All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Everton have lift off in the summer transfer market. It’s been a long time coming but finally Rafa Benitez has completed his first deals as the Toffees manager.

They acquired the signatures of Andros Townsend and Asmir Begovic on Tuesday night but they’re close to confirming a third move of the window.

What’s the word?

Word has circled around Merseyside over the last few days that Everton were in advanced negotiations to bring Demarai Gray to Goodison Park.

He swapped Leicester for Bayer Leverkusen over 12 months ago but is already seeking a return to English football.

Valued at £7.2m, the winger looks set to head to the Toffees in a cut-price deal.

After confirming that Benitez had completed a deal for Begovic to join the club, Fabrizio Romano revealed on Tuesday that Gray’s arrival was imminent.

He said: “Next ones: Demarai Gray almost done and at final details.”

The new Walcott

If Everton managed to get a deal over the line they could discover their new Theo Walcott.

The English veteran moved to Goodison with a fine reputation in the Premier League.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/check-out-the-latest-everton-news-benitez-kamara-romero-dumfries” title= “Read the latest Everton transfer news!”]

He dominated defences for Arsenal for a considerable period of time and had a habit of finding double figures in terms of goals scored.

However, after leaving the Gunners, his form completely deteriorated. Walcott’s explosive pace and willing desire to get on the end of a ball was still there but his sense of purpose inside the area deserted him.

The experienced winger scored just 11 times in 85 outings before completing a move back to his beloved Southampton.

The form he showed was very much in the vein of Gray, a player who possesses pace in abundance but has failed to ever really find the net on a consistent basis.

During his time with Leicester, Brendan Rodgers waxed lyrical about him: “He’s got wonderful talent. He can dribble, he can do everything. With Demarai, it’s always been about that end product, creating goals and assisting goals on a regular basis, and then working with an intensity to fit in with the structure of the team.”

Clearly a vibrant player on his day, he struggled with his composure, beating the goalkeeper on 13 occasions in 169 matches; a dismal tally for an offensive player.

Gray would be a valuable squad option for Benitez but one has to question his attacking numbers.

Walcott wasn’t a success in Merseyside and it’s unlikely the former Leicester man will be either. We’ll just have to wait and see.

AND in other news, Rafa could discover Everton’s new Leon Osman by signing “special” 34-cap maestro…

According to a report by allnigeriasoccer.com, West Ham United manager David Moyes has now told club hierarchy to table an ‘official bid’ for colossal KRC Genk striker Paul Onuachu.

The Lowdown: Onuachu links emerge…

Claims coming out of Nigeria have emerged over this last week in regards to West Ham and a possible swoop for Super Eagles star Onuachu.

Indeed, allnigeriasoccer.com also recently claimed that West Ham are in a two-horse race to sign the 27-year-old alongside Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion.

This comes amid Moyes’ continued search for a world class striker, which is said to be one of three main priority transfers for the Hammers this summer.

The Latest: Moyes tells chiefs to bid…

As per an update by allnigeriasoccer.com, Irons boss Moyes has now personally told club chiefs to get a deal done for Onuachu and has informed hierarchy to ‘table an official bid’ for the player.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest/” title=”West Ham latest!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Jupiler Pro League side Genk are resigned to losing their star forward this summer and it is believed that a bid of around £26 million could force the Belgian giants to cash in.

West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan is also an admirer of Onuachu but sceptical to give the green light.

The striker clinched a Golden Boot and Pro League Player of the Year for Genk over the 2020/2021 season and Moyes allegedly wants West Ham to make a bid.

Indeed, the Scotsman is said to be aware of interest from other clubs and eager to win the race for his signature.

The Verdict: Do not discount…

Amid financial uncertainty, with Moyes admitting himself that West Ham cannot afford £40m for fellow target Tammy Abraham, Onuachu could be a very fruitful alternative.

Standing at a towering 6 foot 6, the monster forward certainly has physical presence which could prove dangerous in the Premier League and 29 league goals over 20/21 is a stat that speaks for itself (Transfermarkt).

At nearly half the price of what Chelsea are demanding for Abraham, West Ham may benefit from casting their net far and wide across Europe as they leave no stone unturned in the striker search.

In other news: ‘Yes Yes Yes’, ‘I soooo hope this is true’…West Ham fans flock to this transfer claim, find out more here.

As per GiveMeSport, Everton and West Ham are two of the sides interested in luring Glasgow Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara away from Ibrox this summer.

The Lowdown: Kamara in demand

Kamara has spent the last month on international duty with Finland at Euro 2020, but that has not stopped there being plenty of interest in his services.

Arsenal and Leeds United (TEAMtalk) have been two of the main pursuers, but it seems there is now a couple more sides to add to that list of interested parties.

The Latest: Premier League sides in pursuit

According to this latest report, both Everton and West Ham now have the 25-year-old on their radar.

Brentford, as well as several Russian sides, are also in pursuit, as it looks very likely now that the Gers will have something of a bidding war going on for Kamara’s services.

The Verdict: Big fight for Rangers

Kamara’s stock has only risen after playing at the European Championships for Finland, for whom he has 34 caps. At 25, he has grown into one of the Gers’ most important players, and now more people are more aware of his abilities in the middle of the park, the interest is only going to increase.

Everton and West Ham, in particular, are attractive propositions for any player. The former are one of England’s biggest clubs and, backed by Farhad Moshiri’s $2.8bn (£2bn, Forbes) net worth, they have big ambitions with a shiny new stadium on the horizon.

The Hammers, meanwhile, will be in the Europa League next term and are also looking up rather than down. The Gers will do all they can to keep him, but they may struggle to do so with more and more teams now sniffing around.

In other news, Rangers fans love a photo of this man.

Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski is eager to join West Ham United after they renewed their interest, according to Football Insider.

The lowdown

The publication reports that the Hammers are targeting Tarkowski once again after first trying to sign him last year.

They’re apparently intent on recruiting a ‘top-level centre-back’ in the summer transfer window.

The 28-year-old Englishman, valued at £22.5million by Transfermarkt, is about to enter the final year of his contract at Turf Moor.

Tarkowski made 36 appearances for Burnley last season, averaging 4.6 successful aerial duels, 4.4 clearances and 1.8 tackles per 90 minutes (via WhoScored).

Defensive partner Ben Mee has hailed Tarkowski as ‘honourable’ after he resisted earlier interest to remain at Burnley.

The latest

Tarkowski may now have decided the time is right to seek a new challenge. The report states that he would jump at the chance to join the Irons.

Encouragingly for West Ham, Burnley have already set to work on a possible replacement in the form of Stoke City’s Nathan Collins.

Last year, the Clarets rejected a bid as high as £31million for Tarkowski.

The verdict

If West Ham want a top centre-half, then Tarkowski fits the bill. He’s an upgrade on what they currently have, and could slot in alongside Angelo Ogbonna to form an enviable partnership.

Craig Dawson and Issa Diop would then provide excellent depth behind that duo.

From the player’s point of view, this move is long overdue. He’s been consistently impressive for a number of seasons now, but there’s only so far he can go with Burnley and if he wants to earn more England caps in the future, a move to a side in the Europa League could help him showcase his talents on a bigger stage.

In other news, West Ham are weighing up a move for this former Arsenal star. 

Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Ashley Young in recent days and will hold talks with his representatives over the coming days.

And a number of Villa supporters have been reacting to a claim from Gregg Evans on why Dean Smith is looking to bring Young back to the Midlands.

The 35-year-old looks set to leave Inter Milan this summer after snubbing a new deal at the San Siro, with Watford and Burnley also keen on the Englishman.

Evans, The Athletic’s Villa correspondent, shared a story on Young on Tuesday evening. He claimed that Smith views Young as an ideal option to play on both flanks and could be brought in to provide cover to full-backs Matt Targett and Matty Cash.

Young actually played the majority of games last season as a winger, with just one of his 31 appearances coming as a full-back.

However, it seems as if Smith wants to use Young at the back, should a deal materialise.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared Evans’ claims on where Smith sees Young fitting in back at Villa Park. This is what these fans had to say in reply,

“I’d acc love this”Credit: @benwalkero3″perfect signing bring our boy home”Credit: @branvilladon”interesting”Credit: @jxckky”Oh my it’s actually going to happen”Credit: @MazeSZN”Really. Hardly fits the mould of up and coming potential and sell on value. I thought we’d moved on from these type of players”Credit: @faonamission”Wow omg”Credit: @LukeKing_

In other news: Huge James Ward-Prowse update emerges, find out more here. 

According to a report by Sky Sports, as relayed by West Ham Transfers, the Hammers are now in talks with defender Vladimir Coufal and his representatives over a new and improved deal at the London Stadium.

Coufal, who signed last summer from Slavia Prague for just £5 million, has arguably been one of manager David Moyes’ best buys with the right-back drawing acclaim for his consistent performances over 2020/2021.

The 28-year-old was a mainstay throughout the campaign, starting 34 Premier League matches under Moyes, with the club now seeing fit to reward Coufal with a new and improved deal.

Sky Sports claim that the Irons have commenced talks with the player’s representatives over the revised terms with his current deal running until 2023.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-updates-copy/” title=”West Ham updates (Copy)” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Only Tomas Soucek and Aaron Cresswell started more English top flight games this term, so a new deal seems like a fitting reward.

West Ham supporters certainly think so, with many of them flocking to social media in light of this development as one called it ‘absolutely huge news’.

Find all of their best verdicts down below.

West Ham fans buzz over Coufal talks

“Get it done @WestHam our best full back since Frank Lampard”

Credit: @RichardRf020370

“Deserves it. Unreal RB”

Credit: @joshbw13

“Give him what he wants”

Credit: @HR_WHU

“Lifetime contract pls. I want him teaching our kids.”

Credit: @jamiebaxter182

“Good! Deserves a significant pay rise”

Credit: @Joshua_Mbu

“Put your hand in your pocket the mans a star.”

Credit: @trevoroliver20

“This is absolutely huge news, love the man.”

Credit: @stephenlott

“Good news. He has been outstanding for us this season”

Credit: @FredJac07859045

In other news: West Ham fans flock to official club announcement, find out more here.

Many Wolves fans have been left desperate for the club to keep Dion Sanderson after a transfer update emerged on Tuesday evening.

As per Football Insider, Sunderland are looking to table an opening bid for the central defender to sign him on a permanent deal after a successful loan spell at the Stadium of Light.

The EFL League One team know that they will have to compete with other sides at a higher level than them, but are determined to get the deal done.

On the other side, the Wanderers are reportedly willing to let him go, sparking an outcry from several members of the Molineux faithful begging for him to stay.

Sanderson played a vital part in the Black Cats reaching the play-offs, making no fewer than 26 appearances in total in League One (Transfermarkt), and at just 21 years of age, the Englishman still has a lot of potential to fulfil.

Wolves fans on Sanderson transfer update

These WWFC supporters pleaded for the Midlands club to keep Sanderson after the transfer update was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it would be ‘bizarre’ if they sold him:

“Must hang on to him or insert a buy back clause the kid’s mustard.”

Credit: @MarkPoulton_WV

“Keep him!”

Credit: @IrishWolvesFans

“Why don’t we just keep our own talent?”

Credit: @timturner1006

“They can’t have him. He is ours and too good for Sunderland to keep.”

Credit: @HungryLikeThe14

“Looked good when seen him play bizarre decision to sell him.”

Credit: @FW90

“Keep him. I rate him to make the squad and appearances”

Credit: @pedrofoley

In other news, find out what transfer update has been slammed by Wanderers here!

Aston Villa, Arsenal and Everton are all interested in signing Fulham midfielder Andre-Frank Anguissa this summer.

And, as to be expected, Villa’s interest has had a lot of supporters talking on social media.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, the Cottagers are expected to sell Anguissa after Scott Parker’s sides’ relegation from the Premier League was confirmed on Monday.

Villa are thought to be monitoring developments regarding the 25-year-old and are reportedly better placed than most clubs financially heading into the transfer window.

Fulham would want around £20m for the Cameroon international, who has made 60 appearances for his current employers in all competitions.

That’s £2.25m cheaper than his current Transfermarkt valuation, with Anguissa thought to be on £70,000-a-week at Craven Cottage.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared the club’s interest in Anguissa on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon.

These Villa fans were delighted at the links, with one describing the midfielder as ‘composed’.

“PLEASE”Credit: @catrinedwards18″Would be buzzing with this”Credit: @_JackAvfc”let’s goo”Credit: @tom32322125″I rate him highly very good on the ball composed and likes to make things happen would definitely class him as a box to box but seems to have good defensive positioning and presence about him”Credit: @TheKyzer007″Please get it done”Credit: @ConCarp98″I am here for this exactly what we need”Credit: @shauny12

In other news: Villa leapfrog PL rival in race for defender; he’s been at the club, find out more here. 

Many Wolves fans have been left to slam a managerial update from Fabrizio Romano on Bruno Lage.

As per a tweet from the Italian football journalist and transfer guru, the Midlands club have contacted the former Benfica manager as their ‘main option’ to replace Nuno Espirito Santo.

Talks are ongoing and he is currently the favourite, with the final decision to be made soon.

Lage has been out of a job since June after resigning as Benfica boss, as his team missed out on the domestic title to FC Porto in the 2019/20 season.

It is a huge jump from the Portuguese top flight to the Premier League, and the fact that he could not win the title in his own country with a big team like Benfica is of concern to several members of the Molineux faithful.

Given that he has no prior experience of managing in English football either, a lot of WWFC supporters are wandering whether he has what it takes to succeed Nuno, especially given the success that he had in bringing them up from the EFL Championship and achieving two consecutive seventh-placed finishes.

Wolves fans on Lage update

These Wanderers slammed the managerial update as it was shared on Twitter:

“Why would we want him? He’s achieved nothing.”

Credit: @alvinsmate

“I really hope this isn’t true”

Credit: @RyanMarkwick

“Massive backwards stepping”

Credit: @gricey88

“He’s a terrible manager”

Credit: @lewis__wwfc7

“Please no”

Credit: @Traaty14

“If it’s Lage, this will show no ambition, one poor season at Benfica, Seville and Porto manager would show we are looking forward, Lage just a Mendes client, like Zenga!”

Credit: @JayWilkes34

In other news, find out what injury update has left Wanderers raving here!

According to a recent report, Daniel Levy has blocked the potential departure of Tottenham winger Steven Bergwijn this summer after receiving a number of enquiries regarding the 23-year-old.

The report by The Athletic claimed that Tottenham have received multiple offers for Bergwijn ahead of the summer transfer window, with interested clubs wanting to take the Netherlands international on either a loan or permanent deal.

However, it is then claimed that the Spurs chairman has informed the interested parties that he has no intention of allowing the £73,000-per-week forward to leave the club, either permanently or on a temporary basis.

Transfer Tavern Take

Although Bergwijn has found game-time somewhat hard to come by at Tottenham this season, with the winger starting just 11 Premier League matches for the north London side in 2020/21, Monday’s news of Jose Mourinho’s sacking could be something of a saving grace for the 23-year-old, as well as a potential reason for Levy’s stance on the player’s future.

With Mourinho, who admitted that the £26.7m signing of Bergwijn was not his preferred transfer, now out of the picture, the winger is now presented with the opportunity to thrive at Tottenham under new management, something that Levy clearly backs him to do.

Also, with Alasdair Gold previously dubbing the Dutchman as “incredible” following his display in a 2-0 win over Arsenal last December, with a fresh start hopefully Bergwijn can once again get back to this level of performance in a Tottenham shirt in the not-too-distant future.

In other news: Spurs eye £21.75m swoop for 6 ft 5 powerhouse after Levy turns his nose up at £36m deal – find out more here!