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Tottenham Hotspur are among the front-runners to land Lucas Vazquez this summer, according to reports…

What’s the word?

The 29-year-old is out-of-contract at Madrid at the end of the current campaign and looks likely to leave the Bernabeu, having rejected the fresh terms offered by the La Liga giants, as per Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness).

They claim that the £13.5m-rated star is already among their lowest-paid players – though £115k-per-week may say otherwise – and would not be prepared to take a 10% wage cut. It is also thought that Vazquez wants a long-term deal with a team in the Champions League.

Given only Spurs and arch-rivals Arsenal are mentioned in the report, it certainly seems like the Lilywhites have an advantage, with them sitting three places and six points ahead of their north London counterparts.

Doherty’s nightmare

Vazquez is a winger by trade but has been utilised more frequently at right-back by Zinedine Zidane, which will have undoubtedly piqued Jose Mourinho’s interest given his continual struggles in the role.

Summer signing Matt Doherty has failed to reach expectations since his £15m move from Wolves.

According to ESPN last month, the Spurs boss is far from happy with the 29-year-old’s form, so much so that if it doesn’t improve in the coming months, he could well make the defender available for transfer after just a year at the club.

The report explains how Mourinho was berating him all game from the sidelines against Liverpool, just a few matches after a needless red card against Leeds United, and he’s done himself no favours since after dropping a diasterclass in the north London derby defeat.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-spurs-news-mourinho-levy-gossip” title=”Read this week’s latest Spurs news, rumours and more!”]

Wolves are thought to be seen on re-signing him, so you’d imagine if Spurs were to bolster the position once again this summer, through the arrival of Vazquez, then the Irishman is probably going to face the chop – you certainly couldn’t have three potential first-team starters for one right-back spot.

Despite the uncertainty over his future in the Spanish capital, Zidane has still trusted him to start regularly. “What he’s doing right now doesn’t surprise us. Not only do I like him, we all like him because he is always on the job and reliable. He always gives everything on the pitch,” lauded the Frenchman.

Indeed, the nine-time Spanish international has started each of Madrid’s last six league games and has only failed to start three matches since the end of October, thanks to injury via Transfermarkt.

20 of his 31 appearances have come at right-back, where he has delivered six assists, compared to just the one when deployed in his natural wing position.

Similarly, Vazquez has displayed strong attributes defensively and has shown an excellent reading of the game having averaged 2.3 tackles and 0.8 interceptions, via WhoScored.

Throw in 1.9 key passes and 1.4 dribbles per game, and you get a pretty all-rounded full-back capable of contributing at either end of the pitch.

Whereas Doherty, having come from a wing-back system at Wolves, has struggled defensively managing fewer tackles (1.5) than the Madrid ace and the third-highest number of fouls per match (1.3).

Considering Spurs can nab him on a free transfer this summer, it would certainly be a bargain swoop from Daniel Levy.

AND in other news, Terry 2.0: £11m beast could be the answer to Jose Mourinho’s biggest problem…

In a recent exclusive interview with GiveMeSport, Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano has discussed the future of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City in recent months.

The Norwegian sensation has contributed an incredible 49 goals and 11 assists in 49 appearances for Dortmund since joining from RB Salzburg and has become one of the hottest young prospects in world football as a result.

Although he has a release clause which could see him leave the Bundesliga side for just €75m (£68m) in the summer of 2022, it still seems as if multiple clubs are queuing up to try and sign him this summer.

Here’s what Romano had to say about the possibility of Haaland moving to the Premier League when speaking exclusively to GiveMeSport:

“I think Liverpool is complicated in this moment because they are happy with the team they have so they’re not planning to do something like a central striker for this money but obviously very much so I’m not the sporting director of Liverpool but let’s see what happens.

“Let’s see what happens with Manchester United for sure Solskjaer wants him but it’s not easy to sign him this summer because as you say the release clause is for the next one. So you have to deal with Borussia Dortmund, to negotiate with Borussia Dortmund, it won’t be easy.

“Manchester City are looking for a striker 100%. Chelsea are looking for a striker too, so keep an eye on Chelsea, keep an eye on Manchester City, always on Manchester United.”

Romano suggests that it won’t be easy for Premier League sides to bring in Haaland this summer but confirms that Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United are all keen on the 20-year-old.

Although it would cost City an extraordinary amount if they were to sign him this summer, there will be a lot more competition to sign him next year when his release clause comes into play, so Txiki Begiristain should splash the cash to bring the “phenomenal” Haaland to the Etihad Stadium this summer instead, especially now it has been confirmed that Sergio Aguero will depart.

In other news… Forget Grealish: Man City should sign “brilliant” Premier League beast this summer

Listen to the full interview with Fabrizio Romano on Give Me Sport here

A source has reportedly shared some insight on the potential takeover of Newcastle United involving an expert in the Middle East.

As per the Daily Mail, Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Middle East expert and Downing Street strategist Lord Eddie Lister back in September if there was any news on the proposed deal between Mike Ashley and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group, to which he replied that a call was being set up and that the deal would hopefully be signed that week.

Mr Johnson then responded ‘brilliant’ when receiving the news in what is some very interesting insight into what may have been for the St. James’ Park faithful.

What might have been for Newcastle

The exchanges between Lord Lister and the PM suggests that the takeover deal was close, although the Premier League eventually decided to fail the bid.

Nonetheless, the KSA’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and their bottomless pits of money would seemingly bring more wealth to the North East if the takeover were eventually to go through, perhaps why Johnson was seemingly so gleeful at the prospect of a deal.

The pending arbitration case between the North East club and the top flight should give a much clearer indication over the direction in which the potential takeover is heading, and a positive result there could lead to its possible resurrection.

In other news, find out what big claim has been dropped on the potential takeover involving the EPL here!

The last few weeks have been a triumphant affair for Sunderland. Lee Johnson’s team are now fourth in the League One table and are unbeaten in their last eight matches, winning seven in that time frame.

It would seem that promotion could finally be on the cards for the Black Cats this season.

Before they prepare for the run-in, however, they face Tranmere in the Papa John’s Trophy final. The Mackems travel to the capital and Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon to face the League Two opposition in what should be a comfortable win on paper.

That being said, all form goes out the window when you play in a final. Sunderland have been at this stage before but tasted defeat to Portsmouth in 2019; they know they cannot afford any slip-ups.

With such a crucial match ahead, Johnson will have plenty of dilemmas to mull over in terms of his team selection. Here’s the XI we’re predicting him to pick.

Life at the Stadium of Light is never simple and that has been evident this week.

Sunderland defeated Portsmouth but, as the week drew to a close, it became apparent that injuries were going to bite them once again.

They are already missing a number of players including Denver Hume and Bailey Wright, but Jordan Jones is now a major doubt to play after suffering a minor injury. Both he and Aiden O’Brien are set to face late fitness tests but Johnson claims O’Brien is far more likely than Jones to play.

That being said, we suggest both could miss out. Consequently, Sunderland may make as many as four changes from the Pompey clash. Chris Maguire comes into the side for O’Brien while Conor McLaughlin, fit again after hernia surgery, is in for Jones.

He shifts into a central area in defence, with Max Power preferred at right wing-back in a five-man backline.

Wright is set to miss out while Dion Sanderson is cup-tied, having already played for Wolves under-21s in this competition. Fortunately, they have Tom Flanagan back, who can take the place of Sanderson.

The final replacement is in the middle of the park, where Carl Winchester has to sit out. The midfielder has already played for Forest Green in this year’s competition so, like Sanderson, he is cup-tied.

Johnson revealed that Grant Leadbitter is set to return from a dislocated shoulder, so he slots in for Winchester.

AND in other news, Dreyfus may be on the verge of repeating one of Donald’s biggest SAFC mistakes already…

Reports by The Sun (7/2, p. 60) earlier this month claimed Newcastle United are planning to offer Federico Fernandez a new contract, but suggested the defender may be willing to ditch St. James’ Park for a Premier League rival.

Fernandez is keen to see his performances return a new, two-year deal having now entered into the final six-months of his current terms, only to be met with a stumbling block by the Toon only being willing to activate their option to extend his existing deal by a further year.

The 31-year-old would be willing to walk away from Tyneside if the Magpies refuse to offer him the additional 12-months he desires, which would see Fernandez’s United career run into a fifth season.

And if Newcastle are unwilling to meet Fernandez’s demands, the £4m-rated titan would want to stay in the Premier League having moved to England with Swansea City in 2014 and proven to be a stable regular in the division since.

Fernandez moved to the North East in 2018 for £6m and has gone on to make 67 top-flight appearances for the Toon, including starting all 16 of his outings this term but has not been seen on the field since losing 1-0 to Sheffield United on January 12.

The 32-cap Argentina international was one of the several Newcastle players who tested positive for Covid-19 amid an outbreak at Darsley Park in November, and is still yet to fully recover from the virus.

Bruce will now feel his absence even more after losing Fabian Schar for several months, after the centre-half sustained a torn knee ligament in the 75th-minute of Saturday’s 3-2 win over Southampton.

The Magpies had already been forced into fielding holding midfielder Isaac Hayden beside Schar for the Saints’ trip to St. James’ Park, with captain Jamaal Lascelles out with a hamstring injury and Paul Dummett only deemed fit enough for a seat on the bench.

Bruce would surely love to have Fernandez available to fill in at the back against Chelsea when Newcastle visit Stamford Bridge next Monday, with his efforts so far this season often at a consistent level above the performances of Schar, Lascelles, Dummett or Ciaran Clark.

Only Hayden, across the 25-year-old’s four outings at centre-back this term, has managed to average a greater number of successful tackles a game (2.8) than Fernandez (1.5) but from a marginally worse success rate of 84.6% to the Argentine’s 85.7%, per WhoScored.

But Fernandez is first when it comes to clearances (5.6), with an average that sees the 31-year-old rank seventh across all Premier League players when keeping things simple to protect their respective goals.

Fernandez again comes out strongly to protect Karl Darlow’s net with a Toon-high 1.3 shots blocked per game, and is far safer in retaining the ball with Clark (0.7), Hayden (0.5) and Lascelles (0.5) all recording a greater number of unsuccessful touches (0.2) in a part of the pitch where mistakes are punished the most.

It is also those aspects that make it a no brainer for Bruce to urge Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and Managing Director Lee Charnley to present the £47,000-per-week colossus with the two-year deal he desires, as it would be foolish to let Fernandez leave St. James’ Park this summer.

AND in other news, a serious injury blow for Newcastle may allow a £25k-p/w outcast to earn himself a new contract…

Fans of West Ham United have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relayed the news that Mike Dean has been appointed as the referee for the Hammers’ upcoming Premier League clash with Leeds United.

According to an announcement on the Premier League’s website, Dean will take charge of West Ham’s fixture against Marcelo Bielsa’s side on Monday 8 March, with Darren Cann and Derek Eaton appointed as the 52-year-old’s assistants, while Andre Marriner will be the VAR official.

However, after West Ham Family FC relayed the news of Dean’s appointment on Twitter, fans of the club flocked to have their say on the matter, with many appearing furious at the prospect of the referee overseeing their club’s next fixture.

The 52 year-old was of course in the spotlight a few weeks ago when he sent off the Irons’ likely player of the year, Tomas Soucek, who later had his suspension lifted for scraping Aleksandar Mitrovic with his funny bone.

So, what exactly did these West Ham United fans have to say in reaction to the appointment of Mike Dean for their club’s upcoming fixture?

“How is someone so incompetent, yet keeps his job.”

@devonhammer66

“Appeal it and change it!!”

@AndrewWickstead

“Really, cant we have someone else? Tbh, anyone else.”

@steven_eastlake

“Makes the game tougher then it needed to be.”

@CHXRLIEXWHU66

“Leeds win then.”

@KaneWHU

“Oh dear.”

@maxquorum

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

@WH_Unofficial

In other West Ham United news, many fans wanted this Premier League ace after a contract claim – find out more here!

Southampton’s decision to sign Jan Bednarek for just £5 million from Lech Poznan in 2017 is looking to be more and more like a masterstroke by the Saints, with former sporting director Ross Wilson deserving a lot of credit for his role in the negotiations.

Southampton brought in the centre-back for the minimal fee in the summer of 2017, as he became Mauricio Pellegrino’s first signing at the South Coast club.

He would end up outlasting the Argentine manager and he has become a key part of Southampton’s first-team under Ralph Hasenhuttl in recent seasons.

The Polish international has now made 108 appearances for the Saints, in which he has contributed three goals and four assists.

Bednarek was a big part of Southampton’s impressive form earlier in the season, forming a solid partnership with Jannik Vestergaard in central defence and he has been one of the first names on the team sheet under the Austrian’s management.

Having established himself as a quality defender at both domestic and international level, it is no surprise that Bednarek’s market value has significantly increased during his time at Southampton.

At the time of his signing, the centre-back was valued at just £4.5 million, whereas the 24-year-old is now valued at £22.5 million, which shows why his acquisition was excellent business by the South Coast club.

Bednarek is still relatively young for a centre-back, so it would not be a surprise to see his value continue to rise over the next few seasons and whilst it might be tricky for the Saints to keep hold of him if he attracts interest from a top club, it looks like they’re almost guaranteed to make a serious profit on him should he leave.

Therefore, you could definitely say that it was something of a masterclass by Wilson to bring in Bednarek for just £5 million back in 2017, considering his excellent performances in his first four years with the Saints.

To sign a player, see him have great success then either sell him for a big profit or keep him for years to come is exaclty what clubs like Saints want to do in the market. There’s no doubting that getting Bednarek was a masterstroke.

And, in other news… Southampton can sign their next Mane with £8.5m swoop for 18-goal beast

Many Everton fans have been left blasting some team news from Carlo Ancelotti ahead of their FA Cup tie at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday night.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match, the Italian boss said that Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Allan, Fabian Delph, Lucas Digne, Alex Iwobi and Niels Nkounkou are all unavailable against the Owls, meaning that he has a fairly restricted squad going into the clash at Goodison Park.

Supporters of the Merseyside club will surely be worried that both Digne and Nkounkou are out of the game, meaning that the Toffees will have to play with a makeshift left-back.

The Blues will be hoping that they do not need these players to progress through into the next round, when they would face either Spurs or Wycombe Wanderers at home.

Everton fan reaction to team news

These EFC fans blasted the team news on Twitter, as they feel as if some of the players would have helped toward getting a win:

“We’re missing all 3 of our CDM’s and missing both of our left backs what is life”

Credit: @Jackson_EFC

“Jesus Christ have they been attacking Omaha Beach?”

Credit: @15_martyng

“One blow after another”

Credit: @TomDono2

“Iwobi and Digne were fit last week how are they both injured???”

Credit: @efceddiee

“Not having either of the two attacking left backs available is a blow, we need to be able to break teams down better at home”Credit: @marchy27″I give up me”Credit: @LouisMeliaEFCIn other news, find out who Everton fans think should go out on loan here!

Glasgow Rangers cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Lech Poznan in the Europa League to ensure Steven Gerrard’s side finished top of Group D on Thursday night.

Rangers kept the hosts at bay with long spells of possession as they largely dominated proceedings from start to finish. Cedric Itten gave the Gers the lead after half an hour before Ianis Hagi doubled their advantage with a simple tap-in from close range.

Playing in Gerrard’s preferred 4-3-3 formation, Borna Barisic was an influential presence bombing up and down the left flank providing both width and variety in attack, Hagi silenced the doubters by putting in a clinical performance on the left wing, but the Ibrox boss will no doubt have been delighted to see Itten get on the scoresheet.

We said just this week that the Switzerland international has struggled at times so far this season but for once we have to give credit where credit is due.

He opened his account in Europe with a powerful strike before half-time and Hagi put the game beyond the Polish giants after Connor Goldson came close to scoring with a glancing header.

SofaScore gave the 23-year-old a game-high rating of 8 out of ten for his efforts – the joint-highest rating out of every player on the pitch – as he had one shot on target, one shot off target and one shot blocked, whilst he also made one tackle and blocked one shot, which suggests that he contributed defensively as well.

Itten took 42 touches of the ball and clearly made the most out of all of that possession as he combined with Hagi and Joe Aribo at almost free will, whilst he provided 20 out of 28 passes (71%), made one key pass, won nine out of his 14 duels overall (64%) and completed three successful dribble attempts, which shows that he was a real menace throughout the game.

Valued at £3.6m via Transfermarkt, in 14 appearances for Gerrard’s side, the versatile forward has scored three goals and supplied an assist, whilst he is averaging 1.5 shots and 1.5 dribbles per game in the Europa League, via WhoScored. In contrast, even Hagi has only managed fewer than one dribble on average per game in the Europa League so far this season.

This kind of performance is exactly what Rangers fans will have been expecting to see for some time and will surely go some way towards justifying the price they paid for him in the summer.

The Gers have now secured a seeded place in the Europa League last 32 draw, which takes place on Monday night, and this means that they will also be able to collect a £900,000 bonus as a result. Not bad, not bad at all.

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers chief Ross Wilson must deliver Billy Gilmour or face consequences…

Gabriel Agbonlahor has claimed Jon McLaughlin could leave Glasgow Rangers in January, but the 54-time Scottish champions simply can’t afford to let the 6 ft 2 in colossus go.

What’s the word?

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former England and Aston Villa striker believes McLaughlin needs to be playing regularly to improve his chances of being named in Scotland’s squad for Euro 2020.

The 33-year-old has kept ten clean sheets in eleven appearances so far this season, as he earned his 11th start of the season against Lech Poznan in the Europa League on Thursday night as Steven Gerrard rested several key men, including veteran goalkeeper Allan McGregor, ahead of the Premiership clash with Dundee United at the weekend.

But Agbonlahor has tipped McLaughlin to look for a temporary exit to get some minutes under his belt before next year’s European Championships, he said:

“As a goalkeeper, if you’re a number two goalkeeper you’re not going to come on.

“If you’re a number two striker, you might come on in a game but number two goalkeepers, unless there’s an injury, you’re not going to come on.

“If he wants to play for Scotland then he definitely needs to be playing football.

“It might be something he looks to do for sure.”

Hold your ground, Gers

But if you take a look at the situation from Rangers’ point of view, McLaughlin is a player they simply cannot afford to lose.

Even though Gerrard’s side are currently set with their first-choice stopper, an injury crisis or coronavirus outbreak could quickly cause problems at the back.

And yes, they have conceded just five goals in 17 games in the Premiership, but the Scotland international has still played his part as he has only conceded two goals and saved eight clean sheets in the top flight, via Transfermarkt.

Apart from McGregor and McLaughlin, Andy Firth is the only other keeper at the club, but the youngster is an inexperienced 24-year-old who is yet to make a sole appearance in the Premiership so far this season.

Former Black Cats boss Jack Ross once described McLaughlin as the best keeper in League One, saying: “I’m obviously biased and there might be other managers that say it, but I believe I have the best goalkeeper in the league.

“He was outstanding for me last season, he is such a low-maintenance player in terms of how he goes about his business, and he is unflappable.”

If the 33-year-old was to leave the Govan-based Glaswegian giants, that would leave Gerrard dangerously short of backup options, and he simply cannot afford to take that risk as the Gers seek to stop Celtic from winning an unprecedented tenth title in a row.

AND in other news, Rangers must recall Josh McPake in January…