All posts by h716a5.icu

There have certainly not been too many players to return to Crystal Palace over the years following an initial release.

However, one man who did just that is winger Bakary Sako. However, Steve Parish will be delighted that he is once again off of the wage bill following his exit at the conclusion of the 2018/19 campaign.

The Malian wideman originally joined the Eagles at the beginning of the 2015/16 season, fresh off the back of a brilliant campaign with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Joining on a free transfer, he could not capture his best form in front of goal, scoring just eight goals at Selhurst Park across three seasons before his original contract came to an end in 2018.

It was certainly a relief to have the winger off of the Selhurst Park wage bill considering that he was hoovering up approximately £55k per week throughout his contract. For comparison, that is the same amount that club captain Luka Milivojevic is currently earning at the club and considerably more than fellow wideman Eberechi Eze is currently being paid.

Linking up with West Bromwich Albion in the Championship after his time at Palace came to an end, Sako would intriguingly return to the club just over three months later for a second spell – a period in which he would play just four games before getting released once more.

Now 32, Sako was last seen playing for Cypriot outfit Pafos FC, where he made just six appearances and scored a solitary goal, following a failed move to Denizlispor.

He is now a free agent and whilst he is one of few players to have signed for the Eagles twice throughout his career, a third spell at Selhurst Park seems highly unlikely.

Parish will be delighted that he is no longer forking out for his considerable wages. He made the right call when letting him go dfor the secon time.

AND in more news, read about which Palace beast needs to be offered a new deal at Selhurst Park…

It may be some years since Leeds United fans saw Harry Kewell light up Elland Road in his pomp, but the club could very well go a long way to recreating the feeling of watching the Australian by landing England U21 international Noni Madueke.

Reports in recent days have revealed that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are one of a number of clubs across Europe who have already put feelers out about potentially signing the PSV starlet.

When Kewell burst onto the scene at Leeds, the fleet-footed winger was a real breath of fresh air, displaying a real sense of fearlessness.

FootballWhispers noted: “The Australian youngster immediately stood out in Leeds’ youth ranks, exuding a confident swagger that would go on to define his on-field demeanour. With his pace, flair and guile, the young winger looked a natural fit in the immaculate white of the three-time English champions.”

And in the 19-year-old Madueke, there are a lot of remarkable similarities.

Former PSV midfielder Tommie van de Leegte said: “He’s fast and has the capability to trick his opponent. He brings creativity and is very explosive in his actions. That’s what PSV needs.

And, PSV boss Roger Schmidt raved about the young winger after a particularly impressive display against SC Verle, in which he scored a superb hat-trick.

He said: “I’m not surprised. He already scored a lot of goals in training. He feels comfortable up front and doesn’t have to be a winger. Noni’s timing is often very good and he has a good feeling for free space. I’m also very happy with his mentality. He is a good fighter and is capable of reading the situation.”

Meanwhile, England U21 boss Aidy Boothroyd has tipped the £12.6m-rated Madueke to enjoy a bright future, and much like Kewell, pointed to his vibrant personality.

He said: “He’s certainly a very talented young man, really excited to be called up by the Under 21s, and a little bit like Phil (Foden) last time, nobody had really heard of him until he came and played in the tournament.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Latest Leeds transfer rumours and news”]

“They knew a little bit about him but that set him off on a trajectory and we’re hoping Noni can create even more positive attention for the way that they play. He’s got a lovely infectious character that comes out even over the phone.”

With that same penchant for producing the spectacular, Madueke could well light up Elland Road just like Kewell did all those years ago.

Meanwhile, Leeds must keep this man at all costs this summer…

Some Liverpool supporters have been praising Ozan Kabak, claiming he was one of the few positives in the 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

It was a bitterly disappointing evening for Jurgen Klopp and his players, with their performance horribly below par in Spain.

In truth, the final score was arguably kind on Liverpool, with their defending leaving a lot to be desired and too many attacking players off the boil.

The Reds now have a mountain to climb in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie next Wednesday, especially with no fans allowed inside Anfield.

One player who again stood out was Kabak, however, with the Turk producing a solid display, barring one error in the first half.

While a number of more experienced players around him threw in shocking performances, he looked an assured presence at the heart of the defence.

It was further proof that Liverpool should consider the idea of signing Kabak permanently in the summer – at 21, he has lots of potential.

Liverpool supporters praise Kabak

These Reds fans took to Twitter to laud the youngster’s showing.

“Don’t wanna see anyone get on to Kabak. He bailed Phillips out numerous times and if it wasn’t for him we would’ve held 5. Our 2nd best player tonight”

Credit: @RB_07Ftbol

“Ozan Kabak appreciation tweet. Our best player tonight. Very unfairly taken off by Klopp. Hope it doesn’t affect his confidence”Credit: @Klopptinho”Ozan Kabak was our best player imo”Credit: @TaintlessRed”I’d like to thank Kabak and Thiago for showing up today”Credit: @lfcels_”No one can defend this performance. No one stepped up, except for Kabak maybe”Credit: @danliv9″I thought he was instrumental in steadying things in the second half, weren’t as open in defence as the first. No idea why he was subbed, pointless tbh”Credit: @LFCKey_In other news, one Liverpool player has been linked with a move to a fellow Premier League club. Find out who it is here.

Newcastle sent scouts to watch Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir against Gaziantep on Monday, according to Turkish outlet Takvim.

Analysts from Ajax, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa were also said to be examining the 22-year-old firsthand.

Bayindir makes a rare mistake as Premier League suitors watch on

Fenerbache ran out 3-1 winners on the night to close the gap on league leaders Besiktas to four points.

However, Bayindir blundered under scrutiny, fumbling an Alexandru Maxim free-kick over the line on 65 minutes to gift Gaziantep an equaliser. Former West Ham striker Enner Valencia and Sinan Gumus ultimately bailed him out with subsequent goals.

It was a rare blip in a season which has seen Bayindir graduate from Turkey’s under-21s to the senior squad. He has kept 10 clean sheets in 32 Super Lig appearances, conceding 30 goals.

Bayindir has two years left on his contract with the Istanbul outfit and is valued at just over £12m by Transfermarkt. He was singled out for praise in a tweet from Fenerbahce team-mate Mesut Ozil back in February, with the World Cup winner giving ‘special thanks’ to the youngster for one particularly strong performance.

Transfer Tavern verdict

What do you do when a young talent you’re watching falters under pressure – cross out his name for the shortlist because you value composure, or give them another chance based on their otherwise strong form?

Bayindir has caught the eye for a reason, and clubs could miss out on a talented player with a high ceiling if they jump to conclusions.

After Steve Bruce restored a fit-again Martin Dubravka to the side, Karl Darlow could feasibly push for a move in the summer. He knows he’s good enough to be a number one keeper elsewhere, having actually posted more saves per match than his Slovakian colleague this season (3.4 to 3.3).

That could open the backup role at Newcastle, and perhaps Bayindir is being eyed as a long-term successor to the 32-year-old Dubravka, so he shouldn’t be dismissed solely on the basis of his recent error.

In other news, Newcastle have been told not to shell out more than £15m on another transfer target.

A number of Crystal Palace supporters have been giving their thoughts to the club’s interest in Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir on social media.

According to Turkish outlet Takvim, Palace, along with Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Newcastle United, were all due to have scouts present to watch Bayindir against Gaziantep FK on Monday.

Bayindir, valued at £12.15m, played the full 90 minutes in a 3-1 win, making his 34th appearance of the current campaign.

Palace already have four senior goalkeepers on the books at Selhurst Park in Vicente Guaita, Jack Butland, Wayne Hennessey and Stephen Henderson, but it seems as if they’re keeping tabs on Bayindir ahead of the summer window.

Bayindir, who joined the club for just £1.35m in 2019, is out of contract with the Turkish giants in 2023.

Palace fans react

Both @cpfc_xtra and @CPFCtransfersHQ shared Takvim’s update on social media on Monday afternoon.

This is what these Palace fans had to say in reply to the club’s links to the 23-year-old…

“YESSSS WE NEED ANOTHER GOALKEEPER REBUILD HERE WE COME”

Credit: @Kevbartleyy

“This guy’s too good to be a sub/reserve”

Credit: @cpfc_fpage_se25

“good player”

Credit: @palacejacob

“Isn’t that pretty much the only position we don’t need to bring anyone in for?!”

Credit: @Szuumm

“Hopefully this means we’re getting rid of Hennessey and Henderson then”

Credit: @cpfcgoaat

“Why”

Credit: @JoshStonks

In other news: Many CPFC fans react to injury setback regarding 2020 signing, find out more here. 

Aston Villa are reportedly keen on signing Fenerbahce’s Attila Szalai in the summer.

That’s according to Hungarian outlet Blikk, relayed by Birmingham Live, who suggest that Dean Smith’s side have joined Lazio, Leicester City, Napoli and Newcastle United in the race for the 23-year-old.

Szalai, mainly a centre-back, can also turn out as a left-back. He has 11 caps for Hungary and has an asking price of £21.5m.

He only made the move to Fenerbahce back in January but it seems as if he may well be on the move again in 2021 with interest mounting.

Transfer Tavern take

The links to Szalai have come out of nowhere. An Aston Villa source recently suggested to Football Insider that the club are prioritising attacking reinforcements this summer, with two wide additions high on the club’s agenda.

There’s no sign of a defender being brought in, but it seems as if the club are keeping tabs on Szalai if reports in his homeland are to be believed.

Should a deal go through at the reported asking price, he would become the club’s third most expensive signing of all-time behind Ollie Watkins and Wesley.

Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa have been regulars at Villa Park this season, with Kortney Hause and Bjorn Engels not getting a look in.

Szalai could potentially provide a higher level of competition to Mings and Konsa, while also providing cover for Matt Targett at left-back.

In other news: Source shares major news on Jack Grealish’s Aston Villa release clause, find out more here.

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, Rob Lee, who spent one season with West Ham, has claimed that on-loan star Jesse Lingard has been playing so well that the Irons will not be the only club looking to sign the midfielder this summer.

Lingard failed to play a single minute of Premier League football during the first half of the season at Manchester United, before being handed a lifeline by David Moyes where he has become one of their most important players.

In recent weeks, Lingard has been linked with several different clubs alongside West Ham, including PSG and Arsenal, with the latter ready to hijack any potential switch to the Hammers if they fail to sign Martin Odegaard.

Speaking on why it is not certain that Lingard will sign for West Ham and how he’s almost played too well for the Hammers, Lee told The Transfer Tavern:

“I said the other day that the problem for West Ham getting Jesse Lingard on loan is that unless they’ve got some sort of clause, he’s going to play his way out of going to them.

“He’s been playing so well, that it’s not going to be a foregone conclusion that he will go to West Ham. I think he’s played too good for West Ham in a strange sort of way, because he’s now put himself in the shop window.”

Since arriving from Man United, Lingard has been a revelation at the London Stadium, with his performances even earning him a recall to Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad.

Lingard has been carrying the pressure of the Hammers wanting to finish in the top four and his nine goals and four assists in 10 games has certainly helped their cause.

Aston Villa are facing the prospect of losing highly-rated academy starlet Carney Chukwuemeka amid reported interest from Manchester United and Manchester City.

What’s the story?

The 17-year-old is yet to make a first-team appearance for Dean Smith’s side, but has been making waves at youth level, predominantly playing for the club’s U23s this season at Premier League 2 level.

Now, The Guardian claim that both Manchester clubs are tracking his progress at Villa Park, with sides like RB Leipzig, Monaco and PSV Eindhoven also monitoring his development.

The report adds that Villa are keen to tie him down to a new longer-team deal however.

Transfer misery for Smith

Recently on the 1874 podcast, Gregg Evans spoke about how highly thought of Chukwuemeka is behind the scenes at Bodymoor Heath training ground, revealing that “he’s the one everybody’s talking about” and even hailing him as “the real deal”.

With the likes of Louie Barry also knocking on the first-team door but yet to see a taste of first-team action, there’s surely real pressure on Smith’s shoulders to start giving some of the club’s younger talents a chance, just like he’s done with Jacob Ramsey.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-aston-villa-transfer-rumours-and-news-copy-copy” title=”Latest Aston Villa transfer rumours and news”]

And with the success of the likes of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham in moving abroad to Borussia Dortmund, even interest from clubs like RB Leipzig are going to be very hard to turn down for Chukwuemeka if he feels like he’s got a much faster pathway to the first-team there.

Given the number of clubs interested, Villa are facing a real nightmare over losing one of their club’s highly-rated talents.

Meanwhile, Villa could land a bargain deal in this Premier League star…

Leeds have been handed a major boost in their chase for PSV Eindhoven starlet Noni Madueke.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side have already put out feelers for the England under021 international over a potential summer move.

The Daily Mail have now claimed that the winger is valued at around £15m, although the Whites are likely to face competition from the likes of Leicester and AC Milan.

Bielsa’s new Raphinha

When this Premier League campaign is fully said and done, there’s no questioning that Raphinha will be right up there with the signings of the season. The Brazilian has been an absolute revelation at Elland Road, managing six goals and six assists in the top flight and bringing that famed Samba flair to these shores.

In Madueke, Leeds could find someone who is incredibly similar with his explosiveness, skills and a wand of a left foot.

Former England under-21 manager Aidy Boothroyd hailed his ability, saying: “He’s a powerhouse of a player, technically very good, left-footed and likes to come in off the side of the pitch, off the right and go and link.

“He’s got a goal in him, he’s very creative. He’s got a massive smile, a lovely kid. The lads have taken to him, as they would because he’s a good player, he has that respect for what he’s done at PSV.”

Meanwhile, former PSV ace Tommie van de Leegte raved about about the England teenager to Dutch radio station Omroep Brabant last year, declaring (via Goal): “He’s fast and has the capability to trick his opponent. He brings creativity and is very explosive in his actions. That’s what PSV needs.”

Given his reported cost of £15m – virtually nothing in the modern market and especially when you consider the usual premium for buying English players – and with the competition beginning to intensify, it’s imperative that Andrea Radrizzani acts now to get his man.

Meanwhile, Leeds must offload this “complete liability”…

Former Manchester City star Michael Ball has told Football FanCast that he thinks Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland may be recruited as Sergio Aguero’s replacement this summer.

The Argentine has announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season, drawing the curtain down on a remarkable spell at the Etihad Stadium.

Aguero’s absence will leave a major hole in Pep Guardiola’s squad and there have been rumours for weeks linking City with a variety of strikers, including the Dortmund attacker, as per the BBC.

Haaland’s name has seemed to stick, especially given that his father used to play for the club.

The Dortmund striker has scored a staggering 37 goals in 38 games in all competitions this season and is valued at £99m by Transfermarkt.

And Ball thinks that City may have the edge on the competition in the race to snap up the Norway international, especially given the publicised financial woes of both Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, Ball said: “If you hear the stories, everyone’s talking about Haaland.

“I think the bigger clubs in Spain are saying they haven’t got the money to be pumping into buying top, top players, so that could give City the pull to bring him in, with his history with Manchester City through his father.”