All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Leeds United employee Noel Whelan has hailed the club’s supporters ahead of a potential record attendance for an Under-23 fixture on Friday evening.

The Lowdown: Elland Road ticket details

The Whites youngsters, now led by Andrew Taylor following Mark Jackson’s promotion to the first team, take on Manchester City tomorrow evening.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-42/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Leeds gave season ticket holders and members the opportunity to attend for free up until April 12, with Beren Cross sharing on Wednesday evening that ticket sales are beyond 17,000.

The record for a Premier League 2 fixture stands at 17,525 – set by Everton in 2017, but it looks as if the Whites will surpass that figure before the weekend.

The Latest: Whelan’s comments

Talking to Football Insider, Whelan labelled the support as ‘incredible’, adding that this goes to show that an expansion to Elland Road needs to happen.

“That just says it all about our club.

“We knew we had incredible supporters, and this is just the latest evidence of that.

“It’s not the first time we’ve gone over the 10,000 mark – and that’s fantastic support.

“This sort of thing just epitomises why we need a bigger stadium. A lot of these fans can’t get tickets for the Premier League games.

“For me, this sort of demand just proves that an expansion to Elland Road needs to be in the works.

“It’s going to be a great experience for these young players to play in front of that kind of crowd.”

The Verdict: Bonkers

The well-known phrase ‘Leeds take more’ is sometimes mocked by opposition supporters, but this just goes to show how incredible the Whites faithful are.

Bringing nearly 20,000 to a U23 fixture is crazy, and potentially higher than a number of Championship attendances this weekend.

The club have teased work to Elland Road in recent years, and after this update, hopefully, they will make a start on plans to expand the current 37,890 capacity.

In other news: ‘In the coming days’ – Fabrizio Romano drops blow for Leeds and Orta as ‘agreement’ reached. 

Leeds United could find it hard to keep hold of Raphinha after his impressive form for Brazil, according to Sky Sports pundit Kevin Phillips.

The Lowdown: Raphinha on fire for Brazil

The 24-year-old has been fantastic for the Whites over the last year and his form earned him a call-up to Brazil’s squad during the current international break.

Raphinha made an immediate impression on his Selecao debut, registering two assists in his country’s 3-1 win away to Venezuela on Friday, showing exactly what he is capable of producing.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375277″]

The Latest: Leeds exit soon?

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips admitted that the winger’s performance will only increase the chance of him moving on from Leeds eventually, with elite clubs sure to be eyeing up a transfer. The former Sunderland striker said:

“His stock is rising, big time. To perform like that for Brazil, it doesn’t really get any better.

“We know the impact he has had on the Premier League. He has been amazing. But, to do it for Brazil is just brilliant. It puts his stock even higher.

“A performance like that has pros and cons for Leeds. On one hand you think, ‘Brilliant. He’s improving all the time.’

“But, on the other hand you fear that there will be a lot of interest from other clubs next year. They might try and nick him.

“It is great news for Leeds that he will come back buzzing and full of confidence though. Hopefully he can keep up that level of performance.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-19/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Tough to keep hold of him

Much like Kalvin Phillips, in an ideal world Raphinha would stay at Leeds for the rest of his career – he has been hailed as ‘incredible’ by Phil Hay – given how important he is to Marcelo Bielsa. He is their leading scorer this season with three goals and, as per WhoScored metrics, is their best-performing player by a distance.

In reality, the Whites may have to accept that a fresh challenge could appeal to the 24-year-old in the near future, with the Brazilian perhaps keen to play for a Champions League club or a team challenging for league titles.

Whether or not it is as early as next summer remains to be seen, but as Kevin Phillips has hinted, it is difficult to see Raphinha staying at Elland Road in the long-term if he continues to thrive for club and country.

In other news, Phil Hay has provided an update regarding Leeds’ January transfer business. Read more here.

Frank McAvennie has given his reaction to the news that Patrick Bamford has signed a new deal at Leeds United.

The Lowdown: Bamford signs

As confirmed in August by the Elland Road faithful on their official website, Bamford has signed a new five-year contract with them.

This comes after a very impressive 2020/21 season in the Premier League, in which he played in every single game, scoring no fewer than 17 goals and making a further eight assists (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: McAvennie on Bamford deal

Speaking to Football Insider, former Celtic and West Ham United striker McAvennie admitted that he was ‘shocked’ that Bamford was not given a new deal sooner, but claimed that it was a ‘great’ move by Marcelo Bielsa’s team to tie him down:

“I’m shocked it didn’t happen sooner.

“He’s the main man for Leeds and he will have been gutted the fans weren’t in there last season.

“Elland Road is magnificent when it’s full and bouncing, it’s a great venue that deserves great players.

“Bamford was that last season, he scored a load of goals and proved everyone wrong.

“It’s a simple move to give him a deal but a great one as well.

“He played so many games too so he’s obviously fit as anything. They need to keep him fit this season.”

The Verdict: Great move

As McAvennie points out, it is a great move by the Yorkshire club to get Bamford to sign a new contract.

Described as an ‘exceptional’ player by Jurgen Klopp back in April, the striker showed his qualities last term and has carried on his form into this campaign, scoring one goal and supplying one assist in three matches in the top flight so far (Transfermarkt).

Bamford’s form has now been recognised by Gareth Southgate, who has recently called the 27-year-old up to the England squad, and deservedly so.

In other news, find out what move for this Whites ace looked to have fallen through on Deadline Day here!

West Ham United target Luka Jovic could leave Real Madrid this January…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Eurosport journalist Dean Jones, who provided a fresh update on the 23-year-old’s current situation.

Things have not gone to plan for Jovic since he arrived at the Bernabeu in a €60m (£51.2m) move from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019. He could not break into the side under Zinedine Zidane, resulting in a loan move back to the Bundesliga outfit last season, and it appears he has the exact same problem under Carlo Ancelotti.

Both Arsenal and the Irons have been linked with a move for the Serbia international and he could well be available at the turn of the year, although he is thought to be favouring a move to Germany or Italy over the Premier League.

Tevez 2.0

If David Moyes and co can secure a move for the 6-foot striker, then they could well be bringing shades of Carlos Tevez back to east London as there are plenty of similarities between the two.

Lionel Messi once described Jovic as “a magical player who makes the impossible, possible” and indeed, that’s hardly a surprise as he was a ruthless goal machine during his time in the Bundesliga.

The £18m-rated talisman bagged 40 goals in just 93 appearances, managing a direct contribution every 103 minutes. That sort of predatory instinct inside the penalty box bears some hallmarks to the Argentine, who went onto have a glistening Premier League career with both Manchester giants.

Tevez bagged seven goals and provided five assists in 29 appearances for the Irons.

The Madrid flop has also been lauded as ‘quick and instinctive with an excellent appreciation of space and inert knowledge of where the goal is’ by analysis website Football Whispers, which only further makes the link between the two as both were dynamic forwards who knew exactly how to find the net.

Moyes is surely in desperate need of a new striker this January as he cannot risk playing the remainder of the campaign with only one recognised senior player in the role.

If Jovic is available, as the report suggests, then West Ham must try to secure him.

The 23-year-old is still nowhere near reaching his peak and he could well become a Tevez-like beast for the Hammers.

AND in other news, Moyes must hugely regret West Ham’s summer call on “sensational” £10.8m-rated striker…

Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has suffered a potential setback in his recovery from injury, posing further selection headaches for manager Rafa Benitez.

What’s the word?

The England international hasn’t featured since the 2-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion on 28 August due to a broken toe and thigh problem.

Although the Toffees are yet to name an exact date for Calvert-Lewin’s expected comeback, there are growing concerns over a setback in his recovery.

A recent report in the Liverpool ECHO expressed such worries, claiming the versatile attacker could be on the treatment table for up to three months.

The report states that: “Rafa Benitez had hoped to be in a position to recall Calvert-Lewin to the squad in the coming weeks, but it is believed the 24-year-old may have suffered complications in his rehabilitation.

“Everton were asked about Calvert-Lewin’s fitness by the ECHO, but the club have yet to respond. There are some fears that the No9 could be sidelined for up to 12 weeks, but there is hope his absence will not be as long as that.”

Rafa Benitez surely devastated

News that Calvert-Lewin could face an extended spell on the sidelines will surely leave Benitez feeling absolutely devastated.

He has been their star man for a considerable period of time now, bagging 21 times last season and scoring three goals in his opening three outings this term. That was sandwiched by a place in England’s Euro 2020 squad as he played second fiddle to Harry Kane in the Three Lions side that reached the final a few months ago.

A fast start to the season from Everton is threatening to be unravelled due to a series of injuries to several key players, with midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure the latest to pick up a fresh problem.

The Goodison Park outfit suffered their first home defeat of the campaign last time out against West Ham United, and Benitez must fear more underwhelming results are inevitable as the list of absentees continues to grow.

And, in other news…Everton could be hit with a hammer blow after concerning report, fans surely worried 

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans has revealed that Aston Villa striker Wesley will be leaving the club on loan in this summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

The Brazilian missed Dean Smith’s side’s 6-0 thrashing of Barrow in the Carabao Cup second round, and it now appears that he missed the game due to an imminent move away.

And now, in a tweet posted after Villa’s victory over the League Two side, Evans revealed that the striker will now be heading back to Belgium to join Club Bruges on a season-long loan.

Villa fans will be worried

While Danny Ings’ arrival certainly puts Wesley down the pecking order at Villa Park, it’s a bit of a questionable decision from Smith to let the Brazilian go this summer, even on a temporary basis.

Ollie Watkins was a man of steel last season in the Premier League, only missing the one match all campaign, but whether that level of fitness can hold up for a second successive campaign remains to be seen.

Add to that the fact Ings missed several games last season for Southampton with a knee injury, and of course has ruptured his ACL previously, and Villa could be left really short up front if they suffer some misfortune.

Standing at 6 foot 3, and with a real aerial presence, he offers something completely different to the hard running and movement of Watkins, and gives Villa a different dimension either to come off the bench or even to start when Smith wants to rest his main striker.

With Keinan Davis also already gone out on loan, Smith is certainly taking a gamble by letting another one of his squad options go before deadline day closes.

Villa fans may be very worried if Wesley departs, and the club suffer some injury problems – especially considering Watkins has already missed some game-time already this campaign.

Meanwhile, Villa are plotting a late swoop for this star…

Aston Villa continue to make moves in the January transfer window amid reports claiming they are closing in on the signing of Dundee United starlet Kerr Smith.

What’s the story?

Writing initially on Twitter, journalist Scott Burns said: “@dundeeunitedfc defender Kerr Smith heads south to finalise big-money move to @AVFCOfficial.”

Then, in a follow-up article for The Scottish Express Sport, he added: “Dundee United have agreed a deal to sell Kerr Smith to Aston Villa in a deal that could eventually net them close to £2 million. The English Premier League side have managed to negotiate a significant transfer fee up front along with a number of major add-ons for their in-demand academy graduate.

“Crystal Palace, Southampton, Everton and Chelsea were all interested in the 17-year-old but Steven Gerrard’s Villa have struck a deal with sporting director Tony Asghar. The teenager has now been given permission to travel south for a medical, to agree terms and finalise his dream move.

Gerrard will love him

While the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne will no doubt play a major part in Villa’s first team over the coming weeks and months, the arrival of Smith is one for the future.

Indeed, in that aforementioned article, Burns added: “Villa rate Smith as one of the best young defenders of his age in the United Kingdom and very much see him as one for the future. He will be integrated into their under-23 squad in the short-term.”

Already standing at 6 foot, the 17-year-old has had his taste of first-team football this season for United, playing five games in the Scottish Premiership, including playing the full 90 minutes of a 1-1 draw against Celtic.

Speaking in April of last year, fellow defender Mark Connolly said: “Kerr, who played beside me, was fantastic. He’s 16 years of age and it’s incredible.”

Given the kind of project Gerrard is embarking on at Villa Park, the signing of a hugely talented youngster like Smith is sure to have him buzzing.

With the likes of Carney Chukwuemeka and Jacob Ramsey seeing some game-time in recent weeks, it’s clear the new Villa boss is intent on giving young players the chance to shine if they deserve it.

It’s exactly why he will surely be loving the prospect of coaching someone like Smith at Villa.

Meanwhile, this Villa target could be joining their Premier League rivals…

As per Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via Inside Futbol, an update has come to light on Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Torino defender Gleison Bremer.

The Lowdown: Centre-back eyed…

The signing of a central defender is reliably reported to be manager Antonio Conte and transfer chief Fabio Paratici’s top summer priority.

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

Indeed, as backed by The Athletic, Tottenham are eager to bolster their options in that position, particularly on the left side of the three, with an array of transfer targets having already been shortlisted.

Bremer, who has been in fine form for Torino this season, is one of them as news from the continent emerges.

The Latest: Tottenham official dispatched…

According to Gazzetta (via IF), a Tottenham official was recently sent to run the rule over one of Serie A’s top defenders as Conte personally identifies him as a possible signing.

It is believed, however, that his club could demand around €50 million (£41m) for his services.

The Verdict: Worth the money?

The Brazilian, highly regarded by Italian football experts, is also attracting interest from the likes of Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, Leicester, Everton and Newcastle according to reports.

Amid the competition, his price could rise even further, but Bremer comes as a really promising target nonetheless and it’s no surprise to see him on Conte’s wanted list.

Averaging the second-highest match rating out of Torino’s squad on average, none of their players have made more clearances or interceptions per 90 in Serie A this season – backing his colossal defensive ability (WhoScored).

Ex-Forza Italian Football journalist Rajath Kumar has even described the 25-year-old as their ’emerging superstar’, and if Paratici opts to invest significantly in his signing, he could be a coup for Spurs.

In other news: Tottenham sources now believe they’re in pole position to seal ‘top signing’ for Conte! Find out more here.

Aston Villa have had a great start to their new era under Steven Gerrard, with an important win against Brighton this weekend, their first in five.

The former Rangers boss is no stranger to coming into teams and developing sides to suit his style of play and vision for success to build a winning mentality, which is something he proved he could do with Rangers.

Gerrard led his Rangers side to their first title in ten years, in an invincible season where they played 38 games, won 32, drew 6 and lost none.

We are already seeing glimpses of the Gerrard philosophy of play integrated into his new Aston Villa side, with Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins adopting the very same attacking tactics that the 41-year-old manager used with Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe.

Playing Watkins on the left and Ings through the middle, the pair interchanged and swapped positions throughout the clash with Brighton to confuse markers and gain more opportunity and space in front of goal, which is exactly how Gerrard set up his two goal scorers in his Rangers side too.

There has been a lot of speculation surrounding Gerrard and his former Rangers team, with Ryan Kent and now, Alfredo Morelos linked with moves to the Premier League club, with both players thriving in the system that their former manager adopted in his time at the Scottish club.

Gerrard spoke out about Alfredo Morelos when he was at Rangers, discussing the chances of the striker being picked up by another club;

“For me, we like working with him, we like the player, he scores goals. I still think he can get at a better level in a personal point of view and the goals will come, but in terms of decisions and where he will be in the long term it will be down to him and his representation rather than us because we’ve always shown that we want to keep the player, so all the noise around Alfredo comes from him and his people rather than us.”

His footballing abilities have been said to be “like a jungle cat” with AD San Carlos manager, Restrepo, saying;

“He was like a jungle cat who hadn’t been trained. He would use his speed and power to get into space and open up an opportunity but because he was moving so fast and so powerfully he couldn’t finish.”

Aston Villa could make the £10.8m-rated bully their first signing in January as they seek to secure points and stay away from the relegation zone in the second half of the season.

There is no doubt that Morelos could add an attacking threat and goals to the side, with his experience playing under Gerrard and in a winning system for the Liverpudlian manager.

Should he join and continue to score at the rate he has in Glasgow with 101 goals to his name, he would be an awe-inspiring signing, one that could ensure they remain in the top-flight of English football.

In other news: Jacob Ramsey could be Steven Gerrard’s Grealish

Transfer insider Graeme Bailey has now revealed some news involving reported Newcastle United target Nico Schlotterbeck.

The Lowdown: January target

It was reported that the St. James’ Park faithful were eyeing up a move for Schlotterbeck in the January transfer window, but a move from Freiburg never materialised in the end.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-5/” title=”Newcastle news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Instead, they signed Dan Burn from Brighton and Hove Albion, but could be in the market for another central defender in the summer, as per 90min.

The Latest: Dortmund bound

Sharing his article on Twitter, Bailey has revealed that the North East club will now ‘miss out’ on signing Schlotterbeck this summer, as he is set to sign for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga:

“Newcastle miss out on signing of Nico Schlotterbeck,” the journalist said.

“Outstanding young German international did have interest in moving to Tyneside, but Borussia Dortmund were a bigger lure at this point.”

The Verdict: Shame

It is a shame that the Magpies have seemingly missed out on one of their targets in Schlotterbeck.

The 22-year-old is clearly a top prospect, having broken into the Germany national team last month, and his performances in the Bundesliga have merited a move to a big club like Dortmund.

He currently ranks as Freiburg’s best performer in the Bundesliga so far this season, and is high among his teammates in terms of average aerial duels, tackles, interceptions, clearances and blocks won per match (WhoScored).

Schlotterbeck would have been a shrewd signing for Eddie Howe and his team, but it looks like they will have to advance further in the long-term project if they are to beat big clubs to their respective targets.

In other news, find out which ‘special, special’ ex-Magpie NUFC are now targeting here!