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West Ham United are reportedly interested in acquiring the services of Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrick Schick this month, with the Hammers looking to add depth to their squad given their participation in three competitions.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet Calcio Mercato, the East London club are looking to sign the Leverkusen forward this window, having not signed a striker since Sebastien Haller’s departure for Ajax last year.

The £36m-rated striker has been in exceptional form this term, having netted 18 goals in 16 Bundesliga appearances.

Schick joined Leverkusen in September 2020 from Italian outfit AS Roma, having spent the previous season on loan at their Bundesliga rivals RB Leipzig, where the Czech Republic international scored ten goals in 28 appearances.

Since his move, the striker labelled a “genius” by his national team coach Jaroslav Silhavy, has scored 31 times in 56 appearances, an astounding tally.

However, the 25-year-old could seek a new challenge and make the move to the Premier League by joining David Moyes’ side.

West Ham fans will love him

It is no secret that the East Londoners could do with a new striker with winger Jarrod Bowen being their main goal output of late.

Michail Antonio started the season excellently, scoring five goals in his first six Premier League games of the campaign. However, the Jamaica international has only scored three league goals since September.

With Moyes’ side still juggling three competitions and possessing genuine ambition of securing Champions League football by May, the Hammers will need a recognised goal scorer that they can rely on.

West Ham have managed to find goals from all over the pitch, scoring 41 in their 20 league games thus far. However, that may not prove sustainable and the Irons could do with adding a recognised goalscorer up front to help secure a top-four finish and progress in the Europa League and FA Cup.

Schick has had an immense start to the season, scoring more goals than games played. Should West Ham be able to find a fee suitable to bring the Czech from Germany to England, they could be a serious force during the second half of the season.

Moreover, the Irons have already had two Czech stars succeed at the London Stadium with Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal being key contributors. Thus, fans would surely warm the forward pretty instantly should he make the move.

AND in other news, West Ham flop who lost the ball every 2 touches v Leeds may be costing Moyes top-four…

Manchester United have not contacted former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane over possibly replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

And, as to be expected, a number of United fans have been reacting to the update on social media.

Rumours emerged in recent days from Duncan Castles of The Times claiming United have stepped up their attempts to lure the Frenchman to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils hierarchy are reportedly ‘hopeful’ that his close relationships with Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane can help to convince him to join, however, Romano has a different take.

He claimed that United are yet to contact Zidane, who is enjoying his private life and isn’t desperate to work again during the current campaign without a pre-season under his belt.

This is of course not the news fans wanted to hear, given the former Real Madrid boss won a remarkable two league titles and three Champions Leagues during his time in the Spanish capital.

United fans react

@utdreport shared Romano’s update on Zidane on Twitter on Sunday lunchtime.

This is what these United fans had to say in reply, with many making their views known.

“Fabrizio hype. Di Marzio is the only Italian journo we trust these days soz”

Credit: @LaPiochey

“Make it happen @Cristiano”

Credit: @lenh0ff

“I knew it. We are getting Rodgers.”

Credit: @andromedaUtd

“All I know is pain”

Credit: @LethuTheLegend

“Ah sigh we can never have good things”

Credit: @UTDTrey

“Fabrizio is behind the curve he’s tier 5 these days”

Credit: @OIeOutNow

Manchester United appear to have turned a corner in terms of their recruitment since the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and one purchase stands out amongst them all.

For years, it appeared as though the Red Devils hierarchy were playing a game of Football Manager when it came to their dealings in the transfer market.

Whenever a big name became available, such as Angel di Maria, Radamel Falcao, or Bastien Schweinsteiger, United snapped them up without any consideration as to whether they would fit in the current manager’s plans.

However, after many seasons spent meandering post-Sir Alex Ferguson, the arrival of Bruno Fernandes back in January 2020 marked a new era for the English giants.

After joining the Old Trafford outfit via a £46.5m move from Sporting Lisbon, Fernandes couldn’t hide his love for the club and promised to inspire Solskjaer’s charges to silverware.

“For me to now play for Manchester United feels incredible,” said the Portugal international. “My love of Manchester United really started when I used to watch Cristiano Ronaldo play and ever since then I have been a big fan of this great club.

“I have worked hard to get to this moment, and I can promise the fans that I will give everything for the badge to help bring us more success and trophies.”

And Fernandes certainly delivered on his pledge to give everything. The now 27-year-old produced an astonishing return of eight goals and seven assists in his first 14 Premier League games for United, impressing a whole host of onlookers, including Roy Keane.

“He’s lifted everybody at the club. It’s as if he’s been there 20 years. He’s got pure quality,” claimed the Sy Sports pundit and former United legend.

“The big plus for Ole over the last year or so is that the recruitment seems to be getting better. He looks like he’s going to be a big player for United for the next few years.”

Fernandes has continued in the same vein ever since, taking his tallies up to 44 goals and 28 assists in just 90 outings for the Red Devils, an outrageous output that has seen his market value skyrocket to £81m.

There’s no doubt that United struck gold over the £180,000-per-week beast, but now he must deliver on his promise to secure a major trophy, ending the club’s longest drought in over 30 years.

And, in other news…Report reveals worrying Man United update that should leave Ole feeling concerned 

Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a massive boost in their pursuit of mooted transfer target Andrea Belotti this week…

What’s the word?

During the summer transfer window, the north London outfit were reportedly ‘observing’ the 27-year-old’s situation as he entered the final year of his current contract at Serie A outfit Torino, as per Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness).

They were once again linked ahead of January and now it seems as if they have been gifted their biggest boost yet, should sporting director Fabio Paratici still retain such interest.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the Bulls have offered him a new deal but nothing has been agreed, as he also relayed comments from club president Urbano Cairo, who said: “I don’t see big chances to extend his contract, but we’ll see.”

Should they swoop?

It would not be a surprise to see Spurs make a move for a striker in the near future, considering an out-of-form Harry Kane is their only senior option. He’s scored just once in the Premier League all season and that has to be a cause for concern to manager Antonio Conte.

Belotti is increasingly likely to be available for nothing in the summer, and that means foreign clubs like Tottenham can submit pre-contract offers to the Torino talisman as early as January.

Valued at a whopping £31.5m by Transfermarkt, the Italy international would be quite the steal, especially fresh off the back of winning Euro 2020. He has proven to be a very prolific goalscorer over recent times.

The forward has bagged double figures in every season since 2015/16, including a career-best tally of 28 goals in the 2016/17 campaign, via Transfermarkt.

Ex-Spurs shot-stopper Joe Hart briefly played with Belotti at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino and described the frontman as a unique talent, different to the big names we usually see mentioned across Europe.

“Andrea is similar to all the great strikers, English and not. It’s hard to compare him to someone else because he’s special,” he lauded to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio. “He’s Belotti and that’s it. He has [an] instinct for goals, personality and he’s a team player: he’s always focused on his team and plays hard to help it.”

Things have not gone to plan for him this campaign, managing only two goals and five starts, but injuries have somewhat hampered his season so far and that doesn’t take away from his impressive and consistent goalscoring record over the years; not to mention his role as captain, either.

It’s evident that Spurs are in desperate need of alternatives to the misfiring Kane and Belotti could be a bargain solution, even more so after the door has seemingly opened for them to strike a deal at the turn of the year.

Paratici and Conte should act after this latest development from Romano. They have been gifted a massive boost, so it would be foolish to not at least try and lure the Italian to north London.

AND in other news, Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge drops Spurs update on Joe Rodon…

Reports have suggested that Manchester United are unwilling to meet Tottenham Hotspur’s asking price for striker Harry Kane.

The England captain has been linked with a switch to Old Trafford for a considerable amount of time. With Edinson Cavani quickly approaching the twilight of his career having only signed a one-year deal at Old Trafford, albeit with the option of a second, the Red Devils have to make a move for Kane.

The Tottenham forward’s Premier League record really does speak for itself.

Now rated at £108m and being paid £200k per week at Tottenham, he has plundered an eye-watering 159 goals in 235 league appearances, an astounding record.

He has hit double figures in each of the last seven campaigns, even notching 30 during the 2017/18 season.

This all means that Kane has a strike rate of 0.67 goals per game, which is better than Marcus Rashford’s 0.31, Anthony Martial’s 0.33, Mason Greenwood’s 0.19 and of course Cavani’s record of 0.33.

With the mercurial Bruno Fernandes teeing Kane up with his 2.8 key passes per game, then an extremely fruitful relationship could well be in the offing in the future.

It won’t just be Kane’s goals that United will benefit from though. The 27-year-old’s creativity has improved just this season.

With ten Premier League matches to go in 2020/21, he already has 13 league assists, having added to those in his exhilarating performance in the 4-1 thumping of Crystal Palace.

The positives of Kane’s arrival at Old Trafford do not end there. Near neighbours Manchester City have also been backed to make a move for the Tottenham superstar in the near future.

If United manage to get there first, it could potentially signal a swing in power, not only in Manchester, but also in the Premier League.

So, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly keen to recruit a striker as soon as this summer, no target makes more sense than Harry Kane.

AND in more news, take a look at Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s brilliant performance in the Red Devils’ 2-0 victory in the Manchester derby…

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Southampton centre-back Jannik Vestergaard this summer and the Saints must ensure that they don’t end with a repeat of the situation that has seen Virgil van Dijk become one of the best centre-backs in the world after leaving the South Coast club.

According to the Mirror, Jose Mourinho is contemplating a move for the 28-year-old ahead of the summer as he looks to improve his defensive options at the North London club.

The former Borussia Monchengladbach man has established himself as a key player under Ralph Hasenhuttl this season and has been one of the best performers in the top-flight, having contributed three goals in 21 top-flight appearances, which has helped him average an impressive 7.09 rating.

Only James Ward-Prowse has scored a higher rating in the Premier League so far this season, which emphasises just how important the Dane has become at the South Coast club, so it would be a big loss if the £13.5 million-rated defender were to leave.

Losing such a key defender would perhaps be similar to the deal that saw Van Dijk join Liverpool in 2017, with the Dutchman departing the Saints in a club-record deal and helping to revolutionise Jurgen Klopp’s side, helping them to success in the Premier League and Champions League.

Vestergaard’s performances this season have earned him comparisons to Van Dijk from Martin Keown and considering the 6 foot 6 man’s impressive ability in the air, it is easy to see why.

However, the Danish international has also developed his ability on the ball, averaging an 83.7% pass accuracy rate this season compared to a 77.1% accuracy during  the last campaign.

Hasenhuttl is clearly a big fan of the defender, having described him as a “role model”, whilst his partnership with Jan Bednarek at the back was a big part of Southampton’s impressive form earlier in the season.

Therefore, Martin Semmens should do everything he can to keep hold of the centre-back this summer, as he is clearly an important part of this Saints side, and losing him to a side like Spurs could well lead to a repeat of Van Dijk’s incredible rise after St Mary’s.

And, in other news… Forget Forster: Saints can sign serious McCarthy upgrade in £8.6m beast

Glasgow Rangers have reportedly now told Josh McPake that he can leave in the summer.

The Lowdown: Loan after loan

McPake has been sent out on loan no fewer than five times by the Teddy Bears in his career so far, most recently to Tranmere Rovers back in the January transfer window.

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He has only managed to make one senior appearance for the club, and so his long-term future under Giovanni van Bronckhorst is uncertain after a nomadic stint in Glasgow.

The Latest: McPake update

Speaking to Football Insider, an Ibrox source has revealed that the Light Blues have now given the ‘green light’ for McPake to leave on a permanent deal, as he is ‘surplus to requirements’.

The Gers have personally ‘told’ McPake that he can go after his loan spell at Tranmere ends.

The Verdict: Shame

It is certainly a shame that McPake’s career at RFC has not quite worked out, especially coming through their youth ranks.

Described as ‘excellent’ and a ‘great talent’ by Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver, another team that he has gone out on loan to, the 20-year-old signed a new deal at Rangers just last year, a testament to how highly-rated he is.

However, the summer seems the best time for both McPake and the club to part ways, as the Scottish winger looks to seek more regular first-team football and the Light Blues bank a potentially decent profit.

In other news, find out who has been ‘non-existent’ for Gers here!

Mike Ashley must sanction a Newcastle United deal to sign Spezia Calcio striker M’Bala Nzola amid rival interest from West Ham and AC Milan.

What’s the word?

According to Club Dorla 46, Spezia are prepared to brush off any attempts to sign Nzola during the January transfer window as they strive to retain their dynamic marksman.

Nzola has burst onto the scene in the Serie A this season with nine goals and one assist in 13 games, including his side’s initial equaliser in a 2-1 win over SSC Napoli last week, after helping the Stadio Alberto Picco natives secure promotion to the top-flight last term.

Nzola was the star attraction on Monday night when he again found the back of the net to seal a 2-1 win over UC Sampdoria, with Milan said to be scouting the game as they weigh up an offer for the 24-year-old Newcastle and West Ham striker target.

Sampdoria, too, are keen on a deal which would appeal to Nzola, who is highly sought-after through his central expertise and ability to play on either wing, but Spezia are loath to grant a mid-season move and will demand an important offer to sell now or in the summer.

The £3.5m-rated forward initially moved to the Stadio Alberto Picco last January on loan before securing a free transfer to Vincenzo Italiano’s side in October, where his impressive efforts are said to have sparked talk over a new contract and pay rise to ward off any interest.

Imagine Nzola and Wilson

Newcastle could forge a formidable forward line with a successful move to sign Nzola this month, but Steve Bruce will need to urge Ashley to put pen to an important offer with the Toon owner understood to be reluctant to commit to any major outlays in January.

Nzola is proving to be a lethal marksman in the Italian top-flight with his nine goals in 13 games already this season, despite never playing a minute in the Serie A before helping to secure Spezia’s promotion.

His efforts that have sparked table-toppers Milan to be keen have made Nzola irreplaceable in Liguria, yet a price is clearly on the Frenchman’s head, which Ashley must meet to help Bruce deliver a more appealing Newcastle than the defence-first, relegation-worriers currently seen at St. James’ Park.

Newcastle, as a team, are offering just 8.9 shots per Premier League fixture as the division’s third-quietest unit – only Sheffield United (8.4) and West Bromwich Albion (8.2) strike fewer, per WhoScored – and could do with a player of Nzola’s calibre with Callum Wilson and Jeff Hendrick the only Magpies to have scored multiple top-flight goals this term.

Nzola is offering an average of 2.1 shots and 1.3 key balls a game in the Serie A while making 1.0 successful dribbles and winning 4.5 duels, per SofaScore, as he commands the opponent’s territory in a side that has won just four of their 17 league fixtures thus far.

AND in other news, a Newcastle gem embarrassed his teammates as Steve Bruce’s only positive at Arsenal…

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy must look to offload Serge Aurier this summer amid interest in his signature.

In the past few days, several clubs have emerged as a potential destination for the divisive £18m-rated right-back.

According to RMC Sport (via Get French Football News), Spurs are keen to move him on for around €10m (£9m), with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid keeping tabs on his situation, whilst Foot Mercato have surprisingly claimed that even Real Madrid have enquired about a move.

If he leaves for that sort of money, then Levy would have lost around £14m on the Ivorian in the four years that he has been at the club, having originally joined from PSG for around £23m in August 2017.

Aurier will enter the final year of his current £120,000-per-week contract at the end of the season but, even if he had several years to go, Spurs should be seeking to push him out the door at all costs.

Saturday’s defeat to Leeds United was another small reminder that he costs the north London giants more than helps them, and perhaps it’s now a step too far to rely on him for much longer.

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During the game, former Lilywhites player Jamie O’Hara, now a pundit at talkSPORT, blasted the 28-year-old for his performance. “Aurier is just an absolute liability,” the 34-year-old wrote on Twitter just half an hour into the match.

That comment is merely just one of many we’ve seen in recent weeks, and perhaps throughout the entire time that Aurier has been a regular for Spurs.

After their Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City only two weeks ago, Sky Sports analyst Jamie Carragher piled into the 66-cap Ivory Coast international (via talkSPORT) and said: “Aurier is maybe one of the biggest liabilities in Premier League football and is a player who would possibly put you off management with the amount of crazy decisions he makes.”

Despite all of these scathing verdicts of the right-back, he has still started 19 times in the Premier League this season and even usurped Matt Doherty to be Jose Mourinho’s, and now Ryan Mason’s, first-choice option in the role.

However, with defensive mistakes being the defining theme of Spurs’ turbulent season, it would be wise for Levy to cash in on the 28-year-old before the next manager arrives to give him one less headache to worry about.

If any bids come in for Aurier, then Spurs must take what they can get for him.

AND in other news, Levy could repeat his fatal Hoddle mistake if Spurs appoint “intelligent” 40 y/o…

Sheffield Wednesday are hoping to have their transfer embargo lifted this summer.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to the Yorkshire Live journalist Dom Howson, who claimed in a post on Twitter that the Owls are looking to have their embargo lifted prior to the summer transfer window opening on June 9th.

Howson also revealed in a recent Q&A session on Yorkshire Live that Darren Moore’s side are “quietly confident” of being successful with the application for the removal of their ban.

Positive news

After what has been an extremely disappointing campaign that fans of Sheffield Wednesday have had to endure, with their side finishing rock bottom of the Championship table, the news that the club believes they will be able to sign players in the summer transfer window is a positive update indeed.

With Dejphon Chansiri confirming that Darren Moore will be the man in charge of the Owls next season, the 47-year-old being able to actively recruit his targets in order to give Wednesday the best possible chance of promotion from League One is undoubtedly a good thing.

And, with no less than 18 contracted Wednesday players who have deals expiring this summer, many of whom are on extremely costly wages, Moore looks set to have something of a blank canvas at Hillsborough this summer, allowing him to mould the squad into one in his own image.

So, while the recent disappointment of relegation will no doubt still be hanging over the Owls fanbase, Howson’s claim that the club looks likely to be able to bring in fresh faces in the upcoming transfer window is something that will surely leave them buzzing – as this is very much the first step in getting their club back on track ahead of their campaign in the third tier of English football.

In other news: Sheffield Wednesday ace reveals “massive boost” that will surely delight Owls fans – opinion