Championship

Ipswich Town make offer for Leeds United and Leicester City target

01/07/2024 Raymond 0

Ipswich Town has reportedly made a verbal offer to Tottenham Hotspur for defender Joe Rodon, as revealed by Alasdair Gold. On the other hand, Leeds United is gearing up for another season in the Championship after finishing third last season, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion behind Ipswich Town and Leicester City. Despite a strong campaign, Daniel Farke’s side lost in the play-off final to Southampton, condemning them to another Championship campaign.

Rodon, 26, spent the previous season on loan at Leeds United, featuring prominently with 46 Championship appearances and four outings in the FA Cup. His opportunities at Spurs have been limited since the 2020/21 season, making just 15 Premier League appearances, suggesting his tenure at the club may be nearing its conclusion.

While Leeds United and Leicester City have also shown interest in the Welsh defender this summer, it is Ipswich Town that has taken the initiative with a verbal offer. Although the offer remains informal, Ipswich’s proactive approach this summer could prompt Leeds and Leicester to accelerate their pursuit of Rodon. Ipswich Town’s ambitious moves in the transfer market, including the recent signing of Omari Hutchinson, underscore their determination to strengthen the squad ahead of their upcoming season in pursuit of top-flight promotion.

Former Rangers star ‘agrees’ Sheffield Wednesday contract and he could be joined at Owls by current Ibrox ace

01/07/2024 Raymond 0

Sheffield Wednesday might have some reminders of Rangers this season. The Owls are reportedly interested in a current Rangers player, who would join a former Ibrox star already at the club. Josh Windass, with Sheffield Wednesday since 2020, was uncertain about his future as his contract neared its end. Despite stalled negotiations in early June, The Star has reported that Windass is now expected to stay at Hillsborough, with a deal agreed to keep him at the club. Since joining from Wigan, Windass has recorded 57 goals and assists in 135 games for Sheffield Wednesday.

Manager Danny Rohl expressed optimism about ongoing contract talks with his players, stating, “All in all, I am positive at the moment. I am still in contact with all the players, we are in talks, and now it is about finding the agreement to take the next step.” One potential new arrival is Scott Wright, a Rangers winger linked with a move to Sheffield Wednesday, who almost transferred to Turkey last summer and now faces increased competition at Rangers.

Danny Rohl now ‘ready’ to make ‘highly-rated’ gem his sixth summer signing at Sheffield Wednesday

01/07/2024 Raymond 0

Danny Rohl has been making significant strides with Sheffield Wednesday’s transfer activities in recent weeks. Sheffield Wednesday announced their fifth signing of the summer yesterday, securing Jamal Lowe on a free transfer after his release from Bournemouth. The club has also added Yan Valery, Max Lowe, Svante Ingelsson, and Ben Hamer to their roster.

According to journalist Alan Nixon, Sheffield Wednesday is set to re-sign 19-year-old James Beadle, with a deal possibly finalized today. Beadle was clearly Rohl’s top priority after achieving the second-highest clean sheet percentage (42.1%) among goalkeepers who played more than two games in the Championship last season. He was comfortably one of Wednesday’s standout players last term, and continuing his role at Hillsborough will benefit both the club and the player.

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.

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.

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.

‘Fantastic’ Leeds United player could now reject Elland Road contract offer and join Sheffield United

27/06/2024 Raymond 0

Sheffield United are eyeing a move for a Leeds United player that Daniel Farke is determined to keep this summer. Following their recent relegation to the Championship, the Blades aim to assemble a squad capable of securing their third promotion in seven years, and they seem to be targeting their Yorkshire rivals in this effort. At Leeds, the focus has been on potential departures, but aside from Jack Harrison’s loan return to Everton, no significant exits have been finalized despite the transfer window being open for nearly two weeks. Marc Roca is expected to move to Real Betis soon, but no other transfers from last season’s first team squad have been confirmed.