Everton failed to land Espanyol defender Mario Hermoso in the January transfer window, according to Sport.
What’s the story?
The Merseyside club managed to strengthen their attacking options with the arrival of Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott.
It was another area of the pitch, though, that the fans were keen for the Toffees to address.
With Leighton Baines injured, Cuco Martina has been filling in at left-back, but the right-footed player has struggled to make an impression.
In the end, Everton did bring in a left-sided player in the form of Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala, but he plays as a centre-back.
Now, according to Sport, it has emerged that the Premier League club tried to recruit Espanyol’s Hermoso, but their £7.1m offer was not enough for the La Liga club to accept.
Is the Spaniard one for the summer?
At the age of 22, the defender still has many years left to develop, which means that if he did arrive at Goodison Park in the summer he is unlikely to be the finished product.
The fee could also be an issue as Sport claim that Espanyol expect Hermoso’s value to rise as the season progresses.
That indicates that the Spanish club could put up a fight in negotiations and could eventually cost Everton more than they are willing to pay.
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Despite this, it is worth keeping an eye on the defender, particularly as he has experience playing at left-back, which is an area that the team need help in.
Daniel Levy may be weighing up his next move in appointing Tottenham’s managerial successor to Tim Sherwood, but the Spurs chairman should first look to re-evaluate his own expectations.
An ambitious Tottenham is good for the continued growth of the Premier League. The team were applauded for their attacking adventure under Harry Redknapp and the chairman is praised, most of the time, as one of the game’s toughest negotiators.
But Levy hires and fires with such regularity that not only can Spurs never develop any consistency, you also start to get the feeling that Levy holds a sense of entitlement for the top four. If a manager fails to reach the Champions League, it’s deemed his failing rather than the club as a whole accepting that it was simply out of reach.
Tottenham have the sixth biggest wage budget in the Premier League, so it’s natural to think that their standing is a Europa League place. Over the past few seasons, Tottenham have finished fourth twice, with Harry Redknapp punching above his weight to get the club in a final league position that bettered Manchester City and then Chelsea.
The problem is Levy expects the top of the mountain to be reached at first time of asking. There was an unrealistic expectancy that Andre Villas-Boas would hit the ground running with the wave of new players bought with the Gareth Bale money last summer. The Portuguese manager didn’t always make life easy for himself, but ultimately he was failing to meet Levy’s expectation for a place at least in the top four.
What will Levy’s expectation be for either Frank de Boer or Mauricio Pochettino? The former has never been a head coach away from Ajax and has no experience of English football from his playing days. The latter has done well with Southampton in a much more relaxed environment, but has no history of finishing in a Champions League position, either in England or Spain.
Money won’t guarantee instant success. In addition, Tottenham don’t have another £100 million to squander this summer or in the coming years. Levy wants top European football, which is understandable. But does he ever take into account what’s going on around his club in the Premier League? Tottenham aren’t serial top four finishers, and yet he sets the same target each year no matter the manager, or the club’s transfer activity, or the strength of other teams in the league. When the inevitable happens, a good manager is let go.
Tottenham have a good structure and good players. What they lack is a strong leader, a leader who can resist the temptation to hand out dismissals when the team hits a rough patch.
Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Liverpool will strengthen this summer. One of them won’t be in the top four next season, yet each of them are better placed to finish in those positions than Tottenham.
Levy understands the importance of a modern stadium and the revenue it provides. Tottenham have neither that nor the sponsorships that can match those other five teams. It’s far from a failure if Spurs can’t overcome those odds and simply remain in regular contention for Europa League football. A failure, a catastrophe even, would be a six-position fall similar to that of Manchester United.
In the absence of financial strength, the club should be focusing on consolidating their current position, so as when the opportunity does arise to push on, it won’t feel as though they’re starting from scratch. Bring in a manager who will be allowed to stay in the job for three or four years and build a team. That of course necessitates the hiring of the right manager and not just someone who has done well elsewhere.
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Tottenham can finish in a Europa League place with ease. They’re the strongest team in the league outside of those five previously mentioned. So wouldn’t a strong cup run do the club a lot of good? Juande Ramos was brought to Tottenham in 2007 because of his success with Sevilla. That club came close once but ultimately couldn’t challenge Barcelona or Real Madrid, yet they still saw plenty of success in cup competitions.
Would the White Hart Lane faithful really say no to back-to-back Europa League titles, a European Super Cup and a couple of domestic trophies? Levy needs to know where the battle can be won.
Demba Ba’s own goal four minutes from time rescued a point for Sunderland in a feisty Tyne Wear derby with bitter rivals Newcastle, who had Cheick Tiote sent off.
Martin O’Neill’s men trailed to Yohan Cabaye’s early strike but pegged the Magpies back at the death as John O’Shea’s header deflected off an unfortunate Ba to send the ball past a bemused Tim Krul.
It was harsh on the visitors as they held on for more than an hour with 10-men after Tiote was harshly given his marching orders following a late challenge on Black Cats striker Steven Fletcher.
A point was the least Newcastle deserved for their organised defensive efforts, underpinned by the return of goalkeeper Tim Krul and captain Fabricio Coloccini to the back line for the first time since September.
And any nerves prior to kick off were allayed when Cabaye slotted home from just inside the area after Simon Mignolet pushed Ba’s low cross into his path. Sunderland struggled to gain a foothold in the game and barely troubled Pardew’s measured Magpies with Cabaye going close to doubling his tally with a long range free kick that was tipped over by Mignolet.
But Newcastle’s honeymoon period didn’t last long as Tiote, under pressure from Jack Colback, lost control of the ball and caught Fletcher high on the shin prompting referee Martin Atkinson to show him a straight red card, forcing Pardew to send James Perch on for Shola Ameobi soon after.
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Sunderland controlled proceedings after the break but couldn’t break down their North East counterparts with Sebastian Larsson, James McClean and substitute Louis Saha all wasting good chances. But their pressure finally paid as Larsson floated a free kick into the area and O’Shea saw his header bounce into the net off Ba’s chest to salvage a draw.
As reported by The Scottish Sun, Rangers are interested in signing Roma prospect Umar Sadiq on loan this summer.
What’s the story?
The Ibrox side have already been busy in the transfer market this summer, confirmed five signings so far in the Steven Gerrard era.
However, the Anfield legend knows that more work is still to be done if he is to build a squad with the kind of quality and depth that can challenge for silverware in Scottish football next season.
One player on his radar is Roma forward Umar Sadiq.
That’s according to The Scottish Sun, who say that Rangers are interested in a loan move for the player.
Rated at £1.6m by Transfermarkt, he has limited playing experience at senior level, but can the Scottish Premiership be a good learning ground for the Nigerian?
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Who is he?
Still just 21 years of age, Sadiq was signed by Roma in 2015 after banging in a barrel-load of goals for Italian team Spezia’s youth side. He’s made six appearances for the Italian giants since then, scoring two goals.
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Much of his time recently has been spent out on loan, most recently to Eredivisie side NAC Breda last season where he scored five goals in 12 appearances, in the second half of 2017/18.
That demonstrates he might be be ready for more regular first team action and with Rangers needing more depth in attacking to support Alfredo Morelos, Rangers could be the perfect destination.
Earlier today, Sky Sports reported that Newcastle United have agreed to sign Leicester City striker Islam Slimani from Leicester City on loan.
It is no secret that the Magpies have failed to recreate the scintillating attacking form that earned them 85 Championship goals and a place back in the Premier League.
In fact, the team have mustered just 22 goals in 24 league games, with Joselu top-scoring on four and Dwight Gayle just behind him on three.
A copious amount of strikers have been touted as possible targets for the North-East outfit over the last few weeks, and it appears that manager Rafael Benitez is closing in on one of them, albeit arguably not his first choice.
Slimani has struggled to make a mark at Leicester ever since his £28m move from Sporting Lisbon in 2016.
The Algerian international has managed just eight goals in 35 Premier League appearances for the Foxes, and he has featured only 12 times in the top flight this season, with two of those outings being from the starting spot.
With the deal seemingly edging closer to completion, we asked Newcastle fans if Slimani could be a deadline-day saviour.
According to our poll, a vast majority of 84% voted that the 29-year-old will be a hit at St James’ Park, despite the fact that he is facing a spell on the sidelines with injury.
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Sky Sports reported earlier today that West Ham United and Ligue 1 club Monaco were also interested in the striker, but all indications are that he is on his way to Newcastle.
Former Liverpool star Luis Garcia believes that his old side can make a serious push for this season’s Premier League title.
Despite few having given them any chance of competing for the title before a ball was kicked, the Reds are currently just four points off of leaders Chelsea with ten games to go.
Pundits and former players have been talking up Brendan Rodgers’ sides chances of glory in recent weeks, particularly now that the Merseyside club are the division’s top scorers thanks to the prolific Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez.
Liverpool also have home advantage for upcoming clashes with big sides such as Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City and have already thrashed fellow contenders Arsenal 5-1 at Anfield.
Garcia – who was a big player for the club during their Champions League-winning 2005 campaign under Rafael Benitez – feels that his former side have a good chance of lifting the trophy, but only if they really push between now and the end of the season:
“Why not?” He responded when asked by talkSPORT if Liverpool can win the Premier League.
“I watch every game that I can, they’re playing very well and even when they’re not they’re still getting result – that’s the most important thing when you want to get a trophy.
“I think a lot of Liverpool people think finishing fourth is good enough, but they’re only four points away from the top, so all they’ve got to do is make sure they don’t get too far away and take it all the way until the end with Chelsea.
“If they do that they have a great chance at winning the title.
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“It’s not going to be easy, we know that, there are still a lot of games to play, but I certainly think it’s possible.”
Roberto Mancini has turned his attentions to Malaga midfielder Isco after cooling potential moves for Radamel Falcao and Steven Jovetic, according to Goal.com
The Spanish starlet has a relatively low £16.9m release clause which makes the youngster an attractive proposition for Manchester City during the January window.
It appears that City have baulked at the £48m needed to bring Falcao to the Premier League or the £28m that Fiorentina want for Jovetic and Isco represents better value for money while still offering class. Mancini watched the midfielder during Malaga’s clash against Atletico Madrid last week and was suitably impressed with his display.
Isco has done well for Malaga so far this season, scoring three times in nine appearances including a brilliant double against Zenit St Petersburg in the Champions League.
The club’s sporting director Mario Armando Husillos has already confessed that he faces a real struggle to keep Isco in Spain with the cash strapped club eager to cash in on their top players.
“Isco is our player and is a very important member of the team,” Husillos said. “He’s not for sale. We want to keep him here, but everyone knows that players have a release clause. So, if a club meets this clause, it will be out of our hands.”
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The Premier League champions have made a slow start to the season and are already four points behind leaders Chelsea so Mancini is eager to strengthen during the upcoming transfer window to make sure the club can mount a title challenge again.
As reported by The Daily Record, Manchester United are keen on signing Porto right-back Diogo Dalot this summer.
What’s the story?
Although Antonio Valencia is still a firm fixture of the Red Devils’ starting eleven, at 32 years of age, Jose Mourinho needs to think of a long-term successor in the position.
One player on his radar is Diogo Dalot of Porto, according to The Daily Record.
The paper report that Man United are interested in a £17.5m deal for the young full-back, with the club already in discussions to bring him to Old Trafford this summer.
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Will he be a good signing?
Given his age and lack of experience, it’s difficult to predict whether Dalot will be a hit at Old Trafford, there are simply too many variables.
However, what’s clear is he has had an elite education in Portugal and is seen as one of Porto’s brightest homegrown prospects, breaking through into the first team at the tail-end of last season after winning their young player of the year award.
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With knock-out Champions League action against Liverpool and five wins out of six in his other appearances, he hasn’t let his team down and has the potential to progress further under the guidance of Jose Mourinho.
The reported £17.5m is a modest fee by United’s standards, so there is little risk, and in the long-term this could prove to be a shrewd signing by the Red Devils.
Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has claimed that he has ‘never felt better’ following his recent run of matches for the Red Devils.
Shaw, 22, looked to be heading out of Old Trafford after struggling for football in the early weeks of the 2017-18 campaign.
The England international has worked his way back into the picture in recent weeks, however, to start United’s last three Premier League matches.
The defender, who is valued at £13.5m by transfermarkt.co.uk, was still said to be dealing with the effects of the horrific double leg fracture that he suffered whilst playing in the Champions League towards the end of 2015.
However, Shaw has revealed that he is currently in a very good place both physically and mentally as he looks to nail-down the left-back spot for United.
Shaw told United Review:
“A bad injury like I had always stays with you a little bit afterwards but it’s in the past and I feel really good and really fit, and my leg feels perfect.
“Body-wise and fitness-wise I probably feel the best I’ve ever felt. Mentally I feel very strong as well and I’m enjoying my football, and it’s now about pushing on and helping the team.”
Ashley Young’s recent suspension and Antonio Valencia’s hamstring injury has seen Shaw enjoy a lot of football for United over the last few weeks.
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Meanwhile, the left-back is still said to have an outside chance of making the England squad for the 2018 World Cup.
Howard Webb has escaped demotion, despite making high profile blunders during the FA Cup clash between Arsenal and Liverpool on Sunday, reports the Daily Mirror.
England’s World Cup referee is set to take charge of Hull City’s clash with Cardiff at the weekend.
The news comes after Webb refused to give Liverpool what looked a clear penalty during their 2-1 defeat at the Emirates, when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain tripped Luis Suarez just minutes after he had awarded a spot kick following Lukas Podolski’s trip on the Uruguayan.
Webb also decided not to give Reds captain Steven Gerrard a second yellow card for a mistimed tackle in the second half.
However, the Premier League remain reluctant to demote officials, unless they have a bad run of mistakes rather than what they consider one-off mistakes.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers revealed his disappointment at Webb’s performance, saying: “It’s a blatant penalty and we’re very disappointed not to get it.
“It was absolutely another penalty. With the first one Luis gets clipped and it’s a clear penalty, but the second one was even clearer.
“Howard was in a great position. I’m not sure if it was because it was so quick after the first one.
“With the type of player he is and the aggression in our offensive play we provoke a lot of challenges, especially Luis, who is always in and around the box asking questions of defenders. Quite a lot of the time he doesn’t get what he deserves.
“He got one today, but should have had two. If it’s a penalty he should get it, irrespective of what his reputation is. For me that was quite an easy decision.
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“We came here and virtually dominated. To end up with nothing disappoints.”