All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Manchester City are considering a move for Crystal Palace full-back Tyrick Mitchell, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo. 

The lowdown: Replacement could be needed…

This comes amidst enhanced speculation surrounding the long-term future of left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko at the Etihad Stadium.

Already linked with Arsenal and West Ham United, the versatile Ukrainian could be seeking pastures new this summer. having struggled to hold down a regular place in Pep Guardiola’s plans.

It now seems as though there could be interest coming from abroad, as City eye up an exciting potential successor…

The latest: Mitchell considered by Man City

As per Mundo Deportivo, Man City are ‘considering the possibility of signing’ the 22-year-old Eagles defender.

It’s claimed that Barcelona are looking at signing Zinchenko and, as such, the Citizens may move for Palace’s twice-capped England international.

Dubbed a ‘silent assassin’ by former academy coach Stuart English, Mitchell has graduated through the youth ranks at Selhurst Park and is now an established member of Patrick Vieira’s side.

The verdict: Natural progression

A naturally attack-minded left-back who has played as a left-sided midfielder on occasion, signing the talented English youngster would be a superb replacement if Zinchenko leaves, as Guardiola looks to develop the City squad once again.

In 2021/22, the Londoner provided two assists in 42 appearances across all competitions for Palace, earning a 6.87 Sofascore rating whilst making 2.9 tackles, 2.3 clearances and 1.1 interceptions per game in the process. That highlights his defensive acumen in a team which requires its full-backs to perform such duties.

Young enough to develop further whilst also being experienced enough to slot in from the outset at City and bolster the homegrown quota at the same time, making a genuine attempt to sign the £15.3m- valued Mitchell this summer should be a no-brainer for the Etihad Stadium hierarchy.

In other news: The Telegraph share major Man City update on Kalvin Phillips! Find out more here

Aston Villa have recently been credited with an interest in Nantes left-back Quentin Merlin, and the youngster could form an excellent duo with Lucas Digne in Steven Gerrard’s side.

What’s the word?

According to the Sunday Mirror (05/06, p72), Villa are lining up a move for the 20-year-old defender, with the view of him competing with Digne for a starting spot at Villa Park next season.

The report suggests that Villa scouts were impressed by the defender when sounding out new signing Boubacar Kamara in France and could now look to make him the fifth addition of what has already been a hectic transfer window.

A frightening duo?

Merlin enjoyed a solid breakthrough campaign with Les Canaris, making 33 appearances last season, in which he contributed two goals and three assists in all competitions.

This included a well-taken goal in a surprise 3-1 win against PSG, which led journalist Josh Bunting to tweet:

“What a goal from Quentin Merlin his first in Ligue 1, incredible technique to make it 2-0.”

The 20-year-old wonderkid is currently valued at £4.5m by Transfermarkt, but he is contracted at the Stade de la Beaujoire until 2026, so it may take a substantial fee for Villa to prise him away this summer.

If he were to make the switch to Villa Park, he could be an excellent deputy for Digne, who joined the club from Everton in the January transfer window, averaging a solid 6.96 rating from WhoScored across his 16 appearances in the Premier League under Gerrard.

The 28-year-old, who was once dubbed “frightening” as a prediction for the future of the French national team by Daniel Storey, has plenty of experience in the Premier League and with Barcelona, so could be an excellent tutor for Merlin as he adapts to English football.

With Matt Targett looking likely to depart Villa Park this summer after spending the second half of last season on loan with Newcastle, Gerrard will need a backup to Digne next season if the Villans are to realise their European ambitions.

If Merlin can produce the sort of form he showed for Nantes in the Premier League with Villa, then he could prove to be a magical addition to Gerrard’s squad, helping to form a magical left-back pairing in the Midlands.

And, in other news… Aston Villa must revive interest in winger loved by Thierry Henry

Nottingham Forest have secured promotion into the Premier League next season after taking the victory over Huddersfield Town at Wembley on Sunday afternoon, and they could already be about to make their first summer signing.

What’s the latest?

According to The Star, Nottingham Forest are keen to extend Max Lowe’s stay at The City Ground this summer following an impressive loan spell at the club.

As per the report, sources in the East Midlands have claimed Steve Cooper would like to keep the midfielder when they challenge in the Premier League next season but are aware that Sheffield United could offer their player a contract extension to tempt him away from signing a deal with the newly-promoted side.

Cooper would love it

It would not be surprising that the Forest manager wants to keep his winning side together for next season and take some of his loan players who have become key components into the Premier League with him.

Cooper would clearly love to keep Lowe at the club following his high praise of the player this season after he returned from a nasty groin strain that kept him sidelined for two months:

“I’m proud of Max, and generally pleased for him.

“He’s been an absolute credit to his profession in how he has handled himself through his rehab and his recovery.”

The £14k-per-week ace who was hailed a “king” by journalist Ryan Conway, has been phenomenal from the centre of the pitch for Forest this season, with SofaScore ranking him as the ninth top-rated player in the squad.

Lowe has scored one goal and contributed four assists, creating three big chances, making 1.5 interceptions, 1 key pass and 3.7 tackles on average per game as well as winning the majority of his duels (58%), and proving successful in the majority of his dribbles (53%) in his 20 Championship appearances this season.

These statistics prove that he has been a reliable and consistent performer in the Nottingham Forest team this season, and further illustrate good reason for the club to attempt to further extend Lowe’s time at the club and deploy him in the squad in the top flight.

With that being said, there is work to do now for the club and Cooper to identify the right players to get the best out of their campaign in the Premier League and will be hoping they will have enough to maintain their status in the league next term.

AND in other news: Nottingham Forest must secure deal for “unbelievable” £20m gem, Cooper loves him

West Ham United could well be facing a major post-season setback, amid reports that midfield star Declan Rice won’t be signing a new deal.

What’s the word?

According to Claret and Hugh, the Hammers have reportedly ‘confirmed’ that the 23-year-old will not be agreeing to a new contract this summer. This represents a twist as there were ‘hopes’ from within that club that he could commit his future to the London Stadium.

The England international has just two years remaining on his existing deal – with the option of an extra year – having been rumoured to have rejected a remarkable eight-year extension from the east London outfit worth an estimated £83m.

While it would appear he will remain at the club for at least another season, with the Premier League side placing a £150m price tag on his head to ward off any interest, the belief is that he will more than likely be moving on at the end of next term, as per this latest report.

Supporters worried

Although there is the positive news that the £62k-per-week gem should be a West Ham player for the 2022/23 season, that will seemingly only marginally soften the blow, with supporters facing what looks like an inevitable separation with their talisman, something that will no doubt leave them worried.

Having been plucked at the age of 14 after being released by London rivals Chelsea, Rice has gone on to become an integral asset to the Irons, notably taking on captaincy duty in the absence of Mark Noble in recent seasons.

Not just a leading figure at the club, the £67.5m-rated machine is also one of the most prominent players in the division, with pundit Paul Parker suggesting that he is “the best central midfield player in the country”, such has been his standout form of late.

In recent seasons, in particular, the 29-cap colossus has been a real driving force for both club and country, while he compares favourably to those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, ranking in the top 5% for interceptions made, as well as in the top 6% for pass completion and the top 9% for progressive carries.

That latter stat is no real surprise, in truth, with the marauding midfielder so often seen winning the ball back in the centre of the park and driving right at the heart of the opposition defence, with his powerful surging runs forward so vital to dragging David Moyes’ side up the pitch.

Of course, with that £150m figure that has been bandied about the former Everton boss could likely strengthen in a number of positions were Rice to be sold, although supporters will no doubt agree that he is a simply unique and irreplaceable asset who would leave a notable void were he to depart.

The Hammers only have to look at the mess that Tottenham Hotspur made with their sizeable, £80m Gareth Bale sale back in 2013, with Spurs proving that even seven new signings couldn’t replicate the talent of just one, leading figure.

It may not be this summer that GSB cash in on their man, although it could prove an anxious 12 months for supporters as they wait and see where the midfielder’s long-term future lies.

IN other news, “Another target…”: Ex drops big WHU summer transfer claim that supporters will love

Nottingham Forest will compete for the chance to be promoted back into the Premier League for the first time in 23 years this weekend, and they have had quite a journey this season in the Championship.

There is no way that supporters could’ve imagined the club being in this position now with Steve Cooper in charge after an awful start to the season under Chris Hughton, who was sacked in September for losing six games out of seven, leaving Forest bottom of the table on a solitary point.

Cooper delivered one of the biggest U-turns that the Championship has ever seen with 22 wins, 10 draws and just six defeats in his 38 games at the helm; and if they are promoted to the top flight this weekend, it will be a dream come true for the club.

Although the Welsh manager has been phenomenal, there are certain players who have put in hard work and impressive performances over the season to get Forest over the line, with homegrown talent Brennan Johnson a standout in the squad.

Forest struck gold with Johnson

The 21-year-oldhas become one of the Championship’s most exciting young talents this season, winning EFL Young Player of the Year recently, and it is no wonder when you consider his output.

The £2.5k-p/w livewire, who was dubbed “wonderful” by Wales manager Robert Page, has scored 16 goals and contributed 10 assists, created 15 big chances, made 1.3 key passes and taken 1.9 shots per game. This shows that he has been a real force in front of goal to lead Forest out of trouble and on the brink of potential promotion with his output.

These achievements have consequently attracted the attention of many Premier League clubs keen to secure his signature this summer, with Leicester City, Newcastle United and Everton all named as potential suitors.

Johnson is a product of Nottingham Forest’s academy, so they paid no transfer fee for the player. They could duly make a huge profit on the 21-year-old if they were to sell him this summer, with Transfermarkt listing his market value at £13.5m as of this month.

Even with that market value, the Championship club are reportedly attracting offers of £20m, but they will surely be hoping that they can keep hold of the young forward for next season if they secure Premier League promotion this weekend.

AND in other news: Cooper heading towards his first Forest disaster this summer, he’ll hate it

Roker Report’s Philip West has been reacting to the news that VAR will be used in Sunderland’s League One playoff final clash with Wycombe Wanderers, warning of the ‘ridiculous fingernail offside’ decisions.

The Lowdown: Season-defining day at Wembley

The Black Cats face their biggest game of a gruelling season on Saturday afternoon, as they take on Wycombe at Wembley for a place in the Championship.

Alex Neil’s side overcame Sheffield Wednesday in a dramatic semi-final clash but they must now make sure that all their hard work doesn’t go to waste against a stubborn opponent.

It has been confirmed that VAR will be used for Saturday’s game – something that Sunderland and Wycombe haven’t experienced in the league all season long.

The Latest: Journalist unhappy about VAR

Reacting to the news on Twitter, journalist and podcaster West was unconvinced about the controversial technology coming into play at Wembley:

“Mixed thoughts on VAR being used for the playoff final. The system itself is OK in theory (the ridiculous idea of a fingernail being offside notwithstanding) but it’s only as good as the people operating it. Hopefully we have experienced officials for Saturday.”

The Verdict: Could it prove key?

Fans will always be divided when it comes to VAR, with some feeling it ultimately leads to correct decisions and others believing it has taken some of the heart and drama out of the game.

There is every chance that it will cause some kind of controversy on Saturday afternoon and the hope is that Sunderland aren’t on the receiving end of it, as they look to break out of League One after a four-year stay.

That being said, it can clearly be beneficial a lot of the time, so it could be that West and others are happy come Saturday night, should it have aided a Black Cats win.

In other news, James Copley is stunned by some other Sunderland playoff final news. Find out why here.

Celtic ended their season as Premiership champions last weekend in Ange Postecoglou’s debut campaign in charge of the Hoops.

As result of their title win and their inclusion in next season’s Champions League group stage, the Bhoys will reap a tidy sum of £40m.

Looking ahead to the upcoming summer transfer window, it seems as though a clue has emerged regarding what the Hoops could do with that prize money ahead of the 2022/23 season.

What’s the talk?

Speaking to Football Insider, former Celtic player Frank McAvennie was discussing the upcoming summer transfer window and the potential business that the Hoops should be looking to execute.

He said: “New players have to come in, that’s for sure. We have a pretty good squad at the moment, but we saw how stretched it got when we were playing in Europe.

“It will be even harder in the Champions League next season as well so new players will have to come in. I think four players, around that number, hopefully more. Four players who can challenge for a starting spot or of that quality to start every week.

“We are getting that money so hopefully Ange gets a bit to spend. I’m sure he will because he has worked wonders with this squad.”

Great news for Celtic fans

Last summer’s transfer window proved that Postecoglou is not slow to make significant changes to his squad if he feels it is needed.

Taking into account how successful the Hoops were in the league in terms of not only winning the title but ending the campaign with the best attack and defence in the top flight, the prospect of further transfer business at Parkhead this summer should be a very exciting one for Celtic fans.

With the likes of loanees Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers set to see their deals expire soon, an immediate priority for Celtic should be to sort their futures out before thinking about bringing in new players.

Also, with not only the league title to regain but the Champions League to tackle once more, the 56-year-old will want to ensure that his squad has the depth and quality to pick up as much silverware as they can.

With that in mind, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see another busy summer transfer period at Lennoxtown in the coming weeks and months.

In other news – Worth £473k in 2020, now valued at £3.6m: Ange played a blinder on “crucial” Celtic star

Real Madrid have reportedly named their price for midfielder Dani Ceballos, amid interest from Crystal Palace.

What’s the word?

According to Spanish outlet AS, the La Liga giants are set to demand just £10m for the 25-year-old, with the player having only a year remaining on his existing deal at the Bernabeu.

The Spaniard’s former side Real Betis – whom he left on a €17m (£14.5m) deal back in 2017 – are credited with an interest, although the report suggests that Manuel Pellegrini’s side are unwilling to stump up the fee required to recapture the player.

The report goes on to add that there is interest from clubs in Serie A and the Premier League, with previous links earlier this season suggesting that Palace are one of those sides believed to be eyeing a move.

Gallagher replacement

The £13.5m-rated man would seemingly be available at a relative bargain price, while he also offers previous top-flight experience in English football having spent two seasons on loan at Arsenal between 2019 and 2021.

Although the £128k-per-week playmaker came in for criticism during his time at the Emirates, notably from pundit Tim Sherwood, he offers genuine quality to Patrick Vieira’s side, having been dubbed a “very clever” player by Robin van Persie while in north London.

A route out of the Spanish capital is seemingly needed for the 11-cap international having made just two league starts this season, although even in his brief outings he has shown flickering of quality, notably recording an impressive 7.5 match rating in the 4-0 win over Espanyol at the end of April.

Palace appear in need of a new midfield addition with current loan star Conor Gallagher set to return to parent club Chelsea next season, the 22-year-old having chipped in with eight goals and three assists during his stellar stint at Selhurst Park thus far.

The young Englishman – who has been dubbed “like N’Golo Kante with goals” by talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino – has shown his quality as an all-action presence in the centre of the park, averaging 0.8 interceptions, 2.1 tackles and o.7 clearances per game in the top-flight this term.

In comparison, however, Ceballos has proven he can match or even better that dynamic quality, averaging 1.4 interceptions, 1.5 tackles and 0.6 clearances per 90 while with the Gunners during the 2020/21 campaign, as well as winning 51% of his total duels.

Although he failed to net a single league goal in 49 appearances during his previous stint in English football, he did register five assists in that time, showcasing he can make the difference in the final third if required.

There’s no doubting Gallagher’s absence next term will be a huge blow, although in Ceballos the club can secure an affordable and experienced addition with similar traits and attributes.

AND in other news: Lost the ball every 2.4 touches: Palace flop who lost 63% duels let Vieira down again

Leeds United have been handed some positive news ahead of their Premier League trip to Arsenal this afternoon…

What’s the latest?

According to The Athletic’s Phil Hay, the Yorkshire outfit are set to have skipper Liam Cooper available, whilst Patrick Bamford isn’t far off a return and could yet feature before the end of the season.

“At Arsenal, we might well see a similar tactical plan to the early stages of the game against Manchester City – tight and compact. What wrecked the strategy against City was the concession of an early goal from a set-piece but Liam Cooper is expected to be fit today and his return might help in that respect,” he said ahead of kick-off.

“There’s obviously no Stuart Dallas and Patrick Bamford isn’t ready to return, although it’s very possible that Bamford will feature before the season ends. It feels more and more like Jesse Marsch might have to gamble on him.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-united-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-much-more” title=”Read the latest Leeds United news and rumours!”]

Big boost for Marsch

Leeds may have only lost once in their last six outings, losing to defending champions Manchester City last time out, but they still remain firmly in a relegation dogfight.

The Whites sit only two points clear of Everton, who also play this afternoon. If they were to pick up three points against Leicester City, and Leeds were to lose at the Emirates Stadium, then Marsch’s side could well be in the drop zone heading into the final five matches of the season.

Arsenal are firmly in the race for a top-four finish and subsequently, a place in the Champions League next season, so they can’t be taken lightly.

However, having Cooper back in the mix certainly helps their cause.

The Scot had missed a large chunk of the season with a hamstring problem but his return to the starting XI coincided with this recent upturn in form. Indeed, the 30-year-old colossus was part of two clean sheets and five points from three games.

He registered SofaScore ratings of 7.6 against Crystal Palace and Watford, and a 7.1 versus Southampton, prior to his injury in the warm-up last weekend. Cooper had to be withdrawn minutes before kick-off in a gutting and late blow.

Not only will he provide much-needed leadership but no player is winning more headers (4.2 aerials won per game) or interceptions (2.1 per match), as per WhoScored.

His involvement should leave the manager and the travelling Elland Road faithful absolutely delighted heading into today’s encounter. The news surrounding Bamford is also huge, should he make any of their remaining fixtures as his influence up top could be the difference between safety and relegation.

They may only be two points clear but there is now some hope for Leeds supporters.

AND in other news, Marsch must unleash “outrageous” Leeds “wrecking ball” v Arsenal to boost survival bid…

Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett has revealed the latest roadblock for Derby County regarding the potential new takeover of the club.

The Lowdown: Relegation confirmed

The Rams officially entered administration back in September 2021, amid ongoing financial problems at the club, when they received a 12-point deduction from the English Football League.

Despite a valiant effort to remain in the Championship after two point deductions, their relegation to League One has been confirmed following a 1-0 defeat at the hands of QPR two weeks ago.

American businessman Chris Kirchner was last month named as the preferred bidder for Derby, which gave everyone associated with the club hope that a deal was near to being completed, but following a fresh update, it would now appear that a setback in the takeover process has occurred.

The Latest: Morris causing stadium roadblock

Revealing the news in a post on Twitter, Dorsett claimed: “I’ve been told most areas addressed, but key work still to do for #dcfc and Kirchner, who is reluctant to proceed if can’t get deal with Mel Morris to buy stadium. Leasing an option, but CK adamant he wants to buy stadium, for much greater security.”

The Verdict: Hoping to bounce back

Wayne Rooney’s side will be in action for their final game in the second-tier of English football when they take on Cardiff City at Pride Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Rams will be hoping to end the season on a high and secure victory against the Bluebirds to give their prospective new owner, Kirchner, who will no doubt be watching on, a positive outlook as to what the future could be like for Derby.

With that comes plenty of hope that there will be a lot more stability surrounding the club next season, where the Midlands outfit will be fighting to bounce back up at the first time of asking.