All posts by z3u9t.icu

Tottenham Hotspur and chairman Daniel Levy by extension are readying a mammoth pay rise offer to tempt Brentford goalkeeper David Raya, according to journalist Wayne Veysey.

Who could Spurs sign this summer?

The Lilywhites, coming after they played their final Premier League game of 2022/2023 on Sunday, are now tasked with preparing sufficiently for next season – but there are currently a plethora of issues yet to be resolved.

Tottenham remain without a permanent manager and successor to Antonio Conte, despite the Italian parting company over two months ago, with former top target Arne Slot now staying at Feyenoord.

Spurs are also still without an out-and-out sporting director since Fabio Paratici was forced to resign earlier this year, even if talks have reportedly been held with candidates.

On top of all this, the north Londoners need to start laying the groundwork for transfer targets ahead of a looming summer window, with a new goalkeeper widely tipped to be on their agenda.

Long-term number one and club legend Hugo Lloris could well depart this year, with reports suggesting he has already received seismic offers from the Middle East.

Brentford's Raya is among the keepers who could replace Lloris, with reporter Veysey sharing an update on their links to Football Insider.

According to the journalist, Tottenham and Levy by extension are readying a "ready triple-your-money" offer to tempt with a move to N17.

Indeed, Spurs are apparently willing to table a salary proposal which will treble his current earnings under Thomas Frank, amounting to around £100,000-per-week.

Raya is expected to leave Brentford this summer and Frank faces a real battle to keep hold of his star shot-stopper, who has been shortlisted by Tottenham as a possible successor to Lloris.

Their recruitment staff have apparently followed the Spaniard all season, though Spurs may have to pay Brentford around £40 million for his services on top of their proposed wage increase.

Who is David Raya?

The 27-year-old was an ever-present between the sticks last season, featuring over more league minutes than any Brentford player and ranking among their top five best-performers per 90 (WhoScored).

Called a "top-class" player by Michael Owen on Premier League Productions, via HITC, Raya has also been praised by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for his excellent distribution.

Speaking on the former Blackburn star in 2021, after an encounter with Brentford, the Reds manager was effusive in his praise for Raya.

“The goalkeeper could have the shirt with No 10,” said Klopp.“He played a few incredible balls but it was the right thing to do against us today.”

Manchester United will 'fear' missing out on key targets this summer due to the ongoing battle for ownership at the club dragging on at Old Trafford, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

What's the latest news involving the ownership battle at Manchester United?

As per Sky Sports, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his petrochemicals firm INEOS remain the 'leading candidate' to gain control of Manchester United despite an 'inconclusive board meeting' that occurred last Thursday between the Glazer family and the Raine group alongside independent directors.

Ratcliffe's bid is said to be proposing assuming a majority stake in Manchester United that would see two of the Glazer family still involved with the club while his rival bidder, Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim, wants to buy the club outright with no external involvement.

ESPN reported earlier this month that there may be a delay in proceedings, which in turn may affect Erik Ten Hag's ability to conduct business in the initial part of the transfer window as the Dutchman eyes reinforcements to bolster his squad.

Ten Hag has indicated that the battle for ownership at Old Trafford won't have too much of a bearing on his recruitment plans, as per Sky Sports, stating: "I came in here [at the end of] last season and we talked about what can we do in the squad, what can we do in transfers. And last year, the club confirmed they can do. So, for me, I don't think anything changed and yeah, in this summer period we can do the same.

What has Ben Jacobs said about Manchester United's recruitment prospects?

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jacobs thinks that there will be anxiety at Old Trafford over being able to secure important transfer targets if there is still complications in the ownership process once the window opens for business.

Jacobs told FFC: "It is really important to preface any Manchester United summer business in that context, that it isn't a routine window financially for Manchester United to navigate. I think that's been the frustration specifically with the recruitment team at Manchester United, that they've been operating with business as usual, trying to line up deals. Eventually, you can negotiate all you like, but if you get to the point where you're ready to complete a deal, somebody has to green light that and that either is going to be the Glazers, knowing they're going to stay or the Glazers knowing they're outgoing and maybe being reticent to spend or a new owner coming in. That first two or three weeks of the window is so crucial, because there's a range of players that obviously want to move quickly and early and have stability and walk in on day one of pre-season after a summer break. If the situation is resolved, with that kind of player looking for that kind of stability, should that player then have another option, Manchester United could find that they miss out on a certain target and I think that's always been the fear."

Who have Manchester United been linked with going into the summer?

Manchester United have been linked with several players as the forthcoming transfer window approaches as they look to build on a successful 2022/23 campaign that has yielded qualification for the Champions League.

Sky Sports report that Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane and West Ham United captain Declan Rice are all on a shortlist of potential targets at Old Trafford; however, it is unlikely that the Red Devils will sign all three players.

Out of the three, Mount looks to be the most realistic prospect at present to end up at the Premier League giants and is said to favour a move to Manchester United over other alternatives, according to journalist David Ornstein.

Writing in his column for GIVEMESPORT, journalist Dean Jones has also suggested that Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez is also on the radar for Ten Hag, though it will be interesting to see the direction the Red Devils go in when weighing up potential additions.

Chelsea could finally be set to sign a long-time target of theirs after a monumental past effort, capitalising on the uncertainty at Barcelona.

What's the latest with Jules Kounde to Chelsea?

The summer of 2022 was largely dominated by the Jules Kounde transfer saga for the Blues, as they constantly made efforts to tempt Sevilla's star man to west London to no avail.

In the end, Xavi's outfit would pull some questionable economic levers to instead tempt him to Camp Nou, where he has enjoyed title success in his debut season.

However, as per Spanish outlet Sport, the centre-back is reportedly frustrated with his head coach due to broken promises and is willing to force a move over the dispute. Coincidentally, the Blues are noted as the outstanding club who will move for the 24-year-old, 'willing to pay' even more than the €55m (£48m) Barcelona initially paid.

How good is Jules Kounde?

Although he may have grievances regarding his role at full-back, perhaps the chance to play in the Premier League could bypass his desire to star at the heart of defence.

After all, according to FBref, another converted centre back in Ben White sits atop his similar players' list as someone who has shone for the title-chasing Arsenal.

Perhaps Mauricio Pochettino could seek to emulate such success upon his arrival, introducing a physically imposing and no-nonsense full-back who will dominate that right flank.

Despite both of their preference for their old role, their ball-playing skill still sees them thrive when compared to other full-backs across Europe. After all, the France international sits in the top 7% for passes attempted and the top 5% for pass completion and progressive passes per 90, via FBref.

For comparison, White too ranks in the top 11% for passes attempted and pass completion, but stands out as part of the top 2% for progressive passes per 90, via FBref.

Despite what many would assume to be a defence-first mentality, their shared creativity has instead shone through amidst two surprisingly impressive seasons for their respective clubs.

What makes Kounde an even more attractive proposition for Pochettino is this versatility, as it would allow the Argentine to switch between a back four and a back three with minimal substitutions. The £55m-rated monster boasts such tactical nouse, yet remains a tough-tackling "warrior", as noted by former Blues defender Frank Leboeuf.

Given how important White has been to Mikel Arteta this campaign, Barcelona's 5 foot 11 fighter could have a similarly transformative effect on Chelsea, helping them return to where they will feel they belong.

A tumultuous campaign for Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and now Frank Lampard has brought about many issues that need solving this summer.

With Reece James' struggling fitness once again sparking questions over his reliability, and his versatility also allowing him to play central defence or even step into midfield when available, perhaps Kounde's arrival could add another level of solidity to this side and allow their goalscoring woes to be solved later in the window.

Aston Villa’s potential swoop for Rangers defender Calvin Bassey has been labelled as a “no-brainer” by former Scotland defender Alan Hutton, who played for both clubs during his career.

What’s the story?

Speaking to Football Insider, the 37-year-old was full of praise for the Nigerian international, stating: “He was outstanding in the Europa League final, and he carried that on in the Scottish Cup too.

“He’s growing in stature game-on-game. It doesn’t matter where he plays, centre-back or left-back – he gives you an unbelievable presence. He’s got such versatility – and that’s an attribute Villa will value so highly.

“For him to be putting in these kinds of performances at his age, and showing his capability at the highest level – it’s a no-brainer for someone like Villa to come in.

“If he can maintain that level and that consistency week-in, week-out – then wow, he could be an incredible player.”

Villa manager Steven Gerrard has already worked with the 22-year-old from his time in charge of Rangers and is reportedly keen to reunite with the versatile defender, with Sky Sports confirming the Midlanders’ interest earlier this week.

Villa must secure deal for Bassey

Having already signed Philippe Coutinho on a permanent deal whilst completing swoops for Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos, all before June, the West Midlands club have already laid down a marker this summer.

Gerrard and co undoubtedly have plenty of ambition when it comes to signings in the off-season, and Bassey would be another excellent addition.

The Nigerian played at left-back for a good chunk of 2021/22, but with the January signing of Lucas Digne, you would expect the 22-year-old to be regularly deployed as a centre-back at Villa.

Having made 49 appearances across all competitions this term, the former Leicester youth player has been instrumental at Ibrox, with Rangers reaching the Europa League final whilst narrowly losing out on the Premiership title to Celtic and winning the Scottish Cup.

Labelled “astonishing” by Owen Hargreaves after a tremendous display in the European final in Seville, Bassey is valued at a fee in excess of £25m by the Glaswegian club.

However, it already appears that, with the backing of NSWE, Villa will have deep pockets this summer, so a deal shouldn’t prove too complicated to complete.

AND in other news: “Interested in signing…”: Ex drops huge WHU transfer claim that supporters will love

As recent as 2015, former West Bromwich Albion attacker Saido Berahino had the world at his feet.

He’d just come off the back of a Premier League campaign with West Brom that saw him bag 14 goals as a promising player in his early 20’s.

The summer of 2015 saw the Baggies turn down multiple offers for what was their star striker at the time, with Spurs placing a reported £25m bid in order to prise him from the clutches of the Baggies.

Naturally, West Brom rejected the offer for their star academy graduate whose goals had helped the Baggies achieve a 13th place finish in England’s top flight the season prior.

Though, this exact moment can be traced back to the ignition of Berahino’s downward spiral.

In the run-up to the August deadline, Tottenham were desperate in their attempts to sign the forward and Berahino made the feelings mutual, with the whole debacle made even worse when he found out that the Baggies had blocked his dream move.

He took to Twitter to state his frustration, saying he would never play for Chairman Jeremy Peace again and consequently went on strike.

This strike lasted for the first half of the season, until Tony Pulis was appointed as manager and tried to reintegrate the forward back into the starting XI.

Though it was a move that did not play out how the Welshman would have expected it to, and as a result, he lost patience with Berahino – whose career was now starting to pass him by.

Pulis sold the striker onto former club Stoke City, who were willing to take a chance on Berahino and splashed a total reported fee of around £15m back in 2017.

It took the forward 35 appearances to grab his first goal in a Stoke shirt and after suffering relegation with the Potters and failing to find form in the Championship, he was released just one month after a conviction for drink driving.

The now 28-year-old is meant to be in the prime of his career and after three attempts to get his career back on track in the form of Belgian top-flight sides Zulte Waregem and RSC Charleroi, along with a season at Sheffield Wednesday, he now finds himself as a free agent, after being released from the latter – despite grabbing nine strikes and four assists.

It’s all gone so wrong for the player who Joe Chapman dubbed “quiet” after he burst onto the scene for West Brom.

And whilst he cost the Baggies nothing, they cashed in at the right time to coup a sweet £15m in total fees for a player who is now worth just £1.35m.

In other news: Bye-bye: Bruce heading for disaster over West Brom’s 43-goal “baller”