All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

A source close to Newcastle United has shared some behind the scenes insight on the potential takeover from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group.

The Lowdown: Arbitration delay

As shared by the official website of the North East club, the arbitration case between them and the Premier League has now been delayed until early 2022 because of issues with the disclosure of evidence.

The hearing was expected to take place this month, but now further delays have been implemented, leaving the club and fans in limbo for the foreseeable future.

The Latest: Takeover insight

Speaking to 90min, a source close to the St. James’ Park faithful has shared that Mike Ashley has been left raging at the arbitration delay, but added that the KSA consortium remain committed to doing a deal:

“Ashley is not happy at all all, he did not think this would be rumbling on into 2022, he wants this finalised. The consortium is still keen to do a deal, but nobody knows how long that will last. It could be indefinite.

“The fans are angry too, but what more can Ashley do? He has found a buyer, but it is the Premier League who have stopped it.”

The Verdict: Better late than never

It is certainly a kick in the teeth that there has been yet another delay implemented on the takeover, as arbitration is now not set to take place until next year.

However, the fact that the case will still go on is at least a positive, as it means that there is still a chance of the process being sped up, should the results go in the favour of the Tyneside club.

Going into another season without the takeover is not ideal by any means, given that the transfer budget is set to be far less stricter once more, but at least there is hope that a deal can still be done.

In other news, find out which six-foot-two colossus NUFC are in a Premier League battle to sign here!

A number of Liverpool supporters have been hailing Sadio Mane after the Reds superstar contributed towards the building of a hospital in his hometown in Senegal.

The 29-year-old has been one of the biggest figures of the Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield, maturing into a truly world-class footballer. Mane has scored 97 goals in 218 appearances for Liverpool, winning the Champions League and Premier League along the way.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

Not only that, but the Senegalese’s likeable personality has shone through during his time at Anfield, making him one of the most popular figures at the club. He has a selfless, down-to-earth attitude on the pitch and he is clearly the same off it, with his latest gesture summing him up as a person.

As reported by African sports journalist Nuhu Adams on Twitter, Mane has paid €530,000 (£455,000) for a hospital to be built in his hometown of Bambali, having already done the same with a high school in the village.

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

Liverpool fans hail Mane gesture

It is a special gesture from the Liverpool forward and these Reds fans have taken to Twitter to shower him with praise.

“I would visit Bambali one day to see Sadio, my very own favourite player”

Credit: @presidentofdsen

“What makes me happy is that the players we love are an inspiration as a human being. Sadio is a hero on and off the pitch”

Credit: @AbhayJogekar

“I’m proud of Sadio Mane as a Liverpool supporter”

Credit: @huntelaar19

“What a fella”

Credit: @TheRedDebate

“What a king”

Credit: @MbappeLFC_

“Make Sadio president imo”

Credit: @AudunMan

In other news, a reliable journalist has provided a key update on the future of one Reds player. Find out who it is here.

Loads of Wolves fans have had something to say after a transfer update on the future of Dion Sanderson.

Co-writing in his latest piece for The Athletic, Wanderers journalist Tim Spiers has shared that the Midlands club are hoping to keep the central defender, who has rejected a contract offer at Molineux.

In turn, WWFC have rejected a £1m bid from Newcastle United to sign Sanderson, who only has one year left on his current deal, and the bid from the Magpies is thought to be considerably lower than his valuation.

Sanderson played a big part in Sunderland reaching the EFL League One play-offs, playing in no fewer than 26 games in total in the division (Transfermarkt), and at just 21 years of age, is clearly an emerging talent.

Nonetheless, a lot of Wolves supporters seem to be very unhappy with the money that is being offered for Sanderson, while others simply do not want him to leave.

Wolves fans on Sanderson transfer update

These Wanderers flocked to the transfer update as it was shared on Twitter:

“Give him whatever he wants”

Credit: @WolvesNumber37

“We are a joke club”

Credit: @gxrchaa

“Pathetic offer, This guy is going to be a star yet we may sell him, what are the ambitions of Wolves as it seems we don’t have any!”

Credit: @WolvesBlogger1

“He needs to see a route to 1st team. Holding out on a new contract suggests he is pissed off. Offer him a loan with a Championship side until Xmas & commit to integrate him into 1st team squad next year. That should get him to extend his contract. They are messing this kid about”

Credit: @GerryLamonica

“Did so well with Sunderland, and their manager heaped praise on him. Makes sense to see if he can play at a higher level. A higher end Championship team would be perfect. £1m seems a pitiful offer for his potential and even current ability”

Credit: @SamclarkUk

“Do not let this kid walk because we’ve decided to be frugal. He has the talent.”

Credit: @bradynho

In other news, find out what transfer update has left WWFC fans fuming here!

Amid the talks with ex-Roma boss Paulo Fonseca, journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Erik ten Hag is still a contender for the job at Tottenham Hotspur (The Guardian).

The Lowdown: Spurs in advanced talks, again…

This isn’t the first time Tottenham have entered advanced discussions with a manager in the last fortnight.

Indeed, the Lilywhites made attempts for both Mauricio Pochettino and Antonio Conte recently as well.

Pochettino was said to be eager on a return to north London but current club Paris-Saint Germain were determined to dig their heels in (The Athletic).

Thereafter, talks with Conte emerged, and at one stage he looked likely to take the job.

However, despite promising early discussions, the talks eventually broke down – leaving Spurs back at square one in the manager chase.

News broke on Wednesday night of Tottenham’s fresh managerial offer, this time for former Shakhtar Donetsk boss Fonseca.

The Latest: Romano refuses to rule out ten Hag…

Amid these advanced discussions, reliable journalist Romano has claimed that Spurs could still turn to ten Hag and he remains a contender for the role.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-updates/” title=”Spurs latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Indeed, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has looked at ‘several’ candidates for the manager’s job and it is believed by the Italian journalist that ten Hag remains in the running for now.

However, as explained by the journalist, Fonseca is the more likely of the pair and is now the Lilywhites’ ‘preferred option’ to succeed Jose Mourinho.

The Verdict: Expect the unexpected…

Some reports have suggested the deal is almost done, but as we’ve learned from the Conte talks, things can change very quickly indeed.

Fonseca is understood to be open to joining Tottenham and a three-year contract has been discussed, but news of ten Hag still being in contention points toward this not being finished just yet.

Lauded as ‘remarkable’ by former striker Pierre Van Hooijdonk to TV station NOS (via Planet Football), Spurs supporters will be glad they are still thinking of alternatives in case talks break down.

In other news: Paratici eyeing this big name player for Tottenham, Harry Redknapp called him ‘top class’…find out more here.

Speaking live on Sky Sports (via Football Daily), reporter Paul Gilmour has shared what he has been told about Paulo Fonseca and Tottenham Hotspur after the club pulled out of manager talks.

The Lowdown: Spurs still eyeing new manager…

It’s now been two months since former boss Jose Mourinho was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur in what has been a whirlwind chase for new management.

Tottenham have been linked to a host of different managers and, at one point, attempted to bring former boss and current Paris-Saint Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino back to north London (BBC).

After PSG dug their heels in, Spurs turned to ex-Chelsea gaffer Antonio Conte only for those conversations to eventually cease (BBC).

The Latest: Sky Sports reporter shares Fonseca update…

Spurs also looked very likely to appoint Fonseca as their new boss, but in another sensational twist, they decided to pull out of negotiations.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-updates-2/” title=”Spurs latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Speculation mounted as to why this was the case, with some believing it was due to financial complications, but Gilmour has now come out with ‘verified’ information on the story.

“We have had that information verified, the information coming from our colleagues in Italy, that indeed those talks with Fonseca have indeed broken down,” he explained on Sky (via Football Daily).

“We’re told it is a decision that Tottenham themselves have taken and we are also told that it is not to do with anything financial in those negotiations.”

The Verdict: Crazy…

Despite arguably not exciting to many supporters as the likes of Conte or Pochettino, Fonseca still had his merits – like style of play and willingness to promote youngsters for instance (Evening Standard).

Time is running out for Spurs to appoint a new boss in good time for the 2021/2022 season and we believe the decision to pull out of yet more advanced discussions comes as truly crazy if it was not due to a financial disagreement – why did discussions get that far if the club weren’t even convinced he was their man?

Lilywhites will be hoping that chairman Daniel Levy, and new managing director Fabio Paratici, have a managerial ace up their sleeve in what is fast becoming a summer of chaos in north London.

In other news: “Now all parties confident”…Fabrizio Romano makes exciting Tottenham claim, find out more here.

Liverpool are willing to sell striker Taiwo Awoniyi this summer if they receive an offer of £8m, according to The Athletic’s James Pearce.

The lowdown

The Reds signed Awoniyi from his homeland Nigeria back in 2015 for just under £1m but they have been forced to sanction a succession of loan moves while they waited for him to secure a work permit. His switch to Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin ahead of the 2020/21 campaign was his seventh temporary exit.

Awoniyi finished the campaign as the team’s third highest-scorer with five goals, helping them to a seventh-place finish in the German top flight and qualification for next season’s Europa Conference League.

Mergim Vojvoda, a former team-mate of Awoniyi at Royal Excel Mouscron in Belgium, hailed him as “an excellent player with great qualities”, adding that “Taiwo is a forward who needs to showcase his power”.

Earlier this month, the Nigerian was finally able to obtain his work permit, meaning he could be part of the Liverpool squad next season, while he has two years left on his contract at Anfield.

The latest

Fulham, West Bromwich and Stoke City have ‘already shown interest’ in the 23-year-old, according to Pearce for The Athletic, and he is seen as one of the club’s more valuable assets after impressing in Germany.

Pearce added that the Reds will listen to offers for a whole host of returning loanees, including Harry Wilson, Marko Grujic and Loris Karius.

The verdict

Awoniyi may never have featured for the Reds’ first team, but he could still make an important contribution to Liverpool.

Having sealed the signing of Ibrahima Konate on Friday, The Athletic claimed that further coming incomings will be ‘influenced by how much is generated from player sales’.

An £8m influx is not to be dismissed. It could represent a decent chunk of the fee for a backup forward or a midfielder, while the potential sale of Awoniyi could be similar to how Liverpool yielded big fees for rarely-seen strikers such as Dominic Solanke and Rhian Brewster in the last couple of years.

In other news, could interest from Turkey see this Reds player sold to raise funds?

Liverpool could be set to rival Manchester United for the signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez this summer.

What’s the story?

According to Empire of the Kop’s Insider, Liverpool’s director of football Michael Edwards has become aware of Atleti’s willingness to sell the 26-year-old, with the club now heavily contemplating an approach for the star.

Saul is reportedly available for a bargain price of £40 million over the upcoming transfer window due to the Spain international having just a year to run on his current contract at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Edwards masterclass

The beastly midfielder played a pivotal part as Diego Simeone’s men won their second La Liga crown in eight seasons, featuring 33 times for Los Rojiblancos during their successful league campaign.

However, after failing to make Luis Enrique’s Euro 2020 squad, Saul is reportedly keen for a new challenge after spending the entirety of his senior career with his boyhood club, bar a brief loan spell away with Rayo Vallecano.

His omission from the national team for this summer’s tournament came as somewhat of a surprise to many onlookers, especially as his displays for La Furia Roja in the past have earned rave reviews.

“We have never had a midfielder like this,” claimed Spanish football expert Guillem Balague after Saul put in standout performances against Croatia and England in the Nations League. “Finally, people have realised the talent that this man has.

“As an 18-year-old he was offered to Everton, and they said no, as a 20-year-old he was offered to Manchester United, and they said no but I think in the next couple of years we will be talking about him as one of the top, if not the top midfielder in Europe.

“He can play in the Simeone style without the ball, quick putting teams under pressure, but also in the Barcelona style if he wanted to, quick with his passes, and of course he has got the physique to come from deep as he did with one of the goals against Croatia. You have got everything in one player.”

Jurgen Klopp is in need of reinforcements in the Liverpool engine room over the coming months, with Gini Wijnaldum expected to complete a free transfer to Barcelona.

The 30-year-old’s departure will leave a substantial hole in the Anfield outfit’s engine room, although it’s one that Saul certainly has the ability to fill.

Acquiring Saul’s signature would represent a masterclass from Edwards, not only due to the world-class quality that the all-rounder possesses but also because of the competition that the Reds are expected to face to secure his services.

European giants Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in Atleti’s prized asset, while United are thought to be in pole position.

And, in other news…Edwards must swoop for “sensational” £63m-rated gem lauded by Messi, LFC need him 

Backing reports of Tottenham Hotspur eyeing Lyon defender Joachim Andersen, Sky Sports (via Football Daily) have now shared their update on the situation with an enticing piece of news.

The Lowdown: Andersen linked to Spurs

Numerous claims have come out over the past week detailing Tottenham’s interest in Andersen, who is currently playing on loan at Fulham in the Premier League.

Indeed, reliable sources like Mike McGrath have indicated that Spurs are in ‘pole position’ to land the 24-year-old as they search for defensive options to bolster their shaky backline (The Telegraph).

Meanwhile, football.london correspondent Alasdair Gold also reiterated Tottenham’s fondness for the defender, who he described as a player who “Spurs like a lot”.

The Latest: Sky Sports back Andersen interest

Sky Sports have since come out with their own breaking update on the situation, and their sources also believe that the 1.92m (6 foot 3) powerhouse is indeed a firm target for Spurs.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest/” title=”Tottenham latest…” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

“Some transfer news just in to us and this will interest Tottenham fans,” they explained (via Football Daily).

“It will also interest Fulham fans, although, not positive for Fulham. We’re told that Tottenham are keen to sign Joachim Andersen this summer, he’s currently at Fulham but only on loan, on loan from Lyon.

“He’s a Denmark international, he’s done really well for Scott Parker’s side this season, but their relegation means he may not end up at Craven Cottage.

“Tottenham are keen to sign him and we’re told he’s valued at around £20 million”.

The Verdict: Great news for Spurs fans…

Andersen has been a shining light in an otherwise disappointing first full season back in the Premier League for Fulham.

Indeed, the 24-year-old has averaged the joint-fourth most clearances in the English top flight over 2020/21 and wins the most offsides per game out of every regular player in the Cottagers’ squad (WhoScored).

At just £20m, he could be an absolute steal for Spurs, and it appears that their interest is genuine given these reports from multiple reliable outlets.

Therefore, we won’t be surprised if Andersen does become a Tottenham player this summer, and his form this season suggests that he could be a fine addition if he moves to north London.

In other news: 45 y/o manager now open to joining Spurs, find out more here.

Manchester United have the chance to win their first major trophy in four years when they take on Villarreal in the Europa League final.

Wednesday night’s encounter at the Stadion Miejski in Gdansk will also give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the opportunity to claim his maiden piece of silverware as the manager of the Red Devils after suffering four consecutive semi-final defeats.

The Old Trafford outfit ended that particular run in impressive fashion, seeing off Roma 8-5 on aggregate to reach this season’s showpiece event, and they’ll be looking to finish the job in equally impressive fashion tonight as fans check Ladbrokes sign up offers available.

Star centre-back Harry Maguire is facing a race to prove his fitness in time to start, but Solskjaer has no new injury concerns going into what is arguably the Norwegian’s biggest game during his managerial career.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects United to line up tonight, with a huge ten changes from the side which started against Wolves last time out…

Dean Henderson appears to have blown his chance to prove himself as United’s No.1 goalkeeper – for now at least – after a horrendous display against Liverpool. David de Gea was rested against Wolves over the weekend and is expected to return for this crucial encounter.

Solskajer will wait up until the last minute for Maguire to get himself fit and able to play against Villarreal, but it’s unlikely that the England international will be able to recover in time to feature from the off.

Therefore, Eric Bailly is set to partner Victor Lindelof at the heart of defence, with the dependable duo of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw taking up their usual slots at full-back.

One of the biggest calls that Ole will have to make is in midfield. The former Molde boss has often opted for a double-pivot made up of Fred and Scott McTominay in big games for added protection.

However, he may be tempted to ditch that approach, given how fell his forwards have been playing in recent months. The more athletic McTominay may just get the nod over Fred, providing cover for Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes as the pair roam and provide creativity for the front three.

It will mean that the £31.5m-rated (as per Transfermarkt) Donny van de Beek drops to the bench after an underwhelming first season in English football.

A forward line of Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford should get the nod as Solskjaer entrusts the talented trio to fire United to Europa League glory.

And, in other news…James Cooper drops huge Man Utd transfer claim that’ll surely have fans buzzing 

Get German Football News editor-in-chief Daniel Pinder has exclusively told Football FanCast that the addition of Stuttgart star Nicolas Gonzalez this summer would make for an “exciting” front-three for Leeds United.

The Yorkshire club were strongly linked with the Stuttgart winger last summer, although the Argentine ended up staying in Germany having scored 14 goals in their promotion-winning campaign 12 months ago.

Gonzalez has missed the majority of this season with a muscle problem, but has still contributed to eight goals in the Bundesliga, scoring six times whilst providing two assists, to help Stuttgart push towards a mid-table finish in their first season back in Germany’s top-flight.

Jack Harrison has been part of Leeds’ front-three this season, but the youngster is on loan from Manchester City, and Pinder told Football FanCast that signing Gonzalez would make for a mouth-watering attack for Marcelo Bielsa, alongside two stars of their own first campaign back in the top division – Raphinha and Patrick Bamford.

He said: “It’s that thing of, you’ve got Raphinha and potentially Gonzalez on the other wing and Bamford up front.

“And with their fast direct play up front, them interchanging, it would be an exciting time to be a Leeds fan if they signed Nicolas Gonzalez.”