All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah will likely miss four crucial January fixtures due to international duty at the African Cup of Nations, after the 2021/22 Premier League fixtures were confirmed today [Liverpool FC].

The Lowdown: Salah and Mane expected to be key men again in 2021/22

As Liverpool gear up for the 2021/22 Premier League season, they will be desperate to improve on their third placed finish last time out.

Of course, star men Mane and Salah were instrumental in their eventual UEFA Champions League qualification [Athletic].

Both will of course be key men again in the forthcoming months, and fan fears over AFCON scheduling has now been confirmed as both players could miss out on four crucial Premier League fixtures later on in the 2021/22 calendar.

The Latest: Liverpool fixtures confirmed

The major international tournament has been scheduled for the 9th January – 6th February, 2022 [Inside The Games], with the team camps sure to be set up shortly before that.

Expected to be staring for Egypt and Senegal respectively, Salah and Mane will likely miss clashes against Chelsea (A), Brentford (H) and Crystal Palace (A), which fall on January 1st, 15th and 22nd respectively [Liverpool FC].

In spite of the tournament ending in early February, the pair are unlikely to be back, rested and ready to face Leicester City (H) on the 9th February [Liverpool FC] too.

The Mirror, via Anfield Watch, believe the duo could miss as many as six matches for the Reds, but these four fixtures are the ones they look almost certain to be absent for.

The Verdict: Losing both players for this period will be a bitter blow for Liverpool

Undoubtedly, this scenario could come at an unbelievably awkward time for Liverpool. Hoping to challenge reigning champions Manchester City for the title, their attacking arsenal is likely to be significantly weakened as they embark towards a critical batch of contests.

Salah has been the barometer of consistency for Liverpool in recent years, not least in 2020/21 where he finished as the Reds top goal-scorer on 31 goals from 51 outings [Transfermarkt].

Comparatively, Mane endured a disappointing year by his standards. Nevertheless, he still converted 16 goals from 48 appearances [Transfermarkt].

Liverpool will need to rely on alternative offensive options as they bid to stay consistent in what is a period of the season typically marred by fatigue and injuries for all teams, such is the hectic nature of the winter schedule.

In other news, fans react to comments made by a Liverpool midfielder.

An exciting Newcastle United claim has emerged regarding their plans for the upcoming transfer window…

What’s the talk?

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has hinted that PIF will be looking to spend more than £50m in the market this summer, whilst not going overboard with their dealings.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I think their plan is to run it like a business and I think their plan will be to keep costs as low as they can.

“I very much doubt they will manage to keep it to £50million, but I do think what they’ll try and do is bring money in, in terms of player sales as well.”

Supporters will be delighted

Newcastle supporters will surely be delighted with this claim.

Last summer, the only senior addition to the squad was the signing of Joe Willock from Arsenal for a reported £25m. He joined on a permanent basis after spending the second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan and was the only player brought in by Mike Ashley to bolster Steve Bruce’s squad.

The lack of investment in the team came back to bite the Sports Direct supremo as the Toon became just the fourth team in Premier League history to not win any of their first 14 matches in a top-flight season.

In the last 14 games in the top flight, however, Newcastle have picked up 31 points and are third in the form table behind Manchester City and Liverpool.

The difference between these two stretches of games? The appointment of Eddie Howe and the January transfer window. PIF came in to take over the club from Ashley and invested in the squad by bringing in Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Matt Targett, Bruno Guimaraes and Chris Wood in the winter market.

Their work in January gave Howe the ammunition he needed to fire Newcastle to safety and that is exactly what he has done, with the Magpies currently sitting 14 points clear of the bottom three. This suggests that the signings earlier this year gave the club a massive lift, and that is set to save them from relegation.

Therefore, supporters will be excited by the prospect of PIF dropping more than £50m on further signings, as it means that Howe will be backed again and given what he needs to take the Toon to the next level. He will not be hung out to dry like Bruce was by Ashley, which is why fans will be delighted with the owners’ plans.

They will also be buzzing with the claim that PIF still want to run the club like a business and are not going to risk the financial future of Newcastle. The consortium are not looking for instant success which could lead to irreversible financial damage further down the line, and this measured, thought-out approach will surely go down well with the fanbase as it shows ambition and clarity over what the owners want to do.

AND in other news, Journalist reveals two names on Newcastle’s transfer “list”, Eddie Howe will be excited…

If West Ham United are to be contending in Europe next season, then David Moyes and the Irons hierarchy will need to shift some deadwood on in the summer.

There are several players on the fringes or are completely out of first-team reckoning that are merely wasting the club’s finances. They must be moved on to free up funds for a productive summer transfer window.

One name that should sit high on the list of priorities is Andriy Yarmolenko, who is still struggling for game time despite Michail Antonio’s recent injury problems.

The 31-year-old forward joined from Borussia Dortmund for around £18m in 2018 and is thought to be amongst the Hammers’ highest-earners on £115k-per-week at the London Stadium.

Yarmolenko was crucially not involved on Monday night as Moyes’ side gave their top-four dreams a huge boost, defeating Burnley 2-1 and his absence may not have been injury-related as he had been on the bench with Antonio out himself.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-latest-west-ham-news-transfer-rumours-and-the-latest-gossip-moyes-gsb-london-stadium” title= “Read the latest West Ham news, transfer rumours, gossip and more!”]

It’s clear that to see that the 58-year-old Scotsman doesn’t fancy the 92-time Ukraine international anymore as he has played just 992 minutes in all competitions throughout the 2020/21 campaign.

Across three years, Yarmolenko has only made 53 appearances, where he has scored ten goals and provided six assists, via Transfermarkt. In the same time frame, he has cost David Sullivan and co approximately £35m – and counting – when fees and wages are factored in.

That’s an excruciating £1.5m per appearance, and a disastrous £3.5m per goal scored.

These are finances that would be better off spent on players that are going to contribute to the cause, or those that are already lifting the club into European stardom.

Moyes will certainly need reinforcements this summer, especially in attack as he only has one senior striker at his disposal and having Yarmolenko continue to steal a living from the club is only going to hinder their plans.

Once lauded as “really special” by teammate Declan Rice, it’s time for the East London outfit to show no mercy and shift him on this summer.

AND in other news, Cresswell 2.0 – West Ham could land another bargain in 6 foot 4 “leader”…

Celtic midfielder Tom Rogic has been ruled out of tonight’s Glasgow Derby with Rangers, Jo Hendry reports.

The Lowdown: Rogic in race against time

Rogic, who Ange Postecoglou labelled as ‘special’, has made 31 appearances this season, contributing to 12 goals.

The Aussie has been away representing his country and featured against Vietnam last Thursday and Oman on Tuesday in World Cup qualifiers.

Postecoglou recently held out hope of having the playmaker available in green and white this evening, but his participation against Oman yesterday has seemingly ruled him out of featuring tonight.

The Latest: Hendry’s post

Hendry took to Twitter on Tuesday afternoon following Postecoglou’s pre-match press conference.

She relayed confirmation from Postecoglou that Rogic is ruled out of the Celtic Park clash and once again stated that Kyogo Furuhashi is weeks away from a return.

The Verdict: Postecoglou now has options

If this game took place when it was initially scheduled for, then Postecoglou could have been in a bit of bother without Rogic.

However, he brought in three midfield additions in the New Year, with Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley catching the eye in their early displays.

Therefore, with Hatate and O’Riley and Callum McGregor also having a chance of featuring, Postecoglou has more than enough in midfield at his disposal to get a first win over Rangers and take the Hoops back to the top of the Scottish Premiership.

In other news: ‘I can tell you…’ – BBC Radio 5 Live man shares key on-air info on ‘unbelievable’ Celtic ace. 

Manchester City will be forced into selling some first-team players this summer if they are to afford Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane, and Bernardo Silva should be the first to go.

What’s the word?

City have already cashed in on fringe players such as Lukas Nmecha, Jack Harrison and Angelino in order to fund a move for Jack Grealish this summer and Guardiola has suggested that if they are to sign Kane before the window shuts, then some first-team players will have to leave.

The Spanish manager also confirmed that the Portugual winger is keen on a move away from the Etihad, whilst he has been linked with the likes of Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Arsenal so far this summer.

After a disappointing couple of seasons, it is no surprise that the 26-year-old is being touted with an exit, as the addition of Grealish suggests that he will struggle for regular first-team football in Guardiola’s side this season.

Should Bernardo be sold?

Last season saw Silva manage just two goals and six assists in 26 Premier League appearances, averaging a solid 7.07 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

The winger has declined from the 2018/19 season, when he was one of the star performers in Guardiola’s side as they won the title, contributing seven goals and seven assists in 36 top-flight appearances, averaging an impressive 7.26 rating from WhoScored.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-manchester-city-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Manchester City transfer rumours and news!”]

His performances that season earned him some high praise from Guardiola, who said:

“Bernardo is having an incredible season, incredible. In the second half, he played like a holding midfielder.

“A holding midfielder…Bernardo. It doesn’t matter, he fought with Paul Pogba and everyone. It’s not just against United, it’s not just his goal, it’s all the season, it was a masterclass, a masterpiece every single game. It was incredible.”

Unfortunately, the former Monaco man has struggled to stamp his authority on games as much in the past two seasons and his lack of goals and assists mean that Guardiola has better, more consistent options in his squad.

[freshpress-quiz id=“577936”]

Therefore, considering he is currently valued at £63m by Transfermarkt, Guardiola should definitely look to sell Silva this summer, as his fee could go a long way towards securing a deal for a world-class striker such as Kane.

And, in other news… Guardiola could be set for huge Man City boost with star, he will “die for the badge”

Flocking to social media, plenty of Sky Blues supporters have applauded a gesture by Manchester City ahead of their first ever Champions League final in Porto on Saturday evening. 

Pep Guardiola’s men, in what is a huge week for the club, gear up to take on Chelsea with the aim of securing a first European Cup triumph for City and their supporters.

Having just celebrated a fifth Premier League crown and third under Guardiola, it is immediately back to business for the Citizens with the prospect of winning a historic treble.

Ahead of the final in Portugal, for many of the supporters who can’t attend, Manchester City’s official club account has now announced a big gesture.

Indeed, the Sky Blues have confirmed that the final will be screened at the academy stadium for up to 4,000 fans and tickets will be available for just £5 – with priority given to 2019/2020 season ticket holders.

As a result, plenty of City supporters flocked and applauded this move from the club – coming after Sheikh Mansour even offered to personally fund the official club trip to Porto.

Find all of their best verdicts on the official announcement down below.

Man City fans flock to official announcement

“Wow, this is a proper club, £5 for a ticket. actually respect the fans instead of charging silly money like £50+”

Credit: @MCFCHag

“YESSS”

Credit: @MCFC_Latino

“Yeahhhhh city..what a gesture!”

Credit: @KunAme10

“SIUUU”

Credit: @officialgilbert

“Massive club”

Credit: @KunHyder

“Great gesture from City”

Credit: @wendyfitz9

“Love this!!!”

Credit: @mschmidt_soccer

“This is how you do it”

Credit: @SkyHigh_Blu

In other news: Sky Blues excited by Harry Kane claim, find out more here.

Leeds United look set to announce the signing of Junior Firpo from Barcelona in the coming days, which will be a huge boost for Marcelo Bielsa ahead of next season.

According to Adam Crafton of The Athletic, Firpo has arrived in England to complete his £12.8m move from the La Liga giants, with a deal likely to be announced this week after he completes a medical.

Bielsa’s side have seen off interest from AC Milan and Southampton in order to sign the former Real Betis man, who was never really able to impose himself at the Nou Camp, playing second fiddle to Jordi Alba for the majority of his time at the Catalan club.

In total, he would make just 41 appearances for Barcelona in his two seasons at the club, contributing two goals and three assists in that time.

However, he was highly regarded during his time at Real Betis and at just 24-years-old, still has plenty of time to realise his potential with Leeds United.

When he first signed for Barcelona, former Betis and Barcelona manager Quique Setien sang his praises, saying:

“Barca have made a good deal. It’s a boy with enormous potential, youth, desire, excitement and quality. He’s worth the gamble.

“He will make progress at Barca because he has the desire and potential for growth. He has things to improve, of course.

“Barca have made an excellent deal. He has some qualities to polish, and good things that will come in handy.”

Whilst things didn’t work out for him at the Nou Camp, these quotes certainly bode well for his future at Elland Road, and Leeds fans will surely be excited to see him join.

Considering Ezgjan Alioski featured at left-back for much of last season but has now left the club after his contract expired, an upgrade was required at left-back, and Leeds have acted very quickly to bring in a player of Firpo’s quality, which will delight Bielsa and the Elland Road faithful.

Left-back could have been a problem area going into next season, but Leeds have acted quickly to address it and that will be music to the ears of their veteran manager.

And, in other news… Bye-bye Raphinha: Orta should seal Leeds summer swoop for “very talented” wonderkid

Some Liverpool supporters are hugely excited after a fresh report claimed the Reds are showing strong interest in RB Salzburg forward Karim Adeyemi.

Jurgen Klopp’s men are in incredible form at the moment, winning 5-0 at Manchester United on Sunday, not to mention beating Atletico Madrid away and thumping Watford at Vicarage Road, too.

Mohamed Salah is in the form of his life, but fellow attackers Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino are all producing impressive performances, too.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375258″]

That being said, there will be the need for another top-class attacker to be signed at some point, with Salah and Mane both 29 and Firmino recently turning 30.

According to LAOLA1 [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], Liverpool are seriously interested in snapping up the prodigious 19-year-old Adeyemi, who has scored 10 goals in 11 Austrian Football Bundesliga appearances for Salzburg this season.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-9/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

Liverpool fans love Adeyemi latest

These Reds fans took to Twitter to react positively to the rumour, with one supporter haling the potential signing as ‘great’.

“YESSSSS”

Credit: @jayleje

“January please @LFC”

Credit: @MritalkApple123

“Yemi-Bobby-Jota in January then”

Credit: @ItsEronG

“He could be the next Mo! We really must get him signed up now so he can learn from the Egyptian King”

Credit: @JFKh2K

“Please. Especially with Mo and Mane at AFCON in January. Front-three of him, Jota and Bobby would be great”

Credit: @NanaMshengu2

“Don’t do this, don’t give me hope”

Credit: @JoshuaTreharne2

In other news, James Pearce says there is pressure on FSG for one key reason. Read more here.

West Bromwich Albion have been dealt a major blow in their bid to keep Matheus Pereira at The Hawthorns this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Express, who claim that West Ham United have opened talks with the Baggies over a £25m deal for the winger.

The report states that David Moyes has now stepped up his side’s interest in the 25-year-old as the Premier League club’s primary target in the position, Jesse Lingard, now looks as if he is set to stay at Manchester United.

Finally, it is claimed that the deal currently being discussed between the two clubs is initially a season-long loan, with the Hammers having an obligation to buy the Brazilian in 12 months time.

Nightmare for Ismael

With the start of the new Championship season now being just a little over a week away, the fact that it has taken so long for a club to make a move for Pereira is something of a nightmare for Valerien Ismael.

Indeed, aside from the idea of the winger remaining at West Brom beyond the summer, should West Ham go on to complete a move for the 25-year-old in the coming days, the Albion manager does not exactly have a great deal of time to bring in a replacement for the £13.5m-rated man.

The same could also be said for the Frenchman’s other targets in the summer transfer window, as it was common knowledge that, in order for the Baggies to bring in new additions this summer, they would first have to sell one or two of their stars.

However, with it now being relatively late in the transfer window, Ismael could well have already missed out on a number of his first-choice targets in a particular position, something that would undoubtedly have frustrated the 45-year-old.

Furthermore, away from the inconvenience of the timing of West Ham’s swoop, losing a player as talented as the £39k-per-week forward will undoubtedly be a major blow to Albion’s chances of securing an immediate return to the Premier League next season.

As such, it would appear this update will be gutting news for fans of West Brom, with the day they have to wave goodbye to Pereira being a day many would have hoped never came.

In other news: Imagine him & Mowatt: West Brom initiate talks for 26y/o, he makes a “big difference”

Some Liverpool supporters have been left hugely impressed by a touching gesture from Harvey Elliott despite him suffering a serious leg injury at the weekend.

The Reds won 3-0 away to Leeds United on Sunday afternoon, but the victory was marred by an incident involving the teenager.

The 18-year-old suffered a dislocated ankle after being tackled by Pascal Struijk, with the Whites defender receiving a red card for the challenge.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

It was a sickening moment for Elliott, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise this season, becoming a regular in Liverpool’s midfield and catching the eye.

His character has been summed up by a lovely story which emerged after the game, with the teenager giving his shirt to a young boy who had broken his arm and was in the same hospital bay as the Reds starlet.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-2/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

Liverpool fans hail Elliott gesture

The “incredible gesture” didn’t go unnoticed by some Liverpool fans on Twitter, who hailed Elliott in the process.

“Harvey Elliott gave his match jersey to a young fan who broke his arm today. Incredible gesture”

Credit: @DaveOCKop

“Harvey Elliott is such a class act, and is young and doesn’t let it go to his head. He appreciates fans and loves putting on the shirt. Hope he gets better soon”

Credit: @Carl_Thomas

“Damn! Damn! Daamn!! This is incredible”

Credit: @awesomely_made

“Stop, my heart “

Credit: @HarryLombardi

“A true top red”

Credit: @GavrailB

“This is brilliant, love it”

Credit: @DaveLFC264

“This is so cool!”

Credit: @TheKlopptimist

In other news, some Liverpool fans aren’t keen on the Reds signing one player. Find out who it is here.