Celta Vigo want €50m for in-form striker and Tottenham target Maxi Gomez

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According to Marca, via Le 10 Sport, Tottenham have been quoted a huge €50m fee by Celta Vigo for their star striker Maxi Gomez, who has been catching the eye of some of the world’s most successful clubs with his consistently excellent form.

What’s the word, then?

The 22-year-old looks to be the real deal after carrying his sensational form from the previous campaign into the current one. Gomez scored 17 goals in 35 La Liga games last season, averaging just under a goal every two games, and has eight goals and four assists from 12 league games already this season.

Barcelona have reportedly been keeping tabs on the Uruguayan who they view as the heir to Luis Suarez’s throne at the Nou Camp, but Celta aren’t budging on their huge valuation of their rising sensation as reported by Marca (via Le 10 Sport)

In Tottenham’s case, however, the north London side should definitely steer clear of a player who looks to be the wrong fit for the system in more ways than one.

What’s the issue?

Whilst Gomez is a phenomenal talent, Spurs should look for something a bit different. The young forward is a bulky, physical presence who has the unusual ability to coordinate his feet and also be an effect number 10 with his exquisite passing range and ability to bring others into play. Sound familiar?

You bet it does. Gomez is a vastly similar player to Spurs’ current marksman Harry Kane. Whilst that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as the England international is a world-class player, Mauricio Pochettino needs a different type of player to play back up the Kane.

They have tried to sign understudies to their prolific academy graduate by signing the likes of Fernando Llorente, Vincent Janssen and Roberto Soldado in the past, but all of these forwards never really got a look in nor provided an alternative quality off the bench in the few games that Kane couldn’t put his imprint on.

Gomez is a quality player, but for €50m, Pochettino needs to look elsewhere – even more so given the fact that the Celta star has just 25 goals at the top level.

Liverpool fans heap praise on Henderson

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Loads of Liverpool fans have been giving their verdict on Friday night’s win at Wolves, and plenty are eating their words about Jordan Henderson.

Liverpool have had a near-perfect start to the season, but Henderson has taken loads of stick for his role in the campaign.

Perhaps due to the fact that he is simply not Steven Gerrard, the Reds’ skipper is usually the scapegoat whenever things go wrong, but he put in a superb shift alongside Fabinho at Molineux.

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The Reds won 2-0 courtesy of goals from Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, with the latter taking most of the headlines for a dominant display, but Henderson was certainly in the man of the match conversation.

The 28 year-old completed 90 per cent of his passes, including six out of six long balls, and together with Fabinho the English international kept the Reds on the front foot for most of the match.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, where fans are full of praise for their captain…

Revealed: 56% of Man United fans are against Callum Wilson move

Bournemouth forward Callum Wilson had scored nine times in 21 appearances in all competitions for his Premier League club heading into the weekend.

Wilson, who has overcome two horrific knee injuries during his career, scored eight Premier League goals last season, but has already matched that number in the first half of this term.

Earlier this month, Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola said that Wilson was ‘of interest’ to the London giants.

Bournemouth will find it difficult to keep hold of the 26-year-old as the interest grows, and it would not be a surprise to see Manchester United join the race.

With that in mind, we asked the Man United fans whether they would be interested in a move for the England international.

However, 56% of the supporters polled said that they did not want the centre-forward.

If the 5ft 11in ace was prepared to accept a rotational role at Old Trafford then he might well prove to be a terrific arrival.

Current United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed a similar role at Old Trafford between 1996 and 2007, scoring 126 times in all competitions, and winning six Premier League titles and one Champions League in the process.

The United fans, though, are not convinced:

Deeney display vs Bournemouth should tempt Everton into shock move

Everton are absolutely crying out for a clinical striker to complete their attack, so should the Toffees make a surprising move for Watford captain Troy Deeney?

According to reports, Everton are targeting Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson, but signing the Bournemouth starlet this month will cost an outrageous amount of money for a player who has missed two full seasons with serious knee injuries.

The Toffees may be better served looking towards the man who scored twice against Wilson’s Bournemouth on Wednesday night – Hornets skipper Deeney.

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The 30 year-old is not everyone’s cup of tea, but where else will you find a target man with Premier League experience, fantastic leadership qualities and an eye for goal all valued at just £9m by Transfermarkt?

Deeney has scored five times in 15 starts this season while also adding two assists, but it’s his all-around play that could really benefit Everton, as well as his ability to stick the ball in the net himself.

He won a frankly ridiculous 12 aerial duels during the Hornet’s frenetic 3-3 draw at Bournemouth, while no other visiting player won more than five.

He scored from both of his shots on target, one of which was a trademark header while the other was a deft finish past Asmir Begovic, and also provided four key passes and one assist.

The veteran striker’s ability to hold the ball up, bring others into play and occupy both centre backs would create loads of space for the likes of Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson to exploit.

Signing Deeney would be a surprising move from the Toffees, but he is the type of player that could go down in history as a cult hero… and he can’t be worse than Cenk Tosun!

So, Everton fans, do you fancy a shock move for Deeney? What other strikers would you like to sign? Let us know your thoughts and vote in the poll below…

Newcastle United should think twice before loaning out Sorensen

While incomings at Newcastle United this month are unlikely with owner Mike Ashley set for another transfer window where he is reluctant to spend, there could be some departures.

And one name currently being linked with an exit out of St. James’ Park is Danish youngster Elias Sorensen.

The Breakdown

According to the Shields Gazette, Newcastle are considering loaning out the 19-year-old in a development they could end up regretting.

Sorensen has been in brilliant form in Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy this season, and could prove to be a useful option up front for the senior squad if he remains at St. James’ Park.

Other than Salomon Rondon, who has just only started to find the back of the net more frequently, the Magpies’ current crop of strikers are not the most effective with the likes of Ayoze Perez  and Joselu both having their struggles in front of goal during this current campaign.

Considering that, Benitez, who may indeed be looking to shake up his strikeforce following reported interest in Nice’s Mario Balotelli (via Daily Mirror), could benefit from retaining the services of Sorensen.

The step up from youth football to senior is, of course, not always an easy one. But given the finances Benitez is currently working with, taking a punt on Sorensen is not the worst idea.

Berbatov intrigued by Tottenham-Manchester United match-up

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Former Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov is intrigued by the meeting of the two sides on Sunday.

Spurs head into the clash aware that their manager, Mauricio Pochettino, is reportedly being coveted by United, while the Red Devils have enjoyed a superb run under the management of caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

What’s the word?

The two sides meet on Sunday with both in fine form.

Spurs are still clinging on in the title race, six points behind leaders Liverpool, and have won their last three matches following a shock 2-1 defeat to Wolves. A 3-0 league win over Cardiff City was followed by a 7-0 FA Cup thumping of Tranmere Rovers, and a 1-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first leg victory over Chelsea.

United, meanwhile, have won their last five under caretaker boss Solskjaer, who has yet to taste defeat since replacing Jose Mourinho.

Berbatov, then, feels the game will prove an acid test for the Norwegian, who has so far beaten Cardiff, Huddersfield, Bournemouth and Newcastle in the league, as well as Reading in the FA Cup.

Speaking to Betfair, he said: “Ole’s made a fine start at Old Trafford. You’d expect an ex-player, a club legend, to get the respect and attention of the squad but after that it is about what you tell them, how you communicate it and put it into play and you need to be clever in that sense.

“For the moment everything looks great under Ole. United are scoring goals and playing well but, with all due respect to the teams they’ve played before, this is their first serious test

“I am really curious about this game and I’m looking forward to it. Spurs are a great barometer of how far United have come under Ole, while a win over United would complete a league double for Spurs and keep them on the coat-tails of Liverpool and Manchester City and ahead of Chelsea.”

A clash of fine margins

Solskjaer will hope to perform better than his contemporary against Spurs, as Mourinho saw his side thumped 3-0 at Old Trafford when the two sides met earlier this season.

He has unshackled the club’s attack, and they appear to be playing with the freedom created by confidence.

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Spurs, meanwhile, have shown that they have the ability to both win big and win ugly over their most recent run of games; their performance against Chelsea was one of their most passive of the season, yet they emerged with a vital first leg victory.

United’s defence still has holes, and they have kept a clean sheet in the league just once under Solskjaer. The attack of Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen will hope to breach them once again this weekend.

But United’s attack appear back to their free flowing best, and Marcus Rashford appears a player transformed, scoring three goals under his new manager.

Goals are surely promised this weekend, in a game that may well be decided by the finest of margins.

Rangers would take step closer to title no. 55 by beating Celtic to Nick Powell

According to a recent report from The Scottish Sun, Rangers look set to rival Celtic for the signature of Nick Powell. The 24-year-old currently plays his football at Championship side Wigan Athletic and has done so since leaving Manchester United back in 2016, although with his contract up at the end of the season, his future at the DW Stadium appears uncertain. 

And reports suggest that Steven Gerrard’s Gers are looking to rival Brendan Rodgers’ Bhoys for the £2.7 million-rated attacker (as per Transfermarkt), whose arrival at Ibrox would help the Light Blues take a big step closer towards a 55th league title.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, Gerrard’s men have given themselves a great opportunity of winning their first Scottish Premiership title since 2011 this time round, what with the Gers sat level on points with Celtic at the top of the table, with the latter ahead only on goal difference.

Yet with the additions of Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis, two vastly experienced Premier League stars still possessing an abundance of ability upfront and in midfield respectively, it looks as though the Light Blues are going to be there or thereabouts in a bid to prevent Celtic clinching an eighth straight title.

And fending off the Bhoys to land the supremely talented Powell is only likely to further aid them in their quest of overthrowing Rodgers’ side in the second half of the season.

The 24-year-old has been tipped for big things for much of his career ever since breaking through at Crewe Alexandra many years ago, thus earning a big move to Manchester United back in 2012 after netting 14 goals in 38 League One matches for the Railwaymen.

But it seemed to be a move made too soon in Powell’s career given he mustered only nine senior appearances for the Red Devils, with loan spells at Wigan, Leicester City, and Hull City underlining that his future probably lay away from Old Trafford, with the former eventually sealing a permanent deal in 2016.

And the attacker has since then impressed with 25 goals in 76 games for the Latics to help them bounce back from Championship relegation in 2017 by earning promotion from League One last season, netting 15 times in just 39 games for the Lancashire-based outfit.

And he started this term brilliantly as well with four goals and five assists in his first 13 games of the campaign, only to fall down Paul Cook’s pecking order quite alarmingly to the point that he hasn’t featured in the Championship since the end of November.

Nonetheless, there is an extremely talented player in Powell just waiting to be unlocked on a more regular basis, and working under the stewardship of Celtic boss Rodgers, renowned for getting the best out of young players by developing and nurturing them into stars, might well be of interest to the 24-year-old.

Yet Rangers will be well aware just how big a blow it would be to the Bhoys were they to win the race for Powell, not only in terms of landing a player Celtic seemingly want, but also by landing a player that could have a very positive effect on Rangers’ attacking play heading into the final few months of the season.

And that is why the Gers would take a big step closer to title number 55 were they to beat Celtic to Powell’s signature this month.

Rangers and Celtic fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Manchester City once again showed problem for English game with sale of Matondo

Manchester City had an extremely quiet transfer window, with Pep Guardiola only moving to add youth to his squad in the form of Ante Palaversa.

Guardiola’s men are in a massive battle to win the Premier League title once again, and if they can reel in Liverpool at the top of the table, then it will be quite a remarkable comeback from the blue half of Manchester.

However, there is an underlying problem in the their business in the window once again, in that they chose to move on one of their youngest and brightest talents in Rabbi Matondo, who signed for Schalke for a fee just shy of £10m on deadline day.

The teenage star, who has yet to make a big indent into the first team at the Etihad, has a big job on his hands in moving over to Germany, but he will no doubt look to emulate the form of ex City man Jadon Sancho, who has lit up the Bundesliga.

The problem lies though with City and the English game once more, in that a young talent, who is clearly highly rated, has been denied the chance to earn his place in the starting line up under one of the finest managers in the country.

Matondo might well go on to fail, and it might look like good business one day for City, but you can’t help thinking that there is an element of disappointment sweeping the whole legion of British talent in this country at the moment, and it could be that many more follow suit.

City have a brilliant squad, but the lack of young players like this being integrated highlights an issue, and it’s something the English game needs to keep it’s eye on in the coming years.

City fans, what do you make of the deal? Would you rather see the young talent promoted? Let us know in the comments!

Aston Villa fans would love to sign Leroy Fer

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According to The Sun’s Mike McGrath, Aston Villa are making a move for Swansea’s Leroy Fer as Dean Smith looks to bolster his midfield ahead of a final push for promotion.

Villa have been active in the transfer market this month but it’s all coming together as we near the 11pm deadline – the Midlands outfit have already brought in Tyrone Mings on loan from Bournemouth today and it would seem Smith is keen to add an engine to his ageing midfield.

The Dutchman has experience playing in the Premier League and has chalked up one goal and three assists in the Championship this season, captaining the Swans in their bid for a play-off spot.

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The Villans, meanwhile, sit just one point above the Liberty Stadium outfit and at least one of them is surely set to miss out on a long-awaited return to the top flight this season – selling one of their key players would be a disaster for Graham Potter but the addition of Fer would be massive for Smith.

With Mile Jedinak and Glenn Whelan both well into their twilight years, some extra legs in midfield wouldn’t go amiss and 29-year-old Fer seems to be getting better as he gets older.

Here’s how the Villa Park faithful reacted to the news on Twitter…

Arsenal fans discuss Denis Suarez’s debut

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Arsenal’s only January signing, Denis Suarez, made his debut for the club on Sunday, coming on as a substitute in the Gunners’ 3-1 defeat against the reigning champions, Manchester City.

After the game the 25-year-old took to Twitter to commemorate his first appearance for his new club.

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Arsenal signed the once-capped Spain international from Barcelona on loan until the end of the season on transfer deadline day, in a deal that includes an option to buy for the north London club, as reported by the BBC.

Suarez is familiar with Arsenal manager Unai Emery’s methods and preferred style of play, having worked under the Spanish coach during a loan stint at Sevilla in the 2014/15 La Liga campaign.

His debut was far from ideal, but Suarez will be hoping to have a big impact at the Emirates Stadium between now and the end of season, and the Gunners could certainly do with the injection of extra creativity he could bring to the Emirates Stadium.

After his first game against Manchester City – who Suarez represented as a youngster between 2011-2013 – plenty of Arsenal fans took to Twitter to welcome him to the club…

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