planning significant changes and already adding five new players to the squad, Wright’s future at Ibrox is uncertain. Sheffield Wednesday hopes to finalize a deal for Wright before the new season starts.

Manager Philippe Clement discussed his vision for the team, emphasizing the importance of a balanced squad with both young talents and experienced players. He highlighted the recent departures and the need to integrate new signings quickly. Clement expressed excitement about the upcoming pre-season and the opportunity to instill the team’s principles in the new players, despite the challenges of managing a larger squad. He stressed the collective motivation of the players and staff to perform well from the outset, ready to tackle nine top games in the first four weeks of the season.

Stoke City bring in ‘winner’ and the Zoom call that sealed transfer

30/06/2024 Raymond 0

Stoke City head coach Steven Schumacher was notably impressed during a Zoom chat that played a pivotal role in finalizing the signing of Ben Gibson. Both Schumacher and Gibson were in sync when the defender interrupted his family holiday to discuss his potential move to Stoke City. Gibson, a 31-year-old center-half, joins Stoke as a free agent following his successful tenure at Norwich, where he helped the team reach the play-offs in the last year of his contract. Schumacher was keen on bringing in experience and leadership to his squad, which had lacked players aged 30 or above starting 20 or more league games in the previous season.

Schumacher shared his thoughts on Gibson, highlighting his strong references and impressive career, which includes numerous promotions from the Championship. He emphasized the importance of leadership and a winning mentality within the dressing room, qualities that Gibson exemplifies. Schumacher’s positive external references about Gibson further reinforced his decision, portraying Gibson as a dedicated professional and a winner—traits crucial for the team’s growth.

Leicester City contacted by Chelsea for 25-year-old midfielder – Report

29/06/2024 Raymond 0

Chelsea have shown interest in signing Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall this summer, with new manager Enzo Maresca keen to strengthen the squad. Dewsbury-Hall was instrumental in Leicester’s Championship-winning campaign, scoring 12 goals and providing 15 assists. According to The Athletic, Chelsea has contacted Leicester about a potential transfer, and Dewsbury-Hall is reportedly interested in a move to Stamford Bridge.

Maresca, who guided Leicester to Premier League promotion, appears eager to reunite with the 25-year-old midfielder, who fits his style of play for the 2024/25 season. Dewsbury-Hall’s contract with Leicester runs until 2027, so he won’t come at a modest fee. With his passing ability, work rate, and dynamism, Dewsbury-Hall would complement Chelsea’s midfield and add depth, particularly after last season’s injuries to key players.

Stoke City, left-back lesson and the change Gareth Southgate must make for England vs Slovakia

29/06/2024 Raymond 0

Stoke City legend Mike Pejic is optimistic about Steven Schumacher’s recent transfer moves and extends a warm welcome to new signing Eric Bocat. Pejic is excited to see what Bocat will bring to the squad, particularly appreciating the presence of two natural left-sided players with Bocat and Enda Stevens. He emphasizes the importance of balance in any football system, whether it focuses on possession or counter-attacking.

Pejic also shares his thoughts on the England team for Euro 2024, noting their struggle to find a left-footed player for the left-back role during the tournament. He stresses the need for left-sided players to stretch teams and utilize the width of the field effectively. Reflecting on the tournament, Pejic was impressed with Georgia’s spirit, teamwork, and forward-thinking approach, highlighting their ability to work the ball out of tight areas with good support and execute swift counter-attacks.

Turning to England, Pejic envisions a lineup with Watkins up front, Saka and Foden on the flanks, Kane playing off the front, and Bellingham linking up with Kane. Rice would provide defensive stability, while Walker and Shaw support from the back. Pejic believes this balanced lineup can produce exciting and winning football, urging Gareth Southgate to trust these players against Slovakia in the last 16. He is confident that if England adheres to these principles, they can progress through the knockout stages and potentially win the tournament.

West Coast Eagles star Elliot Yeo set to play as mystery remains around Hawthorn tagger Finn Maginness

29/06/2024 Raymond 0

West Coast are showing their support for star player Elliot Yeo, who is expected to play against Hawthorn despite the recent passing of his father earlier in the week. The team named Yeo for the Sunday clash at Optus Stadium, allowing him ample time to decide if he felt ready to take the field following his father Craig’s death on Monday night. Although the final decision could be made on the morning of the game, the Eagles have listed all three of their emergencies—Andrew Gaff, Harry Edwards, and Jack Hutchinson—to play in the WAFL against Swan Districts earlier in the day.

Coach Adam Simpson emphasized Yeo’s autonomy in deciding whether to play, given the tragic circumstances. “We’re really trying to respect the decision he’s going through which is tragic,” Simpson said. He mentioned that Yeo had been at the club for the Captain’s Run and would be given until the last minute to decide. Simpson stressed that the choice was entirely up to Yeo, considering his emotional state and family matters.