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Taking to Twitter, Fichajes reporter Ekrem Konur has dropped an exciting Tottenham Hotspur transfer claim involving Manchester United star Anthony Martial.

The Lowdown: Pochettino’s top target for Spurs in 2015…

According to reliable news outlet The Evening Standard, this isn’t the first time Tottenham have been mentioned alongside the £250,ooo-per-week forward.

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Indeed, as per their information at the time, former Lilywhites boss Mauricio Pochettino was a big admirer of Martial during his time at Spurs.

The Argentine apparently made Martial his ‘top target’ back in 2015 when the Red Devils ace was still plying his trade at AS Monaco, with Konur now sharing Spurs’ intentions six years on.

The Latest: Konur drops exciting Spurs claim…

Taking to social media, the journalist has shared some news on Tottenham as they set their sights on the Frenchman once again.

According to the Turkish reporter, both Spurs and north London rivals Arsenal are ‘planning to make offers’ for Martial – with Konur also expecting a war between the two clubs for his signature.

It could even happen in January according to his sources as managing director Fabio Paratici aims to bolster Nuno Espirito Santo’s options going forward.

The Verdict: Ambition by Spurs…

Given Martial’s pedigree, this arguably comes as a rather ambitious move by Spurs and once which could very well excite supporters.

Lauded as a ‘Ferrari’ by BT Sport pundit and former England international Owen Hargreaves (via sportskeeda), while he hasn’t been on the best run of form lately, the 25-year-old could very well prove to be an asset for Nuno.

According to WhoScored, over his 17 Premier League starts for United last year, Martial averaged a consistent 2 shots on goal per 90 – more than any Spurs player bar Harry Kane (3.9).

As well as this, only Tanguy Ndombele averaged a higher amount of completed dribbles (2.2) in England’s top flight when comparing Martial (1.6) and Spurs’ squad.

In other news: Spurs now want ‘outstanding’ 29 y/o who Pochettino wanted to make one of his highest earners, find out more here.

Alan Hutton has given his reaction as Glasgow Rangers managed to keep hold of their best players in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Players linked with moves

A number of players were linked with moves away from the Light Blues during the window.

The Daily Mail had reported that Everton had made a late £8m bid to try and sign Nathan Patterson, while Marcelo Bielsa wanted to sign Ryan Kent for Leeds United and Alfredo Morelos apparently agreed personal terms with Porto at one point.

The Latest: Hutton on transfers

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton, who is now a pundit after playing as a right-back for the Gers, has been left applauding Steven Gerrard’s team for managing to keep their best players at Ibrox after the window shut:

“I am surprised.

“I think Steven Gerrard will sleep a lot easier tonight knowing he’s kept hold of all his big-name players.

“If you sell two or three of those players to balance the books for the Champions League situation, you’re making it more difficult to retain the title. You’re getting rid of your big stars.

“As we sat here today and he’s kept them all, it’s absolutely brilliant. All Rangers fans will be breathing a sigh of relief after that.

“It’s good to see they’re heading in the right direction of the people. The people they have brought in have done well, along with the people that are already there which is excellent.

“The one main thing I’m happy about is Nathan Patterson staying.

“When that was really ramping up and the bids were coming in, I thought it might be enough for Rangers to sell.

“I’m glad to see him stay and hopefully he can kick on now.”

The Verdict: Great news

It is certainly great news that the Gers were able to keep hold of the likes of Patterson and Kent among a number of their best players.

When clubs from the Premier League come calling especially, it can be difficult for Scottish Premiership sides to turn down their advances, as Celtic have found out recently by selling Odsonne Edouard to Crystal Palace.

However, Gerrard will now have the best possible chance to win the title once more with the current squad, and also have a good crack at the UEFA Europa League, potentially increasing the values of the aforementioned players if they do eventually move on.

In other news, find out whose wages were a problem in him not leaving Rangers here!

Rangers were rocked by the news recently that Nathan Patterson had withdrawn from Scotland duty due to injury, which is a huge blow to Steven Gerrard at Ibrox.

What’s the word?

The right-back picked up a knock in the 1-0 win against Moldova at the weekend and has been forced to withdraw from the squad as a result, which suggests that he could be a doubt for Rangers’ next game, which sees them take on St Johnstone away from home this weekend.

Gerrard’s side are still recovering from their own injury and covid issues, with James Tavernier one of those who has been missing in recent fixtures after being forced to self-isolate, so it is unfortunate timing for the Gers that Patterson may not be available.

A big blow for Gerrard?

Although Leon Balogun impressed at right-back in the Old Firm derby win, it is not ideal for Gerrard to have Patterson potentially missing for upcoming games, especially considering the Gers’ busy schedule.

Hopefully, those who were out due to isolation in recent games weren’t too badly affected by their illness and will be close to full fitness by the time they travel to McDiarmid Park on Saturday, otherwise Rangers’ squad may end up looking very thin.

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Patterson has established himself as a key part of Gerrard’s squad over the past 12 months or so, initially breaking into the first-team when Tavernier was out injured last season and impressing so much that there were some calls for him to start ahead of the captain at right-back.

Alan Hutton and Shaun Maloney lauded Patterson’s “outstanding attributes” last season and his energy down the right-hand side has quickly helped to establish him as a fans favourite at Ibrox.

The 19-year-old was the subject of interest from Everton in the summer transfer window and looks set for a very bright future in the game, so Rangers fans will no doubt be gutted if he is set for a spell on the sidelines, as it increases the pressure on Tavernier to play nearly every game.

Therefore, it is undoubtedly a blow for Gerrard that Patterson could be unavailable for upcoming games after injuring himself on international duty.

And, in other news… 3 key passes: “Outstanding” Rangers ace emphasised his class with superb international display

Aston Villa have hijacked Tottenham’s attempts to sign Northampton Town forward Caleb Chukwuemeka, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Chukwuemeka profiled

Chukwuemeka is 19 years of age and is into the final 12 months of his senior contract with the League Two side.

The striker, who Keith Curle believes has a ‘bit of magic’, has made 28 appearances for The Cobblers, scoring twice.

He was on the bench for Northampton’s first game of the new season on the weekend, but it appears as if he could be on the move before the window shuts.

The Latest: Source shares update

Tottenham submitted a player-plus-cash bid for Chukwuemeka at the end of July, however, a Villa source has informed Football Insider that Villa are trying to beat Spurs to a deal.

They led with a title on Monday claiming Villa have hijacked Tottenham’s deal for Chukwuemeka, and a move to Villa Park could see him reunite with younger brother Carney.

The Verdict: Academy taking shape

Villa have already bolstered their first-team ranks this summer, so it seems as if Chukwuemeka could be the latest addition for the club’s academy.

They’ve signed Tim Iroegbunam from West Brom, Josh Feeney from Fleetwood Town and Ajani Burchall from Bournemouth, so Chukwuemeka could be the latest who could link up with the U23’s.

It could well prove to be a shrewd move by Villa, especially as Spurs are seemingly desperate to land the forward ahead of Villa.

In other news: Many AVFC fans buzz at transfer news, find out what it’s about here. 

Former Leeds midfielder David Norris has exclusively told Football FanCast that pinning down Illan Meslier to a long-term contract is great business for the club.

Since breaking into the team during the back end of the Championship season two years ago, the Frenchman has not only established himself as Marcelo Bielsa’s number one, but as one of the finest young goalkeepers around.

Meslier started all but three Premier League games last season, keeping 11 clean sheets to help Leeds finish ninth on their return to the topflight.

Such was the 21-year-old’s fine form, he quickly attracted interest from PSG, although Leeds rejected any approach from the French giants, who eventually signed Euro 2020 hero Gianluigi Donnarumma instead.

And on the eve of the new Premier League season, Meslier put any doubts over his future to bed when he penned a new deal to keep him at Elland Road for several years to come.

Asked how important tying Meslier down was, Norris told FFC:

“It appeases the fans. For someone they like, and they see him sign long-term, it’s good for the club, it’s good for morale.

“He was linked with PSG, so for Leeds to get him signed down on a longer-term deal, good keeper, great shotstopper, I think that’s a great signing.”

Many Everton fans have been left buzzing as a transfer update emerged on Matthew Hoppe.

As per American journalist Grant Wahl, the Schalke striker is drawing interest from the Goodison Park faithful as well as Arsenal, after impressing in the Gold Cup with the USA.

He claims that it is ‘looking likely’ that he will leave the Bundesliga club after the tournament finishes.

Described as a player with ‘real quality’ by manager Dimitrios Grammozis back in March, Hoppe scored six goals and made one assist in 22 matches in the German top flight in the 2020/21 season (Transfermarkt).

He has also been likened to Robert Lewandowski with regards to his playing style, and at just 20 years of age, has a lot of potential that could be fulfilled at the Toffees, should they end up following up their reported interest.

Everton fans on Hoppe transfer update

These Blues supporters were left buzzing as the transfer update on Hoppe was shared across Twitter:

“Please @Everton pleeeeease”

Credit: @ParrettGost

“Yes please”

Credit: @NealEmbry

“Is a decent young player. I know it’s Germany but I think he could be a star in the Premier League given time swear.”

Credit: @sipatto1982

“Cool”

Credit: @joshwilbert1

“I would take Hoppe at Everton any day”

Credit: @whoisparadox

“Up the Toffees”

Credit: @DerekDevereaux

In other news, find out what club update has Evertonians buzzing here!

Leicester City have been handed a potentially significant boost in their pursuit of Schalke defender Ozan Kabak.

What’s the story?

The Foxes have been heavily linked with a move for the 21-year-old in recent weeks and could now pick up the centre-back on a free transfer following an intriguing development.

“Kabak is rated highly, but Schalke need him to go because they can’t pay him – that is the situation,” Bundesliga journalist Constantin Eckner told the Blood Red Podcast. “Kabak was set to return to training with Schalke after his holidays after the Euros, but they told him to have more days off to find a new club.

“Clubs are interested, but then they find someone else who is more compelling, and Kabak is still outside on the street in the rain. Schalke might even terminate his contract before the end of August, so he has time to find a new club,” added Eckner.

Brendan Rodgers would love him

After an injury crisis sidelined all three of Liverpool’s senior central defenders for the remainder of the campaign before Christmas last term, Jurgen Klopp turned to Kabak.

The Turkey international initially struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League, although he quickly settled and played a pivotal part in the club’s solid end-of-season form, leading to Klopp labelling him a “big prospect”.

He made 13 appearances in all competitions for the Reds during his six-month loan spell, achieving a highly respectable WhoScored rating of 6.72, but his performances weren’t enough to persuade the Anfield outfit to sign him on a permanent basis.

While Kabak was enjoying a successful stint on English shores, though, Schalke suffered relegation from the Bundesliga, meaning the German outfit are now desperate to offload one of their highest earners as they prepare for life in the second tier.

The youngster has reportedly attracted interest from several clubs as a result, but it’s arguably Leicester who need him the most.

Wes Morgan’s retirement at the end of 2020/21 has left a sizeable gap in the FA Cup holders’ backline, and manager Brendan Rodgers would surely love to replace the former club captain with an exciting, youthful acquisition who’s full of potential.

The Northern Irish tactician has cultivated an enviable reputation for developing young talents, and the £22.5m-rated Kabak could become the latest gem to benefit from his tutelage.

And, in other news…Fabrizio Romano drops intriguing Leicester transfer update that’ll excite fans 

Wolves are planning to ‘test Fulham’s resolve’ with an offer to sign left-back Antonee Robinson, Football Insider claim.

The lowdown

Robinson started 24 Premier League matches for Fulham, who finished 18th and fell straight back down to the Championship, last season.

He averaged 1.6 tackles, 1.3 interceptions, 1.9 clearances and 1.8 dribbles per 90 minutes for the Cottagers (via WhoScored).

Robinson was the sixth highest-rated left-back in the Premier League in 2020/21 according to WhoScored’s metrics, ranking above Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson.

The Athletic reported last week that Wolves were on the verge of announcing the signing of another left-back in Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Bruno Lage’s side are set to capture him for £10million rather than the £18million option to buy that was included in their loan arrangement.

The latest

A Wolves source has told Football Insider that they are ‘plotting a raid’ for Robinson during the summer transfer window as well.

Robinson, who only joined Fulham last summer in a £2million move from Wigan Athletic and still has three years left on his contract, is apparently valued at £10million.

The verdict

Could Wolves really bring in both Ait-Nouri and Robinson? It’s not as counter-intuitive as it seems. After two ACL injuries, there’s certainly no guarantee Jonny Castro Otto will ever be able to recapture his best form when he’s nursed back to fitness.

Marcal is another who can play left-back for Wolves, but he’s now 32 and has suffered six injuries over the last two seasons, suggesting he can’t be relied upon.

Robinson performed well enough in a struggling Fulham side to merit another chance in the top-flight, and singing both him and Ait-Nouri for a combined £20million would sort out Wolves’ left-back position for the best part of a decade.

In other news, Steve Bull has urged Wolves to sign this defender as well.  

After Celtic’s first pre-season clash, Ange Postecoglou hoped that within a week, he’d have some signings to announce.

The new Hoops boss wasn’t telling a lie because they’ve been incredibly busy in the window this week.

What’s the word?

Celtic have bolstered their attacking ranks in recent days with the additions of Liel Abada and Kyogo Furuhashi.

A move for Carl Starfelt is ongoing in the background, but the Bhoys are also working on a deal to sign Croatian winger Kristijan Lovric.

They’ve held an interest in the Gorica attacker before and even had a bid rejected in the winter of 2019/20. However, they have returned to the negotiating table and, according to reports, they have held talks with intermediaries over a move for the 25-year-old.

It could be a strange deal, though, with Celtic set to wait to see if they progress in Europe in order to afford the necessary £5m.

Big upgrade

With Celtic lacking genuine wide players, this would be an incredibly smart acquisition. Abada may have arrived but fellow wingers Mikey Johnston and James Forrest barely played last term, so there are rightful questions over their fitness.

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Mo Elyounoussi has also headed for the exit door after the conclusion of his loan spell at Paradise, but either way, Lovric would be a tremendous signing. He is a rampant threat in the final third and is one of the most attack-minded wingers on the continent.

Capable of playing on the flanks or in a central position, Lovric scored 18 goals last term while setting up another seven for his teammates. That took his tally for Gorica to 44 during his time with the Croatian club.

He takes more shots at goal than 1,132 of 1,133 wingers in the Celtic Analysis database, which goes to show just how positive the 25-year-old tries to be.

The Croatia international doesn’t just possess goal-scoring abilities, either. Lovric is a particularly tricky player to combat when he’s running with possession, as HNTV commentator Damir Petravic once said: “He dribbles and scores in the style of Robben, shoots free throws like Pirlo or Pjanic, and knows how to sprint like Mbappe.”

His goal involvement tally was identical to Elyounoussi last term, which is important after they lost the Norwegian last month after his loan spell ended.

Crucially, he’s also a bigger threat than Johnston and possesses more experience than Karamoko Dembele. Furthermore, Lovric is more potent than Abada, who scored 13 times last season.

All things considered, he seems like he would be an undoubted upgrade for Postecoglou and co.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Furuhashi: Ange can form magic Celtic duo by signing “exciting” 21 y/o…

An update has emerged regarding Sunderland’s interest in Rotherham midfielder Matt Crooks.

What’s the talk?

According to the East Anglian Daily Times, the Black Cats are set to challenge Ipswich for the signing of Crooks, who is heading into the final 12 months of his contract with the Yorkshire club, and the Suffolk club are said to have identified him as a key target.

The report claims that Lee Johnson is also keen on the 27-year-old, whilst Championship duo Peterborough and Derby are looking at him as well.

Fans would love him

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman must act swiftly to get a deal done for Crooks following this update.

With Ipswich in pole position for his signature, the Wearsiders are currently lagging behind in the race for his services and need to get a move on or they will face missing out on the player. However, if the Black Cats make their approach now and work with urgency to strike a deal with Rotherham, then they could swoop in for him ahead of Ipswich.

Crooks could be an excellent addition to Johnson’s side after his impressive displays for Rotherham in the Championship last season. Back in November 2020, Millers boss Paul Warne called the midfielder “influential”, although he admitted that speculation over his future was potentially affecting some of his performances.

He told The Star: “I don’t know how many of my players are absolutely 100 per cent but I think Crooksy sticks out because he was so influential over the last couple of years.

“If (Mohamed) Salah doesn’t play well for Liverpool everyone notices. With Crooksy, he is getting more like the player we want him to be.

“Has the transfer rumour and anything else that has gone on in his life affected him? Maybe. But that is just an excuse. It might not have.”

The £1,900-per-week beast produced an impressive tally of six goals and three assists for Rotherham in the Championship despite their relegation last term. He was able to chip in with a respectable amount of goals whilst his team struggled at the wrong end of the table, which suggests that he is good enough to compete in the second tier and that he could thrive for Sunderland in League One.

This is why Black Cats fans would surely be all over this deal as the club could be signing a proven player who can come in and have an instant impact on the team with his goals from midfield. Instead of taking a gamble on a player from a lower league or overseas club, the Wearsiders would be gaining someone who has already shown his class at a higher standard of football in this country.

AND in other news, Speakman could strike gold for Sunderland as 6ft 1 beast agrees to join The Black Cats…